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Crown Prince Philippe to become Belgian monarch Philippe becomes king of Belgians as Albert II abdicates
(about 9 hours later)
Belgium's King Albert II is about to formally abdicate in favour of his son Crown Prince Philippe. Crown Prince Philippe has been sworn in as the king of the Belgians after the emotional abdication of his father Albert II.
In his final address as king on Saturday, the 79-year-old monarch urged Belgians to give his 53-year-old son "your support". The Oxford- and Stanford-educated, trained air force pilot took the oath as the country's seventh king in a ceremony in parliament.
He also stressed that his wish was that Belgium - split between the Flemish-speaking north and the French south - remained united. To warm applause, King Philippe, 53 swore to uphold the constitution.
Earlier this month, Albert said he was no longer well enough to carry on.
Constitutional crises
"Give the future King Philippe and the future Queen Mathilde your active participation and your support," King Albert said in his address.
"They make a great couple serving our country and they enjoy my full confidence," said the monarch, who will resign on Belgium's national day - after nearly 20 years on the throne.
Philippe, the Oxford- and Stanford-educated prince, will then become the country's seventh king.
He has also trained as an air force pilot.
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.
In his final address as king on Sunday, 79-year-old Albert said his country must remain a "source of inspiration" to Europe.
He had earlier urged Belgians to give son their support, saying he was no longer well enough to carry on.
Albert also stressed his wish that Belgium - split between the Dutch-speaking north and the French south - remained united.
His resignation after nearly 20 years on the throne comes on Belgium's national day.
Constitutional crises
In an emotional ceremony at the royal palace in Brussels, the former monarch told his son: "You have all the emotional and intellectual qualities to serve our country well."
He thanked an audience of some 250 dignitaries and political leaders "for all that you have achieved during my reign".
Albert also thanked his wife, Paola, for the support she had given him during his reign, and was in turn thanked by Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo for his service to his country.
Mr Di Rupo holds the political power in the 183-year-old parliamentary democracy.
Albert then embraced his son and signed the official abdication papers, ending his reign.
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 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.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 Flemish and French communities sometimes run high, and the issue has brought down several governments, creating frequent political instability. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking and French communities 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 abdication 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 abdication comes only three months after Queen Beatrix of the neighbouring Netherlands vacated the Dutch throne in favour of her son Willem-Alexander.