The year was 1999 and on September 13, the then crown prince Philip of Belgium announced, at Laeken Castle, his engagement to Matilde d’Udekem Acoza Belgian aristocrat of Polish descent with a degree in speech therapy and psychology. Their big wedding would come just three months later (after three years of secret relationship), on December 4, 1999, 25 years ago today, under the watchful eye of 1,200 guests. The Brussels City Hall and the Cathedral of Saint Michel and Saint Gudule hosted the long-awaited civil and religious ceremonies, held in the three official languages ​​of the country: Dutch, French and German.
© Getty ImagesFor this great meeting, with leaders from numerous countries and representatives of the royal houses from around the worldthe future princess relied on a classic design without numerous artifices. Holding the arm of her father, Count Patrick d’Udekem d’Acoz, she dazzled the guests with her dress winter bridewith several layers designed to beat the cold in the middle of December, designed by the Belgian baron Edouard Vermeulen, founder of the Natan brand, which today is a regular in his dressing room.
The creator designed for her a removable bridal lookcomposed of a straight, simple design with a square neckline to which was added a coat, which gained all the prominence, which had 10 buttons in the center, long sleeves, a five-meter-long train, a V-neckline and an inspiring collar chimney (which we would see five years later, versioned, in the Pertegaz piece that Doña Letizia would choose to pass through the altar). Discreet and elegant, with this look she seemed to advance the classic line that would mark her outfits since she became part of the Belgian royal family.
© Tim Graham / Getty ImagesHowever, to accompany this minimalist dress, she opted for accessories that were somewhat more striking and with history. Giving light to his face was the tiara that Queen Paola lent her (which was one of her favorites), an art deco style diadem, with three rows of diamonds and geometric motifs, which belonged to Albert II. This piece was a gift in 1935 from Queen Elisabeth (niece of Sissi, Empress of Austria and wife of King Albert I) to her then daughter-in-law, Queen Astrid, on the occasion of the birth of her son Albert. The current queen of the Belgians wore it placed over a classic, polished and voluminous updo.
© Getty ImagesOn the other hand, her veil was not far behind. Was a family heirloom from 1887made of a fine and delicate Brussels bobbin lace, made of linen thread – with bobbins and needle – on cotton tulle. It was a masterpiece of manual work that she premiered on her big day with Don Beniamino, Prince Ruffo of Calabria, Laura Mosselman du Chenoy, great-grandmother of the then boyfriend (now King Philip of Belgium) and that they also used other queens and princesses after its creation.
© Getty Images
© Getty ImagesThe most spectacular piece of styling was undoubtedly a very surprising one, since it is not common for royal women They choose to give a prominent role to the bridal bouquet. That of Matilda of Belgium was a floral design in XL format, with waterfallabundance of greens, notes of white and a weight that (as she herself confirmed some time later) was close to four kilos. A choice that, despite the 25 years that have passed, is not at all far from the bridal trends of the moment, which triumph among viral brides and are celebrated by experts on their social networks, since it is common to see newlyweds with bouquets this voluminous.
© Getty ImagesAt the end of the ceremony, amid cheers and applause from those gathered there, the couple moved to the Royal Palace of Brussels to receive guests and pose in front of the cameras for the official portraits of this wedding. It was late in the afternoon when the newlyweds appeared on the royal balcony and came out to greet the crowd waiting there, who witnessed the long-awaited kiss.
From then until now, Felipe and Matilde from Belgium can boast of having formed a happy family. Matilda’s adaptation to the demands, customs and usual protocol of the monarchy was impeccable and very quick, a consequence of her aristocratic past. Gone are speculations about whether the age difference (13 years old, she married 26 and he 39 years old) could be an impediment to your marriage. On the contrary, the years confirm that those rumors were wrong and today the kings have four children, Isabel of Brabant (23 years old), Gabriel of Belgium (21 years old), Manuel of Belgium (19 years old) and Eleanor of Belgium (16 years old). And in their eleven years of reign, the respect and harmony that exists between them has been glimpsed.