Princess Lilian of Belgium (born Mary Lilian Baels, 28 November 1916(1916-11-28) – 7 June 2002) best known as Princess of Réthy, was the controversial second wife of King Leopold III of the Belgians.
Mary Lilian Baels was born in London, England, where her parents were living at the time. She was one of the nine children of Henri Baels and his wife, Anne Marie de Visscher. Lilian was initially educated in English, but, upon her parents' return to...
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Princess Lilian of Belgium (born Mary Lilian Baels, 28 November 1916(1916-11-28) – 7 June 2002) best known as Princess of Réthy, was the controversial second wife of King Leopold III of the Belgians.
Mary Lilian Baels was born in London, England, where her parents were living at the time. She was one of the nine children of Henri Baels and his wife, Anne Marie de Visscher. Lilian was initially educated in English, but, upon her parents' return to Belgium, she attended a school in Ostend, where she learned Dutch. She continued her studies in French in Brussels. She completed her education by attending a finishing school in London, the Holy Child. In addition to academic work, Lilian participated extensively in sports, such as skiing, swimming, golfing, and hunting. Above all, however, she enjoyed, as did her father, literature and the arts. At the age of 20, she was presented to King George V and Queen Mary of the United Kingdom at Buckingham Palace. (cf. Jean Cleeremans, Léopold III,...
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