Cut-price celebrations for King’s 20th anniversary jubilee

Celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of King Albert II’s accession to the throne are unlikely to cost more than €500,000 to €600,000 – less than half the cost of the 10th anniversary celebrations – according to Le Soir. In 2003, events were held for two days in a dozen venues across Brussels, for a total cost of €1.3 million. This year’s celebrations on August 9 should cost “little more than a normal July 21”, Le Soir says. The prime minister is discussing details of the festivities with the interior and defence ministries, and the paper believes they will be downsized through budgetary concerns, but also “in light of current events” – referring to recent controversies surrounding the allowances paid to Belgium’s royals.