King Albert II of Belgium’s daughter yesterday drew attention to herself due to her ‘inappropriate’ National Day outfit, which highlighted the work of a non-binary designer.
Princess Delphine, born from an 18-year affair between the former monarch, 90, who abdicated in 2013, and Belgian aristocrat Sybille de Selys Longchamps, 83, attended the Brussels-based event in an ensemble created by Benjamin Voortmans, a young Belgian designer.
However, the red dress’s daring thigh-high split received some negative speculation from royal fans, with one stating that the outfit was ‘inappropriate’ for the patriotic occasion.
Independence Day celebrates the separation of Belgium from the Netherlands in 1831, as well as the formal establishment of the Kingdom.
Revealing details of her ensemble on Instagram, Delphine, 57, wrote, ‘To celebrate Belgium on our National Day, I proudly wore a creation by @judassime (Benjamin Voortmans), a talented young Belgian designer and multidisciplinary, non-binary artist.
‘We connect through a shared artistic language: transforming pain into beauty. I chose his work not only for his talent, but because it carries a message – one of tolerance, open-mindedness, and support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
‘I’m deeply affected by bullying and violence against those who don’t fit the mould. This outfit stands for difference, freedom, and love. Viva la différence!’
Despite Delphine taking a positive stand for the LGBTQIA+ community through her dress choice, some found the ensemble to be unfitting for the occasion.
Princess Delphine of Belgium has faced backlash for her ‘inappropriate’ outfit at yesterday’s National Day event in Brussels
Taking to X, one said, ‘Unfortunate and inappropriate, just to say the least.’ A second wrote, ‘Raunchy and inelegant.’
A third added, ‘This is not an outfit a princess would wear for a national event.’ While a fourth said, ‘When I saw the photos OMG….it was so inappropriate.’
For decades, the former King distanced himself from Princess Delphine and her mother to preserve his marriage.
After Princess Delphine was born in 1968, the King initially remained in frequent contact with his child and her mother. But when Delphine reached her 16th birthday, the King began to distance himself.
In 2013, the same year King Albert abdicated the throne due to health reasons and was succeeded by his son King Philippe, Princess Delphine launched a legal bid to be officially recognised as Albert’s daughter – which she won in October 2020.
Now, Delphine has the right to bear the royal name de Saxe-Cobourg and is formally recognised as a member of the Belgian royal family as are her two children Princess Joséphine of Belgium and Prince Oscar of Belgium, who she shares with partner James O’Hare.
Speaking to Tatler in 2023, the princess, who is an artist, revealed her father’s rejection when she was young still hurts, but added she doesn’t blame him and holds no ill-will towards him.
She argued that royal life is ‘isolating’ and she believed her father had been badly advised at the time. However, she said, ‘You don’t just have a child and kick it.’
The 57-year-old yesterday donned a dress created by Benjamin Voortmans, a young Belgian designer
Princess Eleonore, Prince Gabriel, Queen Mathilde, King Philippe, Crown Princess Elisabeth and Prince Emmanuel of Belgium are seen attending the Te Deum mass on Belgian National Day yesterday
The royal attended the National Day festivities yesterday alongside her husband James O’Hare (pictured)
Delphine completed her red ensemble with a pair of love heart-shaped sunglasses in a matching shade
Reflecting on her seven-year legal battle, Delphine said the action she brought was not about money or status but ‘principles’.
Delphine has started attending royal engagements and said her relationship with her father has healed after years of bitterness.
When she launched her legal action in 2013, she told Belgian radio show Matin Premiere, ‘I feel like I have a right to exist. Not to exist in the royal family but as me.
‘My decision to call for help through the law, I feel today that it was the right thing to do… The judicial system said that I was right and that I had the right to exist.’
Since the legal action has been settled, Princess Delphine has slowly become integrated into the Belgian royal family.
She met her brother, King Philippe of Belgium, who is one of 20 Belgian royals she is related to – in 2020, where they posted a socially distanced picture to Facebook, describing it as a ‘warm meeting.’
When she was granted her royal title Princess Delphine was also invited to Belvédère Castle in Brussels where she had an official meeting with her father and his wife Queen Paola.
Elsewhere yesterday, Belgium’s Royal Family appeared in high spirits as they celebrated National Day on Monday.
Pictured: Belgium’s Princess Delphine and her husband James O’Hare watching the official military parade as part of National Day events
Royal fans took to the comment section to share their thoughts on Delphine’s outfit – and one dubbed it ‘inappropriate’
Queen Mathilde, 52, who put on a stunning display in red for the celebration, posed alongside King Philippe as they arrived at the Te Deum mass at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels.
The mother-of-four looked chic in a flowing, red dress, which featured a floral pattern and an off-the-shoulder neckline, while Philippe, 65, looked dapper in a military uniform.
She was joined by her daughters, Crown Princess Elisabeth, 23, and 17-year-old Princess Eleonore, who both donned bright and bold shades of green for the celebration.
Elisabeth opted for a bright lime shade while her younger sister donned a mid-length dress in a darker colour.
Their brothers, Prince Gabriel, 21, and Prince Emmanuel, 19, looked equally smart in matching pinstripe trousers and black tailcoats.
The royal family attends the mass ceremony in Brussels every year in an annual tradition.
It comes after Delphine said she feels ‘very sorry’ for the Duke of Sussex in a recent podcast.
Talking in It’s Reigning Man with host Daniel Rosney, the 57-year-old said she follows Prince Harry’s circumstances in the news because of her admiration for Princess Diana.
‘Lady Diana was a part of my life when I was in England,’ Delphine, who previously lived in London but has since relocated to Brussels, said, adding, ‘She was just sunshine, in the news especially.’
Delphine claimed that Diana’s sudden death was complicated for Harry to process, and that speculation over his life since he left for Montecito with his former actress wife, Meghan, counts as ‘bullying’.
Speaking in the podcast, Delphine said, ‘I feel very sorry for Harry, because I think that was traumatic for him.
‘I think Harry has suffered so much,’ she said, continuing, ‘He was traumatised, and it’s coming out now.
She added, ‘I understand the guy. He’s just traumatised, and so he’s doing these things and everyone is just bullying him but not thinking about his trauma, and I just find it terrible.’
