Born at the Château de Laeken, near Brussels, Belgium, Philippe was created Count of Flanders on 14 December 1840.

In January 1869, upon the sudden death of his nephew Prince Leopold, Duke of Brabant, he became heir presumptive to the Belgian throne.

On 25 April 1867 at St. Hedwig's Cathedral in Berlin, he married Marie Luise Alexandra Caroline, Princess of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, (1845–1912), daughter of Karl Anton von Hohenzollern (1811–1885) and his wife Josephine of Baden (1813–1900).

Among Marie's siblings were the deceased Queen of Portugal and the future King of Romania.

The children of Phillipe and Marie were: He died in his residence the Palace of the Count of Flanders, and is buried at the Church of Our Lady of Laeken.