Broke protocol to kiss Mathilde: New nobles meet the King and Queen

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde on Tuesday received this year's new nobles and those awarded one of the national orders, in the Hall of Mirrors at the Royal Palace in Brussels. Ten people received a noble title or a higher title than they held before, and eight received an order.

The ceremony is held every year. The names are announced around the national day on 21 July, and in the autumn the King and Queen invite them to the palace. The new nobles received their letters patent from the King. Each one is made by hand by an artist who designs coats of arms. The others received the insignia that goes with their honour.

A kiss for the Queen

The ceremony took an unexpected turn. Actress Chris Lomme was the first to be honoured, and she went over to the Queen, thanked her and gave her a kiss. It was not part of the protocol, but the others followed suit. According to La Libre, the King also seemed surprised, but many of those present saw it as a warm and friendly moment.

One of those who hugged the Queen was the new baroness Kaloma Bamiriyo. She is a former nurse who set up an aid organisation in Congo. The tribute to her described her life as "a remarkable lesson in courage, solidarity and service".

Those honoured

The new nobles include fashion designer Ann Demeulemeester, vaccine researcher Pierre Van Damme, lawyer Emmanuel Cornu and Anne d'Ieteren, a dressage champion who chairs a sports federation for people with disabilities.

Those who received an order include jazz guitarist Philip Catherine, Chris Lomme, artists Otobong Nkanga and Ann Veronica Janssens, and choreographer Alain Platel. So did Philippe Vansteenkiste, who lost his sister in the 2016 terrorist attack on Brussels Airport and founded an association for victims of terrorism. Neurogeneticist Rosa Rademakers was made a Commander of the Order of Leopold.