YOUNG PRINCE LEOPOLD III OF BELGIUM : IN SAILOR SUIT : RARE RPPC 1912 For Sale

This is no ordinary boy—he is royalty. The young subject of this vintage postcard is Prince Leopold of Belgium, later King Leopold III. Born in1901, he was the eldest son of King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth of Belgium. He would go on to become the fourth King of the Belgians, reigning from 1934 to 1951, a period marked by the turmoil of World War II and the controversial decisions that ultimately led to his abdication in favor of his son, King Baudouin. In this elegant studio portrait, Prince Leopold is depicted wearing a classic white sailor suit with navy blue trim, a style commonly associated with European royalty in the early 20th century. His arms are crossed, and he gazes at the camera with a serious, almost pensive expression, conveying a sense of quiet dignity well beyond his years. In his right hand, he holds a broad-brimmed straw hat, adding to the formality of the portrait. His neatly combed hair and soft but resolute features reflect both his noble upbringing and the expectations placed upon him as a future monarch. The photograph is credited to Cliché Boute, Bruxelles, a Brussels-based photographer. The publisher, as noted at the bottom of the postcard, is H. M. Dobrecourt, Bruxelles. The postcard features two green Belgian stamps, each with a face value of 5 centimes, depicting the Belgian coat of arms. The text on the stamps states:\"NE PAS LIVRER LE DIMANCHE\" / \"NIET BESTELLEN OP ZONDAG\"which translates to \"Do not deliver on Sunday,\" a common inscription on Belgian stamps of this period, reflecting postal service regulations. This vintage postcard is in good condition (see scans).