Charles-Alexandre de Lorraine statue on top of La Maison des Brasseurs also known as La Maison de l’Arbre d’Or (The House of the Golden Tree) at the Grand Place in Brussels.

Charles-Alexandre de Lorraine (1712–1780) was a member of the House of Lorraine, which played a crucial role in European politics, intermarrying with other royal houses and occupying various high-ranking positions. His lineage made him the brother of Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor, who was married to Maria Theresa of Austria, making Charles-Alexandre the brother-in-law of one of the most powerful women in European history. Beyond his military career, he held significant political and administrative roles. He was the Governor of the Austrian Netherlands (present-day Belgium), where he was noted for his efforts to modernize the economy and improve the welfare of his subjects. His governance was characterized by a degree of enlightenment, promoting arts, science, and reforming the legal system. He was a member of the Teutonic Order. By the time Charles-Alexandre was involved, the Teutonic Order had evolved from its original crusading mission in the Holy Land and the Baltic region to become more of a noble brotherhood with religious overtones, primarily consisting of aristocrats from across Europe.