King Albert II of Belgium, born 6 June 1934, reigned as the sixth King of the Belgians from August 1993 until his abdication on 21 July 2013 — making him the first reigning Belgian monarch to voluntarily abdicate. His reign was marked late in life by the public legal recognition of his illegitimate daughter Delphine Boël as Princess of Belgium.

The Family's Roots: The House of Saxe-Coburg

For full dynastic background, see the King Philippe of Belgium post. Albert was born in Brussels on 6 June 1934 to King Leopold III and Queen Astrid of Sweden.

His Mother: Queen Astrid

Queen Astrid of Belgium, née Astrid of Sweden, died on 29 August 1935 at age 29 in a car accident in Switzerland — when Albert was just one year old.

His Siblings

King Baudouin (7 September 1930 – 31 July 1993) — elder brother; King of Belgium 1951–1993; childless. Albert succeeded him.

Princess Joséphine-Charlotte (1927 – 2005) — elder sister; married Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg.

His Wife: Queen Paola

Queen Paola, born Donna Paola Margherita Maria Antonia Consiglia Ruffo di Calabria on 11 September 1937 in Forte dei Marmi, Italy. She married Albert in 1959.

Their Children: Philippe, Astrid, Laurent

  • King Philippe (b. 15 April 1960) — current King of the Belgians.
  • Princess Astrid (b. 5 June 1962) — married Archduke Lorenz of Austria-Este.
  • Prince Laurent (b. 19 October 1963) — married Claire Coombs.

His Illegitimate Daughter: Princess Delphine

Princess Delphine of Belgium, born Delphine Boël on 22 February 1968 in Uccle, is the daughter of Albert's long-running affair with Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps. After a long legal battle, Belgian courts confirmed her paternity in October 2020 and she was officially recognised as Princess Delphine of Belgium.

She is married to James O'Hare and has two children: Joséphine O'Hare (b. 2003) and Oscar O'Hare (b. 2008).

The Belgian Royal Family Tree at a Glance

Dynasty: House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

Parents: King Leopold III of Belgium; Queen Astrid of Sweden (died 1935).

Siblings: King Baudouin (1930–1993); Princess Joséphine-Charlotte (1927–2005).

Wife: Queen Paola (b. 11 September 1937).

Legitimate Children: King Philippe (b. 1960); Princess Astrid (b. 1962); Prince Laurent (b. 1963).

Daughter from outside marriage: Princess Delphine of Belgium (b. 22 February 1968) — recognised October 2020.

Grandchildren via Delphine: Joséphine O'Hare (b. 2003); Oscar O'Hare (b. 2008).

What the Belgian Family Story Teaches Us

A father who outlived a queen who died at 29 in a car accident. An elder brother whose 42-year childless reign left the throne to the younger brother. A late-life Italian princess wife. Three legitimate children who all married into other European houses. A daughter from outside marriage who was legally recognised at the age of 52.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Albert II story carries the same lesson. Family trees are sometimes amended late. Princess Delphine became a Princess of Belgium at 52 by court order. Most families have their own late-arriving truths. Write them down when they become known. The tree should always be updated to reflect reality.

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