The Coburgs of Belgium

by Theo Aronson

The Coburgs, remarked Bismarck, were ‘the stud farm of Europe'; if unkindly phrased, there was nevertheless some truth in the jibe. Within three generations of the foundation of the Belgian Royal House in 1831, Coburgs had tarried into almost every royal family in Europe.

Perhaps the most extraordinary thing about the throne of Belgium is that it ever came into being: created after the successful rebellion against the Dutch, handed to an imported German prince, it was hoped, without much enthusiasm, that it would weld together a new nation of disparate and quarrelsome elements. It has survived to the present, in an era which has seen older and seemingly more secure dynasties vanish.

The first Coburg of Belgium, Leopold I, as that 'Dear Uncle' to whom Queen Victoria was so abjectly devoted in the early years of her reign. Cheated by the death of his first wife, Charlotte, Princess of Wales, daughter of George IV and Queen Caroline, from becoming Prince Consort to the Queen of England, the resilient Leopold of Saxe-Coburg not only became the constitutional monarch of Belgium but married the daughter of the King of France. With this the Coburgs were well launched on a climb from their petty German principality to position of enormous world power.

Leopold I's son, Leopold II, vastly enriched the family fortunes by his avaricious plunder of the Congo and scandalised Europe with his sexual promiscuity. In fact, not until the reign of 'Albert of the Belgians' (1909-34) and his beloved Queen Elisabeth, did the royal Coburgs prove themselves a very endearing family.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Belgium, Biography, Royalty, Historical

319 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Theo Aronson is an historical biographer specialising in the Royal Houses of Europe. Among his many widely read books are "The Golden Bees: The Story of the Bonapartes," "Grandmama of Europe" and "Royal Family: Years of Transition."

His books have been published in Britain, the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Holland and Belgium.

Theo Aronson lives in an eighteenth-century stone house in Frome, Somerset.

Reviews

[Philippe · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Belgian citizen I am embarrassed to admit my knowledge of our national history is very sketchy. So this colourful traversal of our royal dynasty was a pretty interesting read. I have nothing to compare it to, but it seems to me the author did a good job in weighing the often controversial legacies of some of our monarchs. Curious to see whether we will manage to keep the whole thing together for another ten years to celebrate 200 years of independence.

[Lenore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purchased this book for the information on Leopold I, as I am doing a research project of my own centred on his life, but after completing the part that covers his life also read the rest of the book.

For the most part, it served its purpose as an interesting and engrossing work of non-fiction. However, it is not without its faults, hence the three stars. Having been written in the 60s, I imagine some of the information is outdated, and it also comes across as being quite biased. There are quite a few instances of passages that are mainly opinion or speculation based, and it makes the reader wonder how much of the book is genuinely reliable.

Overall, most of the facts and information covered is interesting and has helped in my own research, but I would suggest to those also considering this book to take what is not backed up by irrefutable evidence with a pinch of salt.

[Michael Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Belgian monarchy is the most recent in Europe, created only in 1831 to reign over a patched-together nation newly separated from the Netherlands. Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, uncle and principal advisor of the soon-to-be Queen Victoria, accepted the job from the Belgian National Congress after turning down a similar offer from the Greeks; he married (as his third wife) the daughter of Louis-Philippe of France. Their son, Leopold II, is remembered mostly for the colonial genocide carried out on his orders in the Congo, of which he was personally the sole owner, and for his reliance on a particularly brutal form of slavery. His nephew, who succeeded him as Albert I, led the army heroically (though futilely) in World War I, but when the country’s right wing encouraged him to rule by decree, he refused, preferring constitutionalism to autocracy. His son, Leopold III, surrendered much too quickly to the armies of the Reich in 1940, spent the war under house arrest, went into exile in 1946 while his loyalty was examined, and was forced to abdicate in 1951 in favor of his son, Baudoin, a hyper-religious man who proved a sometimes difficult sovereign. (And that’s as far as the book goes, though the childless Baudoin was followed in 1993 by his younger brother as Albert II.) The Coburg women also were an unlucky lot, producing Empress Carlotta of Mexico, who died in 1927 after a half-century of intermittent insanity, and Stephanie, the wife of Archduke Rudolf of Austria, who killed himself in a suicide pact with his mistress in 1889. (She also had to fight her own father, Leopold II, in court over her inheritance.) If this story is a dynastic soap opera, Aronson tells it urbanely and entertainingly, with due attention to both fact and gossip, and without pulling his punches.

[Johannes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saying Aronson's book is outdate is a given since it was published in 1968, which lead me to think my mother was 8 when it come out, and as such it reflects the mores and views of those days in post WW2 Europe. In spite of this, the book covers all the kings up to Baudoin I's early reign, and the already by then obvious possibility his brother would be the next king given Baudoin and Fabiola lack of issue. If the current duchess of Brabant, Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, manages to become queen after her father King Philippe I, it would be the first time the Belgian crown went straight into a direct line ever.

As for the book itself, it reflects the good luck of the Coburgs, and their ascendancy to several thrones, especially the Belgian one, and the only one they still retain. Yes, the late Queen Elizabeth II might have been a Windsor on paper but she was the last Coburg of the line to reign on Britain since King Charles III is a Glucksburg as well as the Danes and Norwegians. Ironically, safer thrones don't exist anymore, Italy, Austria and Germany are all republics nowadays.
Aronson covers all the kings in line up to Baudoin early days, as I previously said, it is well written, albeit a bit deferential to his subjects which makes sense in its context but still to this day is one of the only books available to cover them since no other writer has dared to try nor it will be happening any time soon.

All in all, an interesting book that thanks again to the Dutch library system which I'm very thankful to support with my annual membership and I hope to continue to do so for many years to come.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating study of the Belgian monarchy from its inception in 1830 to the 1960s when Baudoin I came into his own. The book tells the story of the ambitious Leopold of Saxe-Coburg who, after losing out on being king consort of Great Britain (with the death of his wife Heiress Presumptive Princess Charlotte) agreed to becoming King of Belgium.
Leopold was followed by the evil, sarcastic and amoral Leopold II and then by Albert I. Albert was a good as his uncle (he was Leopold II’s nephew rather than son) was bad and his service to his country throughout WWI was as celebrates as that of George VI in WWII in GB.
Finally Albert is succeeded by his son Leopold III when he dies in a rock climbing fall. Leopold was as arrogant as Albert was not and lost his throne and his reputation by staying on in occupied Belgium during WWII either appearing to or actually collaborating with thr Nazis. This was a man who does not really make the case for hereditary monarchy.
All in all, a very interesting read.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time reading Aronson's books that I found myself desperately wanting an updated version. I usually accept them as an interesting snapshot of the past, but I do find myself curious on what he would think of how the questions he asks in the last chapter are being answered.

Anyway, Belgium. Extremely difficult country to get histories of in English. I've read a few that deal with earlier history, and they always put in their appearance during the World Wars. It is interesting how clearly the personalities of the kings have shaped the country, (which is probably made easier when you've only got a handful of kings to consider.)

This is a book of personalities, first and foremost. In-depth critical discussions of politics and actions are for other authors. Aronson is interested in the human element, a way of discovering the people behind the decisions they are (in)famous for.

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aronson's deft hand at writing about royalty breathes life into the Coburgs of Belgium, defiant indeed. A fascinating royal family. I barely knew Belgium was a monarchy, let alone the intricate, intriguing and enjoyable (for readers of royalty) facts about their lives and reigns - Leopold III was a quasi-collaborator with the Nazis; King Albert died in a mountain climbing accident; Princess Astrid in a car crash; the mad Empress Carlota of Mexico, the terrible, plutocratic Leopold II and the vile way he treated his sad wife and daughters. I knew next to nothing about this family. Although the book is quite old (a little bit older than me), Aronson's style does not feel dated. A quick Wikipedia search on Aronson's subjects left alive at the end of the book will add to the story.

[Diana Cheal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this. I love Aronson, as he writes so well and is able to be detailed but without being boring. He gives a great account of the Coburgs and what an interesting bunch. Was there a curse I wonder? Although it doesn’t seem to be the way with the present King. All of the Kings were so different and I love the stories of Albert and Elisabeth. Leopold 2 was not a nice man, and I now want to get copies of his daughters’ memoirs (Louise & Stephanie) as they seem fascinating. Leopold 3’s behaviour is fascinating and not always as it may seem, but he was very different to his father and more similar to his grandfather in temperament. For any Royal lovers, I’d definitely recommend.

[Martin Denton]

I got about halfway through this history of the royal family of Belgium, and then just sort of lost interest. I picked up the book because of stamp collecting: all those depictions of Leopolds and Badouins on postage stamps made me curious about who these monarchs were. I read, years ago, another book by Theo Aronson, "Grandmama of Europe," which I liked well enough. But I recall that it was dry and so, too, is this one. Not bad, mind you, just not holding my interest. But I am mercurial, right?

[Chaos · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting read, but it did bore me quite a bit. There was a lot of information thrown out and sort of scattered. Yet it did what it needed to do. It told the story of the coburgs and their rise and how involved they were in other royal families. There are so many books about the British, Russian, and Spanish Royal families but not many on the other families. They all had a part in building Europe and changing history. Loved learning more but not my usual type of book

[Valerie Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

History to enjoy

I choose this rating as the book was most enlightening about a family that came to join all the Royal houses together. The story of the first Coburg to rule Belgium and to the last who lost his throne for doing want he thought was best for his people. History will tell both side of the story and will be left to the people of Belgium to choose their side.

[Ian Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

From Leopold I to Baudouin

The book started quite well but tends to talk about Leopold I and II . As the dynasty goes in with discussion of successive monarchs there is less information. Needs updating to cover Albert II and his sin the current King of the Belgians, Philippe.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defiant Dynasty by Theo Aronson is the history of the Coburg dynasty in Belgium from its beginning through the 1950s. It is well-written and entertaining, and even though it dates from 1968, it surprisingly does address the cruelty and inhumanity of Leopold II's horrors in Congo.

[Sole · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's well written and researched, albeit old. It ends at the beggining of King Baudouin I reign.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The covers

This book was interesting. I did get confused by all the descents with them same name. I did learn a great deal about Belgian history.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read for reference while travelling in Belgium.

[Tammie Stroud · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I appreciate how this book was organized, I’m not sure the author really respects women?

[Wiktoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

That's a nice book to read and it definitely covers most of the basic information regarding Belgian royal family and its history. You have to keep in mind that it was published in 1968, so some of the details might be outdated and to learn about many crucial events which occured later, you have to look for another read.

The book reads really quickly, as it's written with an easy language and the information provided are mostly from the category of "light and pleasant". So, for example, a lot of info on private lives of the monarch, less about politics (but when they are, they're rather accessible for a reader not savvy in this topic).

If you're a royal enthusiast, who looks for something for a lazy evening to help you better understand the history of Belgian monarchy - that's a good book. If you would love to learn more about it as an institution involved in a political life of Belgium - not the bes place to find anything.

[Gordon Kwok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a lot of books by Mr. Aronson, these books attempt to weave narratives with facts and it is one of the reasons he is considered by many as best when it comes to writing about 18th-19th century European monarchies.

Overall, I enjoyed the story about how a prince who was the 9th child of the ruling duke of the small German principality of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (literally 18 miles) was chosen by the European powers such as France, UK, Austria and Russia as a “compromise” choice for sovereign of newly created Belgium in 1831, since it had just broken away from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In a way, his rise was unexpected and today his decedents still sit atop the Belgium throne. The book goes through all the monarchs up to Baudouin since the book was written in the 1970s. Overall, a great book if you want to learn about Belgium royal history.

[Carolyn Dickerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good presentation

Aside from the British branch of Saxe-Coburg, the Belgian branch managed to weather out the revolutionary storm of the old days and managed to stay in the throne while the other reigning house of Europe has since been deposed. This is a well written story about the head of the dynasty, and some members of it. I've read about the atrocities in Congo during the reign of Leopold II, it was cruel and inhumane to local population. Aside from his ambitions, his wanting for glory and hoarding his riches, Leopold II wasn't a good father to his daughters. Out of all the monarch that reigned in Belgium, to me he stood out the most and it was his story that prompted me to pick up this book. That and I appreciated the World War I and II reads as well.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started the book thinking it was a superficial account of the Belgian monarchy, but finished it thinking I learned a lot. I knew nothing of the King Leopolds or the Belgian monarchy prior to reading this book, so I came around as I learned more. What an interesting kingdom! The generations of kings were men with vast flaws and each had traits that spoke to the people for vastly different reasons and situations. Easy to read, and very, very interesting.

[Willem Ginckels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oranje boven!