Belgian Monarchy: FAQs

Q. What is the dynastic name of the Royal Family?
A. The Royal Family of Belgium belong to the House of house of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha – a branch from the House of Wettin.

Q. What is the official title of the King and Queen?
A. In Belgium, the King and Queen are officially styled Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians. Their title is directly linked to the Belgian people and not to the territory and state of Belgium.

Q. Who is the Duke of Brabant?
A. The Dukedom of Brabant was created for the Crown Prince of Belgium, though the title itself has a much longer history and is associated with several dynasties including the Houses of Burgundy and Hapsburg. The current holder of the Dukedom is His Royal Highness The Prince Philippe of Belgium.

Q. Where does Prince Amadeo live and work?
A. Currently, the Prince spends most of his time in New York City as he currently works for Deloitte.

Q. What does HI&RH stand for?
A. It means His/Her Imperial and Royal Highness.

In Belgium, by virtue of the marriage of The Princess Astrid to the Archduke of Austria-Este, The Princess along with her descendants holds the style and title of Imperial and Royal Highness as the Archduke is a member of the Hungarian, Bohemian and Austrian Imperial Monarchies.

Q. Who is the current King of the Belgians?
A. His Majesty the King Albert II of the Belgians is the current Sovereign. He came to the throne after the death of his older brother King Baudouin of the Belgians in 1993.

Q. What does the current line of succession to the throne in Belgium look like?

A. The top 10 in line to the succession are:

1. H.R.H. The Duke of Brabant
2. H.R.H. Princess Elisabeth of Belgium
3. H.R.H. Prince Gabriel of Belgium
4. H.R.H. Prince Emmanuel of Belgium
5. H.R.H. Princess Eléonore of Belgium
6. H.I.&R.H. The Archduchess of Austria-Esté
7. H.I.&R.H. Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este
8. H.I.&R.H. Princess Maria Laura of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este
9. H.I.&R.H. Prince Joachim of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este
10. H.I.&R.H. Princess Luisa Maria of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este