King Albert II Announces his Abdication: July 3rd 2013

[melina premiere]

Now all the newspapers and all the news of the tv announce that king Albert will announce his abdication.

[Eveline]

Originally Posted by NGalitzine

They do not have that tradition in Belgium. The new monarch simply swears and oath before Parliament, and usually some MP will interupt and yell out "Vivre La Repulique".

Oh dear I hope that won't happen again.

The message is already recording, according to VTM.
They don't know if Mathilde and Filip have been informed or if they know it for a long time. I'm curious to know that :)

[ladongas]

Someone remarked up thread that Philippe is not popular. Is there a particular reason?

[Kit]

Wow very exciting news. I wonder if he will acknowledge Delphine after the abdication ?

[NGalitzine]

I doubt the announcement will come as a complete shock to Philippe and Mathilde. It is not a surprise party after all.

[IloveCP]

Originally Posted by ladongas

Someone remarked up thread that Philippe is not popular. Is there a particular reason?

Marengo answered my question regarding that from this post.

[Eveline]

Originally Posted by princess gertrude

I'm not going to say that I didn't see this coming. I actually thought he would hang on for another couple of years though. I've heard for a while that the Belgians don't like Philippe, why don't they like him?

Many people think he is a stiff person, and that he lacks too much of the Dutch language. This is on the Flemish side. The Walloon people are more royalists than the Flemish population. Many people are also against the royal family because 'they cost too much money' and stuff.

i think our new king and queen will do a wonderful job!

Kathy Pauwels from Royalty just said that Filip will ascend the throne on 21 july, the same day of the abdication ...

[Kit]

Well I am pretty sure Philippe and Mathilde already knew beforehand. I wonder what the reaction of the Belgian people will be once he has announced his abdication.

[Eveline]

Originally Posted by Kit

Well I am pretty sure Philippe and Mathilde already knew beforehand. I wonder what the reaction of the Belgian people will be once he has announced his abdication.

Some journalists went on the street and said that the king will abdicate. Many surprised faces Some didn't believe it at first, I think because not long ago they did the same thing, but then obviously when it wasn't true

[samitude]

Do you think it's possible that if there is an abdication that Philippe and Mathilde might try to start something new in an inauguration ceremony? Do you think it would help national spirit? Although, there wouldn't be much time to have something grand if they plan to have it at the end of July.

[Kotroman]

I am not a big fan of abdications, but I think this one will do significantly more good than harm. At least Mathilde, as a rather young queen, might be able to bring some credit to the monarchy. Having an heir apparent who is 11 rather than an heir apparent who is 53 might also signify new hope and renewal and that sort of crapstuff ().

[cepe]

Im in Brussels between 19-22 July.... This is exciting.

[Marengo]

On twitter we already saw #trixit, but the Belgians now have #rexit.

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It now has been confirmed by a government member that on July 21st Philippe will be installed as the 7th king of the Belgians.

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Apparently there were two options for the abdication: July 21st or November 17th (King's Day). The chose the earliest option due to Delphine Boël.

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Prime Minister Elio di Rupo will hold a speech at 18:15.

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The press is remarkably positive btw.

livestream:

http://www.rtbf.be/livecenter/live_e...u-roi?id=48586

[Eveline]

Samitude, I hope they will! Some kind of festivity would be nice. When Belgium celebrated 175 years of existence, that was a succes. There was a song, dance festivities etc. Many people attended them.

I will not be able to attend anything of the inauguration because I had surgery last week :(

Kotroman, I agree with you How would prince Charles feel today

Now I think of it, Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander will visit Belgium in september or october. Filip and Mathilde will have to go to the Netherlands first, no?

[samitude]

Originally Posted by cepe

Im in Brussels between 19-22 July.... This is exciting.

Oh, that's exciting. Will you try to see the royal family if you can?

[cepe]

Originally Posted by samitude

Oh, that's exciting. Will you try to see the royal family if you can?

Yes, we are staying between the Palace and Grand Place so well in the mix. I will look out for the schedule of events.

[Lumutqueen]

He is definitely announcing his abdication?

[Charlotte_Aster]

Every single broadcasting agency is announcing that he most probably will Lumutqueen. If he doesn't... then the joke's on them :)

[dazzling]

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

He is definitely announcing his abdication?

As Marengo mentioned "confirmed by a government member"

Is there a link where we can watch it live?

[Josefine]

The Delphine Boël story is it the dealbeaker why he abdicates?