Van Cutsem Family

[Chu-Chi]

Hello!! I was looking for more information about the Van Cutsem family...some articles that I have found states that Charles and Hugh have been friends since college but another says they no longer talk because of Camilla...does anyone know if they're back on speaking terms? And also are there 3 or 4 brothers?..I know Edward is the eldest and I have seen pictures of the younger Hugh's wedding...if anyone has more information it would be appreciated!! :)

[Elspeth]

Threads about the van Cutsem boys' weddings can be found here:

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...05-a-6112.html

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...04-a-3966.html

Otherwise, you can just use the Search engine to search for "Cutsem" or "van Cutsem" because references to the family are likely to show up in threads about other people; they don't have threads of their own.

[kelly9480]

There are four sons, Edward, Hugh jnr, Nick & William. No one has really said anything about the current state of the parents' relationship, but William & Harry remain friends with the sons.

[Lady Marmalade]

One can compare them to the famous American Cushing and Langhorne sisters.

They are fringe society and relish their names in the papers. I am not impressed with them and feel sorry for Rose Astor and Lady Tamara for marrying beneath them.

I would compare them to Keven Federline and Dean Sheremet...marrying two VERY rich and famous women, Britney Spears and LeAnn Rimes, who happen the financial backbone of the marriage.

I had the displeasure of meeting one of them at a party in London....Edward. He seems to be VERY impressed with himself.

But that is typical attitude of a person who knows he can only go so far in high society.

The arrogance masks that..

[Georgina]

Didn't she get married at Westmeinter(sp?) Abbey? I thought that this church was reserved for royal weddings and events. Can anyone explain this?

[Elspeth]

She got married at Chester Cathedral, not Westminster Abbey.

[BeatrixFan]

There was a huge falling out between the Van Cutsems and the Prince of Wales when Edward Van Cutsem got married. The Queen was going and so was the Prince of Wales - and Camilla (pre Duchess days). The Duchess of Westminster (the bride's mother) telephoned the Prince and said that she would have to seat him with the rest of the Royal Family and that Camilla would be on the other side of the church, furthur back. Protocol was the main reason and I believe another reason given was that Camilla was either closer to the Grosvenors or the Van Cutsems. Whichever family it was, it would mean that she'd be on the opposite side to Charles. Camilla is said not to have minded but Charles was furious and the rumour (about 90% confirmed) travelled like wild-fire along the grape-vine - that rumour being that the Duchess of Westminster had hurled abuse at Charles on the telephone saying that it wasn't his wedding and he'd have to sit where he was told. So Charles said he wouldn't go if Camilla wasn't allowed to sit with him. Camilla then cancelled and said she wouldn't be going either. So, Charles telephoned Emilie Van Cutsem and asked her to intervene. She wouldn't and so they had a falling out. When Hugh (jr) Van Cutsem got married, Charles and Camilla (then married) declined the invitation.

Now alot of that is hear-say and is what I've been told by various people so you're free to believe it or disbelieve it. :)

[Georgina]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

She got married at Chester Cathedral, not Westminster Abbey.

Thank you for clearing that up for me.:)

[kaydura0717]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

There was a huge falling out between the Van Cutsems and the Prince of Wales when Edward Van Cutsem got married. The Queen was going and so was the Prince of Wales - and Camilla (pre Duchess days). The Duchess of Westminster (the bride's mother) telephoned the Prince and said that she would have to seat him with the rest of the Royal Family and that Camilla would be on the other side of the church, furthur back. Protocol was the main reason and I believe another reason given was that Camilla was either closer to the Grosvenors or the Van Cutsems. Whichever family it was, it would mean that she'd be on the opposite side to Charles. Camilla is said not to have minded but Charles was furious and the rumour (about 90% confirmed) travelled like wild-fire along the grape-vine - that rumour being that the Duchess of Westminster had hurled abuse at Charles on the telephone saying that it wasn't his wedding and he'd have to sit where he was told. So Charles said he wouldn't go if Camilla wasn't allowed to sit with him. Camilla then cancelled and said she wouldn't be going either. So, Charles telephoned Emilie Van Cutsem and asked her to intervene. She wouldn't and so they had a falling out. When Hugh (jr) Van Cutsem got married, Charles and Camilla (then married) declined the invitation.

Now alot of that is hear-say and is what I've been told by various people so you're free to believe it or disbelieve it. :)

Thats dumb on his part because if she was really just fulfilling protocol that he should have respected that. I mean if the Queen would have not been there than fine he had the right to get mad but since she was Mrs. Van Cutsem had to fulfill with protocol and she would have be critisized if she didn't.

[kelly9480]

Camilla & Charles weren't invited to Hugh jnr's wedding because the family didn't want to deal with it.

[Chu-Chi]

Thanks to everyone for sharing your information with me!!

[BeatrixFan]

Thats dumb on his part because if she was really just fulfilling protocol that he should have respected that. I mean if the Queen would have not been there than fine he had the right to get mad but since she was Mrs. Van Cutsem had to fulfill with protocol and she would have be critisized if she didn't.

That's exactly right. But it seems that the Duchess of Westminster, (who I believe is still a Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen but hasn't been called upon for years) knew that the wedding was happening. As a form of Palace Staff, she would have been aware of the plans whether in the early stages or whether completed. So maybe this was a case of Prince Charles asserting early sniping at the wedding. But that could be putting 2 and 2 together and getting 9.

[michelleq]

I felt that it was uncalled for by the Prince, myself. He knew his plans and since he can be a stickler for protocol when it is condusive for him, he should had understood. They should had announced their engagement earlier.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by michelleq

I felt that it was uncalled for by the Prince, myself. He knew his plans and since he can be a stickler for protocol when it is condusive for him, he should had understood. They should had announced their engagement earlier.

Perhaps it was incidents such as this that galvanised him into action. Most people wouldn't stand idly by while their partner was subject to perceived insults. The obvious solution was marriage, and it happened soon enough after this unpleasantness.

[Skydragon]

I should imagine one of the question's Charles asked them at the time was, are you inviting me as a friend of many years standing, or the Prince of Wales?

If it was the former, at his request, he could have sat anywhere without it being seen as a breach of protocol.

[BeatrixFan]

I agree Skydragon. It's sad that they now don't speak with the VC or the Grosvenor's. But these things happen.

[kaydura0717]

But to throw their friendship away just because where you were going to sit in church is just ridiculous. I bet he regrets it.

[Zonk]

I disagree. He is a friend who happens to be the Prince of Wales. I also believe it was selfish not to attend your godson's wedding because your partner couldn't sit with you nor enter thru the same door. Your godson didn't create the situation. Also, the Queen was going to be in attendance and protocol is protocol. But Warren is correct, at least it caused him to correct the situation by formally marrying Camilla. And yes, its a shame the friendship had to end but perhaps they will reconcile in the future.

[kaydura0717]

Is it true that the Van Cutsem Family are catholic? Because I heard someone say that they were.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by kaydura0717

Is it true that the Van Cutsem Family are catholic?

Yes, but Hugh van Cutsem's wedding took place at Chester Cathedral in a CofE ceremony.

For a report of the wedding and of the rift with Charles and Camilla (and with two van Cutsem aunts) see: http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com...?id=1286602004