Sunday 21 July 2013

Queens are grandmas too

Now that she's got a bit of time on her hands, Paola can do what all grans love to do and that's spend a bit more time with the grandchildren

Just as Queen Beatrix's first appearance after her abdication involved her looking after the new king's children on a big state occasion, so Albert II and his consort, Paola, re-appeared this afternoon in charge of the next generation.

 
From queen consort to doting grandma - Paola brings the next generation of Belgian's royal family to one of their father's first state appearances
 
 
While their dad, Philippe, took charge of the military review, the recently abdicated Albert and Paola looked after new heiress to the throne, Elisabeth, and her brothers and sister.  It was reminiscent of the way that the now Princess Beatrix guided her granddaughters through the events that followed their father's accession as King Willem-Alexander.  It must be one of the highlights of giving up a throne - spending more time with your family.
 
 
The recently abdicated Queen of the Netherlands, now Princess Beatrix, gets some time with the grandchildren on the day she gave up her throne, April 30th 2013
 
Sixty years ago another queen consort by then converted into a queen dowager famously watched her grandson as her own daughter became Queen.  One of the best known images of the coronation of Elizabeth II shows her heir, four year old Prince Charles, observe proceedings next to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.  Sixty years on, granny still knows best.
 
 
 Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother with Charles, Prince of Wales and Princess Margaret at the coronation of Elizabeth II on June 2nd 1953

 
Photos Dutch Royal House and Belga
 
 


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