A DNA test forced King Albert II to admit he was the biological father of Delphine Boël earlier in the year, having had a long-term affair with Ms Boël's mother, Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps. Rumour had started after a disclosure in an unauthorised biography of Albert's wife, Queen Paola, and Ms. Boël fought her paternity claim for more than a decade. However, it was not until Albert abdicated in 2013 - when he lost his immunity to prosecution - that she opened court proceedings to grant her the same rights and titles as her father's children by his marriage. To cut a long story short, the Belgian Court found in Ms Boël's favour yesterday.
What is also not clear is the implication of the court ruling on their Coats of Arms. The Shield of Jacques Boël, up to yesterday her legal father, is shown here and is blazonned as follows: Or a Tower decorated and crenellated sable masoned argent, on a Chief azure three Mallets Or bendwise in Fess. As Princess of Belgium Delphine will surely be entitled to a Coat of Arms in accordance with the Royal Decree which was signed by King Albert's son and successor HM King Philippe on 12th July last year and published on 19 July. (Royal Decree published on 19 July and signed on 12 July 2019) Princesses are entitled to the Royal Arms on a Lozenge-shaped Shield with Supporters, Pavilion, Crowns and Motto. However, there are two versions - one with a yellow border and one with a purple border - as shown at the top. |
That, in itself, is fine. Because of her direct descent from King Leopold I by virtue of the court ruling that King Albert II is her legal father, Princess Delphine and her children should be assigned the yellow border. However, and it may be a mistake, Princess Marie-Esméralda - the remaining child of King Leopold III by his post-abdication second wife Lilian Baels who was created Princess Lilian of Belgium, Princess of Réthy and was therefore never queen - shows Arms with a pruple border.
Which is it to be, I wonder...?
Surely the court ruling has an affect on the power of the Monarch of the Belgians in regulating the Royal House and who is or is not a member. A statement from His Majesty would be welcome as to whether this court ruling sets a precident. The court ruling's inclusion of Princess Delphine's children would be especially pertinent to the future children of The King and Queen's younger daughter Princess Eléonore.