Albert II of Belgium: Former king is operated on because of skin cancer

King Albert II of Belgium (91) had to be operated on again for skin cancer. That reports. The palace has therefore confirmed that it was a preventive intervention against skin cancer. According to the report, it is at least the sixth time in eleven years that the father of the incumbent King Philippe (65) was treated because of this.

As it was said, Albert II was sewn on the face between the upper lip and the nose. When the intervention was carried out is unclear. The seams were clearly visible when the former monarch appeared at a reception in Brussels last week. It was his first appearance in five months.

At the age of 91, the Belgian had a comprehensive medical record. He has been treated several times since 2011 for skin cancer. According to “Het Laatse Nieuws”, former specialists also attributed this to his preference for frequent vacations in the sunny countries south of France and Italy. The emeritus king is also a heart patient and has back problems. In 2023 he was also hospitalized for signs of dehydration.

Already when he volunteered in 2013, Albert II named his health as a main reason. He was 79 years old at the time – “an age that none of my predecessors achieved in the exercise of his office”. In 1993 he became king as the successor of his childless brother BauDouin (1930-1993). He himself handed over the throne to his son Philippe, who has been head of state of the Kingdom of Belgium since July 21, 2013.