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Is she the daughter of a king, yes or no? In the case of 52-year-old artist Delphine Boël, this issue has preoccupied the Kingdom of Belgium for years. There is scientific evidence since January: according to a genetic test, the former King Albert II is her father. The confirmation of the judiciary is still pending, but now it is very likely to be imminent.
This Thursday there was to be a final hearing on the matter before the Brussels Court of Appeals, behind closed doors. A court spokesman said in advance that the judges would consult again after the hearing and that there would be no decision this week. So Boël has to keep waiting.
She is used to that.
As early as 1999, a biographer speculated about Albert’s illegitimate son, who is now 86 years old. Boël has been fighting in court for recognition as the daughter of a king since 2013. She initially ruled, but in 2018 the Brussels Court of Appeal ruled that Albert had to undergo a paternity test. And threatened with a fine of 5000 euros per day if he rejected the test.
“That was very difficult”
Albert eventually agreed, but initially did not want the results to be published. In late January he admitted paternity through his lawyer. For Boël, that could have been the end of a long fight. But she was also disappointed with the tone of the message from Albert’s lawyers: “That was not pleasant. That was too difficult,” she said a few weeks ago in an interview with Belgian broadcaster VRT.
At the same time, the 52-year-old woman complained about her relationship with her father’s relatives: “I was the shame of the royal family.” Court proceedings should not only deal with paternity, but also, for example, whether she keeps her name or takes the name of the Belgian royal family: Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha.
The title “Princess of Belgium” could also be discussed, and much money discussed. Boël could inherit part of Albert’s fortune. So far, she has emphasized that none of that is important to her. She told VRT that she started the process so her children wouldn’t have to wonder where they came from: “I would have done the same if my father had been a zoo director or a criminal.”
