Funeral held for Fabiola, Belgium's dowager queen; casket leaves cathedral

(12 Dec 2014) Many of Europe's reigning royal families joined ordinary Belgians on Friday to mark the passing of Fabiola, Belgium's former queen, who died last week at age 86.
Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, and former king Juan Carlos and former queen Sofia of Spain were among 1,300 people attending Friday's funeral service at the Brussels cathedral.
Fabiola, who survived her husband, King Baudouin, by 11 years, is to be buried in the royal crypt at Laeken.
Spanish-born Fabiola, who died on December 5, was often referred to as the "Queen of all Belgians."
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[@cush6827]

Empress Michiko is so full of style and elegance. At age 80.

[@Fahlevique]

Look how Empress Michiko of Japan steping down stairs with her mourning outfit, Amazing !

[@Artsloverinlr]

Chairul Fahlevi Yes. The empress is amazing. I have been reading about her for years. She is such a lovely woman, a devoted helpmate for her husband and I always see such kindness and humility in her face. Thanks for alerting me to her presence. Because of you, I looked for her. Foster Lee

[@TheChill001]

@@Artsloverinlr not many may know this, but King Baudouin and Fabiola had wonderful relations with emperor Naruhito and Empress Michiko. Shown when Baudouin died, both were at his funeral as well.

[@Artsloverinlr]

@@TheChill001 Thanks for that piece of info. Monarchies have become rare. It can be such a stressful existence that I imagine these heads of state can understand one another better than I could understand them.

[@eduzz4655]

@@TheChill001 Akihito*.

[@MrSwifts31]

I feel very sympathetic for Queen Fabiola.She and Badouin desperately wanted children.Very sadly she had 5 miscarriages.She lost her husband when she was 64,and basically was shunted aside when her brother in law came to the throne(1993) as Albert II.The Belgian country had expected that the crown would go to Albert's son Philippe ,but that would not happen until 2013,when Albert II abdicated.Fabiola lived on until 2014 aged 86.

[@wolfram-konstantijnmaas2657]

More than just shunned by ALbert II! I never knew her well, only at the time of her death I heard and learnt about who Queen Fabiola really was, and she was without any doubt thé best Queen Belgium and we Belgians ever had since a long time. I consider Queen Mathilda to be her successor. Though I cannot quite forgive Prince Laurent for his insolence with the sunglasses in the cathedral during the funeral. (Like father like son in that case.)

[@rickardnyberg4899]

She wasn’t pushed aside but she reduced her official engagements heavily to not overshadow her sister in law who everyone knew would be the new Queen Consort…. The talk of Philippe succeeding his uncle was if King Baudouin had lived a normal-long life. Wich he obviously did not

[@rodolfoayalajr.8589]

Rip beautiful beloved Queen. Amen 🙏🏻 In heaven with your King.🇵🇷🇺🇸🙏🏻.

[@mikecuggsy3962]

the best funerals are with the wind & the rain. It means the departed are with you still.

[@emielvanderwel5200]

Mike Cuggsy nonsense

[@betty5064]

I remember her as a really beautiful young bride.

[@patapiya8801]

Angel of Thailand. Princess Sirinthorn.😘💘

[@MrChuckdavey]

Where were members of the British Royal Family??

[@chiragkumar3594]

They didn't attend the funeral

[@rickardnyberg4899]

They were not there… The British Ambassador to Brussels was sent to represent QEII

[@annsangkharat9113]

Thank you, your Majesty Queen Fabiola for all the correspondence to ANN Adisaya Sangkharat 🙏🕊️.If you are in heaven already, please remember ANN Adisaya Sangkharat and my family members, and intercede for our salvation. Prayer 🙏.❤ ANN Adisaya

[@rodolfoayalajr.8589]

Rip Amen 🙏🏻 🇵🇷🇺🇸❤️🙏🏻.

[@minhtuan1995]

Dec 12 2014

[@allanlg8584]

Jean Paul BELMONDO87 Jean-Paul Belmondo janvier 2020 mercredi

[@carlosmoran5980]

who's the women at the minute 2:27? Where is she come from?

[@patrickplettenberg]

She is a thai princess, daughter of the current king of Thailand

[@chiragkumar3594]

Princess sirindhom , the princess royal of Thailand