EXILED AND PARTED

Grey River Argus, 19 August 1944, Page 6

EXILED AND PARTED

BELGIAN KING AND FAMILY

NAZIS' ACTION ON D. DAY

WELLINGTON, Aug. 18 The Belgian Consulate in Wellington has received a cable from the Belgian Press Agency in London stating that the Belgian underground newspaper “La Loulet’te,” writing of the exile, of King Leopold of. Belgium and the Belgian Royal Family, states: On June 6, the day of the Allied, landing in Normandy, King Leopold was suddenly informed of a German, decision to remove him to Germany. His protest was useless. The .King was refused permission to see his brother, .Prince Charles, he asked to see his.children, who were, at the Ciergnon .Chateau,. Namur., This was permitted, provided that the Princes should arrive at Laeken before 7a.m. on June 7, the hour for the King’s departure. The children were telephoned, but were unable to leave Ciergnon before June 7. At 7.15 a.m. they had not arrived at Laeken, and the King then had to leave. He was accompanied by an orderly, Major Gierst, and his valet. He was taken to Ciergnon, arriving there, at 11 a.m. The Princes, however, had left, early, for Laeken, by a. different route, so they .did not meet the King, He remained at the Ciergnon Chateau uritil the evening of June 7. German authorities th'eri informed him that the entire, Royal Family was to be transferred to Germany. The King protested that this decision was without justification, as the Royal Family should not be regarded as prisoners of war, and therefore they should remain in Belgium. He was told that the orders cafrie from. Germany, and that they must lie obeyed. The Princes reached the Lhekeh Palace, but it was shortly after the King’s departure. .. . ■ , ; On the same day Queen Elizabeth and Princes . Derethy were told of the decision to transfer the ■ Royal Family to Germany. They protested, and Cardinal Van Roey and the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal were summoned to Laeken, /the Queen and the Princess requesting them to lodge protests. June 7

and 8, were spent in vain attemprs to get the decision withdrawn. , A doctor was permited to accompany tne Princess; hut her tutor was excluded. Queen Elizabeth and Princes Deretny were told that it .was most improbable that the Royal Family would rejoin the King. He was taken to Germany on June 7, arid his wife and children on June 9. The Queen Mother Elizabeth, remained in Belgium.