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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;bart, post: 712582, member: 5580&quot;]I wouldn&#039;t say the people of Belgium hated him; a part of the population did.</p><p>In fact, he was regarded a hero after his decision to surrender to the German troops (which was against the advise of hist general staff) as it prevented a real slaughter of what remained of the Belgian troops.</p><p>As he was captured by the Germans, he stayed in Germany as a prisoner (he never served as a puppet king for the Nazis). It was only when he married Lilian Baels during the war, he became unpopular (mostly in Wallonia). Public opinion thought it was unwise for the king to marry when his people was suffering under the Nazi-regime. </p><p>As there were already some problems between the government and the king, which dated from before the war, the government decided after the war it would be bettter if he stayed in exile in Switzerland. He brother Charles of Flanders was appointed prince-regent.</p><p>In 1950 there was a plebiscite about his return to the country, which he won. The majority (mostly Flemish) wanted him back. But, as the plebiscite was followed by heavy riots, especially in regions which voted against him, which resulted in the death of some people, Leopold III decided to abdicate in favor of his son Baudouin. Baudouin, who hadn&#039;t reached the age of 21 at the time, became Royal Prince until his 21st birthday, when he became king.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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