Leopold III (Belgium)

Leopold III 1901-83, king of the Belgians (1934-51), son and successor of Albert I . In 1936, Leopold announced a fundamental change in foreign policy; Belgium abandoned its military alliance with France in favor of a return to neutrality. In May, 1940, Germany—which in 1937 had guaranteed Belgian neutrality—invaded the Low Countries. Leopold led the Belgian army in resisting the invaders. After the defense became hopeless, Leopold, over the opposition of his cabinet, surrendered unconditionally (May 28), thus provoking accusations of treason. A prisoner of war at his castle at Laken, Leopold refused to exercise an active rule under German tutelage. After his first wife, Astrid, was killed in an automobile accident while Leopold was at the wheel, he married (1941) a commoner, whom he later created princess of Réthy. Removed (1944) to Germany, Leopold was freed by Allied troops in 1945. His return to Belgium was a burning political issue. The Liberal and leftist parties accused him of cooperation with Nazi Germany and of fascist sympathies, and his main support came from the Catholic Conservatives. In 1945, Leopold was barred from returning without the permission of the parliament. He spent his exile mostly in Switzerland while his brother, Prince Charles, acted as regent. A referendum held in 1950 favored the king's return by a slight majority. However, Leopold's arrival in Belgium was followed by such unrest that he transferred the royal powers to his eldest son, Baudouin . In July, 1951, Leopold formally abdicated.

Leopold III (1901–83) King of Belgium (1934–51). When the Germans invaded Belgium (1940) during World War II, he declined to accompany the government into exile and surrendered. He remained in Belgium during the war, until removed to Germany in 1944. On his return, he encountered such fierce opposition that he abdicated in favour of his son, Baudouin.

Leopold III (b. 3 Nov. 1901, d. 25 Sept. 1983). King of the Belgians 1934–51 He was educated at Eton and at Ghent University. Following the German invasion in World War II he took command of the army, which was hopelessly outnumbered, and on 28 May 1940 he ordered a cease-fire, even though the Prime Minister ordered the Belgians to continue their resistance. He was resident at Laeken Castle until June 1944, when he was imprisoned by the Germans. After his liberation in 1945 he went into exile in Switzerland while a commission investigated his conduct during the war. It found no fault in his actions, and in 1950 a small majority voted for his return in a referendum. However, there were serious riots and Belgium was near civil war. He was finally persuaded to abdicate in favour of his son Baudouin I (b. 1930, d. 1993), who managed to unite his country and strengthen the monarchy.