New king for Belgium

As Belgium prepares to swear in a new king on Sunday with festivities, the 183-year-old country is split across the middle, with many Dutch speakers seeking greater independence for Flanders in the north and wary of a monarchy seen rooted in the once powerful, but now poorer French-speaking Wallonia in the south.

"One king, two nations" was a headline in French language business daily L'Echo, while Dutch newspaper De Standaard pushed the royals deep inside its weekend issue, leading instead with a story on tax.

Fewer than half of people in Flanders believe Philippe will be a good king after 79-year-old King Albert II steps aside, against two-thirds in Wallonia, according to a poll.

In his final address as king on Saturday, King Albert II urged Belgians to give his 53-year-old son "your support".

He also stressed that his wish was that Belgium - split between the Flemish-speaking north and the French south - remained united.

"Give the future King Philippe and the future Queen Mathilde your active participation and your support," King Albert said in his address.

Crown Prince Philippe will become Belgium's seventh king.

"They make a great couple serving our country and they enjoy my full confidence," said the monarch, who will resign on Belgium's national day - after nearly 20 years on the throne.

Philippe, the Oxford- and Stanford-educated prince, will then become the country's seventh king.

He has also trained as an air force pilot.