2023-07-30 05:59:00
The documentary Baudoin, the legacy of a king retraces the reign of the Belgian sovereign. Relatives, former politicians and historians plunge us into the heart of the monarch’s intimacy. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his death, five anecdotes regarding the life of the king have been unearthed.
On July 31, 1993, King Baudoin died. In front of the Royal Palace of Belgium that day, 100,000 admirers come to pay their last respects. “A father“, “an exceptional man“… His fellow citizens are full of praise for their sovereign. But who was King Baudouin really?
1. He reportedly had a secret affair with his stepmother
The archives of former Prime Minister Achille Van Acker reveal a very curious secret: when he was a prince, Baudouin would have had a secret relationship with his stepmother, Princess Lilian de Rethy. The former politician is said to have discovered that the king’s calls were being monitored. And in his conversations with the second wife of King Leopold III, Baudouin would have told her “I’m yours” or “i will never leave you“. Princess Esmeralda, the daughter of Leopold III and Lilian, believes that these are only rumors which aim to tarnish her mother’s reputation. According to her, Baudoin and Lilian simply had a strong emotional relationship.
2. He is an aviation fan, like his father, grandfather and nephew
The royal family of Belgium seems to have a special link with aviation since the Great War. THE roi albert i is interested in everything related to the air weapon. At that time, aviation was still in its infancy, but the king did not hesitate to take to the air and even flew over the front several times. His successors – Léopold III, Baudouin and Philippe – also had their pilot’s license. King Baudouin enjoyed flying light aircraft when he had the chance, including an F-104 Starfighter.
3. Many thought he would never marry
During his youth, Baudouin was under pressure from the royal family and the government to marry a foreign princess. But until he was 28, no one knew of any adventures. Rumors are rife, and one persists: the sovereign is regarding to retire from official life to take orders. Ultimately, King Baudouin met Spanish aristocrat Fabiola de Mora y Aragón and married her in 1960. Their relationship was loved by the people of Belgium throughout their reign.
4. He gave up 36 hours of power
In 1990, abortion became a hot topic in Belgium. The House of Representatives wants to pass a bill that partially decriminalizes it and it divides the country. After a long period of demonstrations and debates, the project is voted, only the king’s signature is missing. This is a simple formality which generally does not pose a problem. But when the bill was presented to him, Baudouin, a devout Catholic, let it be known that he might not sign it. In the end, a constitutional trick is used: the King is unable to reign for 36 hours, which allows the government to pass the law.
5. He is nicknamed the Sad King
Baudouin was sometimes nicknamed “the sad king” due to his reserved character and serious facial expression during public events. He was known to be thoughtful and introspective, which might make him look melancholy. His low-key personality contrasts with other more outgoing members of the royal family, such as Queen Fabiola, which has also contributed to forging this image of a sad king.
If you want to know more regarding the sovereign, the documentary Baudouin, the legacy of a king retraces his life and his 43 years of reign. His enthronement, his commitments and his role in key moments in Belgian history, such as the Congo crisis, are highlighted. With the testimonies of relatives, historians and former politicians, dive into the heart of the intimacy of this monarch and explore the challenges and triumphs that marked his life.
A documentary to discover on Sunday July 30, at 8:45 p.m. on La Une and in replay on audio.
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