Belgium: A king who can’t level with us

last updated 8 January 2015

Steven Samyn

De Morgen

“What started as a minor blemish on the king’s rule is turning into a festering sore,” said Steven Samyn. King Albert II can no longer ignore allegations that he had a child out of wedlock. Artist Delphine Boël, 45, has been publicly claiming for years that she’s the king’s daughter, and her lineage is a constant theme in her artwork, but the royal family has always given an implacable “no comment.” Last week, though, Boël started court proceedings to force the king to recognize her, and summonses have been issued for the king, Crown Prince Philippe, and Princess Astrid. The king can’t be compelled to appear, but “with each day that passes the silence becomes more painful and his credibility is further eroded.” At this point, what’s shocking isn’t Boël’s existence, but rather King Albert’s insistence on denying her. Her baroness mother, Sybille de Selys Longchamps, has spoken openly of her 18-year affair with the king, which ended many years ago. Albert’s silence has already cost him “his ability to speak as the moral conscience of the nation.” But there’s hope for his heir, Philippe, who could do the kingly thing and recognize his half-sister. Belgians will respect a royal “who shows he’s not on his papa’s leash.”