King Philippe awards special honour to Stromae

King Philippe knighted 10 people and bestowed an honorary title on 14 others in a special ceremony on Thursday, including Belgian music artist Stromae.

The ceremony takes place each year and generally concerns business leaders, NGO founders, artists, novelists and researchers.

Some of the recipients of honours are well known to the general public while others are private individuals, but all have demonstrated "an exceptional career", according to Xavier Baert, communications director for the palace.

This could involve making a significant contribution in their field or a contribution to society in general.

Stromae, one of Belgium’s most famous and successful music artists, was one of 10 people to be given the title Commander of the Order of the Crown. In terms of other more well-known recipients of honours, Michelin-starred chef Peter Goossens was given the title of Commander of the Order of Leopold, along with gynaecologist and researcher Marleen Temmerman.

“Originally, each order tended to reward a certain type of profile – for example, the Order of the Crown rewarded major industrialists,” explained Vincent Dujardin, professor of contemporary history at UCLouvain, noting that significant changes have occurred over time.

“We no longer find only diplomats, military personnel, political figures or people from the business world, but also journalists, writers, actors, athletes and singers. This is one of the consequences of the creation of the advisory committee in 1978 under King Baudouin, and Albert II and Philippe have continued and even amplified this movement.”

While the advisory committee assesses the merits of individuals, the king has the final say and can also add to the list, which the foreign affairs minister countersigns.

Belgian kings have tended to choose people related to the issues they care most about, with King Albert II favouring those active in economics and Philippe choosing people who work on social issues, particularly regarding mental health.

In the case of Stromae, the Brussels-based artist is not only successful commercially but also outspoken about his personal journey regarding his mental health.

The titles come with no privileges or benefits and hereditary ennoblement has not been practised for years now, meaning they will not be passed on to any descendants of the recipients, which the palace’s communications director said “puts more emphasis on the fact that it is a reward for the individual's own merits”.

The higher honours can also come at a price, however. It’s “several thousand euros” for an ennobled person to receive their title, coat of arms and admittance to the civil register.

“Some monarchies, such as the Netherlands, no longer grant noble titles,” noted Jonkheer Claude de Moreau de Gerbehaye, president of the Conseil de Noblesse.

“But in Spain and the UK it is common practice. It may be considered old-fashioned, but for me, it's about rewarding and distinguishing a person.”

Other recipients at this year's ceremony included Auschwitz Foundation chairman Henri Goldberg, the co-founder of the Infirmiers de Rue charity, Emilie Meessen, and chef Sang Hoon Degeimbre.