DNA tests solve a case that has resonated in Belgium for 20 years
Born fruit of an infidelity to Queen Paola with the baroness of Sélys-Longchamps
[Newspaper library] Delphine wants to prove that she is the illegitimate daughter of the Belgian king
Alberto II , the emeritus king of the Belgians, is the biological father of the sculptor Delphine Boël . DNA analysis has shown, after years of controversy and litigation, that the former monarch was unfaithful to Queen Paola and maintained a relationship with the baroness of Sélys-Longchamps , from which Boël was born 51 years ago. Alberto II, Balduino's brother, abdicated his son Felipe in 2013.
"His majesty King Albert II has been informed of the results of the DNA tests he gave at the request of the Court of Appeals of Brussels . Scientific conclusions indicate that he is the biological father of Mrs. Delphine Boël, " he confirms. An official statement issued this afternoon.
The judicial process has been giving hope to the 51-year-old sculptor for almost seven years, tormenting the royal family and generating unusual attention in Belgium. "He is suffering greatly with this process," said one of the advisers of the monarch quoted by the newspaper 'La Libre Belgique'.
Alberto II became king in 1993, the sixth of the Belgians, after the death without children of King Baudouin, married to the Spanish Fabiola. Both were children of King Leopold III. In 2013, after 20 years on the throne, he abdicated in favor of his son Felipe , the current monarch.
Last December, the Court of Cassation rejected the last attempt of Alberto II to appeal against the decision, two decisions in reality, of the Court of Appeals of Brussels. The first, once established for sure that Jacques Boël was not the plaintiff's biological father , opened the doors to the request for a paternity test. The second urged him to undergo DNA tests immediately. And the result, now, is conclusive, according to local media.
Last May, the lawyer of the Royal House reported that there would be evidence. "After taking note of the judgment of the Court of Appeal of Brussels on May 16, and respecting the judicial institution, King Alberto has decided to submit to the orderly test," Guy Hiernaux explained. But warning that the results would be completely confidential. The court itself had already warned that the consequence of not taking the requested exams could reach a fine of up to 5,000 euros per day .
The case dates back to no less than 20 years ago, when the publication of an unofficial biography of Queen Paola ('Paola van la'dolce vita' tot koningin ', by Flemish journalist Mario Danneel) revealed that Delphine Boël was the daughter of Alberto II, fruit of an adventure with the baroness Sibylle de Sélys-Longchamps. The writer, since then, claimed recognition and embarked on a slow process, long and with consequences. His father until then, businessman Jacques Boël, finally disinherited it.
And although now the biological daughter will not take place in the line of succession to the throne, she can aspire to financial compensation . After a recent change in Belgian inheritance legislation, it could be up to a quarter of the total, like the rest of his half brothers. But not a title.
Alberto II had admitted, years ago, that his marriage had gone through serious difficulties at some times, confirming part of the thesis of the cited book and the statements of BoËl's mother, who claimed that the divorce was very close twice, but that institutional pressure deterred Paola. But until now, there had never been any recognition of paternity of any kind, although it was taken for granted in Belgium.
"Although there are legal arguments and objections to justify the fact that legal paternity is not necessarily a reflection of biological paternity and that the procedure adopted seems questionable, King Albert has decided not to act and end, with honor and dignity, to this painful procedure . King Alberto wishes to point out that, since the birth of Mrs. Delphine Boël , she was not involved in any family, social or educational decision related to her and that she always respected the bond that existed between the lady Boël and his legal father, "explains the official statement.
The RTL chain points to an additional curiosity: what surnames will Boël now have? Those of King Albert I, at the time, were from Saxony Coburg Gotha , but after the First World War they considered themselves too German, so in the birth certificate of King Albert there are no surnames, but a title: Prince of Belgium.
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