Saturday, September 24, 2011

Elisabeth and Astrid

These are two of my favorite photographs of two of my favorite queens of all time, Elisabeth and Astrid of Belgium, who were mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. They had much in common. Both were devoted wives to their kings. Each had three children, two sons and a daughter. Each was charitable and beloved by the people. It is ironic, though, that Astrid became so much more popular than Elisabeth, since Elisabeth did much more for the country than Astrid was able to do in her short time as crown princess and queen.
Posted by May at 10:36 PM
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4 comments:

MadMonarchist said...

Those are *great* choices, I've never seen that one of Queen Astrid. I've always liked that one of Queen Elizabeth, her eyes are so striking in that one. I just did a video on Josephine-Charlotte (not on-line yet) and put in a couple of photos of her as a baby with Queen Astrid. Of course that one wasn't among them but it is a very good shot of both of them.

September 24, 2011 at 11:20 PM
May said...

Thanks! I'll keep a look-out for your video on J-C.

September 24, 2011 at 11:21 PM
Anonymous said...

I think Elisabeth was just as popular, as popularity can be very subjective.
I think Astrid's early death may have drawn people's sympathy to her, of course. Elisabeth had a long life.

September 26, 2011 at 9:52 PM
May said...

In her prime, and especially during WWI, Elisabeth was probably just as popular, as Astrid would later be. But in the long run, Astrid always seems to be the one remembered as the 'most beloved queen'.

I agree that Astrid's tragic early death is probably part of the reason for this, but then she also just seems to have been one of those charismatic personalities with an indefinable 'something'.

September 26, 2011 at 10:28 PM

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