Princess Marie-Christine of Belgium
Encyclopedia
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Princess Marie-Christine of Belgium (Marie-Christine Daphné Astrid Elisabeth Léopoldine; born 6 February 1951) is a member of the Belgian Royal Family and a half-sister of King Albert II
of the Belgians. Her father was King Leopold III
of the Belgians, and her mother was his second wife, the former Lilian Baels
. Although the former Miss Baels was not given the style of Her Majesty with the prefix of Queen of Belgium, she and her children, including Marie-Christine, received the style of Royal Highness and Prince/Princess of Belgium.
Marie-Christine was born in Laeken, Belgium
. Her godparents were King Baudouin I of Belgium and Infanta Maria Cristina of Spain
.
On 9 May 1962, she received her First Holy Communion and Confirmation, officiated by Bishop Fulton Sheen.
Her first marriage, to Paul Drake(Toronto
, Ontario
, 1 November 1937 – 1 April 2008) in Coral Gables
, Miami-Dade County
, Florida
, on 23 May 1981, lasted 40 days (though they weren't formally divorced till 1985); she subsequently married Jean-Paul Gourges in Westwood
, Lassen County
, California
, on 28 September 1989. American actor James Coburn
was best man in her wedding to Jean-Paul Gourges.
Princess Marie-Christine worked as an actress in Los Angeles using her third name "Daphné". Marie-Christine and her husband live in San Diego
, San Diego County
, California
.
She is a controversial person in Belgium. The Princess in the past claimed to have been raped as a teenager and beaten by her mother. She has lived a jet-set life but in recent years has said she spent away her entire inheritance. When she was a guest in a Belgian Embassy abroad, Marie-Christine refused to drink to her brother Baudouin saying "He is not my King". In 1993, when her brother Baudouin I died, she did not attend the funeral. On 17 April 2007, in a rare interview, she said “abolishing the monarchy might prove to be of benefit to Belgium”. The princess did not attend the funeral of her brother Alexander
in December 2009.
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Princess Marie-Christine of Belgium (Marie-Christine Daphné Astrid Elisabeth Léopoldine; born 6 February 1951) is a member of the Belgian Royal Family and a half-sister of King Albert II
Albert II of Belgium
Albert II is the current reigning King of the Belgians, a constitutional monarch. He is a member of the royal house "of Belgium"; formerly this house was named Saxe-Coburg-Gotha...
of the Belgians. Her father was King Leopold III
Leopold III of Belgium
Leopold III reigned as King of the Belgians from 1934 until 1951, when he abdicated in favour of the Heir Apparent,...
of the Belgians, and her mother was his second wife, the former Lilian Baels
Lilian Baels
Princess Lilian of Belgium best known as Lilian, Princess of Réthy, was the second wife of King Leopold III of the Belgians.-Background and education:...
. Although the former Miss Baels was not given the style of Her Majesty with the prefix of Queen of Belgium, she and her children, including Marie-Christine, received the style of Royal Highness and Prince/Princess of Belgium.
Marie-Christine was born in Laeken, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. Her godparents were King Baudouin I of Belgium and Infanta Maria Cristina of Spain
Infanta Maria Cristina of Spain
Infanta Maria Cristina of Spain, Countess of Marone was the fourth child of Alfonso XIII of Spain and Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg and paternal aunt of the current King Juan Carlos I.-Early life:Infanta Maria...
.
On 9 May 1962, she received her First Holy Communion and Confirmation, officiated by Bishop Fulton Sheen.
Her first marriage, to Paul Drake(Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, 1 November 1937 – 1 April 2008) in Coral Gables
Coral Gables, Florida
Coral Gables is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, southwest of Downtown Miami, in the United States. The city is home to the University of Miami....
, Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County, Florida
Miami-Dade County is a county located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 2,496,435, making it the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, on 23 May 1981, lasted 40 days (though they weren't formally divorced till 1985); she subsequently married Jean-Paul Gourges in Westwood
Westwood, California
Westwood is a census-designated place in Lassen County, California, United States. Westwood is located west-southwest of Susanville, at an elevation of 5128 feet...
, Lassen County
Lassen County, California
Lassen County is a county located in the northeastern portion of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 34,895, up from 33,828 at the 2000 census...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, on 28 September 1989. American actor James Coburn
James Coburn
James Harrison Coburn III was an American film and television actor. Coburn appeared in nearly 70 films and made over 100 television appearances during his 45-year career, and played a wide range of roles and won an Academy Award for his supporting role as Glen Whitehouse in Affliction.A capable,...
was best man in her wedding to Jean-Paul Gourges.
Princess Marie-Christine worked as an actress in Los Angeles using her third name "Daphné". Marie-Christine and her husband live in San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, San Diego County
San Diego County, California
San Diego County is a large county located in the southwestern corner of the US state of California. Hence, San Diego County is also located in the southwestern corner of the 48 contiguous United States. Its county seat and largest city is San Diego. Its population was about 2,813,835 in the 2000...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
She is a controversial person in Belgium. The Princess in the past claimed to have been raped as a teenager and beaten by her mother. She has lived a jet-set life but in recent years has said she spent away her entire inheritance. When she was a guest in a Belgian Embassy abroad, Marie-Christine refused to drink to her brother Baudouin saying "He is not my King". In 1993, when her brother Baudouin I died, she did not attend the funeral. On 17 April 2007, in a rare interview, she said “abolishing the monarchy might prove to be of benefit to Belgium”. The princess did not attend the funeral of her brother Alexander
Prince Alexander of Belgium
Prince Alexander of Belgium was the eldest child from the second marriage of King Leopold III of Belgium. His mother was Lilian, Princess of Réthy...
in December 2009.