Prince Leopold

Queen Marie-Henrietta and Prince Leopold

Prince Leopold Ferdinand Elias Victor Albert Maria (Laeken 12 June 1859 – Laeken 22 January 1869) was the only son of then Prince Leopold and Princess Marie-Henrietta of Belgium, the later King Leopold II and Queen Marie-Henrietta.

At the age of 9, he accidentally fell into a lake while playing with a boat. Following this fall, the Prince caught a severe pneumonia, from which he never recovered. His bad condition was kept secret for many months, but by autumn the Court released daily health bulletins.

Unfortunately the young Prince died soon afterwards. At his funeral, King Leopold fell to his knees and cried. It was the only time the King was seen crying in public.

Prince Leopold carried the titles Prince of Belgium, Count of Hainaut, Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Duke of Brabant. After his death, and a failed attempt to produce another male heir, the succession line to the Belgian throne was continued by Leopold II’s brother, Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders, and his sons, Princes Baudouin and Albert.

Photo in the public domain.

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