Belgian Monarch. (Roi des Belges, Koning der Belgen, König der Belgier) Descendant of the dynasty of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, he ascended the throne in 1934. In 1940, when Nazi Germany invaded Belgium, he refused to go into exile, signed the surrender, and he gave himself to the enemy who confined him in the castle of Laeken until 1944. At the end of World War II, he was accused of weakness, and judged incapable of reigning, was forced into exile in Switzerland. In 1951, after his return to Belgium, he abdicated in favor of his son Baudouin.
Belgian Monarch. (Roi des Belges, Koning der Belgen, König der Belgier) Descendant of the dynasty of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, he ascended the throne in 1934. In 1940, when Nazi Germany invaded Belgium, he refused to go into exile, signed the surrender, and he gave himself to the enemy who confined him in the castle of Laeken until 1944. At the end of World War II, he was accused of weakness, and judged incapable of reigning, was forced into exile in Switzerland. In 1951, after his return to Belgium, he abdicated in favor of his son Baudouin.
Bio by: Lucy & Chris
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