Antoine Depage's relationship with Queen Elisabeth of Belgium

Abstract

The article describes the intimate relationship between H.M. Queen Elisabeth of Belgium and the great Belgian surgeon Dr. Antoine Depage. The brilliant academic career of Depage was followed during World War I by his prominent role in the 'Océan'-hospital in De Panne at the Flemish coast. His close connection with Queen Elisabeth, working as a nurse in the hospital, resulted in an intimate friendship, which was particularly hearty when Depage lost his wife in 1915, and during his illness in 1923-1925. The letters of Depage, present in the Archives of the Royal Palace, give an insight in this intimate relationship.