Belgium's King Albert II 'to abdicate'

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

The King of the Belgians, Albert II, is going to address the nation amid reports he is going to abdicate.

Belgian state TV reported that the 79-year-old monarch would make an announcement on all of the major networks at 17:00 BST.

His son, Crown Prince Philippe, 53, is next in line to the throne.

During Belgium's political deadlock in 2010-11, the king - who is due to mark 20 years on the throne next month - took on the role of mediator.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23167525

[Cirque du So-What]

1. '20 years on the throne'?

You'd think a royal could afford a good laxative.

[olddad56]

14. Well, if he is adbicating, he must have finally worked it out.

[iandhr]

2. It's good to be the the king.

I couldn't resist.

[hrmjustin]

3. God save the King! Hope he enjoys retirement.

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. I guess that let him out of that can when he was prince

[Gidney N Cloyd]

5. Uh-oh. I wonder how the markets will react...

[meegbear]

6. Crown Prince Philippe? How about Crown Prince meegbear?

Who wants to invade with me?

[JustAnotherGen]

10. I've got images in my head

Of the Mouse That Roared . . . only in reverse!

[meegbear]

12. +1

[JustAnotherGen]

13. We are totally changing the name of Belgium

To Fenwick.


And I'm changing my name to Tully Bascombe.

There isn't a more profitable undertaking for any country than to declare war on the United States and to be defeated.

[cvoogt]

7. illegitimate daughter

was in the news there recently... she is suing to be recognized as his daughter. *Might* have something to do with it...

[Fuddnik]

8. So, is Prince Albert still in the can?

[L0oniX]

9. Beat me to it.

[Nye Bevan]

11. Does he want to marry an American divorcee? (nt)