The sculpture titled Ageless Love, located in the Gerdapark of Sint-Niklaas, stands as a prominent example of the creative output produced by Princess Delphine of Belgium. Known previously as Jonkvrouw Delphine Boël, she navigated a protracted legal process to confirm her parentage, eventually gaining recognition as a member of the Belgian royal family in 2020.
Artistic Development and Education
Born in 1968 in Uccle, Delphine attended educational institutions including Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland and the Chelsea College of Art and Design in London. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in fine arts with honours in 1990. Throughout her career, she has engaged in various artistic mediums and served as a guest lecturer at the Higher Institute for Fine Arts in Antwerp and the Maastricht Art School. Beyond gallery works, she has contributed to commercial and public projects, such as designing the bottle label for Cuvée Delphine beer and executing the 2021 decoration for the Lamborghini Art Car.
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Delphine’s public status was long defined by a private struggle regarding her biological heritage. After allegations surfaced in a 1999 unauthorized biography of Queen Paola, Delphine publicly asserted her paternity in a 2005 television interview. She initiated formal legal proceedings against former King Albert II in 2013 following the cessation of his royal immunity. In January 2020, forensic DNA testing confirmed Albert II as her biological father. A court order in October 2020 formally granted her the title of Princess of Belgium with the style of Her Royal Highness.
Public and Philanthropic Roles
Since her legal recognition, Delphine has integrated into the activities of the Belgian royal family, participating in events such as the 2021 military parade on Belgian National Day. She acts as the founding patron of the Princess Delphine of Saxe-Coburg Fund, which operates through Ghent University Hospital to integrate artistic practices into clinical healthcare settings. Alongside these duties, she has authored two books, Couper le cordon in 2008 and Never Give Up in 2017, and appeared in the 2022 documentary film Delphine: My Story.
Family Life
Delphine is married to James O'Hare, an American businessman. The couple has two children, both of whom received royal titles in 2020: Princess Joséphine O'Hare de Saxe-Coburg, born in 2003, and Prince Oscar John Patrick Tobias Léopold Michel O'Hare de Saxe-Coburg, born in 2008. While the children hold royal titles, they and their mother remain outside the official line of succession to the Belgian throne.
Fast facts
- Born: 1968, Uccle, Belgium
- Education: Institut Le Rosey; Chelsea College of Art and Design
- Paternity confirmed: 27 January 2020
- Royal title granted: 1 October 2020
- Spouse: James O'Hare
- Notable sculpture: Ageless Love
- Published books: Couper le cordon; Never Give Up
- Languages: French; English
Questions readers ask
Is Princess Delphine in the line of succession to the Belgian throne?
No, as she was born out of wedlock, she and her descendants are not in the line of succession.
What is the focus of the Princess Delphine of Saxe-Coburg Fund?
The fund promotes the integration of art into healthcare services at Ghent University Hospital.
