Albert II of Belgium

Albert II was King of the Belgians from 1993 to 2013. He succeeded his brother Baudouin and abdicated in favor of his son Philippe.

Belgian monarchy: Belgium’s constitutional monarchy, in which the hereditary monarch serves as head of state within a parliamentary system. Albert’s role was defined by this system’s limits on royal political power.
Leopold III of Belgium: King of the Belgians from 1934 to 1951, whose wartime conduct and postwar return provoked a national crisis. Albert was Leopold III’s younger son and grew up amid the consequences of his father’s contested reign.
Philippe of Belgium: King of the Belgians since 2013, succeeding his father Albert II. Philippe became king when Albert abdicated after twenty years on the throne.
Abdication of Albert II: Albert II’s 2013 decision to leave the Belgian throne in favor of his son Philippe. His abdication ended his reign and made Philippe king on 21 July 2013.
Belgian federalism: Belgium’s division of authority among the federal state, regions, and language communities. His reign coincided with recurring negotiations among Belgium’s linguistic and regional institutions.
Astrid of Sweden: Queen of the Belgians from 1934 until her death in a 1935 car accident. Albert was born several months after the death of his mother, Queen Astrid.
Paola of Belgium: Queen of the Belgians from 1993 to 2013 as the wife of Albert II. Paola shared Albert’s public role as queen consort throughout his reign.
Belgian National Day: Belgium’s national holiday, observed on 21 July to mark the constitutional oath of Leopold I in 1831. Albert abdicated on the holiday, linking the royal transition to a central national ceremony.
Belgian government formation, 2010–2011: The 541-day negotiation after Belgium’s 2010 election before a federal coalition government took office. Albert appointed negotiators and urged parties to reach agreement during this prolonged deadlock.
Baudouin of Belgium: King of the Belgians from 1951 until his death in 1993. Albert became king when his childless elder brother Baudouin died.

Linked from 1 page