History On 5 January 1960, King Baudouin granted the Gendarmerie the privilege of creating a motorised unit in order to escort him to public places and to accompany high officials to the Royal Palace. The Brabant's Special Traffic Unit provides one officer, four graded and 21 warrant officers. The Royal Motorcycle Escort accomplished its first mission on 28 April 1960 in Bruges. It then escorted HRH the Grand Duchess and the prince of Luxembourg on their state visit to Belgium. Since its creation, the Royal Motorcycle Escort has performed a great number of missions. These include for example the « royal fiancés »’ visit to Antwerp and Liège in 1960, Princess Astrid’s wedding in 1985, the Pope’s visit to Belgium in 1985 and 1995, King Baudouin’s funeral in 1993, Prince Philippe and Mathilde’s wedding in 1999.
Composition of the escort The Royal Motorcycle Escort is made up of staff members of Brabant’s Traffic Unit of the Federal Police. Whenever the RME escorts the royal column, it is preceded by a vehicle, commonly called the "five car", which rides five minutes ahead. Four forward outriders drive ahead of the column so as to open the way and order road users to drive on the right side of the road. The royal vehicle is preceded by an arrow-shaped group of seven motorcyclists. On its sides, the column is protected by some flank guards, whose number varies according to the number of vehicles which need to be escorted. There is also an officer who rides on the right-hand side behind the royal vehicle. The rear of the column is escorted by two motorcyclists. On complex missions, the Royal Motorcycle Escort receives the help of the Air Support Unit. Uniforms The new uniform of the Royal Motorcycle Escort’s members is made up of a pair of black leather high leg boots, broadcloth trousers and a new black jacket with red sleeves. Each sleeve of the jacket bears a monogram formed of King Albert II’s initials, surmounted by a crown. The epaulets are made of a loop decorated with the royal crown and the aiguillettes are worn on the left side; the pectoral medal of the Royal Escort is worn on the right side of the jacket. All the escort’s members are proud to wear the new full-face helmet bearing King Albert II’s badge.
The officers are the only ones who wear a baldric on their white belt; the metal ring of the belt is decorated with the royal crown. Long hours of work are necessary to ensure the smooth running of an escort. For example, thorough reconnaissance is needed prior to any mission. And the motorcycles are closely inspected and polished before and after each escort. Motorcycles The vehicles of the Royal Motorcycle Escort have often been replaced over the last 40 years. The escort currently uses the Yamaha FJR 1300.