Engagement of HGD Guillaume & Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy; April 26th, 2012

[Madame Royale]

What appeals to me about the young Countess, is that she comes into this fully understanding what's required of the life she is about to lead. Much like Mathilde of Belgium.

Mary, Maxima, Mette-Marit and Letizia have all had to accustom themselves with the fundamentals of elite society, wheres as Stéphanie and Mathilde were born of it.

[4Pam]

So she's not a conventional beauty, like MT, Mary, Maxima or Letizia - why is it an issue when it shouldn't be at all?

[claypoint2]

Originally Posted by Marengo

The Nassau's themselves can be traced back to the 11th century, so that's a win for Stephanie

Marengo, I think that Guillaume wins here. (See post #221). Stephanie's family dates back to the 13th century, not the 8th. The Nassaus are older....

Maison de Lannoy - Wikipédia

[Madame Royale]

So she's not a conventional beauty, like MT, Mary, Maxima or Letizia - why is it an issue when it shouldn't be at all?

From a post made earlier by another member, I elaborated on that specific topic. And as for being an issue? It is an opinion, and one I've chosen to express openly...

Do we not comment on peoples clothes, hair, jewellery, lineage etc for our own conversational amusement and preference? What's the harm in making mention of, or talking about, an indaviduals appearance as long as it is done in a respectful manner and not out of spite? There's no inclination for malice whatsoever and nor should there be.

By all accounts the Countess appears very content with how she looks so kudos for that! I'm not suggesting she should feel anything other than pride and self respect for the person that she is (so I would surmise).

[Tyger]

Originally Posted by stephanievl

A litte longer clip from the talk with the press

Very nice. Definitely a beauty - the videos show that (unlike the stills in bad lighting). Definitely a beauty and she is likely very much more so in person. He seems beside himself with pride of her, as has been commented (as though he can't believe his good fortune - a nice way for the groom to feel) - and she takes his earnest attentiveness on her in her stride (perhaps it was settling her - the photo-op seemed nerve-wracking, having to show affection and walking and so on - why do they insist on that?).

I am intrigued with her - wonder what is her education, her work (if any), etc.

She is going to be a gorgeous bride - and looking at her choices in clothes I can already guess she will be a well-dressed one as well.

[Bine221]

Originally Posted by claypoint2

I agree with you, Tilia. Whereas to others Stéphanie may have appeared haughty in the video, to me she sounded intelligent, substantial, and certainly like someone who is trying to do her best and not to make mistakes. In the photographs her parents look like serious, reserved people; also, the fact that she comes from the old nobility of Belgium does not mean that she is used to public scrutiny. Quite the contrary. The higher ranks of the Belgian nobility are known for not often "mixing" with non-nobles in social settings - never mind the press - although of course this is changing. In short, dealing with media attention must be very new to her.

She was of course a bit nervous here, which is natural and even charming under the circumstances. And so was Guillaume! I thought that I could sense his anxiety in how much he was stroking Stéphanie's back while she was speaking to the press.

The only false note, to my eye, was in the look that she gave him at the very end of the video, after he lovingly brushed off a speck of something above her cheek. Was there a bit of contempt in her look? I hope not. But this is such a fleeting impression, and it is entirely unwarranted to draw conclusions from it. They appear to be delighted, well matched in education and religious values, and I wish them a very long and happy life together.

If I remember the other engagements from todays Crown Princesses, they all were nervous. MM was shy, Mary did not laugh and looked sooo serious(nerves?), Maxima looked completely "different" with her hair up and Letizia talked too long ..... so give her time to become more comfortable with her role.
If suddenly 1000 cameras are focussing on you, this may be a really new situation for many people.
BYe Bine

[claypoint2]

Originally Posted by Tyger

I am intrigued with her - wonder what is her education, her work (if any), etc.

Stéphanie de Lannoy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Tyger]

Originally Posted by claypoint2

I agree with you, Tilia. Whereas to others Stéphanie may have appeared haughty in the video, to me she sounded intelligent, substantial, and certainly like someone who is trying to do her best and not to make mistakes. In the photographs her parents look like serious, reserved people; also, the fact that she comes from the old nobility of Belgium does not mean that she is used to public scrutiny. Quite the contrary. The higher ranks of the Belgian nobility are known for not often "mixing" with non-nobles in social settings - never mind the press - although of course this is changing. In short, dealing with media attention must be very new to her.

She was of course a bit nervous here, which is natural and even charming under the circumstances. And so was Guillaume! I thought that I could sense his anxiety in how much he was stroking Stéphanie's back while she was speaking to the press.

The only false note, to my eye, was in the look that she gave him at the very end of the video, after he lovingly brushed off a speck of something above her cheek. Was there a bit of contempt in her look? I hope not. But this is such a fleeting impression, and it is entirely unwarranted to draw conclusions from it. They appear to be delighted, well matched in education and religious values, and I wish them a very long and happy life together.

I saw it, too - as no doubt the videographer/editor did which was why it was left in - an intriquing moment and inexplicable if it is as you suggest given all that has gone before. If you watch the video she was continually casting glances towards him to verify his cues to her - and she was absolutely in sync with his physicality with her throughout.

LINK: Erbgroßherzog Guillaume und Stéphanie de Lannoy zeigen sich auf Schloss Berg - YouTube

Because it is an intriguing moment I watched the split seconds in slow-mo and its actually an intense moment of intimacy between them - her tongue actually comes out between her lips, she is leaning in, her glance is side-long and smoky, her eyes responding to him - when he, utterly focused on her with a warm smile, touches her. Its a lover's moment - and she smiles and then leans away from his ardour but in doing so bows her head to him (as a lover) and then looks away back to the front. At no time is he displeased with her - he remains intent - but she has successfully pulled herself back into the moment which is a photo-shoot. The impression of 'contempt' is the impact her face has from a certain angle which happens as she turns to face forward - you see the angle that is her least flattering. (I wager that it will be this angle that gets endlessly interpreted in years to come). But if you watch her eyes in the fade out that comes in rapidly, she is actually basking under his gaze, and she is not displeased.[LATER: On another viewing I realized that she actually directly makes 'eye contact' with the camera just after he touches her and just before she begins to draw away - that's when she brings down her eyes and begins the pull-away while still bowing her head to him.]

Or - the simpler explanation - the photographer was calling to them to face forward and look into the camera. Ha!

Originally Posted by claypoint2

Stéphanie de Lannoy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thank you. Doesn't reveal a whole lot. Seems she was an advanced student, doing interesting student studies while she dated - and now she will marry. So its all ahead of her.

LATER: Someone has indicated that she has been done with her studies and been working for a bank for the past year.

[ricarda]

Scorpio and Aquarius? Something tells me this marriage will be a turbulent one.

As a literature and music fan I like Stephanie's CV and interests but I must admit I am not sure what to think of her yet. She seemed friendly and intelligent when she talked to the press. But sometimes she has a look in her eyes which I don't find pleasant (in the first pics as well as during the press meeting). But Guillaume seems over the top with happiness, so I give her the benefit of the doubt.

I don't like her engagement outfit and the way she walked down the stairs from the terrasse (in the beginning of the video) was just sooo unelegant. But I guess she will learn.

[Sephora]

You guys I don't know where you see that she's a haughty person, to me she looks shy, not at ease, and Guillaume was showing her his support, trying all the time to make her feeling comfortable. Also I don't think that anybody who spent one year studying in Russia, and later in Belgian universities will be given the occasion to practice his haughtiness even if he wants, nobody takes care there who you are even if you were a Royal.....I myself spent several years on studies in both countries, and know how people are there...

As for her looks and beauty, I agree that what she was wearing was not that good, but we forgive her, she will learn and she will have her proper style. Talking about beauty, she's beautiful, in the classical sense of cold beauty: tall, slim...(she reminds me a little of Lalla Salma's of Morocco beauty), but she's not attractive or appealing, in the sense that you don't (at least me) want to stare on her face like on warm beauties (Mary, Kate, Charlotte, Lalla Soukaina or Mathilde...)

[Baroness of Books]

I get no sense of haughtiness, just perhaps reserve and uncertainty before cameras and the press. When you're unaccustomed to being the center of attention and thrust before the media, I don't know how else you can act. The way Guillaume was rubbing on her back as she was speaking was definitely a gesture of support and encouragement. As well, she comes from a noble house so she has that in-bred reserve of how to behave before the public, I'm sure, so that could be another reason. She has a lovely speaking voice, by the way.

[p_caspian]

Perhaps they could at least invite every royal household reigning and non reigning like Their Imperial & Royal Highness Prince Georg Friedrich & Princess Sophie of Prussia, Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia & son, His Royal Highness Prince Louis Alphonse, Duke of Anjou and his wife, Margarita, the Duchess of Anjou, Crown Princess Margarita & husband for Romania, both the Duke of Aosta and the Prince of Naples for Italy, the Greek Royal Family, etc etc... I mean it's been awhile since a wedding where there was a whole gathering of European Royals, every head of Imperial & Royal houses were present and this was at the wedding of the Prince & Princess of Asturias.

[agami.pearl]

I've got 'Philippe&Mathilde' vibe from them, they're happy, smiling a lot but are also a bit reserved, it's clear that both are from old aristocratic house who have own rules how to behave and cope with the media. On the photos Stephanie was a little stiff but videos show that she's very nice, confident woman. Now her life changed dramatically but I'm sure that she has great advisors around her, like her fiance and GD couple.

[Archduchess Zelia]

The fact that she isn't a conventional beauty certainly doesn't make her less beautiful, why should all Princesses look the same? I think that Stéphanie is breathtaking and I definitely see why Guillaume is besotted with her.

[maria-olivia]

I agre with agami.pearl.
It is interesting to see pictures of Mathilde the day of her engagement and nowadays.
What a difference about her look , her attitude and her behavior in the royal house of Belgium.

[Saschana]

Originally Posted by Lindy

Are you sure that's where they will live? When Henri and Maria Teresa were a young crown prince couple they had their own home, as did Jean and Josephine-Charlotte.

The grand ducal court has stated that they will live at Berg.

[Sephora]

Originally Posted by Archduchess Zelia

The fact that she isn't a conventional beauty certainly doesn't make her less beautiful, why should all Princesses look the same? I think that Stéphanie is breathtaking and I definitely see why Guillaume is besotted with her.

Talking about myself, I don't think she's not a conventional beauty, she's beautiful, she has all the critereas of the classical beauty, but she's not attractive. There's a difference between being attractive, having appeal, and being beautiful...and I don't think that there's people who think thant she has to look like other beauties. I am sure she has a nice and beautiful personality, otherwise, don't think that Guillaume who comes into being a nice person, will be attracted by her.

[agami.pearl]

Originally Posted by Lindy

Are you sure that's where they will live? When Henri and Maria Teresa were a young crown prince couple they had their own home, as did Jean and Josephine-Charlotte.

They'll live in Berg Castle with Henri and M-T. Berg is big enough for both pairs, especially that the rest of the children lives abroad now.
Henri and M-T first lived in some villa and after death of GD Charlotte they moved into Fischbach Castle, when Jean and J-C resided in Berg Castle. After Jean's abdication they switched the castles and now Jean lives in Fischbach and GD family in Berg. Luxemburgian constitution states that official residences of the GD are Berg Castle and Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg.

[Biri]

Originally Posted by agami.pearl

They'll live in Berg Castle with Henri and M-T. Berg is big enough for both pairs, especially that the rest of the children lives abroad now.

And when do they live now?

[HRHAmy]

Does anyone else get the feeling that this is an arranged marriage? I do and here are some reasons why:

-Guillaume is 30, I'm sure he was pressured to get married and have heirs very soon and with no other prospects and having dating normal people out of the question, Stephanie was the best choice.
-Their families are obviously close, heck they are even related!
-Stephanie's parents are getting up in age, especially her father, it doesn't even look like he might last too much longer.
-Stephanie is pushing 30 and who knows if she has any prospects.
-Again, her father is old I'm sure he would like to see his last child off and married before he kicks the bucket.
-Her pedigree is very impressive.
-I'm sure she is drama free and Henri and M-T are probably glad they won't have anymore of that after Tessy and Louis.
-And finally they have not been dating that long, I honestly don't think they know each other that well. (BTW dating is different than being friends)

These are just a few points that I have noticed, also they don't look that in love to me. They look nervous and giddy but that is to be expected when all this hoopla is going on and you haven't know the person that long. I think when everything settles down and they get into the swing of royal life it will be tough for both of them. I don't see the spark lasting that long like I see it still in Henri and M-T. I feel this is not the best choice for Guillaume and that it will not be the perfect marriage but like Stephanie's father said "They are happy and Luxembourg is happy" so I guess that's all that matters, that the state has the heir married off. I hope it works out.