July 2, 1959
Prince Albert, the Prince of Liege, today married Donna Paola Ruffo di Calabria, in Brussels. The couple were first married in a civil ceremony in the "glittering Empire Salon" in the Royal Palace, according to the New York Times. This ceremony was followed by a Roman Catholic ceremony at the Collegiate Church of Saints Michael and Gudula. The ceremony was conducted by Belgium's Primate Joseph Cardinal van Roey.
In a speech, Brussels' Burgomeister alluded to the discontent in Belgium that arose when the couple planned to marry originally at the Vatican. The wedding plans changed when Pope John XXIII "took note of Belgian sentiment."
Prince Albert, the youngest child of King Leopold III and the late Queen Astrid, is the heir presumptive to the Belgian throne. His older brother, King Baudouin, who succeeded to the throne in 1950, following Leopold's abdication, is not married.
Huge cheering crowds lined the streets as the wedding party traveled from the Palace to the church, and later to Laeken. The trips through the city were a "triumphant parade" as Albert and Paola rode in an open automobile.
Princess Paola's gown was made with white satin, and the veil was of "Brussels lace."
Yesterday, Belgium's Parliament voted to provide the newlyweds with an annual allowance of $70,000. The couple received gifts from all over the world. President and Mrs. Eisenhower sent four vases of Steuben glass, "bearing pictures of heroes of American folklore, the cowboy, the trapper, pioneer and Indian."
There were cheers for the bride and groom, King Baudouin, and his father, Leopold. But the "cheers died," when Leopold's second wife, Princess Liliane got into her car. Many believe she has exerted "undue influence" on the throne.
Prince Albert and Princess Paola met at the coronation ball following the installation of Pope John XXIII on November 4, 1958.
3 comments:
Hello Marlene,
I really appreciated this item.
Albert and Paola seem to have a very nice loving family.
I always note the way that they include Queen Fabiola (widow of King Baudouin) in their family celebrations.
You know of course that Fabiola lost all her children to miscarriages. Hence, Albert's accession.
His health. must be a bit of a worry for all his family. Queen Paola must be a very strong and compassionate person, just as Queen Fabiola has always been.
I am not sure I would have used "nice loving family." Paola was quite open about her attraction to other men, and having affairs, starting in the 1960s. Albert has an illegitimate daughter, Delphine Boel. Fabiola is the consort of Baudouin, and much loved by the Belgian people. Paola does not have that affection.
Dear Marlene,
I appreciate your comment. Thank you.
I know little of this family, apart from what I have heard about in recent years.
Apart from that in all the years that I grew up Queen Fabiola had great respect and empathy from all the female members of my grandparens' generation.
That is all from me for the moment.
Thanking you again.
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