Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Funeral plans for the late Duke of Parma

The body of the late Duke of Parma will lie in repose on Friday in the Fagel Dome at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. It will not be opened to the public. The honor, however, is a testament to Queen Beatrix's support for her former brother-in-law. Princess Irene and their four children moved to the Netherlands after the divorce. The children were incorporated into the Dutch nobility, and became Dutch nationals.
The coffin will be flown to Piacenza, Italy, and placed in the Santa Maria della Stecata, where other family and friends and the public will be able to pay their respects.
The funeral will be held on August 28, the day where the late Duke of Parma's eldest son, Carlos, was to have married his wife, Annemarie, im a religious ceremony. The wedding has been postponed.

Spanish news agencies are reporting that King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia have sent their condolences to Prince Carlos, the Duke of Parma. The King and Queen "unite in the grief" of the late Duke's family, and "fell for the sisters and the children of the deceased." The Prince and Princess of Asturias have also sent their condolences to the new Duke of Parma.