Family: Marie-Alix d'Udekem

Mathilde's sister, Marie-Alix d'Udekem d'Acoz (1974-1997) was one year younger than Mathilde.

Marie-Alix was the one who introduced her sister to Crown Prince Philippe. Marie-Alix met Philippe for the first time at a charity gala of "Aider Autrui" on the 11 June 1995 (photos below) at the castle of Beloeil. Her parents were also at the gala, but Mathilde wasn't. Philippe and Marie-Alix got along well and Marie-Alix decided to present her sister Mathilde to him...

When Marie-Alix died in a car crash two years later, Mathilde and another of her sisters, Elisabeth, were in Germany. It was Philippe who went to get them and drove them home. He also helped to take care of the practical side of the funeral - where he was present.