Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel & Princess Eléonore: News & Events, Oct. 2019 -

[Countessmeout]

Lovely photograph.

Is there any reasoning behind the 'Maybe in a Spanish speaking country' or just a random guess? Unless he has spoken of some interest to study Spanish I seem to be missing a connection.

 

[Linda_26]

Lovely photograph.

Is there any reasoning behind the 'Maybe in a Spanish speaking country' or just a random guess? Unless he has spoken of some interest to study Spanish I seem to be missing a connection.

I don't think Emmanuel has ever mentioned anything about studying Spanish (or any other language).
But a few (generally reliable) Belgian royal journalists have mentioned that Emmanuel is studying Spanish, since the vague announcement about his studies back in August

 

[Marchesina]

I don't think Emmanuel has ever mentioned anything about studying Spanish (or any other language).
But a few (generally reliable) Belgian royal journalists have mentioned that Emmanuel is studying Spanish, since the vague announcement about his studies back in August

He did not but royal journalists surely have their trusted sources to be so specific. Anyway, I wonder whether the decision of keeping it so secretive is due to the fact that it's just a gap year and not a full academic course.

 

[Adda]

The article is a bit dramatic in tone, but, according to Paris Match Belgique, Prince Gabriël has obtained his certificate as parachutist...and Queen Mathilde can't sleep because of it.

La reine Mathilde, maman inquiète face la formation musclée du prince Gabriel

Le prince Gabriel de Belgique suit actuellement son enseignement militaire à l'académie de St-Cyr Coëtquidan, une formation qui le tient éloignée de ses parents et qui cause de nombreuses inquiétudes à sa mère, décontenancée par sa nouvelle passion.

www.parismatch.be

 

[sunflowers]

I think he just wants an adventure. Gabriel is really handsome, he must be about 2 meters tall. I wish he could be a king

 

[samitude]

I still think we should get Prince Gabriel over to Spain to marry the Princess of Asturias. He wouldn't be king, but would be a consort. Maybe Prince Emmanuel should go for Infanta Sofia. I'm surprised that a journalist hasn't already suggested it. His being in Spain studying Spanish, a prince, and catholic. The press had a field day with King Felipe and all the aristocrats studying Spanish in Spain!

 

[Adda]

We don't know for certain where Emmanuel is, besides that, I wholeheartedly wish for them to stay as away as possible from the Bourbons and the Spanish press.
There are plenty of good catholic ladies in the Benelux already.

 

[leidi]

We don't know for certain where Emmanuel is, besides that, I wholeheartedly wish for them to stay as away as possible from the Bourbons and the Spanish press.
There are plenty of good catholic ladies in the Benelux already.

I am Spanish and I completely agree with you.

 

[Hannelore]

Emmanuel's definitely in Spain. It's mentioned by serious reporters in BE every time his name comes up.
All of Philippe & Mathilde's children have busy social lives and know many, many persons. They will end up (or are now) in a relationship with one of those persons, not with another high ranking royal they only see once every (so many) year(s). Which is far more romantic IMO.

 

[Countessmeout]

I don't get concept of trying to force royal matching. And its only ever boys. You never see 'Isabella never will be queen lets find her heir'. Its this backwards focus that men have been robbed and need to be compensated with titled bride. How about we focus on them one day finding love like parents instead? And for now focusing on school and training?

Sure Mathilde is not losing sleep over Gabriel. But still kid learning to parachute can make anyone nervous at first.

 

[leidi]

I don't get concept of trying to force royal matching. And its only ever boys. You never see 'Isabella never will be queen lets find her heir'. Its this backwards focus that men have been robbed and need to be compensated with titled bride. How about we focus on them one day finding love like parents instead? And for now focusing on school and training?

Sure Mathilde is not losing sleep over Gabriel. But still kid learning to parachute can make anyone nervous at first.

I think in this generation it's more about the law of averages, because literally every European country but the UK, Norway and Denmark will have queens next (I said queens, so technically Luxembourg and Liechtenstein don't count )

I don't really take that so seriously for that reason, people ship everything these days.

 

[Somebody]

I think in this generation it's more about the law of averages, because literally every European country but the UK, Norway and Denmark will have queens next (I said queens, so technically Luxembourg and Liechtenstein don't count )

I don't really take that so seriously for that reason, people ship everything these days.

Which makes it not 'literally every European country', you most likely mean 'European kingdom' (as that would indeed exclude principalities and a grand duchy.

However, that's more for a general discussion thread such as About Royal Institutions, Titles and Hierarchy in the 7 European Kingdoms

 

[Mbruno]

I don't get concept of trying to force royal matching. And its only ever boys.

It is done mostly for fun as most people know that royal-to-royal marriages are very unlikely to happen these days. Gabriel just happens to be an ideal match for Leonor in a royal-to-royal marriage scenario because he is a Catholic prince from an extant nuclear royal family without drama or baggage, and is also of the right age for her and tall/handsome.

To be frank, there is also another consideration that may be not politically correct to mention. Gabriel (most likely) would have become king (eventually) if the constitution had not been amended in Belgium to introduce equal primogeniture. Although the change happened long before Elisabeth or Gabriel was born, many people might still feel that, if he can no longer be king, a reasonable compensation would be for him to become a prince consort in some other kingdom. It may sound terribly sexist, but it is no different really from daughters of monarchs (especially eldest living daughters) being married in the old days to heirs to other thrones or foreign monarchs to become queens consort. Gender equality should work both ways if you think about it.

EDIT: Note that, in Spain in particular, the position of consort to the monarch is not inconsequential because, constitutionally, if the monarch's heir is still a minor, the consort is the default regent, not only if there is a demise of the Crown and a succession, but also if the monarch is incapacitated or somehow unable to function as head of state. In other words, in a normal scenario where the royal couple has a child of their own, there is an 18-year window in which the consort might be called to serve as acting head of state. Gabriel, given his military training and princely background, would be well suited to take over as regent in such scenarios.

 

[Hannelore]

To be frank, there is also another consideration that may be not politically correct to mention. Gabriel (most likely) would have become king (eventually) if the constitution had not been amended in Belgium to introduce equal primogeniture. Although the change happened long before Elisabeth or Gabriel was born, many people might still feel that, if he can no longer be king, a reasonable compensation would be for him to become a prince consort in some other kingdom.

Nobody feels this way in Belgium.
I also don't think fantasizing about coupling these real life people is 'fun'. That a son should deserve a(nother) kingdom merely because he's male is downright insulting. Women have equal rights. Elisabeth was born first. Move on.

 

[Mbruno]

Nobody feels this way in Belgium.
I also don't think fantasizing about coupling these real life people is 'fun'. That a son should deserve a(nother) kingdom merely because he's male is downright insulting. Women have equal rights. Elisabeth was born first. Move on.

I didn't say that I believe Gabriel should be a consort because he could not become King. I just said that some people might feel this way, in Belgium or elsewhere.

 

[victor1319]

Should a Prince become Prince Consort in another country? Though question!

I mean, the Spanish Royal Family might be a lot richer, than anybody thinks! Remember the alledged 2 billion €uros of Juan Carlos (Ok, they might be surely ill gotten gains - but what has happened to them?)?

But the most Royal families in Europeland are rather poor...

So, besides the always intrigueing "love question"... - There are a lot much better, noble families (read richer) than the Royals. And who knows? Maybe the Prince in question can open up a new branch of his family!

(The Habsburg heir managed to fall in love with a noble billionairess... Good for him and his offspring! And he kept his name!)

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Good grief... what is the problem with having some fantasy matchmaking fun? Nobody is saying that is the way things should be.

I honestly don't understand what there is to be offended about but anyone who is bothered could simply avoid the thread.

 

[leidi]

Good grief... what is the problem with having some fantasy matchmaking fun? Nobody is saying that is the way things should be.

I honestly don't understand what there is to be offended about but anyone who is bothered could simply avoid the thread.

It's fun and games, we have always done it, I remember Felipe VI being linked with nearly every aristocratic woman there was around, so I don't see what's the big deal about it

 

[Somebody]

Good grief... what is the problem with having some fantasy matchmaking fun? Nobody is saying that is the way things should be.

I honestly don't understand what there is to be offended about but anyone who is bothered could simply avoid the thread.

This is Gabriel (and Emmanuel and Eleonore)’s news thread. Speculation on marriage candidates would best be saved for the thread Royal-Royal Marriages Today: Royal-Royal Marriages Today

 

[Kinan]

Prince Emmanuel is studying at Mifra football academy, Zaragoza, Spain.

He is the tall blonde player (goalkeeper). At the beginning of the video, when they were running, you can see him clearly.

 

[Adda]

The academy's website: Escuela Técnico Deportiva Mifra.

With us you will be able to train in the way that best suits your availability and what you really need.

The way: in our different authorized centers where you can obtain professional training as a Sports Technician in Football.

 

[crm2317]

How interesting! I wonder if we will see him play professionally at some point.

 

[Adda]

It's a coaching academy. They have academic titles and federative (UEFA) titles.

Unfortunately, I could only find the info in Spanish

https://www.mifra.es/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/cuadro-copia.png

 

[Linda_26]

The academy also offers a gap year program (which might be what Emmanuel is doing?)
GAP YEAR | mifraacademy

 

[Adda]

The academy also offers a gap year program (which might be what Emmanuel is doing?)
GAP YEAR | mifraacademy

I really hope so!

 

[Adda]

I just realised the academy tagged most of the boys that appear in the video...Prince Emmanuel included.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Bravo Prince Emmanuel !

 

[Somebody]

I guess this uncommon path is why they were not fortcoming with (more) information.

 

[Linda_26]

I just realised the academy tagged most of the boys that appear in the video...Prince Emmanuel included.

Yes, Prince Emmanuel, whose Instagram account is private, was tagged, with many others, in this Instagram post (which shows the same video shared above)

 

[Somebody]

So, the various programs they offer are:
- Gap year (10 months focused on getting into collegiate soccer in the USA)
- Men's/Women's Soccer (10 months focused on getting into the Spanish professional soccer competition)
- Coach Program (10 months to 3 years for full licensing)

So, it seems likely that Emmanuel is either in the regular Men's Soccer program or the Gap year - and most likely hopes to become a professional soccer player.

The wording of him doing a 'language and sports program' imho was a bit misleading as he is clearly doing a fully sports (i.e. football)-focused program that happens to take place in Spain. Nowhere on the website is any mention of a 'language-component' to the program.