Succession to the Belgian throne

The line of succession to the Belgian throne is the list of people who may become King or Queen of Belgium.[1]

History

The death of King Baudouin in 1993 caused a short period of uncertainty about the succession. Prince Philippe was the expected to be the next king; but Baudouin's brother Albert became the new monarch.[2]

Since 2009, Belgian law identifies the eldest child of a Belgian monarch the royal heir. The first-born child follows his or her parent on the throne.[3] This is known as full or equal primogeniture.

In 2013, Albert abdicated for health reasons and his son Philippe became the King.

Order of succession

  • King Albert II (born 1934)
    • King Philippe (born 1960)
    • (5) Princess Astrid, Archduchess of Austria-Este (b. 1962)[4]
      • (6) Prince Amedeo, Archduke of Austria-Este (b. 1986)[4]
        • (7) Archduchess Anna Astrid of Austria-Este (b. 2016)[4]
        • (8) Archduke Maximilian of Austria-Este (b. 2019)[4]
        • (9) Archduchess Alix of Austria-Este (b. 2023)[4]
      • (10) Princess Maria Laura, Archduchess of Austria-Este (b. 1988)[4]
        • (11) Albert Isvy (b. 2025)[4]
      • (12) Prince Joachim, Archduke of Austria-Este (b. 1991)[4]
      • (13) Princess Luisa Maria, Archduchess of Austria-Este (b. 1995)[4]
      • (13) Princess Laetitia Maria, Archduchess of Austria-Este (b. 2003)[4]
    • (15) Prince Laurent (b. 1963)[4]
      • (16) Princess Louise (b. 2004)[4]
      • (17) Prince Nicolas (b. 2005)[4]
      • (18) Prince Aymeric (b. 2005)[4]

References

  1. International Constitutional Law Project (ICL), Constitution, Title III, Chapter III, Section I The King; retrieved 2011-12-19.
  2. Marshall, Andrew. "Belgium hastens royal succession to maintain unity role," The Independent. 3 August 1993; retrieved 2011-12-19.
  3. CBC/Radio-Canada, "Royal Succession," April 22, 2011; retrieved 2011-12-19.
  4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 "La Belgique, une monarchie constitutionnelle et héréditaire" (PDF). www.belgium.be/. Government of Belgium. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2013. Depuis 1991, une femme peut donc être chef d'Etat en Belgique, à condition d'être une descendante directe de l'actuel Roi Albert II.

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