25th Anniversary of King Baudouin's Death - 2018

[Tatiana Maria]

Are there expected to be speeches given in remembrance of the late King at the memorial service?



Princess Luisa Maria was added to the list of "Members of the Royal Family" who will be present (ahead of her older sister Princess Maria Laura).

(*) La Princesse Astrid et le Prince Lorenz, Le Prince Laurent, Le Prince Amedeo et la Princesse Elisabetta, La Princesse Luisa Maria, La Princesse Maria Laura, Le Prince Louis, Le Prince Nikolaus et la Princesse Margaretha, La Princesse Marie-Astrid, La Princesse Maria-Anunciata, Le Prince Josef-Emmanuel, Le Prince Guillaume et la Princesse Sibilla, Le Prince Paul-Louis, Le Prince Léopold, La Princesse Charlotte, La Comtesse Louis-Arnold de Looz-Corswarem, L'Archiduc et l'Archiduchesse Charles-Christian et Marie Astrid, La Princesse Léa et Mr Renaud Bichara, La Princesse Maria-Teresa de Bourbon, Le Comte et la Comtesse Jean-Charles Ullens de Schooten Whettnall

https://www.monarchie.be/fr/agenda/...me-anniversaire-du-deces-de-sa-majeste-le-roi

Indeed, I coulfn't make sense of the order either. Is anyone of them maybe a godchild of king Baudouin or queen Fabiola that might explain their illogical position?

I would speculate that the Court simply listed the members of the family who are "Prince/ss X" above the rest (except for Princess Léa; she will attend with her untitled son and hence is placed with him), and placed the additional family members based upon the nearness of their relationship to the late King:

La Comtesse Louis-Arnold de Looz-Corswarem, (family of King Baudouin's wife)
L'Archiduc et l'Archiduchesse Charles-Christian et Marie Astrid, (family of King Baudouin's sister)
La Princesse Léa et Mr Renaud Bichara, (family of King Baudouin's half-brother)
La Princesse Maria-Teresa de Bourbon, (family of King Baudouin's brother-in-law)
Le Comte et la Comtesse Jean-Charles Ullens de Schooten Whettnall (family of King Baudouin's uncle)

And I suspect the Court misremembered Maria Laura and Maria-Anunciata's ages (thinking they were the younger sisters) and positioned Marie-Astrid and Margaretha of Luxembourg after their husbands as they chose to share their husbands' titles instead of using their own.

I wonder, though, whether that is the true order of precedence at the memorial service/at the Belgian court.

 

[eya]

Members of the Royal Family arrive for the Memorial Service

The King and Queen with their children
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj6EMbXgAAKQ3X.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj6EMcW0AAhi30.jpg

Princess Astrid with her family
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj6EMcXsAEUJFe.jpg

Prince Laurent
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj6EMbXcAIxvVL.jpg

GD Henri with Prince Louis
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj62dhX4AAGQqa.jpg

Princess Lea
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj1pC0X4AAlrwM.jpg

Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein with her family
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj1pC4WwAEwIQS.jpg

Archduchess Marie Astrid
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj1pC2XsAAutln.jpg

Videos from the arrivals

https://twitter.com/x/status/1038361962952962048

https://twitter.com/x/status/1038359235082563584

https://twitter.com/x/status/1038357682632253440

https://twitter.com/x/status/1038361302316580865

Was it stated why Princess Claire, Prince Joachim (the only adult grandchild of Albert and Paola to be absent), Princess Esmeralda, Princess Elisabeth and Prince Laurent's children are not attending?



Is that Renaud Bichara?

Yes he is.


Prince Joachim lives currently in South Africa.


Quen Mathilde about Princess Elisabeth in her new school:
"She is good, very good" . "It is a bit of a change for us", says

https://twitter.com/x/status/1038385053993246720

Princess Astrid about King Baudouin:
"He was like a parent to me. He was actually the father of our entire family."
https://twitter.com/i/status/1038385114105962496


Pictures from the Palace

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DmkcMiUX0AAoOAY.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DmkcMiVXcAAb7M2.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmkb8I2W4AE06Dw.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DmkcMiSXsAAZKzR.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DmkcMiTW4AIv5Qi.jpg

And two more Galleries from today

https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?zoektype=2&search=08-09-2018 Laken

https://www.profimedia.cz/similar/385849173

On the memorial service yesterday attends also the Helene Vestur ex-wife of Prince Jean of Luxemburg. In the picture she is talking with the Grand Duke Henri and Prince Louis.

https://www.noblesseetroyautes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/IMG_8083.jpg

Whose the one on archduke Carl Christian's arm? His mother archduchess Yolande, born princess de Ligne?

Yes his mother Archduchess Yolande.

A very good report from RoyalArjan with many pictures from the Royals and inside the church and the Royal Crypt taken by him from yesteday's mass!

https://t.co/MqCHQzZ4xU

The La Stampa news paper confirm that King Albert with Queen Paola on Saturday they are in holidays in Italy. Specific in Cannero Riviera, a small municipality in the Piedmont region, on the border with Switzerland. And stay there:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DmrhZ0SXsAEtqSJ.jpg

https://twitter.com/WDehandschutter

 

[Mbruno]

Members of the Royal Family arrive for the Memorial Service

The King and Queen with their children
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj6EMbXgAAKQ3X.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj6EMcW0AAhi30.jpg

Princess Astrid with her family
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj6EMcXsAEUJFe.jpg

Prince Laurent
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj6EMbXcAIxvVL.jpg

GD Henri with Prince Louis
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj62dhX4AAGQqa.jpg

Princess Lea
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj1pC0X4AAlrwM.jpg

Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein with her family
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj1pC4WwAEwIQS.jpg

Archduchess Marie Astrid
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj1pC2XsAAutln.jpg

Videos from the arrivals

https://twitter.com/x/status/1038361962952962048

https://twitter.com/x/status/1038359235082563584

https://twitter.com/x/status/1038357682632253440

https://twitter.com/x/status/1038361302316580865

It is unbelievable that King Albert, the only living son of Queen Astrid, is not attending. If he were incapacitated or ill, I would understand it, but not wanting to interrupt his vacation for one day is not an acceptable excuse.

 

[leidi]

It is unbelievable that King Albert, the only living son of Queen Astrid, is not attending. If he were incapacitated or ill, I would understand it, but not wanting to interrupt his vacation for one day is not an acceptable excuse.

Don't bother, people will keep making excuses for him
And yes, his absence is REALLY noticeable but I guess the family knows by now they can't count on him (or Paola).

 

[Biri]

No Princess Claire and her children?

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Was it stated why Princess Claire, Prince Joachim (the only adult grandchild of Albert and Paola to be absent), Princess Esmeralda, Princess Elisabeth and Prince Laurent's children are not attending?

Princess Lea
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dmj1pC0X4AAlrwM.jpg

Is that Renaud Bichara?

 

[Somebody]

It's not that hard to come up with an explanation for why princess Elisabeth is not attending. She just moved to Wales and is attending boarding school there and not expected to leave the weekend after the first full week. They might have some introductory activities planned. Moreover, she didn't personally know her greatuncle. So while it would have been great if she had been able to attend, it's quite logical that she didnt.

Her missing the slightly less important events is part of the consequences of attending boarding school in the UK.

 

[Mbruno]

Was it stated why Princess Claire, Prince Joachim (the only adult grandchild of Albert and Paola to be absent), Princess Esmeralda, Princess Elisabeth and Prince Laurent's children are not attending?

Laetitia Maria didn't attend either, did she ? King Philippe's children were the only underage children in attendance. I wouldn't expect Prince Laurent's children to attend, but I was also disappointed not to see Princess Claire there.

 

[Somebody]

Laetitia Maria didn't attend either, did she ? King Philippe's children were the only underage children in attendance. I wouldn't expect Prince Laurent's children to attend, but I was also disappointed not to see Princess Claire there.

She is at boarding school in the UK as well. Laurent's childen live nearby.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Yes he is.

Thanks!

Prince Joachim lives currently in South Africa.

That's true, but Princess Astrid's other adult children are present despite likewise living abroad. I suppose South Africa is further from Belgium than Switzerland or England.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1038357682632253440

When did Luisa move to Russia? I was under the impression that she worked in Canada.

 

[iceflower]

.

Here are two galleries of today's mass:


** rex gallery ** gettyimages gallery **

 

[An Ard Ri]

I can't understand why Albert II didn't attend his own brothers memorial Mass ,seems her prefers to be on holidays.

The absence of Princess Claire and her children too was disappointing.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

I can't understand why Albert II didn't attend his own brothers memorial Mass ,seems her prefers to be on holidays.

The absence of Princess Claire and her children too was disappointing.

Because he is in a bitter conflict with the Government and half/half dissatisfied with his son's inertion to do anything about it. See earlier in this thread. At the moment I am in Puglia. I have seen pictures of the couple in Italian media here, just at the tabacceria / billetteria around the corner. The King is sailing alongside Gallipoli and Santa Maria di Leuca, the most southern point of the heel of Italia's boot, so to say. It is studded with cathedrals, basilicas, churches, chapels and monasteries. Plenty of possibilities for Don Alberto and Donna Paola to light a candle at a Madonna and to remember their brother in all discretion.

 

[Somebody]

Because he is in a bitter conflict with the Government and half/half dissatisfied with his son's inertion to do anything about it. See earlier in this thread. At the moment I am in Puglia. I have seen pictures of the couple in Italian media here, just at the tabacceria / billetteria around the corner. The King is sailing alongside Gallipoli and Santa Maria di Leuca, the most southern point of the heel of Italia's boot, so to say. It is studded with cathedrals, basilicas, churches, chapels and monasteries. Plenty of possibilities for Don Alberto and Donna Paola to remember their brother in all discretion.

Imo not a good enough reason to publicly display your disregard for both your brother and your son. Many of his brother's nieces and nephews made the effort to show up and his only living sibling makes it about himself by not attending. He can remember his brother all other days of the year in private if he wishes, this was the only day he was supposed to do it in public - something considered important by everybody else (even prince Laurent had the decency to show up - while his relationship with his uncle wasn't that good apparently).

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

But what when King Albert outright hated his brother or something, for his overzealous religiosity, turning Laeken into Vaticano 2.0 or turning the royal family into a Holy Family 2.0?

Just a wild guess. We will never know. It is also possible that Albert & Paola have developed bitter feelings towards Belgium and their children.

We will never know. I am sure that the old King and Queen knows 100% what impression this will make. And still they chose to do so. Maybe a feeling à la Madame de Pompadour: après nous: le déluge....

 

[Biri]

Was Princess Marie-Esmeralda present?

 

[Osipi]

This is just my impression but if Albert and Paola chose not to participate in a remembrance service, perhaps they were being true to themselves rather than appear and give lip service to something they felt required to do for public image.

I know I would feel hypocritical attending a remembrance service for someone in my life that I didn't particularly care to associate with or wasn't that close to.

Those that cared for and loved King Baudouin were there. That's what really mattered.

 

[Somebody]

This is just my impression but if Albert and Paola chose not to participate in a remembrance service, perhaps they were being true to themselves rather than appear and give lip service to something they felt required to do for public image.

That could indeed very well be the case. However, I'm afraid that being a royal includes quite a lot of pretending at times. And even if your relationship with your brother wasn't as good as you would have liked it to be, attending a memorial service is not that big of a sacrifice to make. Would he for example want his children not to attend his memorial service because they didn't do such a good job as parents?

This, however, is another clear sign that they don't really care about the continuity of monarchy; as they are totally fine putting their own desires ahead of showing their support for both their predecessor and (by default) their successor. Nonetheless, they do want all the perks that come with being part of that royal family.

 

[tommy100]

Exactly, they want the perks not the responsibilities. Whilst it would still be sad if they didn't want to turn up to remember a member of their family, the fact is the former King still receives considerable income and benefits from the state. Not turning up at so many events just keep destabilising the monarchy and creating chatter and talk about the family rather than the crown. They should attend, firstly because they want to but of not that then they should turn up because they are being paid.

 

[Somebody]

Whose the one on archduke Carl Christian's arm? His mother archduchess Yolande, born princess de Ligne?

 

[sophie25]

Astrid saying that her uncle was like a parent to her is as high a praise as you can give someone. Phillipe too seemed so close to his uncle and I always felt that Mathilde had a bond with Fabiola that was absent between her and Paolo. I suppose that when one's parents are at war a loving aunt and uncle can be a Godsend for children and for that reason alone I feel that Albert and Paola should have gone to this memorial as it seems that Baudouin and Fabiola were often there for their children when they were too busy sniping at one another to give them the necessary attention they deserved.

 

[wartenberg7]

Imo not a good enough reason to publicly display your disregard for both your brother and your son. Many of his brother's nieces and nephews made the effort to show up and his only living sibling makes it about himself by not attending. He can remember his brother all other days of the year in private if he wishes, this was the only day he was supposed to do it in public - something considered important by everybody else (even prince Laurent had the decency to show up - while his relationship with his uncle wasn't that good apparently).

To be honest I think it´ s kind of odd anyway to remember a person in such a public display after he/ she has gone since a quarter of a century...
That´s a purely royal thing - at least this is something one just does not do in my country. And I cannot understand why some people ask why person a or b was not present although a or b was not even born when Baudouin died....!
Yes, the King was great, unique and special. But a more private remembrance of him after such a long time with people only present who really wanted to be there would have been fully accteptable!


Concerning Albert and Paola: If A. was still the reigning sovereign he would certainly have attended this occasion. But since 5 years he and his wife are more or less private persons who have the right to remember a beloved deceased relative privately - even during a holiday!

 

[Somebody]

To be honest I think it´ s kind of odd anyway to remember a person in such a public display after he/ she has gone since a quarter of a century...
That´s a purely royal thing - at least this is something one just does not do in my country. And I cannot understand why some people ask why person a or b was not present although a or b was not even born when Baudouin died....!
Yes, the King was great, unique and special. But a more private remembrance of him after such a long time with people only present who really wanted to be there would have been fully accteptable!

I'd say it is both a royal and a catholic thing to have these kind of memorial masses, so in this case it's the combination of the two.

I don't think anyone criticizes the younger generation for not showing up to the memorial mass of their great uncle; although it is appreciated that many of them did attend. It's mainly his brother and sister-in-law who are criticized for prioritizing their year-round holiday over showing respect to their deceased brother who died so unexpectedly at a relatively young age (which also changed the course of their own lives completely). Especially, since they, as well as princess Claire, are adult members of the Belgian royal family whose former head/king they are honoring.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

This is just my impression but if Albert and Paola chose not to participate in a remembrance service, perhaps they were being true to themselves rather than appear and give lip service to something they felt required to do for public image.

I know I would feel hypocritical attending a remembrance service for someone in my life that I didn't particularly care to associate with or wasn't that close to.

Those that cared for and loved King Baudouin were there. That's what really mattered.

This Requiem is to honor the memory of Baudouin, the elder brother that ALWAYS supported Albert even during the years of Albert's disgraceful estrangement from his wife and children when Albert was preferring life with his mistress. Baudouin reportedly even strong armed Paola into remaining in the marriage and took on the role of parenting (along with Fabiola ) the couples' unhappy children.

Albert always publically revered the memory of his brother and in speeches on National Day called him an inspiration, both in life and death.

All that changed when Philippe became king and the Government apparently reneged on the amount of money that Albert would be permitted to enjoy in retirement.

He chooses to exact revenge by blowing off a family and national event meant to honor the memory of King Baudouin and his untimely death at only age 62 years of age...an action by the way that Baudouin would NEVER have taken if the situation had been reversed.

I agree with posters who deem Albert's behavior petty and selfish.

It also points out the stark and unflattering contrast between himself and his late older brother.

 

[Somebody]

Concerning Albert and Paola: If A. was still the reigning sovereign he would certainly have attended this occasion. But since 5 years he and his wife are more or less private persons who have the right to remember a beloved deceased relative privately - even during a holiday!

They are not private persons. The government would not give that much money on a yearly basis to some random private people. Moreover, they are still styled as majesties.

They could indeed privately remember Baudouin on July 31st, today they should have attended the memorial mass. If not out of love for their brother(-in-law) than at least out of respect for his long reign as king.

 

[wartenberg7]

I'd say it is both a royal and a catholic thing to have these kind of memorial masses, so in this case it's the combination of the two.

I don't think anyone criticizes the younger generation for not showing up to the memorial mass of their great uncle; although it is appreciated that many of them did attend. It's mainly his brother and sister-in-law who are criticized for prioritizing their year-round holiday over showing respect to their deceased brother who died so unexpectedly at a relatively young age (which also changed the course of their own lives completely). Especially, since they, as well as princess Claire, are adult members of the Belgian royal family whose former head/king they are honoring.

Well, I´m sure if neither Gabriel, Emmanuel nor Eleonore would have attended, some people would be upset, too, as we seem to live in times and a society everybody seems to feel entitled to do so - favourably about things who are none of our business...

But, anyway, I appreciate Albert and Paola prioritizing their holidays since this is something obviously important for them they do for themselves, instead of satisfying the expectations of public opinion!
Who are we to judge what they should do?!

For me there was never a hint that Albert didn´t care about his elder brother. And his absence today is no proof for that.

 

[An Ard Ri]

The absence of Albert/Paola from most family events speaks volumes when was the last time we saw Elisabeth/Gabriel /Emmanuel/Eleonore with their grandparents?

They should put aside his allowance feud and show a united Royal Family front in public for the good of the Crown.

No wonder the King and his sister have spoken so highly of their late uncle King Baudouin.

 

[wartenberg7]

They are not private persons. The government would not give that much money on a yearly basis to some random private people. They are still styled as majesties!

They could indeed privately remember Baudouin on July 31st, today they should have attended the memorial mass. If not out of love for their brother(-in-law) than at least out of respect for his long reign as king.

I did say "more or less private". Fact is, they are both very old and are not the royal couple in charge anymore.
I think it would be ridiculous to expect someone to attend a religious service even if he/ she does not want to attend, no matter for what reason, because he/ she receives a salary/ apanage, tax payers money or whatever you call it! Wouldn´t that be a highly hypocritical thing to do?!

 

[Moonmaiden23]

No. It would be the decent and honorable thing to do.

We are not talking about the memorial for some prime minister or other Government official. We are discussing a much loved and respected family member who died an untimely death and whose memory is still honored in much of Europe.

Not to forget the fact that but for a cruel twist of fate, Nature and the incomprehensible will of God...the inability of your brother and his wife to produce a living Heir...you would never be a King...former or otherwise, entitled to a lavish government funded retirement in the first place.

 

[leidi]

This Requiem is to honor the memory of Baudouin, the elder brother that ALWAYS supported Albert even during the years of Albert's disgraceful estrangement from his wife and children when Albert was preferring life with his mistress. Baudouin reportedly even strong armed Paola into remaining in the marriage and took on the role of parenting (along with Fabiola ) the couples unhappy children.

Albert always publically revered the memory of his brother and in speeches on National Day called him an inspiration, both in life and death.

All that changed when Philippe became king and the Government apparently reneged on the amount of money that Albert would be premitted to enjoy in retirement.

He chooses to exact revenge by blowing off a family and national event meant to honor the memory of King Baudouin and his untimely death at only age 62 years of age...an action by the way that Baudouin would NEVER have taken if the situation had been reversed.

I agree with posters who deem Albert's behavior petty and selfish.

It also points out the stark and unflattering contrast between himself and his late older brother.

The absence of Albert/Paola from most family events speaks volumes when was the last time we saw Elisabeth/Gabriel /Emmanuel/Eleonore with their grandparents?

They should put aside his allowance feud and show a united Royal Family front in public for the good of the Crown.

No wonder the King and his sister have spoken so highly of their late uncle King Baudouin.

100% with you there but I don't expect any better from Albert and Paola. They have always been selfish.

I did say "more or less private". Fact is, they are both very old and are not the royal couple in charge anymore.
I think it would be ridiculous to expect someone to attend a religious service even if he/ she does not want to attend, no matter for what reason, because he/ she receives a salary/ apanage, tax payers money or whatever you call it! Wouldn´t that be a highly hypocritical thing to do?!

They didn't interrumpt their holidays (either) to visit their youngest son at the ICU, when even Astrid came back from Saudi Arabia and then went to France to pick up Pere Guy Gilbert so he could be with Laurent and his family, Philippe also took time off his schedule to visit his brother daily.

It's not as if France or Italy are 36 hours away and they couldn't make the trip

Seems like the issue is that they simply don't care much about family and it's even more obvious when their closest child (Astrid) speaks of Baudouin as if he was her father.