The Coburgs of Belgium – Theo Aronson – Hardcover with Wrapper – First Edition 1969.
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In 1830 after a successful rebellion against the Dutch, Belgium gained her independence. The country had been and even recently after two world wars has been called the “Battlefield of Europe”.
In 1831 a German Prince Leopold 1st was imported from Germany and became King Leopold 1st of Belgium. It was an attempt to unify a disparate and quarrelsome people, a move that was not greeted with much enthusiasm.
With the death of his first wife, Princess Charlotte, daughter of King George the 4th and Princess Caroline of England, he narrowly missed the chance of becoming Prince Consort to the future Queen of England. The resilient Prince of Sax-Coburg never-the-less married the daughter of the King of France, became the constitutional monarch of Belgium at set Belgium on course for enormous world power. He reigned until 1865 when his son Leopold 2nd took up the crown. In 1885 the Berlin Conference ceded the Congo Free State to him as his private possession. What followed was the exploitation of the Congo. It is estimated that over 10 million of the native inhabitants were killed. The outcry this caused led the Belgian state to assume responsibility for the colony.
The country was scandalized by the King’s sexual promiscuity and his cruelty in the Congo.
It was only with the reign of King Albert from 1909 to 1934 that the reputation of royal family was restored.
The book fills in many details and will prove interesting to those who are royalty enthusiasts. I will be describing new royal biographies from time to time.