Queen Fabiola Present for King’s Day
Making her first public appearance in over three months today was Belgium’s Dowager Queen Fabiola. She was present for the Te Deum mass during King’s Day. Her showing up for the service put to rest rumors that she was of poor health and was possibly near death.
REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
Each November 15th, Belgium observes King’s Day, or Koningsfeest in Dutch, or Fete du Roi in French. It pays to tribute to King Albert – the first, not the second, who currently occupies the throne. Since 1866, the country has observed this day since it is the name day of both King Albert I and King Leopold. In 2001, Belgian Parliament got involved in the feast and honors the royal family by closing federal buildings.
In the morning, the Te Deum service is held at the Cathedral of St. Michael’s and Gudula’s. As mentioned, Queen Fabiola, the sister-in-law to King Albert II, attended. She was unable to stand during the ceremony, but was still able to be present.
After the mass, the rest of the royal family – the Crown Princely couple, Princess Astrid and her husand Prince Lorenz, and Prince Laurent – met with the crowds gathered outside of the Cathedral. Laurent’s wife, Princess Claire, was not in attendance today.
In the afternoon, the same royals went to the Palais de la Nation to meet with the nation’s political leaders. A tribute was made for King Albert I, who made a contribution to the science during his reign, between 1875 and 1934.
The day ended with a military ceremony at Palais Royal in Brussels.
King Albert II and Queen Paola were not present for this year’s King’s Day. It might be because the focus were on previous monarchs.
REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
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Tags: Crown Prince Philippe, Crown Princess Mathilde, Prince Laurent, Princess Astrid, Queen Fabiola
