Category Archives: Belgian Royals

King’s Day – November 15 – Belgium

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2024

Each November 15, King’s Day (in the three official languages of Belgium: Dutch: Koningsdag, French: Fête du Roi, German: Festtag des Königs) is celebrated. Although it is not a national public holiday, government institutions are closed.

Background

Leopold I, first King of the Belgians; Credit – Wikipedia

During the reign of Belgium’s first monarch Leopold I, King of the Belgians, born Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, who remained Protestant despite being the monarch of a Catholic country, the anniversary of his oath-taking which occurred on July 21, 1831, was celebrated on his birthday, December 16.

Leopold II, King of the Belgians; Credit – Wikipedia

During the reign of Leopold I’s Catholic son and successor, Leopold II, King of the Belgians, the name of the day was changed to the Name Day of His Majesty the King and was celebrated on November 15, Leopold II’s name day, the feast of his namesake saint, Leopold III, Margrave of Austria known as Saint Leopold the Good. July 21 was once again and still is celebrated when in 1890, Belgian National Day was changed to July 21, marking the anniversary of the investiture of Leopold I as the first King of the Belgians in 1831.

Albert I, King of the Belgians; Credit – Wikipedia

After his accession in 1909, Albert I, King of the Belgians, the Name Day of His Majesty the King moved to November 26, the feast day of Albert I’s namesake Saint Albert of Oberaltaich. After the death of his mother Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, Countess of Flanders on November 26, 1912, Albert I moved the date back to November 15, the feast day of Saint Albert the Great.

During the regency of Prince Charles, Count of Flanders, Prince Regent of Belgium from 1944 to 1950, the Belgian government renamed the celebration the Feast of the Dynasty because there was no Belgian monarch. In 1952, during the reign of Baudouin I, King of the Belgians, the celebration was renamed King’s Day.

How is King’s Day celebrated?

Prince Laurent with his parents former Queen Paola, former King Albert II, and his sister Princess Astrid at the Te Deum service on November 15, 2023

The Belgian monarch and his/her spouse do not attend any ceremonies on King’s Day. Protocol decrees that it would be inappropriate for them to honor themselves. Before 2000, King’s Day was only celebrated with a Te Deum, a religious service of blessing and thanks. A Te Deum service is still held in the morning at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels, attended by members of the Belgian royal family.

Prince Laurent, former King Albert II, former Queen Paola, and Princess Astrid celebrating King’s Day at the Belgian Federal Parliament on November 15, 2023

Since 2001, to secularize the celebrations, a noon civil ceremony has been held at the Palace of the Nation, the home of the Belgian Federal Parliament. Members of the Belgian royal family, government officials, and prominent guests are in attendance. The civil ceremony consists of speeches, testimonies, and presentations to deserving citizens of national orders – the Order of Leopold, the Order of the Crown, and the Order of Leopold II.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

  • Autoren der Wikimedia-Projekte. (2019, November 17). Festtag des Königs. Wikipedia.org; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festtag_des_K%C3%B6nigs
  • Bijdragers aan Wikimedia-projecten. (2008). feestdag gevierd ter ere van de Koning van België. Wikipedia.org; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koningsdag_(Belgi%C3%AB)
  • Contributeurs aux projets Wikimedia. (2004, November 14). fête célébrée en l’honneur du Roi des Belges. Wikipedia.org; Fondation Wikimedia, Inc. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%AAte_du_Roi_(Belgique)
  • Wikipedia Contributors. (2024). King’s Feast. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Feast

Belgian National Day – July 21 – Belgium

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2024

The swearing-in of Leopold I, King of the Belgians by Gustave Wappers (1831); Credit – Wikipedia

In August 1830, the southern provinces (modern-day Belgium) of the Netherlands rebelled against Dutch rule. International powers meeting in London agreed to support Belgian independence, even though the Dutch refused to recognize the new country. On April 22, 1831, Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (the uncle of Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert) was asked by the Belgian National Congress if he wanted to be King of the Belgians and he accepted.

On July 21, 1831, Leopold swore allegiance to the new Belgian constitution and was invested as the first King of the Belgians on the steps of the Royal Palace in Brussels. Belgian National Day was originally celebrated on September 27, the date in 1830 that the Dutch forces were expelled from Brussels during the Belgian Revolution‘s “September Days”. In 1890, Belgian National Day was changed to July 21, marking the anniversary of the investiture of Leopold I as the first King of the Belgians in 1831.

What happens on Belgian National Day?

Celebrations occur throughout Belgium starting with church services where the Te Deum hymn is sung and people pray for the Belgian monarch. The service ends with the singing of the national anthem, La Brabançonne. Local communities have flea markets, public concerts, and other celebrations, and Belgian flags are displayed in shops and homes.

2023 – The Belgian Royal Family on the steps of the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula where the Te Deum service was held. Left to Right: Prince Emmanuel, Princess Elisabeth, Queen Mathilde, King Philippe, King Albert, Queen Paola, Prince Gabriel, and Princess Eleonore

The main celebrations occur in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. In the morning, the Belgian royal family along with representatives from Belgium’s political institutions, foreign ambassadors, and representatives of European institutions attend a Te Deum, a religious service of blessing and thanks, at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels.

The Belgian Royal Family watching the military parade in 2023

Later in the afternoon, the Belgian monarch reviews the Belgian Armed Forces and police who parade on the streets around the perimeter of Brussels Park, in front of the Royal Palace. Military groups from the European Union and Belgium’s NATO allies have also participated.

People eat mussels and Belgian fries while listening to live music in Brussels Park during the Belgian National Day in 2023.

In Brussels Park, the public can enjoy refreshments and view displays by Belgium’s public and emergency services, armed forces, charities, and civic associations.

The flypast making the Belgian tricolor in 2018; Credit – Door Me, Anonymous – Eigen werk, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71076343

There is a flypast by the Belgian Air Force.

King Philippe made his 2019 National Day Speech in front of a portrait of Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians.

The Belgian monarch makes a televised speech.

Fireworks during the 2023 Belgian National Day

In the evening, there is a concert and a fireworks display.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

  • Important Dates. The Belgian Monarchy. (n.d.). https://www.monarchie.be/en/monarchy/events-linked-monarchy
  • Wikimedia Foundation. (2024). Belgian National Day. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_National_Day
  • Wikimedia Foundation. (2024). Fête Nationale Belge. Wikipedia. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%AAte_nationale_belge
  • Wikimedia Foundation. (2024). Nationale Feestdag van België. Wikipedia. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationale_feestdag_van_Belgi%C3%AB

Commemoration for Deceased Members of the Belgian Royal Family – On or Around February 17 – Belgium

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2024

Church of Our Lady of Laeken in Brussels, Belgium; By Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer) – Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74138159

On or around February 17 each year, a Mass commemorating deceased members of the Belgian royal family is celebrated at the Church of Our Lady of Laeken in Laeken, Brussels, Belgium.

King Albert I mountain climbing; Credit – Wikipedia

Albert I, King of the Belgians was an avid mountain climber. On February 17, 1934, while climbing alone on the Roche de Vieux Bon Dieu at Marche-les-Dames, in the Ardennes region of Belgium, 58-year-old Albert I fell to his death. A year later, on February 17, 1935, a Mass was celebrated in commemoration of the death of Albert I.

Queen Astrid and King Leopold III; Credit – Wikipedia

In August 1935, Albert I’s son and successor, Leopold III, King of the Belgians (reigned 1934 – 1951, abdicated), his wife Queen Astrid (born a Princess of Sweden), and their three children (the future Baudouin, King of the Belgians, the future Albert II, King of the Belgians, and Princess Joséphine Charlotte of Belgium, who married Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg) were on holiday in Switzerland. On August 29, 1935, having sent the children ahead, Leopold II and Astrid decided to take one last outing before returning to Belgium. On a drive in the mountains near Lake Lucerne, Leopold III was driving and Astrid was beside him. Leopold III was distracted by something Astrid pointed out and lost control of the car. The convertible went off the road and down a steep slope, crashing into a tree. Both were thrown out of the car. Leopold III was not seriously injured, however, 29-year-old Astrid was thrown into another tree and died from her injuries.

Interior of the Church of Our Lady of Laeken; Photo © Susan Flantzer

After the death of Queen Astrid, it was decided to commemorate all deceased members of the Belgian royal family. On or around February 17 each year, Belgian royal family members and extended family attend a Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Laeken in Laeken, Brussels, Belgium, the burial site of the Belgian Royal Family.

Queen Mathilde, Princess Delphine, King Philippe, Princess Claire, former King Albert II, Prince Laurent, and former Queen Paola attend the annual Mass in memory of deceased members of the Belgian Royal Family at the Church of Our Lady of Laeken on February 20, 2024

After the Mass, the family visits the Royal Crypt in the Church of Our Lady of Laeken where past monarchs, consorts, and other royal family members are interred.

Entrance to the Royal Crypt; Photo © Susan Flantzer

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

  • Flantzer, Susan. (2020). Royal Deaths from Car Accidents. Unofficial Royalty. https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/royal-deaths-from-car-accidents/
  • Important Dates. The Belgian Monarchy. (n.d.-b). https://www.monarchie.be/en/monarchy/events-linked-monarchy
  • Mehl, Scott. (2015). King Albert I of the Belgians. Unofficial Royalty. https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/king-albert-i-of-belgium/
  • Mehl, Scott. (2015). Queen Astrid of the Belgians. Unofficial Royalty.
  • https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/queen-astrid-of-belgium/
  • Memorial Service to Honor the Deceased Belgium Royals. (2023). https://gertsroyals.blogspot.com/2023/02/memorial-service-to-honor-deceased.html

Accession To The Throne – Belgium

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2024

The soon-to-be Philippe, King of the Belgians and his father, the abdicated Albert II, King of the Belgians

Belgium is a young monarchy and does not have the long history of the other European monarchies. In August 1830, the southern provinces (modern-day Belgium) of the Netherlands rebelled against Dutch rule. International powers meeting in London agreed to support the independence of Belgium, even though the Dutch refused to recognize the new country. On April 22, 1831, the Belgian National Congress asked Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, uncle of Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert, if he wanted to be King of the Belgians. Leopold I, King of the Belgians swore allegiance to the new Constitution of Belgium on July 21, 1831, and became the first King of the Belgians. Under the Constitution of Belgium, the Belgian monarch is styled “King/Queen of the Belgians” to reflect that the monarch is “of the Belgian people.” Since 1830, there have been seven Belgian monarchs.

Belgium is the only current European monarchy in which the heir to the throne does not automatically ascend to the throne upon the death or abdication of his or her predecessor. In Belgium, there is an interregnum – a period when there is no ruler – between the monarch’s death or abdication and his/her successor’s accession. According to Article 90 and Article 91 of the Constitution of Belgium, the heir accedes to the throne only after taking a constitutional oath before a joint session of the two Houses of Parliament. The joint session must be held within ten days of the death or abdication of the previous monarch.

The most recent accession to the Belgian throne is that of Philippe, King of the Belgians. In early July 2013, Albert II, King of the Belgians announced his intention to abdicate, citing health reasons. On July 21, 2013, Belgium’s National Day, he signed the formal document of abdication and his elder son Philippe became King of the Belgians after he took the Belgian constitutional oath before The United Chambers, the legislative body created when both chambers of the Belgian Federal Parliament – the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate – meet in joint session.

The Cathedral of Saint Michael and Gudula as guests arrive for the Te Deum Service

The events of July 21, 2013 started with a Te Deum, a short religious service held to give thanks, at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula in Brussels, Belgium led by André-Joseph Léonard, Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels and Primate of Belgium from 2010 until he retired in 2015.

The formal abdication of Albert II, King of the Belgians in the Throne Room at the Royal Palace of Brussels

After the Te Deum, the formal abdication of Albert II, King of the Belgians was held. At 10:20 AM, Queen Fabiola (the widow of Albert II’s childless elder brother and predecessor Baudouin, King of the Belgians), Princess Astrid (Albert II’s daughter) and her husband Prince Lorenz (born an Archduke of Austria-Este from the former reigning House of Austria-Este), Prince Laurent (King Albert II’s younger son) and his wife Princess Claire (born Claire Coombs) arrived in the Throne Room of the Royal Palace in Brussels. Shortly afterward, Albert II, King of the Belgians and Queen Paola (born Paola Ruffo di Calabria), Crown Prince Philippe and Crown Princess Mathilde (born Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz) arrived.

The abdication ceremony began with a speech by Albert II, King of the Belgians memorable for an unscripted, emotional tribute to his wife: “As for Queen Paola, who constantly supported me in my work during these twenty years, I just want to say thank you . . . and a big kiss.” The many dignitaries in attendance applauded the speech and a very emotional Queen Paola held back tears.

Albert II, King of the Belgians signs the Deed of Abdication as Prime Minister Elio di Rupo looks on

After Prime Minister Elio di Rupo‘s speech, the Minister of Justice, Annemie Turtelboom, read the Deed of Abdication which Albert II, King of the Belgians and the witnesses then signed. After his abdication, the former king was styled King Albert II of Belgium.

 

The swearing-in of King Philippe took place the same day at noon in the presence of both chambers of the Belgian Federal Parliament at the nearby Palace of the Nation, a neoclassical palace in Brussels, Belgium, that houses the Belgian Federal Parliament.

 

In Belgium’s three official languages, French, Dutch, and German, King Philippe took the Belgian constitutional oath from Article 91 of the Constitution of Belgium: “I swear to respect the Constitution and the laws of the Belgian people, to preserve the independence of the country and to safeguard the integrity of the national territory”, confirming the monarchy’s constitutional role. In his acceptance speech, King Philippe confirmed his commitment to continuing his father’s work, to preserve Belgium’s unity.

 

Afterward, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde with their four children, the heir apparent Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel, and Princess Eléonore, along with King Albert, Queen Paola, and Queen Fabiola greeted the Belgian people from the Royal Palace balcony.

 

In the late afternoon, King Philippe, wearing his uniform as commander-in-chief of the Belgian Army, inspected the troops from an open vehicle.

 

Then the entire Belgian royal family watched the military parade which included marching bands, military vehicles, the Red Cross, police cars, members of the Special Forces, fire services, and policemen on their bicycles.

 

Fighter jets flew over the center of Brussels, painting black, yellow, and red stripes in the sky. Later in the evening, there were fireworks.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

  • BBC. (2013, July 21). Philippe Becomes New Belgian King as Albert II Abdicates. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-23393963
  • Casert, R., & Corder, M. (2013, July 21). Philippe Becomes King of Belgium. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/07/21/belgium-king-albert-philippe/2572449/
  • Die verfassung belgiens (The Constitution of Belgium). (n.d.). https://www.senate.be/deutsch/const_de.html
  • Important Dates. The Belgian Monarchy. (n.d.). https://www.monarchie.be/en/monarchy/events-linked-monarchy
  • Royalty. (2014, May 27). The Accession of King Philippe. Royalty Magazine. https://royalty-magazine.com/wpcoco/royalty/belgium/accession-king-philippe/
  • VRT NWS: news. (2013, July 21). King Filip Inspects the Troops, Watches Military March-Past. vrtnws.be. https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2013/07/21/king_filip_inspectsthetroopswatchesmilitarymarch-past-1-1684232/

Ancestors of Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Duchess of Brabant

compiled by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2023

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Duchess of Brabant; Credit – By Ian Jones – Buckingham Palace reception, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=131631531

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Duchess of Brabant is the heir apparent to the Belgian throne. Belgium changed its succession law in 1991 to absolute primogeniture where the succession passes to the eldest child of the sovereign regardless of gender. Males and females have equal succession rights. This means that Elisabeth is the heir apparent and comes first in the line of succession as the eldest child. She is expected to become the first Belgian Queen Regnant. When her father Philippe became King of the Belgians, Elisabeth automatically became Duchess of Brabant, the title used by the female heirs to the Belgian throne and the wives of male heirs.

From her father Philippe, King of the Belgians, Elisabeth has the typical royal pedigree with Belgian, Danish, Portuguese, and Swedish monarchs among her ancestors, in addition to Dutch, Bavarian, and other German royalty. From Elisabeth’s paternal grandmother, there is a lot of Italian nobility with a smattering of Belgian and French ancestors. Adrienne Jenny Florimonde de Fay de La Tour-Maubourg, one of Philippe’s great-great-great-grandmothers, is the granddaughter of Gilbert Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. Better known as just Lafayette in the United States, Philippe’s great-great-great-great-great-grandfather was a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War, commanding American troops in several battles. After returning to France, he was a key figure in the French Revolution of 1789 and the July Revolution of 1830. Lafayette is known as “The Hero of the Two Worlds” for his service to both France and the United States.

Elisabeth’s mother Queen Mathilde, born Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz, is the first native-born Belgian queen consort. Through her mother, Mathilde has Polish noble and Polish–Lithuanian princely ancestry. Mathilde’s father descends from Walloon (a French-speaking people who live in Belgium) nobles and was titled Jonkheer, the lowest title within the Belgian nobility system.  When Mathilde married Philippe in 1999, her father was created Count d’Udekem d’Acoz by Albert II, King of the Belgians, Philippe’s father.

Parents, Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Great-Great-Grandparents, and Great-Great-Great-Grandparents of Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Duchess of Brabant (born October 25, 2001)

The links below are from Unofficial Royalty,  Wikipedia, Leo’s Genealogics Website, The Peerage, or Geni.

Parents

Philippe, King of the Belgians and Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz, parents; Credit – By Liesbeth Driessen – UHasselt, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28712939

Grandparents

King Albert II of the Belgians and Paola Ruffo di Calabria, paternal grandparents

Great-Grandparents

Leopold III, King of the Belgians and Princess Astrid of Sweden, great-grandparents; Credit – Wikipedia

Great-Great-Grandparents

Prince Carl of Sweden, Duke of Västergötland and Princess Ingeborg of Denmark, great-great-grandparents; Credit – Wikipedia

Great-Great-Great-Grandparents

King Frederik VIII of Denmark and Princess Louise of Sweden, great-great-great-grandparents

Sources:

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Church of Our Lady of Laeken in Brussels, Belgium

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2021

Church of Our Lady of Laeken; Photo Credit – Wikipedia

Built during the latter part of the nineteenth century, the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Laeken in Brussels, Belgium, which this writer has visited, is the burial church of the Belgian royal family, built in memory of Queen Louise-Marie, the second wife of Belgium’s first king Leopold I, King of the Belgians.

Belgium has been a country only since 1830. In August 1830, the southern provinces (modern-day Belgium) of the Kingdom of the Netherlands rebelled against Dutch rule. International powers meeting in London agreed to support the independence of Belgium, even though the Dutch refused to recognize the new country. On April 22, 1831, Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, the uncle of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and her husband Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, was asked by the Belgian National Congress if he wanted to be king of the new country. Leopold swore allegiance to the new Belgian constitution on July 21, 1831, and became the first King of the Belgians. Under the Belgian Constitution, the Belgian monarch is styled “King/Queen of the Belgians” to reflect that the monarch is “of the Belgian people.”

Although the Belgian royal family is Roman Catholic, Leopold I was born a Lutheran and remained a Lutheran for his entire life. Before Leopold became King of the Belgians, he was first married to Princess Charlotte of Wales, the only child of King George IV of the United Kingdom, who tragically died in childbirth along with her son. Charlotte, who most likely would have been Queen of the United Kingdom,  and her son are buried at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England.

No family burial site had been planned for the members of the new Belgian royal family. When King Leopold I’s infant son Crown Prince Louis Philippe died suddenly in 1834, he was buried at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula out of necessity.

Queen Louise-Marie, born Princess Louise-Marie of Orléans, predeceased her husband King Leopold I, dying of tuberculosis at age 38 in 1850. She wanted to be buried in the old Church of Our Lady of Laeken built in 1275  and her remains were buried there. To honor the memory of his wife, Leopold I, King of the Belgians conceived the idea of a new and larger church at Laeken. There has been a house of worship on this site since around 800.  In 1275, the original chapel was replaced by a church in the Gothic style called the Church of Our Lady of Laeken.

By royal decree on October 14, 1850, the government authorized the construction of the new church and organized a competition for the design of the new church. There were only two stipulations for the design, the church should be able to hold 2,000 people and its price should not exceed 800,000 francs. In 1852, the jury decided upon a neo-gothic design by Joseph Poelaert, a 34-year-old architect.  The German architect Friedrich von Schmidt designed the portal and the 99-meter-high tower.

The choir of the old Church of Our Lady of Laeken, now a chapel, in the center in the Laeken Cemetery; Credit – Par EmDee — Travail personnel, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48239336

King Leopold I laid the foundation stone for the new church in 1854 and in 1872 the church was consecrated but it was not fully completed until 1909 because of a long interruption of work. In 1894, the old church was demolished due to its state of disrepair. However, the choir of the old church was preserved and has survived as a chapel in the center of the adjacent Laeken Cemetery.

Both Louise-Marie who died in 1850 and Leopold who died in 1865 were first buried at the old Church of Our Lady of Laeken.  On April 20, 1876, their remains were interred in the royal crypt at the new Church of Our Lady of Laeken. All the monarchs, all their consorts, and some other members of the Belgian royal family have been buried at the neo-gothic Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Laeken in Brussels, Belgium, the burial church of the Belgian royal family, built in memory of Queen Louise-Marie, the second wife of Belgium’s first king Leopold I.

Interior of the Church of Our Lady of Laeken; Photo © – Susan Flantzer

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Royal Burials

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Entrance to the Royal Crypt; Photo © Susan Flantzer

The crypt is located under the main altar. Two staircases on either side behind the main altar lead down to the crypt. At the foot of the stairs, just in front of the carved oak doors of the entrance to the crypt, is a mosaic depicting the nine coats of arms of the Belgian provinces.

Tomb of Leopold I, King of the Belgians and Queen Louise-Marie; Credit – Door Michel wal – Eigen werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7758486

In the center of the crypt is the large, white tomb of Leopold I, King of the Belgians and his second wife Queen Louise-Marie, topped by a royal crown with four mourning figures draped in black at the four corners.

Royal Crypt; Credit – Wikipedia

Surrounding the tomb of Leopold I and Louise-Marie are the tombs of Leopold I’s successors and their spouses. The niches in the wall house the coffins of other members of the royal family, such as Prince Charles, Duke of Flanders, Regent of Belgium, and other princes and princesses. A very nice touch that this writer observed was the framed photographs on the tombs.

Tomb of King Leopold III of Belgium, his first wife Queen Astrid, and his second wife Princess Lilian with their framed photos; Credit – www.findagrave.com

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Graves of (left to right) Crown Prince Louis Philippe, Empress Carlota of Mexico who was born Princess Charlotte of Belgium, and Prince Leopold of Liechtenstein with empty grave niches awaiting burials in the crypt at the Church of Our Lady of Laeken; Credit – www.findagrave.com

The management of the burial crypt at the Church of Our Lady of Laeken is under the direct authority of the Belgian monarch who manages the burial crypt on behalf of the members of the Belgian royal family. The Belgian government has no authority over the burial crypt. The Belgian monarch decides who will be allowed burial in the royal crypt and where they will be buried.

In 1927, Albert I, King of the Belgians allowed the burial of his aunt Empress Carlota of Mexico in the royal crypt. Empress Carlota was born Princess Charlotte of Belgium, the daughter of Leopold I, King of the Belgians, and the wife of Archduke Maximilian of Austria, who, as the ill-fated Emperor of Mexico, was executed by a firing squad. Under the laws of the Austrian House of Habsburg, Empress Carlota was to be buried in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna, Austria.

Although the tombs are designed for two remains, the tomb of King Leopold III contains three remains. King Leopold III ordered that his second wife Princess Lilian would be buried in his tomb upon her death, and this order was carried out by his son Albert II, King of the Belgians.

Baudouin, King of the Belgians allowed Prince Leopold of Liechtenstein, stillborn on May 20, 1984, in Brussels, Belgium, the son of his niece Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg and her husband Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein, to be buried in the royal crypt although he was not a member of the Belgian royal family. 

The following are interred in the royal crypt at the Church of Our Lady of Laeken. Note that Leopold III was styled as Leopold III, King of the Belgians from 1934 – 1951. After his abdication in 1951, he was styled King Leopold III of Belgium and that is how he is referred to below.

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This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

  • En.wikipedia.org. 2021. Church of Our Lady of Laeken – Wikipedia. [online] Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Our_Lady_of_Laeken> [Accessed 19 July 2021].
  • Flantzer, Susan, 2012. Belgian Royal Burial Sites. [online] Unofficial Royalty. Available at: <https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/royal-burial-sites/belgian-royal-burial-sites/> [Accessed 19 July 2021].
  • Fr.wikipedia.org. 2021. Église Notre-Dame de Laeken — Wikipédia. [online] Available at: <https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89glise_Notre-Dame_de_Laeken> [Accessed 19 July 2021].
  • Nl.wikipedia.org. 2021. Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Laken) – Wikipedia. [online] Available at: <https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk_(Laken)> [Accessed 19 July 2021].
  • The Belgian Monarchy. 2021. Royal Crypt in Laeken | The Belgian Monarchy. [online] Available at: <https://www.monarchie.be/en/heritage/royal-crypt-in-laeken> [Accessed 19 July 2021].
  • Unofficial Royalty. 2021. Kingdom of Belgium Index. [online] Available at: <https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/royal-articles-index/belgian-royals-index/> [Accessed 19 July 2021].

Cathedral of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg in Brussels, Belgium

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2021

Cathedral of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg; Credit – By EmDee – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17166498

The Cathedral of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg is a Roman Catholic church in the Place Royale, a historic square near the center of Brussels, Belgium. It is named for Saint James the Greater, one of the twelve Apostles, who is styled “the Greater” to distinguish him from another Apostle, James “the Less”, with greater meaning older or taller, rather than more important.

It is the church with the first connection to the Belgian royal family. Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, stood on the cathedral steps when he took the oath that made him Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians on July 21, 1831. Since the reign of Albert I, King of the Belgians, most baptisms of monarchs’ children have occurred at the Cathedral of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg. However, the christenings of the children of Philippe, King of the Belgians all took place in the chapel at Ciergnon Castle in Houyet, Namur, Belgium, one of the favorite summer residences of the Belgian royal family. Several funerals for members of the Belgian royal family have also taken place at the Cathedral of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg. Located close to the Royal Palace of Brussels, the cathedral is the parish church of the Royal Palace.

The interior of the Cathedral of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg; Credit – By IDD5000 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20251585

Originally the Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg Abbey, an Augustinian abbey, was on the site of the present cathedral. During the development of the Place Royale between 1776 and 1781, the abbey was demolished and the Cathedral of Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg was built. Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine, Governor of the Austrian Netherlands, laid the cornerstone on February 12, 1776. The Cathedral of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg was the official church of the court of the Governors of the Habsburg Netherlands and served as an abbey church and a parish church.

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July 21, 1831: The Constitutional Oath of Leopold I, King of the Belgians

Leopold I, King of the Belgians takes the constitutional oath on the steps of the Cathedral of Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg; Credit – Wikipedia

Belgium has been a country only since 1830. In August 1830, the southern provinces (modern-day Belgium) of the Kingdom of the Netherlands rebelled against Dutch rule. International powers meeting in London agreed to support the independence of Belgium, even though the Dutch refused to recognize the new country. On April 22, 1831, Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, the uncle of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and her husband Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, was asked by the Belgian National Congress if he wanted to be king of the new country. Leopold swore allegiance to the new Belgian constitution on July 21, 1831, and became the first King of the Belgians. Each year July 21 is celebrated as Belgian National Day.

The accession ceremony took place at the Cathedral of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg. A stand was erected on the cathedral steps surrounded by the names of revolutionaries who died in the Belgian Revolution. After remarks from government leaders and the reading of the entire Belgian Constitution, Leopold, dressed in the uniform of a Belgian lieutenant-general, took the constitutional oath, as stated at the time in Article 80 of the Belgian Constitution, in French: “Je jure d’observer la constitution et les lois du peuple belge, the maintenir l’indépendance nationale et l’intégrité du territoire.” (Translation: “I swear that I will abide by the Constitution and the laws of the Belgian people, maintain the country’s independence and preserve the integrity of the territory.”

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Royal Baptisms

The future Albert II, King of the Belgians being carried into the Cathedral of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg for his baptism. He is followed by his father Leopold III, King of the Belgians and mother Queen Astrid, his elder sister Princess Joséphine-Charlotte and elder brother Prince Baudouin

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Royal Funerals

The coffin of King Leopold III of Belgium leaving the Cathedral of Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg; Credit – https://royalwatcherblog.com/2018/10/06/funeral-of-king-leopold-iii-of-belgium-1983/

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This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

  • En.wikipedia.org. 2021. Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg – Wikipedia. [online] Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg> [Accessed 18 July 2021].
  • Fr.wikipedia.org. 2021. Cathédrale Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg — Wikipédia. [online] Available at: <https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg> [Accessed 18 July 2021].
  • Nl.wikipedia.org. 2021. Intrede van Leopold I in België – Wikipedia. [online] Available at: <https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrede_van_Leopold_I_in_Belgi%C3%AB> [Accessed 18 July 2021].
  • Nl.wikipedia.org. 2021. Sint-Jacob-op-Koudenberg – Wikipedia. [online] Available at: <https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Jacob-op-Koudenberg> [Accessed 18 July 2021].
  • Paroisse-militaire-saint-jacques-sur-coudenberg.be. 2021. Eglise Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg | Paroisse royale – Cathédrale du diocèse aux forces armées. [online] Available at: <https://paroisse-militaire-saint-jacques-sur-coudenberg.be/fr/accueil/> [Accessed 18 July 2021].

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels, Belgium

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2021

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula; Credit – By I, Luc Viatour, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4789498

While the construction of the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, a Roman Catholic Church in Brussels, Belgium, which this writer has visited, began in 1226, its connection with the Kingdom of Belgium is short because Belgium has been a country only since 1830. In August 1830, the southern provinces (modern-day Belgium) of the Kingdom of the Netherlands rebelled against Dutch rule. International powers meeting in London agreed to support the independence of Belgium, even though the Dutch refused to recognize the new country. On April 22, 1831, Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, the uncle of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and her husband Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, was asked by the Belgian National Congress if he wanted to be king of the new country. Leopold swore allegiance to the new Belgian constitution on July 21, 1831, and became the first King of the Belgians. Under the Belgian Constitution, the Belgian monarch is styled “King/Queen of the Belgians” to reflect that the monarch is “of the Belgian people.”

The various predecessor states of the Kingdom of Belgium whose royalty also used the cathedral will be noticed below in the listing of royal events that occurred at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula over the centuries. Before 1830, going back to the twelfth century, the predecessor states of Belgium were:

  • Duchy of Brabant – a state of the Holy Roman Empire established in 1183. It developed from the Landgraviate of Brabant and formed the core of the historic Low Countries. It was part of the Burgundian Netherlands and the Habsburg Netherlands. Today, the title of Duke or Duchess of Brabant is the title of the heir apparent to the Belgium throne.
  • Burgundian Netherlands (1384 – 1482) – Holy Roman Empire and French fiefs ruled in personal union by the Dukes of Burgundy of the House of Valois-Burgundy and later by their Habsburg heirs.
  • Habsburg Netherlands (1482 – 1797) is the collective name of Renaissance period fiefs in the Low Countries held by the Holy Roman Empire’s House of Habsburg.
    • Spanish Netherlands (1556 – 1714) – was the name for the Habsburg Netherlands ruled by the Spanish branch of the Habsburgs from 1556 to 1714
    • Austrian Netherlands (1714 – 1797) – was the name for the Habsburg Netherlands ruled by Governors from the Austrian House of Habsburg. It existed from the end of the Spanish War of Succession in 1714 until the conquest by French revolutionary troops and the annexation to the French Republic in 1797.
  • France (1797 – 1815) – France took over the Austrian Netherlands during the French Revolutionary Wars.
  • Kingdom of the Netherlands (1815 – 1830) – After the defeat of Napoleon, Willem V, Prince of Orange, urged on by the powers who met at the Congress of Vienna, proclaimed the Netherlands a monarchy on March 16, 1815. The new United Kingdom of the Netherlands consisted of territories that had belonged to the former Dutch Republic, Austrian Netherlands, and Prince-Bishopric of Liège

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Credit – Door SMYRKINNE – Eigen werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16769142

The current Belgian royal family has used the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula for weddings and funerals but not for burials. All the monarchs, all the consorts, and some other members of the Belgian royal family have been buried at the neo-gothic Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Laeken in Brussels, Belgium. The church was built in memory of Queen Louise-Marie, wife of Belgium’s first monarch King Leopold I. Since the reign of Albert I, King of the Belgians, most royal baptisms have been held at the Church of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg in Brussels. Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld stood on the steps Church of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg when he took the oath that made him Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians on July 21, 1831.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above: Statues of Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint Gudula in the Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula; Credit – Wikipedia

The patron saints of the church, Saint Michael and Saint Gudula, are also the patron saints of the City of Brussels. Saint Michael is the familiar Saint Michael the Archangel. A local female saint, Saint Gudula of Brabant, was born circa 646 in Brabant in present-day Belgium and died between 680 and 714. The cathedral stands on what was Treurenberg Hill in Brussels where there was a crossroads of two important old roads – Flanders to Cologne and Antwerp to Brussels. A chapel to St. Michael was built on Treurenberg Hill in the ninth century and was replaced by a Romanesque church in the eleventh century. In 1047, Lambert II, Count of Louvain and his wife Oda of Verdun founded a canon, a community of non-monastic clergy, in honor of Saint Gudula. Lambert arranged for the relics of St. Gudula to be transferred from another church in Brussels. From that time, the church became known as the Collegiate Church of St. Michael and St. Gudula.

Interior of the Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula; Photo © Susan Flantzer

In 1200, under Henri I, Duke of Brabant, the church was restored and enlarged. However, in 1226, Henri II, Duke of Brabant decided to build a new Gothic-style church. The choir was constructed between 1226 – 1276. The nave and transept date from the 14th and 16th centuries. The façade and the two towers were built from 1470 – 1485. The new church was completed in 1519. Several chapels were added in the 16th and 17th centuries. Restoration work was carried out in the 19th century and further restoration occurred from 1983 – 1999.

Detail of the painting Pastoral Instruction, showing the church with the north tower still incomplete, c. 1480; Credit – Wikipedia

On June 6, 1579, the church was pillaged by the Protestant Geuzen, a group of Calvinist Dutch nobles, and Saint Gudula’s relics were scattered and lost. In February 1962, the church was given cathedral status, and since then it has been the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels.

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Please note, the lists below may not be complete.

Royal Baptisms

The baptism of Louis-Philippe of Belgium, son of Leopold I, King of the Belgians; Credit – Wikipedia

  • 1480: Margaret of Austria – daughter of Mary, Duchess of Burgundy in her own right (daughter of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy) and Maximilian of Austria, later Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor
  • 1498: Eleanor of Austria – daughter of Philip of Austria, Duke of Burgundy (son of Mary, Duchess of Burgundy and Maximilian of Austria, later Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor) and Juana I, Queen of Castile, Queen of Aragon
  • 1833: Louis Philippe, Crown Prince of Belgium – son of Leopold I, King of the Belgians, died before his first birthday

Royal Weddings

Wedding of the future Albert II, King of the Belgians and Paola Ruffo di Calabri

Royal Funerals

The royal families of Belgium and Luxembourg pray during the funeral mass for Baudouin, King of the Belgians. From left to right: Prince Laurent of Belgium, Prince Philippe of Belgium, Queen Paola of the Belgians, Baudouin’s brother King Albert II of the Belgians, Baudouin’s widow Queen Fabiola in white, Baudouin’s sister Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg, Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg, and Princess Astrid of Belgium

Royal Burials

Tomb of Archduke Ernst of Austria; Credit – By PMRMaeyaert – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17308156

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

  • Cathedralisbruxellensis.be. 2021. Brussels Cathedral | Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral in Brussels. [online] Available at: <https://www.cathedralisbruxellensis.be/en/> [Accessed 17 July 2021].
  • Commons.wikimedia.org. 2021. Category:Tombs in the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula – Wikimedia Commons. [online] Available at: <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Tombs_in_the_Cathedral_of_St._Michael_and_St._Gudula> [Accessed 17 July 2021].
  • En.wikipedia.org. 2021. Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula – Wikipedia. [online] Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_St._Michael_and_St._Gudula> [Accessed 17 July 2021].
  • Findagrave.com. 2021. Memorials in Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula – Find A Grave. [online] Available at: <https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/639544/memorial-search?page=1#sr-19231> [Accessed 17 July 2021].
  • Fr.wikipedia.org. 2021. Cathédrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule de Bruxelles — Wikipédia. [online] Available at: <https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_Saints-Michel-et-Gudule_de_Bruxelles> [Accessed 17 July 2021].
  • Nl.wikipedia.org. 2021. Kathedraal van Sint-Michiel en Sint-Goedele – Wikipedia. [online] Available at: <https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathedraal_van_Sint-Michiel_en_Sint-Goedele> [Accessed 17 July 2021].

Ancestors of Philippe, King of the Belgians

compiled by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2021

Credit – Wikipedia

Philippe, King of the Belgians has the typical royal pedigree from his father’s side of the family. From his mother’s side, there is a lot of Italian nobility with a smattering of Belgian and French ancestors.

The last person on the lists below, Adrienne Jenny Florimonde de Fay de La Tour-Maubourg, one of Philippe’s great-great-great-grandmothers, is the granddaughter of Gilbert Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. Better known as just Lafayette in the United States, Philippe’s great-great-great-great-great-grandfather was a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War, commanding American troops in several battles. After returning to France, he was a key figure in the French Revolution of 1789 and the July Revolution of 1830. Lafayette is known as “The Hero of the Two Worlds” for his service to both France and the United States.

Parents, Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Great-Great-Grandparents, and Great-Great-Great-Grandparents of Philippe, King of the Belgians (born April 15, 1960)

The links below are from Unofficial Royalty,  Wikipedia, Leo’s Genealogics Website, or The Peerage.

Parents

Embed from Getty Images 
Philippe with his parents

Grandparents

Philippe’s paternal grandparents Leopold III and Astrid, King and Queen of the Belgians; Credit – Wikipedia

Great-Grandparents

Great-grandparents Prince Carl of Sweden, Duke of Västergötland and Princess Ingeborg of Denmark. Through their daughters Märtha and Astrid, they are the ancestors of the current royal families of Belgium, Luxembourg, and Norway; Credit – Wikipedia

Great-Great-Grandparents

Great-great-grandparents King Oscar II of Sweden and Princess Sophia of Nassau; Credit – Wikipedia

Great-Great-Great-Grandparents

Great-Great-Great-Grandparents King Christian IX of Denmark and Princess Louise of Hesse-Kassel. They are the ancestors of six of the ten current European royal families: Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom and two former monarchies Greece and Romania; Credit – Wikipedia

Sources:

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Princess Delphine of Belgium

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2020

HRH Princess Delphine of Belgium – formerly known as Delphine Boël – is the illegitimate daughter of King Albert II of Belgium and his longtime mistress, Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps.

Delphine and her daughter in 2008; photo: By Luc Van Braekel – https://www.flickr.com/photos/lucvanbraekel/2407637011/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26839140

Delphine Boël was born in Uccle, Brussels, Belgium on February 22, 1968, the daughter of Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps and the then-Prince of Liège (the future Albert II, King of the Belgians). Sybille and Albert had begun an affair in around 1964 which reportedly continued until 1982.  At the time of Delphine’s birth, Sybille was married to Jacques Boël, who was listed on the birth certificate as the child’s father. Her parents divorced in 1978, and four years later, her mother remarried. At that time, Delphine and her mother moved to London.

Delphine’s mother, Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps, in a television interview in 2013. source: VRT News

Delphine attended the Institut le Rosey – an exclusive boarding school in Switzerland – before enrolling at the Chelsea School of Art and Design in London, graduating with a degree in Fine Arts. She has worked as an artist for many years and has had numerous exhibitions of her work in Europe.

In 2003, Delphine married James O’Hare, an American, and the couple had two children, who are now a Prince and Princess of Belgium:

  • Princess Joséphine of Belgium (born 2003)
  • Prince Oscar of Belgium (born 2008)

Having had several exhibitions of her work in Belgium already, Delphine and her family moved to Brussels in 2003. It was then that her public profile began to rise again – both because of her art and her alleged relationship to King Albert.

In 1999, in a biography of Queen Paola, the first public allegation was made of Sybille’s affair with King Albert and the subsequent birth of their daughter. The Belgian royal court quickly dismissed the report as “gossip”, but King Albert seemed to refer to the situation later that year. In his Christmas message, he spoke of a “crisis” in his marriage some thirty years earlier that they had overcome, but of which they had been recently reminded. That would be the last public statement on the matter for many years.

Albert, Prince of Liege, c1964. source: Wikipedia

In May 2005, Delphine stated in an interview that she was King Albert’s daughter, having been told this by her mother when she reached the age of 18. She said that the future King had continued his relationship with her mother until around 1982 when he abruptly ended things and cut off all contact with them. She also alleged that when she and her mother moved to England, Albert thought about divorcing his wife and joining them, but Sybille was against the idea due to the impact it would have on Albert and his future role in the monarchy.

In June 2013, Delphine filed a lawsuit to prove, through DNA testing, that she was King Albert’s biological child. The King was named in the suit, however, he had complete immunity from prosecution at the time, so she also named two of his legitimate children – Philippe and Astrid. When the King abdicated in September of that year, she withdrew the suit against Philippe and Astrid, now being able to file against the former King. In 2017, her claim was initially rejected, but that was overturned in October 2018 by the Court of Appeal. Based on DNA testing, it was proven that Jacques Boël was not her father, thus furthering her claims. The former King was instructed to provide a DNA sample, but he appealed that ruling. Again, the Court of Appeal upheld the order in May 2019 and imposed a fine of €5,000 per day until King Albert complied. Within weeks, a DNA sample was provided for testing, and in January 2020, the former King finally acknowledged that he was Delphine’s biological father, as proven by the DNA testing.

On October 1, 2020, the Belgian Court of Appeal ruled that Delphine and her children are entitled to the style and title of HRH Prince/Princess of Belgium, and can use the former King’s surname of Saxe-Coburg. In addition, she is legally entitled to inherit one-quarter of the former King’s estate – a share equal to that of his three legitimate children. She is still considered illegitimate (born out of wedlock) and as such, Delphine and her descendants are not in the line of succession to the Belgian throne.

Princess Delphine and Philippe, King of the Belgians meet for the first time; Credit – Belgian Monarchy Facebook

On October 9, 2020, Princess Delphine met her half-brother Philippe, King of the Belgians for the first time at Laeken Castle, the king’s residence. A common message from King Philippe and Princess Delphine was posted on Facebook: “This Friday, October 9th, we met for the first time at Laeken Castle. Our meeting was warm. We had the opportunity to get to know each other during a long and rich exchange that allowed us to talk about each other’s lives and shared interests. This bond will now develop in a family setting.”

A photo made available by the Belgian Royal Palace of Queen Paola, King Albert, and Princess Delphine; Credit – Belgium Royal Palace

On October 25, 2020, King Albert and his wife Queen Paola met with Princess Delphine for the first time since she was recognized as a royal at Belvédère Castle in Brussels. A joint statement by all three was released: “On Sunday, October 25, a new chapter began, filled with emotions, appeasement, understanding and also of hope. Our meeting took place at Belvédère Castle, a meeting during which each of us was able to express our feelings and experiences serenely and with empathy. After the turmoil, suffering, and hurt, it is time for forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation. Together we decided to take this new path. This will take patience and effort, but we are determined.”

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.