King Baudouin I and Doña Fabiola de Mora y Aragón: 15 December 1960

[episcogal]

Queen Fabiola's wedding gown is the most majestic Royal bridal gown ever, imo.

It just took my breath away the first time I saw it.

Her late Majesty is #4 or 5 on my Best Royal Brides list.

Absolutely agree Moonmaiden. She looked so beautiful in it and as many will agree, that wedding was magical from start to balcony finish hand in hand.

 

[maria-olivia]

We were so happy to see our King happy and smiling.
The same week of the announcement of the Engagement Paris Match front page. "Paola presque Reine, le Roi Baudouin se retire au Couvent "

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Ha!

How foolish the editors of Paris Match must have felt after such a headline....

 

[episcogal]

They also had him engaged to every princess in Europe, as did all the royalty rags.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

This is the best car to ride in. You can see the bride and groom quite well.
http://www.gettyimages.com/license/460818764

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Fabiola looked almost ethereal, surrounded by clouds of white tulle.

And look at the crowds! What a day that must have been.

 

[Blog Real]

Photo:
https://c10.quickcachr.fotos.sapo.pt/i/G061838b7/22132871_itscq.jpeg

 

[An Ard Ri]

This is the best car to ride in. You can see the bride and groom quite well.
http://www.gettyimages.com/license/460818764

Not sure why the Belgian Monarchy stopped using carriages as the King and queen deserved one on their wedding day.
The car sadly does not have the same effect.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

The swords of the officers of the Belgian Army
http://www.gettyimages.com/license/172835085

 

[Prinsara]

That is some dress Paola had.

 

[An Ard Ri]

That is some dress Paola had.

Queen Fabiola's mother Doña Blanca,Countess de Mora looks really regal.

 

[Prinsara]

A color or at least colorized version of the picture: https://images.app.goo.gl/CrykpXeJEKZx7QbF7

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Not sure why the Belgian Monarchy stopped using carriages as the King and queen deserved one on their wedding day.
The car sadly does not have the same effect.

King Willem I of the Netherlands (the Southern provinces / Belgium included) had the Royal Mews constructed in Wavre. And the Prince of Orange had the Écuries Royales in the park of the Palais du Prince d'Orange in the centre of Brussels. Part of the collection of carriages of Willem I and his son were confiscated and used by the new monarchy. Especially King Leopold II added a few gala berlines.

But the Kings Albert I and Leopold III had no special interest in it. Then World War II came, and the regency of Prince Charles. When King Baudouin started his Reign, he decided to hand over the Écuries Royales to the Academies' Palace, housed in the former Palais du Prince d'Orange. (This complex belonged to said palace). Without functioning Royal Mews in the centre of Brussels, King Baudouin ended the use of horses and carriages by the royal family.

There is still an Honorary Mounted Escort by the Federal Police, but these have nothing to do with the Royal Mews: the horses and the police officers are housed and trained in a former Army Barracks in Etterbeek (a municipality in Brussels agglomeration).

 

[Mbruno]

King Willem I of the Netherlands (the Southern provinces / Belgium included) had the Royal Mews constructed in Wavre. And the Prince of Orange had the Écuries Royales in the park of the Palais du Prince d'Orange in the centre of Brussels. Part of the collection of carriages of Willem I and his son were confiscated and used by the new monarchy. Especially King Leopold II added a few gala berlines.

But the Kings Albert I and Leopold III had no special interest in it. Then World War II came, and the regency of Prince Charles. When King Baudouin started his Reign, he decided to hand over the Écuries Royales to the Academies' Palace, housed in the former Palais du Prince d'Orange. (This complex belonged to said palace). Without functioning Royal Mews in the centre of Brussels, King Baudouin ended the use of horses and carriages by the royal family.

There is still an Honorary Mounted Escort by the Federal Police, but these have nothing to do with the Royal Mews: the horses and the police officers are housed and trained in a former Army Barracks in Etterbeek (a municipality in Brussels agglomeration).

What happened to the carriages? Are they kept in a museum?

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

What happened to the carriages? Are they kept in a museum?

Yes, in the Koninklijke Musea voor Kunst en Geschiedenis / Musées royaux d'Art et d'Histoire, located in Brussels. Some 100 historic carriages of royal and noble families have been donated or given in usufruct to this museum.

I have been there once and most carriages are in a poor state, absolutely no more able to use in traffic.

This picture shows a gala berline from Leopold II but the interior was so rotten that in fact the cariage is no more than just the exterior.



It costs a fortune to keep a Royal Mews functioning: carriages, horeses, coachmen, footmen, equerries, riding-servants, specialists in carriages, leather harnesses, uniforms, etc. It is not clear how the Budget is for the Royal Mews in neighbouring Netherlands, but I see there are 40 fulltime units (appr. 55 persons) working for the Koninklijk Staldepartement so the monthly costs for wages only (not to mention the horses, the material costs, the infrastructure) are a quite substantial grab in the budget...

 

[CyrilVladisla]

Baudouin of Belgium and his fiancee, Fabiola Mora y Aragon
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-photograph-of-baudouin-of-belgium-and-122926733.html

 

[An Ard Ri]

Baudouin of Belgium and his fiancee, Fabiola Mora y Aragon
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-photograph-of-baudouin-of-belgium-and-122926733.html

Was that the engagement photo or part of them?

 

[maria-olivia]

We never saw Dona Fabiola before but this is not the official Picture but part of them.
We received at that time a photo of Fabiola , but I don't remember.
The announcement was made by the then Prime Minister Gaston Eyskens.
The same Week Paris Match front page with Princess Paola : " Paola presque Reine car le Roi Baudouin va entrer au Couvent "!!!!! I have send this cover to the Castle of Belvedère when Paola was our Queen!

 

[Moonmaiden23]

I actually ordered that vintage "Paola presque Reine" Paris Match online and I have it somewhere.

What fools they must have felt like on September 15 1960!

I also like going back and reviewing online sites that declared Amalia of Luxembourg would be the Grand Ducal heiress because Gui and Stephanie would never have children.

Makes me smile every time!

 

[Prinsara]

I would think the funny part would be that the King never went to a monastery, not that Paola wasn’t Queen. It just took a few more decades.

 

[Blog Real]

Video:

 

[CyrilVladisla]

On the occasion of her marriage, Spanish bakers set out to honor Fabiola. They created a type of bread, "la fabiola".

 

[An Ard Ri]

Just looking at the guest list


H.M.King Leopold III of Belgium
H.M.Queen Elisabeth of Belgium,Queen Dowager of Belguim
HRH The Princess of Réthy
TRH The Hereditary Grand Duchess and Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg
TRH The Prince and Princess of Liège
HRH Prince Alexandre of Belgium
T.M. Queen Marie-José and King Umberto II of Italy
H.M. The King of Norway
H.H Princess Astrid of Norway
TRH Prince and Princess George Valdemar of Denmark
HRH The Duke of Halland
H.M.The Queen and HRH The Prince Consort of the Netherlands
HRH Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands
HRH Princess Irene of the Netherlands
HRH The Princess Margaret and Mr Antony Armstrong-Jones
TRH The Grand Duchess and Prince Consort of Luxembourg
TRH The Count and Countess of Barcelona
HRH Prince Juan Carlos of Spain.
HRH The Infanta María Cristina of Spain, Countess Marone
T.M. King Michael I and Queen Anne of Romania
H.M. Tsar Simeon II of Bulgaria
TI&RH The Archduke and Archduchess of Austria-Este
HI&RH Archduke Otto of Austria
TRH The Duke and Duchess of Braganza
The Dowager Marquesa of Casa Riera
The Countess and Count of Sástago
The Marqués and Marquesa of Casa Riera
The Duchess and Duke of Lécera,
The Marquesa and Marqués of Aguilar,
The Count de la Rosa de Abarca.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Impressive guest list for sure. The wedding itself was majestic, very "old school Royal".

 

[An Ard Ri]

Impressive guest list for sure. The wedding itself was majestic, very "old school Royal".

Exactly my thoughts too but strange there were no members of the Greek RF!

 

[maria-olivia]

We had no TV at home and I saw the Wedding in my Grandmother's Home. Her TV had a small screen and am happy th see this video . The Royal Wedding seen by Spain , her Country.
How Brussels did change , How the Cathedral did change , How life changed.
Thank you for sharing.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Exactly my thoughts too but strange there were no members of the Greek RF!

Now that you mention it....yes ..rather odd.

 

[Blog Real]

Video:

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Anytime I need my faith in true love restored-like today-I watch videos or read about Baudouin and Fabiola.

They are @Royallovestories goals, imo.

RIP to TM.