finalmente princesa aos 52 anos

Uma cadeira da artista Delphine Boël, agora reconhecida como meia-irmã do rei dos belgas; e que passa portanto a poder ser tratada por Sua Alteza Real Delphine de Saxe-Cobourg-Gotha.

The love child of former Belgian King Albert II has won a court battle to grant her the same rights and titles as her father’s children by his marriage.

Under the ruling, artist Delphine Boël, 52, will be granted the title of Princess of Belgium.

King Albert admitted he was her father in January this year, having fought her paternity claim for more than a decade.

Her mother, Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps, claims she had an 18-year affair with Albert before he was king.

Rumours first emerged that he had fathered a child with another woman after it was disclosed in an unauthorised biography about Albert’s wife, Queen Paola, published in 1999.

Ms Boël first alleged on the record that King Albert was her biological father during a 2005 interview, but it was not until he abdicated in 2013 – when he lost his immunity to prosecution – that she opened court proceedings

Her lawyer told reporters that she was “delighted” with the court’s decision.

“A judicial victory will never replace a father’s love, but it does offer a sense of justice,” said Marc Uyttendaele. “Many more children who have gone through similar ordeals may be able to find the strength to face them.”

Ms Boël and her two children can now hold the surname of her father, Saxe-Cobourg.

As a result of the ruling, after King Albert’s death she will be entitled to receive an inheritance, along with his three other children – Prince Laurent, Princess Astrid and Philippe, the current king. (BBC)