At the age 65, King Philippe of Belgium does not intend to abdicate anytime soon. His Majesty was asked thirty questions in a video shared by the Belgian Royal Palace on Tuesday, one of which was whether he plans on continuing to work or if he will one day leave it [the throne] to his daughter Princess Elisabeth, like his father, King Albert II, did with him.
“A King steps back, but is not retired,” Philippe answered, translated to English. “I will continue to work for Belgium and I must give my daughter time to enjoy her youth, develop herself and see the world and I support her 100 percent in that and I will do everything I can to give her all the time she needs to do.”
Philippe's father, Albert II, who became King in August of 1993, abdicated on Belgium’s National Day in 2013. In a televised address announcing his decision to step down weeks earlier, Albert II said (via DW News): "I realise that my age and my health are no longer allowing me to carry out my duties as I would like to.”
He continued, "After a reign of 20 years I believe the moment is here to hand over the torch to the next generation. Prince Philippe is well prepared to succeed me."
Philippe ascended the throne following his father’s abdication. His 23-year-old daughter Princess Elisabeth is first in line to the Belgian throne.
The Princess, who speaks Dutch, French, German and English, obtained her bachelor's degree in history and politics from Lincoln College, University of Oxford, which she graduated from last July. Elisabeth is now pursuing a master's degree in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School. Back in September, the Belgian Royal Palace shared photos of the heir to the Belgian throne at her new school in the United States. "Hello USA! 👋 ," the palace wrote alongside the pictures (translated to English). "Princess Elisabeth began her master's degree in public policy at the @harvardkennedyschool. 🙌."
When it was announced that the Princess would be attending the university in Massachusetts, the palace noted that the two-year course would complete her university education, adding, “The Princess was also selected for an ‘Honorary Award’ from the Fulbright program, the international exchange program in the field of education of the United States Department of State.” According to her page on the palace's website, "Princess Elisabeth regularly returns to Belgium and remains involved in Belgian public life during activities alone, with His Majesty the King or her family."