Place Marie-José – Marie-Joséplein

Did Marie-José of Belgium, the last Queen of Italy, ever imagine a square in Brussels bearing her name? Place Marie-José, also known as Marie-Joséplein, stands as a triangular testament to this intriguing royal. Located at the intersection of Avenue du Pesage, Avenue du Bois de la Cambre, Avenue du Derby, and Avenue Air Marshal Coningham, Place Marie-José offers a glimpse into a life intertwined with European royalty and political intrigue. The square’s namesake, Princess Marie-José, was born in Ostend, Belgium, in 1906. She married Crown Prince Umberto of Italy in 1930. This union placed her at the heart of Italian society during a tumultuous period in history. During World War II, Marie-José became a unique diplomatic channel between warring European nations. Her brother, Leopold III of Belgium, was held hostage by German forces. Simultaneously, her position as the wife of the Italian heir to the throne gave her proximity to Benito Mussolini’s cabinet. She attempted to broker a separate peace treaty between Italy and the United States. She even appealed to Adolf Hitler for leniency towards the Belgian people. Despite her efforts, these attempts ultimately failed. Place Marie-José in Brussels commemorates not only her royal lineage, but also her courageous and often controversial actions. Following Italy’s alliance with the Allies, her father-in-law, King Victor Emmanuel III, withdrew from government. Her husband, Umberto, became regent. Marie-José and Umberto toured war-torn Italy, gaining public favor. However, it wasn’t until just weeks before the 1946 referendum that Victor Emmanuel III finally abdicated. Marie-José briefly became Queen of Italy. Her reign lasted a mere 34 days, earning her the moniker “the May Queen.” The monarchy was abolished by referendum shortly thereafter. The former royal couple went into exile. Marie-José spent most of her remaining years in Switzerland, separated from Umberto but never divorced. She returned to Italy only after his death in 1983. She died of lung cancer in 2001. As you stand at Place Marie-José today, imagine the life of this remarkable woman. From a Belgian princess to the last Queen of Italy, her story echoes across this quiet square in Brussels. It serves as a reminder of the complexities of European history and the often-unseen roles played by its royal figures.