HEIR TO THRONE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21729, 19 February 1934, Page 9

HEIR TO THRONE

CROWN PRINCE LEOPOLD p TRAINING AS A SOLDIER BRIDE A SWEDISH PRINCESS The Belgian Crown Prince, Leopold, Duke of Brabant, heir to the throne so tragically made vacant, was born at Brussels on November 3, 1901. Until the outbreak of the World "War, he was educated by private tutors, including the present Cardinal van Boey. When Belgium was invaded by the Germans, the Crown Princo and his brother and sister were sent to England. Prince Leopold was at Eton for a time, but he enlisted in the Belgian Army in 1915 at the age of 13 years 5 months. On completing his education he entered the Military College at tho age of 18 and became second lieutenant in the Grenadiers.

By the end of 1927 he had reached the rank of captain. In order to familiarise himself with Belgium's colonial dominion he spent six months in the Congo in 1926. In accordance with the constitution he became a member of the Senate on attaining the age of 21. He made the first use of his right in January, 1928, when he attended a sitting of Parliament. The Duchess of Vastcrgotland and her third daughter, Princess Astrid, niece'of the King of Sweden, visited the Queen of the Belgians, who thought the girl would lie a suitable wife for Prince Leopold. In March, 1926, he and his mother went to Stockholm, and he then saw Princess Astrid for the first time. They met again at Luxemburg and further visits followed, with the result that the betrothal was announced in September, 1926. It was emphasised that it was based on warm mutual affection.

/fhe wedding took place in November in two stages—the civil ceremony in Stockholm and the religious service in Brussels. The bride was and remains a Protestant, while the Prince is a Catholic. The honeymoon was spent in the South of France and in Paris, where the young couple stayed in a hotel incognito as M. and Mine. Losange from Mcntone. They had a great welcome home to Belgium. On October 11, 1927, the Crown Princess gave birth to a daughter, who was christened Josephine Charlotte lugeborg Elisabeth Marie-Jose Astrid. On September 7, 1930, a son was born to the Royal pair. The birth of a male heir was joyously acclaimed by the people. In the words of a proclamation road by the Burgomaster of Brussels, this event "would secure the continuance of the dynasty which for a century had ruled the nation's destinies and so powerfully contributed to the greatness and glory of Belgium."