Grand Duke Jean Condolence Reply from King Albert & Queen Paola of Belgium (2019)

A very touching reply arrived today from Belgium. I had written to King Albert in April to send my condolences on the death of his brother-in-law, Grand Duke Jean. Grand Duke Jean had married King Albert's sister, Princess Joséphine Charlotte (1927-2005).

The Belgium royals have 10 or so different envelopes that they use. But this one is my favorite.

The front of the envelope is pretty typical for the Belgium Royals.

The back of the envelope features a purple crown, with the name of Albert & Paola's residence, Belvédère. And on the side of the flap is the partial address in French and Dutch. 

But the most beautiful part is the inside, which is lined with purple tissue paper.

The card is pretty typical of Queen Paola, and is on cream colored paper. This is similar to the condolence reply I received from Paola for the passing of her brother, Don Antonello Ruffo di Calabria, in 2017.

The card translates to:

Belvédère 

Their Majesties King Albert II and Queen Paola thank you wholeheartedly for the note of sympathy and compassion that you have addressed to them on the occasion of the death of their dear brother-in-law, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg.

You can look back at all of my replies from Grand Duke Jean here.

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