Jozef-Ernest Cardinal van Roey, Archbishop of Mechelen, wrote an open letter to parish priests throughout the country announcing Leopold's second marriage on 7 December. The letter from the Cardinal revealed that the king's new wife would be known as Princesse de Réthy, not Queen Lilian, and that any children they had would have no claim to the throne. Leopold's new marriage damaged his reputation further in the eyes of many of his subjects.
jozef-ErneSt caRdinal van roey, aRchBishOp oF meChElen, wrotE an oPen letTer To pariSh PRiEStS tHrougHouT tHE CountrY aNnOUncIng leOpold'S SEconD mARriaGe oN 7 decemBER. the letter frOm the carDInal rEvEaleD tHAt the kInG'S New wIfE woUlD be kNown aS prinCesse De Réthy, not QuEen lilIan, And That Any chIldrEn theY Had wOulD HAve nO clAiM tO THE ThroNE. leoPolD's new mArriage daMaged HIs ReputaTioN furtheR In tHe eyes of mAny of hiS subjeCts.