London, 12 March 2025: A prestigious reception was held on Wednesday evening at the Residence of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in London to celebrate the launch of an ambitious project to restore the historic gardens and orchard of Hougoumont Farm, a key site of the Battle of Waterloo.
This exclusive dinner was jointly organised by His Excellency Mr Jeroen Cooreman, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the United Kingdom, and Mr Motonobu Kasajima, Delegate General of Wallonia-Brussels to the United Kingdom.
The evening was graced by the presence of Their Royal Highnesses Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz of Belgium, as well as His Excellency the Duke of Wellington, underscoring the historical and cultural importance of this initiative.
The restoration, led by Kléber Rossillon Waterloo, the management company of the Battle of Waterloo Estate, began with the successful renovation of the Farm's buildings on the occasion of the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo in 2015. This ambitious project aims to transform the gardens and orchard into a sustainable educational biosphere and eco-garden, thereby ensuring the preservation of this iconic site for future generations.
During the evening, guests were able to discover the vision behind the project, which combines the enhancement of natural heritage with ecological awareness-raising for younger generations.
“The battlefield of Waterloo is a cornerstone of Belgian heritage. Preserving it is essential; but preserving it goes beyond mere conservation: it is about safeguarding, promoting and passing on a shared European heritage that unites our two nations for future generations. This project is also an opportunity to build an even closer strategic partnership between Belgium and the United Kingdom,” stressed Minister-President Dolimont.
The Duke of Wellington, whose ancestor played a key role in the Battle of Waterloo, welcomed this initiative, highlighting the importance of preserving these sites for both historical reflection and environmental protection.
The event raised awareness and generated strong support for this project, with guests reaffirming their commitment to preserving one of Europe's most iconic battlefields.