QuoteOn Sunday King Albert of the Belgians will abdicate in favour of his son, Crown Prince Filip, who will become the seventh King of the Belgians.
It's a day on which history is being made. flandersnews will be reporting on all the key events and you will also be able to watch uninterrupted coverage of the events as they unfold in Brussels on this rather special National Holiday.
King Albert has chosen to abdicate on 21 July, the National Holiday. Events kick off with a Roman Catholic Te Deum mass in Brussels Cathedral at 9am.
Be on the first row for the abdication! < Belgian news | Expatica Belgium (http://www.expatica.com/be/news/belgian-news/Be-on-the-first-row-for-the-abdication_269954.html)
Cindy
Cindy, do you know why his son is considered unpopular? I asked on another thread and received a somewhat rude response or perhaps, I misunderstood. People keep mentioning that he is unpopular. But I cannot see why?
Limabeany, I'm sorry, but no ... I really don't understand why. It does seem that the Royals in general, in Belgium, aren't very popular. I don't keep up with them, so it's a mystery to me, too. If you find out, I'd like to know, since we really don't hear much about them. They seem to pretty much keep to themselves...
Cindy
On it...
Prince Philippe's role as king: to keep Belgium together | Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/07/03/prince-philippe-role-as-king-to-keep-belgium-together/)
Prince Philippe, Belgium's New King, Still Has Many Hearts to Win (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/18/prince-philippe-belgium-new-king_n_3615759.html?utm_hp_ref=world)
Abdication of rare unifying figure King Albert puts Belgium in a royal pickle - European News | Latest News from Across Europe | The Irish Times - (http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/abdication-of-rare-unifying-figure-king-albert-puts-belgium-in-a-royal-pickle-1.1466684)
Belgium's King Albert to relinquish throne to son, Prince Philippe - NY Daily News (http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/belgium-king-albert-relinquish-throne-son-article-1.1390713)
Royalty 101: Who is the royal family of Belgium? - National Royal News | Examiner.com (http://www.examiner.com/article/royalty-101-who-is-the-royal-family-of-belgium)
To show how little I know about them, until this abdication came up, I thought Prince Philippe was already the King! :hehe:
Cindy
I think that the Belgian state is very volatile.. which is worrying as it is a lovely country.. but there are tensions between the French and Flemish and the monarchy sometimes seems to be the only thing holding the county together. But it seems they are less popular than they used to be, because partly I think they are considered extravagant. During the war, King Leopold was seen by some as collaborating with the Germans and he had to abdicate after the war.
Thank you Amabel! It is impossible to find information on why they are unpopular, specifically Philippe, yet many seem to be of hat opinion.
I think that also perhasp the RF are perceived as being more "french" than Flemish though I admit I am not too sure about that. They are of course Coburgs in origin and so related to the British royal family.
Is this tension similar to he Canadian French-English one? Has it always existed?
Belgium has had its difficulties... because there are 2 differnet ethnic "sets" living there. The Walloons are poorer and usually Protestant, the French richer and Catholic. I don't know a great deal of the history NOR of Canada's but yes I think that the tentsons have existed pretty much since the foundation of the state. The monarchy was something of a "glue" but it has had its difficulties esp with the controversial behaviour of Leopold III during the war.
And I read Philippe is considered to favor one of the two groups.
Philippe becomes new Belgian king as Albert II abdicates
BBC News - Philippe becomes new Belgian king as Albert II abdicates (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23393963)
The new first family: Belgium's King Philippe joins wife Mathilde and their four children on royal balcony after his father abdicates
Belgium's King Albert is set to abdicate today to crown his son Philippe | Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2372262/Belgiums-King-Albert-set-abdicate-today-crown-son-Philippe.html)
Divided Belgium has a new King Philippe
Divided Belgium has a new King Philippe - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/belgium/10193295/Divided-Belgium-has-a-new-King-Philippe.html)
Albert Abdicates to Crown Philippe New King of Belgium
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20719302,00.html
Belgium's King Albert II gives up throne to son
Belgium's King Albert II gives up throne to son - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/21/world/europe/belgium-new-king/index.html?hpt=hp_t2)
Philippe becomes king of Belgium
Philippe becomes king of Belgium - CBS News (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57594733/philippe-becomes-king-of-belgium/)
no foreign Royals and british royals also attend Phillipe become king but president obama send him congrats messages become king
I agree Amabel. I used to nip over to Belgium regularly when I lived in England. The city of Bruges was a favourite for the Belgium lace purchases. Nice people, but the undercurrent of Flemish and Walloon was evident also. Many of the Belgians speak better grammatical English than the English. No colloquialism there.
Albert squares a Coronation treat
Belgium's new King Philippe is unveiled | The Sun |News (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/5026720/Belgiums-new-King-Philippe-is-unveiled.html)
Dont forgot on Prince Charles says "NEXT ME! TO throne!"
Queen Paola of Belgium in tears as King Albert gives up his throne to son Phillipe
Queen Paola of Belgium in tears as King Albert gives up his throne to son Phillipe - Mirror Online (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/queen-paola-belgium-tears-king-2073474)
Belgium gets a new king following abdication
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/belgium-gets-a-new-king-following-abdication-8724648.html
Belgium throws giant party as Philippe ascends throne
Belgium throws giant party as Philippe ascends throne < Belgian news | Expatica Belgium (http://www.expatica.com/be/news/belgian-news/belgium-throws-giant-party-as-philippe-ascends-throne_270141.html)
Football: Belgian skipper salutes Albert II
Football: Belgian skipper salutes Albert II < Belgian news | Expatica Belgium (http://www.expatica.com/be/news/belgian-news/football-belgian-skipper-salutes-albert-ii_270132.html)
Belgian football skipper welcomes new king
Belgian football skipper welcomes new king < Belgian news | Expatica Belgium (http://www.expatica.com/be/news/belgian-news/belgian-football-skipper-welcomes-new-king_270131.html)
Obama congratulates new king of the Belgians
Obama congratulates new king of the Belgians < Belgian news | Expatica Belgium (http://www.expatica.com/be/news/belgian-news/obama-congratulates-new-king-of-the-belgians_270127.html)
Congratulations and messages from all over the world, from Obama to Putin
Congratulations and messages from all over the world, from Obama to Putin (http://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws.english/News/130721_congratulations_Filip)
King Filip swears allegiance to the Belgian Constitution
King Filip swears allegiance to the Belgian Constitution (http://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws.english/News/130721_oathconstitution)
:thumbsup:
BBC News - Philippe becomes new Belgian king as Albert II abdicates (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23394300)
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Quote21-07-2013 Cathedral Prince Filip (Philippe) and Princess Mathilde attend the traditional Te Deum Mass at the Cathedral of St Michael and Saint Gudula on the occasion of Belgium's National Day in Brussels, Belgium.
PPE Agency (http://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?start=0&zoektype=2&search=21-07-2013%20Cathedral)
Double post auto-merged: July 22, 2013, 07:14:52 PM
Quote21-07-2013 Abdication King Albert and King Filip (Philippe) at the signing of the abdication at the Royal palace in Brussels, Belgium.
PPE Agency (http://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?start=0&zoektype=2&search=21-07-2013%20Abdication)
Double post auto-merged: July 22, 2013, 07:15:23 PM
Quote21-07-2013 Natie King Filip (Philippe) at the oath ( eedaflegging) at the Verenigde Kamers in palace of the Natie in Brussels, Belgium.
PPE Agency (http://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?start=0&zoektype=2&search=21-07-2013%20Natie)
Double post auto-merged: July 22, 2013, 07:16:14 PM
Quote21-07-2013 Balcony King Filip (Philippe) and Queen Mathilde and Prinses Elisabeth, Prins Gabriel, Prins Emmanuel and Prinses Eleonore on the balcony of the royal palace in Brussels, Belgium.
PPE Agency (http://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?start=0&zoektype=2&search=21-07-2013%20Balcony)
Double post auto-merged: July 22, 2013, 07:16:41 PM
Quote21-07-2013 King Filip (Philippe) and Queen Mathilde greet the population from the Royal Palace, Place des Palais in Brussels.
PPE Agency (http://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?start=0&zoektype=2&search=21-07-2013%20King)
Double post auto-merged: July 22, 2013, 07:18:41 PM
Quote21-07-2013 Invesiture King Filip (Philippe) and Queen Mathilde at the end of the day of his invesiture in Brussels, Belgium.
PPE Agency (http://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?start=0&zoektype=2&search=21-07-2013%20Invesiture)
Double post auto-merged: July 22, 2013, 08:02:42 PM
Search - Getty Images : BEL: General Scenes As Brussels Prepares For The Inauguration Of King Philippe (http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=174274143&EditorialProduct=Royalty)
Search - Getty Images : BEL: Alternative View: Abdication Of King Albert II Of Belgium, & Inauguration Of King Philippe (http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=174284241&EditorialProduct=Royalty)
Double post auto-merged: July 22, 2013, 08:04:18 PM
Search - Getty Images : BEL: Abdication Of King Albert II Of Belgium & Inauguration Of King Philippe (http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=174044738&EditorialProduct=Royalty)
Double post auto-merged: July 22, 2013, 08:05:34 PM
Royal Family Pictures | Royalty Photo Gallery | Getty Images (http://www.gettyimages.com/EditorialImages/Royalty?parentEventId=174044605)
Double post auto-merged: July 22, 2013, 08:17:41 PM
QuotePhilippe of Belgium: Official Portraits and ... unusual images!
http://translate.google.com.tr/translate?sl=fr&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=tr&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.purepeople.com%2Farticle%2Fphilippe-de-belgique-portraits-officiels-et-images-insolites_a124982%2F1
Double post auto-merged: July 22, 2013, 08:27:24 PM
Philippe et Mathilde de Belgique : Un tendre baiser avant le feu d'artifice (http://www.purepeople.com/article/philippe-et-mathilde-de-belgique-un-tendre-baiser-avant-le-feu-d-artifices_a124959/1)
Philippe et Mathilde de Belgique : Le roi et la reine acclamés au balcon (http://www.purepeople.com/article/philippe-et-mathilde-de-belgique-le-roi-et-la-reine-acclames-au-balcon_a124942/1)
Double post auto-merged: July 22, 2013, 08:27:55 PM
Albert II de Belgique a abdiqué : Beaucoup d'émotion et ''un gros kiss'' (http://www.purepeople.com/article/albert-ii-de-belgique-a-abdique-beaucoup-d-emotion-et-un-gros-kiss_a124936/1)
Albert II de Belgique : Adieux optimistes avant le couronnement de Philippe (http://www.purepeople.com/article/albert-ii-de-belgique-adieux-optimistes-avant-le-couronnement-de-philippe_a124922/1)
Abdication King Albert, investiture ceremony of King Philippe at National Day - Dutch Photo Press (http://monarchypress.com/collection/1290-abdication-king-albert),-investiture-ceremony-of-king-philippe-at-national-day.html
Double post auto-merged: July 24, 2013, 10:47:26 AM
http://www.wort.lu/en/view/philippe-crowned-king-of-belgium-51ec3240e4b0c2468882246a