Summary "It's a human error," a spokesman told Reuters.
(Reuters) - Belgium s royal family has apologized to members of the public who were sent official cards that wrongly appeared to announce the death of King Philippe s mother.
The palace said 150 people who sent letters of condolence on the death in December of Paola s sister-in-law Queen Fabiola received replies thanking them for their "comforting words following the death of Her Majesty Queen Paola".
"It s a human error," a spokesman told Reuters.
Paola, 77, is a blonde Italian princess who has long brought a dash of glamour to the Belgian royal house. She has played a less public role since her husband, King Albert II, abdicated in favor of their son Philippe in 2013.
Queen Fabiola, the Spanish widow of Albert s late brother King Baudouin, died on Dec. 5 aged 86.
