BELGIUM
Scandal à la Hals
Publication in Brussels of a photograph procured by stealth stirred up last week an ugly situation for the Throne.
Pro-French Brussels is of course fiercely anti-Fleming. The photograph showed Queen Elisabeth not merely in the company of Flemings but Flemings drinking Flemish beer. At Her Majesty's elbow loomed a beer keg. Around her in attitudes made classic by Franz Hals lolled a group of Flemish gentlemen carelessly attired, puffing blissfully at their Flemish pipes.
Brussels insisted upon being shocked by this photograph, shocked to the...
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