Belgian Royal Christenings

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Belgian Royal Family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.  Some Belgian christenings, including those of King Albert II and King Philippe, took place at the Church of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg in the Place Royale, a historic square near the center of Brussels, Belgium. Perhaps the Belgian royal family is connected to the church because Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, stood on the church steps when he took the oath that made him Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians on July 21, 1831.

Church of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg; Credit – By EmDee – Own work, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17166498

The christenings of the children of King Philippe all took place in the chapel at Ciergnon Castle in Houyet, Namur, Belgium. Ciergnon Castle is one of the favorite summer residences of the Belgian royal family.

Ciergnon Castle; Credit – By Paul Hermans – Own work, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24443117

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Albert II, King of the Belgians

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Albert being carried into the church for his christening. He is followed by his father and mother and then his elder sister and elder brother.
  • Unofficial Royalty: Albert II, King of the Belgians
  • Parents: King Leopold III and Queen Astrid, born Princess Astrid of Sweden
  • Born: June 6, 1934, at Stuyvenberg Castle in Laeken, Brussels, Belgium
  • Christened: June 1934 at the Church of Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg in Brussels, Belgium
  • Names: Albert Félix Humbert Théodore Christian Eugène Marie. He was given the name Albert in honor of his grandfather Albert I, King of the Belgians who was killed in a mountain climbing accident on February 17, 1934, four months before his birth. When Albert was only 14 months old, his mother was killed in a car accident.
  • Godparents:
  • King Albert II abdicated in favor of his son Philippe on July 21, 2013.

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Philippe, King of the Belgians

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Philippe is being held by a midwife as his godparents former King Leopold III of Belgium (left) and Luisa Ruffo di Calabria, look on

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Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant

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Elisabeth with her parents at her christening

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Prince Gabriel of Belgium

Gabriel’s mother holding him during his christening; Credit – Hello

  • Unofficial Royalty: Prince Gabriel of Belgium
  • Parents: Philippe, King of the Belgians and Queen Mathilde, born Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz
  • Born: August 20, 2003, in Erasmus Hospital in Anderlecht, Belgium
  • Christened: October 25, 2003, at Ciergnon Castle in Houyet, Namur, Belgium
  • Names: Gabriel Baudouin Charles Marie
  • Godparents:
    • Baroness Maria Christina von Freyberg, his second cousin
    • Count Charles-Henri d’Udekem d’Acoz, his maternal uncle

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Prince Emmanuel of Belgium

Emmanuel with his parents and godparents at his christening; Credit – http://www.corbisimages.com

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Princess Eléonore of Belgium

Eléonore, held by her mother, with her father and godparents; Photo: Zimbio

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