Archduchess Catharina of Austria and Count Massimiliano Secco d'Aragona 1999

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

On the 9th of January 1999 archduchess Catharina of Austria married Massimiliano Secco d'Aragona in Gent (Belgium).

the couple met at the wedding of Catharina's cousin Isabelle.

Her dress was designed by Armani. Her veil was a family piece that dated from the 18th century.

from point de vue

Catharina with queen Fabiola of the Belgians





Because the groom is Italian, icecream was available when the couple and the guests left church ...



grandduchess Joséphine-Charlotte and grandduke Jean of Luxemburg



archduke Otto of Austria, head of the family



princess Astrid and prince Lorenz of Belgium



A little correction: Catharina's gown for the ball wasn't designed by Gerald Watelet, but by Pierre Gauthier, another Belgian designer.

prince Jean of France dances a sevillana with princess Victoria de Borbón.



princess Victoria de Borbón, prince Philippe of Belgium and archduchess Catharina of Austria



prince Philippe of Belgium dances flamenco with countess Marie von Moÿ

[Elsa M.]

Oh, thank you so much, Cathérine!
I love, love the Archduchess' gown (and I thought I had already seen all the possible photos of this wedding...)!

[SASSY]

Not that I'm trying to start anything but Catharina and Felipe are sitting awfully close to each other at the reception! If you didn't know any better, you'd think Felipe was her groom!

I remember that every young lady that was aristocratic went to Spain to "study", Catharina included. I wonder why they didn't work out, She is a virgo like Letizia (and me). Someone once told me that virgos and cappricorns, which is Felipe, make good love matches.
I know they're both happy now, but I'm surprised there was no gossip about that photo.

BTW, where was Matilde? Did no one know they were seeing each other?

[kelly9480]

Mathilde wasn't seen publicly (or even privately often) with Philippe until her engagement that September.

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

point de vue

[Emily]

Wonderful photos of a beautiful wedding and couple. Is that a Spanish "tuna" singing to them -- referring to her time in Spain?

[Elsa M.]

Originally Posted by Emily

Wonderful photos of a beautiful wedding and couple. Is that a Spanish "tuna" singing to them -- referring to her time in Spain?

It seems to be a group of Sevillanas...
She has a special tenderness towards Spain and I think that feeling is reciprocal.

[leonardinha]

A funny video of the wedding...

YouTube - Alles Kan Beter - Huwelijk

[ladyblue]

Very very beautiful.

[Elsa M.]

Originally Posted by ladyblue

Very very beautiful.

Apparently, we were not the only ones sharing this same opinion...

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...3-post237.html

[cdm]

Princess Astrid looked great that day. With that kind of clothes she looked a lot like her beloved grandmother Queen Astrid.

[BurberryBrit]

The dress of Xenia Galitzia (who married in September) is identical to hers. Maybe a family tradition?

[michelleq]

I believe that the Archducess loaned it to her.

[alterego]

Originally Posted by BurberryBrit

The dress of Xenia Galitzia (who married in September) is identical to hers. Maybe a family tradition?

Coincidently, The dresses Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein(nee Luxembourg) was wearing at these two occasions were almost the same too...

Catharina's Wedding:
http://pro.corbis.com/images/0000349748-016.jpg?size=67&uid={6fa5f885-7af9-4eeb-85b0-0d7f79d9c1ad}

Xenia's Wedding:
Picasa Web Albums - Alberto - 23.09.2007

[sgl]

The dress is very pretty. Perhaps they both have the same good taste.

[uriel]

Looks like Mathilde's gown

[IloveCP]

I would have loved this gown if not for the fur cuffs. It ruined the look for me. Nevertheless, the rest of the dress is very beautiful and regal. It reminds me of Mathilde's wedding dress. However, I don't like the dress underneath.