Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Belgians learn of King's marriage

December 7, 1941

Joseph Ernest Cardinal van Roey, Archbishop of Malines, today announced the morganatic marriage of King Leopold III to Miss Marie Lillian Baels, the daughter of the former Belgian minister of Agriculture.  

The marriage took place three months ago according to the Cardinal's letter that was "read in all Catholic churches in Belgium today," reports the New York Times.

The news came "as a complete surprise."  Many residents of Brussels "made pilgrimages all day" to the Chateau de Laeken where the King and his wife, who will be known as the Princess de Rethy, share his "voluntary detention" as "Belgium's prisoner of war No.1."

No comments: