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Belgian order of precedence

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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

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  1. HM King of the Belgians
  2. HM Queen of the Belgians
  3. HM King Albert of the Belgians
  4. HM Queen Paola of the Belgians
  5. HRH The Duchess of Brabant
  6. HRH Prince Gabriel of the Belgians
  7. HRH Prince Emmanuel of the Belgians
  8. HRH Princess Eleonore of the Belgians
  9. HI & RH The Archduchess of Austria-Este
  10. HI & RH The Archduke of Austria-Este
  11. HI & RH Archduke Amadeo of the Belgians
  12. HI & RH Archduchess Elisabeta of the Belgians
  13. HI & RH Archduchess Anna Astrid of Austria-Este
  14. HI & RH Archduke Maximilian of Austria-Este
  15. HI & RH Archduchess Maria Laura of Austria-Este
  16. Mr William Isvy
  17. HI & RH Archduke Joachim of Austria-Este
  18. HI & RH Archduchess Luisa Maria of Austria-Este
  19. HI & RH Archduchess Laetita Maria of Austria-Este
  20. HRH Prince Laurent of the Belgians
  21. HRH Princess Claire of the Belgians
  22. HRH Princess Louise of the Belgians
  23. HRH Prince Nicholas of the Belgians
  24. HRH Prince Aymeric of the Belgians
  25. HRH Princess Delphine of the Belgians
  26. Mr James O'Hare
  27. HRH Princess Josephine of the Belgians
  28. HRH Princess Lea of the Belgians
  29. HRH Princess Marie Christine, Mrs. Gourgues
  30. HRH Princess Marie Esmeralda of the Belgians, Lady Moncada
  31. Belgian cardinals
  32. Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the Papal Nuncio
  33. Ambassadors accredited by the court
  34. President of the European Parliament
  35. President of the Chamber and the President of the Senate
  36. President of the European Council
  37. Prime Minister
  38. Vice prime ministers
  39. Federal ministers
  40. President of the European Union
  41. Minister for Foreign Affairs (if foreign diplomats are present)
  42. President of the European Commission
  43. Secretary General of NATO
  44. Foreign Minister
  45. President of the International Court of Justice in the Hague
  46. President of the Court of Justice of the European Union
  47. Prosecutor General of the Court of Cassation
  48. President of the Constitutional Court
  49. Presidents of the Parliaments of the Communities and Regions
  50. Minister-Presidents of the Communities and Regions
  51. Secretaries of state
  52. Grand Marshall of His Majesty the King
  53. Vice presidents and members of the European Commission
  54. Belgian ministers of state
  55. Regional ministers
  56. Ladies in waiting of the Queen
  57. Judges of the International Criminal Court of The Hague
  58. Judges and Clerks of the Court of Justice of the European Union
  59. Ambassadors to the European Union
  60. Ambassadors to NATO
  61. President of the Court of Audit (Rekenhof/Cour des comptes)
  62. President of the High Council of Justice
  63. Noble families of the Blue Room
  64. Dignitaries of the Royal Court
  65. HM's Chief of Staff
  66. Head of HM's Military Household
  67. Intendant of HM's Civil List
  68. Chief of the Household of the Royal Princes
  69. Honorary chief of staff of His Majesty
  70. Honorary intendant of His Majesty's Civil List
  71. Honorary head of HM's Military Household
  72. Honorary ladies in waiting of the queen
  73. President of the Military Committee of NATO
  74. Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, if not a Cardinal
  75. Foreign ambassadors of His Majesty
  76. Head of Protocol or the Royal Court
  77. Governors of the Provinces
  78. Presidents of the Provincial Councils
  79. Bishops of the Belgian Church province
  80. Commanders in chief of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
  81. 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

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Sources

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  1. Emmanuel COPPIETERS, Protocol, UGA, Heule, 1988.
  2. Pierre-Yves MONETTE, Beroep: Koning der Belgen, 2003
  3. Eddy VAN DEN BUSSCHE, Praktisch Handboek voor het Protocol, UGA, Heule, 2008.
  4. Eddy VAN DEN BUSSCHE, Manuel pratique pour le protocole, UGA, Heule, 2008.
  5. Eddy VAN DEN BUSSCHE, Het Protocol in België - Le Protocole en Belgique, UGA, Heule, 2013.