Vive le Roi des Belges!

King Albert II of the Belgians announced on Wednesday that he would give up the throne to allow his eldest son, Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant, to take over.

In 18 days the King will step down - Long live the King!

King Albert II adressing the nation on 3rd July 2013 at 6 pm.

"It is with serenity and full of confidence that I announce my intention to step down on July 21, 2013, our national holiday, in favour of the heir apparent, my son Philippe," King Albert II said. "I realise that my age and my health are no longer allowing me to carry out my duties as I would like to."

"After a reign of 20 years I believe the moment is here to hand over the torch to the next generation. Prince Philippe is well prepared to succeed me."

Ahead of the speech, broadcast on all major television and radio networks, the palace said the King would meet key members of the government. The government later scheduled a press conference at which Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo praised 53-year-old Prince Philippe, who has led trade delegations for Belgium abroad.

"He has already shown repeatedly how much he loves Belgium and the prince is willing to serve the country well. He can count on the support of the government," said Di Rupo.

Letter of King Albert II of the Belgians to his Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo.

The Belgian Royal Family on the country's national day, 21st July.

Prince Philippe is not unknown to Australia. Only in November 2012 he paid a last visit to Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Canberra and Tasmania. He led a Belgian Economic Mission of 147 businessmen and women, who represented 91 companies.    

In November 2012 Prince Philippe visited Australia and started his tour down under in Perth.

After Prince Philippe had left Australia he continued his economic mission in  New Zealand.  

More on Belgium's new Queen Mathilde here - in an article for her 40th birthday in January 2013.

Belgian Crown Princess turns 40

HRH Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Duchess of Brabant, was born on 20 January 1973 in Uccle or Ukkel in Flemish, one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region. She is the daughter of the Count and Countess Patrick d'Udekem d'Acoz.

Princess Mathilde went to primary school in Bastogne, followed by secondary school at the Institut de la Vierge Fidèle in Brussels. From 1991 to 1994, she studied to be a speech therapist at the Institut Libre Marie Haps in Brussels, graduating magna cum laude.

Princess Mathilde unveiled the stamp that was issued to commemorate her 40th birthday.

She set up her own professional speech therapy practice in Brussels, where she worked from 1995 until the end of 1999, when she married the heir to the Belgian throne, HRH Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant. At the same time, she began studying for a master’s degree in psychology at the Catholic University of Louvain. She graduated cum laude in 2002.

The Princess has a special interest in working with vulnerable people, in particular with children. Within these areas of interest, the Fund Princess Mathilde was created in December 2000. Each year, the Fund identifies projects that aim to make a difference in helping vulnerable people. It bestows an annual Prize on the most valuable project. In addition, Princess Mathilde has given her patronage to several associations dealing with issues of concern to vulnerable people.

She also attaches prime importance to educational subjects, the empowerment of women and supports projects to fight illiteracy.

In May 2002, she was a member of the Belgian delegation at the UN Conference on Children in New York.

Princess Mathilde accompanies Prince Philippe on missions abroad that aim to enhance the image of Belgium and promote Belgian commercial and economic interests. Missions cover all continents and led them to Australia in November 2002. 

Princess Mathilde was granted the title of Princess of Belgium upon her marriage to Prince Philippe of Belgium on 4th December 1999. The wedding at the Saint-Michel et Gudule Cathedrale was the biggest media event in Belgium since the death and succeeding funeral of HM King Baudouin of the Belgians in 1993.

On 25th October 2001, Princess Mathilde gave birth to a daughter, Princess Elisabeth, the heiress presumptive of Belgium, on 20th August 2003 to a son, Prince Gabriel, and on 4th October 2005 to a second son, Prince Emmanuel and on 16th April 2008 to a second daughter, Princess Eléonore.

Opinion polls show that Princess Mathilde figures among the ten most popular Belgians with no. 1 position taken by her father-in-law, HM King Albert II of the Belgians.