By a vote of 117 to 92, Belgium’s Chamber of Representatives last week decided to hold an advisory referendum on whether Leopold should return from exile to be King of the Belgians. At week’s end the Regent Prince Charles signed the bill. Within 40 days the plebiscite will be held, probably on Sunday March 19. In the picric-flavored debate which preceded their vote, the Deputies had already expressed their opinions of Leopold. The Socialists were most voluble. Shouted young Socialist Deputy Victor Larock: “Leopold is not contested as the king of golf. But he always will be contested as the King of the Belgians.” “If the King comes back . . .” droned Socialist Party President Max Buset—”On l’abattra!” (He will be shot), a fellow Socialist broke in.
Outside the chamber, one politician even ungallantly attacked the King’s wife. Punning on the fact that during the war Leopold resumed the old German family title of Saxe Coburg Gotha, the speaker referred to pretty Mary Liliane as the “Princess of Sexe Coburg Gotha.”
Leopold and his Princess waited comfortably on Cap d’Antibes for the voice of their people.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Inside Elon Musk’s War on Washington
- Why Do More Young Adults Have Cancer?
- Colman Domingo Leads With Radical Love
- 11 New Books to Read in February
- How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone
- Cecily Strong on Goober the Clown
- Column: The Rise of America’s Broligarchy
- Introducing the 2025 Closers
Contact us at letters@time.com