Today in History - December 10th. 1865 - Death of Leopold I of Belgium
On December 10th. 1865, Leopold I, the first King of Belgium died in Laeken,
near Brussels.
near Brussels.
Painting of King Leopold I of Belgium
own picture
own picture
Leopold I was born on December 16th. 1790 in Coburg (Germany).
His parents were Francis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and
Countess Augusta Reuss-Ebersdorf.
In 1795, Leopold was appointed as colonel of the Izmaylovsky Guards
Regiment in Russia.
In 1815, he reached the rank of Lieutenant general. in the
Imperial Russian Army.
Russian Imperial Army - Source picture: Wikipedia
In 1816, Leopold married Princess Charlotte of Wales. She was the second in line
for the British throne. In 1817, Princess Charlotte delivered a stillborn son. She died
a day later.
On October 4th. 1830, Belgium became independent from The Netherlands.
In June 1831, Leopold accepted to become the first King of the Belgians.
On June 21th. 1831, he swore allegiance to the Belgian constitution.
Brussels - Own picture
In 1832, King Leopold I married Louise of Orléans (a French Princess).
Queen Louise - Own picture
They had 4 children inter alia, King Leopold II of Belgium and Princess Charlotte,
who became later Empress of Mexico.
In 1840, King Leopold I arranged the wedding of his niece, Queen Victoria of
the United Kingdom and his cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
King Leopold I died on the age of 74. He is buried in the Royal Vault in the
Church of Our Lady in Laeken.
If you want to know more about the Royal History of Belgium, please check
the page: 'Belgium a Royal History' on top of my blog:
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