Delphine de Saxe-Coburg did not learn that nobility obliges. Of course, it must not be easy for any mortal to go almost overnight from being an anonymous commoner to becoming a princess of a reigning Monarchy in Old Europe, with all the focus projected on her. Something must go to the head of anyone to whom this happens, no matter how beautifully it is painted in Andersen's tales of playing princes and princesses.
And if you add to that the enormous penchant for notoriety and for standing out of Princess Delphine, sooner or later episodes like the one experienced at this year's National Day in Belgium happen, with absolute prominence for the daughter of King Emeritus Albert II and the costume she wore at the National Parade, alongside the rest of the royal family, which has generated a myriad of criticisms. Delphine would need someone close to her who loves her and explains not only that nobility obliges, but also that when in Rome, do as the Romans do. And her outfit, beyond stylistic tastes, seemed more suitable for Carnivals than for the military parade presided over by her brother, King Felipe of the Belgians.
Indeed, in Flanders and Wallonia, there is talk of nothing else in the last few hours other than the attire designed by Bert De Coninck, a damn fuchsia ensemble that, according to the author of the outfit -ideal for the Benidorm Fest or Eurovision- was intended to be a tribute to love and tolerance in these times we live in. With impossible shoulder pads, a skirt length totally inappropriate, especially in the back, which showed the princess's legs and almost her very bottom as if she were about to take a dip in the pool. All combined with a fantasy headdress suitable for a New Year's Eve party and drag queen shoes, which contrasted completely with those chosen by the always elegant and sober Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, who surely would feel like strangling her lively sister-in-law.
In any case, Delphine took a bold step. Bert De Coninck is a young Belgian designer, a pupil of Raf Simons, who gained notoriety in his country in 2025 by taking charge of the wardrobe of Red Sebastian, Belgium's representative at Eurovision. The designer is inspired by the universe of David Bowie and apparently shares values highly appreciated by the princess. The gloves of the outfit, which lacks nothing, with a "love" motif, are said to have been designed by Delphine herself.
Queen Mathilde and several of her children, during the Parade.EFE
The National Day parade was the central event of the festive day in the Central European country, which commemorates the inauguration of the first King of the Belgians on July 21, 1831. King Felipe is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. And he presided over the parade after arriving at the honor stand aboard an open-top Lynx helicopter.
All members of the dynasty - except the very elderly Albert and Paola - took their places in the honor stand, including Delphine, who attended with her spouse, James O'Hare.
Delphine Boël came into the spotlight many years ago when she embarked on a legal crusade to be recognized as the biological daughter of King Albert II. Born in 1968, she claimed to be the result of a two-year romance between her mother and the then prince. The information came to light in 1999.
The courts asked all parties involved to undergo a DNA test to establish a biological link and put an end to the situation. Albert II refused to cooperate with his alleged daughter and with the courts, causing a great controversy in society. After a long legal battle, and years after the monarch abdicated in his eldest son, and as several members of the royal family showed their closeness to Delphine, Albert II took the tests. And in 2020, after much controversy, the DNA analysis showed that the former monarch was unfaithful to Paola and had a relationship with the Baroness de Sélys-Longchamps, from which Delphine was born.
Legal successes for Delphine followed. The courts recognized her right to bear the Saxe-Coburg surname, as well as the title of princess she holds, although neither she nor her descendants are part of the line of succession to the throne, as the Belgian Constitution states that illegitimate children born within the dynasty are excluded from it.
In recent years, all members of the royal family have strengthened their ties with Delphine, who, although she does not have a representative role in the Crown, does attend both dynasty events and some official functions, such as the festivities for National Day. Although after the costume chosen this time, they might think twice in the future.