Belgium has sworn in Prince Philippe as its 7th king following Albert II's abdication after a 20-year reign. King Philippe takes the thrown at a time when his country is starkly divided between the Dutch-speaking north and the French south. Belgium has a history of political instability, with the French-Dutch tension having brought down several governments in the past. Onlookers say that with both language blocs seeking autonomy from the central state, the role of the monarchy could be more diminished than ever and King Philippe, much like his father Albert, is expected to avoid politics as much as possible. However with a shared respect for the royal family, Belgians from both sides of the debate appeared to forget their differences as they celebrated King Philippe's accession to the throne.
