Delphine Boël, daughter of King Albert II

[Pranter]

IMO he does think there's a good chance she is his daughter or he would of put and end to it all years ago...he may have thought it better to have it left unverified and hope nothing would ever be made of it.


LaRae

 

[M. Payton]

Then why not put an end to it by taking the test if he doesn’t believe her to be his daughter? We are talking about things that are not hard to prove here. Either way, he could’ve put this to bed long ago.

And this is not a case like the ones you describe. No exhumation and mismatched timeline.

As was stated up thread, *Revenge for the way they were treated by Albert and his wife* as can be said..........*Pay back is a Bitch*.....and that I believe is her driving force. If Albert would of admitted the honest truth years ago, then it would be over......and done with. Yet he shamed DB and her mother, so she did whatever had to be done to get the truth and make him pay whatever way......I honestly do not believe this is about money or status or line to the throne, more then anything it is about her mother's honor I honestly believe. Some people do paybacks when disgraced and humiliated as it becomes a matter of principle......that to me is called *standing up for yourself* and I get that big time!

 

[Moonmaiden23]

"People thinking it already" is wacky ice.

Recently we had the lady who claimed to be the daughter Salvador Dalí, with such an absolutely convincing story that the Court of Justice ordered the exhumation for a DNA investigation.

Result: no DNA-match between the artist and the alleged daughter.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...xhumation-not-his-daughter-dna-paternity-test


Remember a Belgian lady and a Spanish gentleman claiming they were a child of the King of Spain.


In the first case the Supreme Court dismissed the claim for giving an incoherent story, as was out pointed out that the former king does not have blue eyes, would not have been 31 years old in 1965, nor would he have been "The Prince of Spain" etc.

(In the other case there was an equal lack of a coherent story, lack of a matching timeline and lack of details.)

I was on the fence until I saw a side-by-side photo of DB and the late Astrid, Queen of the Belgians-KA's mother.

It's almost like reincarnation and stunned me speechless.

Albert should have saved himself, his wife, and the Monarchy time and embarrassment YEARS ago. I have no idea what he is getting out of dragging this thing on.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Then why not put an end to it by taking the test if he doesn’t believe her to be his daughter? We are talking about things that are not hard to prove here. Either way, he could’ve put this to bed long ago.

And this is not a case like the ones you describe. No exhumation and mismatched timeline.

1 - during the first allegations he was the King and inviolable

2 - after the abdication he became violable but no one is obliged to cooperate in a DNA-test

3 - now the former King is requested to provide a DNA sample but is still not obliged to do

4 - no DNA given? The Court will probably rule that, given the coherent story, matching timeline and documentation there is s presumed paternity

5 - presumed paternity makes Albert Delphine's new legal father but not her undoubted natural father as this was not scientifically established

Assuming that Delphine is Albert's daughter, possibly feelings of hate, revenge, retribution play a role. Still there is a possibility that Delphine is not Albert's daughter, but it is up to him or his three legal children to establish this.

 

[jacqui24]

As was stated up thread, *Revenge for the way they were treated by Albert and his wife* as can be said..........*Pay back is a Bitch*.....and that I believe is her driving force. If Albert would of admitted the honest truth years ago, then it would be over......and done with. Yet he shamed DB and her mother, so she did whatever had to be done to get the truth and make him pay whatever way......I honestly do not believe this is about money or status or line to the throne, more then anything it is about her mother's honor I honestly believe. Some people do paybacks when disgraced and humiliated as it becomes a matter of principle......that to me is called *standing up for yourself* and I get that big time!

I think revenge is the wrong word for it, but rather vindication.

1 - during the first allegations he was the King and inviolable

2 - after the abdication he became violable but no one is obliged to cooperate in a DNA-test

3 - now the former King is requested to provide a DNA sample but is still not obliged to do

4 - no DNA given? The Court will probably rule that, given the coherent story, matching timeline and documentation there is s presumed paternity

5 - presumed paternity makes Albert Delphine's new legal father but not her undoubted natural father as this was not scientifically established

Assuming that Delphine is Albert's daughter, possibly feelings of hate, revenge, retribution play a role. Still there is a possibility that Delphine is not Albert's daughter, but it is up to him or his three legal children to establish this.

I don't understand the point you are trying to make with this in regards to my post? Either way, there is a really simple solution for him to end this. He chose not to.

 

[Pranter]

I was on the fence until I saw a side-by-side photo of DB and the late Astrid, Queen of the Belgians-KA's mother.

It's almost like reincarnation and stunned me speechless.

Albert should have saved himself, his wife, and the Monarchy time and embarrassment YEARS ago. I have no idea what he is getting out of dragging this thing on.

My goodness..I just looked at pics of King Albert, Queen Astrid and Delphine ...there are definite features that are alike. She has similar looks to the King's son too.


LaRae

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Resemblance is a wacky theory. King Philippe, Princess Astrid and Prince Laurent do not look like their late Swedish grandmother. Following this theory they can not be Albert's children then?

If Delphine has a resemblance to anyone, it is to her mother.

Sibylle and Delphine: https://alchetron.com/cdn/sybille-d...fb-121a-4461-8b17-68f45d4f295-resize-750.jpeg

Astrid of Sweden:
http://www.gribnau.org/webtrees/mediafirewall.php?mid=M2756&ged=Gribnau&cb=434791d7

 

[Pranter]

NO one has said it's absolute proof and it's not wacky either. It's hardly uncommon to point out children looking like a parent.

Children can look like a grandparent or aunt/uncle. I don't look like either of my parents exactly, I'm more of a blend...but my sister is very much like my dad. I have a grandson who looks and has mannerisms much like my son even though it's his uncle not his dad.

Obviously DNA is needed to know 100 percent.


LaRae

 

[JR76]

Resemblance is a wacky theory. King Philippe, Princess Astrid and Prince Laurent do not look like their late Swedish grandmother. Following this theory they can not be Albert's children then?

If Delphine has a resemblance to anyone, it is to her mother.

Sibylle and Delphine: https://alchetron.com/cdn/sybille-d...fb-121a-4461-8b17-68f45d4f295-resize-750.jpeg

Astrid of Sweden:
http://www.gribnau.org/webtrees/mediafirewall.php?mid=M2756&ged=Gribnau&cb=434791d7

That´s not Queen Astrid, that´s her sister Crown Princess Märtha.

 

[Somebody]

IMO he does think there's a good chance she is his daughter or he would of put and end to it all years ago...he may have thought it better to have it left unverified and hope nothing would ever be made of it.


LaRae

Given the attention he apparently paid to her in her youth, my take is that he assumes/knows she is his daughter but didn't want the world to know. Somehow he still hasn't accepted that world does know. He most likely thought he could indeed sit it out and I wouldn't be surprised if he will go to the cassation court just to stretch the process out.

If he was convinced she wasn't his daughter there wouldn't be a good reason to not put an end to that speculation once and for all by taking the test. He cared for her previously so I'd say it wouldn't be too much to ask given that he himself contributed to the impression that he is her father.

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

My goodness..I just looked at pics of King Albert, Queen Astrid and Delphine ...there are definite features that are alike. She has similar looks to the King's son too.


LaRae

You're right! Delphine also reminds me a lot of Philippe, Elisabeth and Princess Astrid too.

 

[Lee-Z]

Apparently if he refuses to take the test within the next 3 months and does not try to overturn the verdict, it will be considered as a confirmation of his paternity.

Imo should this be about "money", than that would be sufficient, but if i remember correctly from an interview with Delphine Boël (posted somewhere in this thread), she is doing this to know for sure who her father is (for herself and her children) to know, like many people with unknown or uncertain parentage "Where do i come from: Who am I?".
For that a "confirmation because K.Albert refuses to take test", would be the worst outcome, because that would always leave room for doubt...

While i agree that Delphine looks both like her mother *and* the King's family, looks are deceiving...recently saw a tv show about long lost families reunited and the connection confirmation via DNA, there were two guys who suspected they were half-brothers and were really the spitting image of eachother, even down to having the same way of talking and moving... DNA-test performed: not related at all...(fortunately these guys remained good friends, but i doubt Delphine is looking for friendship with K.Albert)

 

[Somebody]

Did these two 'half-brothers' grow up together in some way or another and have a parent who told them that they were related? Because that what makes this story different to me compared to most stories where DNA-testing had an unexpected outcome. In this case, Albert was present in her life until she wanted the confirmation that he truly was her father; than his attitude towards her completely changed - and her mother stands by her story that Albert is indeed Delphine's father.

And of course there is the Christmas Speech by Albert about 2 months after it came to light that he had an illegitimate daughter (in 1999; Delphine was born in 1968 - so 'more than 30 years ago'):

This Christmas is also the occasion for each of us to think about one's own family, about one's happy periods but also about one's difficult moments. The Queen and I have recalled very happy periods but also the crisis that we as a couple experienced more than 30 years ago. Together, a very long time ago, we could surpass those difficulties, and find back a deep understanding and love. This period has been recalled to us a short time ago. We don't wish to dwell on that subject which belongs to our private lives. But, if certain people with similar problems today could gain some reasons to hope from our lived experience, we would be very happy.

I agree that Albert not taking the test would be the worst outcome for Delphine (who imo is seeking recognition as his child) but it seems more likely than Albert succumbing and taking the test that she has been asking for for such a long time. Hopefully, he takes his responsibility and does what is best for everyone involved.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

According to Delphine Boël's lawyer, she remains registered as the legal daughter of Jacques Boël, and the court's revocation of his paternity will not be final until some time within the following three months.

Affaire Delphine Boël : le roi Albert II peut-il s'opposer à un test ADN? - La Libre

And if Delphine was King Albert II 's daughter what will happen .
Her Lawyer Me Marc Uyttendaele ( husband of an important socialist past Minister) said she will be his legitime Child such as Philippe , Astrid and Laurent. She should wear her Father's name and be his heiress.
BUT , she will never receive a royal dotation, will never have constitionnel rights

I suppose she may have been seduced by the idea of being publicly acknowledged as the daughter of a king, which is quite silly actually since, as an illegitimate child, she will never be a princess or a member of the Royal House. [...]

I don't know about using her father's name or being her heiress, but it is quite clear to me that she will not be in the line of succession to the throne as the Belgian constitution says that: [...]

I recall that Delphine Boël and her lawyers have commented that she would not become a princess or enter the line of succession, and made clear that it does not concern them.

Her claim to a portion of her legal father's estate would be protected in Belgian law, which reserves part of the estate to each child.
https://advocaatballegeer.be/2017/soon-new-forced-heirship-rules-belgium/?lang=en

Article 335 of the Civil Code establishes that she could make a choice to take her legal father's name, but § 4 states that since she is over the age of majority, her name could not be changed without her consent. I suspect she has no interest. She is fifty years old and has built up a career under the name Boël.

 

[Lee-Z]

Did these two 'half-brothers' grow up together in some way or another and have a parent who told them that they were related?

I used the example to illustrate that just because someone looks like someone else, does not necessrily mean they are related.
This because many people think Delphine looks like K.Albert's family and from that assume they must be related.
Just looks don't mean a thing, that was the point i was trying to make (badly, obviously)

That said, the history of the Delphine story and particularly that years ago there was a lot of contact between them and the King, leads me to believe, that stricly in my opinion: yes, they are related.
But my opinion doesn't mean anything, and that's why a definite DNA test would settle the matter once and for all

That is...if he *does* take the test...

 

[leidi]

Two questions:
1. If Albert's state is mostly out of Belgium (Italy, France, etc) does it still fall until the Belgian law of inheritance?
2. Do you guys think he's going to try to offload as much as possible on his legitimate children and grandchildren before he dies so Delphine gets next to nothing? (and is it even legal to do so?). I remember A&P gave a property to Laurent's twins not long ago.

 

[maria-olivia]

We know all we begians how to do a ADN test.
King Albert declared he owns 12 millions euros a few years ago.
The Royal Dotations Castles etc 400 euros are not for Delphine.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Two questions:
1. If Albert's state is mostly out of Belgium (Italy, France, etc) does it still fall until the Belgian law of inheritance?
2. Do you guys think he's going to try to offload as much as possible on his legitimate children and grandchildren before he dies so Delphine gets next to nothing? (and is it even legal to do so?). I remember A&P gave a property to Laurent's twins not long ago.

Delphine's legal father for five decades, jonkheer Jacques Boël is one of Belgium's richest men. His fortune dwarfs the few millions in properties owned by (the relatively cash strapped) King Albert.

Delphine herself stated she made no any illusion: since she and her legal father (Boël) came in a frosty relationship, he had done everything to avoid that she would inherit from him.

Now Delphine, by her own actions, has lost her legal father, she is no longer his heiress. But to answer your question: is it legal to avoid inheritances? Yes it is. See the example of Boël shielding away Delphine.

A possibility is to place all assets into the ownership of a non-natural legal body, like a Foundation. As non-natural bodies can not die, these are not subjected to inheritance laws.

By the way - the inheritance laws of the country of formal residence are ruling. King Albert is a resident of Belgium. Therefore Belgian law will be enforced. But a change in EU rules on cross-border succession came into effect in August 2015, which allows EU citizens or official EU residents to choose whether the laws of their country of residence or their country of nationality apply to their estate upon their death.

 

[Osipi]

All inheritance issues aside, I can't help but feel that in the long run, what is going to happen to Delphine is that she's going to realize that because of all this, she has no father at all in the familial sense of the word. She will have thrown away the right to be the legal daughter of Jacques Boel and pretty much, by her actions, discounted anything that man has ever done for her regardless of their years of relationship. Should it be proven by a DNA test that Albert is her biological father, she'll be living with the knowledge that her biological father fought tooth and nail to prevent it being known she was his daughter and it only came about because of legal action.

Perhaps Delphine really doesn't need a dad though.

 

[Pranter]

Not likely being in her 50's she has a burning need for a 'dad' ....and any need may be (or have been) being fulfilled elsewhere.


LaRae

 

[maria-olivia]

Delphine had a normal life until Mario Dannels wrote his book in 1999 just before Prince Philippe Engagement and Wedding. She lived in London with her Mother who divorced ong years ago from Jacques Boel.
No word from Jacques Boël since 1999 , he is really a Gentleman.
Dephine said serveral times Her own Children has to know who is her grandfather too.

 

[Osipi]

At the end of all this, Delphine's children will know that they had a legal grandfather that was part of their mother's upbringing and perhaps a biological grandfather that, by all appearances, totally seemed to feel that he wished they never existed at all. Neither men, for all it seems, want to be their grandfather.

DNA tests are wonderful and in fact, I had mine done. As an adoptee, it gave me an identity of where I came from, what my ethnic makeup is. I know I had a biological father and mother but they don't really matter much to me other than giving me a start in life and to be able to grow up with a mom and a dad.

In this regard, I do feel for Delphine and the quandary she's in and I do hope she finds peace in resolutions. Its not about money but something she needs for her own self awareness to feel complete is the vibe I'm getting.

 

[maria-olivia]

Thank you for your positive Post Osipi , I appreciate MO

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

But the strange thing is that Delphine KNOWS who her natural father is. After all her own mother has told it, with a coherent story and circumstantial backing.

From day one Jacques Boël has declared that the high- and wellborn jonkvrouw Delphine Michèle Anne Marie Ghislaine Boël, is his daughter, born in his marriage to Sybille de Selys Longchamps. As such she is registered and known for 50+ years.

Jonkheer Jacques Boël happens to be one of the richest men of Belgium. So Delphine was not born with neither a silver nor a golden spoon, but with a platinum spoon in her cradle. She belonged to the most privileged families of the country.

Delphine could have had it both: a fabulous future as only child of jonkheer Jacques Boël ánd to be extremely close to the King of the Belgians which possibly happened to be her father and possibly happens to be her half-brother.

I think the word which explode it all is: discretion. The omerta. When it became public, Delphine blew up the bridge to the Boëls, a most discreet family, and she blew up the bridge to the De Belgiques, the royal family, always under heavy scrutiny.

That is the tragic in all this. Most likely both Albert, Sybille and Jacques thought that the interests of child were utmost guaranteed with this settlement. It is not exactly a pauvre outcast in an orphanage... So for Delphine's desire to have it known to the whole world, she pays a high price.

Look at the two extramarital daughters of the late Prince Bernhard: they remained discreet and now Alicia de Bielefelde as well Alexja Lejeune Grinda are totally discreet millionaires, living a discreet lifestyle.

 

[princess gertrude]

But the strange thing is that Delphine KNOWS who her natural father is. After all her own mother has told it, with a coherent story and circumstantial backing.

From day one Jacques Boël has declared that the high- and wellborn jonkvrouw Delphine Michèle Anne Marie Ghislaine Boël, is his daughter, born in his marriage to Sybille de Selys Longchamps. As such she is registered and known for 50+ years.

Jonkheer Jacques Boël happens to be one of the richest men of Belgium. So Delphine was not born with neither a silver nor a golden spoon, but with a platinum spoon in her cradle. She belonged to the most privileged families of the country.

Delphine could have had it both: a fabulous future as only child of jonkheer Jacques Boël ánd to be extremely close to the King of the Belgians which possibly happened to be her father and possibly happens to be her half-brother.

I think the word which explode it all is: discretion. The onerta. When it became public, Delphine blew up the bridge to the Boëls, a most discreet family, and she blew up the bridge to the De Belgiques, the royal family, always under heavy scrutiny.

That is the tragic in all this. Most likely both Albert, Sybille and Jacques thought that the interests of child were utmost guaranteed with this settlement. It is not exactly a pauvre outcast in an orphanage... So for Delphine's desire to have it known to the whole world, she pays a high price.

Look at the two extramarital daughters of the late Prince Bernhard: they remained discreet and now Alicia de Bielefelde as well Alexja Lejeune Grinda are totally discreet millionaires, living a discreet lifestyle.

Very nicely written!

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

Not likely being in her 50's she has a burning need for a 'dad' ....and any need may be (or have been) being fulfilled elsewhere.


LaRae

You're right; however I'm sure that it would still be nice, from Delphine's point of view, to have a clear definition of who your father is. She probably isn't looking for a father figure at this stage in her life but more the comfort of knowing for certain.

 

[jacqui24]

I still think it's vindication for how her and her mother has been treated since the rumors came out. Albert certainly deserves it.

 

[Somebody]

I don't think it was Delphine who made it public. However, when it became public knowledge; it must have been extremely painful for her that Albert suddenly refused to acknowledge her as his child and that set all of this in motion...

 

[Lee-Z]

Look at the two extramarital daughters of the late Prince Bernhard: they remained discreet and now Alicia de Bielefelde as well Alexja Lejeune Grinda are totally discreet millionaires, living a discreet lifestyle.

The *big* difference: P.Bernhard himself in a public interview told he had these extra-marital daughters. Had K.Albert done that, there would no need of the fuzz.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

The *big* difference: P.Bernhard himself in a public interview told he had these extra-marital daughters. Had K.Albert done that, there would no need of the fuzz.

That is true, but only on his deathbed ánd after Alicia and Alexia have been discreet all these years. I have the feeling that Prince Bernhard would have been equally stubborn alike Albert, had Alexia or Alicia run to the media:

"Wait a minute... I bought an arch expensive penthouse at the Avenue Raphaël in Paris, bordering the Bois de Boulogne, I sponsored her and now she bits me in the hand? No way!" I can almost film it, Prince Bernhard's reaction. I feel the Prince has acknowledged them as daughters because they played the game and followed the rules.