Albert II of Belgium
| Albert II | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King of the Belgians | |||||
 King Albert II in 2010 | |||||
| Reign | 9 August 1993 – 21 July 2013 (19 years, 346 days) | ||||
| Predecessor | Baudouin I | ||||
| Successor | Philippe of Belgium | ||||
| Born | June 6, 1934 Stuyvenberg Castle, Brussels, Belgium | ||||
| Consort | Paola Ruffo di Calabria | ||||
| Issue | Philippe, King of the Belgians Princess Astrid, Archduchess of Austria-Este Prince Laurent Princess Delphine | ||||
| |||||
| French | Albert Félix Humbert Théodore Christian Eugène Marie | ||||
| Flemish | Albert Felix Humbert Theodoor Christiaan Eugène Marie | ||||
| German | Albert Felix Humbert Theodor Christian Eugen Maria | ||||
| House | Belgium | ||||
| Father | Leopold III | ||||
| Mother | Astrid of Sweden | ||||
Albert II (French: Albert Félix Humbert Théodore Christian Eugène Marie, Dutch: Albert Felix Humbert Theodoor Christiaan Eugène Marie, German: Albert Felix Humbert Theodor Christian Eugen Maria) (born Stuyvenberg Castle, Brussels, 6 June 1934)[1] was the King of the Belgians and a constitutional monarch. He is the younger son of King Leopold III (1901-1983) and his first wife, Princess Astrid of Sweden (1905-1935). On 21 July 2013, King Albert II abdicated and gave the throne to his son, Philippe of Belgium.
Marriage and family
[change | change source]He married, in Brussels, on 2 July 1959, Princess Paola (born 1937).
He and the Queen have three children:
- Philippe Léopold Louis Marie (born 15 April 1960). He married, on 4 December 1999, Mathilde of Belgium
- Astrid Joséphine Charlotte Fabrizia Elisabeth Paola Marie (born 5 June 1962). She is the wife of His Imperial and Royal Highness Archduke Lorenz of Austria-Este, Archduke of Austria, Prince Royal of Hungary and Bohemia.
- Laurent Benoît Baudouin Marie (born 19 October 1963). He married Claire Coombs, on 12 April 2003.
Titles and styles
[change | change source]- 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 the Belgians
After his announced abdication on 21 July 2013 it was decided that he would be styled as His Majesty King Albert II.[2] This is the same form of address given to his father, Leopold III, after his abdication.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "The Belgian Monachy:Home - Royal Family - King Albert II". Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ↑ ""Koning der Belgen" versus "Koning" (Dutch)". Deredactie.be.
Other websites
[change | change source]
- Royal House of Belgium Archived 2009-03-31 at the Wayback Machine
- Princely House of Ruffo Archived 2008-12-22 at the Wayback Machine
- Official Belgian monarchy web site Archived 2006-07-02 at the Wayback Machine
- Belgium defends king against 'assault', BBC News
- The Royal Belgium Orders Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
| Preceded by Baudouin I |
King of the Belgians Albert II 1993 – 2013 |
Succeeded by Philippe |
- 1934 births
- Living people
- Monarchs of Belgium
- Recipients of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
- Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands
- Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Knights of the Order of St John
- People from Brussels
- Recipients of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria