Louise-Marie's Deathbed

The first Queen of the Belgians, surrounded by her grieving family, passed into eternity here...it strikes me the bed is so small and simple.

Despite the fact that she had suffered from family tragedies and a long, exhausting battle with consumption, Louise-Marie's last words were of gratitude to God: Que Dieu est bon de me laisser mourir au milieu de tout ce que j'aime! ("How good God is to let me die amidst all I love!")

(Photo credit: Georges Jansoone)