tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666114716955489883.post4288101095646627778..comments2024-02-14T22:57:55.638-05:00Comments on The Cross of Laeken: A Soldier and a LadyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666114716955489883.post-62951726910919771722010-01-21T11:31:08.609-05:002010-01-21T11:31:08.609-05:00There were a number of different ways things could...There were a number of different ways things could have gone, with different people being chosen as first King of the Belgians. Another option was Louis, Duc de Nemours, second son of Louis-Philippe of France. <br /><br />I'll have to find out more about the Prince de Ligne. Thanks for the comments.Mayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18230268418171628594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666114716955489883.post-52988277974453596232010-01-21T09:31:42.162-05:002010-01-21T09:31:42.162-05:00Hey, another interesting thing. I read that before...Hey, another interesting thing. I read that before the throne of Belgium was offered to Leopold, it was offered to the head of Belgium's first noble family, Prince Eugène de Ligne. But the nobleman refused, saying that he could contribute more to Belgium as Prince of Ligne than as King of the Belgians. It would be interesting to read about his life.<br /><br />The current Prince de Ligne is Michel, married to Princess Leonor de Orléans e Bragança, a direct descendant of Emperor Pedro I of Brazil and King Louis-Philippe of the French.Jorgenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666114716955489883.post-36829206016224326492010-01-21T09:27:40.335-05:002010-01-21T09:27:40.335-05:00What an interesting post. I always imagined Leopol...What an interesting post. I always imagined Leopold I as a very energetic man who only cared about founding a respectable dynasty and making Belgium an important nation in Europe. I thought he wouldn't be such a...vulnerable (if that's the right word) person. But his life was quite difficult. He lost the love of his life (Princess Charlotte) and accepted a throne of a country which had nothing in common with him. It must have been difficult, but certainly his efforts were worth the try.<br />Thanks, Matterhorn.Jorgenoreply@blogger.com