View source for Albert II of Belgium

{{Short description|King of the Belgians from 1993 to 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Albert II
| image        = Albert II, King of Belgium.jpg
| caption      = Albert II in 2010
| succession   = [[King of the Belgians]]
| reign        = {{nowrap|9 August 1993 – 21 July 2013}}
| predecessor  = [[Baudouin of Belgium|Baudouin]]
| successor    = [[Philippe of Belgium|Philippe]]
| reg-type     = {{nowrap|[[Prime Minister of Belgium|Prime ministers]]}}
| regent       = {{Collapsible list|title=''See list''|1=[[Jean-Luc Dehaene]]<br />[[Guy Verhofstadt]]<br />[[Yves Leterme]]<br />[[Herman Van Rompuy]]<br />[[Yves Leterme]]<br />[[Elio Di Rupo]]}}
| spouse       = {{marriage|[[Queen Paola of Belgium|Paola Ruffo di Calabria]]|2 July 1959}}
| issue        = {{plainlist|
* [[Philippe of Belgium|King Philippe]]
* [[Princess Astrid of Belgium|Princess Astrid, Archduchess of Austria-Este]]
* [[Prince Laurent of Belgium|Prince Laurent]]
* [[Princess Delphine of Belgium|Princess Delphine]]}}
|full name   = {{plainlist|
*{{langx|nl|Albert Felix Humbert Theodoor Christiaan Eugen Maria}}
*{{langx|fr|Albert Félix Humbert Théodore Christian Eugène Marie}}
*{{langx|de|Albert Felix Humbert Theodor Christian Eugen Maria}}}}
| house        = [[House of Belgium|Belgium]]
| father       = [[Leopold III of Belgium]]
| mother       = [[Astrid of Sweden]]
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1934|06|06|df=y}}
| birth_place  = [[Château of Stuyvenberg]], [[Laeken]], [[Brussels]], Belgium
| death_date   = 
| death_place  = 
| signature    = Albert II of Belgium Signature.svg
}}

{{Belgian Royal Family}}

'''Albert II'''{{efn|{{langx|fr|Albert Félix Humbert Théodore Christian Eugène Marie}}, {{IPA|fr|albɛʁ feliks œ̃bɛʁ teɔdɔʁ kʁistjɑ̃ øʒɛn maʁi|pron}}; {{langx|nl|Albert Felix Humbert Theodoor Christiaan Eugène Marie}}, {{IPA|nl|ˈɑlbərt ˈfeːlɪks ˈɦʏmbərt teːjoːˈdoːr ˈkrɪstijaːn øːˈʑɛːn maːˈri|pron}}; {{langx|de|Albrecht Felix Humbert Theodor Christian Eugen Maria}}, {{IPA|de|ˈalbʁɛçt ˈfeːlɪks ˈhʊmbɛʁt ˈteːodoːɐ̯ ˈkʁɪsti̯a(ː)n ˈʔɔʏɡeːn maˈʁiːaː, - ˈʔɔʏɡn̩ -|pron}}}} (born 6 June 1934) is a member of the [[Belgian royal family]] who reigned as [[King of the Belgians]] from 1993 until his abdication in 2013.

Albert II is the son of [[King Leopold III]] and the last living child of [[Astrid of Sweden|Queen Astrid]], born a princess of Sweden.{{efn|[[Princess Marie-Esméralda of Belgium]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/belgian-royal-asks-nation-to-apologize-to-drc-for-past/1877073|title=Belgian royal asks nation to apologize to DRC for past|website=www.aa.com.tr|accessdate=18 March 2023}}</ref> and [[Princess Marie-Christine of Belgium]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200626010915/https://www.web24.news/u/2020/05/princess-marie-christine-of-belgium-ruined-because-of-her-addicted-husband.html Princess Marie Christine of Belgium ruined because of her addicted husband] </ref> the two daughters of Leopold III and his second wife, [[Lilian, Princess of Réthy]], are also still alive.}} He is the younger brother of the late Grand Duchess [[Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium|Joséphine-Charlotte]] of Luxembourg and [[Baudouin of Belgium|King Baudouin]], whom he succeeded following Baudouin's death in 1993. He married Donna Paola Ruffo di Calabria (now [[Queen Paola of Belgium|Queen Paola]]), with whom he had three children. Albert's eldest son, [[Philippe of Belgium|Philippe]], is the current King of the Belgians.

On 3 July 2013, King Albert II attended a midday session of the [[Belgian cabinet]]. He then announced that, on 21 July, [[Belgian National Day]], he would abdicate the throne for health reasons. He was succeeded by his son [[Philippe of Belgium|Philippe]] on 21 July 2013. In doing so, he was also the second Belgian monarch to abdicate, following his father, [[Leopold III of Belgium|Leopold III]], who abdicated in 1951. His nephew is former [[Grand Duke of Luxembourg]], [[Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg|Henri]].

== Early life ==
Albert was born at the [[Château of Stuyvenberg]] in [[Laeken]], northern [[Brussels]], as the second son and youngest child of [[Leopold III of Belgium|King Leopold III]] and his first wife, Princess [[Astrid of Sweden]]. He was second in line to the throne at birth, and was given the title [[Prince of Liège]]. When Albert was one year old, Queen Astrid died in Switzerland  in a car accident on 29 August 1935, in which King Leopold, who was driving the vehicle, was lightly injured. The King remarried to [[Lilian, Princess of Réthy|Mary Lilian Baels]] (later became Princess of Réthy) in 1941. The couple produced three children: [[Prince Alexandre of Belgium|Prince Alexandre]], Princess Marie-Christine and [[Princess Marie-Esméralda of Belgium|Princess Marie-Esméralda]] (who is also Albert's goddaughter). Albert and his siblings had a close relationship with their stepmother and they called her "Mother".<ref>Cleeremans, Jean. ''Léopold III, sa famille, son peuple sous l'occupation''; Keyes, Roger. ''Echec au Roi, Léopold III, 1940–1951''</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Sam|last=White|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19530703&id=r2AbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=q00EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6650,477813&hl=en|title=Europe's Most Slandered Princess|date=3 July 1953|access-date=19 May 2020|publisher=Pittsburgh Press}}</ref>

During [[World War II]], on 10 May 1940, at the time when Belgium was being [[Battle of Belgium|invaded]], Albert, his elder sister [[Princess Joséphine Charlotte of Belgium|Princess Joséphine-Charlotte]] and his elder brother [[Baudouin of Belgium|Prince Baudouin]], left the country for [[France during World War II|France]] and later [[Spain during World War II|Spain]]. The Prince and the Princess returned to Belgium on 2 August 1940. They continued their studies until 1944, either at [[Laeken]], or at the [[Royal Castle of Ciergnon|Castle of Ciergnon]] in [[the Ardennes]]. In June 1944, at the time of the [[Operation Overlord|Allied landings]], King Leopold, his wife Princess Lilian and the royal children were deported by the Germans to [[Hirschstein]], [[Germany]], and later to [[Strobl]], [[Austria]], where they were released by the American [[106th Cavalry Regiment]] on 7 May 1945. Owing to the political situation in Belgium, King Leopold and his family moved to the villa "Le Reposoir" in [[Pregny-Chambésy|Pregny]], [[Switzerland]], when they left Austria in October 1945 and stayed until July 1950. During that time, Albert would continue his education in a secondary school in [[Geneva]]. King Leopold III, accompanied by Prince Baudouin and Albert, returned to Belgium on 22 July 1950.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monarchie.be/royal-family/king-albert-ii |title=King Albert II |publisher=The Belgian Monarchy|access-date=28 April 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100425035658/http://www.monarchie.be/royal-family/king-albert-ii| archive-date= 25 April 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>

== Marriage and family ==
[[File:Baudouin and Albert.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Albert (right) and his brother Baudouin, {{circa|1940|lk=no}}]]
[[File:George and Laura Bush, King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium.jpg|thumb|King Albert II and Queen Paola with US President [[George W. Bush]] and First Lady [[Laura Bush]] at the [[Royal Palace of Brussels]] in 2005]]

In 1958, Albert went to the [[Vatican City|Vatican]] to witness the coronation of [[Pope John XXIII]]. At a reception at the Belgian Embassy, he met Italian Donna [[Paola Ruffo di Calabria]]. Albert proposed marriage to her, to which she accepted. Two months after their meeting, he introduced his future wife to his family, and four months later to the press. The couple were married on 2 July 1959, one-and-a-half years before Albert's older brother, the king, got married (a marriage which would prove childless). Albert and Paola have three children, twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Their children are:

*[[Philippe of Belgium|King Philippe]] (born 15 April 1960 at the [[Belvédère Château]] in Brussels)
*[[Princess Astrid of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este|Princess Astrid]] (born 5 June 1962 at the Belvédère Château in Brussels)
*[[Prince Laurent of Belgium|Prince Laurent]] (born 19 October 1963 at the Belvédère Château in Brussels)

=== Delphine Boël ===
In 1997, the Belgian satirical magazine ''Père Ubu'' reported that the Belgian sculptor [[Princess Delphine of Belgium|Delphine Boël]] (born 22 February 1968) was King Albert II's extramarital daughter.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Falter |first1=Rolf |title=Pigment over Delphine Boël en Albert II |url=https://www.tijd.be/opinie/commentaar/i-pigment-over-delphine-boel-en-albert-ii-i-voorheen-bekend-als-boel/1735288.html |work=De Tijd |date=19 May 2005}}</ref> It took some years for the Belgian mainstream media to report this news. According to [[Sybille de Selys Longchamps|Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps]], the mother of Delphine, she and Albert shared an 18-year-long relationship<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/20/world/europe/belgium-also-awaiting-possible-news-of-a-new-royal.html|title=Belgium Is Also Awaiting Possible News of a New Royal|last=Higgins|first=Andrew|date=19 July 2013|work=The New York Times|access-date=27 January 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> into which Delphine was born.

In June 2013, Boël summoned the then King and his two older children (the then Duke of Brabant and the Archduchess of Austria-Este) to appear in court. She hoped to use DNA tests to prove that she is the King's daughter. As the King enjoyed complete immunity under the law, Boël decided to summon his elder children as well.<ref name="Stroobants">{{cite news|title=En Belgique, la fille adultérine d'Albert II exige une reconnaissance officielle|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/europe/article/2013/06/17/en-belgique-la-fille-adulterine-d-albert-ii-exige-une-reconnaissance-officielle_3431584_3214.html|last=Stroobants|first=Jean-Pierre|newspaper=Le Monde|date=17 June 2013|access-date=23 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="Bacchi">{{cite web|title=Belgium: King Albert's 'Disowned Natural Daughter' Delphine Boel Seeks Recognition in Court |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/480189/20130618/belgium-king-albert-daughter-delphine-boel-sues.htm|last=Bacchi|first=Umberto|website=International Business Times|date=18 June 2013|access-date=23 June 2013}}</ref> The king abdicated the following month, in July 2013. After the King's abdication, Boël abandoned her first suit to introduce a second one only against the former King as he was no longer protected by immunity and the first claim would have been judged according to the situation at the time of the introduction of the claim.<ref>Le Vif, [http://www.levif.be/info/actualite/belgique/chacun-sait-que-le-roi-albert-est-le-pere-biologique-de-delphine-boel/article-4000363047644.htm "Chacun sait que le roi Albert est le père biologique de Delphine Boël"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215055408/http://www.levif.be/info/actualite/belgique/chacun-sait-que-le-roi-albert-est-le-pere-biologique-de-delphine-boel/article-4000363047644.htm |date=15 February 2014 }}</ref>

In March 2017, the Court ruled that her claim was unfounded, and her lawyers said she would take the claim to appeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20170328_02804662|title=Delphine Boël vangt bot bij rechter: koning Albert II is niet haar wettelijke vader|last=mtm|website=Het Nieuwsblad|date=28 March 2017|access-date=3 August 2017}}</ref> On 25 October 2018, the Court of Appeal decided that Delphine Boël is not a descendant of Jacques Boël, and ordered King Albert to undergo DNA testing. His lawyer announced that he would seek further advice about a possible referral to Belgium's [[Court of Cassation (Belgium)|Cour de Cassation]] / [[Hof van Cassatie]].<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20181105_03907479|title= Advocaat Paleis: 'Niet zeker of koning Albert DNA-test zal ondergaan' |work=[[De Standaard]], datem 5 November 2018}}</ref> In 2019, the King's lawyer confirmed he would not provide a DNA sample in the case.<ref>{{cite news |title=Belgian ex-king Albert II refuses DNA test in love-child case |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47096017 |work=BBC News |date=February 2019 }}</ref>

On 29 May 2019, it was reported by CNN that Albert II had submitted a DNA sample after a Belgian court ruled on 16 May that he would be fined 5,000 euros for each day that he failed to do so, although he would continue to challenge the ruling, according to his attorney, {{ill|Alain Berenboom|fr}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/29/europe/former-belgian-king-submits-dna-in-paternity-case-scli-intl/index.html|title=Former Belgian king submits DNA sample in paternity case|work=CNN|date=29 May 2019|access-date=18 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2019/12/13/analysis-of-king-alberts-dna-may-be-used-as-evidence-in-delphine/|title=Analysis of King Albert's DNA may be used as evidence in Delphine Boël paternity case|date=13 December 2019|website=vrtnws.be|access-date=18 March 2023}}</ref> The results of these DNA samples were released on 27 January 2020 by Alain Berenboom, confirming [[Princess Delphine of Belgium|Delphine Boël]] as Albert II's daughter. Albert II confirmed this on 27 January 2020 in a press release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2020/01/27/koning-albert-is-biologische-vader-van-delphine-boel/|title=DNA test confirms: King Albert is the biological father of Delphine Boël|date=27 January 2020|website=vrt.be|publisher=vrtnws}}</ref> "The king will treat all his children as equal," Berenboom said, according to VTM News. "King Albert now has four children."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/28/europe/belgian-king-daughter-intl-hnk-scli/index.html|title=DNA test forces former Belgian king to admit fathering a child in extramarital affair|first=Jessie|last=Yeung|date=28 January 2020|website=CNN|access-date=18 March 2023}}</ref>

While it was proven that Boël was his biological daughter, her legal status as a daughter was not recognized<ref>[https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2020/01/27/delphine-is-wel-degelijk-de-dochter-van-albert-ii-wordt-ze-nu-o/ Nu Delphine Boël wel degelijk de dochter van koning Albert II is: wordt ze prinses? En deelt ze in de erfenis?] Article in Dutch</ref><ref>but Albert stated he will not raise any objections about his legal paternity. A court will decide about this matter in the near future.[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/28/world/europe/belgium-king-albert-delphine-boel.html Ex-King of Belgium Acknowledges a Long-Dismissed Daughter]</ref> until a 1 October 2020 ruling of the Brussels Court of Appeal, which also recognized Boël as a princess of Belgium and granted her the new surname of [[Saxe-Coburg]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/delphine-boel-belgian-kings-daughter-wins-right-to-call-herself-princess|title=Delphine Boël: Belgian king's daughter wins right to call herself princess|first=Daniel|last=Boffey|date=1 October 2020|accessdate=18 March 2023|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

==Official role==
[[File:21 juli 2011 Defilé Koning Albert II.png|thumbnail|The King reviewing the army during the [[Belgian National Day]], 2011]]

As the younger brother of the childless [[King Baudouin]], Albert was the [[heir-presumptive]] to the throne. Albert's son Philippe was groomed to eventually succeed. On Baudouin's death, Albert was [[Swearing-in of the Kings of the Belgians|sworn in before parliament]], on 9 August 1993, as King of the Belgians.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monarchie.be/royal-family/king-albert-ii |title=The Belgian Monarchy: Home – Royal Family – King Albert II |publisher=The Belgian Monarchy }}</ref>

As King, Albert's duties included representing Belgium at home and abroad on [[List of state visits made and received by Albert II of Belgium|state visits]], trade missions, and at high level international meetings as well as taking an interest in Belgian society, culture and enterprise.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monarchie.be/monarchy-today |title=The Belgian Monarchy: Home – The Monarchy today |publisher=The Belgian Monarchy }}</ref> The King had a constitutional role which came into play in 2010–2011 when Belgium's parliament was unable to agree on a government. When the crisis was resolved, Albert swore in the new government.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 December 2011 |title=Belgium swears in new government headed by Elio Di Rupo |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16042750 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

In 1984, he set up the Prince Albert Foundation, to promote expertise in foreign trade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monarchie.be/monarchy-today/royal-initiatives/prince-albert-fund |title=The Belgian Monarchy: Home – The Monarchy today – Royal Initiatives – Prince Albert Fund |publisher=The Belgian Monarchy }}</ref>

Albert sparked controversy in his December 2012 Christmas speech by comparing modern "populist movements" with those of the 1930s. This was seen by several political commentators, as well as many Flemish politicians, as aimed implicitly at the large Flemish nationalist party, the [[N-VA]].<ref name="christmas">{{cite news|title=Belgium King Albert II Christmas speech sparks controversy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20852536|access-date=2 January 2013|newspaper=BBC News Online|date=27 December 2012}}</ref> [[Bart De Wever]], the party's leader, called for the King's role in the formation of Belgian governments to be changed in the wake of this comment since he "could no longer see the monarch as playing the constitutional role of referee."<ref name=christmas/>

===Abdication===
On 3 July 2013, 79-year-old King Albert II attended a midday session of the [[Cabinet of Belgium|Belgian cabinet]], where he revealed his intention to abdicate to Prime Minister [[Elio Di Rupo]] and to the deputy prime ministers. This came less than one month after the king and two of his children had been asked to appear in court by the Belgian sculptor [[Princess Delphine of Belgium|Delphine Boël]], who was intent on proving that the king was her biological father. According to a letter sent by the King to the Prime Minister and dated 3 July 2013, and which was made public, the King had already broached the topic of his intention to abdicate several times with the Prime Minister, who had asked him to reconsider it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/151540175/De-brief-van-koning-Albert-II-aan-Di-Rupo |title=Letter of King Albert II to Prime Minister Di Rupo announcing his intention to abdicate |publisher=Scribd.com }}</ref> At 6 pm (CET) the King announced in a recorded radio and television speech that on 21 July, Belgium's [[National Day]], he would abdicate the throne for health reasons. He was succeeded by his elder son, Philippe.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|author=Matthew Price |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23167525 |title=Belgium's King Albert II announces abdication |date=3 July 2013|work=BBC News }}</ref>

After his abdication on 21 July 2013 it was decided that he would be styled as ''His Majesty'' King Albert II,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/binnenland/1.1668827|title=Koning der Belgen versus Koning (Dutch) |date=3 July 2013 |publisher=Deredactie.be }}</ref> the same form of address granted to his father, Leopold III, after his abdication.

==Honours==
[[File:Royal Monogram of Albert II of Belgium.svg|thumb|100px|Royal monogram of King Albert II of Belgium]]
[[File:Coat of Arms of the King of the Belgians (1921).svg|thumb|200px|Coat of arms as King of the Belgians]]
[[File:Royal Standard of King Albert II of Belgium.svg|thumb|200px|[[List of Belgian flags|Personal Standard]] of King Albert II.]]
{{see also|List of honours of the Belgian Royal Family by country}}

=== National honours ===

* [[File:BEL_-_Order_of_Leopold_-_Grand_Cordon_bar.svg|40x40px]] Grand Cordon in the [[Order of Leopold (Belgium)|Order of Leopold]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 August 2023 |title=Z.M. BOUDEWIJN |url=http://www.ars-moriendi.be/BOUDEWIJN.HTM |website=moriendi.be |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919101650/http://www.ars-moriendi.be/BOUDEWIJN.HTM |archive-date=19 September 2008 |language=nl}}</ref>
As King (1993-2013) he was Grand Master of:
** [[File:BEL_Order_of_the_African_Star_-_Grand_Cross_BAR.png|40x40px]] The [[Order of the African Star]]
** [[File:BEL_Royal_Order_of_the_Lion_-_Grand_Cross_BAR.png|40x40px]] The [[Royal Order of the Lion]]
** [[File:BEL_Kroonorde_Grootkruis_BAR.svg|40x40px]] The [[Order of the Crown (Belgium)|Order of the Crown]]
** [[File:BEL_Order_of_Leopold_II_-_Grand_Cross_BAR.svg|40x40px]] The [[Order of Leopold II]]

=== Other European distinctions ===

* [[File:AUT_Honour_for_Services_to_the_Republic_of_Austria_-_1st_Class_BAR.svg|40x40px]] Grand Star of the [[Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria]] (1958) <ref>{{cite web |title=Reply to a parliamentary question |url=http://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf |access-date=4 October 2012 |page=53 |language=de}}</ref>
* [[File:BUL Order Stara planina ribbon.svg|40x40px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of Stara Planina|Order of the Balkan Mountains]] (2003, Bulgaria)<ref>{{cite web |title=The Belgian Monarchy |url=http://www.monarchie.be/sites/default/files/imagecache/ImageDetail/images/fr_bulga3_3160.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524060530/http://www.monarchie.be/sites/default/files/imagecache/ImageDetail/images/fr_bulga3_3160.jpg |archive-date=24 May 2012 |access-date=8 November 2011}}</ref>
* [[File:GER_Bundesverdienstkreuz_9_Sond_des_Grosskreuzes.svg|40x40px]] Grand Cross Special Class of the [[Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]] (West Germany)
* [[File:Order of the Elephant Ribbon bar.svg|40x40px]] Knight of the [[Order of the Elephant]] (Denmark)
* [[File:DNK Order of Danebrog Grand Cross BAR.png|40x40px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Dannebrog]] (Denmark)
* [[File:EST Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana - 1st Class BAR.png|40x40px]] Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana]] (5 June 2008, Estonia) <ref>{{Cite web |title=Vabariigi President |url=https://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearer/844/albert-ii |access-date=27 August 2019 |website=www.president.ee}}</ref>
* [[File:FIN_Order_of_the_White_Rose_Grand_Cross_BAR.svg|40x40px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the White Rose of Finland]] (1996)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suomen Valkoisen Ruusun ritarikunnan suurristin ketjuineen ulkomaalaiset saajat |url=http://www.ritarikunnat.fi/index.php/fi/ritarikunnat/64-ritarikunnat/palkitut/216-suomen-valkoisen-ruusun-ritarikunnan-suurristin-ketjuineen-saajat-ulkomaalaiset |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102083606/http://www.ritarikunnat.fi/index.php/fi/ritarikunnat/64-ritarikunnat/palkitut/216-suomen-valkoisen-ruusun-ritarikunnan-suurristin-ketjuineen-saajat-ulkomaalaiset |archive-date=2 November 2019 |access-date=27 August 2019 |website=www.ritarikunnat.fi}}</ref>
* [[File:Legion_Honneur_GC_ribbon.svg|40x40px]] Grand Cross of the [[Legion of Honour]] (France)
* [[File:GRE_Order_Redeemer_1Class.svg|40x40px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Redeemer]] (Greece)
* [[File:HUN Order of Merit of the Hungarian Rep (civ) 1class Collar BAR.svg|40x40px]] Grand Cross of the [[Hungarian Order of Merit]]
* [[File:ISL_Icelandic_Order_of_the_Falcon_-_Grand_Cross_BAR.png|40x40px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Falcon]] (16 October 1979, Iceland)<ref>{{cite web |date=21 October 1936 |title=Fálkaorðuhafar |url=http://falkadb.forseti.is/orduskra/fal03.php?term=Albert&sub=Leita |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313043808/http://falkadb.forseti.is/orduskra/fal03.php?sub=leita&term=albert |archive-date=13 March 2016 |access-date=19 November 2016 |publisher=Falkadb.forseti.is}}</ref>
* [[File:Cordone_di_gran_Croce_OMRI_BAR.svg|40x40px]] Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]] (29 October 1973, Italy)<ref>{{cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato%3D34952 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928084048/http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=34952 |archive-date=28 September 2013 |access-date=9 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato%3D11919 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928084127/http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=11919 |archive-date=28 September 2013 |access-date=12 May 2012}}</ref>
* [[File:Cavaliere di gran Croce SSML BAR.svg|40x40px]] Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus]] (Italy)
* [[File:Order of the Most Holy Annunciation BAR.svg|40x40px]] Knight of the [[Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation]] (Italy)
* [[File:LVA Order of the Three Stars - Commander BAR.svg|40x40px]] Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Three Stars (Latvia)
* [[File:Order of Vytautas Commanders Grand Cross Ribbon.jpg|40x40px]] Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of Vytautas the Great]] (16 March 2006, Lithuania)<ref>{{cite web |title=President of the Republic of Lithuania - The Belgian Royal Couple pays the first visit to Lithuania |url=http://archyvas.lrp.lt/en/news.full/6486 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425235113/http://archyvas.lrp.lt/en/news.full/6486 |archive-date=25 April 2012 |access-date=21 November 2011}}</ref>
* [[File:Order_of_the_Golden_Lion_of_Nassau_Ribbon_bar.svg|40x40px]] Knight of the Order of the Golden Lion of Nassau (Luxembourg)
* [[File:MCO_Order_of_Saint-Charles_-_Grand_Cross_BAR.svg|40x40px]] Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Saint-Charles]] (13 October 1957, Monaco) <ref>[https://journaldemonaco.gouv.mc/var/jdm/storage/original/application/87eacbad098f75d022b9f1524817fc0d.pdf Bulletin Officiel de la Principauté ]</ref>
* [[File:Order_of_the_Netherlands_Lion_ribbon_-_Knight_Grand_Cross.svg|40x40px]] Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Netherlands Lion]]
* [[File:NLD Order of Orange-Nassau - Knight Grand Cross BAR.png|40x40px]] Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Orange-Nassau]] (Netherlands)
* [[File:Queen Beatrix Investiture Medal 1980 ribbon.svg|40x40px]] Queen Beatrix Investiture Medal (Netherlands)
* [[File:St_Olavs_Orden_storkors_stripe.svg|40x40px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of St. Olav]] (1964, Norway)<ref name="norges1">{{citation |title=Norges Statskalender for Aaret 1970 |pages=1240 |year=1970 |chapter=Den kongelige norske Sanct Olavs Orden |chapter-url=https://runeberg.org/norkal/1970/0797.html |location=Oslo |publisher=Forlagt av H. Aschehoug & Co. (w. Nygaard) |language=Norwegian |via=runeberg.org}}</ref>
* [[File:St. Olavs Orden stripe.svg|40x40px]] St. Olavsmedaljen (Norway) 
* [[File:SMOM-gcs.svg|40x40px]] Knight Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the [[Sovereign Military Order of Malta]]
* [[File:POL Order Orła Białego BAR.svg|40x40px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland]]<ref name="RefPages" />
* [[File:PRT_Order_of_Prince_Henry_-_Grand_Collar_BAR.svg|40x40px]] Grand Collar in the [[Order of Prince Henry]] (13 December 1999, Portugal)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=ENTIDADES ESTRANGEIRAS AGRACIADAS COM ORDENS PORTUGUESAS - Página Oficial das Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas |url=http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154&list=1 |access-date=27 August 2019 |website=www.ordens.presidencia.pt}}</ref>
* [[File:PRT_Military_Order_of_Aviz_-_Grand_Cross_BAR.svg|40x40px]] Grand Cross of the [[Military Order of Aviz]] (11 December 1985, Portugal)<ref name=":0" />
* [[File:ROU Order of the Star of Romania 1999 GCross BAR.svg|40x40px]] Collar of the [[Order of the Star of Romania]] (2009)<ref>{{cite web |title=Cancelaria Ordinelor |url=https://canord.presidency.ro/ |website=canord.presidency.ro}}</ref>
* [[File:SVK Rad Bieleho Dvojkriza 1 triedy BAR.svg|40x40px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the White Double Cross]] (Slovakia)
* [[File:Order_of_the_Golden_Fleece_ribbon_bar.svg|40x40px]] Knight of the [[Order of the Golden Fleece]] (16 September 1994, Spain)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boletín Oficial del Estado |url=http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1994/09/17/pdfs/A28673-28674.pdf |accessdate=18 March 2023}}</ref>
* [[File:Order_of_the_Seraphim_-_Ribbon_bar.svg|40x40px]] Knight of the [[Order of the Seraphim]] (Sweden)
* [[File:SWE King Carl XVI Gustaf Jubilee Medal III.png|40x40px]] King Carl XVI Gustaf Jubilee Medal (Sweden)
* [[File:UK Queen EII Coronation Medal ribbon.svg|40x40px]] [[Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal]] (UK)<ref>
{{London Gazette|issue=40020|page=6232|date=20 November 1953|supp=y}}</ref>
* [[File:Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal ribbon.png|40x40px]] [[Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal]] (UK)
* [[File:UK Royal Victorian Order honorary member ribbon.svg|40x40px]] Knight Grand Cross of the [[Royal Victorian Order]] (UK)
* [[File:VAT Order of Pope Pius IX GCross BAR.svg|40x40px]] Knight with the Collar of the [[Order of Pope Pius IX]] (Vatican) <ref name="RefPages">Carnet Mondain, [Carnet Mondain,  p. 2 ed. 2005] book page with Alberts honours</ref>

=== Latin-American distinctions ===

* [[File:ARG_Order_of_the_Liberator_San_Martin_-_Grand_Cross_BAR.svg|40x40px]] Grand Cross in the [[Order of the Liberator General San Martín]] (Argentina) <ref name="RefPages" />
* [[File:COL Order of Boyaca - Grand Cross BAR.svg|40x40px]] Extraordinary Grand Cross of the [[Order of Boyacá]] (Colombia) <ref name="RefPages" />
* [[File:Ribbon bar of Orden Nacional de San Lorenzo.png|40x40px]] Grand Collar of the [[National Order of San Lorenzo]] (Ecuador) <ref name="RefPages" />
* [[File:MEX_Orden_del_Aguila_Azteca_2011_Collar_BAR.svg|40x40px]] Collar in the [[Order of the Aztec Eagle]] (Mexico) <ref name="Carnet Mondain, p. 2 ed. 2005">Carnet Mondain,  p. 2 ed. 2005</ref>
* [[File:PER_Order_of_the_Sun_of_Peru_-_Grand_Cross_BAR.png|40x40px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Sun of Peru|Order of the Sun of Peru, Special Class]]<ref name="RefPages" />
* [[File:VEN_Order_of_the_Liberator_-_Grand_Cordon_BAR.png|40x40px]] Grand Cross with Collar in the [[Order of the Liberator]] (Venezuela) <ref name="Carnet Mondain, p. 2 ed. 2005" />

=== African distinctions ===

* [[File:Ordre_du_Merite_Camerounais_(after_1972)_1_class_ribbon.svg|40x40px]] Grand Cross in the [[Order of Merit (Cameroon)]]<ref name="RefPages" />
* [[File:Ribbon_bar_of_the_National_Order_of_the_Leopard_(Zaire).svg|40x40px]] Grand Cordon in the [[National Order of the Leopard]] (R. Congo)
* [[File:EGY Order of the Republic - Grand Cordon BAR.png|40x40px]] Grand Cordon in the [[Order of the Republic (Egypt)]]
* [[File:Order of The Queen of Sheba (Ethiopia) ribbon.gif|40x40px]] Collar in the [[Order of the Queen of Sheba]] (Ethiopia)<ref name="RefPages" />
* [[File:GAB_Order_of_the_Equatorial_Star_-_Grand_Cross_BAR.png|40x40px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Equatorial Star]] (Gabon) <ref name="RefPages" />
* [[File:MAR_Order_of_the_Throne_-_Special_Class_BAR.png|40x40px]] Grand Cordon of the [[Order of the Throne]] (Morocco)
* [[File:Order of Merit - Grand Cross (Senegal) - ribbon bar.png|40x40px]] Crand Cross of the [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Senegal#National Order of Merit|Order of Merit]] (Senegal) <ref name="RefPages" />
* [[File:Order of the Republic (Tunisia) - ribbon bar.gif|40x40px]] Grand Cross in the Order of the Independence (Tunisia)<ref name="RefPages" />

=== Asian and Middle-East distinctions ===

* [[File:25th_Centennial_Anniversary_Medal_Ribbon_Bar_-_Imperial_Iran.svg|40x40px]] [[2,500-year celebration of the Persian Empire|25th Centennial Anniversary Medal Ribbon]] (Iran)
* [[File:JPN_Daikun'i_kikkasho_BAR.svg|40x40px]] Grand Cordon in the [[Order of the Chrysanthemum]] (Japan)
* [[File:Grand Order of Mugunghwa (South Korea) - ribbon bar.svg|40x40px]] Grand Cross in the [[Grand Order of Mugunghwa]] (South-Korea)
* [[File:MY Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negara (Defender of the Realm) - SMN.svg|40x40px]] Honorary Grand Commander of the [[Order of the Defender of the Realm|Most Esteemed Order of the Defender of the Realm]] (Malaysia) <ref name="RefPages" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat |url=http://www.istiadat.gov.my/index.php/component/semakanlantikanskp/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719195551/http://www.istiadat.gov.my/index.php/component/semakanlantikanskp |archive-date=19 July 2019 |access-date=24 August 2018}}</ref>

===Dynastic and religious honours===
* [[File:Order of the Most Holy Annunciation BAR.svg|40x40px]] Knight in the [[Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation]]
* [[File:Order of the Golden Fleece ribbon bar.svg|40x40px]] Knight in the [[Order of the Golden Fleece]] ([[House of Habsburg-Lorraine|Austrian Imperial Family]])<ref name="RefPages" />
* [[File:OESSG Cavaliere di Collare BAR.jpg|40x40px]] Knight of the Great Cross in the [[Order of the Holy Sepulchre (Catholic)|Order of the Holy Sepulchre]]

===Honorary degrees===
King Albert II is [[Doctor Honoris Causa]] of:
* the [[Catholic University of Leuven (1834–1968)|Catholic University of Leuven]]
* [[Saint Louis University, Baguio City]]
* [[Ghent University]]
* the [[Université libre de Bruxelles|Free University of Brussels]]
* the [[Catholic university of Mons]]
* the [[Faculté polytechnique de Mons|Polytechnic Faculty of Mons]].

=== Eponym ===
* Boulevard du Roi Albert II/Koning Albert II-laan, Brussels.
* Boulevard Prince de Liège /Prins van Luiklaan, Brussels
* Institute King Albert II, University hospital of Saint-Luc.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.saintluc.be/services/medicaux/centre-du-cancer/|title=Institut Roi Albert II - Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc|accessdate=18 March 2023|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220100020/http://www.saintluc.be/services/medicaux/centre-du-cancer/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Arms ===
{{Infobox emblem wide
| image = Coat of arms of a former King of the Belgians.svg
| notes = As a former reigning monarch of Belgium, the king is entitled to use a [[coat of arms]] which was stipulated in the Royal Decree of King [[Philippe of Belgium|Philippe]] in 2019.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Philippe, Koning der Belgen |date=12 July 2019 |title=Koninklijk besluit houdende vaststelling van het wapen van het Koninklijk Huis en van zijn leden |url=http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/mopdf/2019/07/19_2.pdf |journal=Moniteur Belge/ Belgisch Staatsblad |access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref>
| year_adopted = 12 July 2019
| coronet = [[Crown (heraldry)|Royal crown of Belgium]]
| torse = A [[Mantling|lambrequin]] or lined with sable
| helm = A golden helmet sideways with the visor open
| escutcheon = [[Sable (heraldry)|Sable]], a [[Lion (heraldry)|lion]] rampant [[Or (heraldry)|or]], armed and langued [[gules]] ([[Coat of arms of Belgium|Belgium]]), on the shoulder an escutcheon barry of ten sable and or, a [[crancelin]] [[Vert (heraldry)|vert]] ([[House of Wettin|Wettin]]), overall a label of three points gules, the centre point a royal crown or.
| supporters = Two lions guardant proper each supporting a lance or with two [[Flag of Belgium|National Flags of Belgium]] (Tierced per pale Sable, or and Gules).
| motto = {{langx|fr|L'union fait la force}}<br />{{langx|nl|Eendracht maakt macht}}<br />{{langx|de|Einigkeit macht stark}}
| other_elements = The whole is placed on a mantle [[purpure]] with ermine lining, fringes and tassels or and ensigned with the Royal crown of Belgium.

| previous_versions = Previously as reigning monarch, Albert used the royal coat of arms of Belgium undifferenced (shown above).}}

== See also ==
* [[Line of succession to the Belgian throne]]
* [[Crown Council of Belgium]]
* [[Royal Trust (Belgium)|Royal Trust]]
* [[Prince Albert Fund]]
* [[Michel Didisheim]], former private secretary
* [[Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou]], former chief of the Kings Cabinet.
* [[Frank De Coninck]], (former) Marshal of the Royal Household

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category-inline}}
* [https://www.monarchie.be/en/royal-family/king-albert-ii Biography on the official Belgian monarchy web site]

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{{s-hou|[[House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]]|6 June|1934}}
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{{s-bef|before=[[Baudouin of Belgium|Baudouin]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Belgian monarchs|King of the Belgians]]|years=1993–2013}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Philippe of Belgium|Philippe]]}}
|-
{{s-aca}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Robert van Schendel]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Opening ceremony|Invocation]] Speaker of the [[College of Europe]]|years=1969}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jean Rey (politician)|Jean Rey]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Belgian royal princes}}
{{Princes of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha}}
{{Belgian monarchs}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Albert 02 Of Belgium}}
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