Meise Botanic Garden and the municipality of Meise are organising a year-long programme to mark the centenary of the death of Empress Charlotte of Mexico. The commemorations began on 1 November 2026, ahead of the actual anniversary on 19 January 2027, and continue until December 2027. The programme includes exhibitions, concerts, lectures, theatre performances and heritage activities.
The opening event is the exhibition ‘Adios Mama Carlota‘ at Bouchout Castle, where Charlotte spent the final decades of her life. It traces her extraordinary journey from Belgian princess to Mexican empress through photographs, illustrations and video recreations, as well as 28 scenes represented by colourful felt dolls.
Charlotte was born in Laken / Laeken (Brussels) in 1840, the daughter of Belgium’s first king, Leopold I, and Queen Louise-Marie. In 1857 she married Archduke Maximilian of Austria. With French backing, Maximilian accepted the Mexican crown in 1864, making Charlotte empress. Their empire faced fierce opposition and collapsed after France withdrew its support. Charlotte returned to Europe in 1866 to seek help from Napoleon III and Pope Pius IX, but both appeals failed. Maximilian was executed in Mexico in 1867. Charlotte returned to Belgium and lived first in Tervuren and later at Bouchout Castle, where she died on 19 January 1927, aged 86.
The exhibition has two parts. The first, organised by heritage association Berla, presents an overview of Charlotte’s life through photographs, illustrations and video footage recreating key episodes. The second brings 28 scenes from her life to the upper floors of the castle’s square tower through felt dolls in the colourful style of Día de los Muertos, Mexico’s Day of the Dead. They were created by Francisco Rivas, formerly of the National Museum of History at Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City, where Charlotte once lived. This part was developed with support from the Mexican embassy.
The title ‘Adios Mama Carlota’ refers to a Mexican folk song from the period of the French intervention, which mockingly bade farewell to the empress. The exhibition offers a more reflective look at her life and legacy, including themes of vulnerability and resilience.
The wider ‘Carlota 100 jaar‘ programme will involve local organisations, schools, the library and businesses. Public buildings and village centres will be decorated for the occasion, while local shopkeepers will create themed window displays. The programme includes lectures, theatre, documentaries, book presentations, concerts and local art and heritage projects.
Later in 2027, Meise Botanic Garden will also present ‘Viva Carlota‘, an exhibition featuring artists including Ulrike Bolenz. Through sculptures, they will explore echoes of Charlotte’s voice and themes of female resilience.
The municipal executive said the commemorative year would bring an important part of Meise’s history to life and introduce residents to it through culture and local activities.
Koen Es, director of public services at Meise Botanic Garden, noted that Charlotte was the estate’s last resident before the botanic garden was established. Some of its landscaped areas and trees date from her time there, and her name remains closely connected to the site.
‘Adios Mama Carlota’ runs from 1 November 2026 to 2 May 2027 at Bouchout Castle. Admission is included in the entrance ticket to Meise Botanic Garden. Further information is available on the garden’s website.
The wider ‘Carlota 100 jaar’ programme runs until December 2027. Further details will be announced through the municipality’s communication channels and at www.meise.be/carlota.
