Caroline Lacroix
Delacroix was of French origin. She met Leopold in Paris as a young girl. She was only 16 and he was 65. At that time, she was a prostitute. They soon started a relationship. It lasted until his death in 1909. Leopold gave her large sums of money, estates and gifts. He also gave her a noble title, baronne de Vaughan (Baroness Vaughan). Because of these presents, Caroline was unpopular in Belgium and other countries. People did not like the greedy actions of Leopold in the Congo Free State. This area was his own personal colony. Since Caroline was being supported by the king's income from the colony, she became known as La reine du Congo ("The Queen of the Congo").