Marriage
Marries Asrtrid, daughter of Prince Charles of Sweden
Role range: 1934-1951
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Leopold III Biography and Timeline
Follow Leopold III through 17 dated historical records for Belgium.
Leopold III, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
17Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1926–1951Years on this page
1926
1934
Succession
Succeeds as King of Belgium
Role range: 1934-1951
1939
Peace Mediation
Appeals for peace & offers to mediate
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1934-1951
1940
Invasion of France
Agrees to let Billote take command of the Allied Armies in Belgium
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1934-1951
Belgian Surrender Ends Organised Flanders Defence
Belgium's surrender ends organised Belgian resistance in Flanders while British and French forces continue withdrawing.
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1940
Capture of Belgium
Surrenders Belgium to the Germans
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1934-1951
Abdication
The Senate makes demandis Leopolds dethronement on "moral" & "juridicial" grounds
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1934-1951
Invasion of France
The Leader of the Belgian Chamber charges Leopold with surrendering to Germany
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1934-1951
Belgian Army Defends Flanders Line
Leopold's army fights in Flanders as German forces press westward through Belgium.
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1940
Belgian Withdrawal through Flanders Conducted
Belgian forces fall back through Flanders while trying to maintain contact with British and French armies.
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1940
German Occupation
German forces occupy Bruges during the campaign in Belgium.
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1934-1951
Neutrality
Belgium declares its neutrality
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1934-1951
1944
Liberation of Bruges
Allied forces liberate Bruges from German occupation.
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1934-1951
1950
Restoration
Restored to the throne after exile in Switzerland
Role range: 1934-1951
Exile of Leopold III
Returns to Belgium after six years in exile
Role range: 1934-1951
1951
Abdication
Leopolds return threatens civil war. Leopold abdicates in favour of his son Prince Baudouin
Role range: 1934-1951
Referendum
57% vote for Leopolds restoration in a referendum
Role range: 1934-1951
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.