Charles of Limburg Stirum


Count Charles Gaëtan Corneille Marie François-Xavier Ghislain of Limburg Stirum, GCVO, GCSG, a Count of the Holy Roman Empire and Knight of the Golden Fleece, was a member of the House of Limburg-Stirum. During his life he was a Belgian Senator and Grand Master of the Royal Households of King Leopold III.

Life

Charles was born in Huldenberg, Belgium, and was the second son of Evrard Philippe, Count of Limburg Stirum and Louise, Baronne Gericke d'Herwijnen. He was later adopted by his aunt, Marie of Limburg Stirum who was without descent, to inherit the castle of Bois Saint Jean in the South of Belgium.
During World War II, he fought as a captain with the Belgian panzer troops and was made prisoner by the Germans. After being released, he took an active part in the armed resistance against the occupier. Bois Saint Jean became an important drop point of material and arms to the Belgian resistance. During the Von Rundstedt Offensive in the Winter of 1944, Bois Saint Jean was overtaken by the Germans and used as local headquarter. The US Army Air Force bombed it to the ground in January 1945. After the war, he rebuilt the castle of Bois Saint Jean, though in a different style than the original building.
Charles de Limburg Stirum served as Senator, then was appointed Grand Master of the King Leopold III after King Leopold's abdication. He held this office until 1971.
He died in Brussels on 14 June 1989.

Marriage and Descent

On 13 June 1932 in Křimice he married Marie Kunigunde Princess of Lobkowicz, a daughter of Jaroslav, 11th Prince of Lobkowicz, Duke of Roudnice and Marie-Thérèse Countess of Beaufort-Spontin.
They had eight children:
He then married Régine Roberti.

Belgian honours