The wedding dress, the bridal party and the music to be played were all up for debate as fresh details of Europe’s biggest royal wedding of the year were shared.
With just over a week to go until Belgium’s Princess Maria Laura marries William Isvy in Brussels, the plans for both their civil and religious ceremonies were discussed as the bride’s parents spoke to the press about the forthcoming nuptials.
Maria Laura and William will marry firstly in a civil ceremony at Brussels Town Hall, the same place that her mum and dad, Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz, wed. The ceremony, on September 10th 2022, will be conducted in four languages – French, Dutch, German and English. Princess Maria Laura has chosen her two sisters, Princess Luisa Maria and Princess Laetitia Maria, as her witnesses. Her groom has chosen his brother and sister as his witnesses.
A guard of honour, made up of cadets of the Brussels’ police, will be present as guests arrive.
The religious ceremony is set for 2.30pm. The Belgian royal family, led by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, will attend. It is expected that Princess Delphine, the king’s half sister, will join her relations at a royal wedding for the first time.
The bride will enter the Cathedral of St. Michel and St. Gudule on the arm of her father, Prince Lorenz. Her bridal party will include the two children of Prince Amadeo, her older brother. Anna Astrid, now 6, and Maximilian, who turns three just before the wedding, will attend their aunt. The music at the ceremony will include Jewish songs as the groom is of Jewish descent.
The groom has chosen their method of departure from the service, selecting a car which he will drive himself as the couple make their way to a private reception. Photos will be released later in the day.
Maria Laura’s wedding dress, and accessories, are being kept secret until her wedding day and the designer of the gown won’t be announced until the marriage ceremonies are about to get underway.
The wedding takes place the day before the 85th birthday of the bride’s grandmother, Queen Paola.
Princess Maria Laura and William Isvy announced their engagement in 2021. The couple live and work in London.
