Mathilde's father, Count Patrick d'Udekem d'Acoz, in a critical condition

[johann]

Originally Posted by Marengo

I wouldn't know what kind of PR-stunt Count Raoul would need, he seems a likable man, from what I have seen of him on television thus far. But considering the reports in the media it is a bit curious.

Oh you obviously missed some of his statements last year. Though Raoul sure isn´t as talkative as his brother Henri. And it would have been wiser, if Patrick would have skipped the TV Familie interview last year. Seems to be a family thing.

But honestly. The spokesman of the BRF explicitly asks to respect the privacy of the family, considering that Mathilde is about to give birth. And this seems to work: there are no pictures of family members entering or leaving the hospital for example (at least not that I know of). And while the close family prefers to be closed lipped, it´s Raoul who hastens to inform “Het Laatste Nieuws” about his hospital visit and talks with the newspaper “Gazet van Antwerpen” about Patrick´s state of health. In my humble opinion this is a pretty disrespectful move and unnecessary publicity, especially since the whole situation seems to be painful enough. But this is just my opinion of course.

[principessa]

Has Mathilde to do any official tasks now or is she allowed to be at her fathers side all the time?

[Marengo]

Well, maybe the count talked to the press on behalf of the family? I remember that both Henri as Raoul were interviewed by television before the wedding of Phillipe and Mathilde, with the blessing (and probably on the request) of the RF. Did he actually go and talk to the press or did the press come to him when he left the hospital, harrasing him with questions.

I agree with you on the Belgian press btw, the way they deal with this is respectful, no pictures at all!

[Royal Fan]

Very Respectful my Best wishes to the Count

[johann]

Originally Posted by principessa

Has Mathilde to do any official tasks now or is she allowed to be at her fathers side all the time?

AFAIK the visit to the sheltered workplace in Oostende last Friday (March 21st) was her last official activity before maternity leave. Mathilde cancelled her attendance last minute, the official reason given was tiredness, but the newspapers speculate she already knew about her father´s condition and was at his bedside. Other than that it´s Easter break and her father is admitted to the Erasmus Hospital in Anderlecht, the clinic where Mathilde will give birth, so she has the opportunity to be near to him anyway.

[johann]

Originally Posted by Marengo

Well, maybe the count talked to the press on behalf of the family? I remember that both Henri as Raoul were interviewed by television before the wedding of Phillipe and Mathilde, with the blessing (and probably on the request) of the RF. Did he actually go and talk to the press or did the press come to him when he left the hospital, harrasing him with questions.

I don´t think there´s press outside the hospital, my guess is they phoned him and he made his statement. And I very much doubt he is speaking on behalf of the family or with their blessing. Quite a lot unfortunate things happened since 1999 and Raoul´s statement is rather based on guesses than on knowledge, it´s quite vacuous. If Raoul was right and there would be justified hope for recovery the irreversible coma rumours would have been denied by the family/palace IMO. What have been denied unofficially by members of the entourage are all cancer, stroke and heart attack rumours, so it´s probably indeed encephalitis. It´s also known that Mathilde´s father was struggling with his health since the beginning of this year and the situation got worse two weeks ago.

[johann]

After Mathilde´s uncle Raoul it´s now his brother Henri, who talks about the poor health of Mathilde´s father (to the newspaper Het Nieuwsblad/de Standaard this time).
According to him it´s still unknown which illness hit Patrick d'Udekem d'Acoz exactly, even if he is under medical treatment of three experts. His actual condition seems to be stable, but there´s no hope he will get out of the coma again. Henri was at his bedside on Wednesday and Patrick appeared calm as if he was sleeping, Henri thinks he suffers no pain. Nobody told him explicitly, that his brother will die, but he feels it. At the time when he visited his brother he also met Mathilde at his bedside. “Mathilde didn´t look well. Fragile. And sad. Alas, it´s a terrible situation.“ He too mentions the entire royal family paid a visit to Patrick.
Henri also talks about the feud which kept the d'Udekem brothers busy these last years. He deeply regrets the wasted years full of quarrelling and says he and his brother reconciled. Though Henri hastens to add he did nothing wrong, when he declared Patrick´s house in Proven uninhabitable (note: there was a lawsuit and Henri was convicted for doing so).

Not sure if this interview happened with the blessing of Mathilde´s family, but Henri is very aware about the condition of his brother, so it seems to be a hopeless situation indeed. Well, at least the d'Udekem brothers seem to be reconciled.

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Article/Det...cleID=KC1Q1153

[ladybelline]

"Princess Mathilde's father is dying"

RTL Info -- 'Le père de la princesse Mathilde est mourant'

Princess Mathilde's uncle Henri talked to newspapers De Standaard, Het Nieuwsblad and Het Volkon Saturday.

[Marengo]

Now that is sad news, we can always count on Henri to give us the details, even in this case. But maybe the family agreed that he would talk to the press, to calm the wild guesses and as they are probably not in any condition to be faced with it themselves at the moment.

Het Laatste Nieuws has the same story, so for who can read dutch, read more here. Apparently Patrick became suddenly ill around new year, and the illness slowly led to this coma.

Henri also says he regrets the years of fighting as he realises now that he wasted many -what could have been nice- years with his brother.

[rominet09]

I was hoping so much it had been exagerated by journalists. I like him very much

[princess leonor]

OMG that's such sad news. So sad that he won't be able to get to know his 2 unborn grandchildren. I wish the family a lot of strengt in these difficult times.

[Her_Majesty]

This is so sad.
I feel so sorry for the family!

[crm2317]

That is so very sad I like everyone else had hoped he would get better. And with Mathilde due so soon also

[kwanfan]

Very sad news. My thoughts are with the family in such a tough time.

[Marengo]

According to Count Raoul d'Udekem d'Acoz his brother's condition is slightly better than it was. Count Patrick isn't in a deep coma anymore and he left the intensive care.

Source: La Derniere Heure

Article in Dutch here.

[rominet09]

Thanks God for the improvement !

[Marengo]

I am not sure what improvement it is actually. There are so many contradictory stories about the count's health, so... But I hope that Raoul is right. I believe isn't in touch directly with his brother, he relies on stories told by other family members. Count Henri however does have contact.

[antonieta]

Does anyone knows how is the Mathilde´s father condition? Thanks in advance.

[rominet09]

Is there any news about Mathilde's father state of health ?

[Marengo]

No news at all, the babbling brothers of the count have gone silent too and the press seems to behaving very decently.