Prince Laurent of Belgium & Claire Coombs 2003 - Page 5

Hannelore · #81 04-07-2004, 03:47 AM

1.Filip and his beautiful Mathilde
2.Waving to the crowd
3.Claire getting out of the car
4.Princess Laurentien of Holland waving
5.Laurentien with Madeleine and Victoria of Sweden

Hannelore · #82 04-07-2004, 03:49 AM

1.Claire's elegant mother with king Albert II
2.Claire shaking hands with the mayor of Brussels.

Hannelore · #83 04-08-2004, 05:35 PM

1.Claire's witnesses at the civil ceremony:Her sister Joanna and her best friend Anne.
2.Filip and Mathilde at the civil wedding
3 & 4.Claire and Laurent taking their vows
5.Crown princess Victoria of Sweden

Cathérine Bergeyck · #84 07-19-2004, 04:06 AM

I translated priest Guy Gilbert's impression of the wedding, that I found on his website:

For seven years now I've had a long and discreet friendship with Laurent of Belgium, the son of Paola and Albert, queen and king of Belgium.
It was something new for me to marry a royal prince. I couldn't imagine that one day I would be standing next to a cardinal to be the witness of the love between two royal highnesses.

In the cathedral of Brussels, where 1500 guests were present, I had to give the final meditation, after the exchange of the rings.

The night before I left for this wedding, a 'troublemaker' , Abdel, bursted into my place in Paris. He had come out of prison, where I had guided him, step by step, during a year. I stayed with him untill 3 AM. Strangely enough, it was him who gave me enough inspiration to talk about love to an audiance of kings and queens, princes and nobles from all the European courts, a few hours later. I had no fear, or stress, before those crowned heads.

What a joy to cheer love, the most beautiful human adventure, for the most noble and the most modest, thanks to the television, that broadcasted the princely wedding in the entire kingdom!

During the two meals that followed the official ceremony, there were beautiful and intense meetings. Certain dispairs I heard about missed love, the wounds of split up couples, immense fortunes or distroyed sumptuous palaces made a big impression on me.
I went from table to table, as I had been asked to do. I saw how protocol dissapears for the great of the earth, when they abandon their titles and show themselves naked.
It are persons that are strangely alike to some of mine (the 'loubards'). With the difference that the latter have no official function whatsoever, to hide themselves behind a brilliant appearence that allows you to pretend to exist.

Exciting moments. The discovery of exceptional persons between the personnalities of the royal gotha. Especially, a future queen of a wonderful authenticity. She was for me a breath of joy and peace in that mass of people, with whom the first meeting learned me a lot.

When I showed, in each palace, the pass with royal arms, I had to think of Abdel who came out of prison. He arrived at midnight, without a pass. Without an appointment. He had come as a poor man, simply knocking at my door.

Certain of the prestigious guests at this wedding, who had gotten hold of the royal invitation who allowed them the so desired 'way in' were also poor people.

I loved being next to this beings of light, so eager for a listening ear and mercy.

Josefine · #85 08-31-2004, 04:36 PM

I think Victoria looked great in white

Cathérine Bergeyck · #86 09-01-2004, 03:45 PM

the brideschildren were: Luisa Maria, princess of Belgium & archduchess of Austria-Este (niece of Laurent), Emma Grant (niece of Claire) and Clothilde de Meulenaere (daughter of friends of Laurent).

the witnesses were:

*Civil wedding:
- Barones Janine Ghobert, wife of Baron Jacques Delruelle, governor of the
prince Laurent foundation.
- Alain Declève, friend of Laurent,
- Joanna Coombs, sister of Claire Coombs
- Ann Monfils, Claire's best friend.

*Church wedding:

- Princess Mathilde, duchess of Brabant,
- Pieter van Vollenhoven, husband of princess Margriet of Holland.
- Prof. Dr. Rik Van Aerschot
- Prof. Raymond Antoine, honorary professor at the U.C.L.
- Jean-Paul Malingreau
- Prince Kardam de Tirnovo
- Marie-Claude Boulin, wife of Jonkheer Jacques Solvay.
- Joanna Coombs
- Ann Monfils

Cathérine Bergeyck · #87 10-14-2004, 09:39 AM

the duke and duchess of Braganza

Dennism · #88 01-22-2005, 07:54 PM

Here are two photos from the wedding that somebody capped from TV.

pdas1201 · #89 02-23-2005, 01:18 AM

Just finished watching "The Princess Diaries: The Royal Engagement" and I noticed that the dress Princess Mia (Anne Hathaway) wore in the movie is incredibly similar to that of Princess Claire. I have posted pics of both the dresses below. Decide for yourself!!!

It seems Claire's gown was also loved by the filmmakers.:)

Merca · #90 02-23-2005, 01:46 AM

You are right pdas1, these dresses indeed look similar, although Claire´s one is far more sophisticated one. Also, I don´t think that that particular dress style was flattering on Mia. Unlike Claire, she doesn´t look elegant in it. It must be a different body type.

misshelen · #91 02-23-2005, 12:02 PM

Very good Pdas.
I found more nice pics from this wedding..

Bubbette · #92 02-24-2005, 10:03 AM

What was with that dress?

Genevieve · #93 02-24-2005, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubbette

What was with that dress?

What's wrong with Claire's dress?

I think it is one of the most beautiful and stunning wedding dresses of all time. Who could find a single fault with it?

Danielle · #94 02-25-2005, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Genevieve

What's wrong with Claire's dress?

I think it is one of the most beautiful and stunning wedding dresses of all time. Who could find a single fault with it?

I agree, and I can't see a single fault with it. It's classically beautiful, and it really suits Claire. I wouldn't mind stealing the design for my own wedding dress.

Merca · #95 02-27-2005, 12:26 PM

What are you talking about, Bubette, Genevieve and Danielle? Nobody said that there was anything wrong with Claire´s dress. Pdas1201 was comparing Princess Claire´s dress with Princess Mia´s one (from the moive "The Princess Diaries"), and in case you didn´t notice she had even attached photos of both dresses to her post, and what I said was that although I admitted they were similar in style, I found Claire´s one be far more sophisticated and fitting one.

Genevieve · #96 03-02-2005, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merca

What are you talking about, Bubette, Genevieve and Danielle? Nobody said that there was anything wrong with Claire´s dress. Pdas1201 was comparing Princess Claire´s dress with Princess Mia´s one (from the moive "The Princess Diaries"), and in case you didn´t notice she had even attached photos of both dresses to her post, and what I said was that although I admitted they were similar in style, I found Claire´s one be far more sophisticated and fitting one.

If you read my post I was replying to a comment Bubbette made about Claire's dress. I was not replying to anything Pdas1201 said, which is what Danielle was saying too when she quoted my post.

It would be nice if you could read the posts properly before accusing others of complaining about something they really aren't, because if you read my post and Danielle's reply to it you would see that we both agree with you and think highly of Claire's dress.

auntie · #97 10-20-2005, 05:15 AM

One thing I can say, is that the male members of the Belgian RF are very emotional, The King, CP and Laurent all bawled at this wedding. On another note I would like to ask why does laurent go arond with a stick? not here, but on other public occasions. (CP of Denmark's wedding)