Belgian queen near death

March 5, 1899

Last rites have been administered to Queen Marie Henriette of Belgium, who is suffering from broncho-pneumonia. Early this evening a priest visited with the queen, and "at that hour there seemed no hope of recovery," according to the latest Associated Press dispatch.

 But at ten p.m., a new bulletin was issued, announcing that the queen has shown "slight improvement and this afforded a basis for receiving hope." According to international reports, all members of the Royal family "have been summoned", in case of the queen's death.

Queen Marie Henriette is a daughter of the late Archduke Josef of Austria.  She was born on August 23, 1836.  She married Crown Prince Leopold of the Belgium in 1853.  He succeeded to the throne in December 1865, following the death of his father, King Leopold I.

The King and Queen have three daughters.  Princess Louise is separated from her husband, Prince Philipp of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.  She is said the be "mentally deranged."  

Princess Stephanie is the widow of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria, who committed suicide in January 1889.

The youngest daughter, Princess Clementine, is 26 years old and unmarried.