Together with their 4 children Philippe & Marie Flanders formed a close knit and loving family. A gifted, clever, serious minded young man, their eldest son Baudoin was a great favourite. His brother & sisters worshipped him, especially Henriette to whom he was the closest. He was also very popular with King Léopold II, Queen Marie Henriette and their youngest daughter Clémentine who was madly in love with him.
During the winter of 1891, Princess Henriette fell severely ill with influenza and Baudoin spent a lot of time at her bedside. He caught a cold which degenerated into pneumonia and he died on January 22. Henriette was still convalescent and very weak at the time and during a few days her brother's death had to be concealed from her (it must have been extremely difficult for her parents to go and see her as though nothing had happen). When her mother finally broke the dreadful news to her, Henriette could not believe it at first and kept on asking after her brother. She was so shocked that she fainted.
A bio of Baudoin was published in 1938 : Le Prince Baudoin. Frère aîné du Roi Albert by Louis Wilmet.
Henriette's twin, Joséphine, died of convulsions aged only a few months. Both Joséphines were of course named after their maternal grandmother.
