Albert I

(1875 – 1934) reigned as King of the Belgians from 1909 to 1934. This was an eventful period in the history of Belgium, which included the period of WW1 when 90 percent of Belgium was overrun, occupied, and ruled by the Germans. Because of his active role in WW1 he was nicknamed ‘the King Soldier’. He was honored for his refusal to let the Germans pass by on their way to France with an equestrian statue in Paris.