King Albert II & Queen Paola: Current Events, Part 2

[Patra]

The King looks slightly frail to me in these photos, is he in reasonably good health?

I wish Q Paola had worn a white suit instead of the creamy-beige one.....looks dirty with the white lace veil!

[Hannelore]

Originally Posted by maria-olivia

The picture of HM the King kneeling before the Pope is alas subject of critism from belgian politics.

Could you elaborate, Maria Olivia? Which political party criticized, saying what? Well it won't be CDH/CD&V, our modern christians in parliament, who all wanted to sit front row at the canonization I guess

[maria-olivia]

I agree with you Hannelore for CDH/CD&V, I saw them sitting front on TV yesterday?
But I heard about the critics at the press revue on french radio, they spoke again about the power's separation . I will try to eleborate more, did you hear this on your side? Kind regards

[EmpressRouge]

Is Queen Paola wearing her wedding veil as a mantilla? It looks very lovely.

[LadyLeana]

maria-olivia, I've read something about the "seperation of powers" criticism in the newspaper, but there isn't any big criticism here. One of the attending ministers was a liberal, and you musn't forget that Father Damien was named the greatest Belgian in Flanders.

[Hannelore]

Originally Posted by LadyLeana

maria-olivia, I've read something about the "seperation of powers" criticism in the newspaper, but there isn't any big criticism here. One of the attending ministers was a liberal, and you musn't forget that Father Damien was named the greatest Belgian in Flanders.

Not just in Flanders, in Wallonia he's known and respected too!

I agree the question of seperation of powers is a delicate one, and I'm not cheering when the church gets mixed state affairs either, but for an event as big as this one, it can't be helped I guess.
I don't regard this as criticism on the royal family per se. It's a thing that will (and must) be debated more and more -- as it also extends to the muslim comunity in Belgium and the delicate issue of veiled women...

[iceflower]

Belgium's King Albert salutes during his visit to Belgian army Intelligence,
Surveillance, Target, Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Forces in
Heverlee October 13, 2009.


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 **

[iceflower]

Queen Paola visited the exhibition 'Wibald de Stavelot, abbe
d'Empire. D'or et de parchemin' in the Abbey of Stavelot,
Belgium, October 13, 2009


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** Pic 5 **

[iceflower]

Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko is welcomed by
King Albert at Laeken Royal Palace in Brussels October
15, 2009. Yushchenko is on a two-day visit to Belgium.


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** belga **

[iceflower]

Queen Paola visiting arboretum Kalmthout near Antwerp,
Belgium on 16 October 2009.


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** Pic 5 **

** belga **

[Patra]

Its not politically correct, but I love the fur on the jacket. I never noticed how wrinkled Q Paola's skin was- Perhaps she was a sun worshiper, or smoker? The pictures are unforgiving, unfortunatley!

[rchat]

I know, she used to be such a great beauty. It's a shame she didn't take better care of herself. She's still an attractive lady though. Her coat is elegant.

[Hannelore]

Well, these comments are a bit harsh. You don't just get wrinkles by smoking or lying in the sun. It's a natural ageing process for many women: some women have many wrinkles, others less. In this botox and plastic surgery era it's a relief to see a woman growing old gracefully. And it makes me feel awkward at the same time that these explanations need be made. Has beauty industry taken over from common sense and nature?

[iceflower]

Two beautiful queens united today:

Queen Paola of Belgium welcomes Queen Silvia of Sweden before
attending a Ministerial Conference over the "Europeam Fight
against Human Trafficking" at the Egmont Palace in Brussels ,
Belgium October 19, 2009.


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** Pic 5 ** Pic 6 **

[maria-olivia]

Our Queen looks beautiful in gray color.I like her neacklace, 3 small rows of pearls and 2 bigger. That means 5 rows. I should say that the 3 rows are real pearls but for the 2 bigger rows I am not sure. What do you think?

[antonieta]

My God, the difference between their facial's skin it's amazing. Hasn't both queens the same age?

[iceflower]

Originally Posted by antonieta

My God, the difference between their facial's skin it's amazing. Hasn't both queens the same age?

Queen Silvia was born on December 23, 1943, Queen Paola 6 years
earlier on September 11, 1937. So there actually is a little difference,
including the genes

Here's an additional gallery with pics from today:

** gettyimages **

[amedea]

The pics of the two queens arrive at the right moment: they are the best answer to those posts about queen Paola's wrinkles. How wonderful is queen Paola with her wrinkles, how deformed is queen Silvia with all that surgery on her!

[MAfan]

Do you think Queen Silvia underwent plastic surgery?
Btw you're right, Queen Paola is still wonderful...She has perfect italian genes...

[giov]

I agree with you ! Paola is very beautiful, even with the wrinkles!

Originally Posted by MAfan

Do you think Queen Silvia underwent plastic surgery?

Who knows? ...