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Belgium's King Albert II announces abdication Belgium's King Albert II announces abdication
(about 1 hour later)
The King of the Belgians, Albert II, has announced his abdication.The King of the Belgians, Albert II, has announced his abdication.
In a national televised address, the 79-year-old monarch said he would step down in favour of his son Crown Prince Philippe, 53, on 21 July, Belgium's national day.In a national televised address, the 79-year-old monarch said he would step down in favour of his son Crown Prince Philippe, 53, on 21 July, Belgium's national day.
He said his health was no longer good enough to fulfil his duties, and it was time to "pass on the torch to the next generation". He said his health was no longer good enough to fulfil his duties, and he would step down after nearly 20 years on the throne.
He said Philippe was "well prepared" to be his successor. He is the first of Belgium's line of six monarchs to abdicate.
During Belgium's political deadlock in 2010-11, the king - who was set to mark 20 years on the throne next month - took on the role of mediator. "I realise that my age and my health are no longer allowing me to carry out my duties as I would like to," he said.
"Prince Philippe is well prepared to succeed me."
Royal scandalRoyal scandal
King Albert met the Belgian government's cabinet earlier on Wednesday to inform them of his decision, Belgian state TV reported.King Albert met the Belgian government's cabinet earlier on Wednesday to inform them of his decision, Belgian state TV reported.
Following the king's announcement, Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo will address the nation.
King Albert was sworn in as the sixth king of the Belgians on 9 August 1993, following the death of his brother, King Baudouin at the age of 62.King Albert was sworn in as the sixth king of the Belgians on 9 August 1993, following the death of his brother, King Baudouin at the age of 62.
After he succeeded his brother, King Albert became embroiled in a major royal scandal when he was alleged to be the father of an out-of-wedlock daughter, Delphine Boel, and suffered a major crisis in his marriage with Queen Paola. After he succeeded his brother, King Albert became embroiled in a major royal scandal when he was alleged to be the father of an out-of-wedlock daughter, Delphine Boel, and suffered a crisis in his marriage with Queen Paola.
That issue came to the fore again this spring when Ms Boel opened court proceedings to prove she was the king's daughter. There is some speculation in the media that may have influenced his decision to abdicate. That issue came to the fore again this spring when Ms Boel opened court proceedings to prove she was the king's daughter. There is some speculation in the media that this may have influenced his decision to abdicate.
Belgium has a constitutional monarchy in which the king plays a largely ceremonial role.Belgium has a constitutional monarchy in which the king plays a largely ceremonial role.
One of the duties the monarch does have is trying to resolve constitutional crises.One of the duties the monarch does have is trying to resolve constitutional crises.
King Albert exercised his authority in advising political leaders on the formation of a government during the 2010-2011 parliamentary stalemate, when Belgium was left without a government for 541 days after elections failed to find a clear winner. King Albert exercised his authority in mediating between political leaders on the formation of a government during the 2010-2011 parliamentary stalemate, when Belgium was left without a government for 541 days after elections failed to find a clear winner.
Tensions between the two main language communities of Flemish and French sometimes run high, and the issue has brought down several governments, creating frequent political instability.Tensions between the two main language communities of Flemish and French sometimes run high, and the issue has brought down several governments, creating frequent political instability.
Respect for the royal family, though, is one of the few factors that crosses the communal divide.Respect for the royal family, though, is one of the few factors that crosses the communal divide.
King Albert's announcement comes only three months after Queen Beatrix of the neighbouring Netherlands vacated the Dutch throne in favour of her son Willem-Alexander.King Albert's announcement comes only three months after Queen Beatrix of the neighbouring Netherlands vacated the Dutch throne in favour of her son Willem-Alexander.