King's Feast
Encyclopedia
The King's Feast has been celebrated in Belgium
on November 15 since 1866. Since 2001, the Belgian Federal Parliament
holds a ceremony in honour of the King
, in the presence of members of the Belgian Royal Family and other dignitaries. Federal ministries are closed on this day. Traditionally, a Te Deum
is sung as well as a private observance being held.
November 15 is the name day
of Leopold
(the feast of Saint Leopold
in the German liturgical calendar) and Albert
(the feast of Saint Albert the Great
in the General Roman Calendar
). In 1951, King Baudouin decided to honor November 15, as did his brother King Albert II
. During the regency
of Prince Charles
, the designations Day of the Dynasty or Feast of the Dynasty were used, and these terms are still often erroneously used. However, it is not the correct name, as was confirmed in a circular letter in 1953.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
on November 15 since 1866. Since 2001, the Belgian Federal Parliament
Belgian Federal Parliament
The Belgian Federal Parliament is a bicameral parliament. It consists of the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate . It sits in the Palace of the Nation .- Chamber of Representatives :...
holds a ceremony in honour of the King
Monarchy of Belgium
Monarchy in Belgium is constitutional and popular in nature. The hereditary monarch, at present Albert II, is the head of state and is officially called King of the Belgians .-Origins:...
, in the presence of members of the Belgian Royal Family and other dignitaries. Federal ministries are closed on this day. Traditionally, a Te Deum
Te Deum
The Te Deum is an early Christian hymn of praise. The title is taken from its opening Latin words, Te Deum laudamus, rendered literally as "Thee, O God, we praise"....
is sung as well as a private observance being held.
November 15 is the name day
Name day
A name day is a tradition in many countries in Europe and Latin America that consists of celebrating the day of the year associated with one's given name....
of Leopold
Leopold
-Literature:* Aldo Leopold , American author, ecologist, forester, and environmentalist* Jan Hendrik Leopold , Dutch poet and classicist-Crime:* Nathan Leopold Jr , convicted of the kidnap and murder of Bobby Franks-Music:...
(the feast of Saint Leopold
Leopold III, Margrave of Austria
Saint Leopold III was the Margrave of Austria in 1073–1136. He is the patron saint of Austria, of the city of Vienna, of Lower Austria, and, jointly with Saint Florian, of Upper Austria. His feast day is November 15.-Biography:...
in the German liturgical calendar) and Albert
Albert
Albert may refer to:* Albert , a family name * Albert * Albertet, an Occitan diminutive of AlbertFictional characters:* Albert , minor character in Dario Argento's 1977 film Suspiria...
(the feast of Saint Albert the Great
Albertus Magnus
Albertus Magnus, O.P. , also known as Albert the Great and Albert of Cologne, is a Catholic saint. He was a German Dominican friar and a bishop, who achieved fame for his comprehensive knowledge of and advocacy for the peaceful coexistence of science and religion. Those such as James A. Weisheipl...
in the General Roman Calendar
Roman Catholic calendar of saints
The General Roman Calendar indicates the days of the year to which are assigned the liturgical celebrations of saints and of the mysteries of the Lord that are to be observed wherever the Roman Rite is used...
). In 1951, King Baudouin decided to honor November 15, as did his brother King Albert II
Albert II of Belgium
Albert II is the current reigning King of the Belgians, a constitutional monarch. He is a member of the royal house "of Belgium"; formerly this house was named Saxe-Coburg-Gotha...
. During the regency
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
of Prince Charles
Prince Charles of Belgium
Prince Charles, Count of Flanders, Prince of Belgium was the second son of Albert I, King of the Belgians and Duchess Elisabeth in Bavaria. Born in Brussels, he served in lieu of his older brother King Leopold III from 1944 until 1950 as Prince Regent until Leopold could return to Belgium and...
, the designations Day of the Dynasty or Feast of the Dynasty were used, and these terms are still often erroneously used. However, it is not the correct name, as was confirmed in a circular letter in 1953.