Belgian king visits Morocco

6 October 2004

BRUSSELS – Belgium’s King Albert II and Queen Paola have been honoured in Morocco during a three-day official visit, it was reported on Wednesday.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI gave the pair the Great Sash of Wissam Mohamedi in a ceremony on Tuesday afternoon at the Royal Palace at Fes.

In return, the Belgian monarch gave his Moroccan host the Great Sash of the Order of Leopold I and gave the Moroccan princesses the Great Sash of the Order of Leopold II.

Mohammed VI’s sisters then took Queen Paola to visit the city’s museum of the dynasty.

The Belgian royals flew into Fes at 12.15 to start their visit to Morcco, along with foreign minister Karel De Gucht.

The royal procession, joined by the Moroccan royals, travelled from the airport to the Moulay El Hassan square where they were given the red carpet treatment.

Tens of thousands of onlookers lined the route, cheering the royal procession with Belgian and Moroccan flags.

In the square, girls threw rose petals on the ground and Albert and Paola were entertained with traditional Moroccan music, national hymns and military marches.

They were introduced to Moroccan politicians, dignitaries and ambassadors.

Afterwards, De Gucht and his Moroccan counterpart met the two kings for informal discussions in the palace.

The king and queen later also attended an official dinner as the guests of King Mohammed.

Subject: Belgian news