Delphine Boel wants DNA-tests for Filip and Astrid!

[kbart]

Paola's bag is just the weirdest thing. So I have two weird theories - one is that it contains essential medical stuff. The other that she actually came into the room in a wheelchair. It reminds me of visiting elderly relatives in care homes who get wheeled in clutching their bags... and she forgot to take it off. She has had health problems and I am assuming that Belvedere is a big place... tbh it's the kind of thing you'd have thought a photographer would mention.

[maddie]

Paola's bag is just the weirdest thing. So I have two weird theories - one is that it contains essential medical stuff. The other that she actually came into the room in a wheelchair. It reminds me of visiting elderly relatives in care homes who get wheeled in clutching their bags... and she forgot to take it off. She has had health problems and I am assuming that Belvedere is a big place... tbh it's the kind of thing you'd have thought a photographer would mention.

I agree, she most likely carries her meds. When my grandmother was alive, she always carried a purse identical to Paola's (maybe it's an elderly person thing, who knows?) because she had diabetes, so she needed to carry snacks, her meds, etc. for emergencies. In fact, she probably had everything but the kitchen sink in it. My grandmother liked being prepared.

[periwinkle]

Even though it looks like Paola is about to leave for the grocery store it is surprising and wonderful to see this meeting. I hope they didn't gaslight her. This is a 180 turn. I hope for the best for all of them. If a path to a relationship is merited and healthy it will be good for them otherwise Delphine should feel no guilt to shut it down. There is needlessly painful history here.

[anastasia beaverhausen]

Paola's bag is just the weirdest thing. So I have two weird theories - one is that it contains essential medical stuff. The other that she actually came into the room in a wheelchair. It reminds me of visiting elderly relatives in care homes who get wheeled in clutching their bags... and she forgot to take it off. She has had health problems and I am assuming that Belvedere is a big place... tbh it's the kind of thing you'd have thought a photographer would mention.

You know, the weird way her legs are splayed makes me think you might have something there. It’s like she was placed in the chair instead of sitting down under her own power.

[Margaret]

I'm made up, especially for Delphine.

The cynical part of me wonders how much of this is damage control by Albert and having seen how Philippe dealt with it and was praised for it I wonder if that played a part. I hope not, I hope this is the start of the building of some sort of relationship between them, but sad it took all this to have it happen.

I'm sure it's entirely damage control.  Albert & Paola's spin-doctors have engineered this in light of the court outcome and the subsequent actions of their other children.  This couple lost their long, drawn-out, expensive legal and emotional battle against Delphine and needed to draw a line in the sand and make the best of the new situation. 

I don't think they had to do this; they could just have remained silent and never had to be seen with Delphine.  But they did this and it gives them a few credit points.  It's a big psychological win for Delphine IMO. 

I think it is possible that Philippe has told his father and mother that he plans on including Delphine in some public events, or at least family events, so it was deemed necessary for these three to be photographed together now so everyone knows they have met with seeming cordiality.

[TLLK]

Paola's bag is just the weirdest thing. So I have two weird theories - one is that it contains essential medical stuff. The other that she actually came into the room in a wheelchair. It reminds me of visiting elderly relatives in care homes who get wheeled in clutching their bags... and she forgot to take it off. She has had health problems and I am assuming that Belvedere is a big place... tbh it's the kind of thing you'd have thought a photographer would mention.

I had the exact same thought. IMO she has some medical device in that bag.

[Eve]

Isn't it a little late? Well, there's no applause from me for Albert. And the way Paola wear her handbag and look like she's about to bolt off, makes me wonder if she was forced into it. If its some kind of medical bag, then I can understand the need to carry it around her. Poor woman. Old age is not easy for anyone, especially when your health is failing. Ah, I hope they can find some kind of normality and old wounds can be healed. Still I have zero respect for Albert. Perhaps now he wants "Father of the Year" title but for me he is still a liar, a cheat, a coward. It is good he is no longer the King of Belgium.

[Queen’s Tea]

Personally, I don’t care if he had a gun held to his head in order for this meeting to happen.  Even if it’s just a photo op and nothing more, it’s an example to all that you own up to however you lived your life in the past, at a MINIMUM acknowledge and respect ALL of your children, and you move forward.  That picture should stand for forgiveness and healing. 

Hopefully this was more than a meet and greet only.  I feel bad for all of them, but she didn’t choose this situation.  It’s about time it was settled.

[Pomme]

Paola carries her handbag like many elderly and sometimes forgetful ladies that cannot walk very well anymore. It's convenient, and yes it looks silly, but in this manner she has all that she needs close at hand, plus she won't forget where she put it.

At this age people (I've seen men carrying a bag in exactly this manner) can be completely oblivious to the optics of it.

Possibly the salon in which they are meeting is away from het usual living quarters in the castle, and if she indeed walks badly and is wheeled/Zimmerframed/helped around, it's easier to have her goodies with her rather than having to call someone to bring it, or take hours to fetch it. The way her legs are positioned and her sensible shoes do suggest she's not merrily running around the castle anymore.

Albert looks frail, and old.

[Principessa]

Paola carries her handbag like many elderly and sometimes forgetful ladies that cannot walk very well anymore. It's convenient, and yes it looks silly, but in this manner she has all that she needs close at hand, plus she won't forget where she put it.

At this age people (I've seen men carrying a bag in exactly this manner) can be completely oblivious to the optics of it.

Possibly the salon in which they are meeting is away from het usual living quarters in the castle, and if she indeed walks badly and is wheeled/Zimmerframed/helped around, it's easier to have her goodies with her rather than having to call someone to bring it, or take hours to fetch it. The way her legs are positioned and her sensible shoes do suggest she's not merrily running around the castle anymore.

Albert looks frail, and old.

This reminds me of a former neighbor of my parents many years ago, an elderly widow. My parents once took her along to a party (of other neighbors in a local conference center).  At the time my father had already vaguely noticed that the neighbor was keeping a close eye on her handbag during the party. Shortly after returning home my parents received a panic phone call from the neighbor in question. She had lost her bag ...... Resulting in a joint search wherever the neighbor had been. To the amusement of my parents, it turned out that the neighbor had put her handbag on her bed and had then put the blankets back (over the bag). She hadn't thought about this My father wondered for a long time what the hell was in that handbag, because the neighbor sounded as if all her money was in it or something like that.

[jigmesjigga]

I'm applauding them for meeting and putting out a statement.

As for the bag? Any woman over 40 who feels she's lost her looks knows that a handbag can conceal all sins around the midsection, if you know what I meant. But I agree with the comments about medication and such. Certain other queens are always carrying their handbags when we know they have ladies-in-waiting carrying all essentials. It's a must-have accessory for queens of a certain age.

[kinan]

I'm new member here. I don't understand why some of you also blame Paola.

It's Albert who cheated his wife.
It's Albert who has a child out of wedlock.
It's Albert who denied his biological daughter for years.

What's Paola's fault?

In the other side, some of you have sympathies for Sofia of Spain, because Juan Carlos cheated her for years.

What if a man/woman comes to public and can prove that he/she is biological child of JC?

[Principessa]

I'm new member here. I don't understand why some of you also blame Paola.

It's Albert who cheated his wife.
It's Albert who has a child out of wedlock.
It's Albert who denied his biological daughter for years.

What's Paola's fault?

In the other side, some of you have sympathies for Sofia of Spain, because Juan Carlos cheated her for years.

What if a man/woman comes to public and can prove that he/she is biological child of JC?

I don't blame Paola, but I wondered if she was one of the motivating factors /pushers for Albert to deny his biological daughter Delphine.

[ConnieBrooks]

I'm made up, especially for Delphine.

The cynical part of me wonders how much of this is damage control by Albert and having seen how Philippe dealt with it and was praised for it I wonder if that played a part. I hope not, I hope this is the start of the building of some sort of relationship between them, but sad it took all this to have it happen.

I'm sure it's entirely damage control.  Albert & Paola's spin-doctors have engineered this in light of the court outcome and the subsequent actions of their other children.  This couple lost their long, drawn-out, expensive legal and emotional battle against Delphine and needed to draw a line in the sand and make the best of the new situation. 

I don't think they had to do this; they could just have remained silent and never had to be seen with Delphine.  But they did this and it gives them a few credit points.  It's a big psychological win for Delphine IMO. 

I think it is possible that Philippe has told his father and mother that he plans on including Delphine in some public events, or at least family events, so it was deemed necessary for these three to be photographed together now so everyone knows they have met with seeming cordiality.

  This is a very balanced, logical look at the situation.

[getafix]

I've never been so pleased to have been wrong.

 

Well I don’t know, Ante. Paola is clutching her purse like Delphine is there to steal it. Maybe you were only sort of wrong?

yeah I saw that too...and thought how odd to have your handbag stuck to you in your own home, in your own living room. 

maybe Delphi came to steal the silver?

G