Countess Fabiola de Mora y Aragon was born in Madrid on 11 June 1928. Fabiola grew up with six siblings, as a member of a centuries-old Spanish aristocratic family.Fabiola met King Baudouin in 1958. Two years later, on 15 De-cember 1960, Belgium celebrated their mar-riage in Brussels.
The lack of an heir was a cause of great sor-row, although their deep bond and open-ness ensured that thè whole of thè country were theirs. Fate struck on 31 July 1993.
King Baudouin passed away suddenly from a heart attack in his countryhouse in Motril, Spain. The whole country was plunged into mourning. At King Baudouin's funeral, dressed in white as a sign of hope, Fabiola offered comfort to ali Bel-gians.
Fabiola retained thè title of Queen after thè death of her husband. The widow's schedule has become a little less busy, but she continues to be closely involved in a number of cultural and social initiatives.
As thè honorary president of thè Queen Elisabeth Music Competi-tion for instance. She is also honorary president of thè King Baudouin Foundation, while supporting a great many socio-medicai projects through her As-sistance Fund and thè Fabiola Foundation. Ali told, Queen Fabiola is safe-guarding thè moral legacy of Baudouin.
TECHNICAL DETAIL:
Date: 11/06/2008
Theme: 80th birthday of Queen Fabiola
Creation of thè stamps: Myriam Voz & Thierry Martin
Portrait of Queen Fabiola (centrai stamp): Eddle Van Hoef
Stamp size: 38.15 mm x 48.75 mm
Sheet size: 170 mm x 120 mm
Composition of thè sheets: 3 postage stamps
Paper: GPW phosphorescent
Printing method: rotogravure (gold prlnt)
Engraving (cylinders): De Schutter 'Neroc nv
Printing: The Post • Stamp Printing Office Mechelen
Philately has been considered as an "auxiliary science of history" because it is based on the general principles of other sciences, which in turn contribute to enrich it. It acquires knowledge of the sciences, of the arts, of languages and opens an immense road of social relations through all countries. This science broadens broad horizons of culture, discovers artistic temperaments and offers the interest of the new and the unknown, while performing a positive therapeutic wor.
