One year ago, Her Majesty, Queen Fabiola of Belgium, died. Her death, while anticipated due to continuing health problems associated with age, left a loss that still feels painful for Belgium, even after a full year. Yet, for the people of Belgium, this was a life to celebrate, not in the partying sense, but with a feeling a gratitude, grateful that this woman who came from Spain would step up to the plate, and serve her adopted country & leave the world a better place. She did that, and did it well.
MARRIAGE OF KING BAUDOUIN TO FABIOLA de MORA y ARAGON
15 December 1960–Cathedral of St. Michael & St. Gudula
It was a Royal Marriage that would last until the unexpected death of the King in 1993. From images we see via the Internet, they seemed to be always in support of one another. Never did I read of any discontent. Instead, they seemed made for each other in a way that is almost beyond contemporary understanding. My interest in Belgium & their Royal Family has been long-term, and it is my hope that this simple tribute, in words & visuals, demonstrates the positive impact that this woman from Spain had on many lives.
She was born in Madrid, 11 June 1928, in the Palacio Zurbano. She was no stranger to being high born. Yet, from her earliest days, she seemed to have a strong instinct to provide care for others, eventually entering training to become a nurse.
The ironic sadness was that she could not have children of her own. After 5 miscarriages, it became clear that the Throne of Belgium would pass to the King’s younger brother & his wife, Prince Albert & Princess Paola.
HERE WE SEE SCENES OF THEM FULFILLING PUBLIC DUTIES DURING THEIR TIME TOGETHER AS KING & QUEEN OF BELGIUM
After the death of the King, Her Majesty graciously took a more minor role in Royal Duties, in order not to overshadow her Sister-in-Law, the New Queen, Paola.
She quietly came “into her own” despite the “Dowager” status of being a Widowed Queen. She was fun-loving & mixed well with younger people, seeming to gain a strength & energy from them. In her later years, some deranged person posed death threats to Queen Fabiola, stating his intention to kill her with his bow & arrow. In response to the uproar over this, she publicly held up an Apple, in reference to the Legend of William Tell. Her sense of timing was better than his, and she won legions of new fans by this action.
QUEEN FABIOLA, THE FUNNIEST MEMBER OF THE BELGIAN ROYAL FAMILY
As with us all, this thing called life must come to an end. She died @ Stuyvenger Castle, Laeken, Belgium 5 December 2014. Her funeral was attended by people from all over the world. Royal families representing nearly all the remaining Monarchies of Europe were in attendance, except the House of Windsor & the Princely House of Grimaldi. Such absence was inexcusable.
Further Tribute of Funeral of Her Majesty, Queen Fabiola
Lyrics to Traditional Spanish Folk Song
Salve Rociera
Dios te salve María
del Rocío señora,
Luna, Sol, Norte y Guía
y pastora celestial.
Dios te salve María
todo el pueblo te adora
y repite a porfía:
como tú no hay otra igual.
Olé, olé, olé…
al Rocío yo quiero volver
a cantarle a la Virgen con fe
con un
olé, olé, olé…
Dios te salve María
manantial de dulzura,
a tus pies noche y día
te venimos a rezar.
Dios te salve María
un rosal de hermosura
eres tú madre mía
de pureza virginal.
Olé, olé, olé…
al Rocío yo quiero volver
a cantarle a la Virgen con fe
con un
olé, olé, olé…
Olé, olé, olé…
al Rocío yo quiero volver
a cantarle a la Virgen con fe
con un
olé, olé, olé…
TRANSLATION IN ENGLISH…
Hail From The Rocío
Hail Mary,
lady from el Rocío,
Moon, Sun, North and Guide
and celestial pastor.
Hail Mary,
all the people adore you,
and repeat incessantly,
like you there isn’t any other.
Olé, olé, olé…
To el Rocío I want to go back,
to sing to the Virgin with faith
with one
olé, olé, olé…
Hail Mary,
spring of sweetness,
at your feet night and day,
we come to pray to you.
Hail Mary
a rosebush of beauty
you are my mother
of virginal purity.
Olé, olé, olé…
To el Rocío I want to go back,
to sing to the Virgin with faith
with one
olé, olé, olé…
Olé, olé, olé…
To el Rocío I want to go back,
to sing to the Virgin with faith
with one
olé, olé, olé…
To end with these stunning & simple photographic tributes.
May Queen Fabiola, the Queen of all the Belgians, remain in their hearts forever & May she rest in Eternal Peace, Amen.
Thomas Outt 