Books on Sunday: Princess Marie-José - Between Belgium and Italy : A royal wardrobe
Recently I bought a royal book from the library in Sint-Niklaas. I received a hint from
a wonderful colleague and he discovered a real treasure. It is a book about
Princess Marie-José of Belgium, who became the last Queen of Italy and her royal
wardrobe.
a wonderful colleague and he discovered a real treasure. It is a book about
Princess Marie-José of Belgium, who became the last Queen of Italy and her royal
wardrobe.
Source picture: Bookcover
Who was Princess Marie-José of Belgium?
Princess Marie-José of Belgium was the third child and only daughter of King Albert I
of Belgium and Queen Elisabeth (born Duchess in Bavaria). Her brothers were the
later King Leopold III of Belgium and Prince Charles (Regent of Belgium).
of Belgium and Queen Elisabeth (born Duchess in Bavaria). Her brothers were the
later King Leopold III of Belgium and Prince Charles (Regent of Belgium).
Princess Marie-José was born on 4 August 1906 in Ostend (Oostende). During the
First World War she was evacuated to England and later she attended the College
of Santissima Annunziata in Florence, Italy.
First World War she was evacuated to England and later she attended the College
of Santissima Annunziata in Florence, Italy.
On 8 January 1930, Princess Marie-José of Belgium married Crown Prince Umberto
of Italy. They would have 4 children. She became president of the Red Cross in Italy.
of Italy. They would have 4 children. She became president of the Red Cross in Italy.
During World War II, Princess Marie-José became a diplomatic channel between
the German/Italian camp and the other European Countries in War.
the German/Italian camp and the other European Countries in War.
After World War II, King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy abdicated on 9 May 1946.
Marie-José became Queen Consort of Italy. However the monarchy was abolished
on 2 June 1946.
Marie-José became Queen Consort of Italy. However the monarchy was abolished
on 2 June 1946.
The family went in exile in Portugal, but she and Umberto separated. Marie-José
and some her children moved to Switzerland.
and some her children moved to Switzerland.
However the royal couple never divorced.
Marie-José of Belgium, Queen Consort of Italy died on 27 January 2001 in
Switzerland.
Switzerland.
About the book
Prinses Marie-José - tussen België en Italië - is a book written in Dutch on the
occasion of an exhibition of the Royal Museum for Art and History in Brussels
(5 October 2012 - 3 March 2013).
occasion of an exhibition of the Royal Museum for Art and History in Brussels
(5 October 2012 - 3 March 2013).
Although it is written in Dutch, the book shows a lot of amazing beautiful
pictures of dresses mostly from the 1930's.Which gives an excellent idea of the
fashion of that time. It was published by Lannoo.
pictures of dresses mostly from the 1930's.Which gives an excellent idea of the
fashion of that time. It was published by Lannoo.
Source picture: Wikipedia
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