Royal crypt opens for anniversary of death of Boudewijn
The royal crypt in Laken was open to the public yesterday for the 21st anniversary of the death of King Boudewijn
Crypt opens annually for memorial
Boudewijn was the older brother of Albert and the husband of Fabiola. As the couple had no children, Albert succeeded his brother to the throne when Boudewijn died in 1993. Albert abdicated last year in favour of his son Filip.
The crypt in Laken (pictured) houses the remains of all of Belgium’s deceased monarchs, as well as members of their immediate families. The last to be laid to rest there was Princess Lilian, second wife of Leopold III, who died in 2002.
The crypt is open to the public only on Sundays and on a number of other days in the year: the anniversaries of the deaths of Albert I, Leopold III, his first wife Astrid and their son Boudewijn, as well as All Souls Day and Dynasty Day on 15 November.
Boudewijn’s widow, Fabiola, was unable to attend the memorial mass for her late husband held in the cathedral in Brussels. Aged 86, she suffers from shortage of breath and osteoporosis. She attended last year's ceremony in a wheelchair, on the last occasion she appeared in public. The service was attended by Prince Lorenz, husband of Princess Astrid, and their daughter, Princess Maria Laura.
photo courtesy Michel Wal/Wikimedia
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