The King and Queen of Belgium have shared a sweet portrait of Princess Eléonore cuddling her dog to mark their youngest daughter's 12th birthday during lockdown. 

The sweet snap was shared to

The King and Queen of Belgium have shared a sweet portrait of Princess Eléonore cuddling her dog to mark their youngest daughter's 12th birthday during lockdown. 

The sweet snap was shared to Instagram, with the royals thanking everyone for wishing the youngster well on her birthday, which falls a day after her father King Philippe's 60th.

Belgium's King used his milestone to send a message of support to the nation from the Château de Laeken, where he staying in isolation with his family. 

Thanking fans in a Facebook post written in both Flemish and French, King Philippe said the people of Belgium would 'overcome' the crisis together. 

Belgium's lockdown continues with the country registering 33,573 confirmed coronavirus cases and 4,440 deaths. Confinement measures have been extended until 3 May, and all mass gatherings have been banned until August 31. 

Princess Eléonore (pictured) turns 12 today and thanked royal fans for their good wishes on the royal family's Instagram account

King Philippe of Belgium (pictured) who turned 60 yesterday amid the coronavirus pandemic, expressed his sympathies for those who had lost loved ones to COVID-19 

Writing in a Facebook post to his subjects, Philippe thanks them 'warmly' for their good wishes on the occasion of his 60th birthday. 

'Today my heart goes out to the ones who are suffering and lost a loved one,' he said. 

'I am impressed by the countless acts of solidarity around our country. We will overcome this ordeal together, Philippe.'

Today also marks the 12th birthday of King Philippe's youngest daughter, Princess Eleanore. 

The royal family shared an endearing snap fo the princess holding her dog on their Instagram account, where she thanked royal fans for their good wishes.  

King Philippe, who ascended the throne in 1991, asserted himself as a voice of calm and benevolence among the covid-19 pandemic. 

He has not stopped sending messages of support and encouragement to Belgium since his speech regarding the coronavirus, which was broadcast around the country on March 16. 

Pictured: Princess Elizabeth, 18, Prince Gabriel, 16, Princess Eléonore, 12 and Prince Emmanuel, 14, delivering waffles to nursing home 

In his TV address, Philippe called his people to act 'responsibly' and to showcase 'great adaptability' in order to surmount the challenges of life on lockdown. 

We have to do this not only for ourselves but also for the others and especially for the vulnerable among us.” 

On March 18, it was also reported that the monarch also intervened to make sure Belgium would receive 500,000 masks and 30,000 test kits by contacting the Chinese business tycoon Jack Ma directly. 

The Belgian Monarch has been an encouraging voice throughout the crisis, and intervened personally so that 500,000 masks would be delivered to Belgium, as well as 30,000 test kits (pictured visiting the university hospital of Jette on April 8)

Working from home during the lockdown like other monarchs around Europe,  Philippe was seen calling care homes around the country via a video link Château de Laeken, the palace on the outskirts of Brussels where he lives with his wife Mathilde and their four children.

The royal family have also multiplied kind acts of solidarity to the vulnerable. Philippe's own children, Princess Elizabeth, 18, Prince Emmanuel, 14, Prince Gabriel, 16 and Princess Eléonore, 12, delivered baskets of waffles to two nursing homes and shared a snap on Instagram, writing: 'Strong together against Corona.'