Editing Monarchy of Belgium (section)

==Constitutional role==
[[File:Belgische Monarchen.jpg|thumb|left|350px|Busts of the first five Kings of the Belgians]]

The Belgian monarchy symbolises and maintains a feeling of national unity by representing the country in public functions and international meetings.

In addition, the monarch has a number of responsibilities in the process of the formation of the Government. The procedure usually begins with the nomination of the "[[Informateur]]" by the monarch. After the general election the Informateur officially informs the monarch of the main political formations which may be available for governance. After this phase, the monarch can appoint another "informateur" or appoint a "[[Formateur]]", who will have the charge of forming a new government, of which he or she generally becomes the Prime Minister.

Article 37 of the [[Constitution of Belgium]] vests the "federal executive power" in the monarch. Under Section III, this power includes the appointment and dismissal of ministers, the implementation of the laws passed by the [[Belgian Federal Parliament|Federal Parliament]], the submission of bills to the Federal Parliament and the management of international relations. The monarch sanctions and promulgates all laws passed by Parliament. In accordance with Article 106 of the Belgian Constitution, the monarch is required to exercise his powers through the ministers. His acts are not valid without the countersignature of the responsible minister, who in doing so assumes political responsibility for the act in question. This means that federal executive power is exercised in practice by the [[Belgian Federal Government|Federal Government]], which is accountable to the [[Belgian Chamber of Representatives|Chamber of Representatives]] in accordance with Article 101 of the Constitution.

The monarch receives the prime minister at the Palace of Brussels at least once a week, and also regularly calls other members of the government to the palace in order to discuss political matters. During these meetings, the monarch has the right to be informed of proposed governmental policies, the right to advise, and the right to warn on any matter as the monarch sees fit. The monarch also holds meetings with the leaders of all the major political parties and regular members of parliament. All of these meetings are organised by the monarch's personal political cabinet which is part of the Royal Household.

The monarch is the [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the [[Belgian Armed Forces]] and makes appointments to the higher positions. The names of the nominees are sent to the monarch by the Ministry of Defence. The monarch's military duties are carried out with the help of the Military Household which is headed by a General office. Belgians may write to the monarch when they meet difficulties with administrative powers.

The monarch is also one of the three components of the federal legislative power, in accordance with the Belgian Constitution, together with the two chambers of the [[Belgian Federal Parliament|Federal Parliament]]: the [[Belgian Chamber of Representatives|Chamber of Representatives]] and the [[Belgian Senate|Senate]]. All laws passed by the Federal Parliament must be signed and promulgated by the monarch.

Previously, children of the King were entitled to a seat in the senate ([[Senator by right]]) when they were 18. This right was abolished in 2014 as part of the [[Sixth Belgian state reform]].

===Inviolability===
[[File:Bruxelles - Basilique Nationale du Sacré-Cœur à Koekelberg (5).jpg|thumb|The [[Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Belgium|Basilica of the Sacred Heart]] in Brussels is the National [[Basilicas in the Catholic Church|Basilica]] of Belgium.]]
The Inviolability of Monarchy is a legal principle in Belgium that protects the King or Queen from legal prosecution, civil or criminal, during their reign. This principle is enshrined in Article 88 of the [[Constitution of Belgium|Belgian Constitution]].

According to this principle, the King or Queen cannot be held responsible for their actions as monarch, nor can they be subjected to legal proceedings during their reign. This is intended to ensure that the monarch can perform their duties without fear of political interference or retribution.

However, it is important to note that the principle of inviolability does not extend to the actions of the monarch outside of their official duties. If a monarch commits a crime or engages in unlawful activities outside of their role as head of state, they can still be held legally accountable for their actions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Minutes of the Belgian Senate of September 9, 2004 |url=http://www.senate.be/www/?MIval=/publications/viewPubDoc&TID=50337504&LANG=nl |access-date=2007-09-17 |publisher=The [[Belgian Senate]] |language=nl}}</ref>

In Belgium, the principle of inviolability is seen as an important safeguard for the constitutional monarchy, which is a key component of the country's political system. It is also seen as a way to ensure that the monarch can act as a unifying figure for the country, representing all Belgians regardless of political affiliation or ideology.

Overall, the principle of inviolability of the monarchy in Belgium is a key feature of the country's political system, designed to protect the monarch and preserve the stability of the constitutional monarchy.

=== Traditions ===
The Court still keeps some old traditions, most famous is the tradition that the Reigning King of the Belgians becomes the godfather of a seventh son and the Queen the godmother of a seventh daughter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gva.be/cnt/dmf20180126_03324113/ze-noemen-ons-sneeuwwitje-en-de-zeven-dwergen|title = Zevende zoon zorgt voor zevende viergeslacht en peterschap van koning Filip: "Ze noemen ons Sneeuwwitje en de zeven dwergen"| date=27 January 2018 }}</ref> The child is then given the name of the Sovereign and receives a gift from the palace and [[Burgomaster]] of the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rtl.be/people/royautes/voici-la-nouvelle-filleule-de-la-reine-mathilde-photos--909068.aspx|title=Voici la nouvelle filleule de la reine Mathilde (Photos)|date=14 April 2017}}</ref>
Similar traditions are attached to the [[Russian Tsar]] and the [[President of Argentina]].<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/29/argentina-kirchner-adopt-child-werewolf |title=No, Argentina's president did not adopt a Jewish child to stop him turning into a werewolf |website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date= 2014-12-29|access-date=2018-10-21}}</ref>
Another tradition is the centuries-old ceremonial welcome the new king receives in the country during the [[Joyous Entry]]; this tradition apparently dates back to the [[Dukes of Brabant]].