Albert II of Belgium

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Albert II
File:Albert II of Belgium.jpg
King of the Belgians
Reign 9 August 1993 – 21 July 2013
Predecessor Baudouin
Successor Philippe
Prime Ministers
See list
Born (1934-06-06) 6 June 1934 (age 89)
Laeken, Brussels, Belgium
Spouse Paola Ruffo di Calabria
(m. 1959)
Issue
Detail		 Philippe of Belgium
Princess Astrid, Archduchess of Austria-Este
Prince Laurent
Full name
Dutch: Albert Felix Humbert Theodoor Christiaan Eugène Marie
French: Albert Félix Humbert Théodore Christian Eugène Marie
German: Albert Felix Humbert Theodor Christian Eugen Maria
House Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Father Leopold III of Belgium
Mother Astrid of Sweden
Religion Roman Catholicism
Signature
Royal styles of
Albert II of Belgium
Coat of Arms of the King of the Belgians (1921).svg
Reference style His Majesty
Spoken style Your Majesty
Alternative style Sire

Albert II (born 6 June 1934) reigned as King of the Belgians from 1993 until his abdication in 2013. He is a member of the royal house of Belgium; formerly this house was named Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. He is the uncle of the current reigning Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Henri.

On 3 July 2013, King Albert II attended a midday session of the Belgian cabinet. He then announced that on 21 July, he would abdicate the throne for health reasons. He was succeeded by his son Philippe on 21 July 2013. Albert II was the fourth monarch to abdicate in 2013, following Pope Benedict XVI, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, and Emir Hamad bin Khalifa of Qatar.[1] In doing so, he was also the second Belgian King to abdicate following his father, King Leopold III, who abdicated in 1951, albeit under very different circumstances.

Full name

Albert's full name is Albert Félix Humbert Théodore Christian Eugène Marie in French (pronounced: [albɛʁ feliks œ̃bɛʁ teodɔʁ kʁistjɑ̃ øʒɛn maʁi]), Albert Felix Humbert Theodoor Christiaan Eugène Marie in Dutch (pronounced [ˈʔɑlbərt ˈfeːlɪks ˈɦʏmbərt teːjoːˈdoːr ˈkrɪstijaːn ʔøːˈʒɛːn maˈriː]), and Albrechtt Felix Humbert Theodor Christian Eugen Maria in German (pronounced [ˈʔalbʁɛkt ˈfeːlɪks ˈhʊmbɛʁt ˈteːodoːɐ̯ ˈkʁɪsti̯an ˈʔɔʏ̯ɡən maˈʁiːa]).[2]

Early years

Albert is the second son and youngest child of King Leopold III (1901–1983) and his first wife, Astrid of Sweden (1905–1935). Queen Astrid died in a car accident in August 1935 in which King Leopold was lightly injured but survived. The king later remarried Lilian Baels in 1941 which produced 3 more children. Albert ascended the throne in 1993, following the death of his older brother, King Baudouin, who died without issue. His godparents were Felix of Bourbon-Parma and his paternal grandmother, Elisabeth of Bavaria.[2] He is the first cousin of King Harald V, Princess Astrid, and Princess Ragnhild of Norway on his mother's side and of Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Parma, Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples, Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy and Princess Maria Beatrice of Savoy on his father's side.

Prince Albert was born in Stuyvenberg Castle, Brussels. On 10 May 1940, at the time when Belgium was being invaded, Prince Albert, his elder sister Princess Joséphine-Charlotte and his elder brother Prince Baudouin, left the country for France and later Spain. The Prince and the Princess returned to Belgium on 2 August 1940. They continued their studies until 1944, either at Laeken, or at the Chateau of Ciergnon in the Ardennes. In June 1944, at the time of the Allied landings, King Leopold III, Princess Lilian – whom he married in 1941 – and the royal children were deported by the Germans to Hirschstein, Germany, and later to Strobl, Austria, where they were liberated by the American Army on 7 May 1945. Due to the political situation in Belgium, King Leopold and his family moved to the villa "Le Reposoir" in Pregny, Switzerland, when they left Austria in October 1945 and stayed until July 1950. During that time, Prince Albert would continue his education in a secondary school in Geneva. King Leopold III, accompanied by Prince Baudouin and Prince Albert, returned to Belgium on 22 July 1950.[2]

Marriage and family

King Albert II and Queen Paola with US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush at the Royal Palace in Brussels in 2005

In 1951, The Prince Albert, Prince of Liège, went to the Vatican to witness the coronation of Pope John XXIII. At a reception at the Belgian Embassy, the prince met Italian Princess Paola Ruffo di Calabria. “We were both shy, so we only talked a little,” Paola said later about their first meeting. Shy but smitten, Prince Albert proposed marriage to Paola, and she accepted. Two months after their meeting, the Prince introduced his future wife to his family, and four months later to the press. Upon arriving in Brussels for the first time before her wedding, Princess Paola won over the Belgian media immediately.

The couple, supported by both families, intended to marry at the Vatican. However, the Belgian government disagreed as they felt the Belgian people should not be denied the opportunity to celebrate a royal wedding, particularly after difficult decade post-war. The Pope, after some diplomatic pressure, refused them a marriage at the Vatican, saying he would understand if the couple would want to get married amidst their people.

On 2 July 1959 he married Donna Paola Ruffo di Calabria (born 11 September 1937) in Brussels. She is the daughter of Fulco VIII, Prince Ruffo di Calabria, 6th Duke of Guardia Lombarda and his wife, Countess Luisa Gazelli di Rossana e di Sebastiano (1896–1989). Together they have three children, two sons and a daughter:

Since 1999, the media have claimed that the Belgian sculptor Delphine Boël (born in 1968) is King Albert II's extramarital daughter. In June 2013, Boël summoned the then King, the then Duke of Brabant and the Archduchess of Austria-Este to appear in court. She hopes to use DNA tests to prove that she is the King's daughter. As the King enjoyed complete immunity under the law, Boël decided to summon his elder children as well.[3][4] After the King's abdication, she abandoned her first suit to introduce a second one only against the King as he is no longer protected by immunity and the first claim would have been judged according to the situation at the time of the introduction of the claim.[5]

Official role

The King reviewing the army During the Belgian National Day, 2011

As the younger brother of King Baudouin, Prince Albert was the heir-presumptive to the throne. However, his son Prince Philippe was groomed to be Baudoin's successor, once it became clear that the King would have no children to succeed him. Despite this, on Baudouin's death (at age 62), Albert was sworn in before parliament on 9 August 1993 as the sixth King of the Belgians.[6]

As King, Albert's duties included representing Belgium at home and abroad on state visits, trade missions, and at high level international meetings as well as taking an interest in Belgian society, culture and enterprise.[7]

In 1984, he set up the Prince Albert Foundation, to promote expertise in foreign trade.[8]

The King had a constitutional role which came into play in 2010–2011 when Belgium's parliament was unable to agree on a government. When the crisis was resolved, Albert swore in the new government.[9]

In January 2012, Albert announced that the royal family would freeze their allowances and use a greater proportion of their income to maintain the royal palaces.

Albert sparked controversy in his December 2012 Christmas speech by comparing modern "populist movements" with those of the 1930s. This was seen by several political commentators, as well as many Flemish politicians, as aimed implicitly at the large Flemish nationalist party, the N-VA.[10] Bart De Wever, the party's leader, called for the King's role in the formation of Belgian governments to be changed in the wake of this comment since he "could no longer see the monarch as playing the constitutional role of referee."[10]

Abdication

On 3 July 2013, 79-year-old King Albert II attended a midday session of the Belgian cabinet, where he revealed his intention to abdicate to Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo and to the Deputy Prime Ministers. According to a letter sent by the King to the Prime Minister and dated 3 July 2013, and which was made public, the King had already broached the topic of his intention to abdicate several times with the Prime Minister, who had asked him to reconsider it.[11] At 6 PM (CET) the King announced in a recorded radio and television speech that on 21 July, Belgium's National Day, he would abdicate the throne for health reasons. He was succeeded by his son, Philippe.[1] Albert II retained the title of King after the abdication,[12] and has since been styled as His Majesty King Albert II of Belgium.

Ancestry

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See also: Kings of Belgium family tree
Family of Albert II of Belgium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 16. Leopold I of Belgium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8. Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 17. Princess Louise-Marie of Orléans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4. Albert I of Belgium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 18. Charles Anthony, Prince of Hohenzollern
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9. Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 19. Princess Josephine of Baden
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2. Leopold III of Belgium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 20. Duke Maximilian Joseph in Bavaria
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10. Duke Karl-Theodor in Bavaria
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 21. Princess Ludovika of Bavaria
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5. Duchess Elisabeth in Bavaria
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 22. Miguel of Portugal
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 11. Infanta Maria Josepha of Portugal
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 23. Princess Adelaide of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1. Albert II of Belgium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 24. Oscar I of Sweden
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 12. Oscar II of Sweden
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 25. Duchess Josephine of Leuchtenberg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6. Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 26. William, Duke of Nassau
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 13. Princess Sophia of Nassau
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 27. Princess Pauline of Württemberg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3. Princess Astrid of Sweden
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 28. Christian IX of Denmark
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 14. Frederick VIII of Denmark
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 29. Princess Louise of Hesse-Kassel
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7. Princess Ingeborg of Denmark
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 30. Charles XV of Sweden
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 15. Princess Louise of Sweden
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 31. Princess Louise of the Netherlands
 
 
 
 
 
 

Titles and styles

  • 6 June 1934 – 7 June 1934: His Royal Highness Prince Albert of Belgium
  • 7 June 1934 – 9 August 1993: His Royal Highness The Prince of Liège
  • 9 August 1993 – 21 July 2013: His Majesty The King of the Belgians
  • 21 July 2013 – present: His Majesty King Albert II of Belgium

After his abdication on 21 July 2013 it was decided that he would be styled as His Majesty King Albert II,[13] the same form of address granted to his father, Leopold III, after his abdication.

Honours

Personal Standard of King Albert II.

See also : List of honours of the Belgian Royal Family by country

Belgian honours

Foreign honours

See also : List of state visits made by King Albert II of Belgium

Recipient of numerous foreign decorations, Albert II is one of the few people to be both a Knight of the Golden Fleece in Austria (awarded in 1962 by Archduke Otto von Habsburg) and Knight of the Golden Fleece in Spain (awarded in 1994 by King Juan Carlos).

The list of his honorifical decorations (to be expanded) consists of :

   State honours
AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 1st Class BAR.png Austria Austria Great Star of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (1958)[14]
Order Stara planina ribbon.gif Bulgaria Bulgaria Cordon of the Order of Stara Planina (2003) Photo
DNK Order of Danebrog Grand Cross BAR.png Denmark Denmark Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog
Orderelefant ribbon.png Knight of the Order of the Elephant (R. af E.) Photo
EST Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana - 1st Class BAR.png Estonia Estonia Collar of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana (2008) Ph.1, Ph.2
FIN Order of the White Rose Grand Cross BAR.png Finland Finland Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose (2004) Photo
GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 7 Grosskreuz.svg Germany Germany Grand Cross, Special Class, of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic Photo
GRE Order Redeemer 1Class.png Greece Greece Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer (before 2001 ?) Photo[15]
70px Hungary Hungary Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary, Civilian Class Photo
OESSG Cavaliere di Collare BAR.jpg Vatican City Holy See Knight of the Collar of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (1995) website
ISL Icelandic Order of the Falcon - Grand Cross BAR.png Iceland Iceland Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon (16 October 1979) Website[16]
Cordone di gran Croce OMRI BAR.svg Italy Italy Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (29 October 1973)[17]
70px Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (12 May 1998)[18]
JPN Daikun'i kikkasho BAR.svg Japan Japan Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum Ph. 1, Ph. 2
LVA Order of the Three Stars - Grand Cross BAR.png Latvia Latvia Commander Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of Three Stars (2007) recipients list (.doc)
LTU Order of Vytautas the Great with the Golden Chain BAR.png Lithuania Lithuania Golden Collar of the Order of Vytautas the Great News, Photo
Ord.Lion.Nassau.jpg Luxembourg Luxembourg Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau Photo
MCO Order of Saint-Charles - Grand Cross BAR.png  Monaco Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Charles (1957)[19] Photo
Morocco Morocco Special Class of the Order of Muhammad
NLD Order of the Dutch Lion - Grand Cross BAR.png Netherlands Netherlands Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion Photo
NLD Order of Orange-Nassau - Knight Grand Cross BAR.png Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau
St Olavs Orden storkors stripe.svg Norway Norway Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of St. Olav Photo
POL Order Orła Białego BAR.svg Poland Poland Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the White Eagle Photo
PRT Military Order of Aviz - Grand Cross BAR.png Portugal Portugal Grand Cordon of the Military Order of Aviz (GCA, 11/12/1985) Orders website
PRT Order of Prince Henry - Grand Cross BAR.png Grand Collar of the Order of the Infante Dom Henrique (GColIH, 13/12/1999) Photo
Star of Romania Ribbon.PNG Romania Romania Sash (Collar) of the Order of the Star of Romania (2009) Recipients table
Order of the Golden Fleece Rib.gif Spain Spain Sash (Collar) of the Order of the Golden Fleece (16 September 1994)[20]
ESP Charles III Order GC.svg Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III (15 November 1977)[21]
Seraphimerorden ribbon.svg Sweden Sweden Knight with Collar of the Order of the Seraphim (RSerafO) Photo
   Sovereign Entities
SMOM-gcs.svg Malteserkreuz.svg Malta Bailiff and Knight Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion
of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
Royal Victorian Order Honorary Ribbon.png Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) Photo
   Former sovereign families
Order of the Golden Fleece Rib.gif Flag of the Habsburg Monarchy.svg Austrian Empire Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece (House of Habsburg)
Ordre de Saint-Michel Chevalier ribbon.svg Royal Standard of the King of France.svg Kingdom of France Knight of the Order of Saint Michael – (House of Bourbon)
Order of the Most Holy Annunciation BAR.svg  House of Savoy Knight of the Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
Cavaliere di gran Croce SSML BAR.svg  House of Savoy Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus

Honorary degrees

King Albert is Doctor Honoris Causa of the Catholic University of Leuven, the Saint Louis University, Baguio City, Ghent University, Free University of Brussels, the Catholic university of Mons and the Polytechnic Faculty of Mons.

Belgian coinage

Commemorative 100 euro gold coin featuring King Albert II

Constitutionally, powers of coinage are vested with the King.[22] Since coins are issued in his name, his effigy is found on the obverse of coins intended for general circulation.

Exceptions are made for some commemorative or collectors' coins where his effigy is on neither side of the coin.[23]

See also

References

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  5. ↑ Le Vif, "Chacun sait que le roi Albert est le père biologique de Delphine Boël"
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  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Belga Pictures, Photo of King Albert II wearing the Order's rosette at Melsbroek Airport before taking off to Greece
  16. ↑ Albert, ríkisarfi – Belgía – 16 October 1979 – Stórkross (= Albert, Heir, Belgium, 16 October 1979, Grand Cross
  17. ↑ Website
  18. ↑ Website
  19. ↑ Royauté-News, received – as Prince Albert of Liège – in 1957 during an inauguration of a monument in memory of King Albert I of the Belgians in Monaco
  20. ↑ Boletín Oficial del Estado
  21. ↑ Boletín Oficial del Estado
  22. ↑ fr:Article 112 de la Constitution belge
  23. ↑ Belgian coinage

External links

Albert II of Belgium
Born: 6 June 1934
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of the Belgians
1993–2013		 Succeeded by
Philippe
Academic offices
Preceded by Speaker at the College of Europe Opening Ceremony
1969		 Succeeded by
Jean Rey
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