BELGIIUM's King Albert II has been admitted to hospital for "signs of dehydration".

       Spokesman Xavier Vaert said Albert, 87, "was admitted to hospital as a precautionary measure".

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       King Albert II of Belgium has been taken to hospital Credit: AFP

       He added: "Examinations are being done. He is conscious."

       Albert II was crowned in 1993 after his brother Baudouin died without any children.

       He reigned until 2013, when he abdicated and passed the Belgian crown to his son King Phillipe, now 63.

       Philippe cancelled his engagements today to visit his father in Saint-Luc Hospital, Brussels.

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       Albert's younger son Prince Laurent and Prince Emmanuel also rushed to the hospital to be by his side.