King Albert II of Belgium announced his abdication yesterday, amid ill-health and against the backdrop of a court case over his alleged paternity of an illegitimate daughter.
In an unexpected address to the nation, the 79-year-old King said he would formally abdicate in favour his son, Crown Prince Philippe, on July 21, Belgium's national day. It is the first time a Belgian monarch has voluntarily stepped down.
"I am at an age never attained by my predecessors," he said. "I have noticed that my age and health no longer allow me to fulfil my job as I should have wished. I would not meet my duties and not honour my view of the royal function if I stuck to my post at all costs."
Albert, who has played a critical role in holding Belgium together as a country over the past three years, is approaching his 20th anniversary on the throne, after taking over from his brother Baudouin of Belgium, who died in 1993. The King is known to be unwell and exhausted after a difficult five years for Belgium where deep divisions between Flemish Dutch-speakers and French-speaking Walloons have pushed the country to the brink of break-up.
