King Albert II said farewell Saturday calling on Belgians to "cohesion" in the face of deep divisions between Flemish and Walloons, and "surround" his eldest son Philip, who ascended the throne on Sunday during the National Day.
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After 20 years of rule, Albert II gave a final speech to the sober, serious and optimistic. Belgium can "look to the future with confidence" because it "has found a new lease on both domestic and European" in recent years, he said in his televised speech.
A 79 years, Albert II is the first Belgian monarch to decide to withdraw voluntarily "leaving the torch" to his eldest son, Philip, 53, despite lingering doubts among the public about the ability of the latter to ensure the royal function.
In his speech, Albert II asked the Belgians "to surround the future king" and "the future Queen Mathilde" their "active participation" and their "support." "They make a great pair at the service of our country and they enjoy all my confidence," he said.
The king, whose reign was marked by two major political crises between the Flemish and Francophone acknowledged that Belgium was "not always easy to govern." Fortunately, "the meaning of constructive compromise" of most of its political leaders allowed him to overcome obstacles and become "a unitary state into a federal state."
"I am convinced that maintaining the cohesion of our federal government is vital, not only for the quality of our life together (...) but also for the preservation of our well-being at all, "he added.
This message is sent especially to Flanders, which has nearly 60% of the Belgian population and whose first political force is that of independence, with a further increase is expected in the general elections of 2014.
"No frills" or crowned heads
The festivities actually begin in the evening, when the royal family will travel to the "national dance" in the popular Marolles in Brussels.
It will Sunday a very busy with two strong and followed live by television times day. At 10:30 (0830 GMT), Albert formally sign the official act of abdication, before 250 guests gathered at the palace.
An hour and a half later, Philippe sworn in the three official languages (Dutch, French and German) to the senators and deputies met. It will, as tradition dictates, a military uniform and is seated on a throne, but has neither crown nor spectrum unknown in Belgium regalia.
The front row will be sitting the four children of Philip and very popular Mathilde, the Princess Elizabeth, who takes in almost 12 years, the heir to the throne.
The royal couple will then appear on the balcony of the Palace before attending the traditional parade military and popular events, which are expected hundreds of thousands of people in the center of Brussels.
"There will be a normal side + King + in the day," summed Saturday the daily Le Soir, in emphasizing the small size of this transfer of power "between us (...) without fuss, our way between serious and casual." In fact, its cost, estimated at 600,000 euros, is expected to be slightly higher than that of a regular national holiday.
No foreign crowned heads were invited as "it is the tradition in Belgium where the king oath before the nation represented by Parliament, "the spokesman of the Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo.
Failing to be present, other capitals began to send messages congratulations. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has paid tribute to Albert II, "has admirably served the Belgian people during his 20 year reign."
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