Belgium's King Albert II has officially abdicated in a solemn ceremony at the royal palace. Source: AAP
PHILIPPE has ascended the throne of Belgium as its seventh king amid National Day celebrations marked by hopes the fragile nation can remain united.
"I swear to abide by the constitution and the laws of the Belgian people," Philippe, 53, and dressed in full military uniform, said on Sunday in the country's three languages - French, Flemish and German.
"I am aware of the responsibilities weighing on my shoulders," he added, after the abdication of his father Albert II after 20 years at the helm of the linguistically-split country at the heart of Europe.
Albert, 79, abdicated in favour of his eldest son at a solemn ceremony in the royal palace's chandelier-laden throne room after saying he felt too old and too fragile to continue to reign.
In his last speech, Albert reiterated a call to the country's leaders "to work tirelessly in favour of Belgium's cohesion".
His voice breaking with emotion, Albert turned to his wife of 54 years, Queen Paola, to say: "As for the queen who constantly supported me in my task I would simply like to tell her 'thank you'.
"A big kiss", he added as she shed a tear and the audience of political leaders and other dignitaries broke into a long round of applause.
Under sunny skies and a light summer breeze, flags fluttered across Brussels as the day of pageantry began with a thanksgiving mass in the cathedral and crowds lined outside shouted "Long Live the King".
The medieval cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula was packed with Belgian government and other dignitaries, but there were no foreign guests in attendance.
But worries persist that the shy and often awkward prince Philippe may lack the political skills of his father to maintain unity in a nation deeply divided between its Flemish and French-speaking halves.
Mathilde, an outgoing 40-year-old who will be Belgium's first home-grown queen, is seen as his best asset in the couple's campaign to win the hearts of their 11.5 million people.
"Philippe, you have the heart and the intelligence to serve our country very well," Albert said in his abdication speech. "You and your dear wife Mathilde have all our confidence."
The monarchy more often than not is viewed as a rare symbol of Belgium's unity - along with its iconic fries and the national football team.
In the last decades, severe tensions across the linguistic divide have seen it morph progressively into a federal state that devolves increasing powers to its language-based regions.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Philippe ascends throne of divided Belgium
Dengan url
http://jemuranduit.blogspot.com/2013/07/philippe-ascends-throne-of-divided.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Philippe ascends throne of divided Belgium
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Philippe ascends throne of divided Belgium
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar