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King Albert has commemorated his mother, Queen Astrid, in Küssnacht, Switzerland,
who died there exactly 75 years ago today.
The car, driven by her husband King leopold III, slipped of the road and hit a tree.
The extremely popular Astrid was 29 years old and a year and a half Queen of the Belgians.
Leopold lost control over the driving-wheel.
The pregnant Astrid was thrown out of the car, hit a tree with her head and died instantly.
King Albert payed his respects at the place where his mother died 75 years ago.
On the banks of the lake stands a chapel build in her memory.
There the Sovereign attended a service.
The king, then Prince Albert, was only 1 years old when his mother, Queen Astrid, died on this spot in 1935.
Albert was the third child in the marriage between Leopold II and Astrid, a wedding consecrated in 1926.
They arrive in Antwerp with a steamer from Sweden, her native country.
The Princess embraced her husband, Prince Leopold, on the gangway, in those days a rare intimate image.
The wedding was planned by Queen Elisabeth who went searching for a proper bride
but besides that a love developed, something that was very rare.
Allmost all previous Royal weddings were matters of state, not this time.
The carefree way in which Astrid treated her children and the common people made her really popular
The simple way of life was partly played.
They tried to say that they lived like all others,
they are parents and lead a simple life, but that was mostly a matter of fiction.
Her funeral was watched by thousands.
The country was in mourning and Astrid became a myth.
King Albert had a three-hour long talk with Elio Di Rupo this evening
but earlier today he was in Küssnacht, in Switzerland.
He was there to commemorate his mother, Queen Astrid, who died 75 years ago.
She died in Küssnacht, during a car crash.
She had not yet reached the age of 30.
King Albert holds a minute silence at the cross where his mother died 75 years ago.
Here in Küssnacht they hold up the tradition to commemorate Astrid's death every year.
This year the King wanted to attend himself.
Albert barely knew his mother. He was 1 year old when she died.
Küssnacht remains a painful memory.
The accident on august 29th 1935 tore her away from the affections
of her husband and their three children,
even though she was not even 29 years old.
Her death left a mark and was a terrible fate.
The accident near the Lake Lucerne happened during a small trip.
King Leopold III lost control over the driving-wheel,
his wife was thrown out of the car and hit a tree with her head.
The car went of the road, due to a mistake by the driver
and went down from the hill, at the curve and hit a tree.
Queen Astrid got mortally wounded and died at the spot.
Astrid had been Queen for a year when she died.
She became really popular in a short time
and her death stirred many emotions.
Astrid left three children behind: Josephine-Charlotte, Baudouin and Albert.
I think this visit is really emotional for him, it is the place where his mother died
and it is good that he came for the 75th anniversary of her death.
Albert has always said himself that the future of Belgium
would have been totally different if his mother had remained alive.
Astrid's death also left a political mark on Belgium.
This voyage to Küssnacht was the only foreign obligation of Albert for weeks.
Now he will return to Brussels to deal with the political crisis.
Barend Leyts for "The News" in Küssnacht.
Today it is exactly 75 years since the death of Queen Astrid.
King Albert was only a baby when he lost his mother.
Astrid has always has always had a special place in his heart.
Yesterday the King attended a Memorial in the vaccinity of Serignan
and this afternoon he visited the place of the accident, Küssnacht, Switzerland.
The king flew to Switzerland this morning
because he wanted to be at the Memorial himself on the day his mother died
In Küssnacht, Switzerland, a Cross is erected in the grass
on the exact same spot where Queen Astrid died 75 years ago.
Dear guests, in honor of Queen Astrid we hold a collective minute of silence.
Several Flemish people travelled to Küssnacht.
Some of them return to Belgium on foot
to collect money for the Children with Cancer-funds.
Amazing. - Yes.
I hope the weather won't be bad. - No.
Are you equipped against the rain? - Yes, yes
but it is the third time already.
We do this to keep Queen Astrid's memory alive.
Nearby there is a chapel, build in the Queen's memory.
Every year a service is held, attended by members of the Royal Family.
In our country the king also attended a Memorial Service, yesterday.
In the village Briquemont, in the Ardennes, there is a chapel in Queen Astrid's memory.
The chapel lies nearby the Royal Estate of Serignan.
The King rarely goes there.
I saw him walking by the banks of the Lesse with Prince Philip once, a long time ago.
Now King Albert came to Briquemont himself
to attend the annual service for his mother.
Majesty, welcome at this tribute for Queen Astrid, your mama,
whom you barely knew.
She lost her life 75 years ago, at the tender age of 29 years.
Sire, you contribute to the unity of our country and for all that we thank you deeply.
After the service the parochians and the king visited the farm next to the chapel.
Everyone who attended the service was offered a piece of cake and something to drink.
The Swedish Princess Astrid was Queen of the Belgians for less than 2 years
when she died in that tragic automobile-accident,
in which her husband, Leopold, made a fatal driving-mistake.
Her death plunged Belgium in deep morning.
After all she was terribly popular.
spontaneous, charming and modest.
That is how the Belgians see their new Princess Astrid.
At the age of 20 the Princess left Sweden for Belgium
to become the wife of Prince Leopold.
together they would have 3 children: Josephine-Charlotte, Baudouin, Albert.
Shortly before the birth of the last one Leopold and Astrid become King and Queen.
Despite their title they raise their children as simple as possible.
The family loves to make holidays.
In August 1935 Leopold and Astrid travel to Switzerland with their 2 eldest children.
Albert, 1 year old, is not joining them. He's still too small.
Sis Josephine-Charlotte and brother Baudouin return to Laken by train.
Their parents follow in a new sportscar.
A Packard 120 Cabriolet
The king was driving the car himself, showing the mountains to the Queen.
By doing that he lost his attention and the car went of the road.
There you can see the tree stump of the peer-tree that the car hit.
Astrid is thrown out of the car and hits the tree.
The Queen lay silent at the feet of the tree.
The car went further down into the lake.
For the Queen all help came too late.
It was a human mistake by the driver, the King himself.
It was the King's wish that the car was sunk here into the lake.
At 190 or 200 meters the car still lies in the lake.