Belgium prepares low-key ceremony for 21 July national day

Belgium will celebrate its national day on 21 July with a low-key ceremony on the Place des Palais in Brussels, the royal palace has confirmed.

But regular favourites including the Resto National and ball in the Marolles will not go ahead this year due to the coronavirus restrictions on large events.

The ceremony, which will be televised from 14.00, will mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the second world war with a parade of 10 historic vehicles from the war. However, the traditional full military parade is cancelled.

King Philippe will deliver a speech. Also present will be Queen Mathilde, Princesses Elisabeth, Eleonore and Astrid, and Princes Gabriel, Emmanuel, Lorenz and Laurent.

The ceremony will close with a tribute to the "heroes" of the coronavirus crisis, including the more than 9,000 people who have died in Belgium

There will be a flypast of five F-16 fighter jets, trailing smoke in the colours of the Belgian flag, and a military helicopter carrying the Belgian flag.