2-888-400 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The late Queen of the Belgians, from a drawing by M. Baugniet, 1850. Portrait of Louise of Orléans who died of phthisis, 'On the night of the 9th [October] her Majesty had a few hours of rest; but at six o'clock next morning a crisis ensued, in consequence of which her Majesty fell into a state of general and fatal prostration. After a short time, however, she rallied, and regained sufficient strength to converse with her Confessor. Although exhausted to the last degree, she retained possession of all her mental faculties...she received the Communion and the Extreme Unction. She met her fate with heroic resignation; and, though a prey to the most excruciating pain, her strength of mind prevailed so far that she could console her deeply-afflicted husband...and, just before expiring, she affectionately kissed the hand of her Royal Consort which grasped her own until life was no more'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.