orig. Léopold-Philippe-Charles-Albert-Meinrad-Hubertus-Marie-Miguel
born Nov. 3, 1901, Brussels, Belg.
died Sept. 25, 1983, Brussels
King of the Belgians (1934–51).
He succeeded his father, Albert I , and favoured an independent foreign policy but not strict neutrality. In World War II he assumed command of the Belgian army, but he surrendered his encircled forces 18 days after the German invasion in May 1940. The Belgian government repudiated his decision to surrender and remain with his forces rather than join the government-in-exile in London. Under house arrest through the war, he later went to Switzerland (1945–50) to await resolution of the controversy. Though 58% of voters voted for his return to the throne, he abdicated in 1951 in favour of his son Baudouin .