In pictures: Belgium welcomes new King Philippe

King Philippe kisses the hand of his wife Queen Mathilde as they greet crowds from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Brussels, 21 July 2013

Belgian King Philippe, pictured here with his wife, greeted supporters from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Brussels after being sworn in as the country's seventh monarch.

Philippe takes the oath at the Palace of the Nation in Brussels, 21 July 2013

Philippe took his oath in the country's three official languages - Dutch, French and German - a reminder of the delicate political task that awaits him, trying to mediate between French-speaking Wallonia and Dutch-speaking Flanders.

Philippe stands in front of members of parliament and the senate at the Palace of the Nation in Brussels, 21 July 2013

Members of Parliament applauded after the new king pledged to abide by the laws and constitution of the nation.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde are driven to the Royal Palace in Brussels, 21 July 2013

After a ceremony topped off by trumpet fanfare and cannon-fire, supporters cheered as the new king and queen were driven the short distance between the parliament building and the royal palace.

King Albert II, right, and his wife Queen Paola watch as Philippe takes the oath at the Palace of the Nation in Brussels, 21 July 2013

King Philippe succeeds his father, Albert - pictured here with his wife, Paola - who had been king for nearly 20 years. He abdicated earlier on Sunday in an emotional ceremony due to old age and poor health.

Well-wisher adorned in the colours of the Belgian flag on Belgian national day on 21 July 2013

The ceremony took place amid Belgium's National Day celebrations, so the colours of the flag were on full display - on balloons, banners, and even well-wishers' faces.

Anti-monarchy students hold up placards in Brussels on 21 July 2013

But not everyone was celebrating. These Flemish students held aloft a banner reading "Kings belong in fairytales".