In 1964, British Pathé took footage during King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola’s official state visit to the Empire of Japan. Enjoy lovely Crown Princess Michiko – always chic and beautiful. There is a charming true story that unites King Baudouin with then Crown Prince Akohito. During a diplomatic stop-over for the King in Japan, Crown Prince Akihito requested to speak to Baudouin privately.
This generated much nervous buzz in the Belgian embassy, as it was highly unusual. Akihito requested Baudouin’s help getting his letters to Michiko in Europe, since she was supposedly sent there to separate the two. Baudouin took all of the letters Akihito had been trying to get the Japanese diplomatic corps to deliver to Europe in the pouches and the King delivered them himself to Michiko.
Additionally, he spoke to the Emperor on the behalf of Akihito and Michiko, helping pave the way for a beautiful marriage of the now Emperor and Empress of Japan. That is why Akihito and Michiko felt quite close to Baudouin and Fabiola and undoubtedly why Michiko paid her respects at Fabiola’s funeral in December 2014.
Enjoy!