In between queens

Albert II has abdicated, his queen consort passes into history with him.  Paola remains a queen but until 12 noon Belgium is without reigning monarchs as Philippe and Mathilde don't become king and consort until he swears his oath of allegiance.

For the next hour or so, the throne of Belgium is technically empty and the country is between kings and queens.

The former king of the Belgians, Albert II, presents the soon to be monarch to his people at the Palais des Beaux-Arts on the evening of Saturday July 20th 2013