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Home > Belgium's past kings   Leopold I (1831-1865): laying the foundations ... Leopold I was the first Belgian King and a figure of European standing: brother-in-law to the Russian Czar's brother, he was also related to the British Royal Family and was the son-in-law of the King of France. These connections not only meant that he was widely accepted choice of King for the newly formed state of Belgium, but also helped him build solid new foundations for his young kingdom.   Leopold II (1865-1909): building an industrial power ... Leopold II built on his father's work to make Belgium even stronger. In the age of iron and steel, he turned Belgium into the fourth greatest industrial power, with a third of its production going to exports and the establishment of a worldwide financial empire. To this end, Leopold's most fundamental accomplishment was founding the Belgian colony of Congo.   Albert I (1909-1934): fighting for people and country ... Albert I, the "Knight-King", proved his leadership qualities when the Germans invaded Belgium at the onset of World War I. At the head of his troops, King Albert halted the mighty German army at the River Ijzer and remained firmly in command until the end of the war. His wife, Queen Elisabeth, is remembered as a great patron of the arts: she founded the world-renowned Queen Elisabeth Contest. A keen mountaineer, the King was killed in a climbing accident near Namur in 1934.   Leopold III (1934-1951): facing the reality of war ... Like his father Albert, Leopold III was soon confronted by war. In 1940, the German blitzkrieg swept across Belgium. The Belgian Government evacuated to London, but Leopold refused to abandon his people and surrendered to the German forces. He spent World War II in German captivity. In 1951 he abdicated in favor of his son Baudouin following political unrest about his surrender to the German army.   Baudouin I (1951-1993): symbolizing Belgian unity ... Baudouin steered Belgium through important changes as it gained increasing international prominence due to Brussels becoming home to both the European Commission and the Nato headquarters. He is best remembered as a King who not only cared deeply about humanity, but was exceptionally close to his people and symbolized national unity at a time when the country's regions were becoming more and more autonomous.   Albert II (1993-today): guaranteeing stability ... After Baudouin's death in 1993, his brother Albert II ascended the throne in order to guarantee continued stability during the final phase in the federalization of the Belgian state. With broad experience as the former President of the Belgian Office of Foreign Trade, King Albert provides the nation with statesmanship and, at the same time, the quality of being one of the people.   Latest update: 15/04/2005 |  print this article |  send this article top of the page

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