Wednesday, December 23, 2009 Accession of King Albert I The
Cross of Laeken details the centenary of the accession of King
Albert I of the Belgians, the gallant "soldier-king" who led his
nation in their heroic resistance to the German invasion during
World War I. The late monarch stands out as one of the
illustrious few who was "every inch a king" being regal with the
'common touch', courageous in war, leading his troops at the
front, devoted to his family and sincerely religious. His noble
example inspired not only the Belgian people but also many
others around the world among the Allied powers during the Great
War.