Secretariat of king Leopold III. Jacques Pirenne

Collection

Web address:: http://www.arch.be/index.php?l=nl&m=praktische-info&r=onze-leeszalen&d=koninklijk-paleis

Title (official language):: Secretariaat van koning Leopold III. Jacques Pirenne

Scope and content:: The archives of secretary Jacques Pirenne contain notes concerning steps taken by Leopold III on behalf of Jews during the Occupation (see file no. 48) – including a list of individuals who were aided by these interventions.

Administrative/biographical history:: The tasks of the Sécrétariat du Roi / Secretariaat van de Koning (1909-1924, 1934-1951) exceeded those of a mere private secretariat, and were often similar to those of the cabinet of the King. Under the reign of Albert I, the secretariat (led by Max-Léo Gerard) primarily took care of financial, economic and business-related matters. During the (active) reign of Leopold III, secretary Robert Capelle kept in touch with the ministers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stayed informed about government negotiations and crises. From 1945 to 1950, secretary Jacques Pirenne held this function. The Queen generally had her own secretariat coordinating Her Majesty’s various occupations – mainly in the social, humanitarian and cultural field. Her secretary also directly supervised the secretariat’s Social Service. This service, set up by queen Elisabeth, assisted citizens seeking justice or some form of relief, and sometimes even provided material support. (G. Janssens, “De medewerkers van het Staatshoofd in België: taken en archief (1831-2011)”, in Museum Dynasticum, no. 2, 2011, pp. 49-61; G. Janssens, “Het Staatshoofd”, in P. van den Eeckhout & G. Vanthemsche, Bronnen voor de studie van het hedendaagse België 19e – 21e eeuw. Tweede herziene en uitgebreide uitgave. Brussel, Koninklijke Commissie voor Geschiedenis / Commission Royale d’Histoire, 2009, pp. 266-295.)