King Albert II of Belgium Announces his Abdication in Favor of Prince Philippe

King Albert II announced on Wednesday that he would resign as Belgium’s monarch. He bestowed the title to his eldest son and heir apparent, Prince Philippe.

King Albert II of Belgium made his abdication official in a nationwide address given on Wednesday. He announced to the world the transfer of power to his son, Crown Prince Philippe who by royal decree is now the 7th monarch of Belgium, a constitutional monarchy. By his own admittance, Albert II said that he is no longer in good shape to hold the reins of power. King Albert’s abdication is to take effect on Belgium’s national holiday, July 21.

Rumors have been circling for weeks about the King’s impending abdication prompting the end of a two decade rule that brought peace and tranquility to the nation. King Albert’s contribution to the 2010-2011 Belgian crises that constituted a political strife between French speaking southern Wallonia and Dutch speaking Flanders is among his greatest achievements as a king.

Health concerns

Summoning all of his strength and vigor, the 79 year old monarch addressed the nation with confidence. He was very straightforward in his announcement that his son, Prince Philippe would take over as the new king of Belgium. According to Albert II, his health and age no longer allow him to properly execute his functions as much as he wanted to. Albert II expressed his belief that the time has come for future generations to take over. He also stated that Prince Philippe is ready to become Belgium’s next king.

First and second

Since Belgium’s independence, there has only been six kings prior to Albert II. The first King was Leopold 1 who was considered by the Belgian National Congress for the position after Belgium asserted its independence from the Netherlands in 1830.
In a long line of Belgian royalty, Albert II is the first King to deliberately abdicate the throne.

Albert II comes second among European royalties to step down from power in the past two months. In April, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands also abdicated the thrown after ruling for 33 years. Her eldest son, Willem-Alexander was made king in her stead.

Prince Philippe’s new challenge

Prince Philippe was expected to be crowned king when King Baudouin, Albert II’s brother died in 1993. Many speculated that Philippe wpould take over instead of his father since he was being groomed for the throne as King Baudouin had no children. But there were also rumors at that time that the young prince was not yet ready for the position. Albert was the one who replaced his childless brother as King and was sworn in on August 1993 to lead the constitutional monarchy as King Albert II.

Even now, at the age of 53, married and with four children, shadows of the past still hunt the new King as critics consider him unprepared for the task at hand and see him as withdrawn and awkward. However, despite the criticisms surrounding Philippe’s ascent to the throne, Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo firmly affirmed the new King’s capability and readiness for the position. Over the course of his father’s rule, Philippe was honed and trained to succeed him as king of the Belgian people.

Caption: King Albert II