King Leopold II of Belgium took an interest in geography and travel in the 1860s. In 1866, the Belgian consul introduced Leopold to the potential of acquiring the Philippines from Spain. Leopold instructed the Belgian ambassador to discuss this with Queen Isabella II of Spain. In 1868, Leopold tried again to acquire the Philippines. However, in 1885 he proclaimed sovereignty over the Congo instead, where his rule resulted in widespread human rights abuses and exploitation of the people.