Charles de Limburg Stirum

Life

Charles was born in Huldenberg, Belgium, and was the second son of Count Evrard Philippe de Limburg Stirum (29 October 1868 – 8 May 1938) and Louise, Baroness Gericke d'Herwijnen (17 April 1881 - 6 September 1969). He was later adopted by his aunt, Countess Marie de 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 (Bohemia) he married Princess Marie Kunigunde of Lobkowicz (1906-2005), a daughter of Jaroslav, 11th Prince of Lobkowicz, Duke of Roudnice (26 March 1877 - 24 October 1953) and Countess Marie-Thérèse of Beaufort-Spontin (6 August 1885 - 22 February 1942).

They had eight children:

Countess Marie Keijsers of Limburg-Stirum; born in 1935. In 1956, she married Count Gobert-Leopold d'Aspermont Lynden and they have seven children:

Count Jean d'Aspermont; born in 1957. He married Dominique Lamarche and they have two children:

Count Gobert d'Aspermont; born in 1986.

Countess Diane d'Aspermont; born in 1990.

Countess Elizabeth d'Aspermont; born in 1958.

Count Philippe d'Aspermont; born in 1959.

Count Geoffrey d'Aspermont; born in 1962.

Countess Sophie d'Aspermont; born in 1964.

Countess Clothilde d'Aspermont; born in 1967. In 1993, she married Philippe Haeglsteen.

Count Cristoph d'Aspermont; born in 1979.

Countess Gabrielle Keijsers of Limburg-Stirum; born in 1936. In 1958, she married Count Didier Cornet d'Elzius du Chenoy and they have three children:

Count Etienne Cornet d'Elzius du Chenoy; born in 1959. He married Dominique de Wasseige and they have four children:

Honours and awards

Belgian honours

Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown

Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold II

Knight of the Order of Leopold

Belgian awards

Croix de Guerre with bronze lion

Volunteer's Medal 1940-1945

Commemorative Medal of the War 1940-1945 with crossed swords

Prisoner of War Medal 1940-1945

Resistance Medal 1940-1945

Honorary Insignia of Work

Foreign honours

Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece (Austrian Branch)

United Kingdom: Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (United Kingdom) (GCVO)

Holy See: Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great (Holy See) (GCSG)

Luxembourg: Grand Cross of the Order of the Oak Crown (Luxembourg)

Brazil: Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross (Brazil)

Japan: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (Japan)

Netherlands: Grand Cross of the Order of the House of Orange (Netherlands)

Austria: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (Austria)

Senegal: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (Senegal)

Sweden: Commander Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Polar Star (Sweden)

Denmark: Grand Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog (Denmark)

Norway: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of St Olav

Thailand: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Thailand

Serbia: Grand Officer of the Order of the Yugoslav Flag

Foreign awards

French Liberation Medal

Various foreign awards

Honorific eponyms

Mount Limburg Stirum