Princess Elisabeth turns 18

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Princess Elisabeth of Belgium celebrated her 18th birthday today with an official celebration, including a speech and receiving the Order of Leopold from her proud father, King Philippe.

When presenting Elisabeth,  the heiress apparent to the Belgian throne,  the KIng said: “The Leopold Order that I will hand over to you shortly is a national order created by our ancestor Leopold I. That distinction is, therefore, also part of our family history. It symbolises the dignity of our country and our family. I hope you will see this as an encouragement and a sign of confidence.”

The Princess, who attends boarding school in Wales, gave a confidence speech that left both her parents beaming with pride.  Her final words: “I realize that I still have a lot to learn. I will also focus on that in the coming years: trying to understand the world better and contribute to improving it by giving the best of myself. The country can count on me.”

The Princess' grandparents, King Albert and Queen Paola, joined her parents, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde and her uncle, Prince Laurent, and Princess Astrid's eldest child, Prince Amedeo of Belgium, who is one of Elisabeth's godparents.

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