Brother Will Succeed Late Belgian Monarch

Prince Albert will succeed his late brother King Baudouin as Belgium’s monarch, the prime minister announced Sunday, dashing expectations that Albert’s son would take the throne.

Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene said in making the surprise announcement that the “spirit of continuity” was more important than renewal while Belgium goes through tough economic times.

King Baudouin died of a heart attack Saturday while vacationing in Spain. He will be buried at the St. Michael Cathedral in Brussels next Saturday.

His body was returned to Brussels from the southern Spanish city of Granada Sunday night.

Baudouin, who reigned for 42 years, and Queen Fabiola were childless.

Albert, 59, was officially the heir to the throne, but his 33-year-old son, Philippe, had been widely viewed as the likely successor for the mostly ceremonial position.

Albert must be confirmed as king by Parliament within 10 days.

The death of Baudouin came only weeks after a constitutional revision had turned the nation into a federal state of Flemish-speaking Flanders, Francophone Wallonia and bilingual Brussels.

For many, Baudouin was the glue that had held the parts together.