Like every year, King Philippe on Thursday awarded titles of nobility and honorary distinctions to Belgians who have shone in their respective fields. This year, 25 personalities were decorated at the Royal Palace in Brussels. Among them was Paul Van Haver, better known by his stage name Stromae. The artist was welcomed by a vibrant “ Bravo Master! » from the master of ceremonies.
Ten personalities, named baron or baroness during last year’s national holiday, officially received their title from the hands of the sovereign: the dancer and choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, the dementia expert Kasper Bormans, the president of the Auschwitz Foundation Henri Goldberg, chemical engineering professor Elisabeth Monard (KU Leuven), Anny De Windt, founder of the youth aid organization BiJeVa, Sabine Gössing, co-founder of the Alzheimer’s League, Anne Johansson, head of the intensive neonatology department at the Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital, cardiac surgeon Jean Rubay, Emilie Meessen, co-founder of the ASBL Street Nurses and the painter and designer Charles Schelfhout.
Fourteen other Belgians were also honored at the Palace for distinctions received this summer. Judge Christine Matray was elevated to the rank of Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold, while gynecologist Marleen Temmerman and chef Peter Goossens were named Commanders of the same order. Stromae, the highlight of the ceremony, was made Commander of the Order of the Crown. The artist has remained discreet since the cancellation of his world tour for health reasons in May 2023.
Also named Commanders of the Order of the Crown were surgeon and former minister Reginald Moreels, cancer researcher Damya Laoui, chefs Seppe Nobels and Sang Hoon Degeimbre, director of the Solidarity and Trauma Center (Solentra) Geertrui Serneels , the entrepreneur Theo Vaes committed to fighting precariousness, the authors Geneviève Damas and Caroline Lamarche, the illustrator Marie Paquay, the conductor Van Lysebeth, and finally Ayman Ramdani, who works for Brussels youth.
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