THOUSANDS of people stood with heads bowed in cold and windy weather at a silent ceremony to remember victims of the grenade and rifle attack that left five dead in one of Belgium’s biggest cities.

Thousands of people stood with heads bowed in cold and windy weather at a silent ceremony to remember the victims of the hand grenade and automatic rifle attack that left five dead in one of Belgium’s biggest cities.

Belgium’s oldest university bestowed an honorary doctorate on Crown Prince Philippe for his ‘‘contribution to world peace,’’ ignoring protests by professors and students who said he did not deserve the prestigious award.

Belgium celebrated its first female heir to the throne today, a day after Princess Mathilde, wife of Crown Prince Philippe, gave birth to their first child, a daughter.

Princess Mathilde - wife of heir to the Belgian throne Crown Prince Philippe - is expecting twins, it was reported today.