BELGIUM’S KING.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20313, 24 May 1934, Page 9

BELGIUM’S KING.

Ruler With Strong Sense of Duty. Beyond the borders of Belgium very few people know that Leopold, Duke -;f Brabant, did not become King of the Belgians on the death of his father, King Albert. The Belgian constitution, which is a unique exception among those of European kingdoms, declares that the heir to the throne must remain simply n prince until he has taken his oath of allegiance to the Belgian Liberties in the presence of Parliament. During the few days which elapsed between the death of King Albert and tlio taking of the oath bv his son, the sovereign powers rested with the Council of Ministers. His son Leopold showed last year, through a very important personal act of his own, that lie lias inherited the strong sense of duty which was the noblest part of his father’s character. As a prince of the royal blood be was a member of the Senate, and as such he rose in the upper house a few months ago and delivered a splendid speech on the responsibilities of Belgian administration for the welfare, of the Congo, the great African colony which Leopold IT. succeeded in creating for Belgium 50 years ago. Prince Leopold, wlm had visited the Congo and who had examined its problems with great care, and who also had studied the colonial systems of the Dutch and the English during his extensive travels, said as a synthesis of his powerful speech: “Incorporated companies may find in the Congo important returns for their capitals, and this is all right; but Belgium is more than a financial concern; Belgium is a moral entity, and we will forfeit our mission if wo do not succeed in taking greater care of the welfare of the natives, if we fail to assist them with an agricultural revival of the immense territory for which we are responsible to history and to humanity.” This speech, which he thought over and prepared alone without asking or taking any advice either from friends or experts, is, in my opinion, Leopold’s best portrait and his best promise (says an English writer). As a man, as an individual, Leopold of Belgium is one of the most charming personalities I have ever met. A great sportsman, ho is a first-rate nwiminer and an exceptionally good golf player. Those who have had the rare privilege of seeing him m the simple, small castle beside Laeken, where until he became King he used to live with his wife, the most charming Princess Astrid, whom ho married in 192 G, and their two children, can say that ' they have seen a perfect example of human happiness and divine simplicity. But this simplicity is enriched with an original vein of humour which, unless I am very mistaken, is going to be the despair of flatterers and courtiers. Like his father, for whom he has always felt a deep and respectful tenderness from the time he was a child, Leopold of Belgium knows too well just what obsequiousness before a King is worth. He is a true Belgian, and I ain sure that even as a King he will be more than satisfied with the respectful hut individualistic and independent little bow of the Belgians, who used to fake off Iheir hats to his father in the streets simply thinking, “ He is a good fellow.”