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Prince Philippe, eldest son of
King Albert II and
Queen Paola, is the first in line of succession to the throne and as such, bears the title of
Duke of Brabant.
Prince Philippe Leopold Louis Marie was born in Brussels on 15 April 1960.
After completing his secondary education, in Dutch and French, the Prince attended courses at the Royal Military Academy from 1978 to 1981, with the 118th All-arms Graduating Class. After that, he spent two months at Trinity College, Oxford University (United Kingdom), and continued his university studies from September 1983 at the Graduate School of the University of Stanford in California (USA). On 16 June 1985, he received a "Master of Arts" degree in Politics.
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After being appointed as a Second Lieutenant in 1980, the Prince obtained in succession his fighter pilot's wings and his certificates as a parachutist and a commando. He carried out his solo flight on board a Mirage VB aircraft and commanded a platoon of the 3rd Parachute Battalion. In 1989, the Prince attended a series of special sessions at the Royal Higher Defence Institute. The same year, he was promoted to Colonel. As a Captain, the Prince also sailed with ships of the Belgian Navy. On 25 March 2001, the Prince was appointed as Major-General and Rear-Admiral. He maintains close contacts with the Armed Forces and keeps himself informed about morale, material and technology during visits to units and headquarters, both national and international, in Belgium and abroad.
In 1992, the Household of Prince Philippe was set up. This Household (which currently bears the name of the Household of the Dukes of Brabant) encompasses the staff and the services at the Prince's disposal for carrying out his many engagements. The Prince has his own allowance.
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Shortly after the death of
King Baudouin, his uncle, the Prince accepted the Honorary Presidency of the Board of Directors of the Belgian Foreign Trade Office, pursuant to a decision by the Council of Ministers on 6 August 1993. In this function, he succeeded his father, who had held the position since 1962.
Prince Philippe also exercises various responsibilities in the field of sustainable development. From 13 October 1993 to the beginning of May 1997, He was President of the National Sustainable Development Council which was set up following the Rio Conference on the environment and sustainable development. When, in May 1997, this Council was converted into the Federal Sustainable Development Council under a new law, he accepted the Honorary Presidency.
On 21 June 1994, the Prince took the oath as a Senator by right.
Apart from the tasks relating to protocol and representation which are inherent in the function of the Crown Prince, the Duke of Brabant pays particular attention to
other areas.
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The wedding of Prince Philippe and
Miss Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz was held on 4 December 1999 in Brussels.
The couple have a daughter, Princess Elisabeth, born on 25 October 2001 and a son, Prince Gabriel, born on 20 August 2003.