Best royal pictures of the week: Royal soccer games, Queen Rania's visit to Belgium and more
Prince Albert of Belgium, later King Albert II of Belgium and Princess Paola of Belgium with Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands during a state visit from the Dutch Royals to Brussels, 1st June 1960.
Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, attend the opening Concert of the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the European Union at the BOZAR in Brussel on 22 January 2016 (L-R) Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and Queen Mathilde of Belgium during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Queen Maxima attends the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Dutch Queen Maxima greets Belgian King Philippe during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. (L-R) Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attends the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Dutch Queen Maxima and King Philippe of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. (L-R) King Philippe - Filip of Belgium, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima pose for a picture during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima pose for a picture during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Queen Mathilde of Belgium smile as she attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. (R-L) Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Queen Maxima during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. (L-R) Queen Maxima of The Netherlands and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Philippe of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. (From L) King Philippe - Filip of Belgium, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima pose for a picture during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. (L-R) Dutch King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Mr. P. Dujardin arrives at the opening Concert of the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the European Union at the BOZAR in Brussel (From L) King Philippe - Filip of Belgium, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima pose for a picture during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. (L-R) Queen Maxima of The Netherlands and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. (L-R) Queen Maxima of The Netherlands and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. Dutch Queen Maxima and King Philippe of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. Queen Maxima of The Netherlands and King Philippe of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde of Belgium smile as they attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. (L-R) King Philippe of Belgium, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima pose for a picture during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels.
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King Philippe of Belgium arrives with his children (from L) Crown Princess Elisabeth, Princess Eleonore and Prince Gabriel for their first day of school at the Sint-Jan-Berchmans college in Brussels on September 1, 2015 Belgian King Philippe arrives with his children Crown Princess Elisabeth and Prince Gabriel for their first day of school at the Sint-Jan-Berchmans college in Brussels on September 1, 2015 Princess Eleonore of Belgium greeted as she arrives on the first day of School at the Sint-Jan-Berchmans college in Brussels with King Philippe, Crown Princess Elisabeth and Prince Gabriel on September 1, 2015 Belgian King Philippe brings his children from left Crown Princess Elisabeth, Princess Eleonore and Prince Gabriel for their first day of School at the at the Sint-Jan-Berchmans college in Brussels on September 1, 2015 Crown Princess Elisabeth bag details as she arrive for the first school-day at the Sint-Jan-Berchmans college in Brussels, brought by father HM King Philippe Crown Princess Elisabeth arrives for the first school-day at the Sint-Jan-Berchmanscollege in Brussels on September 1, 2015 Crown Princess Elisabeth arrives for the first school-day at the Sint-Jan-Berchmanscollege in Brussels on September 1, 2015 Crown Princess Elisabeth first day of School at the Sint Jan Berchmancollege school in Brussels, Belgium, 1 September 2015. Prince Gabriel of Belgium bag details on the first day of School at the Sint Jan Berchmancollege school in Brussels, Belgium, 1 September 2015. Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium first day of School at the Sint Jan Berchmancollege school in Brussels, Belgium, 1 September 2015. King Philippe of Belgium bring his children (from L-R) Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel and Princess Eleonore to the Sint Jan Berchman college school in Brussels, Belgium, 1 September 2015. King Philippe of Belgium bring his children for the first day of School at the Sint Jan Berchmancollege school in Brussels, Belgium, 1 September 2015. King Philippe of Belgium arrives with his children (from L) Crown Princess Elisabeth, Princess Eleonore and Prince Gabriel for their first day of school at the Sint-Jan-Berchmans college in Brussels on September 1, 2015. King Philippe of Belgium bring his children Crown Princess Elisabeth and Prince Gabriel (L) for their first day of School at the Sint Jan Berchman college school in Brussels, Belgium, 1 September 2015. (L-R) Crown Princess Elisabeth, King Philippe, Prince Gabriel and Princess Eleonore arrive for the first school-day at the Sint-Jan-Berchmanscollege in Brussels, on September 1, 2015 (L-R) Belgian Crown Princess Elisabeth, King Philippe and Princess Eleonore arrive for the first school-day at the Sint-Jan-Berchmans college in Brussels on September 1, 2015 (L-R) Princess Eleonore, King Philippe and Prince Gabriel of Belgium arrive for the first school-day at the Sint-Jan-Berchmans college in Brussels, on September 1, 2015 (L-R) Crown Princess Elisabeth, King Philippe, Prince Gabriel and Princess Eleonore of Belgium arrive for the first school-day at the Sint-Jan-Berchmanscollege in Brussels on September 1, 2015 (L-R) Belgium Crown Princess Elisabeth, King Philippe, Prince Gabriel and Princess Eleonore arrive for the first school-day at the Sint-Jan-Berchmanscollege in Brussels on September 2015 (L-R) Crown Princess Elisabeth and Princess Eleonore arrive for the first school-day 2015 at the Sint-Jan-Berchmanscollege in Brussels (L-R) Prince Gabriel, King Philippe and Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium arrive for the first school-day at the Sint-Jan-Berchmans college in Brussels on September 1, 2015 Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium greeted as she arrive for the first school-day at the Sint-Jan-Berchmanscollege in Brussels on September 1, 2015 (L-R) Crown Princess Elisabeth and her youngest sister Princess Eleonore arrives for their first day of school at the Sint-Jan-Berchmans college in Brussels on September 1, 2015 King Philippe of Belgium arrives with his oldest son Prince Gabriel for the first day of school at the Sint-Jan-Berchmans college in Brussels on September 1, 2015 King Philippe of Belgium arrives with his children (from L) Crown Princess Elisabeth, Princess Eleonore and Prince Gabriel for their first day of school at the Sint-Jan-Berchmans college in Brussels on September 1, 2015.
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Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, attend the opening Concert of the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the European Union at the BOZAR in Brussel on 22 January 2016 (L-R) Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and Queen Mathilde of Belgium during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Queen Maxima attends the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Dutch Queen Maxima greets Belgian King Philippe during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. (L-R) Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attends the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Dutch Queen Maxima and King Philippe of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. (L-R) King Philippe - Filip of Belgium, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima pose for a picture during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima pose for a picture during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Queen Mathilde of Belgium smile as she attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. (R-L) Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Queen Maxima during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. (L-R) Queen Maxima of The Netherlands and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Philippe of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. (From L) King Philippe - Filip of Belgium, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima pose for a picture during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. (L-R) Dutch King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Mr. P. Dujardin arrives at the opening Concert of the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the European Union at the BOZAR in Brussel (From L) King Philippe - Filip of Belgium, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima pose for a picture during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. (L-R) Queen Maxima of The Netherlands and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. (L-R) Queen Maxima of The Netherlands and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. Dutch Queen Maxima and King Philippe of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. Queen Maxima of The Netherlands and King Philippe of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels, Belgium. Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde of Belgium smile as they attend the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels. (L-R) King Philippe of Belgium, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima pose for a picture during the opening concert for the Dutch presidency of the European Union council on January 22, 2016 at the Bozar in Brussels.
Prince Lorenz of Belgium and Princess Astrid with their children in the park of the Royal Castle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Met uitzondering van enkele portretten van de koninklijke familie in het laatste album, zijn vanaf nu alle illustraties van A. Vanderkelen en niet meer van J.-P. Huens. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALBUM V - Deel 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leopold I - Leopold II - Belgisch Congo ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leopold van Saxen-Coburg-Gotha De koning, die door het Congres onder talrijke kandidaten verkozen werd, was 41 jaar oud. Hij was een prins van Duitse huize, had over Russische legers het bevel gevoerd en was Brit genaturaliseerd. Hij was weduwnaar van Prinses Charlotta van Engeland. De aankomst van de Koning in De Panne De eerste Koning der Belgen, die te Calais ontscheept werd, betrad op 17 juli 1831, de grond van zijn rijk te De Panne. Met aandoenlijke eenvoud en oprechte liefde werd hij in het nederig dorp onthaald. De inhuldiging Op 21 juli 1831 zwoer Leopold I getrouwheid aan de grondwet. Met een ongehoorde geestdrift had de inhuldiging plaats in open lucht, op het Koningsplein voor de St-Jacobskerk op Koudenberg. De Slag bij Leuven Enkele dagen na de troonsbestijging van Leopold I, verbrak Willem I de wapenstilstand. Zijn legers vielen België binnen waar geen enkele defensiemaatregel voorzien was. Moedig voerde Leopold I de zwakke troepen aan waarover hij beschikte en vóór Leuven bracht hij de vijand tot staan. Beliard Leopold I had gewenst de Hollanders te bestrijden zonder op vreemde hulp beroep te moeten doen. Het was ongelukkig niet mogelijk. Graaf Belliard, Franse militaire attaché te Brussel, had overigens reeds om de steun van zijn regering verzocht om de overweldigers te verdrijven. De Franse tussenkomst Frankrijk beantwoordde het verzoek van Belliard en zond een legerkorps aangevoerd door maarschalk Gérard. De Hollanders ontruimden dadelijk het land. De Fransen ook want Engeland kon hun aanwezigheid in België niet gedogen. Louise-Marie Op 9 augustus 1832 huwde Leopold I te Compiègne met de oudste dochter van koning Lodewijk-Filips, Louisa Maria van Orléans. Onze eerste koningin bracht ons haar jeugd, haar bekoorlijkheid, haar zachtheid, haar onuitputtelijke goedheid, haar liefde voor de armen en ook de sympathie van Frankrijk. De eerste spoorweg De eerste spoorweg van het vasteland op de lijn Brussel - Mechelen aangelegd, werd op 5 mei 1835 door Leopold I, in het klein station van de Groendreef te Brussel, ingehuldigd. Bij zijn troonsbeklimming had de Koning beloofd "De welvaart van het land te doen opbloeien". De koningskinderen Uit het huwelijk van Leopold I met Louisa-Maria sproten 4 kinderen voort: Lodewijk-Filips (hij stierf zeer jong), Leopold (hij zal koning worden), Filips (zal de titel van Graaf van Vlaanderen dragen) en Charlotta (zij zal Keizerin van Mexico worden). Zij brachten hun jeugd op het kasteel te Laken door. De betogingen van 1848 Het jaar 1848 werd het "Dolle Jaar" genoemd. In alle hoofdsteden van Europa braken revoluties uit. Te Parijs werd de republiek uitgeroepen. Te Brussel, integendeel, togen prachtige stoeten voorbij het paleis om de Koninklijke familie toe te juichen. Het was buitengewoon roerend. Risquons-Tout Leopold I had beloofd "België tot schild te dienen". Hij bleef zijn woord gestand. In 1848 trachtten gewapende benden Franse arbeiders bij het gehucht Risquons-Tout over onze grens te rukken. Zij werden er duchtig afgeslagen en uiteen gedreven. De Hertog van Brabant in de Senaat Prins Leopold, troonopvolger en Hertog van Brabant, werd bij zijn meerderjarigheid, van rechtswege senator. In de senaat voerde hij verscheidene malen het woord, voor het eerst in 1853, vervolgens na zijn terugkeer van een reis in het Oosten. De vergadering kwam onder de indruk van zijn verheven beschouwingen over de aanstaande grootheid van België. Keizerin Charlotta Prinses Charlotta huwde in 1857 met Aartshertog Maximiliaan van Oostenrijk, zes jaar later werd hij Keizer van Mexico. Charlotta doorstond afschuwelijke beproevingen in dit land waar de opstand, geleid door Juarez ononderbroken voortwoedde. Brialmont Leopold I bekommerde zich om de verdediging van het grondgebied in het vooruitzicht van een mogelijke aanval. Generaal Brialmont, groot militair ingenieur, één van de knapstevan Europa, gelastte hij Luik, Namen en vooral Antwerpen te versterken. Lambermont De koning wilde de buitenlandse handel verruimen en daardoor de rijkdom van het land doen toenemen. Te Antwerpen werden nieuwe dokken gebouwd. Baron Lambermont, één van de behendigste diplomaten, kocht in 1863 van Holland de vrije vaart op de Schelde af en deed de tolrechten op de stroom opheffen. Louise-Maria en de armen België had in het begin veel economische moeilijkheden doorworsteld. Van 1845 af had de hongersnood de volkslagen zeer hard beproefd. Met hart en ziel en een ongeëvenaarde toewijding verzachtte de koningin het lijden van de armen. De”Koningin der Armen” stierf als een heilige in Oostende in 1850. De veldtocht in Mexico Overrompeld door de Mexicaanse opstandelingen verzocht Maximiliaan om de hulp van de Europese landen. België zond een expeditiekorps onder het bevel van Vander Smissen. Dit "Regiment Keizerin Charlotta" streed dapper maar redde de kroon noch het leven van Maximiliaan. Leopold II Leopold II volgde zijn vader in 1865 op. Hij was toen 30 jaar. Zijn regering zou tot in 1909 voortduren. Dan zal hij allen toeschijnen als een grijsaard met een bewonderenswaardig verstand en een verbazende energie. "Een reus in een opkamertje" zegden de vreemdelingen van hem. De troonsbeklimming In 1865 was onze onafhankelijkheid bedreigd door Napoleon III, en door de koning van Pruisen Willem I. In zijn troonrede bevestigde Leopold II met klem: "Het recht van een vrije, eerlijke en moedige natie die onafhankelijk wil blijven". Met trots voegde hij er aan toe: "Die onafhankelijkheid zal zij bewaren". Frère Orban Herhaaldelijk poogde Napoleon III België aan Frankrijk te onderwerpen. Leopold II had een zeer bekwame liberaal, Frère Orban, tot minister van Buitenlandse Zaken benoemd. Dank zij de waakzaamheid van de vorst en de minister werden alle pogingen van Napoleon afgevoerd. De Graaf en de Gravin van Vlaanderen In het begin van zijn regering werd Leopold II door een folterende smart getroffen: hij verloor zijn enig zoontje, de kleine Graaf van Henegouwen. De troonopvolging was nu slechts verzekerd door de broer van de koning, de Graaf van Vlaanderen. Deze was met Maria van Hohenzollern gehuwd. Zij hadden twee zoons: Boudewijn en Albert, en twee dochters. De Gewapende Vrede Van in het begin van de 20ste eeuw woekerde er onder de Europese mogendheden een echte bewapeningswedloop. Zij groepeerden zich twee tegenover elkaar staande bondgenootschappen: Duitsland, Oostenrijk-Hongarije en Italie vormden het "Drie-Verbond"; Frankrijk, Rusland en Engeland de "Entente". De laatste handtekening De internationele spanningen konden het bestaan van België bedreigen. Leopold II wou een sterk leger. Het “loten” van de rekruten werd afgeschaft en de militaire dienstplicht ingevoerd. De wet werd goedgekeurd toen de koning op sterven lag, hij had nog de kracht om er zijn handtekening onder te zetten. Beernaert Leopold II bleef onze instellingen steeds getrouw en koos daarom zijn ministers in de meerderheidspartijen in de Kamer: desniettegenstaande schaarde hij bekwame medewerkers rond zich. De grootste onder de katholieke ministers was, van 1884 af, de Oostendenaar August Beernaert. Zenobe Gramme Onder de regering van Leopold II was België verbazend actief. Er heerste een bewonderenswaardige werklust die tot verrassende initiatieven aanleiding gaf. Zenobe Gramme, geboren in het nederig dorpje Jehay-Bodegnée bij Hoei, bouwde de eerste dynamo. De Gileppedam Onder de menigvuldige kunstwerken welke onder impuls van de koning uitgevoerd werden dient de ontzaglijke grote stuwdam in de Gileppe vermeld. Hij werd gebouwd om de lakennijverheid van Verviers te doen groeien en opbloeien. André Dumont In het begin van de eeuw ontdekte een Luikenaar, André Dumont, professor aan de universiteit van Leuven, het reusachtige kolenbekken van de Kempen. Het is veel rijker dan de Waalse kolenbekkens. Weldra zullen er steden zoals Genk en Beringen er als paddenstoelen uit de grond rijzen. Het Jubelpark Leopold II wilde Brussel uitbouwen tot een grote en mooie hoofdstad. Hij had zin voor het grootse. Voor de 50ste verjaring van onze onafhankelijkheid deed hij de prachtige arcade van het Jubelpark oprichten. Het Paleis van Justitie Stilaan werd Brussel verbouwd tot een weelderige stad. Eén van de meest indrukwekkende gebouwen was het Paleis van Justitie, echte Babylonische kolossus die de ganse stad overheerst. De architect Poelaert heeft er de plannen van opgemaakt. Stanley Leopold II schonk Kongo aan België. Het was zijn mooiste regeringsdaad en ook zijn grootste verdienste. Daardoor zal zijn herinnering onsterfelijk blijven voortleven. Hij interesseerde zich voor het toen onbekende Midden-Afrika waar een ontdekkingsreiziger van Engelse oorsprong, Stanley, binnengedrongen was. Hij richtte in 1876 de Internationale Afrikaanse Vereniging op. De ontmoeting te Ujiji Stanley's doel was, in Afrika een andere ontdekkingsreiziger terug te vinden. Livingstone, die sedert 20 jaar in de streek van de Grote Meren verdwenen was. Stanley ontmoette Livingstone, die zeer ziek was, te Ujiji aan het Tanganikameer. Daarna verdween Stanley op zijn beurt. Leopold II wachtte en waakte. Op de stroom Stanley was het onontwarbare equatoriale woud binnengedrongen. Hij trotseerde de dood en werd soms door de kannibalen bedreigd toen hij met enkele inlandse pagaaiers langzaam de Kongostroom, in het onbekende, afvoer. Hij deed er 999 dagen op. Leopold II en Stanley Stanley, die van de Indische Oceaan vertrokken was, verscheen in 1887 op de kust van de Atlantische Oceaan. Hij was door gans Afrika getrokken. Leopold II wist dat een nieuw land aan de eerste "bezetter" toebehoorde. Daarom deed hij Stanley naar Brussel komen en verzocht hem Kongo te gaan "bezetten" in naam van een "Internationale Vereniging van Kongo" welke hij zou oprichten. "En avant" Na enige aarzeling stemde Stanley er in toe opnieuw naar Midden-Afrika te vertrekken, om de zwarte stamhoofden de soevereiniteit van de "Internationale Vereniging van Kongo" te laten erkennen. Hij bemande enkele steamers om de stroom op te varen. Eén ervan kreeg de naam "En Avant". Leopoldstad werd gesticht, en de blauwe vlag met gouden ster gehesen. Banning In overeenstemming met Engeland verzette Portugal zich tegen de in bezitneming van Kongo. Frankrijk en Duitsland zonden expedities uit om Stanley voor te zijn. Een conferentie werd te Berlijn bijeengeroepen om de verdeling van Afrika te bespreken. Leopold II vaardigde er Banning af om de zaak te bepleiten van de Vereniging waarvan hij voorzitter was. De onafhankelijke Kongostaat In 1885 besloot de Conferentie van Berlijn dat het centrum van Afrika de Onafhankelijke Kongostaat zou worden, onder de volstrekte souvereiniteit van Leopold II. Deze verkreeg van de Kamer der Volksvertegenwoordigers de machtiging om te regeren over dit uitgestrekt grondgebied dat 80 maal zo groot is als België. Hij zal het ons in 1908 vermaken. De slavenhandel Leopold II was nu een "Imperiale Koning" geworden, hij begon met het lot van zijn nieuwe onderdanen te verbeteren. De grootste plaag van Kongo was de afschuwelijke handel in zwarte slaven door de Arabieren van de Zanzibarkust. De koning besloot een einde te maken aan deze monsterachtige "Handel in zwarthuiden". Tovenaars en Fetisjen De inlanders dienden niet alleen tegen de slavenhandelaas beschermd, ze moesten ook nog beschaafd worden. De tovenaars zwaaiden de plak over de Bantoes, de Pygmeeën en andere negerstammen. Fetisjen, totems en taboes woekerden in hun godsdienstpraktijken. (Naar deel 1 van ALBUM VI)
Prince Emmanuel of Belgium celebrated his 18th birthday on Wednesday, 4 October 2023.
Work of: Franz Xaver Winterhalter German Academic Artist 1805 – 1873
Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attend a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10. The Lichtfront will illuminate the front line of 1914, with 8,400 torchbearers to form a human chain stretching about 84 kms along the line where the Western Front stood before battle. Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attend a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. King Philippe, Queen Mathilde (L) and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium attend a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. King Philippe, Queen Mathilde (C) and Princess Elisabeth (L) of Belgium attend a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. King Philippe, Queen Mathilde (C) and Princess Elisabeth (L) of Belgium attend a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. King Philippe, Queen Mathilde (C) and their eldest daughter Princess Elisabeth (L) of Belgium attend a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Queen Mathilde (R) and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium attend a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attend a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attend a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attend a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Belgian King Philippe and Princess Elisabeth attend a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Queen Mathilde of Belgium attends a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014 Princess Elisabeth of Belgium attends a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Belgian King Philippe and Princess Elisabethattend a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.14. Princess Elisabeth of Belgium attends a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Princess Elisabeth of Belgium attends a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Belgian Princess Elisabeth delivers a speech during First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Princess Elisabeth of Belgium attends a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Belgian Princess Elisabeth hair detail as she attends a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.14. Princess Elisabeth of Belgium (R) attends a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014 Belgian Queen Mathilde (L) and her daughter Princess Elisabeth greets the well wishers during a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Belgian Crown Princess Elisabeth, Queen Mathilde and King Philippe during the event Lichtfront part of the GoneWest program of commemoration of WWI, in Ploegsteert, 17.10.2014. Queen Mathilde and King Philippe of Belgium during the event Lichtfront part of the GoneWest program of commemoration of WWI in Ploegsteert, 17.10.2014. Belgian Queen Mathilde and King Philippe during the event Lichtfront part of the GoneWest program of commemoration of WWI in Ploegsteert, 17.10.2014. Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Crown Princess Elisabeth during the event Lichtfront part of the GoneWest program of commemoration of WWI in Ploegsteert, 17.10.2014. Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attend a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014 Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attend a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014 Queen Mathilde of Belgium during the event Lichtfront part of the GoneWest program of commemoration of WWI in Ploegsteert, 17.10.2014. Crown Princess Elisabeth during the event Lichtfront part of the GoneWest program of commemoration of WWI in Ploegsteert, 17.10.2014 Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium attends a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Crown Princess Elisabeth deliver a speech during the event Lichtfront part of the GoneWest program of commemoration of WWI in Ploegsteert, 17.10.2014 Belgian Crown Princess Elisabeth speech during First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Belgian Crown Princess Elisabeth delivers a speech during First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attend a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014. Queen Mathilde of Belgium attends a First World War commemoration, in Ploegsteert, Belgium, 17.10.2014
Marie Henriette of Austria, Queen of the Belgians, ca. 1865 Franz Xaver Winterhalter Royal Collection of Belgium
In the first of the new portraits, which were shared on the royal family 's official Instagram page, the 16-year-old sat on the grand staircase at Belgium's Palace of Laeken.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium meet with Belgian legend Eddy Merckx to mark the 50th anniversary of his first victory in la Tour de France in 1969, at the Royal Castle in Brussels on July 5, 2019, on the eve of the start of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race. - On Sat
The former King of Belgium reigned from 1993 until 2013
Leopold huwde op 18-jarige leeftijd met Maria Hendrika van Oostenrijk, zij was de kleindochter van Leopold II van Oostenrijk. Ze schonk hem vier kinderen: • Louise (18 februari 1858 – 1 maart…
A l’occasion de la Fête du Roi, nous partageons de nouvelles photos officielles. - Ter gelegenheid van Koningsdag delen we nieuwe officiële foto’s. © Koninklijk Paleis/Palais Royal #BelgianRoyalPalace #MonarchieBe
King Baudouin and Prince Albert of Belgium at the funeral of King Leopold III.
On Thursday, the Belgian Royal Family celebrated Belgium’s National Day.
Belgium's Queen Mathilde (R) speaks with former Belgian Prime Minister and Mayor of Mons Elio Di Rupo (L) during a visit to the exhibition 'L'Homme, le Dragon et la Mort, La Gloire de Saint Georges' (The man, the dragoon and the Death, Glory of Saint Georges) at the Contemporary Arts museum in Mons on November 17, 2015. Belgium's Queen Mathilde (C), flanked by former Belgian Prime Minister and Mayor of Mons Elio Di Rupo (R), speaks with children during a visit to the exhibition 'L'Homme, le Dragon et la Mort, La Gloire de Saint Georges' at the Contemporary Arts museum in Mons on November 17, 2015. Belgium's Queen Mathilde (R) speaks during a visit to the exhibition 'L'Homme, le Dragon et la Mort, La Gloire de Saint Georges' (The man, the dragoon and the Death, Glory of Saint Georges) at the Contemporary Arts museum in Mons on November 17, 2015. Belgium's Queen Mathilde (R) looks at an artworks during a visit to the exhibition 'The man, the dragoon and the Death, Glory of Saint Georges' at the Contemporary Arts museum in Mons on November 17, 2015. Belgium's Queen Mathilde speaks with children during a visit to the exhibition 'L'Homme, le Dragon et la Mort, La Gloire de Saint Georges' at the Contemporary Arts museum in Mons on November 17, 2015. Queen Mathilde visit the exhibition "L'Homme, le Dragon et la Mort" at the Musée des Arts Contemporains on 11 Nov. 2015 Belgium's Queen Mathilde (L) looks at an artworks during a visit to the exhibition 'The man, the dragoon and the Death, Glory of Saint Georges' at the Contemporary Arts museum in Mons on November 17, 2015. Belgium's Queen Mathilde (L) looks at an artworks during a visit to the exhibition 'The man, the dragoon and the Death, Glory of Saint Georges' at the Contemporary Arts museum in Mons on November 17, 2015. Belgium's Queen Mathilde speaks with children during a visit to the exhibition 'L'Homme, le Dragon et la Mort, La Gloire de Saint Georges' at the Contemporary Arts museum in Mons on November 17, 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015 Belgium's Queen Mathilde speaks with children during a visit to the exhibition 'L'Homme, le Dragon et la Mort, La Gloire de Saint Georges' at the Contemporary Arts museum in Mons on November 17, 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Belgium's Queen Mathilde speaks with children during a visit to the exhibition 'L'Homme, le Dragon et la Mort, La Gloire de Saint Georges' at the Contemporary Arts museum in Mons on November 17, 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium clutch detail as she visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015. Queen Mathilde of Belgium visits the exhibition The Men, The Dragon and The Death, at the contemporary arts museum MAC, in Hornu, Mons, 17 November 2015.
Looking for a magical place to celebrate your wedding in Belgium? Between Brussels, Flanders & Wallonia, here are 20 royal addresses!
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant, Prince Emmanuel of Belgium and Princess Eléonore of Belgium attend the traditional Christmas Concert at the Royal Palace on 19 December 2023 in Brussels, Belgium.
