Brussels, the heart of Europe, is a byword for modernity, unity, and peace. But it wasn’t always so.

Before it declared its own Constitution, and Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, (our tour guide for the city of Brussels) was declared King of Belgium on July 17, 1831, the territory which we now know as Belgium, formed part of the United Netherlands and was ruled by the Dutch. Aided and abetted by powerful foreign nations, local revolutionaries rose up against the Dutch rulers, and Belgium was officially recognised as a new state. When a monarchy was declared, the crown was offered to a German prince. He became King Leopold I, King of the Belgians.

So who is this Leopold I of Belgium?

Well, for a start, he didn’t just appear out of nowhere. He’d been around the block before he ever set foot in Brussels. He fought with the allies against Napoleon’s forces. He married the British Princess, Charlotte of Wales, (who was second in line to the British throne) and would have become Prince Consort if he hadn’t been cruelly widowed. He stayed in London for 14 years after his wife’s death, even after he’d been offered and had turned down the Greek throne.

After he became King of Belgium, life changed. He remarried and strengthened his and Belgium’s position in Europe with carefully arranged marriages for the members of his family. He was known to be an exceedingly accomplished and influential diplomat, negotiating with rebels, revolutionaries, liberals, Catholics and anyone else who threatened Belgium’s neutrality or stability. And he was a much-respected ally and confidant of another of our guides, Queen Victoria, in addition to being her uncle.

So, as you can see, we had no choice, when choosing the guide for our Brussels Experience.

King Leopold is the best person for the job.

The only person!

Why not take a listen to his introduction. We’re sure you’ll be catching a plane to Belgium before he’s even finished.

https://www.navibration.com/guides/54/Bruselas%20-%20centro