Seven years after Boël started the first paternity recognition process in 2013, the artist will now change her name from that of her father, Albert II, to Saxony-Coburg-Gotha, the Belgian public broadcaster RTBF reported.
Delphine Boël’s sons, Josefina and Oscar, also become princess and prince of the Belgians and will be designated “His Royal Highness”.
In statements collected by the Belgian agency, the artist’s lawyer, Marc Uyttendaele, said that the sentence gives his client “full satisfaction” and applauded the fact that his demands to be treated “on an equal basis with his brothers and sisters” have been satisfied.
“She is satisfied with this decision that puts an end to a long and painful process for her and her family. A legal victory will never replace a father’s love, but it does offer a sense of justice, ”added the lawyer.
The existence of Boël, 52, became public knowledge in 1999, following the publication of an unauthorized biography of Queen Paola.
In May 2019, the Court of Appeal in Brussels ordered the 86-year-old former monarch to do a DNA test to compare genetic information with that of his alleged daughter.
Alberto II confirmed on January 27 that the results of the DNA test he was subjected to, by order of the court, showed that he is the biological father of the artist.
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