After fighting for independence from the United Kingdom of Netherlands, the mostly Roman Catholic Dutch and French speakers to the south decided to become a constitutional monarchy. After a few failed attempts at headhunting a monarch, Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha agreed to become King Leopold I of Belgium.

He had been living in Marlborough House in London after the death of his wife, Princess Charlotte of Wales, who had been the second in line to the British throne.

King Leopold was crowned on 21st July 1831.

At the opening ceremony of Euro 2020 in Rome, Andrea Bocelli sang the popular anthem “no-one can get any sleep…”

Never a truer word was sung, especially from Australia, where the matches start at either 11pm, 2am or 5am.

But I am sorry, Andrea, Luciano Pavarotti is the king of Big Canto, as you can hear in the first few minutes of this summary of World Cup 1990:

There was so much to remember from 1990, as well as Salvatore, super sub Roger Milla from the Lions of Cameroon, St Jack Charlton, patron saint and coach of the Republic of Ireland, some final fireworks from Maradona etc, etc