According to a recent decree of The Brussels Court of Appeal, Delphine Boël -extramarital daughter of King Albert II and Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps- can now call herself Princess of Belgium. Her children Joséphine and Oscar will also receive that title and from now on, they may bear the surname of ‘de Saxe-Coburg’. They can also use the prefix of "Royal Highness” and the title “Prince(ss) of Belgium"
On October 5, 2020, Delphine de Saxe-Cobourg Gotha attended a press conference in Brussels. According to the Belgian press, the children will continue to use the last name of their father, O’Hare, in combination with the title. Her new official name will be Delphine of Saxe-Coburg. Her children Josephine and Oscar will also be recognised as Princess and Prince with the style of Their Royal Highness.
Delphine has been fighting to be recognised as the daughter of King Albert II, who abdicated in favour of his son King Philippe in 2013, for many years. Because she was born out of wedlock, the Princess and her descendants are not eligible for the line of succession to the Belgian throne. Princess Delphine got married to James O'Hare in 2003. They have two children, namely, Princess Joséphine of Belgium (born in 2003) and Prince Oscar of Belgium ( born in 2008).
she has the family eyes.
ReplyDeletebut illegitimate children should not be heirs, makes succession so complicated!!
W.
She and her children are not in the line of succession. And with this decision, she isn't illegitimate any more. I'm glad for her, I hope she has the chance to befriend her siblings, too.
Delete-Paula
No child is illegitimate. That is very backward thinking. She was a victim of her parents behavior. She should not be punished for it. It is a terrible shame that Jacques Boël, the father that brought her up, ended his relationship with her, whatever it was. How could he not have feelings for her? I can understand her wanting an acknowledgement from her birth father. If Albert had been an honorable man from the start, the circus that ensued would not have occurred. He brought this on himself, and dragged his family into it in a very public way.
DeleteI agree, I consider the word ”illegitimate” backward as well. I didn’t fomulate my comment well enough and should have added that quite many children are born to unmarried couples nowadays. It was perhaps not that common in the sixties, but times have changed.
Delete-Paula
I agree completley with Anonymous 7:32
DeleteI'm happy for her that she is 'officially' accepted now, I was very sorry for her all that years, that she had to fight so hard for something, that is her right. She didn't do anything false.
I couldn't understand Albert all this years.
If he would have made a test in silence and then accepting her, then everything would have been not such a big thing. But the way he did, he brought a lot of sadness all over his family, his wife, his children (including Delphine) and everybody.
Maybe 2 or 3 years before I was reading somewhere that Delphine was in good contact with Philippe and his family. Don't know if that was true, but I hope it for her :-)
I congratulate from my heart to this strong Lady :) .
ReplyDeleteGood for her! She has the same royal blood as the other family members and deserves to be recognized as part of that family. It would be good of the family to befriend her and welcome her with love.
ReplyDelete👍👍
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ReplyDeleteOn the fashion side, the black dress in photo N°5 and from what we can see of it, looks smart, well chosen and suitable for the occasion.
On the "people" front, I see this saga as a difficult situation for all. Happiness for some, sadness for others.
I think of her adopted father, Jacques Boël who one day had to accept that he was not the father of his daughter.
It appears that the fortune of Jacques Boêl is much greater than that of King Albert II.
I understand, if I've been reading good quality press, that Jacques Boël has disinherited his adopted daughter from the Boël fortune. Is/was she the sole inheriter of the massive Boël fortune?
If necessary, will her father, King Albert II and/or the Belguim state come to her financial aid?
No doubt, the saga will go on. Stay tuned.
Indeed, I somehow cannot see this as a totally happy occasion. I feel so badly for Queen Paola and for Jacques Boël. And honestly, as someone who met a long, lost sibling in adulthood, I hope that no one judges her siblings if they need time to process this before they can be totally welcoming to or comfortable with her. They don't know her and no one can expect an instant family. There are sure to be some awkward family occasions ahead, but I wish them all the best.
Deletedeadeggs, thanks for this information about her adopted father. And yes, I would love to see, how the saga will go on!
DeleteWhilst reading about Delphine, Princess of Belgique, I noted that her mother, La Baronne Sybille de Sélys Longchamps, has cited on a civil list (fiche de l'état civil) that her occupation is that of "aristocrate".
DeleteNot a great piece of fashion news but I find it interesting and ties in with British men who cite their occupation as "Gentleman".
I think "Gentlewoman " is some times used as an occupation but much less than "Gentleman".
I'll stick to the rules, dear moderator, with my next comment.
It's a shame king Albert never wanted to recognize his daughter until this very moment ! This woman deserves the title and faught for her rights long enough.
ReplyDeleteAcknowledging her parentage is long overdue. Good for her for persevering. (V.M.)
ReplyDeleteChildren of royals out of wedlock bred in adultery should not be granted royal titles, it's ridiculous. Accepting the parentage is okay, but no royal titles should follow that and it should remain a private matter and not drawn into public as much as now with this woman and her own children even becoming royal and equaled to legitimate royal children and grandchildren of that royal marriage. So bizarre. This woman and new princess claims she would have gone to court even if her father was not the former king but a zoo director or a criminal which is highly questionable.
ReplyDeletewell, but Albert was the one who did not do all of this in private. He refused to make a test, he said he's not the father, he didn't accept parentage and so on. It was her only chance to go the official way through the courts.
DeleteI guess, everything would have been much more private if Albert would have been more acceptable and helpful.
Wie wird sie ihre neue Rolle wohl anlegen ??
ReplyDeleteVielleicht ist sie nicht in der dynastischen Achse, aber sie ist eine Prinzessin wie die andere Kinder von Albert.
DeleteSie koennte auch
eine offizielle Rolle in Ausland haben .
She said she wants to continue with her art. I didn't get the feeling that she was looking for anything more than Albert acknowledging her as his daughter.
DeleteFancy the poor girl had to go to court; a hollow victory. Do other members of the royal court recognise it; if not it could mean more anguish. I wish her well. I like her hair ;and her style. The king was quite arrogant. People call that type of behaviour to account these days.
ReplyDeleteGood for her. Your parents bring you into the world, it needs to be acknowledged.
ReplyDeleteAt first i kinda against the idea of recognizing her as princess since she should just let the world know that she was the kings wedlock child and just walkout since her father doesn't want her but i remem ber in monaco the 2 wedlock children of the prince are recognise but never in line of succession so........okay it was kinda okay to me to name and title her princess but i think her children will just lady and prince or lower status to prince since they were just respected part of royal family i guess soo.
ReplyDeleteThe laws are different in Belgium.
DeleteHe was... until he did the DNS test.
DeleteIn Belgium, the father is first of all the mother's husband. It's doubt, a disclaimer of paternity and/or legal action is required.
, I donot understand that then lawfull husband of her mother is not by law her father.
ReplyDeletePsychologically I understand that you want recognition, but why the titel and the HRH?
Fashionwise: lovely jacket.
That's exactly what I am confused about. I understand why in some ways, for vindication and closure. However, I also understand why, since she wanted to go through with this, Jacques Boel disinherited her. It was kind of like saying, "I'm going to let the entire world know that you're not my dad." Okay, that's fair. But, no inheritance, then. Choose one way or the other. A tough situation all around, however, because I suppose I would want the royal status if it were mine to have. But I would also accept that I should have no expectations of my siblings or the court to welcome me with open arms due to the circumstances. It's not her fault, but it still is not ideal. The king and his siblings are probably hurting for their mother's humiliation right now. These things take time.
DeleteShe is stylish, however and looks just like Astrid.
I am feeling happy and touched at the same time for her.
ReplyDeleteShe has fully deserved all this.
She has the same rights as her siblings.
Fashion wise, she has a timeless elegance and looks really fine.
I wish her joy and a fresh start from now on.
May she be welcomed, to her new family, her RH Delphine de Saxe-Cobourg Gotha, I hope she will accompany Phillipe, Mathilde, Astrid, etc, in the future, to public events. AND, that hairstyle on photo 5, is to die for! Princess Delphine, knock it out all over the other royal ladies, and it just need a tiara, or fascinator and for her to put on a ball gown or beautiful dress. Then she is good to go!
ReplyDeleteWhat a hairstyle, professional, elegant, show stopping, easy to maintained! Please take note Maxima!
Good for her and she is a brave woman . I think that her children should not have the title , because when she was getting married she was not a princess and had no title since then . It is my own opinion so do not get mad of me . Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLe seul responsable de cette situation est le ROI. Il faut arrêter de culpabiliser les gens.
ReplyDeleteDelphine s'est battue pour un droit et je pense l'arrogance du ROI a été de beaucoup dans sa démarche. Elle est reconnue Princesse de Belgique, et alors? ça ne lui donne pas la vie éternelle, elle et ses enfants peuvent jouir de ce droit. Elle ne régnera pas comme Astrid et ses enfants, ou Laurent et ses enfants.
Rien de nouveau.
Congrats pour le courage de n'avoir jamais abandonné
Je pense qu’elle simplement a volu etre reconnaissee come ca fille, et pas quelque chose “de moins “, ou fille de seconde classe. S’il vous plait excusez mon Français si mal.
DeleteEn accord total Acunpture.
DeleteI think this whole situation is weird...
ReplyDeleteNot weird but legal.
DeleteWhat I never understood: Why can't men in a position like the Alberts (Belgien, Monaco) or, for example, Boris Becker not use their brain before they use something else?
ReplyDeleteFair point.
DeleteWell, we all know, where men’s brains are situated... 😉
DeletePaula
Dear Paula, Coralie and Anonymous 10/7/20, 2:05 AM .
ReplyDeleteDon't quite understand what you're talking about. But then I'm a bit thick, you know. Could you please give more detail and if possible, some designs and/or photos.
Thanks in advance.
Anway my hubby should be back from fishing soon so I'll see if he can throw some light on the subject.
Ha ha ha, Deadeggs! Put the kettle on the fire, in case hubby caught a buffalo for you. As for the topic: I admit it is quite complicated, at least as far as Boris Becker is concerned. He told the press: "She stole my sperm!" (No joke)
DeleteDelphine and Jim O'Hare are not married.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy for her and her family (I'm not talking about the royal family !)
I read that her mother has been firmly stating that the King was NOT her father for many years.
ReplyDeleteI had never read or heard this on the contrary !
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