King Philippe appoints Stromae as Commander in the Order of the Crown

In the run-up to the Belgian national holiday on 21 July, King Philippe has awarded honorary titles to 28 Belgians. Among them is the famous singer-songwriter and producer Stromae. The 39-year-old Paul Van Haver, as is his real name, was appointed as Commander in the Order of the Crown.

Stromae is one of fourteen Belgians who received a civil honorary title from the king. With his many famous songs, such as ‘Alors on danse’ and ‘Papaoutai’, the Brussels-based artist put Belgian music and culture on the map internationally. The honorary title Commander in the Order of the Crown is awarded for achievements in the fields of art, literature and science and is considered one of the highest distinctions in Belgium.

Other civil titles went to amongst others doctor Reginald Moreels, researcher Damya Laoui, gynaecologist Marleen Temmerman and the chefs Seppe Nobels, Sang Hoon Degeimbre and Peter Goossens.

The king also gave fourteen Belgians the noble title of baron or baroness. One of the noble titles was for Marc Michils, the president of the NGO Kom op tegen Kanker (Stand up to Cancer), where he was previously the CEO. The same honour was also bestowed on amongst others entrepreneur Urbain Vandeurzen, computer researcher Patricia Maes and antiquarian Axel Vervoordt.

^{Stromae at the Victoires de la Musique, the annual French music awards ceremony, at the Seine Musicale concert hall in Boulogne-Billancourt in February 2023 © BELGA PHOTO Bertrand GUAY / AFP}