Funeral Of King Baudouin I

[Hannelore]

No, it was each individual's personal choice.

[Von Schlesian]

Originally Posted by bct88

It is known, as can be seen in the photographs, that Philip, Duke of Edinburgh wore the wrong order. I believe he wore an African order. The Order of the Leopard? instead of the Order of Leopold I. I was wondering at the time if this was commented upon in the press? And, did it cause any friction personally or diplomatically between the British Royal Family and Belgium or the Belgian Royals? It's just something that one doesn't expect to happen. You would expect that a mistake like that would not be made, especially seeing as how it was the spouse of the British monarch, and it was the only funeral she attended outside of Britain.

Indeed HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh wore the Order of the Leopard (military), of the republic of Zaire. It's believed that the mix-up was simply caused by someone having mistaken the hand-writing of 'Leopard' with 'Leopold'. It was an honest mistake, but I believe the valet got a sharp talking to, or at least certainly recieved typed instructions thereafter.

I doubt that such a mistake would have drawn much attention from the other guests, many of who were wearing the Order of Leopold I. It was a rather unexpected death, and most would have been more concerned with HM King Albert and HM Queen Fabiola.

[Royal Fan]

Wonder if Albert II Will have a Funeral as Large as this just wondering (I Wish him many years)

[LadyLeana]

Originally Posted by Hannelore

No, it was each individual's personal choice.

That's not true, I'm afraid.
It was Fabiola's special request that nobody should wear black or hats. Unfortunately, some did not comply. Probably because she made them all walk behind the coffin towards the church

Queen Fabiola wore white clothes because she wanted to give a message of hope. She did not want to mourn his death, but celebrate his life.

Boudewijn was, at that time, the longest reigning monarch in Europe, so many people knew him, and many important people came to his funeral to pay their respects.

[lucien]

16 Years ago today,HM died in Motril at the "Villa Astrida".

It was incomprehensible that he had died that sunday(july 31st was a sunday in 1993),and it absolutely was unbelieveble and moving to watch the genuine mourning for this deeply loved and respected Monarch,the long lines waiting to pay their respect,day and night.

The Monarchs of this world came to pay their respects at the funeral,all of them,even Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko,and,a rare occasion,HM Queen Elisabeth II was present at the St.Michiel and St.Gudele Cathedral in Brussels that saturday of the funeral.

[fraxales]

Gee, I can't believe it was so long ago; I seem to remember the wearing of white being requested by the late King (something about not mourning his death). Also, requests like these are not necessarily heeded mostly due to so many different cultures, traditions and customs coming together - you cannot expect the Empress of Japan and the Queen of England not to wear a hat, nor will a Muslim lady attend such a function without a headcovering of sorts.

Also, they are not forced to follow the coffin to church - it is tradition throughout much of Europe; the same happened in Oslo for the funeral of King Olav V in what I believe were sub-zero temperatures!

[Marengo]

A clip from youtube, showing some guests:

Beroemde gasten op de uitvaart van Koning Boudewijn - YouTube