Ascent to the throne

Ascent to the throne

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Baudouin was born in the Chateau du Stuyvenberg, near Laeken, Brussels, in Belgium, in 1930, the elder son and second child of Prince Leopold, the then Duke of Brabant, and his first wife, Astrid of Sweden. His father became King of the Belgians, as Leopold III, in 1934 and Prince Baudouin became Duke of Brabant. Baudouin's mother died in 1935 in an automobile accident.

Part of Leopold III's unpopularity was the result of a second marriage in 1941 to Mary Lilian Baels, an English-born Belgian commoner, later known as Princess de Réthy. More controversial had been Leopold's decision to surrender to Nazi Germany during the Second World War, when Belgium was invaded in 1940; many Belgians questioned his loyalties, but a commission of inquiry exonerated him of treason after the war. Though reinstated in a plebiscite, the controversy surrounding Leopold led to his abdication.

During the war, following D-Day the king was deported by command of Adolf Hitler to Hirschstein.

King Leopold III requested the Belgian Government and the Parliament to approve a law delegating his royal powers to his son, Prince Baudouin, who took the constitutional oath before the United Chambers of the Belgian Parliament as Prince Royal on 11 August 1950. He ascended the throne and became King of the Belgians upon taking the constitutional oath on 17 July 1951, one day following his father's abdication.

The Congolese called the young king Mwana Kitoko ("beautiful boy").

Marriage

Main article: Wedding of Baudouin of Belgium and Fabiola de Mora y Aragón

On 15 December 1960, Baudouin was married in Brussels to Do?a Fabiola de Mora y Aragón. The King and Queen had no children; all of the Queen's five pregnancies ended in miscarriage.[4]

Notable events

Baudouin and Fabiola with US President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon in May 1969.

During Baudouin's reign the colony of Belgian Congo became independent. During the parade following the last ceremonial inspection of the Force Publique, the royal sabre of the king was momentarily stolen by Ambroise Boimbo. The photograph, taken by Robert Lebeck, was widely published in world newspapers,[5][6] with some seeing the act as a humiliation for the king.[7] The next day the king attended the official reception; he gave a speech that received a blistering response by Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba.[8]

Baudouin and French President Charles de Gaulle were the two prominent world leaders at the state funerals of both John F. Kennedy in November 1963 and his predecessor General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower in March 1969, as the head of state of Belgium.[9][10] At Kennedy's, he was accompanied by Paul-Henri Spaak, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and former three-time Prime Minister of Belgium. At Eisenhower's, he was accompanied by Prime Minister Gaston Eyskens.[11]

In 1976, on the 25th anniversary of Baudouin's accession, the King Baudouin Foundation was formed, with the aim of improving the living conditions of the Belgian people.

He was the 1,176th Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in Spain, which was bestowed upon him in 1960, the 930th Knight of the Order of the Garter and also the last living knight of the Papal Supreme Order of Christ.[12][13]

Religious influences

Baudouin was a devout Roman Catholic. Through the influence of Leo Cardinal Suenens, Baudouin participated in the growing Renewal Movement and regularly went on pilgrimages to the French shrine of Paray-le-Monial.

In 1990, when a law submitted by Roger Lallemand and Lucienne Herman-Michielsens that liberalised Belgium's abortion laws was approved by Parliament, he refused to give Royal Assent to the bill. This was unprecedented; although Baudouin was de jure Belgium's chief executive, Royal Assent has long been a formality (as is the case in most constitutional and popular monarchies). However, due to his religious convictions, Baudouin asked the Government to declare him temporarily unable to reign so that he could avoid signing the measure into law.[14] The Government under Wilfried Martens complied with his request on 4 April 1990. According to the provisions of the Belgian Constitution, in the event the King is temporarily unable to reign, the Government as a whole fulfills the role of Head of State. All members of the Government signed the bill, and the next day (5 April 1990) the Government declared that Baudouin was capable of reigning again.

Baudouin and the death of Patrice Lumumba

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In 1960, Baudouin declared the Belgian colony of Congo independent. During the declaration of independence, Baudouin delivered a highly contested speech in which he celebrated the acts of the first Belgian owner of the Congo, King Leopold II, whom he described as "a genius". In the same event on the day of the independence, the first democratically elected prime minister of Congo, Patrice Lumumba, answered in a speech that was very critical for the Belgian regime. Lumumba mentioned the killing of many Congolese, the insults and humiliations and the slavery they suffered.

Lumumba's speech infuriated King Baudouin and started a harsh conflict between both men. After the independence of Congo, the rich province of Katanga set up a secession that received substantial military and financial support from the Belgian government and Belgian companies with business interests in this region. King Baudouin strengthened his relationships with the Katangese politician Moise Tshombé, whom he made a knight in the order of Leopold. In the meanwhile, the Belgian government as well as the CIA supported or organized themselves plans to murder Patrice Lumumba.

In early December 1960, Patrice Lumumba and two colleagues were imprisoned in military barracks about 150 kilometers from Leopoldville. They were underfed and mistreated, then released in mid-January 1961. Within hours Lumumba was again captured, relocated, beaten, and within hours executed by Congolese soldiers under Belgian command; a Belgian police officer cut up Lumumba’s body and dissolved the corpse in acid.[15]

In 2001, a parliamentary investigation set up by the Belgian government concluded that King Baudouin, amongst others, was informed of a murder plan set up by later dictator Joseph Mobutu and the Katangese rebel Moise Tshombé. Both men had agreed to the Belgian colonel Guy Weber to "neutralize Lumumba, if possible physically". The King, informed, did nothing more and this neglect was described as 'incriminating' by the parliamentary investigation, although there was no evidence found that the king ordered the set up of the plans.[15]

Death, succession, and legacy

Baudouin reigned for 42 years. He died of heart failure on 31 July 1993 in the Villa Astrida in Motril, in the south of Spain.[16] Although in March 1992 the King had been operated on for a mitral valve prolapse in Paris, his death still came unexpectedly, and sent much of Belgium into a period of deep mourning. His death notably stopped the 1993 24 Hours of Spa sportscar race, which had reached the 15-hour mark when the news broke.

Within hours the Royal Palace gates and enclosure were covered with flowers that people brought spontaneously. A viewing of the body was held at the Royal Palace in central Brussels; 500,000 people (5% of the population) came to pay their respects. Many waited in line up to 14 hours in sweltering heat to see their King one last time. Along with other members of European royalty, Queen Elizabeth II of the Commonwealth realms attended the funeral (the only foreign state funeral ever attended by her in person as monarch). All European monarchs attended the service, as did Emperor Akihito of Japan. Non-royal guests such as EU President Jacques Delors, French President Fran?ois Mitterrand, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, German President Richard von Weizsacker and former American President Gerald Ford were also presented at the funeral.

King Baudouin was interred in the royal vault at the Church of Our Lady of Laeken, Brussels, Belgium. He was succeeded by his younger brother, who became King Albi

King Baudouin's arms as knight of the Swedish Order of the Seraphim

King Baudouin's Garter encircled arms

(United Kingdom)

King Baudouin's arms as knight of the Spanish orders of the Golden Fleece, Charles III and Isabella the Catholic

King Baudouin's arms as knight of the Supreme Order of Christ (Holy See)

National[edit]

•  Belgium:
•  Grand Master of the Order of Leopold[17][18][19][20][21]
•  Grand Master of the Order of the African Star[22][23][24]
•  Grand Master of the Royal Order of the Lion
•  Grand Master of the Order of the Crown
•  Grand Master of the Order of Leopold II

Foreign

•  Argentina:  Collar of the Order of the Liberator General San Martín[25]
•  Austria:  Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria[26]
•  Brazil:  Grand Collar of the Order of the Southern Cross[27]
•  Democratic Republic of the Congo:  Grand Cordon of the National Order of the Leopard[28][29]
•  Denmark:  Knight of the Order of the Elephant
•  Germany:  Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany[30]
•  Bavaria:  Member of the Bavarian Order of Merit[30]
•  Greece:  Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer[31]
•  Iceland:  Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Falcon[32]
•  Italy:  Knight Grand Cross with collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic[33]
•   Holy See:
•  Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre
•  Knight of the Supreme Order of Christ[34][35][36]
•  Sovereign Military Order of Malta:  Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
•  Japan:  Grand Cordon with Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum[37]
•  Luxembourg:  Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau[38]
•  Netherlands:
•  Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion[39][40][41]
•  Recipient of the Wedding Medal of Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands and Claus van Amsberg.[42]
•  Norway:  Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of St. Olav[43]
•  Portugal:  Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry
•  Spain:
•  1,171st Knight of the Spanish Order of the Golden Fleece[44][45]
•  Knight of the Collar of the Order of Charles III[44][46]
•  Knight of the Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic[47][48][49]
•  Sweden:  Knight with Collar of the Royal Order of the Seraphim[50][51]
•  Thailand:
•  Knight of the Order of the Royal House of Chakri[52]
•  Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of Chula Chom Klao
•  United Kingdom:  Stranger Knight of the Order of the Garter[53][54]
•  Yugoslavia:
•  Order of the Cross of Takovo[55]
•  Order of Kara?or?e's Star with swords[56]
•  Great Star of the Order of the Yugoslav Star[57]

Dynastic

•  Ethiopian Imperial Family:  Knight of the Order of Solomon[58][59][60]
•  Iranian Imperial Family:
•  Member 1st Class of the Order of Pahlavi[61][62][63]
•  Recipient of the Commemorative Medal of the 2,500 year Celebration of the Persian Empire[64][65]
•  Italian Royal Family:
•  Knight of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
•  Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
•  Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Italy

Ancestry

show

Ancestors of Baudouin of Belgium

See also[edit]

• Kings of Belgium family tree
• Crown Council of Belgium
• Royal Trust
• Herman Liebaers (Marshal of the Royal Household)
• André Molitor (private secretary)
• Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou (private secretary)
• Pierre-Yves Monette (advisor)
• King Baudouin Ice Shelf, Antarctica

References

1. ^ Baudouin's full name was Baudouin Albert Charles Léopold Axel Marie Gustave de Belgique (pronounced [bodw?? alb?? ?a?l leop?ld aks?l ma?i ɡystav d? b?l?ik]) in French and Boudewijn Albert Karel Leopold Axel Marie Gustaaf van Belgi? (pronounced[?b?ud???in ?ɑlb?rt ?ka?r?l ?le?jo?p?lt ?ɑks?l ma??ri ???sta?f fɑm ?b?l?ij?]) in Dutch. In isolation, the Dutch word van is pronounced [vɑn].
2. ^ "Baudouin I". The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (5th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
3. ^ "Baudouin". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 6 August2019.
4. ^ "Koningin Fabiola had vijf miskramen". Nieuwsblad.be. 21 April 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
5. ^ Glasenapp, J?rn (2008) '"Der Degendieb von Léopoldville. Robert Lebecks Schlüsselbild der Dekolonisation Afrikas" In Paul, Gerhard (ed.) (2008) Das Jahrhundert der Bilder: 1949 bis heute Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, G?ttingen, pp. 242-249, ISBN 978-3-525-30012-1, in German
6. ^ "Ambroise Boimbo, "l'homme qui à humilier le Roi de Belge" au du Congo". Alterinfo.net. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
7. ^ "La photo du sabre du Roi Baudouin, le 30 juin 1960". Mbokamosika. 20 December 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
8. ^ McIntire, Suzanne; Burns, William E. (2009). Speeches in World History. Infobase Publishing. pp. 438–40.
9. ^ Grose, Peter (31 March 1969). "Nixon will Meet with De Gaulle Today". The New York Times. p. 1. President de Gaulle arrived by plane from Paris, on his first visit to the United States since the funeral of President Kennedy in 1963.
10. ^ Belair Jr., Felix (1 April 1969). "World's Leaders Join in Services for Eisenhower". The New York Times. p. 1.
11. ^ "Partial List of Leaders From Abroad at Funeral". The New York Times. 1 April 1969. p. 32.
12. ^ Herold, Stephen. "Society of the Golden Fleece". Chevaliers De La Toison D'or - Toison espagnole (spanish fleece). La Confrérie Amicale. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
13. ^ Velde, Fran?ois R. "List of the Knights of the Garter". Heraldica.
14. ^ "Belgium: Commoner for A Day, or Two". Time. 16 April 1990. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
15. ^ Jump up to:
16. a b Verslag namens de Onderzoekscommissie van de Belgische Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers van het parlementair onderzoek met het oog op het vaststellen van de precieze omstandigheden waarin Patrice Lumumba werd vermoord en van de eventuele betrokkenheid daarbij van Belgische politici, 16 november 2001
17. ^ Lyons, Richard D. "Baudouin I, King of Belgium, Dies at 62," New York Times. August 1, 1993.
18. ^ https://c7.alamy.com/comp/E0M2XA/queen-juliana-escorted-by-king-baudouin-E0M2XA.jpg
19. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
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21. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
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24. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
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26. ^https://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03129/Fabiolaandkingtwo_3129806c.jpg
27. ^ "Reply to a parliamentary question" (PDF) (in German). p. 53. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
28. ^ https://www.jusbrasil.com.br/diarios/2683157/pg-3-secao-1-diario-oficial-da-uniao-dou-de-12-01-1966?ref=serp
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32. a b "Baudoin wearing German honours". Retrieved 17 January2017.
33. ^ "Editorial & News Images: News Photography, Pictures, Awards, Events, Sports, Celebrity Photos". Corbisimages.com. 2 May 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
34. ^ Iceland Presidency Website Archived 2013-06-07 at the Wayback Machine, Baudoin, konungur Belgíu - Belgía - 1979-10-16 - Stórkross mee keeju (= Baudouin, King of Belgians, Belgium, 16 October 1979, Grand Cross with Collar)
35. ^ https://www.gettyimages.ch/detail/nachrichtenfoto/1930k?nig-seit-1951mit-k?nigin-fabiola-bei-ihrem-nachrichtenfoto/545663653#[permanent dead link]
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39. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
40. ^ https://static1.purepeople.com/articles/7/15/17/77/@/1669968-le-roi-baudouin-et-la-reine-fabiola-950x0-1.jpg
41. ^https://www.deutschlandradiokultur.de/media/thumbs/6/6fbb0ccca87d47ee2dcaf53ece6d60aav1_max_635x357_b3535db83dc50e27c1bb1392364c95a2.jpg
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43. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 December 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
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46. ^ Jump up to:
47. a b "Baudoin wearing Spanish honours". Gettyimages.co.uk. 26 September 1978. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
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49. ^ "Boletín Oficial del Estado" (PDF). Retrieved 17 January2017.
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51. ^ https://u-f.ru/sites/default/files/fabiola1.jpg
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54. ^https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-84FSKw0NXrQ/RlcScFhmW1I/AAAAAAAAAdE/r68LKwNjHEg/s640/1976.06.19+silvia_carl+gustav_.jp
55. ^ "The Royal Couple Of Thailand In Belgium". Getty Images. 1 January 1960. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
56. ^ https://c7.alamy.com/comp/BR45K8/princess-margaret-king-baudouin-royal-family-10-june-1974-tristar-BR45K8.jpg
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58. ^ Acovi?, Dragomir (2012). Slava i ?ast: Odlikovanja me?u Srbima, Srbi me?u odlikovanjima. Belgrade: Slu?beni Glasnik. p. 364.
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60. ^ https://www.dw.com/image/0,,4275211_4,00.jpg
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65. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
66. ^ "Queen Fabiola of Belgium, Mohammad Reza Pictures". Getty Images. 23 November 1964. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
67. ^ Badraie Archived 2004-03-02 at the Wayback Machine
68. ^ Badraie Archived 2016-04-06 at the Wayback Machine

Bibliography

• Wilsford, David, ed. Political leaders of contemporary Western Europe: a biographical dictionary (Greenwood, 1995) pp 25–31.

Other languages

• A. Molitor, La fonction royale en Belgique, Brussels, 1979
• J.Stengers, De koningen der Belgen. Van Leopold I tot Albert II, Leuven, 1997.
• Kardinaal Suenens, Koning Boudewijn. Het getuigenis van een leven, Leuven, 1995.
• Kerstrede 18.12.1975, (ed.V.Neels), Wij Boudewijn, Koning der Belgen. Het politiek, sociaal en moreel testament van een nobel vorst, deel II, Gent, 1996.
• H. le Paige (dir.), Questions royales, Réflexions à propos de la mort d'un roi et sur la médiatisation de l'évènement, Brussels, 1994.