The sun sets on the reign of Albert II and Paola, now former King and Queen of the Belgians
The women who have worn the crown: their lives, their loves, their stories. England and elsewhere, princesses sometimes too with dashes of all kinds of royal.
Showing posts with label who is new king of Belgium. Show all posts
Showing posts with label who is new king of Belgium. Show all posts
Sunday, 21 July 2013
Albert II has abdicated
The document is signed, the witnesses have written their names into history. The national anthem has been played and the king has left the stage. Au revoir, Albert et Paola.
Merci, Paola - Albert's kiss for his queen
His last words as king were for his queen. Albert II, on the point of abdication, thanked his queen consort Paola for her support. And as his tenure reached its end he said he sent her a big kiss. Romance at the end of a reign. The queen wiped away a tear as those gathered to witness the passing of the crown applauded her. And her king smiled on.
More thanks from Elio di Rupo, Prime Minister of Belgium who said the people of Belgium in particular appreciated her support and that they had taken their queen to their hearts.
And as the abdication ceremony takes place at a table in the Palais Royal, behind the soon to be former king and his successor, the three queens look on. Mathilde, Paola and Fabiola, the first witnesses of this historic day.
Albert II pays tribute to his queen consort as he makes his final speech as King of the Belgians
And as the abdication ceremony takes place at a table in the Palais Royal, behind the soon to be former king and his successor, the three queens look on. Mathilde, Paola and Fabiola, the first witnesses of this historic day.
Two kings and two queens
The abdication of Albert II is about to get underway as the royal family attends a Te Deum at the Cathedral of St Michel and St Gudula in the heart of the Belgian capital, Brussels.
After that, Albert II returns to his palace with his queen consort, Paola, to sign over his kingdom. Philippe and the future queen consort, Mathilde, then make their way to the Belgian parliament for the formal swearing in ceremony.
Last night the two kings and two queens kicked things off by attending a concert at the Palais des Beaux-Arts and then joined in the party at the 10th annual Bal National.
After that, Albert II returns to his palace with his queen consort, Paola, to sign over his kingdom. Philippe and the future queen consort, Mathilde, then make their way to the Belgian parliament for the formal swearing in ceremony.
Last night the two kings and two queens kicked things off by attending a concert at the Palais des Beaux-Arts and then joined in the party at the 10th annual Bal National.
Queen Paola, King Albert and the Duke and Duchess of Brabant at the Bal National, Brussels, Saturday July 20th 2013
And an interesting photo in the official gallery at Belgian royal household's official website on Abdication of King Albert II. Amongst the festivities and flags a lone photo of a member of the rotal family - the soon to be queen consort, Mathilde. This royal wife will have a very big role in the future monarchy led by her husband.
The people's choice - a photo of Mathilde is held aloft amidst the flags at the start of the abdication and accession ceremonies
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