Belgian Royal Palace still/ fair use

The King of the Belgians has spoken of the power of hope in a moving Christmas message that emphasised unity over division.

In an address from the Royal Palace in Brussels, King Philippe outlined many of the difficulties facing his country as well as international issues, but said that hope could overcome all.

The Belgian monarch noted the conflicts around the world which have gone on in 2023, saying ”this year, again, we live in difficult times. The international scene is dominated by armed conflict and wars – in Ukraine, in Congo and in Sudan. And these last months, we have witnessed violence in the Middle East which affects us all.”

King Philippe also put a particular focus on the divisions in society, noting that ”exclusion, discrimination and racism remain present” and he raised concerns over ”verbal violence which often happens in anonymity on the internet”.

He praised integration across Belgium and said ”the queen and I regularly visit great initiatives created by Belgians who were immigrants. Their work to build a better integrated world deserves credit.”

The king continued ”we have to face reality head on. But fear and anxiety which discourage and paralyse…we can overcome with a vital force: the force of hope. This isn’t a naive or passive optimism. The opposite – hope is an energy that we draw from the depths of ourselves…it grows even more when you commit yourself.”

King Philippe concluded ”the power of hope leads us to move forward, with confidence, on a path enlightened by those who believe in the power of democracy.”

And in a year when his own relations have raised questions about whether they are all treated equally, the message ended with royal inclusivity as the King of the Belgians said ”the queen, our children and our entire family join me in wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year.”