Belgium's Former King's Illegitimate Daughter: "I Did Not File a Paternity Lawsuit for Money or Status"

In an interview with The Times, he revealed this,
"I wanted to let my children know they are members of the royal family"

▲Albert II, former King of Belgium (left), and Delphine Bo?l (right), revealed to be his illegitimate daughter [Photo by AP]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Delphine Bo?l (52), who filed a paternity suit against former King Albert II of Belgium (86) and was recognized as his illegitimate daughter earlier this year, stated, "Even if my father had been a criminal, I would have sought paternity confirmation."

In an interview with the British daily The Times on the 23rd (local time), Bo?l reiterated that she did not file the lawsuit out of concern for her status as a princess or for inheritance.

Bo?l said, "I don't suddenly feel like my status has risen," adding, "I still hang out with the people I used to."

Bo?l, who has blonde hair and blue eyes symbolizing the Belgian royal family, filed the paternity suit in 2013 after Albert II abdicated the throne.

She explained the reason for filing the paternity suit, saying, "I wanted to let my children, who always asked me 'Are you out of your mind?' whenever I mentioned being part of the royal family, know that this is the truth," and "I just wanted the truth to be revealed."

Recognized as Albert II's fourth child, Bo?l gained the right to inherit one-eighth of his estate, but she made it clear that she did not file the lawsuit out of greed for the inheritance.

Bo?l said, "My mother's ex-husband, Jacques Bo?l (91), the Belgian steel magnate, is much wealthier than the royal family," adding, "I did not file the lawsuit out of greed for the royal inheritance."

According to local media, the Bo?l family's fortune is ?1.4 billion (approximately 2.1848 trillion KRW), which is twice the size of Albert II's estate.

Having become a celebrity in Belgium due to the paternity suit, she said, "Some people considered me a nuisance, but finally they are taking me seriously."

Bo?l was born in 1968 to Albert II, who was then a prince, and Sybille de Selys Longchamps, Baroness de Selys Longchamps. At the time, Albert II was married to Paola Ruffo di Calabria, an Italian princess, and already had three children.

Bo?l recalled her memories of her biological father, saying, "I often met Albert II when I was young," and "I called him by the nickname 'Papillon' (butterfly)."

She added, "He was like a gift to me," and "I wasn't the kind to sit on his lap and whine, but I could contact him whenever I wanted."

She explained, "I was satisfied with being able to contact Albert II occasionally, and I understood that he pretended not to know me in front of people because of his status as king," but "I haven't been able to contact Albert II since 2001." She said she sent a letter informing him that her mother, Sybille de Selys Longchamps, had fallen ill, but received no reply.

She said she could not understand why Albert II suddenly cut off contact, but speculated that it was triggered by the publication of a biography by former Queen Paola in 1999, which revealed that the king had maintained a long-term extramarital relationship.

Bo?l recalled that when she barely managed to speak with Albert II on the phone, the words she heard on the other end were, "You are not my daughter."

After graduating from Chelsea College of Arts, Bo?l has conveyed messages to Albert II through her artworks. She even created a piece depicting herself as Albert II's laundry, looking out from a washing machine.

After a long legal battle, Albert II issued a statement in January acknowledging that he is Bo?l's biological father. However, he also said, "(Regarding Bo?l) I have never been involved in social or educational decisions," and criticized her by saying, "She is trying to change the family."

Regarding this statement, Bo?l said, "I have always kept silent about who my biological father is to protect my parents," and "I felt betrayed and still can't believe such words came from his mouth."

She does not expect a reunion with Albert II to happen soon but expressed willingness to meet her biological father.

Bo?l is scheduled to appear in court next month to take the surname of the Belgian royal family.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.