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Artist Wins Right To Be Recognised As Princess As Daughter Of Former Belgian King

Artist Wins Right To Be Recognised As Princess As Daughter Of Former Belgian King

King Albert II, 86, had fought the paternity claim for more than a decade, but eventually admitted he was Boël's father in January

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

An artist has won the right to be recognised as a princess, following a seven-year legal battle to prove she is the daughter of former king of Belgium, Albert II.

Delphine Boël, 52, has now been granted the same rights and titles as her father's other children, who he has from his marriage to Italian Donna Paola Ruffo di Calabria.

Boël's mother, Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps, had claimed she'd had an 18-year affair with Albert before he became a monarch.

Sybille de Selys Longchamps with daughter Delphine Boël in 2019.
PA

Rumours had been circulating for years, but the news of the king's lovechild became public when a biography of Queen Paola was published in 1999.

King Albert, 86, had fought the paternity claim for more than a decade, but eventually admitted he was her father in January.

Boël's lawyer Marc Uyttendaele told reporters she was 'delighted' with the court's decision.

He said: "She is delighted with this court decision which ends a long process which is particularly painful for her and her family.

King Albert II with Queen Paola this year.
PA

"A legal victory will never replace the love of a father but offers a feeling of justice, further reinforced by the fact that many children who have gone through the same ordeals will find the strength to face them."

While Boël will not receive any royal endowment, according to local outlet De Standaard, Albert will have to pay nearly €3.4m (£3.1m) to cover her legal fees.

She and her two children, Josephine and Oscar, can now also hold the surname of her father, Saxe-Cobourg.

PA

Boël has said she would still rather be considered an artist than a royal, although added that charity work could be an exception.

She told reporters: "I'm still going to be Delphine, I'm not going to be hanging out in the streets and say 'Please call me princess'."

Boël admitted she wasn't sure whether her legal victory would turn into any strong family bonds anytime soon, adding: "If you ask me whether I am expecting anything from the Royal family, as I said, I am not expecting anything. I am just going to carry on with my work.

"And however, if suddenly they show a sign of life, I would never [turn] my back to them. That's for sure."

The former king - whose son Philippe is now the reigning monarch - could still make a legal appeal at the Court of Cassation, but Boël said she believes it is unlikely the case will go that far.

"I think it is finished now," she said.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Belgium, World News, News