Prince Gabriel of Belgium (French: Gabriel Baudouin Charles Marie, Dutch: Gabriël Boudewijn Karel Maria; born 20 August 2003) is the second child and eldest son of Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant, the heir apparent to the throne of Belgium, and his wife Princess Mathilde. His first name was chosen, his parents said, because of its symbolism, being prominent in the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish religions. He is a grandson of Albert II, King of the Belgians.
He was born 20 August 2003, in Anderlecht, near Brussels. He has an older sister, Princess Elisabeth, who precedes him in the line of succession due to recent adoption absolute primogeniture. Therefore it seems very unlikely that he will one day become King of the Belgians. In addition to his elder sister Elisabeth, Gabriel also has a younger brother, Prince Emmanuel, and a younger sister, Princess Eléonore.
His godparents are Baroness Maria Christina von Freyberg and his maternal uncle Count Charles-Henri d'Udekem d'Acoz.
Famous quotes containing the words prince and/or gabriel:
“The last public hanging in the State took place in 1835 on Prince Hill.... On the fatal day, the victim, a man named Watkins, peering through the iron bars of his cell, and seeing the townfolk scurrying to the place of execution, is said to have remarked, ‘Why is everyone running? Nothing can happen until I get there.’”
—Administration for the State of Con, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“The rose and poppy are her flowers; for where
Is he not found, O Lilith, whom shed scent
And soft-shed kisses and soft sleep shall snare?
Lo! as that youth’s eyes burned at thine, so went
Thy spell through him, and left his straight neck bent
And round his heart one strangling golden hair.”
—Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828–1882)