Royal family complete final stage of Camino de Santiago pilgrimage
The Belgian royal family completed the final leg of the famous pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela on Wednesday, ending a years-long tradition of walking part of the route around Easter.
Since 2017, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde and their children have walked part of the Camino de Santiago every year. This year, the couple, with Princess Eléonore and Princes Gabriel and Emmanuel, set off from Santa Irene and arrived in Santiago de Compostela.
Prince Emmanuel arrived at the final destination of the pilgrimage on crutches, having sprained his ankle on Tuesday. The family are in Spain for the Easter holidays. King Philippe celebrated his 65th birthday there on Tuesday and Princess Eléonore celebrated her 17th birthday on Wednesday.
200,000 pilgrims
The Camino de Santiago, declared the first European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe in 1987, attracts more than 200,000 pilgrims every year. It is one of the three great Christian pilgrimages, along with those to Jerusalem and Rome.
The highlight of the route is the arrival in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela, where pilgrims are welcomed by the city's imposing cathedral with its richly decorated Baroque façade.
© BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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