Princess Liliane of Belgium (2nd wife of King Leopold III)

[auntie]

One thing I can say, King Leopold never looked at Princess Lilian (at least in pictures)the same tender and in love way he looked at Queen Astrid Does anyone else share this observation?

[brandon]

I read in a recent feature in Royalty magazine that King Baudouin never got on with her, and this only got worse after his marriage with Queen Fabiola, who apparently liked her even less. What were the known reasons if any for these family dispute? Possessions, residences? It seems as though Liliane got the boot out of the palace she was living in when Queen Fabiola arrived on the scene, for one thing. But maybe much about the background, lifestyle and attitudes of Liliane and Fabiola are so very different that it became probable they would not only have nothing in common but much to dislike about one another. Any comments or insights are appreciated.

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Originally Posted by auntie

One thing I can say, King Leopold never looked at Princess Lilian (at least in pictures)the same tender and in love way he looked at Queen Astrid Does anyone else share this observation?

Yes, I have compared several pictures of the two couples and I share your observation. He cheated on both wives, but seemed to genuinely love and adore Astrid (as did most everyone)

I think Leopold and Lilian had a very strong sexual attraction to one another, at least in the beginnning.

[queenofcelts]

Lilian certainly was a remarkable woman.

[Regina]

I find this article (Time) a very interesting one about her - The Provocative Princess

About her relationship with Baudouin, the article says: "
As sickly in mien as he is diffident in manner, Baudouin as a child never had much fun until the Princess de Réthy became his maman. She was young* and frolicsome, with what one admirer called "the complexion of a rose and the shape of Venus." Baudouin adored his vivacious stepmother and, according to the gossips, is still strongly influenced by her. She got blamed for Baudouin's rude refusal to attend the funeral of Britain's George VI."

[jcbcode99]

I cannot imagine that he married Lilian without loving her, knowing the uproar it would cause. I think that the Princess de Rethy was a stunning and elegant woman--in fact, Jackie Kennedy, when consulting with fashion designers, said she wanted to be dressed like the Princess deRethy--but younger. I've always thought that Lilian got a "raw deal" because of the public's love of Astrid; they treated her unfairly. She should have received the title of Queen instead of the alternate title she was given.

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Originally Posted by jcbcode99

I cannot imagine that he married Lilian without loving her, knowing the uproar it would cause. I think that the Princess de Rethy was a stunning and elegant woman--in fact, Jackie Kennedy, when consulting with fashion designers, said she wanted to be dressed like the Princess deRethy--but younger. I've always thought that Lilian got a "raw deal" because of the public's love of Astrid; they treated her unfairly. She should have received the title of Queen instead of the alternate title she was given.

There is probably some truth in the idea that Liliane was unfairly treated and compared to Astrid. But I blame Leopold and Liliane herself...if they had handled their relationship in a more...shall we say discreet manner Liliane might have gotten the respect and approval that was her due.

She was pregnant when she secretly married Leopold and had been having a wartime affair with him. Was it too much to ask of them to hold off until AFTER the war and the grievous crisis the country was undergoing to be over? For pete's sake Belgium was under German occupation, the people were suffering. For them to then find out that their King was cavorting with and impregnating his children's nanny cannot have gone over well at all.

This was the 1940's, and Belgium at that time was an extremely conservative Catholic country.

[brandon]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaDreamin

There is probably some truth in the idea that Liliane was unfairly treated and compared to Astrid. But I blame Leopold and Liliane herself...if they had handled their relationship in a more...shall we say discreet manner Liliane might have gotten the respect and approval that was her due.

She was pregnant when she secretly married Leopold and had been having a wartime affair with him. Was it too much to ask of them to hold off until AFTER the war and the grievous crisis the country was undergoing to be over? For pete's sake Belgium was under German occupation, the people were suffering. For them to then find out that their King was cavorting with and impregnating his children's nanny cannot have gone over well at all.

This was the 1940's, and Belgium at that time was an extremely conservative Catholic country.

How far into the war did this all happen and could they have known at the time when or if the war might end anytime soon? Aside from which, I don't think human life and passion just comes to a full hiatus or stop because a war happens to be on. Supposedly we're in a "war" right now, yet here we all are, posting away, trying to relax and talk about our interests. Love and passion happen likewise. In any case, Leopold was likely to have abdicated anyway due to his decisions and actions at the onset of the war. Liliane was not a decisive factor in how things turned out for him, was she? People compare Leopold-Liliane to the Windsors or Charles-Camilla but except for some superficial facts I think each story is completely different.

[Marengo]

Ah, now that you nmention that brandon, I think this article at The Royal Articles might be helpful to awnser that question more elaborately. Queen Elisabeth was behind it too, worried that her son was too lonely at the palace (Leopold was suffering from depressions I believe, due to his isolated position and turn of fortunes). Lilian was used as a scapegoat and though she did not influence Leopold's behavior in the war she was important to the public opinion. The image of the lonely widower had been replaced by that of a king who enjoyed himself with a Flemish (!) woman while the country was suffering.

Now abot Lilian; I think history gave her a rough deal indeed. She wasn't the bitter woman at the beginning of her marriage, but slowly changed to such after she was unable to deal with several disappointments (the abdication, her children not being dynasts, the enormous amount of bad press she received and her husband enjoying pleasures elsewhere too - for a start). In the beginning she was a breath of fresh air indeed, also for Leopolds children who adored hr (they insisted on calling her 'maman'). Esp. Boudewijn was fond of her, so the artilcle in the royalty magazine is wrong here.

I usually think that too much attention is given to Lilian vs. Fabiola - thing. Though the two women might not have gotten along very well the main reason for the icy atmosphere between Argenteuil and Laeken was that Leopold kept lecturing his son on politics, while the son's confidence grew and he slowly didn't accept being his fathers puppet anymore. Of course this story doesn't sell as many boulevard magazines, a catfight between a Queen and a princess does.

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Originally Posted by Marengo

Ah, now that you nmention that brandon, I think this article at The Royal Articles might be helpful to awnser that question more elaborately. Queen Elisabeth was behind it too, worried that her son was too lonely at the palace (Leopold was suffering from depressions I believe, due to his isolated position and turn of fortunes). Lilian was used as a scapegoat and though she did not influence Leopold's behavior in the war she was important to the public opinion. The image of the lonely widower had been replaced by that of a king who enjoyed himself with a Flemish (!) woman while the country was suffering.

Now abot Lilian; I think history gave her a rough deal indeed. She wasn't the bitter woman at the beginning of her marriage, but slowly changed to such after she was unable to deal with several disappointments (the abdication, her children not being dynasts, the enormous amount of bad press she received and her husband enjoying pleasures elsewhere too - for a start). In the beginning she was a breath of fresh air indeed, also for Leopolds children who adored hr (they insisted on calling her 'maman'). Esp. Boudewijn was fond of her, so the artilcle in the royalty magazine is wrong here.

I usually think that too much attention is given to Lilian vs. Fabiola - thing. Though the two women might not have gotten along very well the main reason for the icy atmosphere between Argenteuil and Laeken was that Leopold kept lecturing his son on politics, while the son's confidence grew and he slowly didn't accept being his fathers puppet anymore. Of course this story doesn't sell as many boulevard magazines, a catfight between a Queen and a princess does.

I agree with you that Fabiola and Liliane might have eventually come to some sort of peaceful co-existence....even though they got off to a very rough start. When Baudouin and Fabiola returned from their honeymoon and found all the furniture gone from Laeken Palace and moved to Argenteuil House, well let's be realistic. It was going to be an uphill battle from there.

Didn't I read from the HUMO articles you reproduced a few weeks ago that Leopold kept calling Laeken after the wedding, talking down to his son and lecturing him about various things and eventually was told to BUTT OUT by Fabiola? I can't say I blame her!

[brandon]

Marengo, thanks for your interesting link.

I also was interested in the history behind the three children of LIII and Liliane de Rethy being non-dynasts. Was this because they married without approval of the government? In fact, he was a widower so there was nothing in the religious dimension that was preventing the marriage, was there?

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Lilian Baels...

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

More photos of Lilian

[bnsm907]

Playing Golf.

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

gorgeous photo

[Alisa]

Thanks for posting such lovely and beautiful photos Cathérine :flower:

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

You're welcome Alisa,

here's some more info on princess Lilian:



Leopold III married Mary Lilian Baels, later created Princess de Rethy, in a religious ceremony on September 11, 1941, during the German occupation. The civil ceremony took place on December 6, 1941 at Laeken Castle. Her father was Henri Baels and her mother was Anne Marie De Visscher. This marriage was kept a secret and was not popular in Belgium when it was announced. His wife was a commoner and there were unsubstantiated rumors that she was pro-NAZI. We note that there was no legal action taken against her after the War and some believe that the rumors were absurd. Probably the love of the Belgian peple toward King Leopold's first wife Queen Astrid was a factor. Other Belgians probably thought that hile the Belgian people suffered under occupation, it was no time for the King to marry. King Leopold had three more children with Princess Lilian.


Mary Lilian Baels was one of six daughters and two sons of Hendrik Baels. He was a self made man. He began as a prosperous fish salesman who had risen to the posts of Minister of the Interior (police) and of Agriculture. He also became the governor of Western Flanders. Her mother was Anne Marie De Visscher. Lilian was actually born at Highbury, London, in 1916 during World War I. Flanders had been occupied by the Germans and the family apparently fled to England. She was educated at the College of the Sacred Heart at Ostend, but returned to England to attend a finishing school in Cavendish Square, London. She was by all accounts an excellent pupil. She was fluent in English, French, German, and Dutch (the language spoken in Flanders). She was also very athletic, who liked to swim and play golf.


Baels apparently met King Leopold in 1938, about 3 years after Queen Astrid's death. It is said that they met on the Knokke-le-Zoute golf course. King Leopold was apparently smitted by the beautiful, athletic young lady. One observer reports that it was the King's mother, Queen Elisabeth, who some time later brought the two together. The Nazi's after King Leopold surendered the Belgian Army in 1940 held him under house arrest in his palace at Laeken. He was of course extremely drepressed. His mother invited Baels to improve his spirits. [Raskin] The two became very attached to each other. Lilian insisted on marriage.


Leopold and Lilian married secretly and morganatically (no rights of accession for the children) in a religious ceremony on September 11, 1941. She became a princess of Belgium, and a royal highness. Lilian was given the title of Princess de Rethy. The civil ceremony took place on December 6, 1941 at Laeken Castle. The Princess was soon pregnant and as a result the marriage became public knowledge. King Leopold aroused considerable criticism by this marriage.


This marriage was not popular in Belgium. The Belgian people were generally unhappy with the King when they learned in December 1941 that he had secretly remarried. Many felt betrayed. A major Belgian newspapers scolded the King: "Sire, we thought you had your face turned towards us in mourning. Instead you had it hidden in the shoulder of a woman." I am not sure how the newspaper learned. Perhaps the NAZI-occupation Government released the information in an attempt to discredit the King. Perhaps it ws just that the Princess was noticeably pregnant. Certainly the newspaper could not have printed the news or commented thusly if the NAZIs objected. She was a commoner, but perhaps it was too difficult to forget the King's first wife, Queen Astrid. It was also the idea of the King marrying during a time that country was occupied and the people suffering. Her unpopularity only grew when the public learned her father had left Belgium, while his duty was to stay in his province, and set up in unoccupied Vichy France for the duration of the war. Then her brother Walter was prosecuted because he tried to escape from having to go to war.


Not only was his wife a commoner, but some Belgians viewed her as pro-NAZI. We have little information on this. During their honeymoon in Switzerland, they did stay with friends of Lilian who were pro-Nazi.

Lilian returned some happiness into King Leopold's life. The Royal couple had a son, , Alexander, in July 1942. She was also a kind stepmother Princes Baudouin and Albert and Princess Josephine-Charlotte (later to become Grand Duchess of Luxembourg). She devoted herself to helping Leopold raise his children. Although there was discension in later life, at this time the King's children were apparently devoted to her, accepting her as their new mother.


The Allies landed in France during June 1944. Himmler ordered King Leopold deported to Germany. Princess Lilian followed with the family in another car the following day. They were guarded by a 200-man contingent of the Waffen SS. The NAZIs held the family in a fort at Hirschstein an der Elbe in Saxony during the winter of 1944-45, and then at Strobl, near Salzburg in Austria. They were freed by the U.S. Army in May 1945.


After liberation, Leopold was unable to return to Belgium because of the controversy concerning his performance as commander of the Belgian Army. His brother Charles was appointed Regent. The family moved to Switzerland and spent their summer holidays in southern France. Princess Lilia is said to have enjoyed golfing with another royal exile--the Duke of Windsor.


King Leopold never was able to return to the Belgian throne. He was unable to even return to Belgium until July 1950. A small majority of the Belgian people voted in a plebecite to accept the King again. The intensity of leftist rioting, however, persuaded him to abdicate when his son Baudouin came of age in July 1951. After Baudouin became king, Leopold and Lilian continued to live a Laeken with their son who apperas to have continued to be devoted to Princess Lilianne.


Princess Lilian and King Leopold attended the Brussels Exhibition of 1958, but afterwards led an esentially private life.


King Baudouin married Dona Fabiola de Mora y Aragón, making her Queen Fabiola, in 1960. It is unclear how King Leopold and Princess Lilian viewed the marriage. After the marriage, however, King Leopold and Princess Lilian left Laeken Place. The two couples became deeply estranged.


Princess Lilian and King Leopold set up a new home at Argenteuil, located near the forest of Soignes, at Waterloo. They lived there with their son, Alexander, and two daughters. Princess Lilian created a cardiology foundation in 1958 to develop new treatment procedures. Her interest was the result of an operation in Boston, Massachusetts during 1957 that saved Alexander's life. A symposium was held at Argenteuil annually. Princess Lilian financed operations in America for several Belgian children. She opened a cardiac research laboratory at the Hospital Saint-Pierre in Brussels.

King Leopold had three children with Princess Lilian:

Alexandre (1942- )
He survived a serious heart condition as a teenager. He surprised everyone in 1998 when he announced that he had married in 1991. he revealed a wife married seven years earlier. He pursues a career in science.

Marie-Christine (1951- )
Princess Lilian's relationship with Marie-Christine has been most unhappy. Marie-Christine became very upset with her parents. She emmigrated to America and squandered her money. She gas married twice and publicly criticized her mother.


Maria-Esmeralda (1956- )
The relationship with their younger daughter has been more positive. Marie-Esmeralda has become a journalist. She has worked for both Vogue and Le Figaro, an important Paris newspaper. She was friendly with Sarah, Duchess of York. She married a British scientist and has had two children.


Before her death, Lilian published Leopold's memoirs on the 18-day campaign of 1940.


Princess Lilian was last seen in public in Brussels at her husband's funeral in September 1983. She was veiled and supported between King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola. She was not at King Baudouin's funeral in 1993. Princess Lilian died in 2002 at age 85. Daniel A Wybo reports, "Princess Lilian of Belgium was buried next to her late husband, King Leopold III, in the royal vault at the Church of Our Lady in Laeken. The private funeral was attended by the Belgian royal family, a delegation of the Belgian government, army veterans who fought under King Leopold III and friends. Among the mourners were also Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, his wife Marina, Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy, Elisabeth de Balkany, Laetitia Spetchinsky and the Countess Esterházy. The funeral train left the Castle of Argenteuil, where Princess Lilian died one week ago, at 10:30 followed by two of her three children - Prince Alexander and Princess Marie-Esmeralda and their spouses, while Princess Marie-Christine stayed away - and her two surviving stephchildren King Albert II of the Belgians and Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg with their spouses, and Queen Fabiola of Belgium, widow of the late King Baudouin. The service was held at the Church of Our Lady in Laeken from 11:00 to 12:15 and was led by Cardinal Danneeels in Dutch and French. He remembered Princess Lilian as 'a woman who followed her heart' and praised her for her work for her Cardiological Foundation. The service ended with the Belgian national anthem."

[Hannelore]

Leopold and Lilian getting on a plane

Lilian with 2 of her children

Leopold, Lilian and their daughters at the zoo

getting on a plane

Lilian with daughter

[Hannelore]

Lilian at old age

With Boudewijn and Leopold

At the baptism of prince Filip, 1960

With Esmeralda

In Africa

[Hannelore]

with Leopold

exile in Switzerland

At the garden party for Albert and Paola's engagement