Funeral of King Baudouin I: August 7, 1993

[Hannelore]

No, it was each individual's personal choice.

[Von Schlesian]

Originally Posted by bct88

It is known, as can be seen in the photographs, that Philip, Duke of Edinburgh wore the wrong order. I believe he wore an African order. The Order of the Leopard? instead of the Order of Leopold I. I was wondering at the time if this was commented upon in the press? And, did it cause any friction personally or diplomatically between the British Royal Family and Belgium or the Belgian Royals? It's just something that one doesn't expect to happen. You would expect that a mistake like that would not be made, especially seeing as how it was the spouse of the British monarch, and it was the only funeral she attended outside of Britain.

Indeed HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh wore the Order of the Leopard (military), of the republic of Zaire. It's believed that the mix-up was simply caused by someone having mistaken the hand-writing of 'Leopard' with 'Leopold'. It was an honest mistake, but I believe the valet got a sharp talking to, or at least certainly recieved typed instructions thereafter.

I doubt that such a mistake would have drawn much attention from the other guests, many of who were wearing the Order of Leopold I. It was a rather unexpected death, and most would have been more concerned with HM King Albert and HM Queen Fabiola.

[Royal Fan]

Wonder if Albert II Will have a Funeral as Large as this just wondering (I Wish him many years)

[LadyLeana]

Originally Posted by Hannelore

No, it was each individual's personal choice.

That's not true, I'm afraid.
It was Fabiola's special request that nobody should wear black or hats. Unfortunately, some did not comply. Probably because she made them all walk behind the coffin towards the church

Queen Fabiola wore white clothes because she wanted to give a message of hope. She did not want to mourn his death, but celebrate his life.

Boudewijn was, at that time, the longest reigning monarch in Europe, so many people knew him, and many important people came to his funeral to pay their respects.

[lucien]

16 Years ago today,HM died in Motril at the "Villa Astrida".

It was incomprehensible that he had died that sunday(july 31st was a sunday in 1993),and it absolutely was unbelieveble and moving to watch the genuine mourning for this deeply loved and respected Monarch,the long lines waiting to pay their respect,day and night.

The Monarchs of this world came to pay their respects at the funeral,all of them,even Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko,and,a rare occasion,HM Queen Elisabeth II was present at the St.Michiel and St.Gudele Cathedral in Brussels that saturday of the funeral.

[fraxales]

Gee, I can't believe it was so long ago; I seem to remember the wearing of white being requested by the late King (something about not mourning his death). Also, requests like these are not necessarily heeded mostly due to so many different cultures, traditions and customs coming together - you cannot expect the Empress of Japan and the Queen of England not to wear a hat, nor will a Muslim lady attend such a function without a headcovering of sorts.

Also, they are not forced to follow the coffin to church - it is tradition throughout much of Europe; the same happened in Oslo for the funeral of King Olav V in what I believe were sub-zero temperatures!

[Marengo]

A clip from youtube, showing some guests:

Beroemde gasten op de uitvaart van Koning Boudewijn - YouTube

complete funeral:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj_QMeLBmIo

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by George II

Nobody knows about him?? I think Baudouin and his wife Fabiola were one of the most popular king and queens of Europe...

He died om July 31, 1993 in his summer residence in the south of Spain.
His funeral was great, and even the British Queen Elizabeth II came to this funeral (and she often leaves her country for a funeral or wedding).

King Baudouin was (correct me if I'm wrong):

• The brother of Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte of Luxembourg.
• First cousin to King Harald V or Norway.
• Second cousin to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.
• Second cousin once removed to King Carl XVi Gustaf of Sweden and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (Note: not sure)
• Third cousin to Queen Elizabeth II of the UK and Queen Sofia of Spain.

That also explains why some many royals were in attendance.

[Marengo]

I think it is pretty normal that all European monarchs -save the British one- show up at the funeral of another reigning monarch. The only surprise is the attendance of the British queen, who made an exception this time as it was summer holiday and it looked bad if she didn't go.

It was a great honour that the emperor and empress of Japan attended the funeral; which was partly due to the friendship of the two couples.

I still remember the utter shock that the death of the king was. There was an enormous and dignified grief in Belgium, without the hysterics. Hundreds of thousands tried to pay their last respects and the palace had to stay open till the early hours of the night. People were standing in line for hours & hours in the hot August weather, many fainted due to the heat. I also remember the speculation of the succession, which did not seem clear in the press as it was expected that Philippe would succeed his uncle and that Albert would step aside. A scenario that would have been more likely if the king had lived longer.

Notable absentee was the princess de Rethy.

[Lee-Z]

^^^^^
didn't the fact that K.Boudewijn died as a reigning monarch have something to do with QEII attending too?

[eya]

Even for Queen Elizabeth not to attend the funeral of a European reigning monarch is because holidays are mildly unacceptable.

[Yashal]

Originally Posted by Lee-Z

^^^^^
didn't the fact that K.Boudewijn died as a reigning monarch have something to do with QEII attending too?

She wasn't at King Olav V's funeral two years before. And as far as I know, she didn't attend King Haakon VII's, King Paul's, King Frederick IX's, and King Gustav VI Adolf's either. All of them died as reigning monarchs and all of them had ascended to the throne before she did.

[maria-olivia]

It was a great Honor to us !

[An Ard Ri]

I didn't realize that the Princess de Rethy did not attend her stepsons funeral!

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Von Schlesian

Indeed HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh wore the Order of the Leopard (military), of the republic of Zaire. It's believed that the mix-up was simply caused by someone having mistaken the hand-writing of 'Leopard' with 'Leopold'. It was an honest mistake, but I believe the valet got a sharp talking to, or at least certainly recieved typed instructions thereafter.

I doubt that such a mistake would have drawn much attention from the other guests, many of who were wearing the Order of Leopold I. It was a rather unexpected death, and most would have been more concerned with HM King Albert and HM Queen Fabiola.

Philip had worn the Order of Leopold before and had seen Baudouin wearing it as well. I'd assume he should be at least vaguely familiar with the Leopold sash and its somewhat unique color, which is not that common. Shouldn't he have noticed then that there was a mistake ? Or did he realize he was wearing the wrong order only when he got into the cathedral and saw all other royal guests around him and the Belgian royal familiy wearing a different sash ? I wonder how Queen Elizabeth II may have reacted and if Philip ever commented on his gaffe. BTW, I'm pretty sure all royal guests noticed it.

[maria-olivia]

This buttler did a mistake. At the Airport belgian militairs saw il but their level was to low to do a Remark to a Royal Highness.
The Order of Leopold reveived no excuses from the Duke's Office !

[JR76]

Originally Posted by Yashal

She wasn't at King Olav V's funeral two years before. And as far as I know, she didn't attend King Haakon VII's, King Paul's, King Frederick IX's, and King Gustav VI Adolf's either. All of them died as reigning monarchs and all of them had ascended to the throne before she did.

IIRC the Queen Mother was to attend the funeral of Olav V because of the close relationship between the older generations of the BRF & NRF (Olav was born in the UK and all) but she had to cancel because of the security situation during the Gulf war.


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