Belgian King Albert to abdicate tomorrow

King Albert II of the Belgians will abdicate on Sunday in favour of his eldest son, Crown Prince Phillipe, who will become the seventh King of the Belgians. The 79-year old King Albert, on July 3, announced that he will leave his throne on July 21, the National Day of Belgium. According to the programme posted on the website of the Belgian monarchy, events kick off with prayers in the Brussels Cathedral and after that King Albert will sign the abdication act. At noon King Phillipe will swear his oath of allegiance to the Belgian Constitution and become King of the Belgians. This will be followed in the afternoon by a military parade which takes place every year on the National Day. In the evening the new king Phillipe and queen Mathilde will attend public celebration in the Park of Brussels. Reportedly no foreign royalty or dignitaries have been invited to Sunday's celebrations.