Philippe (French: Philippe Léopold Louis Marie de Belgique, Dutch: Filip(s) Leopold Lodewijk Maria, German: Philipp Leopold Ludwig Maria; born Castle of Laeken, Brussels, 15 April 1960) is the King of the Belgians and a constitutional monarch. He is the son of King Albert II and his wife Paola of Belgium. On 21 July 2013, King Philippe I was named king of the Belgians when Albert II abdicated.[1]
| Philippe | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) King Philippe at the Quirinal Palace in 2021 | |||||
| King of the Belgians | |||||
| Reign | 21 July 2013 – present | ||||
| Predecessor | Albert II | ||||
| Heir apparent | Elisabeth | ||||
| Prime Ministers | |||||
| Born | 15 April 1960 Brussels, Belgium | ||||
| Spouse | Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz | ||||
| Issue Detail | Princess Elisabeth Prince Gabriel Prince Emmanuel Princess Eléonore | ||||
| |||||
| House | Belgium | ||||
| Father | Albert II of Belgium | ||||
| Mother | Paola Ruffo di Calabria | ||||
| Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||
Reign
changeKing Albert II announced on 3 July 2013 that he would abdicate in favour of Philippe on 21 July 2013.[2] One hour after King Albert II's abdication, Prince Philippe was sworn in as King of the Belgians.[3]
Philippe played a role in forming a coalition government after the 2014 federal election.[4] Political meetings with the King were moved from the Palace of Laeken to the Royal Palace of Brussels.[4] In May 2019, Philippe met with Vlaams Belang President Tom Van Grieken, the first time the party had received a royal audience.[4][5]
In 2020, Philippe announced regret for the "acts of violence and cruelty" committed in the Congo Free State under the rule of his great-great-granduncle King Leopold II.[4]
In September 2024, Philippe, along with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo publicly criticised Pope Francis during their welcome addresses for him over sexual abuses committed by the Roman Catholic Church in Belgium.[6]
Titles and styles
change- 15 April 1960 –9 August 1993 His Royal Highness Prince Philippe of Belgium
- 9 August 1993-21 July 2013 His Royal Highness Prince Philippe, The Duke of Brabant
- 21 July 2013-present His Majesty The King of the Belgians
Family
changeHe has a brother, prince Laurent of Belgium (born 1963).[7]
References
change- ↑ "Belgium's King Albert II gives up throne to son". CNN. 21 July 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ↑ Price, Matthew (3 July 2013). "Belgium's King Albert II announces abdication". BBC News. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "Belgium's King Albert II gives up throne to son". CNN. 21 July 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Moens, Barbara; Gijs, Camille (6 July 2020). "Of race and royalty: How the king surprised Belgium". Politico.
- ↑ "Belgian far-right leader in landmark audience with the king". The Public's Radio. Associated Press. 29 May 2019. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ↑ "Belgian PM and king blast Pope Francis for church's sex abuse cover-up legacy in blistering welcome". AP News. 26 September 2024.
- ↑ https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/QMAr8W/prins-laurent-tapte-sak-om-trygd. Retrieved 2025-04-07
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