Castle Stuyvenberg, Brussels

[Hannelore]

Some pictures of Stuyvenberg, home of queen Fabiola

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http://pro.corbis.com/images/0000288526-00...f-939ab49baa2a}


http://pro.corbis.com/images/0000288526-00...6-31897b5bf53a}

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Stuyvenberg, the home of Fabiola.

It used to be the home of Leopold III and Astrid. Baudouin and Albert were born here. When Astrid died, in 1935, Leopold coudn't bear to live there anymore, because it was full of memories of his beloved wife. The family moved to Laeken and queen Elisabeth (Leopold III's mother) came to live at Stuyvenberg untill her death in 1965.

After the death of king Beaudouin, Fabiola left the castle of Laeken and came to live at Stuyvenberg.

[CyrilVladisla]

Castle Stuyvenberg is also referred to as Chateau Stuyvenberg. It is owned by the Royal Trust.

Originally Posted by cdm

A nice blog post about Stuyveberg and the domain around it:
Royalement Blog: Le domaine du Stuyvenberg

And some interior pics of the time it was occupated by Leopold and Astrid and by Elisabeth

Cdm, Thank you for the very splendid blog about Castle Stuyvenberg.
The exterior is timeless!! The pictures are superb!!

[cdm]

A nice blog post about Stuyveberg and the domain around it:
Royalement Blog: Le domaine du Stuyvenberg

And some interior pics of the time it was occupated by Leopold and Astrid and by Elisabeth

[cdm]

I wonder what will happen with this beautiful castle now that Fabiola passed.
Would Laurent and his family want to/be offered to move there?

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by CyrilVladisla

Castle Stuyvenberg is also referred to as Chateau Stuyvenberg. It is owned by the Royal Trust.

"Château" is actually the French word for "castle".

[Blue_]

Originally Posted by cdm

I wonder what will happen with this beautiful castle now that Fabiola passed.
Would Laurent and his family want to/be offered to move there?

Maybe Amedeo and Lilli, while waiting for Elisabeth to own it one day? But I doubt they want to live in such a big castle, and two steps from Amedeo's parents...

[Marengo]

What happened with Stuyvenberg between the death of Queen Elisabeth and King Baudouin? Was it empty?

Edit: I found the answer on wiki: the Belgian state used it for visiting heads of state between 1965 and 1998.

[Blue_]

Originally Posted by Marengo

What happened with Stuyvenberg between the death of Queen Elisabeth and King Baudouin? Was it empty?

It was a residence for royal invites

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Blue_

Maybe Amedeo and Lilli, while waiting for Elisabeth to own it one day? But I doubt they want to live in such a big castle, and two steps from Amedeo's parents...

I think it would be inappropriate for Amedeo to live in a royal residence, especially now when he may no longer be in the line of succession to the throne.

[Blue_]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

I think it would be inappropriate for Amedeo to live in a royal residence, especially now when he may no longer be in the line of succession to the throne.

I don't know... beter that than it being empty. And why should he not be in the line of succession?
This being said, I strongly doubt he will live in the stuyvenberg castle

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Blue_

I don't know... beter that than it being empty. And why should he not be in the line of succession?

Because he got married without the King's consent, therefore violating Art. 85 (?) of the Belgian constitution.

[Blue_]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

Because he got married without the King's consent, therefore violating Art. 85 (?) of the Belgian constitution.

How did I missed that?! My apologies then, you are right!

[Blue_]

According to Thierry Debels in "Het Nieuwsblad", Prince Laurent would be interested to live in castle Stuyvenbergh, which was the residence of Queen Fabiola. Prince Laurent enjoys living in their current house, villa Clementine, but Princess Claire not. Also, the castle was just renovated and is bigger than the Villa Clementine.
Yet, it's not sure he will live in it, because Prince Amedeo would be very interested too...

Article from Het Nieuwsblad: HERE
Translated article HERE

[Duc_et_Pair]

The author, Thierry Debels, is known as a notoir speculant on royal gossips. It is not true that the Château du Stuyvenberg "per definition" can only act as a royal residence because it is part of the Donation Royale. Between 1965 and 1998 the castle was in use as an accomodation for guests of the Belgian State. Another example is the Château de Val Duchesse (Kasteel Hertoginnedal) which is also owned by the Donation Royale but is simply in use as a conference accomodation for the Belgian Government.

I can also not see that Archduke Amedeo of Austria-Este, Prince of Belgium, will have usufruct of Stuyvenberg for life. That would mean that Élisabeth, Gabriel, Emmanuel and Éleonore, children of a King and siblings of a future Queen can not use it because it is occupied by a furtherer related member of the family....

[Blue_]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

The author, Thierry Debels, is known as a notoir speculant on royal gossips. It is not true that the Château du Stuyvenberg "per definition" can only act as a royal residence because it is part of the Donation Royale. Between 1965 and 1998 the castle was in use as an accomodation for guests of the Belgian State. Another example is the Château de Val Duchesse (Kasteel Hertoginnedal) which is also owned by the Donation Royale but is simply in use as a conference accomodation for the Belgian Government.

Yes, but since it is really in Laeken (Val Duchesse is almost outside Brussels), I doubt the government will ever use it

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

I can also not see that Archduke Amedeo of Austria-Este, Prince of Belgium, will have usufruct of Stuyvenberg for life. That would mean that Élisabeth, Gabriel, Emmanuel and Éleonore, children of a King and siblings of a future Queen can not use it because it is occupied by a furtherer related member of the family....

Although I doubt Amedeo will live in it, I don't really see it as a problem. They could move out one day

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Blue_

Yes, but since it is really in Laeken (Val Duchesse is almost outside Brussels), I doubt the government will ever use it


Although I doubt Amedeo will live in it, I don't really see it as a problem. They could move out one day

Stuyvenberg has been used as a guest accomodation of the State for 25 years before Fabiola moved in but I agree, further royal use is more likely.

Of course Amedeo and his family can move out any moment but that is not very gentlemanlike... I hope the Château du Stuyvenberg will be used as a house for the Duchess of Brabant.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

I hope the Château du Stuyvenberg will be used as a house for the Duchess of Brabant.

But by the time she needs an own home probably also the Château de Belvedere is availible again.

[Blue_]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

Of course Amedeo and his family can move out any moment but that is not very gentlemanlike... I hope the Château du Stuyvenberg will be used as a house for the Duchess of Brabant.

Since Amedeo and Elisabetta have lived so much time in a little flat in New York, he and his wife would feel lost in such a big house
I fear by the time P.Elisabeth is living on her own, the Belvedere will be available too... (and the Belvedère is much prettier)

[*Mara*]

I really doubt that Laurent can afford to live at Stuyvenberg. He isn't exactly known for clever budgeting and Stuyvenberg comes with a huge heating bill, etc. I would also guess that extensive renovation has to take place before someone else moves in.
Some time ago there was a parliamentary commision on royal finances. And IIRC the suggestion was that only those who receive a dotation are entitled to free housing by the royal donation. That would limit the group down to Astrid, Laurent and Elisabeth. I'm not sure if the suggestion came into effect though. But I think it's quite realistic that Laeken, Belvedere and Ciergnon will be the only castles inhabited by members of the RF in the future.