The Belgian town of Mechelen witnessed an unusual royal gathering in december 2008 as Archduchess Marie-Christine of Austria married Count Rodolphe de Limburg Stirum in an elaborate ceremony at the Flemish city’s Town Hall and Sint Rombouts Cathedral.

Marie-Christine Anne Astrid Zita Charlotte, 25, is the eldest daughter of Archduke Carl-Christian of Austria and Archduchess Marie-Astrid, Princess of Luxembourg, Princess of Bourbon-Parma.

Count Rodolphe de Limburg Stirum hails from an ancient noble family, which has branched out in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France. Rodolphe’s late uncle Edvard was married to princess Hélène de France.