maria-olivia
Majesty
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2006
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- Brussels
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- Belgium
The Queen this Outfit at Prince Albert II of Monaco 's Wedding
From the videos it's clear that Philippe's children have little if any contact with their paternal cousins. There's no interaction between them at all. I do like how Elisabeth and her siblings are pretty cool about it, and don't really seem to care (their beds are made anyway) whilst Astrid's tribe and Laurent's kids can't stop chatting and hugging to show how 'united' they are all of a sudden.
My guess is the biggest break was caused by this decision taken by court, to reduce the size of the core royal house and thus handing out less titles (and privileges):Queen Mathilde: Change in title
For title obsessed Lorenz & Astrid this must have been a blow, even though they have more than enough titles and money left. noble housewife since 2003! And Laurent is unmanageable.
This is out ot topic.
Prince Amadeo receive an Education to be a working Prince and he works out of Belgium.
Concerning the get-along-fact we have to keep in mind that
Astrid married very young in contrast to her brothers and therefore the age difference between the grandchildren is immense.
Well all in all a very normal family where some people get along and others don't , and where the strains between the generations only get bigger over time - with an occasional effort here and there. Bummer though that the whole world can watch this forced spectacle and that these are the people you have to employ in your firm
This celebration was organized by some of Paola's official patronages. If that hadn't happened I doubt any family gathering of this size would have taken place.
From the videos it's clear that Philippe's children have little if any contact with their paternal cousins. There's no interaction between them at all. I do like how Elisabeth and her siblings are pretty cool about it, and don't really seem to care (their beds are made anyway) whilst Astrid's tribe and Laurent's kids can't stop chatting and hugging to show how 'united' they are all of a sudden.
My guess is the biggest break was caused by this decision taken by court, to reduce the size of the core royal house and thus handing out less titles (and privileges):Queen Mathilde: Change in title
For title obsessed Lorenz & Astrid this must have been a blow, even though they have more than enough titles and money left. For Laurent & Claire this must ring financial alarm bells. How far can their influences stretch if this means in future they will no longer receive an allowance? Claire surely can't go back to being a part time surveyor. She tried so hard to be the perfect noble housewife since 2003! And Laurent is unmanageable.
I think Philippe & Mathilde tried their best to make it work with this lot but between a mother who was seen on crutches at a rock concert with her favorite child, but can't bother to show up at the National Day Parade, Laurent who was given a fair chance but blew it and Astrid who can't get a grip on her private emotions in public... I guess they made the right choice.
Broadly speaking, I have a suspicion that Astrid, deep inside, may resent Philippe having married Mathilde at the late age of 39. Had Philippe stayed single, Astrid would be the heiress to the throne and, more importantly, Amedeo would be second in line. I have a strong impression that Lorenz and Astrid had an expectation that Amedeo would become king, which was actually realistic until Philippe got married and Elisabeth was born (when Amedeo was already 15, I guess). But that is just silly speculation on my part.
Philippe and Mathilde are, however, a very humble royal couple, as I had also noticed in their recent state visit to Denmark when they deferred to Queen Margrethe II and walked behind her when entering the state dinner hall.
Broadly speaking, I have a suspicion that Astrid, deep inside, may resent Philippe having married Mathilde at the late age of 39. Had Philippe stayed single, Astrid would be the heiress to the throne and, more importantly, Amedeo would be second in line. I have a strong impression that Lorenz and Astrid had an expectation that Amedeo would become king, which was actually realistic until Philippe got married and Elisabeth was born (when Amedeo was already 15, I guess). But that is just silly speculation on my part.
Agree on both accounts
I also believe that they expected Philippe to marry some weak-willed woman (if he ever married at all) that they could control at will and well, Mathilde takes no s**t from anyoneand she supports and defends her husband's decisions, which usually go against the interests of the rest of the house.
I think one of the reasons why Mathilde got along so well with Fabiola was that she was willing to listen and learn how to be a queen from her and QF knew Philippe was in good hands, specially knowing how selfish and greedy the rest of the family are.![]()
What an extraordinary story.I have only just become interested in Mathilde et al. I find Mathilde very charismatic. There is something about her, cannot put my finger on it, but she is wonderful to watch.
Now to hear this story. I am even more intrigued. Can someone direct me to a thread where all this is discussed? Much obliged.![]()
No Celebration in September .
Last family Gala dinner in Belgium was for the pre-wedding of Prince Philippe.
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Here are two more galleries of the celebrations:
** dpp: Celebration 80th birthday Queen Paola **
** pm: Paola a fêté ses 80 ans avec deux mois et demi d’avance **
[....] as I had also noticed in their recent state visit to Denmark when they deferred to Queen Margrethe II and walked behind her when entering the state dinner hall.
i feel sorry for the belgian royal family even here when they don't look happy and show their emotions in public people say that they are ungrateful privileged who can't even smile and show their emotions in public and when they smile and looks happy people says that they are acting and faking it .
I thought there was a world wide rule where the longest reigning monarch takes precedence at events?
Heu...
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde did not walk behind Queen Margrethe but escorted her vis-à-vis, since there was no Prince Henrik: picture.
Of course, as it was Paola's birthday, Albert and Paola should be in the front row, but I would expect the reigning king and queen to be next to them, not further back.
It was a day with a lot of trafic and a very difficult hour 6.30 pm.
On my way back home I saw a grey car with police , and it was in fact King Albert II and Queen Paola who did not come at the same time of the King.
Next to the Royal Music Chapel is an important School. It was its last day with delivery of the Students Notes also around 6.30 pm.
Prince Laurent arrived but too late. There is a second group picture where we can see him.
I wonder who is the Lady with its purple dress sittting next to the King ?
But all my best wishes to Queen Paola who was so happy to day.
They actually walked behind her when they entered the banquet hall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGsv21F1fiE
The limousine stops at the palace cour and the Queen awaited the couple. Then the three of them walked together through the corridor with the statues as pillars, under a bombing of flashlights into an antichambre, leading to the Banqueting Hall. Thee had to go through the door-opening. Only at thar moment the hostess, Queen Margrethe, walked in front of her guests. I see no humbliness or so, just the natural flow of guests going through a door![]()
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Still some more photos
** pp: Paola de Belgique : 80e anniversaire en famille, le bébé d'Amedeo en vedette **
The woman in the purple dress sitting next to the King is Vaira Vike-Freiburga, the former President of Latvia. She and Paola are very close friends .