LONDON, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Two Belgian warships have arrived at the River Thames in London for the 85th annual Belgian military parade to take place on Saturday.
The Belgian frigate BNS Louise-Marie and the Belgian minehunter BNS Lobelia have moored alongside HMS Belfast, the former British Royal Navy Town-class light cruiser, on the River Thames to celebrate the Britain-Belgium defense relationship.
Belgium is the only non-Commonwealth country permitted to parade its troops in uniform and carry arms at the Cenotaph in central London.
A service will commence on Saturday morning, with wreaths laid at the Cenotaph. The service will be supported by the Band of the Grenadier Guards, cadets from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, and will also be attended by both Belgian and British veterans.
A parade will then move to Horse Guards Parade, where Belgian defense minister will lay a wreath.
"It is fantastic to have the Belgian Armed Forces on parade in London, particularly as this year marks the 85th year of this annual celebration," said Group Captain Justin Fowler, British defense attache to Belgium and Luxembourg.
The tradition dates back to the time when King George V granted the Belgian Armed Forces the freedom to parade with arms in honor of Belgium's sacrifice in the First World War.
Belgium and Britain share close military ties, said a spokesman at the Ministry of Denfense in London. "We shared great sacrifices together in the First World War just over 100 years ago and during the Second World War 75 years ago."
