Baudouin I of Belgium

fifth king of the Belgians

Baudouin I (French: Baudouin Albert Charles Léopold Axel Marie Gustave or Dutch: Boudewijn Albert Karel Leopold Axel Marie Gustaaf; 7 September 1930 – 31 July 1993) was the King of the Belgians from 1951 to 1993.[1]

Baudouin
King of the Belgians
King Baudouin in 1960
Reign17 July 1951 - 31 July 1993
(42 years, 14 days)
PredecessorLeopold III
SuccessorAlbert II
Born7 September 1930
Laeken, Belgium
Died31 July 1993(1993-07-31) (aged 62)
Motril, Spain
Burial
SpouseFabiola de Mora y Aragón
HouseSaxe-Coburg and Gotha
FatherLeopold III
MotherAstrid of Sweden
SignatureBaudouin's signature

The king was the oldest son of King Leopold III (1901-1983) and his first wife, Princess Astrid of Sweden (1905-1935).

On 15 December 1960, Baudouin was married in Brussels to Doña Fabiola de Mora y Aragón. The King and Queen had no children. All of the Queen's five pregnancies ended in miscarriage.[2] Badouin died of heart failure. Having had no children, the crown passed on to his brother, Albert II of Belgium, following his death.

During Baudouin's reign the colony of Belgian Congo became independent.

Titles and styles change

  • 7 September 1930 – 17 February 1934: His Royal Highness The Count of Hainaut
  • 17 February 1934 – 10 August 1950: His Royal Highness The Duke of Brabant
  • 10 August 1950 – 17 July 1951: His Royal Highness The Prince Royal, Duke of Brabant
  • 17 July 1951 – 31 July 1993: His Majesty The King of the Belgians

References change

  1. Lyons, Richard D. "Baudouin I, King of Belgium, Dies at 62," New York Times. August 1, 1993; retrieved 2011-10-19
  2. Koningin Fabiola had vijf miskramen
Preceded by
Leopold III
King of the Belgians
Baudouin I

1951-1993
Succeeded by
Albert II