Queen Fabiola of Belgium, known for her resilience and determination, faced numerous challenges during her marriage to King Baudouin. Despite the difficulties, she continued to carry on with her royal duties, often with a sense of optimism and hope. Her story is a testament to the strength and courage of women who face adversity with dignity and grace.
One of the most significant challenges Queen Fabiola faced was the loss of several children. Her experiences with pregnancy and childbirth were marked by tragedy, with multiple miscarriages and stillbirths. Despite these setbacks, she remained committed to her role as queen and continued to carry out her royal duties with dedication and passion. Her story serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of women who face adversity with courage and determination.
what were the circumstances surrounding the miscarriages of Queen Fabiola and King Baudouin
how did Queen Fabiola cope with the multiple miscarriages
what personal support systems did Queen Fabiola have during her miscarriages
In April 2008, during a segment of the VTM programme Het Nieuws, Queen Fabiola of Belgium was recorded speaking for the first time about the five miscarriages that she experienced. From 1960 until his death in 1993, Fabiola was the wife and queen consort of King Baudouin of the Belgians. She stated that her losses did not make her bitter: “I lost five children, but I’ve learned to live with it. On the contrary, you learn from the experience. I had problems with each pregnancy, but in the end I kept thinking that life is beautiful.”
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| King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola of Belgian at the Vatican, June 1961. |
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| Newspaper headline from 9 June 1961. |
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| Newspaper headline from 26 June 1961. |
On 8 June 1961, King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola visited Pope John XXIII. It was reported by the international press that the couple had informed the Holy Father that the queen was with child. The Vatican itself would not officially confirm or deny the story. However, while giving an interview to Belgian reporters in Rome, Pope John XXIII let the secret slip: “The Queen was very kind because she told us that she is expecting a baby.” The king and queen returned to Belgium, and two weeks the queen did not appear in public. On Sunday, 25 June, the grand marshal of the court issued a communiqué: “Contrary to what one had been permitted to hope, a happy event should not be expected at the Royal Palace at Laeken in the near future. The Queen’s state of health gives no reason for worry. Her Majesty will have completely recovered within a few days.” This was the first child that the queen and her husband lost.
Queen Fabiola learned of her second pregnancy in February 1962. A physician in Lausanne was consulted; the reply of Swiss gynaecologist Professor Rochat must have been devastating to the queen: “Owing to a physiological defect you have only a ten percent chance of carrying a baby to full term, and barely a five percent chance of surviving the birth.” In May 1962, Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands celebrated their silver wedding anniversary, and Baudouin and Fabiola were among the guests. Amsterdam newspaper Vrije Volk wrote that the Belgian queen was expecting. A palace spokesperson in Brussels, when asked about the veracity of the report, stated: “I would say no. It is true that the queen is avoiding strenuous engagements.” In June, the pregnancy ended in miscarriage.
In September 1963, Queen Fabiola suffered her third miscarriage. The queen and her husband King Baudouin had been on holiday at Zarauz, Spain, since August. Either three or four months pregnant, Fabiola lost the baby that she was carrying on Saturday, 14 September 1963. The queen was reported to be “depressed,” though in “good health,” and was looked after by doctors at the resort on the Bay of Biscay where the royal couple were vacationing. The miscarriage occurred one day after Baudouin returned from a fishing trip off of the southern coast of Spain. Noting that the king would return to Belgium on 20 September, a royal communiqué from Brussels elaborated: “Queen Fabiola will postpone her return by a few days. The hopes which recent information as to her health condition had provoked are unfortunately not founded anymore.” A royal birth had been expected in February 1964.
In March 1966, Fabiola and Baudouin discovered that they were expecting a child. The couple visited Pope Paul VI to receive his blessing over their fourth pregnancy. On Friday, 8 July 1966, the royal court announced that the queen was with child. The birth was expected in the winter of that year. In view of the queen’s medical history, “appropriate reservations” were cautioned to be made about the outcome. King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola wished to share their hopes with the Belgian people. Acting on the advice of doctors, all of the queen’s public engagements were cancelled. Sadly, on Sunday, 10 July 1966, Queen Fabiola was admitted to hospital in Brussels, where she underwent emergency surgery. Two days after the court announced that Fabiola was with child, it was confirmed that the queen had suffered a miscarriage as a result of an extra-uterine pregnancy. The baby had died in her womb. Fabiola was thirty-eight years-old.
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| Newspaper headline from 26 February 1968. |
In early 1968, Baudouin and Fabiola discovered that the queen was expecting a child for the fifth time. The queen underwent an operation in Brussels on Sunday, 25 February. According to her doctors, the aim of this medical intervention was “eliminating an obstacle to a new pregnancy.” In satisfactory condition, Fabiola was expected to remain at the clinic where she underwent the procedure for two weeks to recover. Alas, the true scenario behind the surgery was to guarantee the queen’s health after another much longed for baby had died in the uterus. After this final tragedy, King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola resigned themselves to the fate of never becoming parents.
The king and queen were strengthened in their sorrows by their strong Roman Catholic faith. Baudouin and Fabiola poured affection and guidance into the lives of their nephews and nieces. The royal couple became resolved to act as parental figures for all of the children of Belgium.
queen fabiola’s health issues
As we conclude our exploration of the tragic story of Queen Fabiola’s lost children, we are reminded of the resilience and strength that she and King Baudouin displayed in the face of adversity. Despite the numerous miscarriages and stillbirths, the couple continued to carry out their royal duties with dedication and passion. Their story serves as a testament to the power of love and the human spirit, which can overcome even the most challenging circumstances.
Queen Fabiola’s experiences with miscarriage and stillbirth highlight the emotional toll that these events can take on individuals and families. It is essential to recognize the importance of emotional support and self-care during such times, as these can significantly impact a person’s ability to cope with their loss. By sharing her story, Queen Fabiola has shown that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope and a chance to learn from the experience. As we reflect on her journey, we are reminded of the importance of resilience and hope in the face of adversity, and the impact that these qualities can have on our lives.
