Philippe, The King of The Belgians Biography and Replies

Born Dutch: Filip Leopold Lodewijk Maria, French: Philippe Léopold Louis Marie, German: Philipp Leopold Ludwig Maria on 15th April 1960 in Belvédère Castle in Laeken north of Brussels to Their Royal HIghnesses The Prince and Princess de Liège.

He was christened on 17th May 1960 at the church of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg in Brussels. His godparents were his paternal grandfather, His Majesty King Leopold III, and his maternal grandmother, Donna Luisa, Princess Ruffo di Calabria.

Philippe became King of The Belgians on 21st July 2013 upon the abdication of His Father KIng Albert II of Belgium.

Parents

King Albert II of Belgium

Queen Paola of Belgium

Sibling

Princess Astrid of Belgium, The Archduchess of Austria-Este born 5th June 1962 at Belvédère Castle in Laeken north of Brussels.

Prince Laurent of Belgium born 19th October 1963 at Belvédère Castle in Laeken north of Brussels.

Education

He attended primary school and the first three years of secondary school at Collège Saint-Michel, Brussels a French speaking school.

He then attended Dutch-speaking Zevenkerken abbey school, near Bruges, as a boarder where he completed his secondary education in Latin-Greek studies.

From 1978 to 1981, Philippe was educated at the Belgian Royal Military Academy in the 118th “Promotion Toutes Armes”. On 26 September 1980, he was appointed second lieutenant and took the officer’s oath.

He went to Trinity College, Oxford for one term

He then attended graduate school at Stanford University, California, for two years, where he graduated in 1985 with an MA degree in political science.

Engagement

He became engaged to Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz. The engagement was annouced on 10th September 1999. The couple had dated in secret for three years before the announcement.

Wedding

The couple married on 4th December 1999 in a civil ceremony in French, Dutch and German languages at the Brussels Town Hall and a religious ceremony by Godfried Danneels The Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels at the Cathedral of Saint Michel and Saint Gudule in Brussels. They have four children.

Children

Princess Elisabeth, The Duchess of Brabant (Dutch: Elisabeth Theresia Maria Helena; French: Élisabeth Thérèse Marie Hélène) born 25th October 2001 at Erasmus Hospital in Anderlecht, Brussels.

Prince Gabriel of Belgium (Dutch: Gabriël Boudewijn Karel Maria; French: Gabriel Baudouin Charles Marie) born 20th August 2003 at Erasmus Hospital in Anderlecht, Brussels.

Prince Emmanuel of Belgium (Dutch: Emmanuel Leopold Willem Frans Maria; French: Emmanuel Léopold Guillaume François Marie) born 4th October 2005 at Erasmus Hospital in Anderlecht, Brussels.

Princess Eléonore of Belgium (Dutch: Eleonore Fabiola Victoria Anna Maria; French: Eléonore Fabiola Victoria Anne Marie) born 16th April 2008 at Erasmus Hospital in Anderlecht, Brussels.

Tttle

15th April 1960 – 9th August 1993; His Royal HIghness Prince Philippe of Belgium.

9th August 1993 – 21st July 2013; His Royal HIghness Prince Philippe, The Duke of Brabant.

21st July 2013 – Present; His Majesty Philippe, The King of The Belgians.

Line of Succession

Philippe, The King of The Belgians