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Foreign News
July 16, 1951
The Daily Alaska Empire
Juneau, Juneau County, Alaska
What is this article about?
King Leopold III of Belgium abdicated the throne on July 16 in Brussels after 17 years, urging support for his 20-year-old son Baudouin I, who will take the royal oath tomorrow. The event follows years of controversy, including Leopold's surrender to Nazis in WWII.
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Leopold Gives Up Throne to Son
BRUSSELS, Belgium, July 16 -
(AP)- King Leopold III of Belgium surrendered today the throne he held for 17 unhappy years, and urged his people to rally around his elder son, who now becomes King Baudouin I.
Leopold's solemn words of counsel to his son, delivered before an assemblage of 200 Belgian government leaders, had overtones of sorrow.
After years of tragedy and bitterness, Leopold, now putting aside his crown, begged the Belgians to support his young son loyally and unselfishly.
Baudouin, 20, takes the Royal Oath tomorrow before Parliament.
Leopold signed the abdication document in the ballroom of the Brussels Royal Palace, in a ceremony kept simple to the point of austerity by the king's own wish.
The small Belgian Communist party tried to seize advantage of the abdication, and continued with its "Vive La Republique" meetings in defiance of the government. The Interior Ministry forbade such meetings.
Leopold, now 49, was a minor player in a world drama which was beginning just as he assumed the throne. The Nazis had come to power in Germany, and the way was being paved for a war which was to bloody Belgium's soil for the second time in a generation.
Leopold surrendered to the invading Germans despite the opposition of his government, and he was widely assailed as pro-German. During his long exile there was many a move to dethrone him.
BRUSSELS, Belgium, July 16 -
(AP)- King Leopold III of Belgium surrendered today the throne he held for 17 unhappy years, and urged his people to rally around his elder son, who now becomes King Baudouin I.
Leopold's solemn words of counsel to his son, delivered before an assemblage of 200 Belgian government leaders, had overtones of sorrow.
After years of tragedy and bitterness, Leopold, now putting aside his crown, begged the Belgians to support his young son loyally and unselfishly.
Baudouin, 20, takes the Royal Oath tomorrow before Parliament.
Leopold signed the abdication document in the ballroom of the Brussels Royal Palace, in a ceremony kept simple to the point of austerity by the king's own wish.
The small Belgian Communist party tried to seize advantage of the abdication, and continued with its "Vive La Republique" meetings in defiance of the government. The Interior Ministry forbade such meetings.
Leopold, now 49, was a minor player in a world drama which was beginning just as he assumed the throne. The Nazis had come to power in Germany, and the way was being paved for a war which was to bloody Belgium's soil for the second time in a generation.
Leopold surrendered to the invading Germans despite the opposition of his government, and he was widely assailed as pro-German. During his long exile there was many a move to dethrone him.
What sub-type of article is it?
Royal Event
Political
What keywords are associated?
Belgium Abdication
Leopold Iii
Baudouin I
Royal Succession
Communist Reaction
What entities or persons were involved?
King Leopold Iii
King Baudouin I
Where did it happen?
Brussels, Belgium
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Brussels, Belgium
Event Date
July 16
Key Persons
King Leopold Iii
King Baudouin I
Outcome
abdication signed; baudouin to take royal oath tomorrow; communist party meetings forbidden.
Event Details
King Leopold III abdicated in a simple ceremony at the Brussels Royal Palace, addressing 200 government leaders and urging loyalty to his son Baudouin. Background includes WWII surrender to Germans and subsequent controversy.