Gender and the Monarchy in Belgium: Succession and the Exercise of Constitutional and Symbolic Power

Abstract

This article explores the gendered dimensions of the Belgian monarchy by focusing on three distinct topics. First, the article addresses the matter of succession to the throne. In Belgium, the exclusion of women from succeeding to the monarchy came to an end in 1991, but the first female monarch has yet to ascend to the throne. Next, the article examines the gendered dimensions of the way in which Belgium’s recent monarchs have exercised their role. As the King’s political role is limited, this article also considers the symbolic role of the King, which carries over to his private and family life. After the crisis known as the “royal issue” in the early 1950s, there has been only one constitutional crisis in Belgium that directly involved the monarchy: the refusal of King Boudewijn (Baudouin/Baldwin) to assent to the law legalizing abortion in 1990. The refusal concerned not only the exercise of the constitutional role of the monarch, but also a key issue of the women’s movement, and this article examines the development and significance of this crisis. Finally, the article analyses the current controversy concerning the refusal of the former king, Albert II, to recognize an extramarital daughter. Men’s refusal to take on responsibility for (some of) the children they father is a classical theme of feminist indignation. Arguably, the former king’s attitude on this matter in his private and family life affects the symbolic power of the monarchy.