Albert II of Belgium

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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

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

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.

Albert II Of Belgium Media

Albert (right) and his brother Baudouin, c. 1940
King Albert II and Queen Paola with US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush at the Royal Palace of Brussels in 2005
The King reviewing the army during the Belgian National Day, 2011
Royal monogram of King Albert II of Belgium
Coat of arms as King of the Belgians
Personal Standard of King Albert II.
Ribbon bars of the Order of Leopold
Order of the African Star - Grand Cross
Royal Order of the Lion - Grand Cross
Ribbon bar: Order of the Crown – Grand Cross (Belgium).(Ordre de la Couronne – Grand-Croix).(De Kroonorde – Grootkruis).