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BelgiumCoronavirus

Belgium’s royals make first appearance since Prince Joachim’s quarantine row

Prince Joachim of Belgium

Prince Joachim’s parents have said they won’t be discussing the row surrounding their son after he was diagnosed with coronavirus during a trip to Spain. Princess Astrid of Belgium, Joachim’s mother, told press that she had no comment on the controversy which began this weekend after it was confirmed the prince had been at a party in Cordoba, breaking rules in place to stop the spread of the virus.

Astrid was speaking as she and her husband, Archduke Lorenz of Austria-Este, reopened one of Belgium’s most famous tourist attractions. The Atomium has been closed since March because of coronavirus restrictions. Wearing face masks and practising social distancing, the princess officially restarted the visitor season at the landmark.

During her visit to the Atomium, Princess Astrid was asked about her son. She told reporters that twenty eight year old Joachim was getting better but added there would be no further comment on the situation. Belgium’s Prime Minister, Sophie Wilmes, was also at the reopening. Asked about the controversy, she said simply ”case closed”.

Joachim, a nephew of Belgium’s King Philippe, was diagnosed with coronavirus last week. He had travelled to Cordoba via Madrid on May 24th and was one of 27 people at the party in the Andalusian city that same day. His diagnosis was made shortly afterwards. The region currently bans more than 15 people meeting as part of its coronavirus restrictions.

The prince later apologised. In a statement, he said“I apologise for not respecting all quarantine measures during my trip. In these difficult times, I did not want to offend anyone. I deeply regret my actions and will accept the consequences. Joachim from Belgium.”

The prince could face a fine in Spain for breaking regulations.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.