Today in History - November 30th. 1870 - Princess Henriette of Belgium
On November 30th. 1870, Princess Henriette of Belgium was
born in Brussels (capital of Belgium).
born in Brussels (capital of Belgium).
source picture: Wikipedia
Princess Henriette was the daughter of Prince Philippe,
Count of Flanders (brother of King Leopold II) and
Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen.
In 1896, Princess Henriette married Prince Emmanuel of Orléans,
(8th. Duke of Vendôme). He was a great-grandson of
King Louis-Philippe of France.
They had 4 children.
A current view of Brussels - Own picture
Duty
Henriette was a great sportswoman, and was often considered the
best shot among royal women.
best shot among royal women.
On one occasion, she killed a stag that had already killed another, making
her very popular in Belgian sporting circles. She even earned the sobriquet
the "Sporting Duchess". In 1908, she accompanied her husband to the
Rocky Mountains in the United States to shoot grizzly bears.
her very popular in Belgian sporting circles. She even earned the sobriquet
the "Sporting Duchess". In 1908, she accompanied her husband to the
Rocky Mountains in the United States to shoot grizzly bears.
She often did royal visits for her brother King Albert. In 1914 for instance,
she visited a hospital in Neuilly that was treating American troops.
she visited a hospital in Neuilly that was treating American troops.
In two letters, Henriette and her sister-in-law Queen Elisabeth expressed
their appreciation and asked for more support from the American Commission
For Relief in Belgium, which had been giving donations to the Belgian
people ever since the German invasion.
their appreciation and asked for more support from the American Commission
For Relief in Belgium, which had been giving donations to the Belgian
people ever since the German invasion.
Death
Henriette Marie of Belgium died aged 77, on 28 March 1948,
in Sierre, Valais, Switzerland.
in Sierre, Valais, Switzerland.
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