Black Lives Matter demonstrations turned violent in central Brussels, with protesters setting fires, wrecking a police car and, at one point, reportedly throwing stones at the Belgian monarch’s car.
King Philippe had traveled from his offices in Brussels to his castle, the Palace of Laeken, on Wednesday when his car was surrounded, according to local reports and footage from the scene.
Photos from the European Pressphoto Agency show the king’s car during the protest; a few security guards were on foot protecting the vehicle, recognizable by the number plate, which bears the number “1”.
There were no reports of injuries to the king or damage to his vehicle.
Four people were in custody during the protest on Thursday, three of whom were charged with arson.
About 500 people protested the death of a 23-year-old black man whose identity has not been officially released.
The suspect had tried to run away from the Brussels police that enforced COVID-19 restrictions in the city center, officials said.
With pole wires