Former King Albert II of Belgium was hospitalized today with signs of dehydration, a palace spokesman said.
The 89-year-old former king “was admitted to hospital as a precaution,” spokesman Xavier Vaert told AFP, confirming reports by state broadcasters VRT and RTBF.
Exams are being done. He is conscious,” Vaert said.
Albert II, the father of the current King Philip of Belgium, was the third and youngest son of King Leopold III.
He became monarch on August 9, 1993 at the age of 59, taking over after his brother Baudouin died childless.
King Albert II abdicated the throne in 2013 citing ill health and his son King Philip took his place alongside his wife Queen Mathilde.
Prince Emmanuel was seen arriving at the Saint-Luc hospital in Brussels to be at the former King’s side.
Albert II reigned until his abdication on July 21, 2013, handing over the crown to Felipe, who is 63 years old today. The former king and his wife, Queen Paola, 85, have spaced out their public appearances in recent years.
King Philip canceled his planned engagement at Ghent University to visit his father in hospital, according to People.
Other relatives including Prince Laurent, King Albert’s youngest son, and Prince Emmanuel were reportedly seen arriving at the Saint-Luc hospital in Brussels to be by his side.
Speaking to the BBC at the time of his abdication, King Albert said: “I realize that my age and health no longer allow me to carry out my duties as I would like.” Prince Philippe is well prepared to succeed me.
At the time of his abdication, his beloved daughter Princess Delphine launched a legal bid to be officially recognized as Albert’s daughter, which she won in October 2020.
After the birth of Princess Delfina in 1968, the King initially remained in frequent contact with his daughter and her mother. But when Delphine turned 16, the King began to distance himself from her.
Now the 55-year-old is entitled to carry the royal name Saxe-Cobourg and is formally recognized as a member of the Belgian royal family, as are her two children, 19-year-old Princess Josephine of Belgium and Prince Óscar from Belgium, 14. , whom he shares with his partner James O’Hare.
Speaking to Tatler last year, the princess, who is an artist, revealed that her father’s rejection when she was young still hurts her, but added that she doesn’t blame him and has no ill will towards him.
Prince Emmanuel arrives by car at the Saint-Luc hospital in Brussels
The 89-year-old former king “was admitted to hospital as a precaution,” spokesman Xavier Vaert told AFP, confirming reports by state broadcasters VRT and RTBF. In the image, the entrance of the Saint-Luc hospital in Brussels.
He argued that real life is ‘isolating’ and believed his father had been misguided at the time.
However, she said: ‘You don’t just have a son and you kick him around.
Reflecting on her seven-year legal battle, Delphine said the action she brought was not about money or status but about ‘principle’.
Now, Delphine has attended royal engagements and says her relationship with her father has healed after years of bitterness.
When she started her legal action in 2013, she told the Belgian radio show Matin Premiere: ‘I feel like I have a right to exist. Not exist in the royal family but as me.
“My decision to ask for help through the law, I feel today was the right thing… The judicial system said that I was right and that I had a right to exist.”
Since the legal action was settled, Princess Delphine has slowly integrated into the Belgian royal family.
She met her brother, King Philippe of Belgium, who is one of 20 Belgian royals she is related to, in 2020, where they posted a socially distanced photo on Facebook, describing it as a “warm reunion.” Her other royal half-siblings are Princess Astrid and Prince Laurent.
I am Rakesh Sharma, I associated with Elite News as an Editor, since 2021. I take care of all the news operations like content, budget, hiring and policy making.