In 2024, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium authorized 476 financial donations, amounting to a total of €118,879, according to a statement from the royal palace.
The royal couple received an average of seven requests for financial aid each day, leading to a total of 2,582 appeals throughout the year.
The Royal Palace’s Petitions and Social Affairs Service managed these appeals, alongside approximately 60,000 other inquiries. These included a variety of requests, such as information from schools, applications for royal recognition of associations, and congratulatory messages for special occasions, such as weddings or centenarian birthdays.
Out of the total inquiries, 13,263 were appeals for assistance. Of these, nearly 2,600 were specifically requests for financial aid, while others sought help in resolving social or administrative issues.
The financial aid provided by the royal family is drawn from Queen Mathilde’s aid fund, which also supports various social initiatives. In 2024, the fund dedicated €106,361 to projects aimed at helping vulnerable young adults aged 18 to 25. These beneficiaries include orphans, young people in foster care or care homes, and those from difficult family backgrounds who often face severe challenges as they transition into adulthood. Photo by Michael Thaidigsmann, Wikimedia commons.