1830: the Belgian declaration of independence

On 4 October 1830 the Provisional Government issued a declaration
of Independence.

Declaration of independence

After Dutch forces were expelled from Brussels on 27 September 1830,
the recently-created Revolutionary Committee transformed into the
Provisional Government. 

Source picture: Wikipedia

There were only a few members of the Provisional Government:

* Charles Rogier 

* Emmanuel, Baron van der Linden d'Hooghvorst 

* Félix, Count de Mérode 

* Alexandre Gendebien 

* Sylvain Van de Weyer 

* André-Edouard Jolly 

* Feuillen, Baron de Coppin de Falaën 

* Joseph Van der Linden 

* Louis de Potter 

* Jean Nicolay 

And so, the independence of Belgium as a state was officially
declared on 4 October.

The Congress Column is a monumental column in Brussels, Belgium,

commemorating the creation of the Belgian Constitution by the

National Congress of 1830–31. 

own pictures taken in 2023

Afterwards

In November 1830, the National Congress of Belgium was established to
create a constitution for the new state. The Congress decided that Belgium
would be a popular, constitutional monarchy.

On 7 February 1831, the Belgian Constitution was proclaimed.
However, no actual monarch yet sat on the throne.

A difficult search to a new King began. The Congress drew up a
shortlist of three candidates, all of whom were French. This itself led
to political opposition, and Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, who had been
considered at an early stage but dropped due to French opposition,
was proposed again.

On 22 April 1831, Leopold was approached by a Belgian delegation at
Marlborough House to officially offer him the throne.

own picture taken in 2023 in Trainworld

At first reluctant to accept, he eventually took up the offer, and after
an enthusiastic popular welcome on his way to Brussels,
Leopold I of Belgium took his oath as king on 21 July 1831.

Source picture: Wikipedia