Posted by Johan on July 6, 2013, 2:50 pm, in reply to "Re: Queen Juliana"
Basically the Donation of Leopold II was to provide for a crowncollection that existed in other monarchies. There are plenty of examples of foundations or trusts that hold jewels. The Bernadotte foundation in Sweden and the foundation started by Queen Lovisa of Denmark are two examples. Queen Victoria decided that a certain part of her jewels would for ever be at the disposal of The Queen (either regnant or consort). This after she had to hand over most of the pieces inherited from Queen Charlotte to her uncle Ernest King of Hanover.
--Previous Message-- : In retrospect we can only have the utmost : respect for Queen Juliana whom made the very : difficult decision to donate the bulk of her : very own private belongings to various : foundations. This means that private : ownership from Orange-Nassaus, sometimes for : centuries, has been handed over to legal : entities. Her mother Queen Wilhelmina : started with these transfers: the Crown : Domains, acquired by generations of : Orange-Nassaus were donated to the State : (with various conditions). : : Maybe the Belgian royal family is not happy : with the massive donation by Leopold II to : the state. Despite its origin as a royal : donation, the Koninklijke Schenking/Donation : Royale often causes controverses and despite : the given capital many properties seem not : in good state and when money is used for : restorations then still there is nagging and : criticisms while the very same donation : actually keeps the costs of the Belgian : monarchy quite low while having many great : estates. : : Maybe these outcomes of Leopold II's gift : has made other Belgian royals hesistant : about royal foundations for private : properties. Queen Fabiola, the Nun-Queen, : has faced fierce storms of criticisms. They : can never do any good in Belgium, it often : looks.... : : --Previous Message-- : Queen Paola has started with the Kongo : gifts. : Fabiola still is alive so is free to do with : her personal jewels as she sees fit. The : jewels left by Leopold III are with either : Albert II or Fabiola as well, but could also : be with Philippe allready. : : --Previous Message-- : Then what's keeping them you might wonder? : : : --Previous Message-- : That all depends on the stipulations made : with : the donation. So anything is possible. : : --Previous Message-- : They only question is: What would happen to : it : after a (hopefully not) possible breakup of : Belgium and the abloition of the Monarchy. : Would they have given back to then then : former reigning Family or reamin in the : posession of successor states. : : --Previous Message-- : : HM Queen Paola did the start. She donated : the Kongo Diamond Parurecto the royal : foundation. : : : : : --Previous Message-- : Queen Fabiola has a very easy solution for : her : jewels. She could leave them to the state : like Leopold II did with most of his : inheritance. She could stipulate the jewels : are to be worn by the Queen, Duchess of : Brabant or ladies of the Royal Family. : Nobody would be paying inheritance tax and : it would be start of a crown collection of : jewels. : : --Previous Message-- : Leaving the Wolfers collier/necklace to : Princess Elisabeth would not skip : inheritance taxes. For heirs who do not have : any consanguity with the deceased the : succession taxes can go to maxima of 65% : (Flanders), 80% (Brussels) or 80% : (Wallonia), depending on the netto worth of : the inheritance per heir. Prince Philippe, : Princess Mathilde or their daughter Princess : Elisabeth all are in the same situation to : Queen Fabiola: none of them are related to : her. All of them will be faced with the : highest percentage of succession taxes. : : Would Queen Fabiola leave a surviving : husband or surviving children then the : succession taxes are at maximum 27% when the : worth is more than € 250.000,-- per person : (her surviving spouse or each of her : surviving issue). No wonder that the : succession taxes are the most hated taxes in : Belgium. It is often felt as "All my : life I have saved and built my estate. (In : Queen Fabiola's case it also is about : properties inherited from her De Mora y : Aragón family). After my death the State : suddenly knocks on the door and demands an : absurd percentage as taxes!" : : So many Belgians avoid these taxes in all : possible (legal) ways. Queen Fabiola tried : (tries) this as well by foundations as Fons : Pereos or Foundation Astrida. This deliverd : her hard critics from politicians, media and : public (who all on their turn of course do : exactly the same in avoiding all taxes). I : wish Queen Fabiola a lot of wisdom in : managing her jewels and other properties in : the best possible way. That is all difficult : enough in Belgium. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :
on July 6, 2013, 2:50 pm, in reply to "