Prince Charles of Belgium
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Belgian Royalty
Saxe-Coburg and Gotha>House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
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| Leopold I
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| Children
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| Prince Louis-Philippe
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| Leopold II
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| Philippe, Count of Flanders
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| Charlotte, Empress of Mexico
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| Grandchildren
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| Prince Baudouin
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| Princess Josephine Marie
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| Princess Henriette, Duchess of Vendome and Alencon
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| Princess Josephine Caroline
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| Albert I
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| Leopold II
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| Children
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| Princess Louise-Marie
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| Leopold, Duke of Brabant
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| Stéphanie, Crown Princess of Austria
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| Princess Clémentine
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| Albert I
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| Children
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| Leopold III
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| Prince Charles
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| Marie-José, Queen of Italy
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| Leopold III
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| Children
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| Joséphine-Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
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| Baudouin
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| Albert II
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| Prince Alexander
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| Princess Marie-Christine
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| Princess Maria-Esmeralda
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| Baudouin
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| Albert II
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| Children
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| Philippe, Duke of Brabant
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| Astrid, Archduchess of Austria-Este
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| Prince Laurent
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| Grandchildren
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| Princess Elisabeth
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| Prince Gabriel
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| Prince Emmanuel
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| Princess Louise
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| Prince Nicolas
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| Prince Aymeric
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Prince Charles,
Charles Théodore Henri Antoine Meinrad,
Count of Flanders, Prince of
Belgium (
October 10,
1903—
June 1,
1983), was the second son of King
Albert I of Belgium and
Queen Elizabeth. He reigned in lieu of his older brother
Léopold III of Belgium from
1944 until
1950 as
Prince Regent until Léopold III of Belgium could return to the throne. Shortly after however, Léopold III
abdicated in favour of his
Heir Apparent, his son
Baudouin.
Prince Charles was appointed Regent when the German occupation ended in 1944. The role of his brother Léopold III during World War II as well as his marriage to Mary Lilian Baels was questioned and he became too controversial to remain on the throne.
Charles's regency was dominated by the events resulting from the ending of the German occupation and the controversy around Léopold III. This period determined very much events in later decades. During his regency important economical and political decisions were taken.
Belgium managed to jump start its national economy with the aid of American assistance provided under the Marshall plan. The building sector was stimulated by government grants to repair war damaged buildings and to build social housing. The financial sector was sanitized through the "Operation Gutt" whereby illegally gained profits during the war were targeted. A social welfare system was introduced and a system of governing labour relations was set up.
More importantly, women obtained the right to vote in parliamentary elections in 1948.
Furthermore, during his regency the Benelux was formed, Belgium became member of the UN and the NATO treaty was signed.
In 1950, his regency ended when Léopold III could return to the throne by
plebiscite. Prince Charles retired from public life, taking up residence in Ostend, and becoming involved in artistic environments. He took up painting and signed his works: "Karel van Vlaanderen" (Charles of
Flanders).
He died on June 1 1983 in Ostend (Belgium).
