By Dirk Waem
Brussels (dpa)Â – After a years-long paternity battle with the former King of Belgium, a Brussels court has finally decided in favour of artist Delphine Boel.
The ruling means the 52-year-old will now be officially recognized as a princess of Belgium.
Boel’s lawyer confirmed a report from broadcaster RTBF on the ruling to news agency Belga.
Boel’s children Josephine and Oscar will also be acknowledged as a prince and princess. Boel herself will take the surname of her father: Saxe-Cobourg-Gotha.
Boel has fought since 2013 to be recognized as former-King Albert’s child, saying that her mother, Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps, and Albert had had a long affair decades ago. Albert disputed this and refused to recognize Boel as his daughter.
In January, Albert admitted he was Boel’s father after taking a court-ordered paternity test.
After the last hearing on September 10, the court of appeal had said it would announce its decision on October 29.
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DPA International.com
