King Philippe of Belgium makes an official two -day visit to Czech Republic. This Monday, May 5, the King of the Belgians was received at the Prague castle by President Petr Pavel. The President of the Czech Republic honored his guest by giving him the chain of the Order of the White Lion.
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King Philippe received at Prague Castle by President Petr Pavel
King Philippe of Belgium, 65, visit the Czech Republic on May 5, 2025. The sovereign’s visit recalls the aid brought by Belgium during the Second World War in Western Bohemia. 80 years ago, Belgian soldiers were fighting in Pilsen, a city west of current Czechies, to release the Nazi Germany region.
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Truly honored by the visit of the King of the Belgians, President Petr Pavel had reserved a worthy welcome for his guest. At Prague Château, the Czech President presented the highest Czech distinction for a foreign head of state. King Philippe received the necklace from the Order of the White Lion, a distinction created in 1922 which was inspired by a reward given in 1814 by the Emperor François of Austria (also king of Hungary and Bohemia) to the Czech nobility.
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The King of the Belgians honored with the highest Czech distinction
The office of the Czech president indicates that Petr Pavel wanted to give this award to the King of the Belgians in appreciation “From its significant contribution to the strengthening of friendly relations between the Kingdom of Belgium and the Czech Republic, in particular by supporting and strengthening the historical conscience of common combat for freedom, symbolized by the participation of the 17th Battalion of Belgian Fusiliers in the Liberation of Pilsen and the Western Bohemia in May 1945.”
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The white lion order was created in 1922 by Czechoslovakia to reward the merit of foreign citizens. The statutes of the order have been changed many times, including due to the various regimes that have succeeded in the country. Since 1994, this is the highest distinction that the President of the Czech Republic can give a foreign head of state. The order is divided into 5 classes, the 1st class being the highest. 1st class recipients can also receive an additional necklace.
After a bilateral interview at the Prague castle, the Czech president took King Philippe visiting the Strahov monastery. The two heads of state were able to admire the magnificent library. The day ended with a state dinner organized by President Pavel.
Nicolas Fontaine
Editor
Nicolas Fontaine was designer-editor and author for many Belgian and French brands and media. A specialist in the news of royal families, Nicolas founded the Royal Stories site of which he is the editor. [email protected]
