Following the death of Eugene of Savoy in 1736, the estate was inherited by Queen Elisabeth, and later by the famous queen Maria Theresa. Until 1775, it was under the administration of Vienna Court Chamber. During that period, the arable land in possession of the estate was ranked as first-category land due to its quality. Aware of its value, Maria Theresa gave Belje as a gift to her daughter Maria Christina and her husband Albert, royal governor of Hungary, under one condition: should the couple fail to produce male heirs, the estate would be given to another family member.