King Philippe and Queen Mathilde lead proud celebration

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium will attend a pivotal military on 30th September, 2025 ceremony as their son, Prince Gabriel, is formally sworn in as an officer upon completion of his studies at the Royal Military Academy.

The solemn event will see Gabriel pledge “loyalty to the King, obedience to the Constitution and the laws of the Belgian people,” just as his sister, Crown Princess Elisabeth, did before him.

Following his swearing in, the Prince is slated to begin his final, fourth year at the Academy on 9 October 2025, paving the way for a master’s degree in Social and Military Sciences.

Joining his classmates from the 162nd Social and Military Sciences class, the 177th Polytechnic class, and several divisions of the Special Department in pledging “allegiance to the King, obedience to the Constitution and the laws of the Belgian people.”

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde married in a spectacular double ceremony on 4 December 1999 a civil service at Brussels Town Hall followed by a religious wedding at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula.

They have balanced public duty with private family life since Philippe’s accession to the throne in 2013 following King Albert II’s abdication.

On their 20th wedding anniversary in 2019, the King reflected on their partnership in a rare interview, saying, “After 20 years, I never imagined it could be like this. Of course, I knew the young girl back then, and I told myself, I think she has everything in her.

But in fact, it’s even more. I want to take advantage of the opportunity to thank her. The people may not realise this, but it’s an enormous job.”