- King Albert's 20-year reign officially came to an end during a series of ceremonies in Brussels
- The 79-year-old monarch handed the throne over to his son Philippe after he swore the king's oath
King Albert of Belgium abdicated earlier today after a 20-year reign, clearing the way for his son, Philippe, to take over as this fractured nation's seventh king later in the day.
The 79-year-old signed away his rights as the kingdom's largely ceremonial ruler at the Royal Palace in the presence of Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, who holds the political power in this 183-year-old parliamentary democracy.
The country will get a new king when Prince Philippe, 53, takes the oath before the nation's legislators at the Parliament building a short walk across the Royal Park in the heart of the city.
Final act: King Albert II of Belgium signs the deed of abdication, as Crown Prince Philippe (left) and Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo (right) look on during the ceremony at the Royal Palace earlier today
Last speech: King Albert II of Belgium addresses the audience during the abdication ceremony inside the Royal Palace
Abdication: King Albert only announced he was stepping down three weeks ago on health grounds, pictured her with son Philippe
Royal Palace: The former king signed his abdication in the grand setting of the Royal Palace
End of an era: Throngs of people lined the streets eager to catch a glimpse of the much-loved monarch King Albert, pictured here with his wife Queen Paola
The outgoing king said: 'Belgium is modernizing itself and it gives me joy.'
He then called for continued cohesion between the nation's 6 million Dutch-speaking Flemings and 4.5 million French-speakers.
Under crystal chandeliers in a gilded hall at the Royal Palace, Di Rupo called Albert 'a great head of state'.
He added: 'You are closing an important page in the history of our country.'
New era: Prince Philippe arrives at the packed church St Gudule with wife Mathilde this morning for a service held to commemorate his corronation
Embrace: The former monarch King Albert embraces his son warmly at the church. King Philippe has taken over after his father decided to step aside on health grounds
Emotional: Queen Paola, left, wipes away a tear at the cathedral as she sits next to her husband and the newly crowned King Philippe (right)
Dignitaries: The cathedral was packed with Belgium officials, but no foreign royalty were present due to the fact King Albert only announced his abdication three weeks ago
Packed: The cathedral was full to bursting with dignitaries and royal family for the momentous occasion
Grand: The new monarch King Philippe of Belgium and his wife Queen Mathilde posed on the steps of the impressive Cathedral of St Michael and Saint Gudula
Head of State: The new King Philippe waves to the crowd alongside his wife Queen Mathilde on this historic day for the people of Belgium
Earlier both Albert and Philippe mingled with the crowds under a royal blue sky following a Catholic ceremony at the Cathedral of St Michael and Saint Gudula that set off the festivities.
King Albert announced his abdication plans less than three weeks ago, so there was little time to turn the occasion into a huge international event.
No foreign royals were at the ceremony. Since the royal transition coincides with Belgium's national day celebrations, a military parade had already been planned.
New Queen: King Philippe will supported throughout his reign by his glamorous wife Mathilde. Right, Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo attended the ceremony
Glamorous: The new Queen Mathilde looked stunning in a cream dress and stylish hat as she waved to the crowd when leaving the cathedral
Ceremonial: The new King Philippe is expected to avoid the thorny issue of Belgium politics, as his father before him has managed to do successfully throughout his reign
Farewell: King Albert II waves goodbye to his people from his royal car
Royalty: Princess Astrid of Belgium is seen in front of the Cathedral of St Michael and Saint Gudula prior to the Abdication Of King Albert
Royal couple Princess Claire of Belgium and Prince Laurent arrive for the traditional Te Deum Mass at the Cathedral of St Michael and Saint Gudula on the occasion of Belgium's National Day in Brussels
Mass: Princess Claire of Belgium arrives for the traditional Te Deum Mass at the Cathedral of St Michael and Saint Gudula. Right, Queen Paola
Wellwishers: Crowds of people gather at Place du Jeu de Balle to pay tribute to popular King Albert, who has reigned for 20 years. Those at the back were able to watch on big screens
Colour: The scene around the abdication was awash with red, yellow and black, the colours of the Belgium flag
Packed: The public gathered in the streets of Brussels in droves to catch a glimpse of their popular royal family
Philippe will face a tough task in the coming months. The fractious nation, divided by language, holds parliamentary elections in June 2014 amid calls for even more autonomy for the language groups.
After the last elections in 2010, it took a record 541 days before a government could be formed amid bickering about how much more power should be sapped from the central state to profit the separate language groups.
Unlike his five predecessors, King Albert tried to avoid politics as much as possible and his successor is expected to do the same.
Ball: King Albert and Queen Paola of Belgium greet crowds during the National Ball in Brussels last night on the eve of the National Day celebrations
Historic moment: King Albert of Belgium (left) abdicated earlier today following a 20-year reign and has passed the crown to his son Philippe (right)
Prince Philippe has been groomed for the job as a leader of foreign trade delegations over the past two decades.
'He is a very wise person, a person who is very well prepared,' said EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, who attended the ceremony.
'He is a very wise person, a person who is very well prepared,' said EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, who attended the ceremony.
'He knows the politics of Belgium and Europe very well.'
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