Reports claim Albert II, 79, will apparently address the nation on all major networks and announce he’ll step down on Belgium’s celebratory day on July 21.
Belgian state TV said the King has already met with the government to inform them of his decision.
A statement from the royal palace said: “The core council of ministers has convened in the presence of the king. The king will speak to the people at 1800 (1600 GMT) via a radio and television address.”
Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo will address his constituents after the king.
King Albert became the sixth king of Belgium in 1993 after his brother, King Baudouin, died.
During his reign he’s stepped in as mediator for a squabbling government and become involved in a scandal after it was alleged he had a daughter out of wedlock, which didn’t impress Queen Paola.
The alleged daughter took him to court and it’s claimed this may have had a bearing on his decision to abdicate.
Image via Wikicommons
