BRUSSELS, Dec. 12 -- The state funeral of the former Queen of the Belgians, Fabiola, washeld Friday in here.
Queen Fabiola passed away last week at the age of 86.
Representatives of global royal families attended the ceremony at Brussels' Cathedral of St.Michael and Gudula. Queen Fabiola was born Fabiola de Mora y Aragon in Madrid. Shewas married to the former Belgian King, Baudouin and reigned as queen consort from 1960until
his death in 1993.
However, she was unable to produce an heir to the thrown, meaning the line of successionpassed to the former King's brother, Albert II, who abdicated in 2013 in favor of his son,Philippe taking over the crown.
On Friday, the former queen's body was taken from the Royal Palace in Brussels in asimple, flag-draped coffin, in accordance with Fabiola's wishes. Flags along the city's RueRoyale were draped at half-mast.
The funeral ceremony at the cathedral St Michael was attended by members of the royalfamilies from across the globe, including
Thai crown princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Also present was the former Spanish king, Juan Carlos. Queen Fabiola was born into theSpanish aristocracy, and remained a devout Catholic all her life.
This led to some scandal in her later life, when a religious foundation she set-up in 2012was seen as a way of avoiding tax. Her state allowance was subsequently reduced after theincident became known.
The former Queen will be buried alongside her husband in Laeken, in northern Brussels.
