Albert II of Belgium

Albert II (, , ) (born Stuyvenberg Castle, Brussels, 6 June 1934) is a member of the Belgian royal family. He 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, Queen Mathilde of Belgium
 Princess Astrid of Belgium (born 5 June 1962). She is the wife of His Imperial and Royal Highness, Prince Lorenz of Belgium  Archduke of Austria, Prince Royal of Hungary and Bohemia.
 Laurent Benoît Baudouin Marie (born 19 October 1963). He married Princess Claire of Belgiumon 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. This is the same form of address given to his father, Leopold III, after his abdication.

References

 Other websites 

 Royal House of Belgium 
 Princely House of Ruffo 
 Official Belgian monarchy web site 
 Belgium defends king against 'assault', BBC News
 The Royal Belgium Orders 

Category:1934 births
Category:Living people
Category:Monarchs of Belgium
Category:Recipients of the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands
Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands
Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
Category:Knights of the Order of St John
Category:People from Brussels
Category:Recipients of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria