Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 September 1902 — BELGIANS' QUEEN DIES. [ARTICLE]

BELGIANS' QUEEN DIES.

Marie Henriette Expires at a Health Resort After Protracted Illness. Marie Henriette, Queen of the Belgians, died at Spa, after a long illness. The Queen’s malady was heart trouble, which, during the past five years, gave her much distress and frequently caused protracted spells of sickness. It was only, however, during the past three months that these periods of sickness were considered of a critical nature. On July 9, after a consultation of the court physicians, it was announced that her majesty might succumb at any moment, but, to the surprise of all, she rallied and was apparently well for several weeks. After the middle of August the Queen has been constantly growing worse. The Queen was conscious almost to the last moment, and her passing away was apparently painless and peaceful. Queen Marie Henriette was the daughter of the late Archduke Joseph of Austria and Marie Dorothea, I’rincess of Wurtemberg. She was ’>nrn on Aug. 23, 1836. and was married at the age of 17 to Prince Leopold, then the young heir to the throne of Belgium. For many years the Queen’s hopes centered in her three daughters, the Princesses Louise, Stephanie and Clementine. Louise was married to Prince Philip of and Gotha and Stephanie became the wife of the Crown Prince Rudolph of Austria. Both of these marriages have been the most wretched failures. The unfortunate Queen of the Belgian! has known very little happiness from the moment of her marriage. What with her domestic troubles and her illness she has had few pleasant days. Yet she took much interest in religion, philanthropy and art. ■