Thursday 2 July 2009

On this date: Royal golden wedding in Belgium

Today is the golden wedding anniversary of King Albert II and Queen Paola of the Belgians. The then Prince Albert, Prince of Liège married the Italian aristocrat Donna Paola Ruffo di Calabria in the Cathedral of Saints Michel and Gudule in Brussels on 2 July 1959, having met in Rome in connection with the inauguration of Pope Johannes (John) XXIII the previous year.
The royal couple had three children in 3 ½ years, but later went through some difficult years which resulted in an illegitimate daughter for Prince Albert. They were later reconciled and succeeded to the throne upon the early death of Albert’s brother, King Baudouin I, in the summer of 1993. King Albert celebrated his 75th birthday last month, while Queen Paola will be 72 in September.
A special coin has been issued to mark the anniversary.

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