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Originally Posted by planetcher
Why are they "of the Belgians" and not "of Belgium"?
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Where in other countries the adagium counts:
'Le Roi est mort, vive le Roi!' ('The King is dead, long live the King!'), there is no automatic succession in Belgium.
Yes, the Constitution prescribes that Prince Philippe and then Princess Elisabeth are the scuccessors, but they need to be 'confirmed' by the Government and Parliament 'out of the name of the Belgians'. The King is not king over his subjects: he is 'only' the first of all the Belgians, a citizen amongst the citizens. Therefore:
King of the Belgians (Koning der Belgen, Roi des Belges). There can be an interregnum without any King at all, in Belgium. (This happened after the death of King Baudoin (31 July 1993) and the assuming of the kingship by his brother (9 August 1993). For 9 days Belgium had no King.
In other countries, like neighbouring Netherlands, the kingship is believed to come of God (
Droit Divin / Dieu et Mon Droit - Divine Right / God and My Right). When his mother dies, the Prince of Orange is immediately King. No any action by Government or Parliament is required.
The investiture in Dutch is called 'inhuldiging' (bringing homage). And that is exactly what happens. The King enters the assembly already as King. The Chairman of the joint assembly of both Chambers will say, out of the name of the States-General (parliament): We receive You and we bring homage to You, as King.
10-16-2006, 03:17 AM
Citizen amongst the citizens
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