Who was Leopold III of Belgium? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Leopold Filips Karel Albert Meinrad Hubertus Maria Miguel

Died At Age: 81

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Mary Lilian Baels (m. 1941), Princess Astrid of Sweden (m. 1926)

mother: Elisabeth of Bavaria - Queen of Belgium

children: Albert II of Belgium, Baudouin of Belgium, Ingeborg Verdun, Prince Alexandre of Belgium, Princess Joséphine Charlotte of Belgium, Princess Marie-Christine of Belgium, Princess Marie-Esméralda of Belgium

Born Country: Belgium

Emperors & Kings Belgian Men

Died on: September 25, 1983

place of death: Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium

Cause of Death: Complications Following Heart Surgery

Ancestry: German Belgian, Portuguese Belgian

City: Brussels, Belgium

More Facts

education: Eton College

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1

Was Leopold III of Belgium involved in World War II?

Yes, Leopold III of Belgium was a controversial figure during World War II. He surrendered to the Germans in 1940, a decision that sparked controversy and led to his eventual abdication in 1951.
2

What was the Royal Question in Belgium related to Leopold III?

The Royal Question in Belgium centered around whether Leopold III should return to the throne after World War II. It divided the country and eventually led to his abdication in favor of his son, Baudouin.
3

How did Leopold III's actions during World War II impact Belgium?

Leopold III's decision to surrender to the Germans and his subsequent actions during the war were controversial and led to a divided public opinion in Belgium. Many viewed him as a collaborator, while others saw him as a patriot trying to protect his people.
4

What was the outcome of the referendum on Leopold III's return to the throne?

In 1950, a referendum was held in Belgium to decide whether Leopold III should return to the throne. The results were split, with the majority in favor of his return, but the controversy and opposition ultimately led to his abdication.
5

How is Leopold III remembered in Belgian history?

Leopold III is remembered as a controversial figure in Belgian history due to his actions during World War II and the subsequent Royal Question that divided the country. His legacy remains a topic of debate and discussion in Belgium.

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Childhood & Early Life

Prince Leopold was born on 3 November 1901, in Brussels, Belgium, to Albert I and Duchess Elisabeth in Bavaria.

He acquired the title of Duke of Brabant in 1909 when his father became “King of the Belgians.” In 1914, he was allowed to be enlisted as a private and fight in defense of the kingdom in the Belgian army. However, a year later, he was advised to study at the Eton College after Germans occupied Belgium.

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A Parliamentary System in Crisis

After the death of his father, Leopold III succeeded to the throne of Belgium on 23 February 1934. Between 1934 and 1940, King Leopold saw the establishment of at least nine national governments.

He favored an independent foreign policy, though not strict neutrality. He withdrew Belgium from the Pact of Locarno, a peace agreement formerly forged among Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, and Great Britain after Germany occupied the Rhineland in 1936.

He eventually pulled Belgium out of Franco-Belgian agreements as well and received much criticism from the citizens, especially from the French speaking section.

On 10 May 1940, the armed forces of Nazi Germany invaded Belgium, France, Netherlands, and Luxemburg. Following the invasion, Leopold, without any direct consent of his government, went to Breendonk in order to command the Belgian army.

He refused to join the government in exile in France and decided to remain in Belgium with his armed forces. This resulted in a tiff between him and Prime Minister Hubert Pierlot who wanted Belgium to side with the allied forces. Eventually, the delegation left Leopold and joined the rest in exile in France.

Surrender

Belgian, French, and British troops were encircled by the German army at the Battle of Dunkirk. On 25 May 1940, Leopold notified King George VI about the state of their army. Two days later, he decided to surrender the Belgian forces to the Germans to prevent further bloodshed.

After his surrender, Pierlot addressed the nation and said the king's decision went against the Belgian Constitution. The British press labeled him as "King Rat" and "Traitor King".

The king was eventually captured by the Germans. He spent about four years in imprisonment in Laken and was finally deported to Germany in June 1944. In September, his brother Prince Charles was made the regent.

After the fall of France

Upon the king’s surrender, his ministers left for exile in France. They sought to return to Belgium after France fell in June 1940.

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Pierlot and his government’s ministers tried to make amends to Leopold. The latter, however, showed his stubborn nature and decided not to reconcile with them, eventually leaving no other option for them than to move to London.

Prime Minister Pierlot and his team could reach London only via neutral Portugal and Spain. Upon their arrival in Spain, they were arrested and detained for some time before finally arriving in London.

Meeting with Adolf Hitler

On 19 November 1940, Leopold met Adolf Hitler. He wanted to persuade the latter to release Belgian prisoner of wars and also issue a statement about Belgium's future independence.

In December 1942, he wrote to the chairman of the Red Cross about the matter. In return, he received a threatening letter from Hitler.

Hitler made Leopold engage in treasonous acts with Germany which would likely lead the latter to abdicate upon Belgium’s liberation.

The Political Testament

During the war, the government ministers made numerous efforts to work out an agreement with their king. In January 1944, Pierlot's son-in-law was sent to Leopold, carrying a letter of reconciliation. The letter never reached the king and the ministers assumed that the king was ignoring them.

In January 1944, Leopold also wrote his “Political Testament.” Bearing a negative tone, the testament clarified that he didn’t regret his abdication. It also didn’t give any credit to the active Belgian resistance.

The Belgian government did not publish Leopold’s testament and ignored it. In September 1944, when Pierlot and his team members learned of its contents, they felt deceived by the king.

Exile & Later Life

In May 1945, Leopold and his team were liberated by the United States 106th Cavalry Group. He alongside his wife and children spent the subsequent six years in exile at Pregny-Chambésy in Switzerland.

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On his return to his country in 1950, the former king met with one of the most violent strikes in the history of Belgium.

On 1 August 1950, Leopold decided to withdraw in favor of his son, Baudouin. A year later, his abdication officially took effect.

After resignation, he continued to advise his son, King Baudouin, until 1960. He spent his post-abdication years travelling, as an amateur social entomologist and anthropologist.

Leopold died on 25 September 1983, in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, following emergency heart surgery. He was 81.

Facts About Leopold III of Belgium

Leopold III of Belgium was an avid mountaineer and enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors, often embarking on hiking expeditions in the Belgian Ardennes.

Despite his royal status, Leopold III was known for his frugal habits and simple tastes, preferring modest living arrangements and engaging in activities that were accessible to the common people.

Leopold III had a passion for music and was a talented pianist, often entertaining guests at the royal palace with his musical performances.

In addition to his royal duties, Leopold III was a dedicated conservationist and played a key role in establishing several national parks in Belgium to protect the country's natural heritage.

Leopold III had a deep love for animals and was particularly fond of horses, often spending time riding and caring for them on his estate.

Family & Personal Life

On 4 November 1926, Leopold III married Princess Astrid of Sweden. They had three children, Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium, Prince Baudouin of Belgium, and Prince Albert of Belgium.

On 29 August 1935, Leopold and Astrid were travelling in a car that he was driving in Switzerland. Leopold lost control while driving on a narrow road and the queen died in the ensuing accident.

In 1941, Leopold secretly married his second wife, Lilian Baels, who was expecting their first child. Their marriage produced three children in total, Prince Alexandre of Belgium, Princess Marie-Christine of Belgium, and Princess Marie-Esméralda of Belgium.

Leopold III of Belgium Biography

You wanted to know

Was Leopold III of Belgium involved in World War II?

What was the Royal Question in Belgium related to Leopold III?

How did Leopold III's actions during World War II impact Belgium?

What was the outcome of the referendum on Leopold III's return to the throne?

How is Leopold III remembered in Belgian history?