Belgian Royal family attended a commemorative service at Notre-Dame Church

Queen Mathilde, King Albert II, Queen Paola, Princess Astrid, Princess Laetitia Maria, Princess Delphine

On February 17, 2021, King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, former King Albert II, former Queen Paola, Princess Astrid, Princess Laetitia Maria, Princess Delphine and her husband James (Jim) O'Hare attended the Annual Memorial Mass for the deceased members of the Royal Family in the Royal Crypt of the Church of Notre-Dame de Laeken in Brussels.

Queen Mathilde, King Albert II, Queen Paola, Princess Astrid, Princess Laetitia Maria, Princess Delphine

Queen Mathilde, King Albert II, Queen Paola, Princess Astrid, Princess Laetitia Maria, Princess Delphine

The church service in memory of the deceased members of the family is held traditionally every year. The Royal Crypt is situated in the church of Notre-Dame de Laeken and is the burial place of all reigning Belgian Sovereigns and their wives, as well as certain members of the Belgian Royal Family.

Queen Mathilde, King Albert II, Queen Paola, Princess Astrid, Princess Laetitia Maria, Princess Delphine

Queen Mathilde, King Albert II, Queen Paola, Princess Astrid, Princess Laetitia Maria, Princess Delphine

Queen Mathilde, King Albert II, Queen Paola, Princess Astrid, Princess Laetitia Maria, Princess Delphine

Queen Mathilde, King Albert II, Queen Paola, Princess Astrid, Princess Laetitia Maria, Princess Delphine

Queen Mathilde, King Albert II, Queen Paola, Princess Astrid, Princess Laetitia Maria, Princess Delphine

Queen Mathilde, King Albert II, Queen Paola, Princess Astrid, Princess Laetitia Maria, Princess Delphine

Queen Mathilde, King Albert II, Queen Paola, Princess Astrid, Princess Laetitia Maria, Princess Delphine

17 Comments

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  1. Anonymous17/2/21 16:25

    So glad to see all of the family included. I admire this royal family for their act of inclusion regarding Princess Dalphine and her husband. She favors several of them. They all look well and well dressed for the solemn occasion.

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  2. Anonymous17/2/21 20:07

    I read where Dalphine said she did not want to participate in royal occasions of any kind, guess she changed her mind.

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    1. Anonymous18/2/21 20:39

      This is a remembrance service for deceased members of her family. Different from national royal events involving the public that she doesn't want to be a part of.
      - Anon 9:13

      Delete
  3. Anonymous18/2/21 00:00

    The Queen is wearing pointy heeled boots, in the middle of winter?

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    1. Anonymous18/2/21 06:34

      I like pointy heeled Boots of Queen Mathilde. Total look in black with those high Boots and her hat give her Severity and I like that. Her Majesty is a gorgeous Queen

      Delete
    2. Anonymous18/2/21 12:02

      I am not sure what is wrong with wearing pointy heeled boots in the middle of winter? When should they be worn, in the summer??

      Delete
    3. The snow has melted, it is now +12°C and it will be above 16°C from Saturday onwards.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous18/2/21 00:20

    The one detail that leaps to my eyes (and my mind) is Delphines hands in her pockets in front of the wreaths and crypts. Perhaps I'm too old school but that's not terribly respectful. Then again I don't know how formal that moment was. Maybe they were just casually strolling by and having a look. If your hands are cold, gloves are a good idea for a church event remembering the dead, even if it's just your family.
    - Anon 9:13

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    1. Anonymous18/2/21 00:52

      I fully agree with you, it was the first thing that I noticed too..... and I don't think it has anything to do with old school, it is just common sense, you show respect by taking your hands out of your pockets.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous18/2/21 01:42

      I've never heard of the disrespect of which you are speaking. As far as I know, there are no rules for hand placement while paying respect to the dead.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous18/2/21 07:45

      I noticed this too but didnot want to comment.
      Maybe she is just a bit nervous to be in the family.

      Delete
    4. I agree about disrespect, yes just common sense.

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    5. Anonymous18/2/21 11:58

      @Anon4:42 - I don't know where you are from, maybe it is another of those cultural differences, but in most of Europe hands off pockets is a general non-written "rule" of good behaviour not only applicable while paying respect to the dead (although that is one of the most obvious ones), but also when you are in any kind of semi-formal setting, and that includes being in a church, or when meeting or addressing people whom you want to show respect to.... it's like taking the glove off when you shake hands (unless you are QEII), or the men taking the hat off when going indoors... that kind of thing. Where I come from (central Europe) we were also taught by our parents that we should take sunglasses off when meeting a person in the street, you could put them back on after you shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, although I know that the millennial generation doesn't care of this norm any longer. I find all those unwritten conventions of good taste and a pity that they are slowly being forgotten. You will not go to jail for not respecting them but it just shows your upbringing, that's all.
      - M.A. -

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  5. Nous voyons toute la famille royale bien vĂȘtue pour cette occasion solennelle !

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  6. It is the first time that I see her husband

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  7. Anonymous18/2/21 21:15

    Yes, I agree that hands in pocket is informal, and our parents were adamant about it, I also think that we do lots of thing without thinking much because we have regular ordinary lives, and they aren’t photographing us. We are mere mortals, and sometimes put our elbows on the table, or use the wrong fork, or do something out of total distraction.
    I hope that she is not becoming the next victim of bloggers. Give the woman some time to get used to being in the public eye.
    CB

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    1. Anonymous19/2/21 01:23

      Well said! Judging by the way they all are so bundled up, It is pretty easy to see that it is cold in there. She may be trying to keep warm, not having full knowledge of the temperature inside. Here I thought she would get criticized for not wearing a solid black coat. ~d

      Delete

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