tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13688375762322537732024-03-05T04:34:29.550-08:00The Exiled Belgian RoyalistBelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.comBlogger389125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-42693274183877916992012-10-04T15:35:00.001-07:002012-10-04T15:35:48.960-07:00Kingdom of Belgium Proclaimed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVhmdydO5ug0DQI1MsKkyxZKxigqo-3x62XdnYzH4QYBVqz4huMQg3wTyqfa3w-VwM1O8e6m4-WwpudPuCo16dsCexaIC_y4Ghy0bHqki69GMLE1Uk4S5sPkv1TiQkrnpQUU1yLASB5s8/s1600/gouvernement-provisoire-picque-cl+n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVhmdydO5ug0DQI1MsKkyxZKxigqo-3x62XdnYzH4QYBVqz4huMQg3wTyqfa3w-VwM1O8e6m4-WwpudPuCo16dsCexaIC_y4Ghy0bHqki69GMLE1Uk4S5sPkv1TiQkrnpQUU1yLASB5s8/s400/gouvernement-provisoire-picque-cl+n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Today in 1830 the Central Committee of the Provisional Government at Brussels City Hall proclaimed officially the independence of the <i>provinces of Belgium</i> becoming we know later the Kingdom of Belgium, totally apart from the former United Kingdom of the Netherlands.BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-49685480257223251252012-08-23T11:30:00.001-07:002012-08-23T11:30:25.052-07:00Queen Louise-Marie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPWRIpBoxxbqno8a0yAuvcNTr78BMt98CjaswZRbCQn1NKLtffPTEHkzBp3mcFRScwfftApPXaoprG5hXJWB3DC9ERBdydK8PgPnBh5NuXl3dGArU8ZpNPSjDjAon8pJtNblPIzRLzpMC/s1600/2364324100094285158S600x600Q85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPWRIpBoxxbqno8a0yAuvcNTr78BMt98CjaswZRbCQn1NKLtffPTEHkzBp3mcFRScwfftApPXaoprG5hXJWB3DC9ERBdydK8PgPnBh5NuXl3dGArU8ZpNPSjDjAon8pJtNblPIzRLzpMC/s400/2364324100094285158S600x600Q85.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My friend and noted blogger <a href="http://madmonarchist.blogspot.com/2012/08/consort-profile-queen-louise-marie-of.html">The Mad Monarchist profiles</a> our first Queen.</div>
BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-85290205691135864722012-08-16T12:12:00.001-07:002012-08-16T12:13:19.015-07:00Reporting the Fall of Liége to the King<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dg84NnihsQ7XIQSX6jGN_MMbAvUu6QlkUC0HdWF4-0PQ2XzKjuc6lMcf7YrQHEeExl-OQsCBMIxJpcxTMUDREa3yoEFHj8gH3RCo7-jSeIhBnxv1TPl-q83uZ7cEXzo5t34p2Xjf8kAZ/s1600/Liege_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dg84NnihsQ7XIQSX6jGN_MMbAvUu6QlkUC0HdWF4-0PQ2XzKjuc6lMcf7YrQHEeExl-OQsCBMIxJpcxTMUDREa3yoEFHj8gH3RCo7-jSeIhBnxv1TPl-q83uZ7cEXzo5t34p2Xjf8kAZ/s320/Liege_11.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent;">Today in history the battle for Liége ended when the last of the fortresses was smashed by the German super-heavy howitzers and General Gérard Leman was knocked out and captured, being found half buried in the rubble by the Germans. General Leman is regarded by all as the first hero of the Great War for his determined defense of his country and the Meuse fortresses. He was an old veteran of great courage and a true sense of duty to his King and the country. Because of that, he wanted it known especially that he had been found unconscious in the rubble and had not surrendered of his own will. Because of his duty he also knew, as they were taking him away to Germany as a prisoner of war, that he had to report to the King about what had happened. This was allowed because the Germans were very impressed by his courage and military skill, considering General Leman a gallant and worthy enemy. This was the letter the general wrote:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><b>General Leman to King Albert I</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Sir:</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent;">After honourable engagements on August 4th, 5th, and 6th, I considered that the forts of Liege could only play the role of forts d'arret. I nevertheless maintained military government in order to coordinate the defence as much as possible, and to exercise moral influence upon the garrison.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Your Majesty is not ignorant that I was at Fort Loncin on August 6th at noon. You will learn with grief that the fort was blown up yesterday at 5.20 p.m., the greater part of the garrison being buried under the ruins.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent;">That I did not lose my life in that catastrophe is due to the fact that my escort, Commandant Collard, a sub-officer of infantry who unfortunately perished, the gendarme Thevenim and my two orderlies, Vanden Bossche and Jos Lecocq, drew me from a position of danger, where I was being asphyxiated by gas from the exploded powder.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent;">I was carried into a trench, where a German captain named Guson gave me a drink, after which I was made a prisoner and taken to Liege in an ambulance. I am convinced that the honour of our arms has been sustained. I have not surrendered either the fortress or the forts.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Deign, Sire, to pardon my defects in this letter. I am physically shattered by the explosion of Loncin. In Germany, whither I am proceeding, my thoughts will be, as they have ever been, of Belgium and the King. I would willingly have given my life the better to serve them, but death was denied me.</span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent;">That, my friends is the words of a true and great Belgian patriot and he should be an example to all of us. I am sure the King was very proud of his general and his old teacher when he was delivered this letter. This is the spirit of those old veterans of 1914 that I admire so much and makes me regard them as the greatest heroes our country ever has produced.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EBcUEW9BjbFy2Cd_O-UAwh7dh34dzYaaWZqoBEkef6y1Rzf6CJFGQl8u3CTODzFXenxnDzEwWWpnFDfwHKMNLAYYVX1dW7y_pAxQnJexxefdeWNkg4BiipgkGQfAR392ttJIZu8J28ux/s1600/5316403512_550af5a1b9_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EBcUEW9BjbFy2Cd_O-UAwh7dh34dzYaaWZqoBEkef6y1Rzf6CJFGQl8u3CTODzFXenxnDzEwWWpnFDfwHKMNLAYYVX1dW7y_pAxQnJexxefdeWNkg4BiipgkGQfAR392ttJIZu8J28ux/s400/5316403512_550af5a1b9_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.3em; margin: 10px 15px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-42899557977594138202012-08-10T14:31:00.002-07:002012-08-10T14:31:50.902-07:00Belgium Meets the Threat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibR9yNd4UR21c8w_-9mH6FopfjR0C7HTBRskCZni03qocxncrqnnkTFLcSKg9KQzVkKJsbAEtYJ7CIRGEYV1YWXHccvaSH7Lrr_90vUEQLlW3QKygbj3FWEVocFhZBW6MIE-LSWeWtl8o/s1600/Belg3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibR9yNd4UR21c8w_-9mH6FopfjR0C7HTBRskCZni03qocxncrqnnkTFLcSKg9KQzVkKJsbAEtYJ7CIRGEYV1YWXHccvaSH7Lrr_90vUEQLlW3QKygbj3FWEVocFhZBW6MIE-LSWeWtl8o/s320/Belg3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DpjKWiiUA3roFZObJ7viIh2gms2B35UMnw49M7r9JK-CSeZYvi8hXGthjaQNWafJSi02XLjMw8ip7wCmAM0BN4YEe6kShn3n0Lkk4yV2b9wRiz-0pNsCtKJscd_uij5Xbs3DPNrS0qMh/s1600/Belg4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DpjKWiiUA3roFZObJ7viIh2gms2B35UMnw49M7r9JK-CSeZYvi8hXGthjaQNWafJSi02XLjMw8ip7wCmAM0BN4YEe6kShn3n0Lkk4yV2b9wRiz-0pNsCtKJscd_uij5Xbs3DPNrS0qMh/s320/Belg4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHBtxhQBWNXcJTxyK1uiBMirnhPGht-eZUT0RDb_pRRI8dzJZqut8bUpzmlyw2zHAqvOEaATs3vinX2CNAqJ2sBJe2OcaYNHdpY-4Vy_bIA2pxh_r9pZwpfP-j7KJF9YWUDqdMN3-gLoU/s1600/belgchien03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHBtxhQBWNXcJTxyK1uiBMirnhPGht-eZUT0RDb_pRRI8dzJZqut8bUpzmlyw2zHAqvOEaATs3vinX2CNAqJ2sBJe2OcaYNHdpY-4Vy_bIA2pxh_r9pZwpfP-j7KJF9YWUDqdMN3-gLoU/s320/belgchien03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxRN71H4POk_B4uj-PtNVTRRFWCJ2-xxkW8XwBbAMQiOCts__3EDopI6hV0oHS26JASPCvS0nMVQ8iXr1LRG12o3RhkIy-0KZrFNM0dQoNzt4hEiVd3NRLdysdJxRC9fYn_CwNmxjfjZ9/s1600/Belgian7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxRN71H4POk_B4uj-PtNVTRRFWCJ2-xxkW8XwBbAMQiOCts__3EDopI6hV0oHS26JASPCvS0nMVQ8iXr1LRG12o3RhkIy-0KZrFNM0dQoNzt4hEiVd3NRLdysdJxRC9fYn_CwNmxjfjZ9/s320/Belgian7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBklkOb9lENMCmhrJJmMtuMV-Rt_Xik8TFVAVmpUFdLn6_55yxdZXpYl9kN7i_2Zzk-5jR0OiBGz1QEkcHvrrFEXHpQKdN7sXcrw8ioewjXAF7NvdRZBCKrxn_QcbKi5ltA67DDc9muDz/s1600/Belgian8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBklkOb9lENMCmhrJJmMtuMV-Rt_Xik8TFVAVmpUFdLn6_55yxdZXpYl9kN7i_2Zzk-5jR0OiBGz1QEkcHvrrFEXHpQKdN7sXcrw8ioewjXAF7NvdRZBCKrxn_QcbKi5ltA67DDc9muDz/s320/Belgian8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMak_I5gmlKl3uiBbZ82mUYxn_ZI4Px3hWYvhEh3zosTTmBF4BBkdZTk60Zf5t2U86NJo-Nzl0cVLKHbp3U6ZGN6VC8_T6Th1nvW43D2MlsK5hUbvMW_5iWU83xdcK1DH0rPHq0N5oYTJK/s1600/Belgian9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMak_I5gmlKl3uiBbZ82mUYxn_ZI4Px3hWYvhEh3zosTTmBF4BBkdZTk60Zf5t2U86NJo-Nzl0cVLKHbp3U6ZGN6VC8_T6Th1nvW43D2MlsK5hUbvMW_5iWU83xdcK1DH0rPHq0N5oYTJK/s320/Belgian9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-19345906652873095732012-08-06T14:17:00.002-07:002012-08-06T14:21:08.924-07:00The King Decides Strategy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3ob6qDAFeHvzVi6jthkU7wmtl7G6vs1PBrJCXD_HUGxlobaTkjZbFWJNDYRv7A1xf8GiwOlWh5CWn8-OfZOHqcEYIDNjtG9Cs1ebsFr8TAvzXGdRpyyJyC0N9wnEYdJudLMFJOb7xbCW/s1600/181620_thekaisertothekingofbelgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3ob6qDAFeHvzVi6jthkU7wmtl7G6vs1PBrJCXD_HUGxlobaTkjZbFWJNDYRv7A1xf8GiwOlWh5CWn8-OfZOHqcEYIDNjtG9Cs1ebsFr8TAvzXGdRpyyJyC0N9wnEYdJudLMFJOb7xbCW/s320/181620_thekaisertothekingofbelgium.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
When the war leadership of King Albert I is talked about, the thought remains for many that his position of commander-in-chief was really only symbolic or ceremonial and that he did not really have anything to do with making decisions on fighting the war. This of course is completely the opposite of reality. The King was not a military man by nature, he did not have the militaristic character in him but he was a trained military leader and had been prepared for the possibility of taking this position, as required by the law, and he always took his duties to heart. When the war first started, or was about to start with Germany demanding surrender or invasion, the King even then had to make a crucial decision on what strategy the Belgian army would pursue. He was presented by two very opposite plans of action by two accomplished military men and it was the King who had to decide which action to take and what the army would do in the face of the German attack. This was a very big decisions and many lives, even the fate of the country, depended on it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSDAckt1uD6lcyj28QFR2zJk1JLTbLcW2BdtiZkmjVcn4gu0Pb_9_LJRozTH5uda9Cj2N_XOKOh0iRCFCkAImHK1iDGFislu8l3mUt8hcWgqFECcNiA7_e5GJ1Nsj0LCJgerfx_jSiSrA/s1600/Antonin_de_selliers_de_moranville.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSDAckt1uD6lcyj28QFR2zJk1JLTbLcW2BdtiZkmjVcn4gu0Pb_9_LJRozTH5uda9Cj2N_XOKOh0iRCFCkAImHK1iDGFislu8l3mUt8hcWgqFECcNiA7_e5GJ1Nsj0LCJgerfx_jSiSrA/s320/Antonin_de_selliers_de_moranville.png" width="226" /></a></div>
The first plan was put forward by Lieutenant General Antonin Selliers de Moranville, the Chief of Staff of the army. He looked at the still outdated condition of the Belgian army, the innocence of the reserve troops quickly being called up and feared a horrific waste of life. He advocated that the army retreat beyond Brussels and leaving the river forts to hold out as best they could with the forces they had on hand. This was obviously the most cautious plan, perhaps the most realistic but would certainly have been far from popular.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTDedRbyl3MfGn7iCj_o11d7-xWE4_VaX4dVmwYs9duYgf8ZjROeexHJcyyACJWFYaq4p2zzOrIn2QMRBBKdW0uHhLvC6JMxKZVbFcK57LXopoCxT-VVoFhthQF_R3vLJai8F7UnyDxWE/s1600/ryckel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTDedRbyl3MfGn7iCj_o11d7-xWE4_VaX4dVmwYs9duYgf8ZjROeexHJcyyACJWFYaq4p2zzOrIn2QMRBBKdW0uHhLvC6JMxKZVbFcK57LXopoCxT-VVoFhthQF_R3vLJai8F7UnyDxWE/s1600/ryckel.png" /></a></div>
The other plan came from the Deputy Chief of Staff General Baron Louis de Ryckel which was a somewhat more audacious approach to say the least of it. He actually wanted to take the Belgian army into an invasion of Germany, a surprise attack, to spoil the German offensive and, as the general said, to, "Send them back where they belong!" This was certainly the most daring plan, surely no one would have expected that to happen, for the Belgians to invade Germany, and had the most audacity.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBx8t4K2YEiupP1D9VgvMgT7NXhW6umS_x1tgYOc34nij9KTZWViZO46CGQBzslNKt06uJYETpFv8byYEO2be7uD8peggctQPtabYqpplTnl3JlGOhwtxHwNyQwXPdsiInIb9JYvhpSEj/s1600/5316402424_8a746e2d8e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBx8t4K2YEiupP1D9VgvMgT7NXhW6umS_x1tgYOc34nij9KTZWViZO46CGQBzslNKt06uJYETpFv8byYEO2be7uD8peggctQPtabYqpplTnl3JlGOhwtxHwNyQwXPdsiInIb9JYvhpSEj/s400/5316402424_8a746e2d8e_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Of course, it was also practically suicidal. King Albert I rejected the plan of his chief of staff, which seemed defeatist, giving up and retreating before the battle had started or the enemy was engaged. He also rejected the opposite extreme of the preemptive attack on Germany. Instead, he and his military staff worked out another option which was the strategy Belgium would adopt. To hold the force with supporting units between them while building up strength and if and when those forts fell to then fight a delaying action across the country to the "National Redoubt" of Antwerp where the big fight would be. It was he who decided to accept no Allied help until the Germans actually violated Belgian territory (to do otherwise would have played right into the hands of the Germans) and it was the King who ordered the destruction of the bridges over the Meuse and the destruction of the rail bridges at the Luxembourg border. It was the King who made all the big critical decisions of the conduct of the war, especially on those early days when Belgium was fighting totally alone. He never wanted to be battlefield commander or a soldier-king but when the crisis of the hour forced him into that position King Albert I proved to be the greatest.BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-46210405583413961952012-08-03T08:29:00.001-07:002012-08-03T08:29:16.141-07:00The Threat of War Comes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatD7bwosKiUYR-BOg-cgoROc6uMffhX1Y7o2gA6S8PFO_TnLqwY_FPF8KPndr93FFyybCgamdklj4bK90XpRXrWj6LbgK7lOlJRKicfmQeRw6Es_MV7PKHz0Bz_-0ZsJkoI0lm_EvPF34/s1600/drap-be-wp.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatD7bwosKiUYR-BOg-cgoROc6uMffhX1Y7o2gA6S8PFO_TnLqwY_FPF8KPndr93FFyybCgamdklj4bK90XpRXrWj6LbgK7lOlJRKicfmQeRw6Es_MV7PKHz0Bz_-0ZsJkoI0lm_EvPF34/s320/drap-be-wp.png" width="320" /></a></div>
It was on August 2, 1914 that Germany sent their first demand to Belgium that they should be allowed to march through Belgium unopposed to attack the French. On August 3 the Belgian government sent a message in reply to Germany. The Germans had tried to justify their plan to invade Belgium by saying that France was about to do the same but the Belgian government replied that they had no information of this and that if France tried to violate Belgian neutrality we would defend ourselves and fight the French just as we would fight the Germans for violating Belgian territory. The government reminded the Germans of the promises they had made in international agreements to respect the neutrality and territorial integrity of Belgium and how faithful Belgium had always been to honoring international agreements. They said that to accept the German demands would be to dishonor the Belgian nation and betray their duty to the whole of Europe. It would make Belgium an accomplice in the crime of Germany's invasion of France. On the next day, August 4, King Albert I spoke to the Belgian parliament in one of the great stirring speeches of history. The King said that the whole country hoped for peace, "But if our hopes are betrayed, if we are forced to resist the invasion of our soil, and to defend our threatened homes, this duty, however hard it may be, will find us armed and resolved upon the greatest sacrifices."<br />
<br />
This was the first great trial that Belgium had faced since independence. The country had put too much trust in international agreements and was not well prepared for war and Belgium was facing the most powerful and heavily armed military force in the world. In spite of the many difficulties, the people stood together as one to resist and to defend independence and the national integrity. When the Germans invaded Belgium they were going to be very surprised because they had expected that Belgium would not resist at all or could be easily swept aside with no difficulty. When the Belgian soldiers of 1914 held the forts, when they struck at the invaders, when they destroyed the bridges and fought constant rear-guard actions, the Germans became furious. Their timetable was thrown off, the first problem in their grand strategy for defeating France. The fierce Belgian resistance slowed the Germans down and then the British army at Mons slowed them down again and by the time they were approaching Paris the French were ready and the German plan was defeated. I have such great admiration for the awesome courage of the Belgian forces who stood directly in the path of the Imperial German war machine and stood their ground and fought them every step of the way. They were a small army but very huge heroes!BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-63604552397155995262012-07-30T09:57:00.000-07:002012-07-30T09:57:34.878-07:00Belgian Olympians<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGnstMERJxtdHZXman26jhmm2UoTDBHBMRjcJzCfTq1ROWHA0tf4DCa-nGHIbCvjvkyQ0fNAdSD4kojaTenX5sM9MQ0e7HRGmQu45GK1Mi-rxN9nDIoVlN47Bt0osTHz_zYDez89-6Yfo/s1600/belh1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGnstMERJxtdHZXman26jhmm2UoTDBHBMRjcJzCfTq1ROWHA0tf4DCa-nGHIbCvjvkyQ0fNAdSD4kojaTenX5sM9MQ0e7HRGmQu45GK1Mi-rxN9nDIoVlN47Bt0osTHz_zYDez89-6Yfo/s320/belh1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On the way to London</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtsT6ERlIFkqkba5Q1nrXcrfLYtvXQ5aw4NkVPFqGLvNtglf_qAXv3jAZQuVj77Qvyu3LoawT5e19xfNF8ZuAp2VhEo1LVnmxe3oBSHH2xuY-C4Fy2NErMDPZBUaQlsBzh1Z5YvGa7WUh/s1600/belh2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtsT6ERlIFkqkba5Q1nrXcrfLYtvXQ5aw4NkVPFqGLvNtglf_qAXv3jAZQuVj77Qvyu3LoawT5e19xfNF8ZuAp2VhEo1LVnmxe3oBSHH2xuY-C4Fy2NErMDPZBUaQlsBzh1Z5YvGa7WUh/s320/belh2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Marching in the opening ceremony</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBstDYNzw5MF0IV6TvjR-Bw6Kx9IcWK_U6UNPQkwrZFxwUqPZ5UbVXk_Z6BUw6oBhY6OjYIbN0RhvbfJVj6pX9EEElXatkQkBavumMjPRkoYtqgek-PeysTbaaCIC9hD5KLdqtf3wN6MwO/s1600/belh3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBstDYNzw5MF0IV6TvjR-Bw6Kx9IcWK_U6UNPQkwrZFxwUqPZ5UbVXk_Z6BUw6oBhY6OjYIbN0RhvbfJVj6pX9EEElXatkQkBavumMjPRkoYtqgek-PeysTbaaCIC9hD5KLdqtf3wN6MwO/s320/belh3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Men's team arrives in London</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWfBOfgN7f328MCkjJ1j2E-qKc4RwA2V3fEEUGtyyAvnTCc9KJrbiuSqPvEjU9wgWNwF2kS62_ykKXvaw69qyLPS8yKCK-igJq_ySxg945HUVQoArnxvssn6e5bPFnpvglI_PqmSZwVuV/s1600/belh5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWfBOfgN7f328MCkjJ1j2E-qKc4RwA2V3fEEUGtyyAvnTCc9KJrbiuSqPvEjU9wgWNwF2kS62_ykKXvaw69qyLPS8yKCK-igJq_ySxg945HUVQoArnxvssn6e5bPFnpvglI_PqmSZwVuV/s320/belh5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Team Belgium marching in!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLR4Sv-mZw4S07bG_61NwPfclHv8Wf2g3yXVaaeFc85YM68WSn-krNzqGgGbk2YQVZMRycloBb5h6NrqbVxt-u6Gi2VPcdYjjIR-yJfaQSv0sjrMknt3u3lynbG1-AVzlW5LtJghFwi8Z/s1600/belh6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLR4Sv-mZw4S07bG_61NwPfclHv8Wf2g3yXVaaeFc85YM68WSn-krNzqGgGbk2YQVZMRycloBb5h6NrqbVxt-u6Gi2VPcdYjjIR-yJfaQSv0sjrMknt3u3lynbG1-AVzlW5LtJghFwi8Z/s320/belh6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Charline Van Snick, winner of bronze medal in judo, first Belgian medalist of the games!</div>
<br />BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-40124530407650122342012-07-21T12:39:00.001-07:002012-07-21T12:39:42.360-07:00Toespraak Koning Albert 2012 Nationale Feestdag Belgie<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/V2bXPwsQQ3I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-12879053378961796132012-07-21T12:38:00.001-07:002012-07-21T12:38:30.149-07:00Happy National Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrOhDb1awMMNC3MSPuVwuTKku3-LGh4Pih6ETjKYd4RX0wgl9Eu5faIWDxqZKJDZMB_kNJwyEzf-Guxs7d4gPvvnQAosJUEdiQsVnfkgXnlkurDJudjAGwuthljAaTwx7drPRCpRqRN5N/s1600/9f578c6b91f5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrOhDb1awMMNC3MSPuVwuTKku3-LGh4Pih6ETjKYd4RX0wgl9Eu5faIWDxqZKJDZMB_kNJwyEzf-Guxs7d4gPvvnQAosJUEdiQsVnfkgXnlkurDJudjAGwuthljAaTwx7drPRCpRqRN5N/s320/9f578c6b91f5.jpg" width="182" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97f7UVwnKat-yNOIvN-HRAGQnTEZBD6VLwTXzEsax-CXuULAHoYMckqCEoMdBqCZ14veZO7FtQOIGzEKDMgqeFx9Rdf4GQkStxyd-0qYdfDvCENSMVABNNLRhgteWDCn8PLN9KNusJpej/s1600/1004859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97f7UVwnKat-yNOIvN-HRAGQnTEZBD6VLwTXzEsax-CXuULAHoYMckqCEoMdBqCZ14veZO7FtQOIGzEKDMgqeFx9Rdf4GQkStxyd-0qYdfDvCENSMVABNNLRhgteWDCn8PLN9KNusJpej/s320/1004859.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPt3yeE19eNPRsYj83YGkt9kle7b0GlMHf7iYRf8puBwoMnbgniislAUnMmkXd6MQXvEOQipHbfHS3tJ4NOq8rMMyu9-Y82RdC03LW9oEG2aXytDfAX_-9LpmGHtScRwI1KBAoR2a1_0pY/s1600/in1856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPt3yeE19eNPRsYj83YGkt9kle7b0GlMHf7iYRf8puBwoMnbgniislAUnMmkXd6MQXvEOQipHbfHS3tJ4NOq8rMMyu9-Y82RdC03LW9oEG2aXytDfAX_-9LpmGHtScRwI1KBAoR2a1_0pY/s320/in1856.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAhEgZBS6FldTuyTLQ0dfsDDXCQR26kFlxs6q1OUzkTqGEHm4sOjZN0sInxlRZHgn-GfL0VSpBfafSUZVMjPF19nXYeNy7cJT4qGYHS9lAKAMmfavMst4kOr49vcfnHr6TUvxXWxz9Ijx/s1600/leo1_eq.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAhEgZBS6FldTuyTLQ0dfsDDXCQR26kFlxs6q1OUzkTqGEHm4sOjZN0sInxlRZHgn-GfL0VSpBfafSUZVMjPF19nXYeNy7cJT4qGYHS9lAKAMmfavMst4kOr49vcfnHr6TUvxXWxz9Ijx/s320/leo1_eq.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvzFCDMNbdXC2wDzyo3MnX0mi6jkH0Dhz8biunL-ZCjdK_mIgWpdE6eQnPkjd6Sl8jPYmfkR3ceYCWUjImaDK0LGhcfXXltcHe1XbExD9BzBkpJMlXu6D3SaQxF32FtDMWJsjZrvy-PQK/s1600/Leopold_I_by_Franz_Winterhalter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvzFCDMNbdXC2wDzyo3MnX0mi6jkH0Dhz8biunL-ZCjdK_mIgWpdE6eQnPkjd6Sl8jPYmfkR3ceYCWUjImaDK0LGhcfXXltcHe1XbExD9BzBkpJMlXu6D3SaQxF32FtDMWJsjZrvy-PQK/s320/Leopold_I_by_Franz_Winterhalter.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKoXF3kZo44oNH4MpZbgc8-ndvEDCODVq5CQfpW2vB9x731_JMFupDh0Usib-tqDt09cHSlH8FzBtX7IcvWRU75Bula_UPUkK3wkN3mBDNLpBSsXzmHn1XdirEppE4MqdClL0kUFM6gVI/s1600/Leopold_portret_winterhalter_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKoXF3kZo44oNH4MpZbgc8-ndvEDCODVq5CQfpW2vB9x731_JMFupDh0Usib-tqDt09cHSlH8FzBtX7IcvWRU75Bula_UPUkK3wkN3mBDNLpBSsXzmHn1XdirEppE4MqdClL0kUFM6gVI/s320/Leopold_portret_winterhalter_sm.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sJXSmuownQ-IWiNUGyqsVNnstLRT9srkbfCPomONHAlZuop0xVECeLqEfPQ-MSE6fWuHCSMBpbEOJJyA34Nq8Z14g-8xMT5fM2VmgAL30zXoN3tacn_nbed1X6L89knGqbSh9iNMsrlv/s1600/Leopold-I_Roi-des-Belges_Lieven-de-Winne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sJXSmuownQ-IWiNUGyqsVNnstLRT9srkbfCPomONHAlZuop0xVECeLqEfPQ-MSE6fWuHCSMBpbEOJJyA34Nq8Z14g-8xMT5fM2VmgAL30zXoN3tacn_nbed1X6L89knGqbSh9iNMsrlv/s320/Leopold-I_Roi-des-Belges_Lieven-de-Winne.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSqaNHnA57Tfk3vZ5e05OiBBZw7ezYtuEhXpcTT2G-KOK04gL83rh4tscTvEx3Zb5obuSxaJfI4tKje_xlCwcSl1nzXeqnvUkEvf46Dys3kV_b2-sq94Wpmu4bfOt22a1FUhOgDWS0o29/s1600/lytf%5B2%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSqaNHnA57Tfk3vZ5e05OiBBZw7ezYtuEhXpcTT2G-KOK04gL83rh4tscTvEx3Zb5obuSxaJfI4tKje_xlCwcSl1nzXeqnvUkEvf46Dys3kV_b2-sq94Wpmu4bfOt22a1FUhOgDWS0o29/s320/lytf%5B2%5D.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5z7mo5X6A77x-m1S83vdb6VDYe-xM75sg3n3Tm3QcQR2dZYk1LOaMJ0FF4AcDvxvchb9vRhlgs0Wb92Ys5EsEgyFLE3ulDLm9gJtXf7j2Uqv9EAC32qwpyPmAsN-0PBfZocWGRoQKCc_/s1600/Namur-Leopold-1er-L-DE-Winne-591fd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5z7mo5X6A77x-m1S83vdb6VDYe-xM75sg3n3Tm3QcQR2dZYk1LOaMJ0FF4AcDvxvchb9vRhlgs0Wb92Ys5EsEgyFLE3ulDLm9gJtXf7j2Uqv9EAC32qwpyPmAsN-0PBfZocWGRoQKCc_/s320/Namur-Leopold-1er-L-DE-Winne-591fd.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXts8ReEXWNQEkQTQWrVFp0ma4iXrhGglSn0VLMau7M7LSyywknhAsmf6_AoPETacxzPYaoJ0nQGfP6Uc2zBLT_apY1JhfUFsgraZvUQeBiHY4YvmIngDLcrRO32cDi1e8ZkS39RyrYtHb/s1600/mus%C3%A9e+royal+de+l'arm%C3%A9e+(prestation+de+serment).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXts8ReEXWNQEkQTQWrVFp0ma4iXrhGglSn0VLMau7M7LSyywknhAsmf6_AoPETacxzPYaoJ0nQGfP6Uc2zBLT_apY1JhfUFsgraZvUQeBiHY4YvmIngDLcrRO32cDi1e8ZkS39RyrYtHb/s320/mus%C3%A9e+royal+de+l'arm%C3%A9e+(prestation+de+serment).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-70516816075880779432012-07-09T12:00:00.001-07:002012-07-09T12:00:35.442-07:00Independence of Rwanda-Burundi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORNlesDxTf1HdESGYvV4bIQ4hYSCb_hYM5aXOeCDIGi2HsmJcF9ev6Y1auHTm0B_KObfV_LfEb_LhDflIRCHISdmntmALGdt84PT8FcDPR30bWdjHr4ri2fLWtJxi1BY3wi3GXbkts9bp/s1600/philippe_burundi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORNlesDxTf1HdESGYvV4bIQ4hYSCb_hYM5aXOeCDIGi2HsmJcF9ev6Y1auHTm0B_KObfV_LfEb_LhDflIRCHISdmntmALGdt84PT8FcDPR30bWdjHr4ri2fLWtJxi1BY3wi3GXbkts9bp/s400/philippe_burundi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant and Princess Mathilde are in Burundi for the celebrations of 50 years of independence since Belgium recognized that status in 1962. This also is the anniversary year of independence for Rwanda but the Belgian Crown Prince and Princess have not been welcome to visit everywhere in both countries due to bad feelings in much of Rwanda and Burundi toward Belgium. This is really unfortunate because Belgium has been insulted and accused of the most horrible role in the sad history of these countries, most painful of all being the genocide in Rwanda and it is entirely untrue that the Belgian people, then or now, have been in any way responsible for this. First, Belgium is often blamed for creating the division of the Hutus and the Tutsis and this, it is said, ultimately led to the Hutu genocide of the Tutsis when many people claim they are the same people with no difference at all. But this is untrue. What distinctions existed before the arrival of the Europeans, I cannot say, but Rwanda-Burundi were first part of German East Africa and it was the German colonial officials who designated the different groups and tried to standardize things to make their colonial government more efficient. All of this was already in place when Belgium gained the countries in World War I during the Belgian offensive against German East Africa, ending in the capture of the German outer capital of Tabora.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU7loUodq2IupsWdM3eaiSiBTq6K5InJc84rPUW9p5Ge1Lms0LivDVVRw3iI_TLBpFnzugonLlLT5vMjL-0mO9eib6jYjq4kg7iizKHs62EX-NkvajnMEtul-i4lrxiheookj4ffK5z5_/s1600/ruanda_urundi_be.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU7loUodq2IupsWdM3eaiSiBTq6K5InJc84rPUW9p5Ge1Lms0LivDVVRw3iI_TLBpFnzugonLlLT5vMjL-0mO9eib6jYjq4kg7iizKHs62EX-NkvajnMEtul-i4lrxiheookj4ffK5z5_/s320/ruanda_urundi_be.png" width="320" /></a></div>
There is now not a single crime that the Belgian authorities are not accused of committing. Every national figure of Rwanda or Burundi who faced misfortune or who was killed, it is accused that Belgian agents were always responsible. Is there at all any evidence for any these accusations? No, absolutely no and never. Still, the accusations and assumptions go on being made. In Rwanda, the Belgian administration was blamed for the vote which deposed King Kigeli V but at the same time Belgium is accused of being responsible for the death of King Mutara III which allowed his brother Kigeli V to take the throne (and Mutara III had been a good ally of Belgium). In Burundi, King Mwabutsa IV could not keep control after independence because the Hutu-Tutsi division kept causing the murder of his prime ministers. But Belgium was not responsible for this, the Germans had created the divisions and during Belgian administration the peace had always been maintained. And King Mwabutsa IV was not overthrown by Belgian agents but by his own son which, of course, we were not involved in at all.<br />
<br />
It would be nice if there could at last be peace and genuine friendship and cooperation between Belgium, Rwanda, Burundi and the Congo also after now 50 decades since the end of the Belgian colonial empire. Unfortunately, this cannot happen while those power-hungry individuals continue to blame every problem and misfortune on the Belgians of history so that they will not be held responsible for their own misrule. This encourages hatred and keeps always bitter feelings alive. Only when this stops can their at last be real friendship and cooperation again.BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-40226685073872808352012-07-06T11:02:00.001-07:002012-07-06T11:02:32.306-07:00King Baudouin in Africa<a href="http://madmonarchist.blogspot.com/2012/07/monarch-profile-king-baudouin-of.html">King Baudouin by The Mad Monarchist</a> was just posted, a look at the life of the prior King who I know the 'Mad One' admires very much. The problems with the independence of the Belgian Congo are highlighted as probably the most difficult time of the reign of King Baudouin but the King was really very popular in Africa and visited the continent many times. Here are some photographic memories of King Baudouin in Africa:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKlQHt3h2WgCRHgl_jiK_bZnVYRXPbo3BKWPgsbt_H7aopsdGVoc172iybm77q4LV7gFGjZiYaoqahf5FUKiB8zdizfyZkP4WmffkkAE64cvcFElQ36AAt3oe48fL0pLPXYYlGvKcCtJe/s1600/boud.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKlQHt3h2WgCRHgl_jiK_bZnVYRXPbo3BKWPgsbt_H7aopsdGVoc172iybm77q4LV7gFGjZiYaoqahf5FUKiB8zdizfyZkP4WmffkkAE64cvcFElQ36AAt3oe48fL0pLPXYYlGvKcCtJe/s1600/boud.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
King Baudouin and Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaDU0VZl7EZ-posone1aEzIOmZPmhQFw5Wvh7NbkpYo2Ega8Nuew-wG09wNDCnOQx2Xnl25ifYV_jSbLPhZ2BJBeXpREobaPNEw_MWWuDtZdbe7IhRJ_6dJQhASmKgqH9FoutPQP1cVy_/s1600/91bdb31ff0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaDU0VZl7EZ-posone1aEzIOmZPmhQFw5Wvh7NbkpYo2Ega8Nuew-wG09wNDCnOQx2Xnl25ifYV_jSbLPhZ2BJBeXpREobaPNEw_MWWuDtZdbe7IhRJ_6dJQhASmKgqH9FoutPQP1cVy_/s1600/91bdb31ff0.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
King Baudouin and first Congo President Joseph Kasavubu</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivx5_UD-lQWmOsPG6q2HQkGmTeBOkmxRijnm6XNoKCASVJBanazP6Alhvc98AOBurvQHJaetHKYbi_-ItVGUQYmPPrW9EMxx0v3caeixL1gbAmF-GvrcyoKNxnSo6heF6649KIu1L3A5J/s1600/4572042_phodoc2_congop403_jpg_0kz2y81u.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivx5_UD-lQWmOsPG6q2HQkGmTeBOkmxRijnm6XNoKCASVJBanazP6Alhvc98AOBurvQHJaetHKYbi_-ItVGUQYmPPrW9EMxx0v3caeixL1gbAmF-GvrcyoKNxnSo6heF6649KIu1L3A5J/s320/4572042_phodoc2_congop403_jpg_0kz2y81u.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
King Baudouin in Leopoldville with Congolese leaders</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEP0ePDxfppLFA3k5-XUrUEg1Ll1Bl_6oxCxGyEP2Uk0eKSjZh9hJ3j6Rp153iR5BuqhanT0p4htA7PFcju9a7cVR4JtH7bMs6_jjrXOuzOpZnEYO5C-mBuh18jq8HvlshOJDxkTPezPy/s1600/Astrida27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEP0ePDxfppLFA3k5-XUrUEg1Ll1Bl_6oxCxGyEP2Uk0eKSjZh9hJ3j6Rp153iR5BuqhanT0p4htA7PFcju9a7cVR4JtH7bMs6_jjrXOuzOpZnEYO5C-mBuh18jq8HvlshOJDxkTPezPy/s320/Astrida27.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
King Baudouin with King Mutara III of Rwanda</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-g1gpIrGoRvkXFujNX3VFRod8XbPervGLnFd7ddftloh1PTdDpTlT9Sc8zb4itI8uhXbh4SEIDemcKZRdmlYVOf7XAPJ6jfbX2a6t594c67EyDJUn-tJjACkz2PBr2PPlOsX73bJWxqC1/s1600/baudouin_africa_r.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-g1gpIrGoRvkXFujNX3VFRod8XbPervGLnFd7ddftloh1PTdDpTlT9Sc8zb4itI8uhXbh4SEIDemcKZRdmlYVOf7XAPJ6jfbX2a6t594c67EyDJUn-tJjACkz2PBr2PPlOsX73bJWxqC1/s320/baudouin_africa_r.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
King Baudouin with colonial officials in the Congo</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRzc5Q7kvUenJmYoQFu-HSQq1EJTsNfeJTq3jMZsdJ7rmSwFYfDlYwMKS-59VvWaAKQRaYhpGdbqHI3sqFp-OvOwIwg62eFsPWhrSg2rqGW9_yIj91H2pZzMKrhbVQrDHoRkItAM21W5Q/s1600/urundi_visit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRzc5Q7kvUenJmYoQFu-HSQq1EJTsNfeJTq3jMZsdJ7rmSwFYfDlYwMKS-59VvWaAKQRaYhpGdbqHI3sqFp-OvOwIwg62eFsPWhrSg2rqGW9_yIj91H2pZzMKrhbVQrDHoRkItAM21W5Q/s320/urundi_visit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
King Baudouin arrives in Burundi</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwAnQOPLTwpjM9wNow8q5MrprZSGAu14jEvTWWTyGg9pv9sD0qigJENCirNZEbnabnysR04WF18SBwuTcoMB1q4gk0gVpEStTmi4S66G08gR5FHUbDmltTWrRR0iWGmTryoPx3hsIp55F/s1600/000_arp2224614_1279667793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwAnQOPLTwpjM9wNow8q5MrprZSGAu14jEvTWWTyGg9pv9sD0qigJENCirNZEbnabnysR04WF18SBwuTcoMB1q4gk0gVpEStTmi4S66G08gR5FHUbDmltTWrRR0iWGmTryoPx3hsIp55F/s320/000_arp2224614_1279667793.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola visit the Congo</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqNNCcqfr2sHJOHmqPVhEVFPhG8nswAeue8qToNqguJahoRSihArji5UtOwWr2hyN0XBGpTftfQu_xUWDZLwdqn0MWYU5vMy0-sUtJoWQnDglyFeEr4dKOPOxsNbhr9zxGhenv75tlaO1/s1600/1112_p-19970908-00FX7R_0JRYEULX.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqNNCcqfr2sHJOHmqPVhEVFPhG8nswAeue8qToNqguJahoRSihArji5UtOwWr2hyN0XBGpTftfQu_xUWDZLwdqn0MWYU5vMy0-sUtJoWQnDglyFeEr4dKOPOxsNbhr9zxGhenv75tlaO1/s320/1112_p-19970908-00FX7R_0JRYEULX.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
King Baudouin with President Mobutu</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBuw0Wm0U8xvV4h3ZosYtIqw1hiRrfrnFJFN0YALc5JNhvIquPPRJTrWiY_FF5b6Rd12TCWIAXn3s9QXXR7rQbCfCFeHTbMkRPVdxtTTTOEi8jZeu7i9EqzuuUkSnekvXE2qDmpzVYd8P/s1600/1259238602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBuw0Wm0U8xvV4h3ZosYtIqw1hiRrfrnFJFN0YALc5JNhvIquPPRJTrWiY_FF5b6Rd12TCWIAXn3s9QXXR7rQbCfCFeHTbMkRPVdxtTTTOEi8jZeu7i9EqzuuUkSnekvXE2qDmpzVYd8P/s320/1259238602.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
King Baudouin with President Mobutu</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObqgI1oUDUSVd58w3ooXBmOx9xsm8yIwJT4B9PZpNXWLGd3XzlbFd-a-jWXKSrsOqzBYPmGlofttmGr4snxUTSvbmlwTtElJekndJk9rGqJE_6LR6hmousYY1sGYHWoM0yS_iVpuuqO6S/s1600/ndahindurwa_baudoin_mwambutsa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObqgI1oUDUSVd58w3ooXBmOx9xsm8yIwJT4B9PZpNXWLGd3XzlbFd-a-jWXKSrsOqzBYPmGlofttmGr4snxUTSvbmlwTtElJekndJk9rGqJE_6LR6hmousYY1sGYHWoM0yS_iVpuuqO6S/s320/ndahindurwa_baudoin_mwambutsa.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
King Baudouin with the (very tall) King Kigeli V of Rwanda</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA98k5LQ0iZJCI8uYwNEjZPTjCmQlilnSplWGSKluLfnASy0Bw9BCOl6NxXoyykc_ihX2L2CGs0ncQ1eumcPD95hyphenhyphenout2GhC0oQ56-iG2TyHiREzq1MzxQnmgvZpo1EkYDsMJ6rjc4ZaVF/s1600/King_Bauduoin_visits_the_school_of_the_Force_Publique_in_Luluabourg_1955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA98k5LQ0iZJCI8uYwNEjZPTjCmQlilnSplWGSKluLfnASy0Bw9BCOl6NxXoyykc_ihX2L2CGs0ncQ1eumcPD95hyphenhyphenout2GhC0oQ56-iG2TyHiREzq1MzxQnmgvZpo1EkYDsMJ6rjc4ZaVF/s320/King_Bauduoin_visits_the_school_of_the_Force_Publique_in_Luluabourg_1955.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
King Baudouin visits the Force Publique school</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhJ0WIS4J_eUZd26hfnEfChqz2J7aBUlivZHJ9Kia5bHGKacfKxx2P5Z12YXSv5pe-PeFvc_t0OhWY6Szlnyo7XMibkP8IGE-6925ubWVL2yuuL3pWEPqLrLkoBMZlChBGGgoC15nQpzd/s1600/Baudouin_et_kasavubu_30_juind_independance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhJ0WIS4J_eUZd26hfnEfChqz2J7aBUlivZHJ9Kia5bHGKacfKxx2P5Z12YXSv5pe-PeFvc_t0OhWY6Szlnyo7XMibkP8IGE-6925ubWVL2yuuL3pWEPqLrLkoBMZlChBGGgoC15nQpzd/s320/Baudouin_et_kasavubu_30_juind_independance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
King Baudouin reading his speech giving independence to the Congo</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-25298385080115962162012-07-02T13:37:00.002-07:002012-07-02T13:37:11.200-07:00Marriage Anniversary of the King and Queen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHPndiFCklpj4EIIPNZUmRa5xBCutQ5gGfpdMVl9SXH7wTczZfVdYKOgvkuui2CrUE8OWxHwxXqFEdzy2cCiRszkA1_dKKaDPb6Ejr69SOWS4I_cCGgM-4CpRyxFzmfTbwy1MKRRW_2cj/s1600/AlbertenPaola02-07-594a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHPndiFCklpj4EIIPNZUmRa5xBCutQ5gGfpdMVl9SXH7wTczZfVdYKOgvkuui2CrUE8OWxHwxXqFEdzy2cCiRszkA1_dKKaDPb6Ejr69SOWS4I_cCGgM-4CpRyxFzmfTbwy1MKRRW_2cj/s320/AlbertenPaola02-07-594a.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
Today in 1959 King Albert II and Queen Paola were married. Did the younger brother of the King and the Italian princess imagine at that time that they would ever have to take the position of being the King and Queen for the nation? King Baudouin was still not married, only a few years on the throne and everyone probably still assumed he would get married and be able to have children of his own and Prince Albert would only be in the position of perhaps Prince Laurent today. Would Queen Paola have given the same answer to the proposal if she knew she would one day have to be the Queen, with all of the pressures, scrutiny and responsibilities that position means? I hope so, but can we ever know for certain? Over 53 years of marriage, most certainly today, is a great accomplishment and, we all know, it has not always been easy for the first couple of Belgium. It is not worth talking about but all the people know things have not always gone perfectly for the King and Queen, there have been mistakes, hard times but, we give thanks, forgiveness and reconciliation in the end. I would not want to think of how things would be if the King had married someone else. Queen Paola has been the best queen in the world for Belgium and she really, I think, has always put the Belgian people first every time. The King also has had very large problems in the terms of politics, to deal with but he keeps always the 'ship of state' sailing forward. They also have been good parents, raising very good children. Congratulations to their Majesties then on a very successful 53 years of marriage today, taking alot of hard work but doing a great job together for the country!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68EfvTb8c7bFaT03M8TjSn5kydYdsPKigf-akV8-g06veoaChzrFG4Fg946n5iLe49hoOOoBlnCGWm9Ca60bLjy4SMWP6Pte_ipLfkWoNmxKTwrmv5qijIM1GGLldsuoZAZvI1xHwNTUe/s1600/AlbertenPaola02-07-592b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68EfvTb8c7bFaT03M8TjSn5kydYdsPKigf-akV8-g06veoaChzrFG4Fg946n5iLe49hoOOoBlnCGWm9Ca60bLjy4SMWP6Pte_ipLfkWoNmxKTwrmv5qijIM1GGLldsuoZAZvI1xHwNTUe/s400/AlbertenPaola02-07-592b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-70083480021257661372012-06-29T09:19:00.000-07:002012-06-29T09:19:07.043-07:00The Belgian-Greek Royal Connection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOa-VOvpwkx_nRauhVmFtgJ1z34eLiiwgq_yhhhUxE61-JTq3j8SGzMIWbrhCKOQHjNyFj36QAndZM49SJczOtQHTad5lZhNRtLiL20dqEgOv1g32HceOztV9eV22YMmHvFUmz1gmcP1bI/s1600/leop1belg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOa-VOvpwkx_nRauhVmFtgJ1z34eLiiwgq_yhhhUxE61-JTq3j8SGzMIWbrhCKOQHjNyFj36QAndZM49SJczOtQHTad5lZhNRtLiL20dqEgOv1g32HceOztV9eV22YMmHvFUmz1gmcP1bI/s200/leop1belg.jpg" width="170" /></a></div>
Right now, everyone in the European Union is talking about and worried about the situation in Greece and the economic situation in general but particularly about the problems in Greece. Will they enact the austerity measures? Will Greece leave the Eurozone? Will the problems in Greece cause wider problems across the European Union? Not many Belgians may be talking about Greece right now but certainly it is not far from the minds of those at the European Union government in Brussels. How to deal with the crisis? What can be done? I do not have the answers but it causes me to consider the royal connection between the Kingdom of Belgium and the early days of the Kingdom of Greece. Both countries emerged to independence in the same period and both countries looked to have a monarch who would help them gain security from the "Great Powers" of Europe at that time. If different choices had been made in Greece we Belgians might have a totally different Royal Family today. What similarities are there today with the current situation in Greece?<br />
<br />
King Leopold I was the first King of the Belgians, and a very greatly admired and respected national leader all over the world, but the throne of Belgium was not the first kingdom he was offered to preside over. The Greeks had claimed independence to break away from the Ottoman Empire of Turkey in 1830 and were in need of a monarch. A prince from a powerful royal family or with, at least, family ties to powerful countries, was preferred to help secure Greek independence as a policy of insurance against efforts by the Turks to retake Greece. Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was considered and was asked to come reign over the new Kingdom of Greece. The cause of the Greeks had been a popular one in Europe, seen by many as a great romantic adventure and there was much sympathy for the Greeks against the Turks. Prince Leopold was not unaffected by this and he considered seriously accepting the offer to become the first King of Greece or King of the Greeks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGR32BigZnNXmzh6jTuTw6psL20gNAzm4E_MFxHuFCRJo_zRIItQfYF3_VEeaUBXOMud8CF48Zi48uaqNR8jlO_JIwo_Zy9ZwGF6HJw1CeUgpLuMq645VbAXo0VFAZ4UEnm43rzZKYst-F/s1600/grecobelge.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGR32BigZnNXmzh6jTuTw6psL20gNAzm4E_MFxHuFCRJo_zRIItQfYF3_VEeaUBXOMud8CF48Zi48uaqNR8jlO_JIwo_Zy9ZwGF6HJw1CeUgpLuMq645VbAXo0VFAZ4UEnm43rzZKYst-F/s200/grecobelge.png" width="200" /></a></div>
But we know how Prince Leopold was a very thoughtful and far-thinking man. He wanted to accomplish great things but he did not want to take great risks needlessly. After reviewing the Greek situation, he did not have much confidence in their chances of success. The population seemed too divided, the situation was too unstable and there were not the resources to ensure to a reasonable degree the long-term success. Finally he decided to decline the offer of the Greek throne and he stayed in England where he was living at the time. Later, he accepted another offer to become the first King of the Belgians but Belgium was in a better position to be supported by the other powers and he required first a sufficient amount of financial support to put the new Kingdom of Belgium on a solid foundation for future growth and success. After looking back at the fate of the first Bavarian Prince Otto who became King of Greece, compared to the loyal support of the Belgians even in the year of crisis, certainly King Leopold I never had regrets for his decision.BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-66791293006309117932012-06-25T08:48:00.001-07:002012-06-25T08:48:35.894-07:00New Portraits of Princess Astrid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiex6qoZnHp3SZoshZoi4Ls-7Xl_kGe6DLH9k90zVQrVVhe2ZDkBuf9Z2pTtJyiyvsk0ZzBQqH50wTlHTyWnl7woYAFm-7ayeSlz85fqyw1-yamhxm8xkdXVx-iWgm15SLaGIvQkz2KJ3Fm/s1600/Pr.+Astrid+50+ans+%25281%2529_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiex6qoZnHp3SZoshZoi4Ls-7Xl_kGe6DLH9k90zVQrVVhe2ZDkBuf9Z2pTtJyiyvsk0ZzBQqH50wTlHTyWnl7woYAFm-7ayeSlz85fqyw1-yamhxm8xkdXVx-iWgm15SLaGIvQkz2KJ3Fm/s320/Pr.+Astrid+50+ans+%25281%2529_0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmRVC18UYQbIHrufHQnGMyZF0LcxggyGYO61iKk99j3g5JqiQviX-nvlW1lC3fNYqpi_RQNlMh6dC-2LaFJ_GTedDTtMm_9P0OVRMyp2e3XqcwPm6FoozY_MVMFz1uwNPKvBs4GgG7RSD/s1600/Pr.+Astrid+50+ans+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmRVC18UYQbIHrufHQnGMyZF0LcxggyGYO61iKk99j3g5JqiQviX-nvlW1lC3fNYqpi_RQNlMh6dC-2LaFJ_GTedDTtMm_9P0OVRMyp2e3XqcwPm6FoozY_MVMFz1uwNPKvBs4GgG7RSD/s320/Pr.+Astrid+50+ans+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik0n0MGXorUGzGPonskaDPhqs9kxEGqXXzhclriGFXVxZdPwYgbN8iuNiHtcnU_Rw8Re_yL6TmIjRON3hmDmEAYMdhVrQTCbtrK6Dtw5Z_ydbcSv7fZkL5wyfRRx5yJfAkVGLwdeOgT2B/s1600/Pr.+Astrid+50+ans+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik0n0MGXorUGzGPonskaDPhqs9kxEGqXXzhclriGFXVxZdPwYgbN8iuNiHtcnU_Rw8Re_yL6TmIjRON3hmDmEAYMdhVrQTCbtrK6Dtw5Z_ydbcSv7fZkL5wyfRRx5yJfAkVGLwdeOgT2B/s320/Pr.+Astrid+50+ans+%25284%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-42801295599430110922012-06-11T08:59:00.002-07:002012-06-11T08:59:58.234-07:00A Letter from King Leopold II<br />
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i>This is a letter from King Leopold II to Minister Beernaert of the Congo Free State, July 3, 1890</i></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX03rJxndLOqBP_J11h7bSkCwq6tr1-wRreB-_FoFkSdIoPmU24VqS-alrTkz-JXPIJqF-ggixqHM4JXO_rfaW25qeQHwZHGOV7VKUqtasXOSRnlBwIlVweD9fnSGGAZPdWOze92h_5XQr/s1600/DSC00041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX03rJxndLOqBP_J11h7bSkCwq6tr1-wRreB-_FoFkSdIoPmU24VqS-alrTkz-JXPIJqF-ggixqHM4JXO_rfaW25qeQHwZHGOV7VKUqtasXOSRnlBwIlVweD9fnSGGAZPdWOze92h_5XQr/s320/DSC00041.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Dear Minister,</div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I have never ceased to call the attention of my countrymen to the need to turn our view toward overseas lands.</div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
History teaches that countries with small territories have a moral and material interest in extending their influence beyond their narrow borders. Greece founded opulent cities, bastions of arts and civilization, on the shores of the Mediterranean. Later, Venice built its grandeur on its maritime and commercial relations no less than on its political success. The Netherlands have 30 million subjects in the Indies who exchange tropical products for the products of the mother country.</div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
It is in serving the cause of humanity and progress that peoples of the second rank appear as useful members of the great family of nations. A manufacturing and commercial nation like ours, more than any other, must do its best to secure opportunities for all its workers, whether intellectual, capitalist, or manual.</div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
These patriotic preoccupations dominated my life. It is they that caused the creation of the African effort.</div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
My pains were not sterile: a young and vast State, led from Brussels, has peacefully taken its place in the sun, thanks to the kind support of the powers which have applauded its beginnings. Belgians administer it, while other compatriots, more numerous every day, are already making a profit on their capital.</div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
The immense river system of the Upper Congo opens the way for our efforts for rapid and economical ways of communication that will allow us to penetrate directly into the center of the African continent. The building of the railroad in the cataract area, assured from now on thanks to the recent vote of the legislature, will notably increase the ease of access. Under these conditions, a great future is reserved for the Congo, whose immense value will soon shine out to all eyes.</div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Soon after that memorable act, I thought it my duty, when death will come to strike me, to make it easy for Belgium to profit from my work, as well as that of those who helped me to found and direct it and to whom I give thanks here once again. I thus made, as Sovereign of the Congo Free State, the will that I am sending you; I will request that you communicate it to the legislative Chambers at what seems to you the most opportune moment.</div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm37nxiHN4wu-HDY0iJEbQIMovR1XCua8xAWJTesfC2OgKTFhczRc9vQFSunMSGCVay2WVellV8eodPy9CjU4_jlsN8WGzPTXtrz8Uh3sY-iU_5AMNNUrJ0Zmdmsh51oKpH30ogNUTMubR/s1600/leo2mr.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm37nxiHN4wu-HDY0iJEbQIMovR1XCua8xAWJTesfC2OgKTFhczRc9vQFSunMSGCVay2WVellV8eodPy9CjU4_jlsN8WGzPTXtrz8Uh3sY-iU_5AMNNUrJ0Zmdmsh51oKpH30ogNUTMubR/s320/leo2mr.png" width="186" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
The beginning of enterprises such as those that have so preoccupied me is difficult and onerous. I insisted on bearing the charges. A King, to give service to his country, must not fear to conceive and pursue the realization of a project so adventurous in appearance. The riches of a Sovereign consist of public prosperity. That alone can appear to his eyes as an enviable treasure, which he should try constantly to build up.</div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Until the day of my death, I will continue with the same thoughts of national interest that have guided me until now, to direct and sustain our African efforts, but if, without waiting for that date, it makes sense for the country to contract closer ties with my Congo possessions, I would not hesitate to make them available to it, I would be happy, while I am alive, to see it in full benefit towards the Chambers as towards the Government for the aid that they gave to me on several occasions in this creation.</div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I do not think I am mistaken in affirming that Belgium will gain genuine advantages and will see opening before her, on a new continent, happy and wide perspectives.</div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Believe me, dear Minister,</div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Your very devoted,</div>
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Leopold.</div>BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-91960484737042746972012-06-06T12:49:00.001-07:002012-06-06T12:49:22.797-07:00Bon Anniversaire!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbybvIbSN21MREnjhwSQcHi7FEg1Y54NX7Sn54d8hAW-rnIaTmvgvLXESIwEzm9RHPPl9lVwKztzEVC1a_jW5eBAEkq8_2lVqcMZjZxEHPKpv-xMD_7CNdfgTess8hyphenhyphen16m7TfzUGtIhsw6/s1600/sm_roi10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbybvIbSN21MREnjhwSQcHi7FEg1Y54NX7Sn54d8hAW-rnIaTmvgvLXESIwEzm9RHPPl9lVwKztzEVC1a_jW5eBAEkq8_2lVqcMZjZxEHPKpv-xMD_7CNdfgTess8hyphenhyphen16m7TfzUGtIhsw6/s400/sm_roi10.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today is 74th birthday for SM King Albert II. All best wishes to him!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Vive le roi! Leve de koning!</div>
<br />BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-21134762162226134932012-06-06T12:41:00.001-07:002012-06-06T12:41:26.013-07:00Congratulations to Queen Elizabeth IIFor achieving sixty years on the British throne (and her others) Belgium sends congratulations to her friend and relative Queen Elizabeth II!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zQEVK7EPUwuhx9yIn70fkT_z5_xXTzmeea9ihMxKsahPk-mGRmjUOpQDTSsfvrIiFiRbzMtbVsfMrr64isqv_WVlmak7OXekIdzfinpElIAV6KnHJd0CFd20huhhW0V_aYgwkQzwUZnD/s1600/Elizabeth+a+Argenteuil+-+1966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zQEVK7EPUwuhx9yIn70fkT_z5_xXTzmeea9ihMxKsahPk-mGRmjUOpQDTSsfvrIiFiRbzMtbVsfMrr64isqv_WVlmak7OXekIdzfinpElIAV6KnHJd0CFd20huhhW0V_aYgwkQzwUZnD/s320/Elizabeth+a+Argenteuil+-+1966.JPG" width="275" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with King Leopold III and Princess Lilian in 1966</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-h1MXB5GcnVo01ue7Xrb-p3hOnizFBI152Clh-tOBtoFSEeslCbTFQMU5u5FVZa6TY0irBzIY8DVg7ItrbEHkDUqkS36LEXQZZSa3yMnTtNurbZdyxIJksZ5DIWPkX9cqbBDeAkkDsbU/s1600/Li%C3%A8ge+-+1966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-h1MXB5GcnVo01ue7Xrb-p3hOnizFBI152Clh-tOBtoFSEeslCbTFQMU5u5FVZa6TY0irBzIY8DVg7ItrbEHkDUqkS36LEXQZZSa3yMnTtNurbZdyxIJksZ5DIWPkX9cqbBDeAkkDsbU/s320/Li%C3%A8ge+-+1966.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Queen Paola and Queen Elizabeth II</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOb7DEmZrdW9uMzgiFr_IlsgCQGsMlHau9k6U7GSgJrpvnGMf4X58qyGNPaLzHElPAPVxF37gqbJq7ymtH05peQMKZcks7TlFsHgj_stvpHrtU43wA6i7cxCPrYqgYhwGSNgWThrilHF-/s1600/Loge+royale+-+1966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOb7DEmZrdW9uMzgiFr_IlsgCQGsMlHau9k6U7GSgJrpvnGMf4X58qyGNPaLzHElPAPVxF37gqbJq7ymtH05peQMKZcks7TlFsHgj_stvpHrtU43wA6i7cxCPrYqgYhwGSNgWThrilHF-/s320/Loge+royale+-+1966.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Queen Paola, King Baudouin, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Queen Fabiola and King Albert II</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0hnXuZ2U7xJk5ouClyTy7G2XZe2Z5a7U8ow2O52-Tm-GzdTGPKkCWeezbdq_eCksTc8Zbx4j2KVB0oMm5dkdE2TxSM6a_rIVsfoFb6jn_ynUXGQNnqUooCmUWlkFQ129Gk7fHKCW-ho3/s1600/79911864xv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0hnXuZ2U7xJk5ouClyTy7G2XZe2Z5a7U8ow2O52-Tm-GzdTGPKkCWeezbdq_eCksTc8Zbx4j2KVB0oMm5dkdE2TxSM6a_rIVsfoFb6jn_ynUXGQNnqUooCmUWlkFQ129Gk7fHKCW-ho3/s320/79911864xv.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Queen Fabiola, King Baudouin and Princess Margaret</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMDN7uzQ9ISI4BhEgivpt3u8uZhq8VtKuisAlxwxfnWF0NcDmnMDzvFoK19E-_Q_PZ1bc-kjclXABPTYk27DIj7ZEn0IM30NgbSPfd6OyIngodrCMYs9l0ajywvcp9xGL62aa9A4HUnRq/s1600/Visite+d'Etat+belge+en+G-B+-+1963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMDN7uzQ9ISI4BhEgivpt3u8uZhq8VtKuisAlxwxfnWF0NcDmnMDzvFoK19E-_Q_PZ1bc-kjclXABPTYk27DIj7ZEn0IM30NgbSPfd6OyIngodrCMYs9l0ajywvcp9xGL62aa9A4HUnRq/s320/Visite+d'Etat+belge+en+G-B+-+1963.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Queen Elizabeth II and King Baudouin</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYL3Vm1KN5c1f1czr2mrxV2FtcoOp6hVnaXnqTuKFYNHqVLVZY7WHLFd3DgoXpLtvVEwbqn-R2Uc9D7EPSaHkngZ0xNilSELd8nymWQdFtUGNxswNM66lyFcqjPe5ERYppIfUAsfSHUGW/s1600/elizabeth2_funeralBaudouin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYL3Vm1KN5c1f1czr2mrxV2FtcoOp6hVnaXnqTuKFYNHqVLVZY7WHLFd3DgoXpLtvVEwbqn-R2Uc9D7EPSaHkngZ0xNilSELd8nymWQdFtUGNxswNM66lyFcqjPe5ERYppIfUAsfSHUGW/s320/elizabeth2_funeralBaudouin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Emperor of Japan, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the state funeral of King Baudouin, I think the only foreign funeral the Queen has ever attended, a show of her great friendship with the King.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-16527733556233937412012-06-04T13:03:00.004-07:002012-06-04T13:03:45.531-07:00The Queen's Pizza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWuXba3DXetrZSdebktKHLakjz5O3aTmC2CHrUcQU7N7FkKa4G7cgSPFNdw2tSCNt8i1RC0c9l7Qgw5PBKptHMav43oCyrka0KOJdHCHEqxGo0JF2k0qHN7YEhhtNFR-iJ3lQA3N0mWqC/s1600/paola_pizza.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWuXba3DXetrZSdebktKHLakjz5O3aTmC2CHrUcQU7N7FkKa4G7cgSPFNdw2tSCNt8i1RC0c9l7Qgw5PBKptHMav43oCyrka0KOJdHCHEqxGo0JF2k0qHN7YEhhtNFR-iJ3lQA3N0mWqC/s400/paola_pizza.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Does Queen Paola like pizza? We assume most Italians, like the Queen, do but maybe she does not like this particular pizza perhaps. In 1889 World Pizza Days in Naples, Italy named a pizza after their own queen, Margherita, which had red, white and green toppings because the Queen was known for being so zealous an Italian nationalist and patriot. In 1999, we are told, this was done again with a pizza named for the only Italian-born Queen of a country today, our own Queen Paola. They named it for her and took it to the Laeken palace, never seeing the Family Royal but later being given a nice note of appreciation from the Queen for her own "Paola Pizza". Now it again has happened with the Paola II Pizza and the Queen is not the only one. Also Queen Beatrix of The Nederlands has been given her own special pizza also. But this time it seems there is some discomfort from the Royal Court in Brussels and lots of accusations and counter-accusations are going around. The new Queen Paola pizza has toppings from the Naples region with Melannurca, an apple with a deep red color but the Belgian court does not seem happy. The statement of a spokesman said, "The monarchy was neither previously nor subsequently informed of that name," which refers to the concept that usually one asks for permission before naming something after the King or Queen (did they do so before I wonder?) and, "Fortunately, even now only the first name is used, which after all, can refer to any other woman. But it was elegant and would have been polite to first ask permission". What will the palace do in the great pizza battle? Nothing. The Queen maybe even liked it, we do not know -do not know even if she tried it yet. However, the pizza-makers in Naples may have bigger problems because the people who made the first pizza are now upset that they are being surpassed with more media attention because of this latest problem and now they are demanding compensation from these new chefs for taking their idea of a Queen Paola pizza. Really, it seems Naples takes their pizza very seriously and poor Queen Paola gets stuck in the middle of the disturbance.<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span>BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-84335283347292434672012-05-28T17:45:00.001-07:002012-05-28T17:45:11.337-07:00Belgian Princess, Queen of May<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI96ErI_7gf8z8s_AAFcyjivzeuV92rLJWN6fKzqHYbzchyrbRfG7HZBlkiOCLwtUhditBiJbgvAlEBAHZyGWKUtC_8A4hhK3SBx-btPu6tP9-E54VC2MZ1xTNs_8RSOJzEO_jaXnJ616A/s1600/reinemai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI96ErI_7gf8z8s_AAFcyjivzeuV92rLJWN6fKzqHYbzchyrbRfG7HZBlkiOCLwtUhditBiJbgvAlEBAHZyGWKUtC_8A4hhK3SBx-btPu6tP9-E54VC2MZ1xTNs_8RSOJzEO_jaXnJ616A/s320/reinemai.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
The Mad Monarchist relates the story of <a href="http://madmonarchist.blogspot.com/2012/05/consort-profile-queen-marie-jose-of.html">Princesse Marie-Jose of Belgium</a> who became the wife of the Prince of Piedmont and later the last Queen of Italy. Her story is very unfortunate, so many difficulties she had to overcome and so much jealousy and slander she had to deal with and is still sometimes the victim of even now. But everyone who knew her said she was the best, most intelligent Queen that Italy ever had and would have been greater still if only she had been given a chance to. She was not interested in ceremony but in service and always wanted to help everyone, just like her parents King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth who always were devoted to their people and wanting to improve their lives any way that they could. She deserved much better, to be able to do the job she had always prepared for at least and also she deserved a happier family life but if she had not married Prince Umberto, who could she have married instead? There really were not much options. But she was a great queen for one month only and still a star in the sky of the royal house of Belgium everyone should be proud of.BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-51966430929400641522012-05-21T12:14:00.001-07:002012-05-21T12:14:24.675-07:00Baron André Joseph Boussart<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOloiVhC8RLKe8PnotqbQ3g20bEsbeDe5yHBjvjEKFT32FvdmDeAd876wci65ztZa3UmhqOVtyzEkqWUMWbX5a7XaCvhtq6fmWRqZ-hASBItzRqCUemcd0z05uPXjNXJsUma41kjlVP00d/s1600/Andre_Joseph_Boussart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOloiVhC8RLKe8PnotqbQ3g20bEsbeDe5yHBjvjEKFT32FvdmDeAd876wci65ztZa3UmhqOVtyzEkqWUMWbX5a7XaCvhtq6fmWRqZ-hASBItzRqCUemcd0z05uPXjNXJsUma41kjlVP00d/s320/Andre_Joseph_Boussart.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
André Joseph Boussart was one of the most prominent Belgians to have served in the Revolution and in the French Napoleonic army. During his life he served in the Austrian army, the army of the United Belgian States and the French army, seeing action in Europe, Africa and the East. He was born on 13 November 1758 in Binche, Hainaut. At the time Belgium was officially the Austrian Netherlands and he wanted adventure so he joined the Austrian army and by 1789 had become a junior lieutenant in the Austrian cavalry (which they were famous for). When the Brabant Revolution began he immediately left the Austrian service to give his full support to the revolutionary patriots and the United States of Belgium. He easily became a captain because of his prior military service but the United States of Belgium did not last long, being crushed by the Austrians, and Boussart escaped to France where he joined the army there, still determined to carry on the fight and joined other Belgians in the Hainault Dragoon Regiment in which he fought the Austrians again. Later he fought with the “Army of Italy” and earned many promotions because of his daring and fearlessness which also caused him to be frequently and badly wounded. By 1797 he was chef de brigade.<br />
<br />
Boussart was a supporter of Napoleon Bonaparte and he accompanied Napoleon on his grand campaign to North Africa and the Near East. He fought at the epic battle of the Pyramids in 1798 and the battle of Aboukir in 1799. In 1800 he was promoted to general and in 1801 he fought the British at the battle of Alexandria where he was wounded three times and had to be sent back to France. For his bravery he was made a member of the legion d'honneur in 1803. During the Third Coalition War he led a cavalry brigade of dragoons at the stunning French victory at Austerlitz. In the next war he missed out of the battle of Jena but earned great fame for his participation in the pursuit of the Prussians after. His victories over the Prussians were probably the most remarkable of his career. He played a critical part in the battle of Prenzlau against the Prussians and later also captured the port of Wolgast on the Baltic. He served also under Grouchy at the battle of Lübeck and the battle of Czarnowo where he was wounded. He was badly wounded again at the battle of Pultusk where he fought with the unit of Nicolas Léonard Beker. He fought also at the battle of Eylau and in 1808 Napoleon made Boussart a Baron of the Empire and transferred him to the front in Spain. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdySCfzjgkYMLh9CQxuz8wJInRAUP0mEwMDC9f7pTmtgI8b-uJl699jgkbwi_DsWWA59YD11TEknJE6SmRzN_zNOfpcncfqTjvt0c62NmJabwr8rOg4hrIPfsVtla-Lkr71jvESGvEovWQ/s1600/napoleon_be.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdySCfzjgkYMLh9CQxuz8wJInRAUP0mEwMDC9f7pTmtgI8b-uJl699jgkbwi_DsWWA59YD11TEknJE6SmRzN_zNOfpcncfqTjvt0c62NmJabwr8rOg4hrIPfsVtla-Lkr71jvESGvEovWQ/s1600/napoleon_be.png" /></a></div>
He defeated superior Spanish forces at the battle of Margalef and then fought at the victorious siege of Lerida and later the victorious siege of Tortosa. He fought at the siege of Tarragona where he killed far more of the enemy than his own forces lost. Later his participation was also crucial in a victorious attack at the siege of Valencia despite being almost killed. In 1812 he was promoted to general of division and served at the battle of Castalla. He had to leave the front to recover from his bad wounds but was unable to and finally died because of his injuries on 11 August 1813.<br />BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-26207872120141195452012-05-15T10:20:00.004-07:002012-05-15T10:20:59.360-07:00King Leopold I in "Young Victoria"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAIuPLDeWEAGi9WnQNZKAywuWVlL83kihFUW1-HetjGkI2J74mRcpXsOKAsEFbyTN-Agc5be7t8zZHoJ_u0AxZe1vqiup0sNHdAQwWssNH7LqZKtPtvepIYQgUlb7-4zBs2FRvD2NeJ21/s1600/009YVA_Thomas_Kretschmann_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAIuPLDeWEAGi9WnQNZKAywuWVlL83kihFUW1-HetjGkI2J74mRcpXsOKAsEFbyTN-Agc5be7t8zZHoJ_u0AxZe1vqiup0sNHdAQwWssNH7LqZKtPtvepIYQgUlb7-4zBs2FRvD2NeJ21/s320/009YVA_Thomas_Kretschmann_001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOM5drOFA4R_sO12P7GknSvETDNohAtolqf0yaKxh1RruLaAbfWJ6kW_YDRslD3UPxb7ri-jeC8uRoziXZpfEcYP-N4Wd6R9sWXtsUE0u5NgZfWVbzdi6QArqWwpAsVi9PrqHlIGxHa4cE/s1600/009YVA_Thomas_Kretschmann_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOM5drOFA4R_sO12P7GknSvETDNohAtolqf0yaKxh1RruLaAbfWJ6kW_YDRslD3UPxb7ri-jeC8uRoziXZpfEcYP-N4Wd6R9sWXtsUE0u5NgZfWVbzdi6QArqWwpAsVi9PrqHlIGxHa4cE/s320/009YVA_Thomas_Kretschmann_002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBCsR0bjLfJrVvozPUPJsUZItsouiF0u3wCiBnhA-HI7UlWCz0mFkRmWQemrHcF8TGDqXycGVzNf2m8xthMtJkUmRSB4VQbEccTCYPCVwHXDVp3eNYUJu_S9Gz-0Fx7rB6k4HcMLkI6qo/s1600/in-Young-Victoria-thomas-kretschmann-21309799-505-305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBCsR0bjLfJrVvozPUPJsUZItsouiF0u3wCiBnhA-HI7UlWCz0mFkRmWQemrHcF8TGDqXycGVzNf2m8xthMtJkUmRSB4VQbEccTCYPCVwHXDVp3eNYUJu_S9Gz-0Fx7rB6k4HcMLkI6qo/s320/in-Young-Victoria-thomas-kretschmann-21309799-505-305.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In the 2009 film "The Young Victoria" the part of King Leopold I of the Belgians was played by the talented German actor Thomas Kretschmann who I have been a fan of ever since he came out in "Stalingrad" which was a powerful film. He has played parts ranging from Pope John Paul II to Adolf Eichmann. Americans may also remember him from "U-571" and he has had, I think, smaller parts in other American films. He gave, I think, a good performance in "The Young Victoria" but I think the wrote King Leopold I as being too blunt and cold. He gave the impression of being slightly heartless when, he really just knew that there was romance and there was duty and not always do they coincide. He also maybe tried to push people in the direction he wanted but was not so harsh and blunt about it as in the movie. At least though they showed that he was a major figure in the royal circle of that time and influential in bringing Albert and Victoria together.BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-39847607288273903442012-05-09T13:30:00.001-07:002012-05-09T13:30:18.388-07:00Princess Louise of Belgium/Princess Louise of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KxvBu3pgRNk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-5325599885797124472012-04-30T10:08:00.000-07:002012-04-30T10:08:01.860-07:00Charles van der Burch<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1USaLgjGKXORG76ICNGVXxy9lBgeLVRFyF8cTbyj7cn19AX5d3pz0zHaBA8miYpRnOV-DzHBGqvfhAJLm-TfYJDsT7qcVkADs8xcf-xGduM9sivPPwefPMcolLsNUyr9WRye_yGzNxizI/s1600/charles_van_der_burch.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1USaLgjGKXORG76ICNGVXxy9lBgeLVRFyF8cTbyj7cn19AX5d3pz0zHaBA8miYpRnOV-DzHBGqvfhAJLm-TfYJDsT7qcVkADs8xcf-xGduM9sivPPwefPMcolLsNUyr9WRye_yGzNxizI/s320/charles_van_der_burch.PNG" width="254" /></a></div>
Charles Albert Alexandre Louis Henri van der Burch was born into a prominent Belgian noble family in Aubry-du-Hainaut on April 24, 1779, the first born of three brothers. As a boy he served as a page to King Louis XVI of France. His brothers, Aimé and Louis chose to fight for the Emperor Napoleon after France annexed Belgium but Charles refused to do so. He showed his political opinions to a degree when he married the noble daughter of an Austrian baron, Baron von Vincent who was the Governor-General of the Austrian Netherlands for three months in 1814. When the French were first expelled from Belgium, Charles was one of the first to wear the red, yellow, black cockade of Brabant. The Allied commander in Belgium, Charles Augustus of Saxe-Weimar, gave Charles permission to raise a light cavalry regiment for Allied service in the Belgian Legion.<br />
<br />
He became colonel and on February 13, 1814 was given his commission. On March 31, 1814 the Tsar of Russia awarded him the Order of St Vladimir for his commitment to the coalition. Unlike his brothers, he had no military experience but his younger brother Aimé served in his regiment as a lieutenant before his resignation on January 7, 1815. On April 10, 1815 Count van der Burch and his light cavalry were transferred to the command of his lieutenant-colonel Edward Mercx of Corbais. He was then made an aide-de-camp to King Willem I of Orange. This was compensation since, as in the days of the ancien regime, he viewed his regiment as his own property. His regiment then became the 5th Light Dragoons in the new Dutch-Belgian Army.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQqcZwCpm1_Q0X9gBDnqijm0hovI1awD5JEC6UhC3Mgft1vDEmClHnTbK9EKlDwTfpLnqJNJEojqb5mt4fkLInuGJmiaYWpgQOdWAiG6_IVY2c_PdRujWypxaCSLzBCl7UNU6RWVjabX7/s1600/leopold_empereur_drapeaux.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQqcZwCpm1_Q0X9gBDnqijm0hovI1awD5JEC6UhC3Mgft1vDEmClHnTbK9EKlDwTfpLnqJNJEojqb5mt4fkLInuGJmiaYWpgQOdWAiG6_IVY2c_PdRujWypxaCSLzBCl7UNU6RWVjabX7/s1600/leopold_empereur_drapeaux.png" /></a></div>
On February 20, 1816 for his service Charles was made Commander of the Order of the Netherlands Lion and later on May 6, 1816 was promoted to major-general and appointed military governor of the southern province of Brabant. He was made an honorary lieutenant-general in 1830 because of his distinguished record and he resigned on October 28, 1830 because of the political situation. He retired on November 24, 1838 and was made a Knight of the Order of Leopold by the new King of the Belgians. He died on March 4, 1854 at his estate d’Ecaussines. He is buried in the church there next to his wife along with his ancestors.<br />BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-8499055901687017072012-04-24T09:22:00.001-07:002012-04-24T09:22:28.576-07:00Princess Astrid Honors 10 Days Campaign<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_mZEuhs_KMhO0VGQuZI9PASavY19hvNW50lzGrkLKi6nS72lHCzKc1KGEXqtkZmEkmoBVlUKDwauesssSl234LgVU-y44qYgj2lvsmROpnBnb4fJ_lpTRvRTF0Lbaa8PbZ8D1sISfA3k/s1600/10+Days+Campaign+1831+Honored+Princess+Astrid+Zqv6EXBTtPHl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_mZEuhs_KMhO0VGQuZI9PASavY19hvNW50lzGrkLKi6nS72lHCzKc1KGEXqtkZmEkmoBVlUKDwauesssSl234LgVU-y44qYgj2lvsmROpnBnb4fJ_lpTRvRTF0Lbaa8PbZ8D1sISfA3k/s400/10+Days+Campaign+1831+Honored+Princess+Astrid+Zqv6EXBTtPHl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
On April 21 (Birthday of the British Queen -happy birthday!) SAR Princesse Astrid attended a special memorial ceremony for the 10 Days Campaign of 1831 in Houthalen-Helchteren where a special cross stands to mark the graves of the Dutch and Belgian soldiers who died in that short outbreak of hostilities. Princesse Astrid attended the ceremony alongside civil and military officials, remembering the Ten Days Campaign. This happened in 1831, not long after the Belgian Revolution when the Dutch were making an effort to re-conquer Belgium from the pro-independence Belgian leaders. As I made mention last time the Dutch King Willem I was very reluctant to accept the independence of Belgium and had to be pressured by the other powers into giving up his claim to the country and hope of eventually retaking it. The 10 Days Campaign was an early effort led by the Prince of Orange (who was very well liked by most Belgians) and other royal princes which actually led to some defeats for the Belgian volunteers were not well organized or prepared at all. Most were not professional soldiers at all. However, and Belgium must be grateful for this, the Kingdom of the French intervened on behalf of Belgium and the arrival of the French troops convinced the Dutch to abandon the effort and return home. It is pleasing to see Princesse Astrid honoring this link with Belgian history and to honor the brave volunteers who gave their lives defending independence. Since we are now thankfully good and close friends with the Netherlands we also should appreciate the duty and sacrifice of the Dutch soldiers for their King and also should remember with gratitude the French royal soldiers who provided such vital assistance.BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1368837576232253773.post-88557349809036889052012-04-19T10:06:00.000-07:002012-04-19T10:06:30.357-07:00Kingdom of Belgium Born!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1mseP8L_UxZff1J2hvYwx976GgH2Lki_EuoRn8sOPyUoG4vaou-YeQvTIPFBGqxC697i319E9ivQlCKkwocyHTE7pmhALKf90QuFpW2WMa3K3bmVfrh58kCfJrVRbakEUhHlHzBb_3I0/s1600/3017987177_1_9_oKbQlvvt.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1mseP8L_UxZff1J2hvYwx976GgH2Lki_EuoRn8sOPyUoG4vaou-YeQvTIPFBGqxC697i319E9ivQlCKkwocyHTE7pmhALKf90QuFpW2WMa3K3bmVfrh58kCfJrVRbakEUhHlHzBb_3I0/s320/3017987177_1_9_oKbQlvvt.png" width="320" /></a></div>
On April 19, 1839 the Kingdom of Belgium was officially recognized by the European powers in Treaty of London. I find it a little funny to see sources indicate this as the "birthday" of Belgium or the day when the Kingdom of Belgium was "born" since Belgian independence had been asserted a decade before and SM King Leopold 1er had been reigning as King of the Belgians for almost as long already. However, this was the day in history that the status of the Kingdom of Belgium was firmly settled and established in the international community, because it was only in 1839 that the European powers finally pressured King Willem I of the Netherlands to recognize the fact of Belgian independence that had already existed. He had still been hoping that he would be able to re-conquer Belgium and force it back into the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. But Belgium resisted with ferocity and the other powers really did not want to see the Low Countries going into a long and ugly war so they finally stepped in and put the pressure on King Willem I to recognize that he would have to sleep in the bed he had made and recognize Belgian independence. So, hurrah for the Treaty of London then! At one time it seems that treaties gave national independence instead of taking it away .... or am I speaking impolitic? ;-)BelgieRoyalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06180963411526753224noreply@blogger.com0