Princess Delphine of Belgium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Princess Delphine |
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Princess Delphine in 2024
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| Born | Jonkvrouw Delphine Boël 22 February 1968 Uccle, Brussels, Belgium |
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| Spouse | James O'Hare | ||||
| Issue | Princess Joséphine Prince Oscar |
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| House | Belgium | ||||
| Father | Albert II of Belgium | ||||
| Mother | Sybille de Selys Longchamps | ||||
Princess Delphine of Belgium (born 22 February 1968) is a Belgian artist and a member of the Belgian royal family. Before 2020, she was known as Jonkvrouw Delphine Boël. She is the daughter of King Albert II of Belgium and Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps. This makes her the half-sister of the current King, Philippe of Belgium. On 1 October 2020, she was officially recognized as a Princess of Belgium. She was also given the title "Her Royal Highness".
Contents
Early Life and Artistic Career
Princess Delphine is the daughter of Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps. Her biological father is Albert II, who used to be the King of the Belgians.
Delphine went to boarding schools in England and Switzerland. She then studied at the Chelsea School of Art and Design in London. In 1990, she earned a degree in fine arts. She has also been a guest teacher at art schools in Antwerp and Maastricht.
She started the Princess Delphine of Saxe-Coburg Fund at Ghent University Hospital. This fund helps promote the use of art in healthcare. She also designed the label for a special beer called "Cuvée Delphine." Her sculpture Ageless Love can be seen in the Gerdapark in Sint-Niklaas. In 2021, she helped design a special Lamborghini Art Car.
Family Life
Princess Delphine is married to James O'Hare, an American businessman. They have two children:
- Her Royal Highness Princess Joséphine O'Hare, Princess of Belgium (born 17 October 2003). Princess Joséphine went to school in Brussels. In 2022, she started studying Liberal Arts and Sciences at a university in the Netherlands. She speaks French and English.
- His Royal Highness Prince Oscar O'Hare, Prince of Belgium (born 28 April 2008). Prince Oscar goes to school in Brussels.
Paternity Case
In 1999, a book about Queen Paola mentioned that King Albert might have a daughter born outside of marriage. The Belgian news then found out about Delphine. At first, Delphine and her mother did not comment. The palace said the book was just gossip.
Later, in 2005, Delphine gave an interview. She said for the first time that she was King Albert's daughter. She claimed that when she was 9, Albert wanted to divorce his wife and live with Delphine and her mother. However, her mother did not agree because of the political problems it would cause for Albert. Delphine said her mother told her the truth about her father when she was 17.
Delphine also said she called Albert when she was 33 to ask for help. She stated that he told her, "Never call me again. You are not my daughter." This made her very sad. She tried to contact him many times through calls, letters, and friends, but it did not work.
In June 2013, King Albert lost his legal protection as king. Delphine then took him and his children to court. She wanted to use DNA tests to prove she was his daughter. When Albert stopped being king on 21 July 2013, he no longer had special protection. Delphine then started the legal process against him again. In March 2017, the court first said her claim was not proven. Her lawyers said they would appeal this decision.
On 5 November 2018, a court ordered Albert to take a DNA test. In Belgium, you do not have to take a DNA test. However, refusing to take one can be seen as proof of who the parent is. In January 2019, Albert appealed this order. But on 16 May of the same year, the Brussels' Court of Appeals ordered him to pay Delphine 5,000 euros every day he refused the test.
Finally, on 27 January 2020, the DNA tests showed that King Albert II was indeed Delphine Boël's father. In October 2020, a Belgian court decided that Delphine and her children would be given princely titles. Because she was born outside of marriage, Princess Delphine and her children are not in the line of succession to the Belgian throne. She also did not receive financial support from the state, though most of her legal costs were covered.
Princess Delphine met her half-brother, King Philippe of Belgium, on 9 October 2020 at the Palace of Laeken. The next day, King Albert II said he was very happy about their meeting. He hoped it would lead to happier times for everyone, especially Delphine.
On 25 October 2020, Delphine visited her father and his wife, Queen Paola, at Belvédère Castle. On Belgian National Day (21 July 2021), she and her partner joined the royal family at the military parade for the first time.
Titles and Styles
Delphine and her children were given the titles of prince and princess of Belgium. They also received the style of Royal Highness after a court decision on 1 October 2020. Before this, she was known as Jonkvrouw Delphine Boël.
Coat of Arms
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Film and TV
- Delphine: My Story (2022)
See also
In Spanish: Delfina de Sajonia-Coburgo para niños
