King Albert II Announces his Abdication: July 3rd 2013

[maria-olivia]

The Past Prime Minister Jean Luc Dehaene regrets to have agreed the King's will in 1993 concerning Princess Astrid and Prince Laurent Dotations.
He said Dotations are for the King , the Widow of a King and the Crown Prince only.

[Princess Xenia]

If I am not mistaking, Princess Astrid and Prince Laurent's dotations are about 300 thousand euros each.So together they receive dotation about 600 thousand euros. So why everyone and every politician is making it such a big deal?? It's not like that 600 thousand euros is going to make a country like Belgium bankrupt!!!

[IloveCP]

The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor: Royal Splendor 101: An Abdication in Belgium

[Eveline]

Some nice pictures (especially the last one), taken on a dinner with politicians ('farewell' dinner, can't come up with a better translation :)): ‘Altijd veel over staatshervorming gesproken’ - De Standaard

Here an article about the reformation of dotations. It states the new dotations the members of the royal family will receive. This was decided before the abdication, so changes will be made ones Filip is king, I guess.
Hervorming dotaties: wie verdient wat? - De Standaard
The first amount is the total dotation, I think. The last one is the amount of taxes that would need to be payed. (it's the first time our royals have to pay taxes)

So, princess Xenia, you're quite right about the amount of Laurent and Astrid. It's not even 450000 euro and I assume it will be lowered in the future because of their new statuses.
Belgians like to complain, I guess :)

[cdm]

Here the Dutch speaking members can do a quiz about the BRF.

[An Ard Ri]

I wonder if we will see any foreign Royals present in Belgium for the abdication of Albert II?

[Marchesina]

no, it has already been stated by the prime minister that it's not custom for Belgium to have foreign guests at the Accession. even if some of them are close relatives are foreign royals (Grand duke of Luxembourg is Philippe's first cousin), I don't think they will attend (Josephine Charlotte didn't attend Albert accession if I remember correctly)

[cdm]

Originally Posted by cdm

Apparently he can not sign one law with Philippe and another one with Filip.
He chose the spelling that is on his birth certificate, but the government still has to approve it.

The law has been adapted so that Philippe can sign with Philippe or Filip
Article

[HereditaryPrincess]

Here is a photo of the stamps that were issued due to Albert's abdication and his 20 year reign:

http://www.noblesseetroyautes.com/nr...7/12_sheet.jpg