As i stated there were stories at that time that Albert called with Juan Carlos and Beatrix but that has never been officially been confirmed as it would fall under private conversations between family/friends and no court ever makes anything public about that.
But i don't think it is intruding in another nation's affairs if you are called and asked for advice and give your opinion. Again the story was that both Juan Carlos and Beatrix advised Albert not to succeed and leave the throne to his son. That was not what happened and Albert II did reign so he made his own choice. He was actually a good king and way more respectful to his constitutional role than Boudewijn at the end of his reign was.
When Boudewijn died and Albert II succeeded several stories made it into the press. One was of the phone calls to JC and Beatrix the other of the understanding between the brothers fo who would succeed in case Boudewijn died.
Philippe had been taken under his uncle's wing for years and was being trained by Boudewijn and Fabiola so he was the perceived heir and as he was in his early thirties old enough to succeed. People had lived with the expectation that not Albert but Philippe would one day succeed Boudewijn. That Albert was officially the first in line of succession people knew but they expected him to step down. Had circumstances been different at the time of Boudewijn's death that might very well have happened. Had Philippe been married with a couple of kids at the time his uncle died his chances of succeeding would have been stronger. Had the death of Boudewijn been a few years later, age might have skipped the scales in favour of Philippe. As i've written before Boudewijn was succeeded by the first in line of succession and Albert II was a good monarch and i believe that his reign gave Philippe the time to grow, find personal happiness in his marriage and learn from his father's example making him the king he is now. Belgium is not an easy country to be monarch of and the present Royal couple manage it very well.
Previous Message
It is clear that Albert spoke to Juan Carlos as Boudewijn died in Spain and Albert flew to Spain to collect the body of his brother and bring him and queen Fabiola home. What they discussed we don't know.
The story at the time was that Albert called Juan Carlos and Beatrix for advice both told him not to do it and leave the throne to Philippe but he decided otherwise.
Are there any solid basis that Albert spoke to JC and Beatrix and that these two advised him to leave the throne to Philippe ?
I find it hard to believe and an intolerable intrusion in a foreign country at its highest level.
Can you imagine any fellow sovereign whispering JC to abdicate after the Botswana/Corinna scandal ?
Still there have always been stories as well about an understanding between Boudewijn and Albert that if Boudewijn died unexpected before Phillipe was settled and married Albert would succeed.
Im not surprised that Josephine Charlotte expressed her opinion. She was the big sister and well aware of the constitutional rules as well as dynastic rules. I believe Philippe is a better king now because he did get the time to find Mathilde and both of them were well prepared when they took over. Had he been called to the throne in 1993 i doubt if he would have married Mathilde. He would probably have been expected to marry earlier or if he had walked into a political minefield he may have been forced to abdicate putting Astrid on the throne. Previous MessagePrevious Message
...
When Boudewijn died unexpectedly the official heir was his brother Albert but his perceived heir and the one Boudewijn had been training was Philippe.
It's rumoured that Albert spoke to Juan Carlos and Beatrix before deciding to keep his son out of the limelight for a while and step in himself. I have no doubts that his sister Josephine-Charlotte and her husband Jean also gave their opinion.
... Previous Message
I really doubt King Albert spoke to King Juan Carlos and to Queen Beatrix about it.
King Albert's sister Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte was the one who made clear Albert was now the "chef" and this must mean the new king, as Queen Fabiola as well.
This is clearly in this interesting interview King Albert gave a year after his abdication in 2014. He becomes very emotional speaking about his late sister on that crucial day their brother Boudewijn had died on 31 July 1993.
King Albert gave the interview parts in French to Pascal Vrebos and other parts in Dutch to Barend Leyts.
In my opinion Pascal Vrebos was a marvellous and balanced interviewer, relaxed and asking interesting questions.
On the other hand, in my opinion, Barend Leyts was really very bad and terrible in the interview, asking stupid questions and not being at ease at all.
Movie part starts at 40:00 when King Albert II is talking about his sister Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte informing her that their brother king Boudewijn had died.
Message Thread | This response ↓
« Back to index