Funeral of Queen Fabiola: December 12, 2014

[stephanievl]

Originally Posted by Princess Xenia

My dear, was Gabriel crying?

Yes, he was
http://i60.tinypic.com/5nwgo.jpg

[Duc_et_Pair]

Strange to see Prince Laurent wearing sunglasses inside. He looks a bit maffioso...

[Marchesina]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

Strange to see Prince Laurent wearing sunglasses inside. He looks a bit maffioso...

Trying to hide his tears?

Poor Gabriel...I had no idea the children were so close to Fabiola

[MAfan]

Originally Posted by Cris M

I suppose the Dowager Princess isn't present (which worris me about her healt) as she would be seated with her brother, Grand Duke Jean.

Would she? With due respect, he was Queen Fabiola's brother-in-law, while the Dowager Princess de Ligne wasn't so closely related to the late Queen. I don't think she would be seated in the first rows, with the siblings-in-law and the nephews and nieces of Queen Fabiola.

[Valerie Rose]

Originally Posted by episcogal

They're doing a bit of Taizé before the gospel reading.

Edit: Is that the beatitudes?

I believe I recognised the Beatitudes

[Princess Xenia]

Originally Posted by *Mara*

I got the impression Gabriel left because it was too much for him and he needed to get out of the camera lenses. Now he is back on his place. Goes to show how dearly they miss Fabiola.

No, I don't know who reading a lecture now, but the commentator said that after this Gabriel will read his lecture

[episcogal]

Yeah, I don't speak Dutch or French, but I recognized that the the beatitudes, too.

[Duc_et_Pair]

It is Godfried Cardinal Danneels, the Emeritus Archbishop of Malines-Brussels, who also was the celebrant at the funeral of the late King Baudouin. He explains the excerpt from the Song of Songs in which two loved ones find each other, meaning Baudouin and Fabiola.

[Cris M]

Originally Posted by MAfan

Would she? With due respect, he was Queen Fabiola's brother-in-law, while the Dowager Princess de Ligne wasn't so closely related to the late Queen. I don't think she would be seated in the first rows, with the siblings-in-law and the nephews and nieces of Queen Fabiola.

She seated with Grand Duke Jean and Queen Fabiola at Guillaume's wedding. But, of course, that was in Luxembourg. And she was close to the late Queen.

But she may be there and seated with her son and daughter-in-law.

[Princess Xenia]

Queen Sofía of Spain seems very sad too.
I have to say that it is so nice of Juan Carlos attending the funeral, as he doesn't travel abroad much for Royal engagements and such.

[An Ard Ri]

Grand Duchess Marie Theresa of Luxembourg looked very moved during the homily by Cardinal Danneels as did both the King & Queen.

[MAfan]

Also Prince Charles and Princess Fiammetta d'Arenberg and the Duke of Croy are present.

Prince Charles d'Arenberg is the son of the former Princess Sophie of Bavaria, who is the godmother of Prince Laurent.

[Marchesina]

Wonderful words from Cardinal Daneels. It strikes every time how you can easily find meaningful bits in the Bible each and every time you need comfort ...

[episcogal]

I am really hoping that those who speak either of the languages of the service will take pity on those of us who do not and provide details on the Cardinal Danneels' remarks.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Princess Xenia

Queen Sofía of Spain seems very sad too.
I have to say that it is so nice of Juan Carlos attending the funeral, as he doesn't travel abroad much for Royal engagements and such.

King Juan Carlos did also attend the funerals of Prince Claus of the Netherlands (consort of Queen Beatrix), Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands (consort of Queen Juliana). So he takes the effort to pay his last respects in own person...

[Cris M]

I've just spotted the Princess of Ligne (can't say exactly where). She looks very sad.

[leidi]

You can tell that for the children of Philippe, Astrid and Laurent, Fabiola was a grandmother, they are mourning her like that.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by episcogal

I am really hoping that those who speak either of the languages of the service will take pity on those of us who do not and provide details on the Cardinal Danneels' remarks.

The homily by the Cardinal was framed in the Song of Songs (which we heard in the first lecture) and the seed which needs to be sewn first to bear fruit (which we heard in the second lecture).

[stephanievl]

IN BEELD. Koningin Fabiola begraven in Brussel - Het Nieuwsblad

[Marchesina]

Originally Posted by episcogal

I am really hoping that those who speak either of the languages of the service will take pity on those of us who do not and provide details on the Cardinal Danneels' remarks.

He made a remark of the similitude between Fabiola's life and the biblical figure of Ruth and the wonderful song of Ruth when she didn't want her husband to leave her "I will die where I will die...I will be buried where you will be buried"
He said also that she didn't have children...but she adopted and entire nation