The Belgian authors Emmanuel Gerard and Mark Van den Wijngaert are writing a book about the late King Baudouin of Belgium.
His Majesty King Baudouin died 25 years ago and the anniversary for his death will be commemorated with this book. This was first reported by the Belgian newspaper Vorsten earlier this week.
The book will focus on his reign as a monarch in a post-war Belgium. The book pays extensive attention to the king’s private life. Among other things, his difficult childhood years, the influence of father Leopold III and his marriage with Fabiola are all discussed. The book also examines the impact that Baudouin had on politics and his role in government formation and federalisation.
King Baudouin, an uncle of the current Belgian King Philippe, died on July 31, 1993, at the age of 62 from cardiac arrest during his holiday in Motril in Spain. His wife, Queen Fabiola, died in December 2014 at the age of 86.
Baudouin and Fabiola with US President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon in May 1969. Photo: Schumacher, Karl H / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration via Wikimedia Commons.
Baudouin reigned as the fifth King of the Belgians, following his father’s abdication, from 1951 until his death in 1993. He was the last Belgian King to be sovereign of Congo.
Baudouin was the elder son of King Leopold III (1901–83) and his first wife, Princess Astrid of Sweden (1905–35). Because he had no children with his wife, Fabiola de Mora, the crown passed to his younger brother, Albert II (formerly Prince of Liège), following his death.
The author Emmanuel Gerard is a historian and professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. He teaches at the Faculty of Social Sciences: History of the Contemporary Society, Political History of Belgium and Belgian Politics since 1945. The second author, Mark Van den Wijngaert is also a Belgian professor and well-known royalty expert.
