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The daughter of former Belgian King Albert II wore a striking outfit earlier this month as she attended celebrations for her country’s National Day.
Princess Delphine wore a dazzling pink and red gown emblazoned with the word “love” on the back, three years after being officially named as the former monarch’s daughter.
The 55-year-old artist, formerly known as Delphine Boël, is believed to be the result of an 18-year romance between Albert, now 90, and Belgian aristocrat Sybille de Selys Longchamps, 82, which began in the 1960s.
But Princess Delphine is by no means the only living child of royal love.
As we describe below, Captain Mark Phillips fathered a child with a New Zealand art teacher while he was still married to Princess Anne.
And Prince Albert of Monaco had three children before marrying Princess Charlene in 2011.
Princess Dauphin of Belgium
Princess Delphine, 55, daughter of former King Albert II of Belgium, wore a striking outfit earlier this month as she attended National Day celebrations.
Princess Delphine wore a dazzling pink and red gown emblazoned with the word “love” on the back, three years after she was officially named the former monarch’s daughter.
Former Belgian King Albert II, who abdicated in 2013 after 20 years on the throne, had been in regular contact with Delphine throughout her childhood but began to grow distant when she turned 16.
She only discovered that he was actually her father a year later, when she was 17.
The princes had previously assumed that their mother’s husband, Jonkheer Jacques Boël, was their father.
Following her successful legal process in 2020, Delphine is now entitled to bear the royal name of Saxe-Coburg and is formally recognised as a member of the Belgian royal family.
Since then, she has met her half-siblings, King Philippe, Princess Astrid and Prince Laurent.
Speaking to Tatler last year, Delphine said her father’s rejection when she was young still hurts her, but added that she does not blame him and holds no grudges.
He said royal life was “isolating” and believed his father had received bad advice at the time. However, he said: “You don’t have a child and turn your back on them.”
Formerly known as Delphine Boël, the artist is pictured (middle) with her half-brother (front right), King Philippe of Belgium.
Captain Mark Phillips and his daughter
Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips are known to have a close bond, but the pair have a half-brother who they have reportedly never met.
Princess Anne’s ex-husband, Captain Mark Phillips, has a lesser-known daughter: Felicity Tonkin, 38.
It was allegedly conceived after Phillips had a one-night stand with New Zealand art teacher Heather Tonkin in 1984, while he was still married to the Princess Royal.
When she became pregnant, Mark allegedly told her to have an abortion, but Heather kept the baby and was told that its father had died.
Princess Anne’s ex-husband Captain Mark Phillips has another daughter: Felicity Tonkin, 38, pictured
It was only when Felicity was eight years old and doing a school project on her family history that her mother told her the truth.
He showed her a biography of Phillips written by news anchor Angela Rippon.
Phillips paid Heather £6,000 a year (described as ‘equestrian consultancy’ in his accounts) until Felicity was school age, when payments reportedly became erratic.
This prompted Heather to hire lawyers and eventually speak publicly.
In 1991, a DNA test proved that the former British Army captain was Felicity’s father and led to a £350,000 settlement.
Felicity, who like Zara has a passion for horses, is now an equine veterinarian. She is married to polo player Tristan Wade.
Captain Mark Phillips pictured with Princess Anne on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day in 1973
Felicity Tonkin found out her father was Captain Mark Phillips when she was finishing a school project. Above: Felicity on her 18th birthday in 2003
Monaco loves children
Prince Albert of Monaco has 9-year-old twins, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, with his wife of 17 years, former Olympic princess Charlene.
But the 66-year-old prince’s past affairs resulted in two other children, whom he is believed not to have formally acknowledged until DNA testing was completed.
Alexandre Grimaldi, 20, was born in 2003 after his mother Nicole Coste’s relationship with Prince Albert, two years before he began dating Charlene.
The flight attendant turned fashion designer had been with Alberto for five years and had even made public appearances with her royal love.
However, Alexandre was only publicly acknowledged in May 2005, when Nicole revealed in an interview with Paris Match that her son was Albert’s.
He also said he had been actively involved in his son’s life from the beginning.
Prince Albert of Monaco (right) with Nicole Coste (left) and their son Alexandre Grimaldi
Alexandre Grimaldi was born in 2003 after his mother Nicole Coste’s (left) relationship with Prince Albert, two years before he dated Charlene
The following year, the monarch had another child: Jasmine Grace Grimaldi, who was born in 1992.
She was confirmed to be Albert’s daughter in May 2006 following a DNA test and is the result of a holiday fling with her American real estate agent mother, Tamara Rotolo.
Jasmine, 32, met her father when she was 11 after her mother took her to California.
Speaking about meeting her father for the first time, Jazmin said in 2015: “I wanted that moment to connect with my dad, to get to know him and for him to get to know me.”
“Not having that figure around, I missed it. It’s wonderful that it happened at that time and we’ve enjoyed a great relationship ever since.”
Albert pictured with his other daughter, Jazmin Grace Grimaldi (left) in 2018
The Prince of Monaco photographed with his other two children, Jasmine and Alexandre
A secret Spanish daughter
Former Spanish King Juan Carlos, 86, reportedly has a secret daughter named Alejandra.
According to a book written by two investigative journalists and published last year, he was born in the late 1970s or early 1980s.
She is said to be married, has a son and has never spoken about her royal credentials despite learning the truth about her real father years ago, the book claims.
Former King Juan Carlos pictured with his son King Felipe VI of Spain, who Juan allegedly had to try to make sure didn’t “fall in love” with his secret daughter
Juan Carlos is rumored to have tried to ensure that his eldest son, Felipe, the current King of Spain, did not “fall in love” with his secret daughter without knowing they were related when they were younger.
She then allegedly told Palace officials about it after the two became adults.
Its existence is said to be confirmed by a former lover of the former king, a long-time friend and one of her ex-boyfriends.
However, Juan Carlos has denied claims that he is Alejandra’s father.