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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.
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 the 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
- Belgian cardinals
- Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the Papal Nuncio
- Ambassadors accredited by the court
- President of the European Parliament
- President of the Chamber and the President of the Senate
- President of the European Council
- Prime Minister
- Vice prime ministers
- Federal ministers
- President of the European Union
- Minister for Foreign Affairs (if foreign diplomats are present)
- President of the European Commission
- Secretary General of NATO
- Foreign Minister
- President of the International Court of Justice in the Hague
- President of the Court of Justice of the European Union
- Prosecutor General of the Court of Cassation
- President of the Constitutional Court
- Presidents of the Parliaments of the Communities and Regions
- Minister-Presidents of the Communities and Regions
- Secretaries of state
- Grand Marshall of His Majesty the King
- Vice presidents and members of the European Commission
- Belgian ministers of state
- Regional ministers
- Ladies in waiting of the Queen
- Judges of the International Criminal Court of The Hague
- Judges and Clerks of the Court of Justice of the European Union
- Ambassadors to the European Union
- Ambassadors to NATO
- President of the Court of Audit (Rekenhof/Cour des comptes)
- President of the High Council of Justice
- Noble families of the Blue Room
- Dignitaries of the Royal Court
- HM's Chief of Staff
- Head of HM's Military Household
- Intendant of HM's Civil List
- Chief of the Household of the Royal Princes
- Honorary chief of staff of His Majesty
- Honorary intendant of His Majesty's Civil List
- Honorary head of HM's Military Household
- Honorary ladies in waiting of the queen
- President of the Military Committee of NATO
- Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, if not a Cardinal
- Foreign ambassadors of His Majesty
- Head of Protocol or the Royal Court
- Governors of the Provinces
- Presidents of the Provincial Councils
- Bishops of the Belgian Church province
- Commanders in chief of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
- 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, etc.
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.