fme_1116777 - BELGIQUE - ROYAUME DE BELGIQUE - RÈGNE DE LÉOPOLD III, RÉGENCE DU PRINCE CHARLES Médaille, Elie Rigaud

BELGIUM - KINGDOM OF BELGIUM - REIGN OF LEOPOLD III, REGENCY OF PRINCE CHARLES

(21/9/1944-20/7/1950)

Leopold III's policy of neutrality, his capitulation in 1940 and his non-resistance from 1940 to 1944 were highly criticized by a large part of Belgian opinion after the liberation. Belgium would then be divided over the royal question for five years and the regency was entrusted to Prince Charles, brother of King Leopold III who had retired to Switzerland. In 1945, it was decided that Leopold III could reign again only after a vote of the parliament. On March 12, 1950, a referendum gave a slight majority for the resumption of power by the king. Returning to Belgium and thus putting an end to the regency of Prince Charles, Leopold III was however welcomed by strikes and demonstrations. He then decided to transfer his powers to Crown Prince Baudoin, whom he named Prince Royal in August 1950, then he abdicated in his favor in July 1951..