National Day in Belgium

The Mad Monarchist wishes all Belgians everywhere a happy National Day! It was on July 21, 1831 that HRH Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was formally sworn in as His Majesty Leopold I, King of the Belgians. Considering what a rought time Belgium has had of it lately with poor King Albert II trying to make peace between the politicians of the feuding language communities who still have been unable to form a government, monarchists would do well to pay more attention to the plight of the Kingdom of Belgium as I know of no other monarchy in Europe that is under such a level of threat as that one. Many have taken advantage of the current crisis to use Belgium as an example of the failure of a multi-national state (using much of the same language that was once used against Austria-Hungary) but it may be a better example of the shortcomings of democracy and socialism. I say democracy because polls in Belgium that I have seen are so often contradictory. One will say a majority favor the preservation of Belgium while another shows continued support for the political parties that have almost driven the country apart. I say socialism because, it seems to me, the discontent of Flanders largely seems to boil down to resentment over the redistribution of their wealth to Wallonia (where the socialist party is even more dominant than the separatist party is in Flanders). Of course, as has happened to multi-national states in the past, many are quick to dismiss any chance for the survival of Belgium. I, of course, do not wish to downplay the dire emergency the kingdom is in -be assured I consider it as serious as the country has ever faced. However, I also believe that if the Belgians really want to get through this they can. Be it the Revolutions of 1848, the World Wars or the "Royal Question" the Kingdom of Belgium has survived disasters in the past and -if they so choose- can do so again. I strongly hope they will do so and that the proud history of the Kingdom of Belgium will continue into the future. God bless Belgium and Long live the King!

National Day in Belgium

Today is National Day in the Kingdom of Belgium, a holiday which commemorates the day in 1831 that Leopold I took his oath as the first King of the Belgians. One of our blog members posted the video of the King's address to the nation and it sounded pretty good to me. Any support for a return to 'economic sanity' is a good thing and I was glad to hear the King say what a warm reception he and the Queen were given on their recent visit to the Congo. A happy national day to all the Belgians and long live the King!

MM Video: Monaco National Day 2009

See also the latest posts at Mad for Monaco on National Day 2009.

Borbon Royals Celebrate Spanish National Day

Viva el Rey! Arriba Espana!

Liechtenstein National Day

Today The Mad Monarchist joins all loyal souls in wishing a happy national day to the people and Serene Family of the Principality of Liechtenstein. Für Gott, Fürst und Vaterland!

Belgian National Day

It was on this day in 1831 that Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was inaugurated as King Leopold I of the Belgians. It has been the national holiday, a marker for the independence of the modern Kingdom of Belgium, ever since. The Mad Monarchist wishes all Belgians everywhere a happy national day (especially our readers Matterhorn and BelgieRoyalist) and long life to the Belgian Royal Family!