Harold Charles d'Aspremont Lynden

Harold René Charles Marie, comte d'Aspremont Lynden (17 January 1914 – 1 April 1967) was a Belgian cabinet minister, politician of the PSC-CVP and Cavalry Lieutenant-Colonel. He is also notable as Belgium's last Minister of African Affairs (1960-1961), serving as such in Gaston Eyskens' third cabinet. Lynden has been accused of complicy in the 1961 assassination of Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba.

Early life Harold René Charles Marie d'Aspremont Lynden was born in Brussels on January 17, 1914. His parents were Count Charles d'Aspremont Lynden and Edith de Favereau, daughter of Paul de Favereau. He belonged to the Aspremont-Lynden Belgian noble family.

After studying classics at Maredsous Abbey from 1926 to 1931, he graduated from the Catholic University of Leuven as a doctor of law in July 1936. He completed his compulsory military service as a reserve officer in the 13th Line Regiment at Namur (1936–37) before returning to Leuven to study social and political economics.

Personal life His daughter Catherine married Jean-Pierre Berghmans, an industrialist who was the head of the Lhoist group. He died in Natoye in 1967.

Honours Commander of the Ordre de Léopold, Knight of the Ordre de Léopold with palms Croix de Guerre 1940 with palms Médaille de la Résistance 1940-1945, Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1940-1945 with crossed sabres Commander of the Ordre d'Orange-Nassau of the Netherlands King's Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom