HRH Prince Albert had no real sports background but was chosen for the IOC in May 1958, presumably because of his political connections, as his father was King of Belgium. At the time he was an Admiral in the Belgian Navy, Honorary President of the Belgian Office for External Trade, President of the Board of the General Savings and Pensions Fund, and President of the Belgian Red Cross. He served on the IOC for six years, resigning in October 1964 when his many duties made involvement in the Olympic Movement difficult. In August 1993, upon the death of his older brother, who had succeeded their father as King, Prince Albert succeeded to the Belgian throne and became Albert II, King of the Belgians. He served in that role until July 2013 when he voluntarily abdicated because of health reasons, and was succeeded by his son, Philippe.
Belgium