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Henriette BelgiumBelgian princess
Date of Birth: 30.11.1870
Country:  Belgium |
Content:
- Princess Henriette of Belgium: A Royal Life in Shadow and Splendor
- Marriage and World War I
- Literary Circle and Artistic Pursuits
- Artistic Legacy
- - "Fleurs des Alpes, cueillies dans mes excursions" (1928)
Princess Henriette of Belgium: A Royal Life in Shadow and Splendor
Early Life and FamilyBorn in 1870, Princess Henriette was the eldest daughter of Count Philippe of Flanders and his wife, Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. As a niece of King Leopold II and sister of King Albert I, she was a member of the Belgian royal family. Her twin sister, Josephine, passed away just six weeks after birth. A tragic event struck her family in 1891 when her brother, Prince Baudouin, died after falling ill during a prayer for Henriette's health.
Marriage and World War I
In 1896, Henriette wed Emmanuel d'Orléans, Duke of Vendôme. They welcomed four children: Marie Louise, Sophie, Geneviève, and Charles. After World War I, their financial situation declined, forcing them to sell some of their properties.
Literary Circle and Artistic Pursuits
Despite being prohibited from France, Henriette was granted an exception and resided in Lugrin, Switzerland. She became part of a literary circle that included Clément de Maugny, an acquaintance of Marcel Proust and a possible inspiration for the character Robert de Saint-Loup in "In Search of Lost Time." Henriette herself may have served as a model for the fictional Marquise de Villeparisis.
Artistic Legacy
Henriette was a gifted watercolorist. She authored and illustrated several books, including:
- "Fleurs des Alpes, cueillies dans mes excursions" (1928)
- "Notre voyage en Afrique (Algérie, Tunisie, Maroc)" (1928)- "Les Croix des Alpes" (1937)
Later Years and Legacy
After her husband's untimely death in 1931, Henriette passed away in Switzerland in 1948. She was laid to rest in the Orléans family vault in Dreux. Henriette's artistic contributions and her role in the literary world of her time continue to inspire and captivate.
