What will King Filip be doing on his first day?

King Albert, who despite the abdication retains his royal title 'king', used to see the prime minister every Monday at 11am and this is a custom that King Filip intends to honour.

True to tradition PM Elio Di Rupo will tender the resignation of his six-party government. This is a resignation that the King traditionally refuses to accept. The resignation is seen as a symbolic act "out of respect for the monarchy".

The last time that this happened was in 1993 following the death of King Boudewijn. Belgium's new king at that time, King Albert, also refused to accept the government's resignation.

Sunday was a busy day. Today will be no different with King Filip expected to attend a series of get-to-know-you receptions with members of the devolved governments, parliamentary speakers as well as the highest ranking officials of the judiciary and the Court of Auditors.