King Albert II

Belgian monarchy resists scandals but lacks glamor



When King Albert II passes the baton to his son Philip, the Belgian royal family is a globally respected despite a series of recent scandals institution, but without creating craze.




While the world's eyes turned to London for the birth of the "royal baby", the abdication Sunday Belgian monarch and the enthronement of King Philip does not trigger a "monarchy-mania". 

The absence of the elite Sunday in Brussels disappoint the press. "It's a shame. No foreign guests, no pretty dresses," laments the Dutch Royalty magazine. 


The French public curiosity "has nothing to do with attachment to Monaco and the British royal family, who are a little to the royal families of France substitution, "said the chief editor of Paris Match, Olivier Royant.
To inflate sales must be" suspense, dreams, love, fairy tale, the drama ", or Belgium," there is not much emotion or exuberance, "notes Colombe Pringle, editor of the magazine" Viewpoint ".
A saleswoman established near the Grand Place in Brussels admits that he sold one hundred hit the first T-shirts" Albert "and a heart. 


And for their last outing in Flanders, King Albert and Queen Paola have been welcomed Wednesday by hundreds of supporters. 


"The monarchy has lost ground, especially among young people, which the judge outdated "says Michael Hammer, editor of the newspaper of the Belgian group Sudpresse. 


In times of economic crisis, the lifestyle of King Albert and several scandals have also made the most critical Belgians.

First there was the revelation of the existence of an alleged illegitimate daughter of the king, Delphine Boel. 

The youngest son of the king, Prince Laurent, was later quoted in a matter of misappropriation of the Navy, then pinned for trips to the nebulous goals in Libya and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
early 2013, the press revealed that the widow of King Baudouin, Queen Fabiola, created "private foundations." Suspected of wanting to avoid tax for the benefit of his nephews, it denies.
Prince cropped, depreciation lowered 


Yet apart from the side of Flemish independence, who dream of splitting the country, "the royal institution is not generally questioned," says Martine Dubuisson, the daily Le Soir. 


This is because the government finally begin upgrading that many claim. Prince Laurent was cropped, and the amount of government "grants" awarded to members of the royal family seriously downgraded.
Queen Fabiola has lost two thirds of its endowment, and Albert affect more than 923,000 euros once retired, against 11.5 million currently. 


In addition, the king and his family will have to pay the income tax and VAT. "This is the first time in the history of our country that the overall cost of the monarchy will fall," he assured the prime minister, Elio Di Rupo. 


A little aggressive tabloid press and some restraint, especially French side, due to the fear of undermining the country's existence by attacking the monarchy, also explain the moderate critics.
"hidden Vivons" 


Belgian sovereign n ' have never tried the "super-people" side What Kate and William's family or Monaco. "For them, it is rather + To live happy, live hidden +" said Martine Dubuisson. And it does not bother the Belgians, who respect the privacy of their leaders. 


If the future King Philip has made progress, particularly when many economic missions abroad, it will further improve its meaning communication, its weak point. The Palace has also started to develop its human dimension by getting late May to run the 20 km of Brussels in the middle of thousands of anonymous joggers.





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