Article 85 [Dynasty]
(1) The King's
constitutional powers are hereditary through
the direct, natural, and legitimate descent from H.M. Leopold,
Georges, Chretien, Frederic of Saxony-Coburg, by order of
primogeniture.
(2) The successor described in Paragraph (1) shall be deprived
of his rights to the crown, if he marries without the King's
consent or, in the absence thereof, without the consent of
those exercising the King's powers in cases provided for by the
Constitution.
(3) His lost right may nonetheless be re-established by the
King, or, in the absence thereof, by those exercising the King's
powers in cases provided for by the Constitution, in the event
of agreement on the part of both Houses.
Article 86 [Succession]
(1) For lack of a descendant to H. M. Leopold, Georges,
Chretien, Frederic of Saxony-Coburg, the King may name his
successor, with the approval of the Houses, in such a manner as
prescribed in Article 87.
(2) In the absence of a nomination undertaken in the
above-mentioned manner, the throne shall be vacant.
Article 87 [Other Kingdom]
(1) The King may not simultaneously act as head of another
state without the consent of both Houses.
(2) Neither of the two Houses may debate this matter unless
two-thirds of their members are present, and the resolution may
be adopted only with a two-thirds majority vote.
Article 88 [Responsibility]
The King's person is inviolable; his ministers are responsible.
Article 89 [Civil List]
The civil list for the duration of each reign is established by law.
Article 90 [King's Tasks]
(1) Upon the King's death, the Houses meet without convocation,
ten days following the decease at latest. Should the Houses have
been previously dissolved, and should the convocation in the
dissolution act have been made for a time later than the tenth day
following the decease, then the former Houses are to return to
their functions until the establishment of those destined to replace
them.
(2) From the moment of the King's death and until the taking of
oath by his successor to the throne or by the Regent, the King's
constitutional powers are exercised, in the name of the Belgian
people, by the Council of Ministers, and under their
responsibility.
Article 91 [King's Majority, Oath]
(1) The King attains his majority upon completion of his
eighteenth year of age.
(2) The King may accede to the throne only after having taken
the following oath before the united Houses:
"I swear to observe the Constitution and the laws of the Belgian
people, to preserve our national independence and our
territorial integrity".
Article 92 [Minority Guardianship]
Should, upon the King's death, his successor be under age, the
two Houses meet as a single assembly, for the purpose of
regency and guardianship.
Article 93 [Inability Guardianship]
Should the King find himself unable to reign, the ministers,
having observed this inability, immediately summon the
Houses. Regency and guardianship are to be provided by the
United Houses.
Article 94 [Conferring Regency]
(1) Regency may be conferred on only one person.
(2) The Regent may take office only after having taken the oath
as specified in Article 91.
Article 95 [Vacancy of the Throne]
Should the throne be vacant, the Houses, debating as one
assembly, temporarily ensure regency, until the convening of
the fully renewed Houses. This meeting must take place within
two months. The new Houses, debating as one assembly,
provide permanent cover for the vacancy.