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  #21  
Old 06-10-2007, 04:10 PM
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In case I'm not the only one having problems with the getty images link, here are two pics from another agency :

Crown Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium take vote in Legislative and Senate Elections on June 10, 2007 in Brussels, Belgium. According to recent polls, Yves Leterme, regional leader and party heavyweight of the Flemish Christian Democrats, will become the next prime minister.

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  #22  
Old 06-10-2007, 06:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Henri M.
And for the furniture: you are right about the (waterdripping beautiful) 'hidden' Royal Palace at the Meir in Antwerp. But this does not mean the Prince has the right to keep furniture (really not only a 'coffee table' but also a bed, a historic cabinet, a fireplace, etc.) under his roof when these are not his property.

The strange thing in all this: where is the Dotation Royale? The Belgians are lucky to have a Trust which provides fabulous residences for the royal family. Part of the properties are at the disposal of the King, such as the park of Laeken, the chateaux of Belvédère, Stuyvenberg, Ciergnon and Fenffe, and other properties like offices in Brussels or agricultural land are rented out in order to generate income for the Trust.

What is it that Prince Laurent has to use fraud money to furbish his villa and that Prince Philippe needs to 'borrow' other's property for his appartments in the Château de Laeken? You would say that the Dotation Royale has plenty of possibilities for them?
Obviously the HBvL online article cited by HenriM. contains many inaccuracies and offers an abridged description of this dispute. IMO it is helpful to look for more detailed and accurate sources before operating with harsh judgements like “illegal” furniture etc.
The Royal Palace in Antwerp was handed over to the Flemish government in 1969 by King Baudouin, providing that the royal character should be conserved. And for a long time the Flemish government did not give a hoot about it – as Lucien put it. In the 80ties some of the furniture was brought to Brussels and stored in museums and probably in Laeken castle to prevent damages. Philippe just took some of the pieces to furnish his apartment and it is fairly vague if the fireplace or the bed are amongst those pieces.
And the person in charge for a possible lawsuit is NOT Philippe but the Federal finance minister (whoever that may be in the future). De facto the property situation of the furniture is controversial. While the Flemish government declares the Palace was handed over with the furniture, the Federal government says the furniture is part of the Royal Trust/Collection (=Donation Royale BTW) and therefore possession of the federal state represented by the finance minister. This should also apply for the furniture which is still inside Antwerps´s Royal Palace. So possible litigants are the Flemish government re the Federal finance minister.
And one should also take the timing of this “request” into account: three days before the federal elections took place by a minister who is the founder of the Flemish separatist party N-VA. It is an election campaign stunt with the N-VA party leader Bart de Wever joyfully joining in and hypocritically commenting on the “furniture affaire” in the local newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen.

It would be helpful if all involved parties would discuss this subject in an objective manner and find a solution without heading into a lawsuit. Prominent pieces should be returned to Antwerp IF the Flemish government sticks to the royal museum concept. And if the furniture is indeed property of the Royal Collection a contract of loan for use could be the solution, because I seriously doubt it that the Flemish government is willing to pay the nominal value. And coming up with an rather silly ultimatum while it takes more than a year till the renovation will be finished is not helpful IMHO.
  #23  
Old 06-11-2007, 02:36 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johann
Obviously the HBvL online article cited by HenriM. contains many inaccuracies and offers an abridged description of this dispute. IMO it is helpful to look for more detailed and accurate sources before operating with harsh judgements like “illegal” furniture etc.
The Royal Palace in Antwerp was handed over to the Flemish government in 1969 by King Baudouin, providing that the royal character should be conserved. And for a long time the Flemish government did not give a hoot about it – as Lucien put it. In the 80ties some of the furniture was brought to Brussels and stored in museums and probably in Laeken castle to prevent damages. Philippe just took some of the pieces to furnish his apartment and it is fairly vague if the fireplace or the bed are amongst those pieces.
And the person in charge for a possible lawsuit is NOT Philippe but the Federal finance minister (whoever that may be in the future). De facto the property situation of the furniture is controversial. While the Flemish government declares the Palace was handed over with the furniture, the Federal government says the furniture is part of the Royal Trust/Collection (=Donation Royale BTW) and therefore possession of the federal state represented by the finance minister. This should also apply for the furniture which is still inside Antwerps´s Royal Palace. So possible litigants are the Flemish government re the Federal finance minister.
And one should also take the timing of this “request” into account: three days before the federal elections took place by a minister who is the founder of the Flemish separatist party N-VA. It is an election campaign stunt with the N-VA party leader Bart de Wever joyfully joining in and hypocritically commenting on the “furniture affaire” in the local newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen.

It would be helpful if all involved parties would discuss this subject in an objective manner and find a solution without heading into a lawsuit. Prominent pieces should be returned to Antwerp IF the Flemish government sticks to the royal museum concept. And if the furniture is indeed property of the Royal Collection a contract of loan for use could be the solution, because I seriously doubt it that the Flemish government is willing to pay the nominal value. And coming up with an rather silly ultimatum while it takes more than a year till the renovation will be finished is not helpful IMHO.
If such a detailed explanation can be given by you (much appreciated), do you think it is wise that neither the Prince nor the Court did react on formal requests by the Flemish Government concerning the missing furniture? Why all this silence as a grave? Isn't that provoking and asking for avoidable problems?

I'm a little bit surprised if this action by N-VA was initiated to bash the royal family. N-VA's partners the CD&V and CDH are probably the most pro-monarchy parties in Belgium.... I think future Premier Leterme is the best what could happen to the royal family.
  #24  
Old 06-11-2007, 04:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Henri M.
If such a detailed explanation can be given by you (much appreciated), do you think it is wise that neither the Prince nor the Court did react on formal requests by the Flemish Government concerning the missing furniture? Why all this silence as a grave? Isn't that provoking and asking for avoidable problems?
Well we only know the “Flemish version” of this story. The newspaper De Morgen reports the court did react in a constructive manner but at a certain point the contacts stopped and the court referred to the federal finance minister, who also remained silent. And as this could have several reasons, I don´t feel entitled to judge the situation. The phrase “several requests remained unanswered” is quite vague and one could also wonder about the tone of this requests. And to speculate if the furniture is sold (heaven forbid), lost or damaged (people in glass houses…) is also quite aggressive. I agree, the “No comment” policy of the court appears clumsy again, while the Flemish minister presses his claims in an aggressive and undiplomatic manner again. Talking about entrenched habits which make the coexistence/political life so difficult in Belgium (and somehow nerv-splitting to watch as onlooker).

And IMHO it´s indeed high time to re-organise the court (e.g. pension Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou off or replace Ghislain D´Hoop) and implement another PR policy. But lamenting about this unfortunately does not change anything.
  #25  
Old 06-13-2007, 02:26 AM
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12/06/2007 Prince Philippe
Audience of S.E. Mr. BO Xilai, Minister of Trade of People's Republic of China.
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  #26  
Old 06-17-2007, 11:07 AM
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Mathilde and Philippe during their trip in China.

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http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...e/p6916765.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...e/p6916622.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...e/p6916647.jpg
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  #27  
Old 06-17-2007, 01:59 PM
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Thank you for the pics Lucidu there are beautiful.
  #28  
Old 06-17-2007, 03:24 PM
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Indeed Beautiful im glad they are taking a more active role in Friendship with other Nations
  #29  
Old 06-17-2007, 11:28 PM
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What color are Mathilde and the Chinese lady next to her wearing? It looks white to me. Does that mean they broke protocol? I remember Letizia was lambasted here for breaking so-called protocol by wearing white by a poster here when she went to China.
  #30  
Old 06-18-2007, 07:51 AM
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Day 2:
Princess Mathilde of Belgium pictured with models during a defile of jewellery at the Beijing University of Clothing Technology, Arts and Crafts departement, Monday 18 June 2007.

http://picture.belga.be/cgi-bin/belgapict/belgapicture.sh?ACTIE=DETAIL&FILE=/galleries/243194.html
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  #31  
Old 06-19-2007, 07:06 AM
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Day 3:
Crown Prince Philippe and Crown Princess Mathilde attended at an unveiling ceremony at the construction site of the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA), 19 June 2007 in Beijing.

http://www.anp-photo.com/search.pp?page=1&ShowPicture=5841403&pos=7
http://www.anp-photo.com/search.pp?page=1&pos=6
http://www.anp-photo.com/search.pp?page=1&pos=5
http://www.anp-photo.com/search.pp?page=1&pos=4
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  #32  
Old 06-19-2007, 08:31 AM
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They should put Mathilde's picture in the dictionary next to Crown Princess- she is the definition of the consumate crown princess. Don't get me wrong- I adore Maxima, Letizia, Mary, and I like the others, but Mathilde is just the epitomy of the elegant, intelligent consort.
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  #34  
Old 06-20-2007, 11:10 AM
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Princess Mathilde is great. beautiful pictures.
  #35  
Old 06-20-2007, 01:24 PM
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  #36  
Old 06-21-2007, 03:57 AM
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more pics:
http://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?start=0&zoektype=2&search=20-06-2007%20China
  #37  
Old 06-21-2007, 05:54 AM
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  #38  
Old 06-21-2007, 07:57 AM
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Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium posed for photographers during a visit at the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Thursday 21 June 2007 in Chengdu. Belgian crown couple are on a trade mission in China for ten days. Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium posed for photographers during a visit at the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Thursday 21 June 2007 in Chengdu. Belgian crown couple are on a trade mission in China for ten days.

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  #39  
Old 06-21-2007, 08:27 AM
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