Fanciful as this may sound, I've long thought that Louise-Marie d'Orléans, the first Queen of the Belgians, looked like a fleur-de-lis, with her fair complexion and golden curls. In particular, in this portrait, she reminds me of the pattern of golden lilies on an azure ground:
She was much admired for her piety and hailed as a "daughter of St. Louis". It is, therefore, sadly ironic that it was during her father Louis-Philippe's reign that the fleur-de-lis was removed from the royal coat of arms. (Her eldest brother was a partisan of the measure.)
4 comments:
Matterhorn, Thanks for linking. The additional information is interesting. Let me add something I read on one of the sites of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign priest, "The custom of genuflecting at the words in the Credo, et homo factus est, and making a profound reverence at the passage in the Gospels recording the death of Jesus Christ was introduced by this pious king [St. Louis] in his own chapel; now these practices are part of the ceremonial at Mass." Knowing that, I will now remember St. Louis at that time as well as Our Lord and Our Lady.
How touching. I never knew!
Lovely post, Matterhorn- thanks for highlighting St-Louis'Day:) I also enjoyed your mention of Louise-Marie d'Orléans reminding you of the fleur-de-lis..it's true! Did you know that our province of Quebec is represented by the fleur de- lis? thanks:)
So nice to hear from you, Lucy! Yes, I know, that's lovely about Quebec.
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