Belgian King to abdicate aged 79

Belgium’s King Albert is to abdicate in favour of crown prince Philippe.

The announcement had been rumoured for weeks and ends nearly two decades of steady reign over a fractious kingdom, one which has been increasingly torn apart by political strife between northern Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking southern Wallonia.

Frail at 79, King Albert will be handing over the throne on July 21 to his son Philippe, who is 53.

He said his “age and health” no longer allow him to carry out his functions as he would want to.