Voting Station

King Leopold III

Please vote to return to collections.

Monarch

The Resume

    (November 3, 1901-September 25, 1983)
    Birth name was Léopold Philippe Charles Albert Meinrad Hubertus Marie Miguel of Belgium, Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duke in Saxony
    Son of King Albert I
    Duke of Brabant, Heir Prince (1909)
    Married Princess Astrid of Sweden (1926)
    Fathered Joséphine-Charlotte (Grand Duchess of Luxembourg), King Baudouin I and King Albert II
    King of the Belgians (1934-1951)
    Married Lilian Baels (1941) and had three more children

Why he might be annoying:

    He crashed his car into a Swiss ravine, killing the beloved Queen Astrid (1935).
    His behavior during World War II provoked trouble.
    In opposition to the Belgian government-in-exile, he signed an unconditional surrender demanded by the Germans.
    Whilst Belgium was invaded, he unconstitutionally married the socialite Lilian Baels. The religious ceremony had preceded the civil wedding.
    He was then declared 'unable to rule,' and chased away to Switzerland. His brother Prince Charles was named Regent (1944-1950).
    A referendum was held about his return. A majority approved, and in 1950, an all-Catholic government returned him to Belgium.
    But Walloons (the French-speaking, 'Red' minority) had voted against this return, and launched violent demonstrations. The Flemish (the Dutch-speaking, Catholic majority) countered. People died.
    On the verge of civil war, he abdicated in favor of his eldest son.
    This inaugurated the persistent conflict between the two linguistic communities of Belgium.
    He was reluctant to pay municipal taxes.

Why he might not be annoying:

    Despite his youth, he served in World War I.
    After the capitulation, he refused to collaborate with the Nazis, and his family was imprisoned in Germany and Austria.
    During his retirement, he explored the world, photographing it.

Credit: Sviatoslav Mixer


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 62 Votes: 69.35% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 100 Votes: 42.00% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 83 Votes: 55.42% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 303 Votes: 60.40% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 35 Votes: 54.29% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 132 Votes: 50.76% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 20 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 100 Votes: 57.00% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 94 Votes: 52.13% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 94 Votes: 58.51% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 16 Votes: 68.75% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 101 Votes: 71.29% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 61 Votes: 65.57% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 34 Votes: 76.47% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 38 Votes: 71.05% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 78 Votes: 65.38% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 98 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 90 Votes: 67.78% Annoying