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BELGIQUE - VRT NWS : "The King awards titles of nobility and decorations to 25 Belgians, including Stromae"
On Thursday, as he does every year, King Philippe awarded titles of nobility and honorary distinctions to Belgians who have excelled in their respective fields. This year, 25 personalities were decorated at the Royal Palace in Brussels. Among them was Paul Van Haver, better known by his stage name Stromae (photo). The artist was greeted by a vibrant "Bravo Maestro!" from the master of ceremonies.
Ten personalities, appointed Baron or Baroness on last year's National Day, officially received their title from the hands of the Sovereign. They are dancer and choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui (video), dementia specialist Kasper Bormans, Auschwitz Foundation President Henri Goldberg, chemical engineering professor Elisabeth Monard (KU Leuven), Anny De Windt (photo), founder of youth aid organization BiJeVa, Sabine Gössing, co-founder of the Alzheimer's League, Anne Johansson, head of intensive neonatology at the Queen Fabiola University Children's Hospital, heart surgeon Jean Rubay, Emilie Meessen, co-founder of the ASBL Infirmiers de rue, and painter and illustrator Charles Schelfhout.
Fourteen other Belgians were also decorated at the Palais for distinctions received this summer. Judge Christine Matray was elevated to the rank of Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold, while gynecologist Marleen Temmerman (photo) and chef Peter Goossens were named Commandeurs of the same order.
Gynecologist Marleen Temmerman becomes Commander of the Order of Leopold
Stromae, the highlight of the ceremony, was made Commander of the Order of the Crown. The artist has kept a low profile since canceling his world tour for health reasons in May 2023. The Palace praised his "deep, offbeat musical universe" and his art, which "resonates with Belgium all over the world, like Jacques Brel in his day".
The title of Commander of the Order of the Crown was also awarded to surgeon and former minister Reginald Moreels, cancer researcher Damya Laoui, chefs Seppe Nobels and Sang Hoon Degeimbre, director of the Centre de Solidarité et Trauma (Solentra) Geertrui Serneels, entrepreneur Theo Vaes, committed to fighting precariousness, authors Geneviève Damas and Caroline Lamarche, illustrator Marie Paquay, conductor Arie Baron Van Lysebeth, and Ayman Ramdani, who works with young people in Brussels.
The ceremony, held in the Hall of Mirrors at the Royal Palace in Brussels, started slightly late, as early morning traffic prevented some of the two hundred guests from arriving on time. Queen Mathilde was also present for the hour-and-a-quarter-long ceremony, punctuated by musical interludes from pianist Marie Datcharry and soprano Margaux de Valensart. Following the awards ceremony, guests gathered in the grand gallery for a reception.
