On 24 December 2024, His Majesty King Philippe addressed the Nation in a speech imbued with gravity and hope. Inspired by a touching letter received from young pupils at the Sancta Maria school in Leuven, the King delivered a message of great depth, calling for collective responsibility and commitment to a better future. These pupils, confronted with the horrors of war and the suffering of children around the world, shared their questions with the King, not only as a Sovereign, but also as a father. This gesture of empathy and hope deeply touched His Majesty, who praised their courage and sensitivity.
The royal speech addressed the major challenges of our time: armed conflict, geopolitical upheaval, climate change and social inequality. In response to questions from the young people, King Philippe urged adults, governments and authorities not to remain indifferent in the face of violations of human rights and international law. He said: « To hope is not to wait passively for a better future. It means making a commitment to build, to move forward together towards a fairer, more respectful world, where every child is welcomed as the most precious of promises. »
Stressing that the ideal of a world without war and suffering remains a noble aspiration despite its utopian nature, the King recalled that collective effort and determination are essential to progress towards this goal. He also paid tribute to the many actors in civil society who, through their work in areas such as health, education, justice and social cohesion, embody this hope and show the way. Their contribution, according to His Majesty, is a source of inspiration for building a future based on unity and solidarity, values that are Belgium’s strength. Finally, the King expressed his optimism for the year ahead, calling for cooperation and responsibility from all Belgian governments to strengthen the confidence of citizens in the future.
In a spirit of renewal and hope, the speech concluded with these warm words: « May this Christmas and New Year period be for each of us a source of inspiration, renewal and hope. » His Majesty King Philippe, the Queen and their entire family sent their Christmas and New Year greetings, once again embodying their role as benevolent and unifying guides for the nation. This message, which is both personal and universal, invites every citizen to participate in building a fairer and more united world, a world of hope for future generations.