de Ligne Eugene & Philippine (de Noailles)

De Ligne, Prince Eugène De Ligne-De Noailles, Philippine Bluma Zimet (b. 1930) and her elder brother Kathriel, fled from Nazi Germany in 1939 together with their parents, and they settled in Antwerp. After roundups and deportations of Jews started in 1942, Bluma was placed under the name Jeanne Blomme, in a home for the destitute, located in a castle at Bois d’Arlon, and known as Foyer Léopold III, where she was hidden for two months. Still later, after a short sojourn in a convent at Grande Halleux, she was taken to the castle of Prince Eugène de Ligne, the Château de Beloeil, which had become a shelter for Jewish children and Belgian citizens hiding from the German authorities. The prince and his wife, who had five children of their own, were personally involved in the ongoing care of the Jewish children, and made sure that they were taught the regular curriculum and received excellent medical care. As a first cousin to king Leopold III, Eugène de Ligne was able to call on the king’s private physician when needed to take care of his sick wards. Prince De Ligne and his wife spent much time with the children, even “spoiling” them with little surprises, such as hot wine when they were ill. The children loved the couple whose protection they enjoyed for the many months spent in their care. On June 24, 1975, Yad Vashem recognized Prince Eugène de Ligne and Philippine de Ligne-De Noailles as Righteous Among the Nations.