Belgian Royal Family General chat

[sara8150]

A thread to discuss the Belgian Royal Family news not related to their official duties.


Belgian royal yacht for sale ? Royal Central
Belgium Royals says its so private matter and no comment about that

royal yacht belonging to Belgium?s former monarch, King Albert II and his wife, Queen Paola, is on the market. The couple has put the boat on sale for two million euros, according to Belgian media.

The Alpa IV has belonged to Albert and Paola for over 12 years. It has four bedrooms and has room for 12 guests. The couple bought the yacht in 2009 for over 4.6 million euros and used it on holidays in France with their children and grandchildren.

The Alpa IV is 28 metres long and can travel up to 55 kilometres per hour (or 31 knots), and is being sold by the French Oceandrive.

The Royal Palace has said they will not comment as this is a private matter.

Reportedly, King Albert, 87, wanted to sell the Alpha IV a few years ago but was unsuccessful. If the yacht sells this time, the royal couple will take a significant loss of around 2.6 million euros.

Many were not happy when the King and Queen bought the yacht in 2009 as Belgium was in the midst of an economic recession. At the time, they had a yacht, Quatuor, and said it would be sold to pay for the new boat. However, it took some time for it to sell.

King Albert was King of the Belgians from the death of his older brother, King Baudouin, in 1993 until his abdication in July 2013. Upon his abdication, Albert was succeeded by his eldest child, Philippe. The abdication and swearing-in ceremony took place on Belgium?s National Day, 21 July, in 2013.

[Curryong]

It?s a bad time in general to try and sell luxury items of any kind really, houses, art collections, and yachts. It might be a bit out of date internally as well, as far as the decor goes.

[wannable]

Countryside homes and yacht sales have been exempt from the economic pandemic downturn. So they might offload fast.

The yacht industry was the rare only one that increased its economy approximately 10% 2020 from 2019 end report.

[Curryong]

That doesn?t mean that the super-wealthy will be leaping to purchase a yacht which is over a decade old and may well need to have quite a bit spent on it to bring it up to the standards of yachts built in 2021. The fact that Albert tried to offload it several years ago and was unsuccessful doesn?t exactly inspire with confidence. I believe the couple are selling for financial reasons. Their age and health has probably come into play as well. However, all things considered, if they receive a lower price than expected it shouldn?t come as a surprise.

[wannable]

I didn't read the little details from the boat or yacht world association, but during pandemic new boats were dire in construction, consumables for boating in high demand couldn't be met, old boat were being sold fast to a new breed of rich people, especially millennials.

The association reports a 10% increase to that of 2019, approximately 50billion was made.

[TLLK]

Belgian royal yacht for sale ? Royal Central
Belgium Royals says its so private matter and no comment about that

As far as I remember, Phillipe and Mathilde seem to prefer renting a houses when they take their summer and winter holidays so they don't appear to have wanted to continue the tradition of using a yacht. I believe it's just the Danes and the Norwegians who routinely use their royal yachts for an annual cruise these days.

[TudorQueen]

Its not really a tradition though. Not at least in Belgium. Its not as monumental an event as when the BRF retired the Britannia.

Its not really a royal yacht. Not like the Danish or Dutch yachts. It is a privately owned boat that just happens to be owned by the former king. As far as I know the history of the family and yachts only goes back 14 years (Albert bought a yacht 2 years before this one).

Now if Philip had grown up on family yacht for vacations, his choice not to continue a 'tradition' would be something newsworthy. Him not buying a luxury yactht like his father did, is not.

[TLLK]

@TudorQueen - Thank you for the information. I had this mistaken impression that the Belgians had been using them for a longer time.

[TudorQueen]

The royal family made a post for Gabriel's 18th birthday. And it included an update on his plans for the fall.

Gabriel graduated from the International School of Brussels this year.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSyX1miI0MF/

Translation

ℹ️ This year, Prince Gabriel obtained his International Baccalaureate after two years of study in English at the International School of Brussels. From September he will undergo preparatory training at the National Mathematics & Science College in Warwickshire. This program focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects and is intended for students who are preparing for an academic training in one of these subjects.

This is where he seems to be going. I wonder what field he is looking to study in, in the future. Clearly he has a mind for science.

The National Mathematics and Science College


I thought he may go the same route as his sister and cousins, and at least do a year at the military academy. I am glad he didn't feel pressure to do it as tradition. Though I guess he could later.

I assume he is taking the fast track 1 year A level program they offer, which would suggest he is looking at further University in the UK.

[Curryong]

Very interesting indeed that Gabriel seems to be heading for university studies in the UK. He obviously has talents and interests in the sciences/maths area. A career in the sciences would be marvellous I think. Perhaps he has inherited this from his mother the Queen. I don?t think his parents will be too disappointed. Not everyone is suited to military training and why undertake it if it really isn?t your thing.

[TLLK]

Congratulations to Gabriel on his admission to the National Mathematics and Sciences Colleges.  :happy:

I wonder if Phillipe and Mathilde are purposely preparing their younger children for a life and career outside of royal duties. While Phillipe's younger siblings Astrid and Laurent were expected to be at least part time working members of the Belgian royal family, I expect that this won't be the case for their nephews and niece.

[Curryong]

Congratulations to Gabriel on his admission to the National Mathematics and Sciences Colleges.  :happy:

I wonder if Phillipe and Mathilde are purposely preparing their younger children for a life and career outside of royal duties. While Phillipe's younger siblings Astrid and Laurent were expected to be at least part time working members of the Belgian royal family, I expect that this won't be the case for their nephews and niece.

Yes, I think that?s exactly what their parents are doing, and good for them. I expect Gabriel has show a real interest in the particular areas this college specialise in and hopefully he?ll have a long and happy private life and career.

[LouisFerdinand]

Another overview of life at The National Mathematics and Science College   
NatMatSci - life at a 21st century STEM sixth form college. - YouTube

[Blue Clover]

Prince Gabriel seems very talented.

[TLLK]

Princess Astrid of Belgium fractures vertebrae while exercising ? Royal Central

[TLLK]

The King and Queen were joined by three of their children: Elisabeth, Emmanuele and Elenore today on a bike ride on Car Free Sunday.

Photo https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_pvdNBWQAI4YAg?format=jpg&name=medium

[PrincessOfPeace]

Some more pics from today.

PPE Agency

[TLLK]

King Phillipe's half-sister Princess Delphine will be participating in a charity dance competition to raise funds.

Princess surprises palace by signing up for celebrity dance show ? Royal Central

Europe?s newest princess has signed up for a celebrity dance show. Princess Delphine, half sister of King Philippe of the Belgians, will participate in her country?s version of Dancing with the Stars.

The princess will take part in the series for charity. She is hoping to raise money and awareness for the Make-a-Wish organisation which helps grant dream wishes for children with life limiting and threatening conditions.

The Belgian Royal Palace was told last week that Delphine had signed up for the show. Her husband, Jim O?Hare, is understood to have informed them and they were also sent a press release by the station broadcasting Belgium?s Dancing with the Stars, Play4. Royal officials described it as a ?private? initiative and said they wouldn?t be commenting on it.

Princess Delphine will be paired with Dutch professional dancer, Sander Bas, and she is already playing down her chances in the show, saying that her dancing is limited to ?a few, often uncomfortable, dance steps at weddings and receptions.?

She also revealed she is recovering after contracting coronavirus and is still feeling weak now that she is out of isolation.

[TudorQueen]

She has been posting some clips and photos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXYHyY2NS2e/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXWe2WVtkNy/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXLzGWNNha6/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXEItgFtjkQ/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWoMUgINPq6/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWl5X7XtU2x/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWTFoi0q6uN/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWGzSiLtVLN/


I guess she has leeway due to her place in the family. But I can still imagine the shock if a member of a family like the BRF did so. It created enough waves when Meghan did a video for America's got talent.

[Macrobug67]

She?s not a working member, she isn?t in the line of succession.  It?s not illegal, morally questionable or problematic in any way.  She is dancing.  I don?t see any issue. 

[TLLK]

She's not the first person with royal blood or connections to appear on "Strictly Come Dancing" or "Dancing With the Stars" to raise money for a charity. The BRF tends to appear in a promotional video or to view the taping rather than actually participate with a partner. Duchess of Cornwall while not having been a contestant has appeared on Britain's version to promote senior fitness. Also I believe that the Countess of Wessex and Lady Louise Windsor attending a taping one time. Prince Harry was there to cheer on contestant JJ Chalmers in 2020.

Prince Harry Made a Surprise Appearance on a British Reality Show | Marie Claire (US)

Strictly Come Dancing Final To Feature Message From Camilla Parker-Bowles | HuffPost UK Entertainment



Now as an actual performer, Prince Emanuele Filberto di Savoia who would be the future King of Italy had the monarchy survived won his nation's contest in 2009. You can watch one of his performances below.

Emanuele Filiberto Di Savoia e Natalia Titova a Ballando con le stelle By Sandro Matocci - YouTube

[TudorQueen]

I think its a great way to raise money. And keep in shape  :flower3:

But there is a big difference between making an appearance and competing. Can we imagine if Harry took part as a contestant?? Emmanuel Filiberto is a member defunct royal house, a private citizen not representing any country.

She may not be in line but Delphine has taken an active role in charity since her title. And was even at National Day.

But again her limited role as a royal gives her a bit more leeway in how she does charity work.

Honestly why if I ever married into a royal house I'd want to marry far from the throne (In the BRF like Kents). Get invited to events but have a lot more freedom to live life. It would be fun getting asked to compete.


All in all watched some of the clips, she definitely is training. And enjoying it. Good on her.

[TLLK]

@TudorQueen - I so agree with you that if I or any other family member married into a reigning house, then I'd like to be far from the throne. Far less media attention and the opportunity to still be invited to some very interesting events.

I have to wonder if a number of royals who are fans of their respective nations' Strictly/Dancing show secretly want to be contestants? I think it's time for a poll in Modern Monarchies.  :hula: :yesss:

[TLLK]

TM joined by their children shared their family Christmas Card for 2021. Great, relaxed photo of the family and I suspect that the photographer or an assistant cracked a joke then snapped this picture. With her dressier make up and styled hair for the photo,  I have to say that  I'm seeing a bit more of Paola in Elisabeth than I had previously.



:xmas10:  It's the Belgians so there's typically some more formality and color coordination involved with the family photos than with other royals.  However I believe that at this point the parents are just reminding everyone  what the dress code is (suit for men/boys and nice daytime wear for the ladies/girls) and then perhaps the parents share what colors they're wearing and the kids just choose their own.

[Macrobug67]

Heavens, how tall IS Gabriel?  Look at his hands.  That is a big lad.