Editing Albert I of Belgium (section)

==Marriage==
Albert was married in [[Munich]] on 2 October 1900 to [[Elisabeth of Bavaria (1876–1965)|Bavarian Duchess Elisabeth Gabrielle Valérie Marie]], a [[Wittelsbach]] princess whom he had met at a family funeral. A daughter of Bavarian Duke [[Karl-Theodor, Duke in Bavaria|Karl-Theodor]], and his second wife, the Infanta [[Maria Josepha of Portugal]], she was born at [[Possenhofen Castle]], [[Bavaria]], [[Germany]], on 25 July 1876, and died on 23 November 1965.

The civil wedding was conducted by [[Friedrich Krafft Graf von Crailsheim]] in the Throne Hall,<ref name="auto">Albert I;Museum Dynasticum N° .21: 2009/ n° 2.</ref> and the religious wedding was conducted by [[Franz Joseph von Stein|Cardinal von Stein]], assisted by [[Jakob von Türk]], Confessionar of the King of Bavaria.<ref name="auto"/>

Based on the letters written during their engagement and marriage (cited extensively in the memoirs of their daughter, [[Marie-José of Belgium|Marie-José]]) the young couple appear to have been deeply in love. The letters express a deep mutual affection based on a rare affinity of spirit.<ref name="Regolo">Luciano Regolo. ''La regina incompresa: tutto il racconto della vita di Maria José di Savoia''.</ref> They also make clear that Albert and Elisabeth continually supported and encouraged each other in their challenging roles as king and queen. The spouses shared an intense commitment to their country and family and a keen interest in human progress of all kinds. Together, they cultivated the friendship of prominent scientists, artists, mathematicians, musicians, and philosophers, turning their court at Laeken into a kind of cultural salon.<ref name="Regolo"/><ref name="Marie-José">Marie-José, Queen, Consort of Umberto II, King of Italy. ''Albert et Elisabeth de Belgique, mes parents''.</ref>

===Children===
Albert and Elisabeth had three children:
* [[Leopold III of Belgium|Léopold Philippe Charles Albert Meinrad Hubert Marie Michel]], [[Duke of Brabant]], Prince of Belgium, who became later the fourth king of the Belgians as [[Leopold III of Belgium|Leopold III]] (3 November 1901 – 25 September 1983, at [[Woluwe-Saint-Lambert]]).
* [[Prince Charles, Count of Flanders|Charles Théodore Henri Antoine Meinrad]], Count of Flanders, Prince of Belgium, Prince Regent of Belgium (10 October 1903, in Brussels – 1 June 1983, at [[Ostend]]).
* [[Marie José of Belgium|Marie-José Charlotte Sophie Amélie Henriette Gabrielle]], last Queen of Italy (4 August 1906, in [[Ostend]] – 27 January 2001). She was married at [[Rome]], [[Italy]] on 8 January 1930 to Prince Umberto Nicola Tommaso Giovanni Maria, Prince of [[Piedmont (Italy)|Piemonte]] (born 15 September 1904 and died on 18 March 1983 at [[Geneva]], [[Switzerland]]). He became [[Umberto II of Italy|King Umberto II]] (r. 1946) of [[Italy]].