Belgian King Albert humbled by criticism

The Associated Press, Tuesday, January 29, 2013, 6:48am (PST)

BRUSSELS (AP) — King Albert of Belgium has told 600 dignitaries that recent scandals involving his family have given him "a lesson in humility."

During a royal reception Tuesday for political, economic and cultural leaders, Albert acknowledged that the Belgian monarchy had not kept to the standards he expected.

He said "as the chief of my royal family, I will not hide from you that recent family events have hurt me and given me a lesson in humility."

Last week, Queen Fabiola, Albert's sister-in-law, was forced to scrap an inheritance foundation that was widely criticized as a tax dodge. And the king's son Prince Laurent again came under scrutiny for perceived diplomatic contacts that he should stay away from.