Delphine Boël, daughter of King Albert II

[fabaunty]

I should also say that I have total sympathy with Delphine , she only appears to have considered legal action when she failed to get protection for her beloved mother from the press .

 

[Prinsara]

From what I remember the writer of the unauthorised biography of HM Queen Paola was only 16/18 when it was published . Perhaps his age made him unaware of the possible consequences of making public a life which all concerned had striven to keep private.

Mario Daneels is not exactly to blame. He published one sentence about "an unacknowledged daughter of Albert's" in an unauthorized biography of Paola, a fact that wasn't revelatory (although he was shocked) precisely because so many people told it to him.

The fact that the press were able to locate Delphine and Baroness Sybille so shortly and easily afterwards suggests it wasn't a very well-kept secret.

I'm not sure if that was the first time it had ever appeared in any kind of print, but for some reason it became a spark to decades of gunpowder.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

thanks, ok, I am surprised. as he declared being her father, proofed by DNA testing I thought she'd automatically have right to demand of the heritage, that's still different in Belgium-wow. but I think she would have gotten something even without the lawsuit.

Like other countries on the Continent, Belgium follows the Code Napoléon, which limits the freedom of inheritance to protect the surviving spouse and eventual children.

In case of no any testament, which is most unlikely in Albert's case, the law provides a part to each child, and the widow half plus a child's part.

This would mean
Philippe 1/9 th child part
Astrid 1/9 th child part
Laurent 1/9 th child part
Delphine 1/9 th child part
Paola 5/9 th child parts (= half plus one child part)

The part of Paola is "delayed inheritance" for the children. By arranging it this way, the Code Napoléon thought it would provide the surviving spouse at least a house and this will keep value as this is still the inheritance for the children but "delayed" for the lifetime of the surviving spouse.

As King Albert has by no any means the financial wealth of Jacques Boël (Albert's own father's watered down inheritance was shared with five other siblings and Princess Lilian), Delphine most likely was not interested in money.

 

[fabaunty]

My apologies if I seemed to place any blame on Mr Daneels , indeed I did not wish to do so . As I said their marital woes were known , just not greatly publicised .
It only takes one spark , lit at the right time to create a wildfire especially in the press . In the UK there is a season called , " the silly season " in which any story however small is given maximum publicity . One only has to look at the acres of newsprint devoted to the minutest details in the Scobie / Durand biography [?]

 

[Helen.CH]

Like other countries on the Continent, Belgium follows the Code Napoléon, which limits the freedom of inheritance to protect the surviving spouse and eventual children.

In case of no any testament, which is most unlikely in Albert's case, the law provides a part to each child, and the widow half plus a child's part.

This would mean
Philippe 1/9 th child part
Astrid 1/9 th child part
Laurent 1/9 th child part
Delphine 1/9 th child part
Paola 5/9 th child parts (= half plus one child part)

The part of Paola is "delayed inheritance" for the children. By arranging it this way, the Code Napoléon thought it would provide the surviving spouse at least a house and this will keep value as this is still the inheritance for the children but "delayed" for the lifetime of the surviving spouse.

As King Albert has by no any means the financial wealth of Jacques Boël (Albert's own father's watered down inheritance was shared with five other siblings and Princess Lilian), Delphine most likely was not interested in money.

ok, there are different informations about this here. thank you for your suggestion.
I think it would only be fair if she got something though I do not appreciate what she is doing.

 

[Mbruno]

She appears just as stubborn has he does.

If money was all she wanted then she would have stuck with her step father as her legal father.

I assume she knows she's not going to be invited to family events but she appears to want to force the open acknowledgement of who her father is even if she never sees him. Possibly stemming from the fact that he cut off contact once rumours started getting out when she was a child.

It seems quite a sad and complicated case all around but I side eye Albert more. Children never ask to be born.

She will obviously go for a share of Albert's inheritance, which she is entitled to anyway if the courts declare Albert to be her legal father. But it is clear to me now that she seeks more than money: she wants a title and memberhsip of the RF, after denying it in the past. I hope the courts turn her down.

 

[ladongas]

Why is it that ordinary, non-royal ‘absentee’ fathers are so roundly admonished for their neglect and irresponsibility, but a King is allowed to do so and his child is criticized?

 

[Denville]

Why is it that ordinary, non-royal ‘absentee’ fathers are so roundly admonished for their neglect and irresponsibility, but a King is allowed to do so and his child is criticized?

It is strange. Anyone would think that Delphine had stolen her father's DNA and brougth herself into life.. and that he had had no part in procreating her at all.

 

[Somebody]

She will obviously go for a share of Albert's inheritance, which she is entitled to anyway if the courts declare Albert to be her legal father. But it is clear to me now that she seeks more than money: she wants a title and memberhsip of the RF, after denying it in the past. I hope the courts turn her down.

What did she say about titles and membership of the RF?

 

[Denville]

What did she say about titles and membership of the RF?

I doubt if she wants a title, or membership of the RF, I think she just wants recognition that Albert is her father and since he will only give that grudgingly, she might want some money as a token that she IS recognized as his offspring.

 

[Helen.CH]

Why is it that ordinary, non-royal ‘absentee’ fathers are so roundly admonished for their neglect and irresponsibility, but a King is allowed to do so and his child is criticized?

This is still a widely accepted fact and parasocialising Albert gets away with it like so many others, I guess.
We do not know what happened, but to me it seems rather unlikely that Albert reacted like some report here or maybe D. has said, I'd like to think that Albert did try to find a solution that would suit all parties but D. seems to want more.
But how can she believe that forcing the former King and family would work? maybe this is just gossip and the press, she cannot believe the family would meet her open arms after all this trouble she caused, getting a title and joining them for public events ..... if her mental health is really damaged and she is far from being realistic.
I hope she finds peace with his surname(strange thing, never heard anything similar from nonnoble illegitimate children) and the attention she now has and if course the heritage (not only money). and for the couple and the royal family some peace as it is difficult enough for them in a country divided and facing huge social problems.

 

[ladongas]

This is still a widely accepted fact and parasocialising Albert gets away with it like so many others, I guess.
We do not know what happened, but to me it seems rather unlikely that Albert reacted like some report here or maybe D. has said, I'd like to think that Albert did try to find a solution that would suit all parties but D. seems to want more.
....

“...would suit all parties” or just Albert? His solution was ignore, deny, delay. This could have been dealt with many years ago... was a King really that afraid of his wife?

 

[Denville]

“...would suit all parties” or just Albert? His solution was ignore, deny, delay. This could have been dealt with many years ago... was a King really that afraid of his wife?

He didn't make any effort to make an arrangement that would suit all parties. Yes he just pushed the woman away, told her he was no longer her father and ignored her.. He refused to make any kind of acknowledgment until completely forced to do so.

 

[Denville]

Indeed, he was already married to Delphine's mother at the time of Delphine's birth, or he would not automatically have been her legal father.

My understanding was that he was there to cover up the affair... and that there was little relationship between her and her legal father...

 

[Tatiana Maria]

What did she say about titles and membership of the RF?

I believe he was referring to the latest(?) comments from King Albert's attorney, discussed here.

I hope she finds peace with his surname(strange thing, never heard anything similar from nonnoble illegitimate children)

Belgian civil law does not differentiate between legitimate and illegitimate children, and that extends to the laws regarding surnames. If you are interested, this post has more information.

Why is it that ordinary, non-royal ‘absentee’ fathers are so roundly admonished for their neglect and irresponsibility, but a King is allowed to do so and his child is criticized?

It is strange. Anyone would think that Delphine had stolen her father's DNA and brougth herself into life.. and that he had had no part in procreating her at all.

I am not sure what you mean. King Albert has certainly been roundly admonished in the press and on social media.

My understanding was that he was there to cover up the affair...

I haven't checked the dates, but it is said that they married in 1962, and her affair with the prince did not begin until 1966.

 

[Denville]

I believe he was referring to the latest(?) comments from her attorney, discussed here.



Belgian civil law does not differentiate between legitimate and illegitimate children, and that extends to the laws regarding surnames. If you are interested, this post has more information.





I am not sure what you mean. King Albert has certainly been roundly admonished in the press and on social media.



I haven't checked the dates, but it is said that they married in 1962, and her affair with the prince did not begin until 1966.

sorry perhaps I got that wrong.. but it seems that their marriage was just an arrangement and Boel while he accepted legal paternity did nt have much of a relationship with her..
I was referring to discussions of Albert on this forum where people claim that its all Delphine's fault for wanting her father to acknowledge her...and that she's the villain of the piece....

 

[Mbruno]

I believe he was referring to the latest(?) comments from King Albert's attorney, discussed here.

.

Indeed I was.

 

[Heavs]

I read that discussion and I don't see why it means she must be planning to fight for a title. Just that they are clarifying that she won't get one.

Albert has fought her every millimetre of the way on this and pre emptively putting that out there would be another way of doing this.

But even if she did try (and I don't think she would get very far) I would still say Albert is the one that comes off worse to me. He's the one that had an affair and then tried to cover it up and broke off contact. Being forced into not contesting it again by the courts is just a sorry state. I feel for the rest of the family in this situation but not him.

 

[Denville]

I read that discussion and I don't see why it means she must be planning to fight for a title. Just that they are clarifying that she won't get one.

Albert has fought her every millimetre of the way on this and pre emptively putting that out there would be another way of doing this.

But even if she did try (and I don't think she would get very far) I would still say Albert is the one that comes off worse to me. He's the one that had an affair and then tried to cover it up and broke off contact. Being forced into not contesting it again by the courts is just a sorry state. I feel for the rest of the family in this situation but not him.

I dont think she cares about a title.. She wanted acknowledgment, she hoped for a restoration of her relationship with her fahter.. and I think she's hurt and angry that he has, as you put it, fought her every inch of the way.

 

[Somebody]

I believe he was referring to the latest(?) comments from King Albert's attorney, discussed here.

Thanks, I must have missed that.

Personally, I don't think she should have this title, just like with Hugo applying for his Bourbon-Parma title; however, I guess that is the consequence of changing the rules and no longer making any distinction between children born in or out of wedlock.

So, if the rules for noble family in Belgium indicate that they can be noble as long as their father is noble independent of anything else than it would be reasonable to suddenly have a princess Delphine of Belgium...

 

[Tatiana Maria]

So, if the rules for noble family in Belgium indicate that they can be noble as long as their father is noble independent of anything else than it would be reasonable to suddenly have a princess Delphine of Belgium...

The general rule for the nobility seems to be legitimate, direct, and male-line descent.


https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/Protocol/nobility_and_honorary_distinctions/nobility/faq

9. I believe that I am the descendant of a noble ancestor. Am I eligible for a recognition of nobility? What are the conditions?

If the applicants consider themselves to be the legitimate direct descendent, in the male line, of an ancestor who belonged to the nobility in our regions until the end of the 'Ancien Régime' (i.e. until the abolition of the nobility in the French era) or who was officially a member of the nobility in his country of origin, they may lodge an application for recognition of nobility. [...]​

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Thanks, I must have missed that.

Personally, I don't think she should have this title, just like with Hugo applying for his Bourbon-Parma title; however, I guess that is the consequence of changing the rules and no longer making any distinction between children born in or out of wedlock.

So, if the rules for noble family in Belgium indicate that they can be noble as long as their father is noble independent of anything else than it would be reasonable to suddenly have a princess Delphine of Belgium...

In the Netherlands, and there is a Belgian equivalent (Statute of the Nobility), titles of Nobility are ruled by the Nobility Act. Titles of the Royal House do not resort under the Nobility Act but under the Royal House Act.

The title Prince (Princess) of Belgiumis no noble title, but a title of the Royal House, and therefore does not follow the rules which apply to nobles. In the case of Hugo Klynstra: the title prince (princess) de Bourbon de Parme is incorporated into the Nobility of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and into the Nobility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The Dutch Justice agreed with the Department of the Interior that the positive advice to the Crown for the incorporation of Hugo Klynstra into the Dutch Nobility with the title prince de Bourbon de Parme was according the law (the Nobility Act), despite opposition from the Duke of Parma.

But as titles of the Royal House are not ruled by the Nobility Act, I think Delphine makes no chance. Mevrouw Delphine van België / Madame Delphine de Belgique: yes. HKH prinses Delphine van België / SAR la princesse Delphine de Belgique: no.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

In the Netherlands, and there is a Belgian equivalent (Statute of the Nobility), titles of Nobility are ruled by the Nobility Act.

Unlike the Netherlands, there is no recent nobility statute/act in Belgium to reform the rules of inheritance, and it appears the old rule of legitimate male-line descent continues to apply. Please see the quotation from the official website of the Foreign Affairs department in my post above.

The title Prince (Princess) of Belgiumis no noble title,

It is. The royal decrees which rule the title Prince (Princess) of Belgium explicitly acknowledge the article of the Constitution (currently Article 113) which allows the King the authority to grant titles of nobility.

Mevrouw Delphine van België / Madame Delphine de Belgique: yes. HKH prinses Delphine van België / SAR la princesse Delphine de Belgique: no.

Mevrouw Delphine van Saksen-Coburg / Madame Delphine de Saxe-Cobourg is likelier, because there currently seems to be a consensus (to judge from the comments of their representatives) between King Philippe, King Albert, and Delphine herself that the proper legal surname of the royal family is "of Saxe-Coburg" and not "of Belgium".

 

[maria-olivia]

We have to wait September if it is not postponed due du Covid.

 

[Skippy]

I hope for Delphine that she will be legally recognized.
King Albert fought long and hard, dragged it for as long as he could - and he lost.

Whether she will be HRH Princess Delphine of Begium, Madame Delphine of Belgium or Madame Delphine de Saxe-Coburg - I think the simple legal recognition will be all that is important to her. Then she will no longer be Delphine Boël.

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

It would be miserable if Delphine lost her fight after the postponing of the verdict. I hope things work out for her.

 

[Prinsara]

It would be miserable if Delphine lost her fight after the postponing of the verdict. I hope things work out for her.

I'm not sure there is anything to lose. The hearing is to recognize Albert as her legal father. She doesn't have a legal father at the moment and he's already been recognized as her biological one and said he won't contest anything. Which would make this more of a formality.

Once he is her legal father, she can change her name. Perhaps it's been hammered out behind the scenes all these months. Assuming Albert lives through this hearing, his daughter will have gotten a lot of what she hoped for.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

I'm not sure there is anything to lose. The hearing is to recognize Albert as her legal father. She doesn't have a legal father at the moment and he's already been recognized as her biological one and said he won't contest anything. Which would make this more of a formality.

A minor detail, but my understanding is that, as is usual, the verdict won't be issued at the hearing itself but some days or weeks afterwards (I cannot remember the usual length of time).

I agree that Delphine is virtually sure to "win" the case since Albert's attorneys have been instructed to no longer mount a defense.

 

[fabaunty]

Unfortunately I do not think Delphine will get anything close to what she might have hoped for . Had Albert provided some protection for her mother from the press etc when her existence became more widely known , I believe she would have continued her discreet life . However he did not do so , therefor she decided on what I can only term as the "nuclear option " . Albert will never resume any form of relationship with either Delphine or her children , I sincerely hope that her husband's parents ? family can make up for this lack , along with her own mother .

 

[rominet09]

Well she got what she wanted, she is officially Albert' s daughter, she will inherit a lot of money when he's gone but affection and contacts are not likely to appear the way she got these results.... You cannot force someone to like you and have