Belgian order of precedence
The Belgian order of precedence (French: Liste de préséance en Belgique, Dutch: Lijst van préséance in België) is the formal ranking used at the Royal court during acts of state. Because the EU, NATO and SHAPE all have their headquarters in Belgium, this list is used every year during formal receptions at court.
Part of a series on the Orders of precedence |
---|
Luxembourg
|
A distinction is made between Princes of the Royal blood, and Princes of nobility. The same goes for Cardinals who always have precedence, no matter if they are acting as residing bishop. Members of the royal household are given high positions. Many of the people who occupy these positions also have special privileges in Belgium and have the right to use special car number plates.
List Used Until 2023
- HM King of the Belgians
- HM Queen of the Belgians
- HM King Albert of the Belgians
- HM Queen Paola of the Belgians
- HRH The Duchess of Brabant
- HRH Prince Gabriel of Belgians
- HRH Prince Emmanuel of the Belgians
- HRH Princess Eleonore of the Belgians
- HI & RH The Archduchess of Austria-Este
- HI & RH The Archduke of Austria-Este
- HI & RH Archduke Amadeo of the Belgians
- HI & RH Archduchess Elisabeta of the Belgians
- HI & RH Archduchess Anna Astrid of Austria-Este
- HI & RH Archduke Maximilian of Austria-Este
- HI & RH Archduchess Maria Laura of Austria-Este
- Mr William Isvy
- HI & RH Archduke Joachim of Austria-Este
- HI & RH Archduchess Luisa Maria of Austria-Este
- HI & RH Archduchess Laetita Maria of Austria-Este
- HRH Prince Laurent of the Belgians
- HRH Princess Claire of the Belgians
- HRH Princess Louise of the Belgians
- HRH Prince Nicholas of the Belgians
- HRH Prince Aymeric of the Belgians
- HRH Princess Delphine of the Belgians
- Mr James O'Hare
- HRH Princess Josephine of the Belgians
- HRH Princess Lea of the Belgians
- HRH Princess Marie Christine, Mrs. Gourgues
- HRH Princess Marie Esmeralda of the Belgians, Lady Moncada
- the Belgian Cardinals
- the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the Papal Nuncio
- the Ambassadors accredited by the court
- the President of the European Parliament
- the President of the Chamber and the President of the Senate
- the President of the European Council
- the Prime Minister
- the Vice Prime Ministers
- the Federal Ministers
- the President of the European Union
- the Minister for Foreign Affairs (if foreign diplomats are present)
- the President of the European Commission
- the Secretary General of NATO
- the Foreign Minister
- the President of the International Court of Justice in the Hague
- the President of the Court of Justice of the European Union
- the prosecutor General of the Court of Cassation
- the President of the Constitutional Court
- the Presidents of the Parliaments of the Communities and Regions
- the Minister-Presidents of the Communities and Regions
- the Secretaries of State
- the Grand Marshall of His Majesty the King
- the Vice presidents and members of the European Commission
- the Belgian Ministers of State
- the Regional Ministers
- the Ladies in Waiting of the Queen
- the Judges of the International Criminal Court of The Hague
- the Judges and Clerks of the Court of Justice of the European Union
- the Ambassadors to the European Union
- the Ambassadors to NATO
- the President of the Court of Audit (Rekenhof/Cour des comptes)
- the President of the High Council of Justice
- the Noble families of the Blue Room.
- the Dignitaries of the Royal Court
- HM's Chief of Staff
- the Head of HM's Military Household
- the Intendant of HM's Civil List
- The Chief of the Household of the Royal Princes.
- The honorary Chief of Staff of His Majesty.
- The honorary Intendant of His Majesty's Civil List.
- The honorary Head of HM's Military Household.
- The honorary Ladies in Waiting of The Queen
- The President of the Military Committee of NATO.
- the Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, if not a Cardinal.
- The Foreign ambassadors of His Majesty
- The Head of Protocol or the Royal Court.
- The Governors of the Provinces
- The Presidents of the Provincial Councils
- The Bishops of the Belgian Church province.
- The Commanders in chief of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.
- The Aide-de-camp of His Majesty.
The official list goes further until 178. Further are mentioned Members of Parliament, Generals, members of the Royal Academies, Burgomasters, ...
See also
Sources
- Emmanuel COPPIETERS, Protocol, UGA, Heule, 1988.
- Pierre-Yves MONETTE, Beroep: Koning der Belgen, 2003
- Eddy VAN DEN BUSSCHE, Praktisch Handboek voor het Protocol, UGA, Heule, 2008.
- Eddy VAN DEN BUSSCHE, Manuel pratique pour le protocole, UGA, Heule, 2008.
- Eddy VAN DEN BUSSCHE, Het Protocol in België - Le Protocole en Belgique, UGA, Heule, 2013.