Photo: AFP / Getty Images
- Change of throne in Belgium
- The past overtakes him
- Difficulties, she smiles away
Change of throne in Belgium
It is considered in Belgium anyway as the proverbially better half of the Crown Prince and Queen. With her unobtrusive charm, her natural and friendly manner, Princess Mathilde (40) is already the perfect representative of her country.
And on July 21, the national holiday, the time has come: King Albert (79) thanks in favor of his son Philippe (53) - and at the side of Mathilde is then the youngest Queen of Europe!
The past overtakes him
It came as no surprise when Albert announced his resignation in a televised address. The monarch has long had health problems. In 2000 he was operated on the heart, six years ago he retired, and since 2006 he has been wearing a hearing aid.
And now his past caught up with him as Casanova. Delphine Boël, 45, the alleged daughter of his affair with Sybille de Sélys Longchamps, 71, has filed a paternity suit against him.
Queen Paola, 75 years old, still considers her husband, but the lawsuit was perhaps the trigger that finally drove the official-weary monarch to resign.
The Belgians need not fear such scandals with Philippe and Mathilde. Together with their children Elisabeth (11), Gabriel (9), Emmanuel (7) and little Eléonore (5), they lead a harmonious family life.
The two had once met while playing tennis and initially kept their love secret for three years. Mathilde, it is said at the court, kissed the rather shy and restrained prince awake at that time. And now, all of Belgium hopes that it will awaken the monarchy from its slumber and give it new splendor.
Difficulties, she smiles away
Anyway, Mathilde is well prepared for her new role as queen. On the diplomatic level, she just smiled some awkward situations next to her sometimes stiff-looking man. She is fluent in several foreign languages and has become thoroughly familiar with the court protocol.
Above all, she is - as in Holland her good friend Máxima (42) - by far the most popular member of the Belgian royal family.
The coronation on July 21st is traditionally not celebrated as splendidly as in Holland - but Belgium also has a radiant queen of hearts.
