Belgium has an embassy in London and 8 honorary consulates (in Belfast, Edinburgh, Gibraltar, Kingston-upon-Hull, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Saint Helier, and Southampton).

A British-organised European Congress produced the Treaty of London of 1839, whereby the Great Powers (and The Netherlands) all formally recognised the independence of Belgium, and (at Britain's insistence) guaranteed its neutrality.

Britain was subsequently to become a centre for opposition to Leopold II's personal rule in the territory through organisations such as the Congo Reform Association.

In the years prior to World War I, many Belgians bore considerable resentment over Britain's campaign against Leopold II's activities in the Congo.

Historically, the south eastern parts of Great Britain and the area that is now Belgium has evidence of trade since the 1st century[9] and wool exports from the UK to cloth imports in the 10th-century County of Flanders.

[13] The Golden Bridge Awards were established in 2012 for UK export success in Belgium and recognising the importance of a close by market.