In the gallery of royal mishaps and monarchical missteps, King Leopold III of Belgium stands in a league of his own. His 20-year reign from 1934 to 1951 became a masterclass in how not to rule a kingdom, marked by decisions that still echo through Belgian history.
While most monarchs leave legacies of either greatness or mediocrity, Leopold III achieved something remarkably different: he managed to unite his divided nation in collective disappointment.
Here are 12 compelling reasons why Leopold III earned his place as one of history’s most controversial monarchs.
1. Unconstitutional Military Surrender
Leopold III unilaterally surrendered Belgian forces to Nazi Germany on May 28, 1940, without consulting his ministers. (ref) This decision violated the Belgian Constitution, as military capitulation required government approval.
The surrender left thousands of Allied troops exposed during the crucial Battle of Dunkirk and earned him immediate condemnation from British and French leaders.
His actions prompted Prime Minister Pierlot to declare that the king had acted against the constitution, creating an “impossibility to reign” situation. The decision would haunt Leopold’s legacy and plant the seeds for his eventual downfall.
2. Abandoned His Government
Rather than joining his government in exile, Leopold chose to remain in Belgium under German occupation. While he claimed this was to “share the same fate as his troops,” his ministers interpreted it as a potential collaboration with Hitler’s regime.
This decision created a deep rift between the monarchy and the legitimate government-in-exile, effectively leaving Belgium with two competing power centers during the war. The government’s repudiation of his decision laid the foundation for the postwar conflict over his claim to the throne.
3. Secret Marriage Scandal
In September 1941, while Belgium suffered under Nazi occupation, Leopold secretly married Lilian Baels in a religious ceremony that violated Belgian law.
The marriage was particularly controversial because he conducted the religious ceremony before the civil ceremony, directly contravening Belgian legal requirements.
The timing and secretive nature of the marriage severely damaged his popularity among his subjects. The public perceived this personal indulgence during wartime as evidence that he wasn’t truly sharing in their suffering.
4. Failed Political Judgment
Leopold severely misjudged the outcome of World War II, expecting Germany to completely crush Belgium. This miscalculation influenced his decision to surrender and remain in the country, demonstrating poor political foresight.
His meeting with Hitler in November 1940 proved fruitless, as he naively hoped to secure Belgium’s independence while Hitler had no intention of allowing any independent nations. This showed his fundamental misunderstanding of the Nazi regime’s intentions.
5. Constitutional Crisis
Leopold’s actions created the “Royal Question,” a political crisis that nearly tore Belgium apart. His behavior during the war was so controversial that he couldn’t return to Belgium for six years after the war’s end.
The crisis culminated in a referendum in 1950, which, despite showing 57% support for his return, led to violent protests and strikes that threatened to plunge the country into civil war.
6. Damaged Royal Prestige
The British press vilified Leopold, with the Daily Mirror publishing his picture with the headline “The Face That Every Woman Now Despises”. (ref) His reputation was so damaged that Belgian refugees in Paris denounced him as “unworthy” of his father’s legacy.
This international condemnation severely undermined the prestige of the Belgian monarchy, which had previously enjoyed high regard under his father, King Albert I.
7. Power-Grabbing Tendencies
Leopold had a contentious relationship with his ministers, frequently attempting to circumvent their authority and expand his own powers. His desire for stronger rule from the top during times of political instability revealed autocratic tendencies.
This behavior contradicted Belgium’s constitutional monarchy principles and created tension between the crown and government even before the war.
8. Divided the Nation
Leopold’s actions created a deep divide between Flemish and Walloon populations. While he maintained support among Catholic Flemings, he faced fierce opposition from Liberals, Socialists, and Walloons.
This division threatened Belgium’s unity and stability, forcing him to ultimately abdicate to prevent further national discord.
9. Failed Diplomatic Relations
Leopold’s withdrawal from Belgium’s defensive alliance with France and the Pact of Locarno weakened the country’s international position. His pursuit of an independent foreign policy left Belgium more vulnerable when war broke out.
These diplomatic missteps isolated Belgium at a crucial historical moment when international cooperation was vital.
10. Resistance to Accountability
Even after the war, Leopold refused to acknowledge his mistakes or take responsibility for his actions. His writings showed little understanding of why his decisions had been problematic.
His inability to recognize his errors or adapt his views made reconciliation with his opponents impossible.
11. Undermined Constitutional Monarchy
Leopold’s actions weakened the institution of constitutional monarchy in Belgium. His behavior provided ammunition to those who questioned the relevance of monarchy in modern democracy.
The crisis surrounding his reign forced significant changes in how the Belgian monarchy operated, limiting royal influence in political matters.
12. Post-Abdication Interference
Even after abdicating, Leopold continued to cause problems by remaining at the Royal Palace of Laeken until 1960. His presence was seen as having too much influence over his son, King Baudouin.
Critics believed his continued residence at Laeken undermined the authority of the new king and prevented Belgium from fully moving past the controversies of his reign.
King Leopold III’s reign serves as a cautionary tale of how a monarch’s personal judgment can fundamentally shake a nation’s foundations. His decisions during World War II, coupled with his inability to adapt to modern democratic principles, ultimately cost him not just his crown but also his place in history.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
