Belgium’s line of succession to the throne is based upon cognatic primogeniture where males and females have equal succession rights. The succession law was changed in 1991 to allow female succession. Before 1991, the Salic Law, which prohibits female succession, was in effect. Princess Elisabeth, The Duchess of Brabant, the eldest child of King Philippe will be Belgium’s first Queen Regnant.
For more information see:
Line of Succession to the Belgian Throne
Heraldica: The Belgian Succession
For more information about the Royal Family of Belgium, past and present see Unofficial Royalty: Belgian Index.
Philippe, King of the Belgians, the eldest of the three children of Albert II, King of the Belgians, is the current monarch of the Kingdom of Belgium. On July 21, 2013, Belgium’s National Day, King Albert II abdicated in favor of his son Phillippe.
The current order of succession is:
- HRH Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Duchess of Brabant, born 2001, oldest child of King Philippe
- HRH Prince Gabriel of Belgium, born 2003, second child of King Philippe
- HRH Prince Emmanuel of Belgium, born 2005, third child of King Philippe
- HRH Princess Eléonore of Belgium, born 2008, fourth child of King Philippe
- HI&RH Princess Astrid of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este, born 1962, second child of King Albert II
- HI&RH Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este, born 1986, oldest child of Princess Astrid
- Anna Astrid, Archduchess of Austria-Este, born 2016, oldest child of Prince Amedeo
- Maximilian, Archduke of Austria-Este, born 2019, second child of Prince Amedeo
- HI&RH Princess Maria Laura of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este, born 1988, second child of Princess Astrid
- HI&RH Prince Joachim of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este, born 1991, third child of Princess Astrid
- HI&RH Princess Luisa Maria of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este, born 1995, fourth child of Princess Astrid
- HI&RH Princess Laetitia Maria of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este, born 2003, fifth child of Princess Astrid
- HRH Prince Laurent of Belgium, born 1963, third child of King Albert II
- HRH Princess Louise of Belgium, born 2004, oldest child of Prince Laurent
- HRH Prince Nicolas of Belgium, born 2005, second child of Prince Laurent
- HRH Prince Aymeric of Belgium, born 2005, third child of Prince Laurent