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Queen Fabiola, widow of former Belgian king Baudouin, has died at age 86

Associated Press
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In this May 28, 2003 file photo, Belgian King Albert II gestures as he enjoys the beautiful weather with Queen Fabiola in the garden of the Royal Palace in Laeken, Belgium. Queen Fabiola, wife of former King Baudouin died at the age of 86 on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe, file) (The Associated Press)

In this July 21, 2013 file photo, Belgium's Queen Fabiola attends a church service at the St. Gudule cathedral in Brussels. Queen Fabiola, wife of former King Baudouin died at the age of 86 on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, file) (The Associated Press)

In this Oct. 19, 2012 file photo, Queen Fabiola of Belgium arrives for dinner at the Royal Palace on occasion of the wedding of Luxembourg's Prince Guillaume and Countess Stephanie in Luxembourg. Queen Fabiola, wife of former King Baudouin died at the age of 86 on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, file) (The Associated Press)

Belgian Queen Fabiola, the widow of former king Baudouin, has died. She was 86.

The royal palace announced Friday that she died at her castle Stuyvenberg in Brussels. No immediate cause of death was given but the queen, who uses a wheelchair, had looked increasingly frail over the past month as she increasingly limited her public appearances.

King Philippe said he was left with "great sadness" when he heard of the death of his aunt.