Belgium’s King Albert II abdicates in favor of son Philippe

BRUSSELS — Belgium’s King Albert has abdicated after a 20-year reign with his son Philippe ready to take the oath as the nation’s seventh king later in the day.

At the royal palace on Sunday, the 79-year-old Albert signed away his rights as the kingdom’s largely ceremonial ruler in the presence of Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, who holds the political power in this 183-year-old parliamentary democracy.

King Albert II of Belgium, second left, his wife Queen Paola, left, Crown Prince Philippe, center, and Crown Princess Mathilde, second right, attend the national ball in the Marolles district of Brussels on Saturday, July 20, 2013, King Albert used his farewell speech Saturday, on the eve of his abdication, to call for unity in the linguistically divided nation. PHOTO/AP

Less than two hours later, Belgium will get a new king when Philippe, 53, takes the oath before the nation’s legislators at the parliament building a short walk across the Royal Park in the heart of the city.

Early in the day, both Albert and Philippe mingled with the crowds under a royal blue sky following a Catholic ceremony that set off the festivities.