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Albert II ascended to the Belgian throne on 9 August 1993, succeeding his brother, King Baudouin. The succession was prompted by Baudouin's sudden death a few days earlier, leaving Albert as the heir apparent. Albert's reign marked a period of stability and modernization for Belgium, with the country transitioning to a more federalized and Europeanized political system. He abdicated in 2013 in favor of his son, Philippe.