Philippe of Belgium
Philippe / Filip | |||||
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King of the Belgians | |||||
Reign | 21 July 2013 – present | ||||
Predecessor | Albert II | ||||
Heir apparent | Elisabeth | ||||
Prime Ministers |
See list
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Born |
Brussels, Belgium | 15 April 1960||||
Spouse | Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz (m. 1999) | ||||
Issue Detail |
Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant Prince Gabriel Prince Emmanuel Princess Eléonore | ||||
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House | Saxe-Coburg and Gotha | ||||
Father | Albert II of Belgium | ||||
Mother | Paola Ruffo di Calabria | ||||
Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Philippe or Filip[1] (French: Philippe Léopold Louis Marie, Dutch: Filip(s) Leopold Lodewijk Maria, German: Philipp Leopold Ludwig Maria, English: Philip Leopold Lewis Maria; born 15 April 1960) is the King of the Belgians, having ascended the throne on 21 July 2013. He is the eldest child of King Albert II, whom he succeeded upon Albert's abdication for health reasons, and Queen Paola. He married Countess Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz (now Queen Mathilde), with whom he has four children. King Philippe's elder daughter, Princess Elisabeth, is next in the line of succession. At age 56, Philippe is Europe's third-youngest reigning monarch, following the 48-year-old Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and the 48-year-old Felipe VI of Spain.
Early life
His godparents were his paternal grandfather, King Leopold III, and his maternal grandmother Donna Luisa, Princess Ruffo di Calabria.
Education
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.[2]
He continued his education at Trinity College, Oxford and he attended graduate school at Stanford University, California, where he graduated in 1985 with an MA degree in political science.[2]
He obtained his fighter pilot's wings and his certificates as a parachutist and a commando. In 1989, he attended a series of special sessions at the Royal Higher Defence Institute. The same year, he was promoted to Colonel. On 25 March 2001, the Prince was appointed to the rank of Major-General in the Land Component and the Air Component and to the rank of Rear-Admiral in the Naval Component.[2]
Marriage
Philippe married Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz, daughter of a Walloon Count of Belgian noble family and female line descendant of Polish noble families such as the Princes Sapieha and Counts Komorowski, on 4 December 1999 in Brussels, in a civil ceremony at the Brussels Town Hall and a religious ceremony at the Cathedral of Saint Michel in Brussels. They have four children:
- Princess Elisabeth Thérèse Marie Hélène, Duchess of Brabant, born 25 October 2001
- Prince Gabriel Baudouin Charles Marie, born 20 August 2003
- Prince Emmanuel Léopold Guillaume François Marie, born 4 October 2005
- Princess Eléonore Fabiola Victoria Anne Marie, born 16 April 2008
Foreign trade
On 6 August 1993, the government named Prince Philippe as Honorary Chairman of the Belgian Foreign Trade Board (BFTB). He succeeded his father, who had been Honorary Chairman of the BFTB since 1962. On 3 May 2003, Prince Philippe was appointed Honorary chairman of the board of the Foreign Trade Agency, replacing the BFTB.[3]
In this capacity, Prince Philippe has headed more than 60 economic missions.[4][5] Upon his accession as seventh King of the Belgians, this role was taken over by his sister Princess Astrid.
Accession
King Albert II announced on 3 July 2013 that he would abdicate in favour of Philippe on 21 July 2013.[6] Approximately one hour after King Albert II's abdication, Prince Philippe was sworn in as King of the Belgians.[7]
Military ranks
- 26 September 1980 – 21 March 1983:
- January – end March 1983: Platoon leader, 15th Comp., 3rd Parachutists Battalion of the Paracommando Regt[8][9]
- 21 March 1983 – 1 December 1989:
- 1 December 1989 – 5 April 2001:
- 5 April 2001 – 25 March 2010:
- Belgian Air Component (Belgian Air Force before 2002), General-major[12]
- Belgian Land Component (Belgian Army before 2002), General-major
- Belgian Marine Component (Naval Force before 2002), Divisional admiral
- Since 15 March 2010:[9]
- Since 21 July 2013 (Oath as King):
Royal Military Acad.[13] | Pilot Wings[13] | Parachutist badge[12] | Commando badge[13][14] |
123rd TAW (1978–1981) | 9 July 1982 | 28 October 1982 | 17 December 1982 |
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1980 | 1983 | 1989 | 2001 | 2010 | 2013 |
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Titles, styles, honours and arms
- 15 April 1960 – 9 August 1993: His Royal Highness Prince Philippe of Belgium
- 9 August 1993 – 21 July 2013: His Royal Highness The Duke of Brabant
- 21 July 2013 – present: His Majesty The King of the Belgians
Honours
See also: List of honours of the Belgian Royal Family by country
National honours
- Belgium: Sovereign Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold[15][16][17][18][19]
- Belgium: Sovereign Knight of the Order of the African Star
- Belgium: Sovereign Knight of the Royal Order of the Lion
- Belgium: Sovereign Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown[20]
- Belgium: Sovereign Knight of the Order of Leopold II
Foreign honours
- Argentina: Grand Cross of the Order of the Liberator General San Martín[21]
- Austrian Imperial and Royal Family: Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece[21]
- Bolivia: Grand Cross of the Order of the Condor of the Andes[21]
- Denmark: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Elephant[21][22][23]
- Finland: Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose of Finland[21][24]
- Germany: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Special Class[21][25][26]
- Greece: Grand Cross of the Order of Honour[21]
- Hungary: Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary[21][27][28]
- Italy:
- Vatican: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre[21][29]
- Sovereign Military Order of Malta: Knight Grand Cross of Justice of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, 1st Class[21]
- Japan: Knight Grand Cordon with Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum[21][30]
- Luxembourg: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau[21][31][32][33][34]
- Netherlands: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau[21][35][36]
- Netherlands: Recipient of the King Willem-Alexander Inauguration Medal
- Norway: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of St. Olav[21][37][38]
- Poland: Grand Cross Order of the White Eagle
- Poland: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland[21][39][40]
- Portugal: Grand Cross of the Order of Christ[21][41]
- Portugal: Grand Cross of the Order of Aviz[21][41]
- Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic[21][42][43][44]
- Sweden: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Seraphim[21][45][46]
- Turkey: Member of the Decoration of the State of Republic of Turkey, 1st Class[21][47]
Awards
- International Military Sports Council: Grand Cross of the International Military Sports Council Order of Merit[48]
Ancestors
See also
References
- ↑ In languages of Belgium, the pronunciations are in French ([fiˈlip]) and Dutch ([ˈfilɪp]).
- 1 2 3 Official biography
- ↑ Official portrait
- ↑ Agence pour le Commerce extérieur, Missions antérieures
- ↑ "Official Royal Website Archives". Monarchie.be. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
- ↑ Price, Matthew (3 July 2013). "Belgium's King Albert II announces abdication". BBC News. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "Belgium's King Albert II gives up throne to son". CNN. 21 July 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ↑ Official 3Para page (French) evoking Prince Philippe
- 1 2 Prince Philippe promoted, portrait
- ↑ Photo of Philippe as a Captain (3 stars) in the 3Para Battalion
- ↑ Prince Philippe gets married in his uniform of Colonel of the Belgian Air Force
- 1 2 Photo of Prince Philippe as a General-major showing his parachutist badge
- 1 2 3 21 July 2012, photo showing the commando badge, the blue wing of the parachutist badge under the ribbon of the Order of Leopold, the pilot wing, the omega sign of Royal Academy "Promotion toutes armes"
- ↑ Photo showing the commando badge
- ↑ http://c7.alamy.com/comp/E55W9R/king-philippe-of-belgium-during-the-national-day-celebrations-in-brussels-E55W9R.jpg
- ↑ http://c7.alamy.com/comp/D3BNAW/dpa-from-l-archduke-lorenz-of-austria-crown-princess-mathilde-and-D3BNAW.jpg
- ↑ https://theroyalcorrespondent.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/belgium8.jpg
- ↑ http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02623/p9_2623447c.jpg
- ↑ http://www.hellomagazine.com/imagenes//royalty/2013072413720/king-philippe-queen-mathilde-official-photographs/0-70-412/king-queen--a.jpg
- ↑ Philippe wearing sash of the order of the crown
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Senate, biography of senators including Prince Philippe, senator by right
- ↑ http://c7.alamy.com/comp/EM3K3T/copenhagen-denmark-15th-apr-2015-king-philippe-of-belgium-queen-maxima-EM3K3T.jpg
- ↑ http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n_-b-PCpBog/VS7Z9iZ6rvI/AAAAAAAAkmY/FHve0fixC5o/s1600/75-th-Birthday-celebration-4.jpg
- ↑ http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/princess-mathilde-and-prince-philippe-pose-for-a-photo-at-a-news-photo/3160971#
- ↑ http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/daniela-schadt-partner-of-the-german-president-and-king-philippe-of-picture-id514349312
- ↑ https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trDs17sFCzA/Vt_d7RZtVGI/AAAAAAAAUT0/oNx6m3YJSIM/s1600/0.jpg
- ↑ Official Royal Website, State visit in Belgium of H.E. Mr Laszlo SÓLYOM, President of the Republic of Hungary. (15–17 April 2008, Group photo
- ↑ Belga Pictures, Philippe
- ↑ Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Belgian Lieutenancy's Official website, article evoking the decoration
- ↑ http://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/the-belgian-king-albert-ii-and-queen-paola-and-their-eldest-news-photo/173523009
- ↑ http://c7.alamy.com/comp/FF3DER/epa000347077-princess-mathilde-of-belgium-and-prince-philippe-of-belgium-FF3DER.jpg
- ↑ http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/prince-nikolaus-princess-margaretha-prince-lorentz-princess-news-photo/73644825
- ↑ http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4BLphwUSxC4/UdshV1VZ6vI/AAAAAAAAwD4/ECvsEpbm6o0/s1600/Princess+Mathilde+Wedding+Prince+Guillaume+SRvyNc08tQDx.jpg
- ↑ http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iwb06xti1vc/UdshXfyF7FI/AAAAAAAAwEA/8nesqeYfzM0/s1600/Princess+Mathilde+Wedding+Prince+Guillaume+yFHoCikyCl9x.jpg
- ↑ http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VtinUqdcB28/UYGFfJKZ2eI/AAAAAAAAtU8/56SHe91sWrE/s1600/12817070.jpg
- ↑ http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7EtBCCjTQ4g/RlKtqVhmWyI/AAAAAAAAAcs/oOlTKKRIhe0/s1600-h/2006.06.20____.jpg
- ↑ http://www.gettyimages.in/detail/news-photo/belgian-crown-prince-philippe-speaks-with-his-aunt-queen-news-photo/2016064
- ↑ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/428334614530834708/
- ↑ http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iWGOpD8S-14/VPwqGnlakkI/AAAAAAAAI48/GifL7sKKWGk/s1600/1b.jpg
- ↑ Official Belgian royal website, State visit in Belgium of H.E. Mr Aleksander Kwasniewski, President of the Republic of Poland & Mrs Jolanta Kwasniewska, Gala dinner, group photo
- 1 2 gettyimages.co.uk, Philippe wearing Portuguese honours
- ↑ BOE: nom. 115, pg. 17721. Real Decreto 775/2000. 13 May 2000.
- ↑ http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DDOXK9YB-7o/Vje669KMTyI/AAAAAAAAQ1w/bc0CikIvrjA/s1600/2.jpg
- ↑ http://www.monarchie.be/sites/default/files/imagecache/ImageDetail/images/fr_Spain4.jpg
- ↑ http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9E7p-4lEnrE/UdukfidotZI/AAAAAAAAwI8/W-e7JDjAikw/s1600/Royal+wedding+guests+high+fashion+NDqDoP-ciZwl.jpg
- ↑ http://c7.alamy.com/comp/CB2JNN/epa03229839-crown-prince-philippe-and-crown-princess-mathilde-of-belgium-CB2JNN.jpg
- ↑ "King Philippe of Belgium presents Order of Leopold to President Erdogan". Presidency of the Republic of Turkey. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- ↑ "Prince Philippe receives an international sportive prize". Mil.be. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
External links
Wikiquote has quotations related to: Philippe of Belgium |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Philippe of Belgium. |
- Official biography from the Belgian Royal Family website
- DHnet Article (French) about Prince Philippe's education and military career.
Philippe of Belgium Born: 15 April 1960 | ||
Regnal titles | ||
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Preceded by Albert II |
King of the Belgians 2013–present |
Incumbent Heir apparent: Elisabeth |
Belgian royalty | ||
Vacant Title last held by Baudouin |
Duke of Brabant 1993–2013 |
Succeeded by Elisabeth |
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