Belgian order of precedence

Belgian order of precedence (Liste de préséance en Belgique, Lijst van préséance in België) is the formal ranking used at the Royal court during acts of state. Because both EU, SHAPE and Nato are in Belgium, this list is used every year during formal receptions at court.

Difference is made between the Princes of the Royal blood, and the 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.

Much of the people who occupy these positions have special privileges in Belgium and can benefit from special car plate signs.

List used in 2016

1. the King of the Belgians
2. the Queen of the Belgians
3. King Albert
4. Queen Paola
5. the Duchess of Brabant
6. the Princes of Royal Blood
7. the Belgian Cardinals
8. the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the Papal Nuncio
9. the Ambassadors accredited by the court
10. the President of the European Parliament
11. the President of the Chamber and the President of the Senate
12. the President of the European Council
13. the Prime Minister
14. the Vice Prime Ministers
15. the Federal Ministers
16. the President of the European Union
17. the Minister for Foreign Affairs (if foreign diplomats are present)
18. the President of the European Commission
19. the Secretary General of NATO
20. the Foreign Minister
21. the President of the International Court of Justice in the Hague
22. the President of the Court of Justice of the European Union
23. the Procureur General of the Court of Cassation
24. the President of the Constitutional Court
25. the Presidents of the Parliaments of the Communities and Regions
26. the Minister-Presidents of the Communities and Regions
27. the Secretaries of State
28. the Grand Marshall of His Majesty the King
29. the Vice presidents and members of the European Commission
30. the Belgian Ministers of State
31. the Regional Ministers
32. the Ladies in Waiting of the Queen
33. the Judges of the International Criminal Court of The Hague
34. the Judges and Clerks of the Court of Justice of the European Union
35. the Ambassadors to the European Union
36. the Ambassadors to NATO
37. the President of the Court of Audit (Rekenhof/Cour des comptes)
38. the President of the High Council of Justice
39. the Noble families of the Blue Room.
40. the Dignitaries of the Royal Court
41. HM's Chief of Staff
42. the Head of HM's Military Household
43. the Intendant of HM's Civil List
44. The Chief of the Household of the Royal Princes.
45. The honorary Chief of Staff of His Majesty.
46. The honorary Intendant of His Majesty's Civil List.
47. The honorary Head of HM's Military Household.
48. The honorary Ladies in Waiting of HM The Queen
49. The President of the Military Committee of NATO.
50. His Excellency the Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, if not a Cardinal.
51. The Foreign ambassadors of His Majesty
52. The Head of Protocol or the Royal Court.
53. The Governors of the Provinces
54. The Presidents of the Provincial Councils
55. Their Excellencies the Bishops of the Belgian Church province.
56. The Commanders in chief of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.
57. The 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, ...

See also

• List of Grand Cordons of the Order of Leopold

Sources

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.