On June 9, 2024, Belgium's Crown Princess Elisabeth voted at the polling station 74 in Brussel with her three royal siblings, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel and Princess Eleonore. Sixteen-and seventeen-year-olds are voting for the first time in Germany and Belgium. Voting in Belgium is compulsory, and 16-year-old Princess Eleonore cast her ballot for the European election, along with Crown Princess Elisabeth and their two brothers.
Nice casual outfits, very much on point with other youths. I notice that Elisabeth usually stands with her younger brother and Gabriel with his younger sister in most photos.
ReplyDeleteI noticed this too; it's sweet how the oldest two are always with the youngest two. - Louise
DeleteCela fait plaisir de voir la fratrie à l'occasion de ce vote à Bruxelles !
ReplyDeleteGreat to see these lovely brothers and sisters doing something together on their own, and also doing their important civic duty of voting. I hope this encourages other young people to exercise their freedom to vote, when so many around the world do not have this basic right.
ReplyDelete- Anon 9:13
You are so right. I agree 100%, your vote can make a difference!
DeleteIn Belgium voting is not only a right but also a duty!
DeleteEveryone looks nice. Emmanuel and Eleonore are old enough to vote? When did it change from 18 to 16 must have missed that important fact. css
ReplyDeleteEleonore had to vote for the European elections since she is 16. Emmanuel is 18, he had to vote for federal and regional parliaments also (along with Elisabeth and Gabriel). Minimum age to vote is 18 for these elections. For the European parliament, the minimum age has been changed to 16 years.
DeleteDamsel Dragonfly
Emmanuel is 18, turning 19 this year, so he's clearly old enough to vote.
DeleteEleonore is 16, and Belgium is one of the few (4, I think) European countries that have extended the right to vote to 16 and 17 year-olds, but only for the European elections
So, Eleonore has voted only for the EU elections, unlike her older sibilings who, as adults, also voted for the Belgian elections
16 for the European elections
DeleteIt is written right at the top.
DeleteIn Belgium, only the reigning King and Queen don't vote, to maintain their political neutrality. Also former monarchs vote, ans so King Albert and Queen Paola voted as well today (there are also pictures of them at the polling station)
ReplyDeleteCan only talk for Norway. The royal family is allowed to vote in elections, but they choose not to do so. As the royal family is supposed to be apolitical and represent everyone, it would be wrong to give support to a specific party, to support a specific party. As I understand Sweden and Denmarks royal family do the same. So quite suprised. Thought it was common in the royal houses. Learn something new every day.
ReplyDeleteSee comment 19.37 above yours.
DeleteThe electoral participations in Belgium in 2019 was 88,47%, Denmark 66,08% and in Sweden 55,27%…not sure about Norway.. but I hope these children inspire other youth in their age to vote.
Delete@ Anonymous 20:19
DeleteIn Belgium voting is not only a right it is also a duty. If you don't go to the elections to vote you risk a punishment. Only sick and old people who have a signed proof by a medical doctor are allowed to stay home.
The reigning king and queen are not allowed to go voting because they are politically neutral. But all the other adult members of the royal family have to go voting like anybody else.
@ 06:04
Deleteread also the answer to 07:19
There is a misunderstanding here: the Belgian king and queen do have the right to vote! However: they choose to not use that right.
DeletePersonally I would not see any problem in a reigning king/queen to go voting (voting is anonymous anyway), but I do understand their choice to maintain a 100% political neutral front.
Also, fun fact: for these four royal siblings it was their first time voting for all of them ;-)
Lovely photos. I read somewhere that 17 year olds have been allowed to vote in Belgium today and they focused on Princess Eleonore
ReplyDeleteAnnieM
@ AnnieM
DeleteNo 16 year olds are allowed from now on to vote for the European Parliament only. For the Belgian Federal Government or Belgian Regional Government you have to be 18 years old to be allowed to vote.
Its lovely to see the siblings participating together, the boys are lovely and tall.
ReplyDeleteThey are too young to vote!
ReplyDeleteNo they are not. Except Princess Eléonore they are 18 years and older.
DeleteIn Belgium and in the most European countries when you are 18 years old you are considered as an adult. Therefore Princess Eléonore only could vote for he European Parliament.
I disagree @anon 23:58. 16 and 17 years old are totally capable to vote in European elections. I hope that my country could allow the same at least in the next European elections. Young people are concerned about the global issues in a more concious way than in my youth. They vote more for young representatives and that is a good thing imo.
DeleteAnon 23.58, based on what?
DeleteThey seem to be a tight-knit group of siblings. Well done to them exercising their right to vote.
ReplyDelete-Royal Watcher
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