Flashback: Mass for Baudouin

31 July 2003

Ten years after King Baudouin's passing, a commemorative mass was held at the Saints Michel et Gudule catherdal in Brussels.

Princess Mathilde was 8 months pregnant with her second child, Gabriel.

Princess Astrid & Prince Lorenz with their daughter Luisa, followed by Joachim, Laura and Amedeo.
Prince Laurent & Princess Claire.

King Albert II & Queen Paola with Baudouin's widow, former Queen Fabiola.

Borrowed Jewellery: Ruby Earrings

These beautiful diamond and ruby earrings were only seen once on princess Mathilde, at the Polish state visit to Belgium in 2004. It's safe to assume they were lent to her by a jeweller's.

Jewels: Laurel Tiara

On the occasion of her wedding to crown prince Philippe of Belgium in 1999, the "Association de la Noblesse du Royaume de Belgique" presented Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz with a unique gift: a diamond tiara in the shape of a wreath of laurel leafs.

The tiara had been purchased in Britain. It contains 631 diamonds and 56 rose cut diamonds.

The tiara was made in 1912, by London jewellers Hennell & Sons. Its previous owner was Mrs Helen May White.

The tiara can also be worn as a necklace.

Wedding: Elisabeth d'Udekem & Alfonso Pallavicini

22 July 2006

Mathilde's sister, Countess Elisabeth d'Udekem d'Acoz (29) married Marquis Alfonso Pallavicini (42) at the Saint-Pierre parish church of her home town, Bastogne.

Elisabeth arrived with her father, Count Patrick d'Udekem d'Acoz.

The bride wore a d'Udekem family veil that dates from the mid 19th century. It was restored for the wedding. 

Witnesses at the religious ceremony were: Count Charles-Henri d'Udekem d'Acoz, Countess Honorine d’Ursel, Marquis Edouardo Pallavicini, Prince Hugo von Liechtenstein, Hervé Thibaut de Maisières and Alexandra Olsufief.

The mass was in French, Italian and German.

Duchess Honorine d'Ursel (in blue).

Countess Hélène d'Udekem d'Acoz (in pink) & Alexandra Olsufief (in orange).

Elisabeth wore an ancient diamond tiara. Her wedding gown was by Natan.

Princess Elisabeth & Prince Gabriel acted as bridesmaid and pageboy.

 

With their nanny.

Parents of the bride & groom: Countess Anna Komorowska, Margravine Pallavicini, Count Patrick d'Udekem d'Acoz

Princess Mathilde, Crwon Prince Philippe & Queen Fabiola.

Prince Maximilian & Princess Angela von und zu Liechtenstein.

Duchess Helena in Bayern.

Duchess Maria Anna & duchess Elizabeth in Bayern.

Countess Fleur von Goëss and her cousin Prince Charles-Philippe d'Orléans. Charles-Philippe was Elisabeth's former boyfriend.

Prince Laurent, Princess Claire & their daughter, Princess Louise of Belgium

Princess Sonia Poniatowski with Count Louis de Limburg Stirum and his wife, Belén López y Montero.

Baroness Priscilla de Broqueville and her sister, Baroness Astrid de Broqueville.