Embassy of the United Kingdom, Brussels

Last updated

British Embassy, Brussels
Embassy of the United Kingdom, Brussels
Location Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Brussels, Belgium
AddressAvenue d'Auderghem / Oudergemlaan 10
Coordinates 50°50′30″N4°23′04″E / 50.8418°N 4.3845°E / 50.8418; 4.3845
Ambassador Martin Shearman
Website British Embassy, Brussels

The Embassy of the United Kingdom in Brussels (French : Ambassade des Royaume-Uni en Bruxelles; Dutch : Ambassade van de Verenigde Koninkrijk in Brussel) is the chief diplomatic mission of the United Kingdom in Belgium. The embassy also represents the British Overseas Territories in Belgium.

Contents

The embassy is located at 10, avenue d'Auderghem/Oudergemlaan and the building also hosts the UK's Mission to the EU (UKMis). [1] [2] Martin Shearman has been the British Ambassador to Belgium since June 2019. [3]

History

The original British mission was located at the Hôtel de Rodes, on the corner of the Rue de Spa/Spastraat and the Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat, and served as the embassy building until it was evacuated at the outbreak of the Second World War. After the war, the embassy outgrew the building and the Ambassador's residence was moved to the Rue Ducale/Hertogsstraat. The embassy expanded into buildings on the nearby Rue Joseph II/Jozef II-straat. In the 1960s, as the pressure grew on the building, the embassy and mission to the EEC moved to a purposefully built Britannia House. In the 1970s, the UK Mission to the EEC moved out of the Britannia House to 6, Robert Schuman Roundabout. The bilateral embassy, however, resided at Britannia House until the 1990s when it moved to 85, rue d'Arlon/Aarlenstraat. [4]

Nowadays, both the bilateral embassy and the UK Mission to the EU reside at 10, avenue d'Auderghem/Oudergemlaan. [1] The UK also maintains a separate delegation to NATO based in Brussels at NATO's headquarters on the Boulevard Leopold III/Leopold III-laan. [5]

Ambassador's residence

The Rue Ducale /Hertogsstraat , the location of the British Residence Hertogstraat - Rue Ducale street in Brussels, Belgium, with the American Embassy.jpg
The Rue Ducale/Hertogsstraat, the location of the British Residence

The British Ambassador's official residence, the former Hôtel de Croÿ, is located at 17, rue Ducale/Hertogsstraat. The building was built by architect Louis Sauvage around 1911–1913. It is a large and elegant terraced town house facing Brussels Park. The building was acquired by the British Government after the restoration of the embassy following the end of the Second World War. The owner was Mrs Renée de Becker-Rémy who originally leased the building to the British Ministry of Works and then sold the house and some of its furniture in 1947. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of the Netherlands</span>

The foreign policy of the Netherlands is based on four basic commitments: to the Atlantic cooperation, to European integration, to international development and to international law. While historically the Kingdom of the Netherlands was a neutral state, since 1945 it has become a member of NATO, the United Nations, the European Union and many other international organizations. The Dutch economy is very open and relies on international trade. During and after the 17th century—its Golden Age—the Dutch built up a commercial and colonial empire. It was a leading shipping and naval power and was often at war with England, its main rival. Its main colonial holding was Indonesia, which fought for and achieved independence after 1945. The historical ties inherited from its colonial past still influence the foreign relations of the Netherlands. Foreign trade policy is handled by the European Union. The Dutch have been active in international peacekeeping roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of Belgium</span>

Belgium is a country in Europe and member of major international organizations like the European Union and NATO which are both headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heads of Diplomatic Missions of the United Kingdom</span>

The Heads of British diplomatic missions are persons appointed as senior diplomats to individual nations, or international organizations. They are usually appointed as ambassadors, except in member countries of the Commonwealth of Nations where a high commissioner is appointed. The head of mission to an international organization is usually a permanent representative. For some nations a consul or consul-general is appointed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egmont Palace</span> Palace in Brussels, Belgium

The Egmont Palace, also sometimes known as the Arenberg Palace, is a neoclassical palace in Brussels, Belgium. It was originally built between 1548 and 1560 for Countess Françoise of Luxembourg and Count Lamoral of Egmont, though its appearance was heavily modified in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was partly destroyed by fire in 1892, after which it was once again reconstructed. Nowadays, it is used by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for receptions, as a guest house and conference centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brussels and the European Union</span>

Brussels (Belgium) is considered the de facto capital of the European Union, having a long history of hosting a number of principal EU institutions within its European Quarter. The EU has no official capital but Brussels hosts the official seats of the European Commission, Council of the European Union, and European Council, as well as a seat of the European Parliament. In 2013, this presence generated about €250 million and 121,000 jobs. The main rationale for Brussels being chosen as "capital of the European Union" was its halfway location between France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the three countries whose rivalry played a role in starting the two World Wars and whose reconciliation paved the way for European integration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belgium–United Kingdom relations</span> Bilateral relations

Belgium–United Kingdom relations are foreign relations between Belgium and the United Kingdom. Belgium has an embassy in London and 8 honorary consulates. The United Kingdom has an embassy in Brussels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belgium–United States relations</span> Bilateral relations

The United States and Belgium maintain a friendly bilateral relationship. Continuing to celebrate cooperative U.S. and Belgian relations, 2007 marked the 175th anniversary of the nations' relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kosovo–United Kingdom relations</span> Bilateral relations

Kosovo–United Kingdom relations are foreign relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. When Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008, the United Kingdom became one of the first countries to announce the official recognition of a sovereign Kosovo on 18 February 2008. The United Kingdom has had an embassy in Pristina since 5 March 2008. Kosovo has had an embassy in London since 1 October 2008. The two countries have very good and friendly relations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the United Kingdom, Kyiv</span> Diplomatic mission

The British Embassy Kyiv is the British sovereign's diplomatic mission to Ukraine, representing the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom's interests. The embassy is located on Desyatynna street in the Pecherskyi District of the city, right opposite to the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The British Ambassador to Ukraine is Martin Harris who was appointed in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belgium–Luxembourg relations</span> Bilateral relations

Belgium–Luxembourg relations are the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Belgium and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the United Kingdom, Belgrade</span> UK diplomatic mission

The Embassy of the United Kingdom in Belgrade is the chief diplomatic mission of the United Kingdom in Serbia. It also represents the British Overseas Territories in Serbia.

The Embassy of Sweden, Brussels was the diplomatic mission of Sweden in Brussels between 1837 and 2011. The mission was elevated from legation to embassy in 1956. The embassy in Brussels had a bilateral role, focusing on enhancing Sweden's relations with Belgium. It housed a consular section offering services to Swedish citizens and individuals with Swedish connections. Additionally, the embassy hosted the Swedish Trade Council's office as its trade section. The ambassador's responsibilities included maintaining continuous dialogue with the Belgian government, especially regarding EU affairs, and fostering economic and cultural ties between Belgium and Sweden. Since 2011, a Stockholm-based ambassador has been responsible for the bilateral relations between Sweden and Belgium. In 2020, Sweden opened a consulate general in Brussels with a focus on consular activities.

References

  1. 1 2 "British Embassy Brussels". FCDO. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  2. ↑ "UK Mission to the EU". FCDO. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  3. ↑ "Martin Shearman". FCDO. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Belgium: Brussels". Room for Diplomacy Catalogue of British embassy and consulate buildings, 1800 – 2010. 6 October 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  5. ↑ "UK Joint Delegation to NATO". FCDO. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.