Does Belgium Have a King? A portrait of the Belgian Royal Family  

DOES BELGIUM HAVE A KING? LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK!

Belgium, a charming small country nestled in Western Europe, has been home to a monarchy for almost 200 years.

Its rich history has been shaped by the establishment of the Monarchy in 1831 and the reign of seven Belgian monarchs, each playing a unique role in the country’s development.

Nowadays, some may question if Belgium still has a king, especially after King Philippe ascended to the throne in 2013.

In this article, we will explore the answer to this question and take a peek into the captivating history and prominent figures of the Belgian Monarchy.

We will also investigate the current state of affairs, including King Philippe’s reign and any recent developments.

So, come along with us as we embark on a journey to discover the captivating history and modern-day status of Belgium’s monarchy. 

King Philippe of Belgium  

Born in the heart of Brussels on April 15, 1960, King Philippe of Belgium is the current King of the Belgians.

He is the eldest child of King Albert II and Queen Paola, and his ascension to the throne in 2013 marked the beginning of a new era for Belgium.

Before his coronation, King Philippe followed a bilingual educational path, attending both primary and secondary schools in Belgium.

Unlike previous Crown Princes, King Philippe did not receive private education and chose to attend the prestigious Royal Military Academy, a testament to his dedication and patriotism towards his country.

He also studied abroad at Trinity College, Oxford, showcasing his academic prowess and international exposure.

King Philippe married Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz in 1999, and together they have four children, including their eldest daughter, Princess Elisabeth, the first in line to the throne and the current Duchess of Brabant.

Beyond his personal life, King Philippe has a range of duties that include contacts with representatives of Belgian society, a role he has dutifully fulfilled since ascending to the throne.

His reign is marked by his commitment to serve and promote Belgium’s interests, both domestically and internationally.

As the current monarch of Belgium, King Philippe is responsible for continuing the rich royal legacy of the Belgian monarchy.

His reign is a symbol of the country’s stability and progress, a legacy that will continue for generations to come. 

The Role of the King in Belgium   

The role of the King in Belgium is defined by the country’s Constitution and is primarily ceremonial, symbolic, and representative.

The King’s position is one of honour and prestige, serving as a unifying figurehead for the country.

While the King does not exercise personal authority in politics, he does fulfil several essential duties that promote Belgium’s interests and bring the country together.

One of the most important roles of the King in Belgium is to sign laws, a ceremonial act that symbolizes the country’s unity and commitment to the rule of law.

As the Commander-in-Chief of the Belgian army, the King also serves as a figurehead for the country’s military, representing the bravery and dedication of the Belgian soldiers.

The King also maintains contact with representatives from various sectors of Belgian society such as government officials, business leaders, and academics.

This allows him to stay connected with the country’s different social, political, and economic spheres, and to provide valuable insight and guidance to political leaders.

While the King does not have any direct political power, he advises and encourages political leaders, his perspective focused on the continuity of duration, long-term objectives, and “grand” interests of the country. 

Members of the Belgian Royal Family  

The Belgian Royal Family is a prominent symbol of national unity, with its members embodying the values and traditions of the country.

From the King to the youngest member, each person in the family has their own unique role in promoting the interests and well-being of the Belgian people. 

They are widely respected for their commitment to multilingualism and their active engagement with charitable causes.

The Royal Family also plays a key role in promoting Belgium’s rich cultural heritage through their support for arts, music, and literature.

Their presence is felt throughout Belgian society and they are seen as a unifying force that brings together the diverse regions and communities of the country.

While there have been some debates over their role in a modern democracy, the Belgian Royal Family remains a source of pride for the Belgian people.

👑 Queen Mathilde   

Queen Mathilde of Belgium is not only a devoted wife and mother but also a passionate advocate for the welfare of children and a philanthropist committed to improving the lives of disadvantaged families.

Born as Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz on January 20, 1973, in Uccle, Belgium, she grew up with a strong sense of duty and service to others instilled in her by her family.

Queen Mathilde is highly regarded for her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of children and advocating for their rights.

Her fervent support for initiatives aimed at ending violence against children has earned her widespread admiration and respect.

As a member of the Belgian Royal Family, Queen Mathilde represents Belgium at the highest levels abroad, including state visits and international meetings.

Her grace and elegance, coupled with her passion for humanitarian causes, have made her a beloved figure in Belgium and beyond.

In addition to her charitable work, Queen Mathilde is known for her love of the arts, including music, literature, and fashion.

Her appreciation for the finer things in life has endeared her to the Belgian people, who see her as a true embodiment of their country’s cultural values.

Queen Mathilde’s artistic sensibility has also led her to support cultural initiatives and promote the work of Belgian artists both nationally and internationally. 

👑 Prince Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant (Next in Line to the Throne)

Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant, born October 25, 2001, is the first-born child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and is currently the heir apparent to the Belgian throne.

Since her grandfather, King Albert II, abdicated in favour of her father in July 2013, Princess Elisabeth has held the title of Duchess of Brabant, which is reserved for the presumptive heiress to the Belgian throne.

She is currently studying “History & Politics” at Lincoln College, Oxford University. Princess Elisabeth has three younger siblings: Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel, and Princess Eléonore.

Princess Elisabeth has accompanied her parents on several official visits and has also represented Belgium on her own, such as at the 2017 celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

In May 2023, she is set to attend a pre-coronation reception at Buckingham Palace alongside her father, King Philippe, for the coronation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom. 

👑 Prince Gabriël  

Prince Gabriël, second in line to the Belgian throne, was born on August 20, 2003, in Anderlecht, Belgium, as the second child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.

His passion for learning and serving his country is reflected in his academic pursuits.

Since August 22, 2022, Prince Gabriël has been studying Social and Military Sciences in Dutch at the prestigious Royal Military School in Brussels as part of the 162nd class.

He received his blue beret in September 2022 and began training under the name “Gabriël van Saksen-Coburg,” demonstrating his dedication to his military education.

Additionally,  Prince Gabriël will be continuing his education in England, furthering his pursuit of knowledge and excellence.

His commitment to his country and his academic endeavours make him a promising figure within the Belgian Royal Family. 

👑 Prince Emmanuel   

Born on October 4, 2005, in Anderlecht, Prince Emmanuel is the third child and second son of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium.

He currently ranks third in line to the Belgian throne, after his elder siblings, Princess Elisabeth, and Prince Gabriel.

In 2020, Prince Emmanuel began his studies at the International School of Brussels, where he is pursuing an international baccalaureate program taught in English.

As part of the Belgian Royal Family, Prince Emmanuel participates in international events, such as state visits, trade missions, and meetings, to represent his country on the global stage. 

👑 Princess Eléonore   

Born on April 16, 2008, in Anderlecht, Princess Eléonore is the youngest daughter and fourth child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium.

She is fluent in French, Dutch, and English and is currently following a Dutch-speaking education at the Heilig-Hartcollege in Tervuren since the summer of 2020.

As the fourth in line to the Belgian throne after her older siblings, Princess Eléonore enjoys spending her free time engaging in sports activities such as skiing, tennis, sailing, and diving, often together with her siblings.

Apart from her athletic pursuits, she has also shown an interest in international relations, having attended an introductory course at the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the United Nations in New York. 

👑 King Albert II and Queen Paola   

King Albert II and Queen Paola are prominent members of the Belgian Royal Family.

King Albert II was born on June 6, 1934, and ruled as King of the Belgians from August 9, 1993, until his abdication on July 21, 2013.

He is the son of King Leopold III and Queen Astrid and is the last surviving child of the latter.

Meanwhile, Queen Paola, born Donna Paola Ruffo di Calabria on September 11, 1937, served as Queen of the Belgians alongside her husband, King Albert II, from August 9, 1993, until his abdication on July 21, 2013.

The royal couple has three children: Prince Philippe, Princess Astrid, and Prince Laurent.

Prince Philippe succeeded his father and is now the reigning King of the Belgians.

Despite beginning negotiations to divorce, King Albert and Queen Paola have openly spoken about how their marriage survived, as revealed in a new TV program focused on Queen Paola.

They tied the knot on July 2, 1959, after Prince Albert met Paola Ruffo di Calabria during his visit to Rome for the coronation in November 1958.

Apart from representing Belgium in international events, the King and other members of the Royal Family are also actively involved in various charitable causes. 

👑 Princess Astrid   

Princess Astrid of the Belgian Royal Family is the second child and first daughter of King Albert II and Queen Paola.

She was born on June 5, 1962, in Brussels, Belgium. Princess Astrid studied art history for a year at Leiden in the Netherlands after completing her secondary education in Brussels.

She completed her education at the Institute in Geneva. Princess Astrid is married to Prince Lorenz of Belgium, head of the Austria-Este branch of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, and they have five children.

Princess Astrid is involved in public activities of the Belgian Royal Family and has represented the King during various trade missions abroad.

These include Angola & South Africa, India, Colombia & Peru, Malaysia & Singapore, Canada, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Since King Philippe’s accession to the throne in 2013, Princess Astrid has represented the country on economic missions abroad.

It’s important to note that there is another Princess Astrid who was Queen of the Belgians from 1934 until her death in 1935.

She was originally a princess of Sweden of the House of Bernadotte and was married to King Leopold III. 

👑 Prince Laurent   

Prince Laurent, the second son and youngest child of King Albert II and Queen Paola and the younger brother of King Philippe, was born on October 19, 1963, at the Château de Belvédère in Laeken, Brussels, Belgium.

After completing his secondary education in both Dutch and French, he enrolled at the Royal Military Academy and underwent training as an officer in the armed forces.

Prince Laurent has a strong passion for animal welfare and environmental issues, which, coupled with his nonchalant attitude towards protocol, has earned him the nickname of the “black sheep” of the Belgian Royal Family.

He is also renowned for his support of various organizations, such as the Belgian Red Cross, and his advocacy for scientific research.

In 2003, Prince Laurent married Princess Claire of Belgium, a British-Belgian land surveyor.

Together, they have three children: Princess Louise, Prince Nicolas, and Prince Aymeric. 

List of Belgian Monarchs    

🏰 King Leopold I   

King Leopold I was the first king of the Belgians, reigning from July 21, 1831, until his death in December 1865.

He was born Leopold George Christian Frederick on December 16, 1790, in Coburg, Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, Germany, as the youngest son of Francis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.

Leopold took a commission in the Imperial Russian Army and fought against Napoleon after French troops overran Saxe-Coburg during the Napoleonic Wars.

Leopold, I devoted most of his reign to consolidating the young state of Belgium and helped strengthen the nation’s new parliamentary system.

On August 2, 1831, the Dutch army invaded Belgium, but the intervention of the Great Powers saved the new state.

Under the hereditary constitutional monarchy system, the role and operation of Belgium’s institutions, including the monarchy, are governed by the Belgian Constitution.

Leopold I was offered the crown of Greece but refused it.

He lived in England for the next 14 years until an accord between Great Britain, France, Russia, Prussia, and Austria officially established Belgium as an independent country. 

🏰 King Leopold II (slavery & murder in Congo; not a good one 🙁)   

King Leopold II was the second monarch of Belgium and reigned from 1865 until his death in 1909.

He was born on April 9, 1835, in Brussels as the second but eldest surviving son of Leopold I and Louise of Orléans.

King Leopold II is famous for his establishment and sole ownership of the Congo Free State from 1885 to 1908.

His ambition was to establish Belgium as an imperial power and led the first European efforts to develop the Congo River basin, which made the formation of the Congo Free State possible.

However, the reign of King Leopold II was also marked by the atrocities committed in the Congo Free State, including forced labour, torture, and killings.

King Leopold II married Marie-Henriette of Habsburg-Lorraine, Arch-Duchess of Austria, during his reign, and they had four children: Louise-Marie, Leopold, Stephanie, and Clementine.

King Leopold II died without any surviving legitimate sons, and his nephew, Albert I, succeeded him to the Belgian throne. 

🏰 King Albert I   

King Albert I of Belgium was the third King of the Belgians, who reigned from December 23, 1909, until his death on February 17, 1934.

He was born in Brussels on April 8, 1875, as the fifth child and second son of Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders, and Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen.

Albert succeeded his uncle, King Leopold II, to the throne in 1909 after Leopold’s son, as well as Albert’s father and brother, died before him.

He married Elisabeth of Bavaria, with whom he had three children. During World War I, Albert I led the Belgian army and played a crucial role in guiding his country’s post-war recovery.

His specific combat record during the war is not widely known, but he often visited troops and organized defences.

King Albert I died tragically on February 17, 1934, in a climbing accident near Namur, Belgium. 

🏰 King Leopold III   

King Leopold III of Belgium was born on November 3, 1901, in Brussels as Prince Leopold of Belgium and Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

He was the oldest of three children of King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth. Leopold III ascended to the Belgian throne on February 23, 1934, after the death of his father.

In World War II, he aimed to maintain Belgian neutrality but eventually surrendered his country to the Germans in May 1940.

This controversial move earned him much hostility both domestically and internationally.

Consequently, he abdicated the throne on July 16, 1951. After his abdication, King Leopold III focused on scientific research and exploration, eventually passing away on September 25, 1983. 

🏰 King Baudouin   

King Baudouin held the Belgian throne from 1951 until he passed away in 1993.

He was born on September 7, 1930, at Chateau of Stuyvenberg near Brussels, Belgium, as the firstborn son of King Leopold III and Princess Astrid of Sweden.

As the last Belgian monarch with sovereignty over the Congo, King Baudouin was instrumental in rebuilding public confidence in the monarchy following his father’s tumultuous reign.

He focused on modernizing the Belgian economy and advocating for European integration.

In 1960, he married Queen Fabiola of Spain, with whom he did not have children. His younger brother, King Albert II, succeeded him upon his death.

The King Baudouin Foundation, of which Queen Fabiola is an Honorary Chair, carries on his legacy by promoting social cohesion, justice, and philanthropy in Belgium and beyond. 

🏰 King Albert II   

Born on June 6, 1934, King Albert II succeeded his brother, King Baudouin, as the King of Belgians on August 9, 1993, following his brother’s sudden death.

King Albert II joined the Belgian Navy in 1953 and later served as honorary chairman of the Belgian Office of Foreign Trade from 1962 until his coronation.

Throughout his 31-year reign, King Albert II showed an unwavering dedication to his country and earned widespread respect.

He played a crucial role in the reunification of Belgium after the Dutroux Affair, which caused social and political tensions within the country.

He also championed international relations and trade, heading numerous economic missions. 

History of Belgium’s Royal Family   

In 1830, Belgium declared its independence and in 1831, Leopold I, Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, became the first King of the Belgians upon taking the constitutional oath.

Since then, there have been seven Belgian monarchs, including the current ruler, Philippe, who assumed the throne on July 21, 2013.

The Belgian Constitution refers to the monarch as “King of the Belgians” rather than “King of Belgium.”

King Philippe wed Queen Mathilde in 1999, and they have four children: Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel, and Princess Eléonore.

Belgium’s Royal Family has a rich history marked by significant events and milestones.

As Belgium reckons with the atrocities of Leopold II’s reign, the country welcomes a new princess, and the next monarch will be the first Queen of the Belgians.

The family tree of Belgian monarchs includes several notable members, such as Astrid of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este, and Lorenz Archduke of Austria-Este. 

Fun Facts About the Belgian Monarchy   

🗡️ Belgium is a constitutional, hereditary, and popular monarchy with a King (or Queen) serving as the head of state. There have been seven Belgian monarchs since independence in 1830. 

🗡️ The King is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Belgian army. 

🗡️ The Belgian Monarchy is organized as a constitutional parliamentary monarchy. 

🗡️ The King’s audiences and numerous travel across the country are intended to provide him with a clear picture of the state of affairs within the Kingdom, including ongoing initiatives, as well as the issues, grievances, requests, and hopes of the people. The King then relays this information to the Ministers for further action.

🗡️ The Royal Family, including the King and Queen, often visit cultural institutions such as museums. For example, the King and Queen recently visited the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp to view the collection, which includes works from renowned artists such as Rubens, Ensor, Magritte, Modigliani, and Fouquet. 

Frequently Asked Questions: Does Belgium Have A King?

Wrapping Up: Does Belgium Have a King?  

In conclusion, Belgium indeed has a king, and its monarchy has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the country’s independence in 1830. From Leopold I to the current monarch, King Philippe, the Belgian Royal Family has played a vital role in the country’s development, contributing to its cultural, social, and economic growth.

While the monarchy has had its share of controversies and challenges, it continues to be an integral part of Belgian society, representing the country both nationally and internationally.

This blog aimed to provide you with a glimpse into the fascinating world of Belgian royalty, as well as to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the monarchy.

We hope you found this article informative and enjoyable, and that it has sparked your interest in the captivating history and enduring legacy of the Belgian monarchy.