Belgian king abdicating throne - CNN.com July 3, 2013 -- Updated 2020 GMT (0420 HKT) King Albert II of Belgium to abdicate King Albert II's abdication will be effective on July 21 His son Crown Prince Philippe will succeed him European Commission president praises King Albert in a statement (CNN) -- King Albert II of Belgium is abdicating his throne, effective July 21, he announced Wednesday. His son Crown Prince Philippe will succeed him, he said in a nationally televised address. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso issued a statement about the move. It is with deep emotion that I hear the announcement of the abdication of His Majesty King Albert II. On behalf of the European Commission and on my own behalf, I wish to express to him my sincere thanks for his tireless efforts in the service of Belgium and Europe," the statement read. Throughout his 20-year reign, Albert "has never ceased to be a staunch defender of the values that are the basis of the European construction," the statement said. Willem-Alexander takes Dutch throne after mother abdicates Opinion: Why Queen Elizabeth won't step down July 3, 2013 -- Updated 2042 GMT (0442 HKT) When the people took the reins of history into their own hands, President Obama's poetic ambition crashed, Frida Ghitis says. July 3, 2013 -- Updated 1429 GMT (2229 HKT) A helicopter camera has changed the way travelers will experience Angkor Wat and other Khmer temple-cities.