King Albert II was the sixth monarch of Belgium, reigning from 1993 until his abdication in 2013. Born on June 6, 1934, he was the second son of King Leopold III and Queen Astrid. He spent his early years in exile during World War II and later studied political science at the Catholic University of Louvain.
After his older brother's death in a mountaineering accident, Albert became the heir to the throne. He married Italian noblewoman Paola Ruffo di Calabria in 1959 and they had three children together: Philippe, Astrid, and Laurent.
As king, Albert II played a largely ceremonial role but also had important constitutional duties such as appointing government officials and signing legislation into law. He was known for his dedication to promoting unity and diversity within Belgium's diverse population.
During his reign, King Albert II faced several challenges including political crises and tensions between Belgium's Dutch-speaking Flemish community and French-speaking Walloon community. However, he worked tirelessly to maintain peace and stability within the country.
In July 2013, at the age of 79, King Albert II announced his intention to abdicate due to health reasons. He was succeeded by his son Philippe.
