King Albert II and Queen Paola interacting with well-wishers during their visit to the Belgian French community in Liege yesterday. King Albert II abdicates tomorrow just as the country celebrates its National Day. He holds his last address to the nation today.

 

By Alexandra Mayer-Hohdah/Brussels, DPA

Belgium is poised to bid farewell with pomp and circumstance tomorrow to King Albert II - its first monarch to willingly relinquish the throne.

The 79-year-old had announced in a surprise address to the nation two weeks ago that he would make way for his eldest son, Prince Philippe, because his age and health “do not allow me to carry out my duty as I would like to”.

“After a 20-year reign, I feel that the time has come to pass on the torch to the next generation,” Albert said.

The monarch will abdicate just as the country celebrates its National Day. This afternoon, he will hold his last address to the nation.

A church service, a military parade and a fireworks display are also planned for tomorrow, with new coins and stamps bearing Philippe’s portrait in the works too.

At noon tomorrow, the 53-year-old will take the king’s oath, swearing to observe the Belgian constitution and “preserve national independence and the integrity of the territory”.

The royal family is seen as one of the few forces uniting the country’s fractious Dutch-speaking Flemish and French-speaking Walloon communities. But there are concerns that Philippe may not be as effective. Some observers worry he lacks his father’s charisma.

Albert’s sense of humour is among the traits that many have praised this week as the king and his wife, Queen Paola, have undertaken a farewell tour of Belgian cities.

“The king’s function does not entail the exercising of personal authority,” the Belgian government notes on its website. “It is by suggesting, advising, warning and encouraging that the king brings this action to bear on political protagonists.”

Belgium has had six kings since the creation of its monarchy in 1831.

While announcing his abdication, Albert had made a point of saying that he thinks Philippe - or Filip, as he will be known in Dutch-speaking Flanders - “is well prepared to succeed me”.

“With Princess Mathilde, he has all of my trust,” Albert had said.

The future queen, who is of Belgian and Polish noble lineage, has four children with Philippe. There have been rumours that their marriage is an arranged one, but the palace has made a point of distributing happy family photos in the run-up to the abdication.

The photogenic Mathilde, 40, has gotten much of the attention, with speculation rife about what dress she will wear tomorrow. Many believe it will come from the Belgian designer Natan.

Philippe, who is a qualified fighter pilot, will wear the uniform of a lieutenant general for his father’s abdication ceremony. Once he is sworn in as king - and thus as commander-in-chief of Belgium’s armed forces - he will don the uniform of a general.

With his ascension, Belgium comes one step closer to its first queen, since Philippe’s heir is his eldest daughter, 11-year-old Princess Elisabeth.

For now, the European country can boast of three queens by marriage, as Paola will retain the honorific title even after the abdication - much like Queen Fabiola, 85, has since the death of Albert’s brother, King Baudouin, in 1993.

Albert and Paola will also continue receiving an allowance from the state, though a bit less than before, at 923,000 euros ($1.2mn) per year. Philippe will get the same as his father did - 11.5mn euros annually, although it will now be taxed.

His first significant test will likely come next year, when Belgians head to the polls. After the last elections, it took the country more than a year to form a new government.

Albert is also likely to continue making headlines, as he has been embroiled in a court case involving a woman who claims to be his illegitimate daughter. Delphine Boel has demanded DNA evidence from the ruler and two of his children to establish her royal lineage.

Albert’s abdication is the second in Europe this year, after Dutch Queen Beatrix left the throne in April following a 33-year reign.