Tag Archives: Belgian Abdication 2013

Mathilde’s Fashion As She Becomes Queen

  July 22, 2013 at 4:07 am by

As all eyes where on Belgium’s new King and Queen yesterday, it must have been a difficult choice to choose the outfit that would be remembered. As it came to no surprise, the new Queen choose a designer she tends to go to for many official and unofficial events, Natan by Edouard Vermeulen. For the religious ceremony, King Philippe taking the oath, abdication ceremony of King Albert and National Day … Continue reading →

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Belgian Abdication: Profile of Albert II

  July 20, 2013 at 3:00 pm by

Ahead of his abdication tomorrow, let’s take a look at the life of King Albert II of the Belgians. Born on June 6th, 1934, Prince Albert was the youngest child of King Leopold III of the Belgians and Princess Astrid of Sweden. Upon his birth, which took place at the Stuyvenberg Castle, the same place his elder brother, Baudouin, was born, Albert was given the additional title, Prince of Liège. He … Continue reading →

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Belgian Abdication: Profile of Baudouin

  July 20, 2013 at 6:30 am by

Our penultimate profile in the lead up to tomorrow’s abdication in Belgium shines the spotlight on the current King’s elder brother, Baudouin. The second child and eldest son of King Leopold III of the Belgians and Princess Astrid of Sweden, Baudouin Albert Charles Léopold Axel Marie Gustave was born on September 7th, 1930 at Stuyvenberg Castle near Laeken. He had an elder sister, Princess Joséphine-Charlotte (born in 1927), and a … Continue reading →

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Belgian Abdication: Profile of Leopold III

  July 18, 2013 at 11:00 am by

Our fourth profile on the Monarchs of the Belgians will focus on the reign and life of King Leopold III of the Belgians. Leopold was born in Brussels on November 3rd, 1901, the eldest son of King Albert I and Elisabeth of Bavaria. Leopold had a younger brother, Charles, Count of Flanders, and a sister, Marie José of Belgium (later the last Queen of Italy). At the age of 14, … Continue reading →

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Belgian Abdication: Profile of Albert I

  July 16, 2013 at 3:04 am by

Continuing our series of profiles on the six Belgian monarchs, today we look at the third King, Albert I. Born on April 8th, 1875 in Brussels, Albert Léopold Clément Marie Meinrad was not expected to succeed the throne. He was the second son of Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders – the third son of King Leopold I – and Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. Two unexpected deaths pushed Prince Albert up … Continue reading →

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Belgian Abdication: Profile of Leopold II

  July 14, 2013 at 12:36 am by

Our second Belgian Royal Profile will be on the second King of the Belgians, Leopold II, a far more controversial figure due to his regime and the widespread abuse in the Congo Free State. Leopold II was born in Brussels on the 9th of April 1835, the eldest son of Leopold I and Louise-Marie d’Orléans. In 1840, Leopold was created Duke of Brabant, which is now the traditional title of … Continue reading →

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King Albert Hosts Reception for Prime Ministers

  July 11, 2013 at 6:22 am by

King Albert II yesterday hosted a reception at the Royal Palace of Laeken for the Prime Ministers who have served during his reign. Jean-Luc Dehaene, Guy Verhofstadt, Yves Leterme, Herman Van Rompuy and Elio Di Rupo joined the King, Queen Paola, Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde for apéritifs in the palace’s rotunda before heading inside for a quick photo session and a lunch. As he arrived to the palace, Mr Leterme … Continue reading →

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Belgian Abdication: Profile of Leopold I

  July 6, 2013 at 12:00 am by

Seeing as Belgium was in the news this week with the announcement by King Albert II of his abdication on July 21st, we thought that we would revisit the reigns of the six Belgian monarchs. We will start with the very first King of the Belgians, Leopold I, and work our way through the lives and reign of each of the five other monarchs over the next few weeks. Leopold … Continue reading →

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Belgium To Have A New Monarch

  July 3, 2013 at 10:24 pm by

Come July 21st, Belgium will have a new monarch – King Philippe. King Albert II, the current monarch, announced his pending abdication earlier this evening, Belgian time, in a live address to the nation. The King cited health issues and his age as reasons for his decision. “I am at an age never attained by predecessors. My age and health no longer allow me to carry out my duties as I … Continue reading →

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Is King Albert About to Abdicate?

  July 3, 2013 at 9:59 am by

There is intense media speculation currently that the Belgian monarch, Albert II, is set to announce his abdication. The King, who turned 79 last month, will made a live address to the nation on both television and radio at 18:00, Belgian time (16:00GMT). It is expected that in the address, Albert will announce he is abdicating in favour of his heir, eldest son Philippe. Earlier today, King Albert attended a … Continue reading →

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