September 22, 1908
Princess Stephanie of Belgium (Countess Lonyay), who is the widow of the Crown Prince of Austria, paid her respects to her mother today. She was praying at her mother's bier, when she received word that her father, King Leopold II, did not want to see her.
Earlier, the King had sent Stephanie away from the palace where her mother "lay dying," because he had not approved of her marriage to the Hungarian count.
Stephanie, however, has the sympathy of the Belgian people, and was quite moved by their demonstrations of affection. As she left the country, she broke down and "sobbed hysterically."
Before leaving by train from Spa, she told the crowd: "I thank you all. My heart is overcome at the warmth of this demonstration."
The Princess had been Cromer, England, when she learned of her mother's death. She hurried to Spa, to pay her last respects.
The princess will not be attending the Queen's funeral due to Leopold's unwillingness to affect a reconciliation.
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