Tears of a queen

As she bows out of her role as queen consort of the Belgians, the emotion got too much for Paola.  She began her public life as Princess of Liege and that's where the royal couple were today for their final farewell before the abdication.  The touching tears of the queen were visible for all to see from balcony of the Hotel de Ville as thousands cheered this consort and her king into retirement.

 

Queen Paola of the Belgians cries as she says farewell in Liege - it's the couple's last public appearance before the abdication on Sunday

 

 

From now until Sunday the King and Queen of the Belgians will prepare to hand over to their heirs, Philippe and Mathilde.  For now, Belgium is finishing its farewell to its monarchs of twenty years.

 



 

Last kiss in Liege - Paola and her king on the balcony of the town's Hotel de Ville