Royals insulted by controversial book

A book released tomorrow is sending shockwaves through Belgium’s royal family. Excerpts of Frédéric Deborsu’s Question(s) royale(s) were published by several newspapers this weekend, sparking controversy over its content. In it, Deborsu claims that Prince Philippe’s marriage to Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz is one of convenience, guaranteeing him access to the throne. And, according to Deborsu, the couple’s four children were the result of IVF. The book also alleges that Queen Paola had extramarital affairs. But the biggest controversy comes from the fact that King Albert apparently gave a lengthy interview to Deborsu’s brother Christophe, an RTBF journalist, something Belgium’s Constitution explicitly forbids. An official statement from the palace condemned “false and insulting information”. Deborsu and his publishers have launched proceedings against the newspapers that leaked excerpts before the release date in spite of a press embargo.