Jump to content

User:Raphael Blumenthal/sandbox

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Prince Raphael De Wallonie

[edit]

Raphael De Wallonie (French: Raphael Louis Alexandre De Wallonie; Dutch: Raphaël Lodewijk Alexander van Wallonië; born 15 June 2002) is the Prince of Wallonia and currently 11th in line to the Belgian throne. He is the son of Alexia, Princess of Belgium, and her husband, an American entrepreneur.

File:Prince Raphael de Wallonie 2023.jpg
Prince Raphael De Wallonie
Born: 15 June 2002 at the Belvédère Château in Laeken, northern Brussels
Names: French: Raphael Louis Alexandre De Wallonie; Dutch: Raphaël Lodewijk Alexander van Wallonië
House: Belgium

Early life

[edit]

Prince Raphael was born at 3:20 pm CET on 15 June 2002 at the Belvédère Château in Laeken, northern Brussels. He was christened on 2 September 2002 at the Chapel of St. Hubert at Ciergnon Castle, a royal family residence. His godparents are his paternal uncle, Baron Philippe De Wallonie, and his maternal cousin, Princess Eleonore of Belgium.

Raphael's mother, Princess Alexia, is the only daughter of Duke Alexandre of Belgium, who was the uncle of the current King Philippe. Raphael spent much of his childhood between Belgium and the United States, where his father’s family is from. Raised in both cultures, he speaks French, English, Hebrew, and some German.

Education

[edit]

Raphael attended the International School of Brussels, where he excelled in history and political science. He later pursued a degree in International Relations at the Old University of Leuven, and presently engaged in a year of study at New York University. Fluent in several languages, he has a deep interest in diplomacy and international affairs, a career path encouraged by his royal duties. In 2023, Raphael completed a diplomatic internship at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Family and Background

[edit]

Raphael’s mother, Princess Alexia, is the daughter of Prince Alexandre of Belgium. Alexandre was a notable figure in Belgian history, serving in various diplomatic roles. Raphael’s great-grandfather was King Leopold III, remembered for his efforts during World War II.

Raphael's paternal family is ancestrally from Germany, and Switzerland. Moreover, his American father brought an entrepreneurial spirit into Raphael's upbringing, which brought about a unique blend of royal tradition and modernity.

Raphael has four second cousins who precede him in the line of succession: Prince Gabriel, Princess Elisabeth, Princess Eleonore, and Prince Emmanuel. Though currently 11th in line to the throne, Raphael has expressed his commitment to supporting the royal family in charitable and diplomatic efforts.

Royal Duties

[edit]

Despite being outside of the direct line of succession, Raphael maintains an active role in Belgian public life. He often represents the royal family at cultural and philanthropic events in Wallonia, particularly focusing on youth education and environmental initiatives. As Prince of Wallonia, Raphael works to preserve the cultural heritage of the southern French-speaking region of Belgium, attending annual festivals and engaging with local communities.

Personal Life

[edit]

In his spare time, Raphael enjoys traveling, sailing, and studying international diplomacy. He has expressed a deep passion for global affairs, reflecting his upbringing across two continents. Raphael remains a discreet figure in the Belgian royal family, balancing his royal duties with personal ambitions.