Belgian order of precedence


Belgian order of precedence 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
  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
  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,...