Grand Duke Jean & Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte; News and Pictures, Part 1

[Hannelore]

More pictures from JC's happy childhood, when her mother was still alive


1.with little brother Boudewijn
2. & 3. JC and Boudewijn with baby brother Albert
4. the whole family, last official foto before Astrid's death.
5. On her way to school

[Hannelore]

After their mother's death.

Even as children, they were often present at big parades or other official engagements.

2. with their uncle, prince Karel of Belgium.

7 & 8. Her holy communion.

[Hannelore]

During WWII, king Leopold III remarried a belgian commoner, Lilian Baels, who used all her influence to intervene in politics. This caused a huge political crisis in Belgium. Lilian was hated her entire life and after the war, Leopold's family stayed in exile for 5 years (in Switzerland). When they finally came back, a civil war nearly broke out between pro-Leopold people and the ones that were anti-Leopold. JC's father had to abdicate and her brother, Boudewijn, only just 21, became the new king.

Although Lilian was never liked in Belgium, she brought back some family life to JC and her brothers. Josephine-Charlotte also got 1 halfbrother, Alexander, and 2 halfsisters, Marie-Christine and Esmeralda.

1.Leopold's second family: JC, Albert, Leopold, Lilian, Boudewijn, Alexander.
2.Boudewijn and JC in exile.

[Hannelore]

As a young woman. I think she had a cool beauty, very distinguished.

[bad_barbarella]

but she must love her grandchildren and they wouldnt be there without MT

[bct88]

I had heard that she and her husband didn't love each other at the time of their marrage. I think she was crying the whole wedding not because she was happy, but because she was sad.

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Here you can see a thread on her marriage to prince Jean of Luxemburg:



http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...337#post131337

[suturegeisha]

Originally Posted by bct88

I had heard that she and her husband didn't love each other at the time of their marrage. I think she was crying the whole wedding not because she was happy, but because she was sad.

Are you talking about J-C or M-T?

If you're speaking of J-C, then I've also heard that. But, I believe that all of those sentiments were just rumors. They seem to be a very happy and lovely couple, with five wonderful children and 20+ grandchildren.

Now, I've never heard anything like that said about M-T and Henri....

-Kara-

[bct88]

I was talking about J-C.

[gaggleofcrazypeople]

Yeah, it was an arranged marrige, and Jean was in love with someone else.

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

It may have been arranged, it's always been a happy marriage.

[Hannelore]

Josephine-Charlotte and Jean have 5 children: Marie-Astrid (°1954, married to archduke Carl Christian of Austria), Henri (° 1955, married to Maria Teresa Mestre), the twins Margaretha (°1957, married to prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein) and Jean (°1957, married to Hélène Vestur), and Guillaume (°1963, married to Sibilla Weiler).

1 & 2. with Marie-Astrid
3. with henri and Marie-Astrid
4 & 5. with Marie-Astrid, Henri and the twins Margaretha and Jean
6. helping Marie-Astrid with her homework
7. With Guillaume as well.

[Hannelore]

Josephine-Charlotte has always been very elegant and classy.

[Hannelore]

2. In 1957.
3. at the time of her engagement
4. In 1981.
5. In 1964.
6. In 1977, with a giant I think because JC is quite tall herself :)
7. In 1983.

[Hannelore]

Glittering JC :)

She's got quite a large jewel collection and knows how to wear it!!

2. these earrings belonged to her mother, queen Astrid of the Belgians
4 - 8. with a tiara that was given to her as a wedding present from the people of Belgium when she married prince Jean in 1953.

[Hannelore]

3. tiara that used to belong to grandduchess Charlotte,and is now often worn by Maria Teresa.
4. at the wedding of Margrethe of Denmark and Henri de Laborde de Monpezat.