Friday, January 27, 2012

George's Widow to be Queen Mary

January 27, 1936


The late George V's widow will continue "to be called officially Queen Mary and not Queen Mother Mary" after the king's funeral, and "at least until KIng Edward VIII marries," according to a decision by governmental and court officials.

The Chicago Daily Tribune also reports that "according to King George's will, which is not published," Queen Mary "has been left Sandringham House as long as she lives, after which it reverts to King Edward."  The newspaper reports that the new King Edward VIII will "substitute Fort Belvedere, at Sunningdale on the edge of the Windsor forest, for Sandringham as his country home."   Fort Belvedere is closer to London. 

Fort Belvedere is crown property. It was refitted recently "with modern furniture, an outdoor swimming pool, and a tennis court."  There are only fifteen rooms in house house, but it is "likely to become Edward's favorite abode even after he moves in Buckingham Palace."

Kira denies she's engaged to the Prince of Asturias

January 27, 1932

Grand Duchess Kira of Russia is "denying reports of her engagement to the Prince of Asturias, former heir to the Spanish throne," reports the Associated Press.

Her mother, Grand Duchess Victoria confirmed that there "was no engagement at present, " but my daughter shows a serious liking for the young man."

Grand Duchess Kira and the Prince of Asturias are second cousins.  Their mothers, Grand Duchess Victoria Feodorovna and Queen Victoria Eugenia, are first cousins.

Princess Pat loves Americans

January 27, 1912

Princess Patricia of Connaught loves New York, according to an exclusive dispatch to the Los Angeles Times.  The princess spent four days in New York City with her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Connaught.  There are so many things that she liked: "the Metropolitan Tower and the art galleries," as well as the opera house and "the fascinating glimpse of lower Broadway." 

The princess has made friends, and revels in the new "American girls' dance."

For four days, the charming and very pretty "fair-haired English girl" has had a "glorious American good time.   Some of King George's subjects "hold to a strange, old, whimsical idea that New York is an 'inartistic' city and America a land of 'crudity,'" but this is a view not held by Princess Patricia of Connaught.

She is interested in the American girls' lives because she has :found that American girls have for the most part been brought up less simply than she herself."

A Princess's education is not "hedged about with formality nor cushioned in luxury."  Princess Patricia has known "much of magnificence," yet "her own life has been, for the biggest part of each of her twenty-four years a simple thing."  She was brought up simply, but with a "certain sternness.   She also has a "freshness of enjoyment that many an American girl lacks. 

Her education has been such "as to fit her for any station from artist's wife to Queen."

Thursday, January 26, 2012

The Leishmans call on Prince Henry

January 26, 1912

American Ambassador John Leishman and Mrs. Leishman "made their introductory call" on Grand Admiral Prince Henry of Prussia and his wife, Irene, at the royal castle in Berlin, where "their Royal Highnesses arrived for the Kaiser's birthday celebrations."

Ambassador Leishman wore his "uniform for the occasion, reported the New York Times.  The Ambassador and his wife were not accompanied by their daughter, Nancy.

Love is in the air ... or in the car

January 26, 1906

King Alfonso XIII returned to Biarritz today to lunch privately with his fiancee, Princess Ena of Battenberg, and her mother, Princess Henry, reports the New York Times.

At 3 p.m., the King and Princess Ena got into Lord Dudley's automobile for an afternoon spin to Bayonne.  A little bit of wooing, or spooning?

After returning, the King rested "for a short time in a room reserved for him at the hotel," and then had dinner with the two princesses.  At 11:00 p.m., the King returned to San Sebastian.

Oh dear - pass the hat

http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2012/01/26/tough-times-for-the-worlds-royals/?mod=WSJBlog

Support Lifeline

Another "exclusive" interview with Danish Queen

Queen Margrethe II has been giving numerous "exclusive" interviews on the occasion of her Ruby Anniversary.  Here is the newest exclusive:


http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/26/uk-denmark-queen-paintings-idUSLNE80P02L20120126

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Prussia in San Remo

January 25, 1888

Crown Prince Friedrich and Crown Princess Victoria of Prussia arrived today in San Remo, and were presented with "handsome bouquets," on the occasion of their wedding anniversary," reports the New York Times.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess are celebrating their 30th anniversary.

The Crown Princess opened a charity bazaar in San Remo, and was again "presented with bouquets, the gift of the British and American residents of San Remo."

In the evening, the Crown Prince and Princess enjoyed a "display of fireworks" over their residence, the Villa Zirio.  A local band serenaded the imperial couple below their windows.   The Crown Prince appeared before a window, and "bowed in recognition of the compliment."

Tomorrow, the Crown Prince's second son, Prince Heinrich, will travel to Milan to meet his fiancee, Princess Irene, and her father, the Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine.

Juliana remains indoors

January 25, 1938

Crown Princess Juliana of the Netherlands did not live the palace today for her usual walk or automobile drive," reports the New York Times.   The princess is expecting her first child.  

Her private secretary said that the "bad weather" was the reason for the princess to stay inside.  But many believe that "medical intervention" will be needed if the Princess's "condition remained unchanged."

Princesses who work with their hands

January 25, 1908


Several royal ladies are, according to the Chicago Daily Tribune, "efficient workwomen."   Archduchess Isabella of Austria, the wife of Archduke Friedrich, "makes scented candles."   The Duchess of Guise is said to be a "skilled milliner," and is also known for her skill in making artificial flowers.  Duchess Philipp of Württemberg makes "ordinary surgical bandages" and "elastic stockings.

Princess Hermine Reuss makes watches and has exhibited her work.   Princess Arnulf of Bavaria enjoys making "beautiful lace."   Princess Ingeborg of Sweden  is a "noted toymaker."  All of the "gollywogs and other dolls, as well as the dolls' houses and furniture," in the nursery of her three daughters, Princesses Margaretha, Martha and Astrid, were made by her.

Alfonso visits Fiancee

January 26, 1906

King Alfonso XIII of Spain arrived today in Biarritz, France, and "took dejeuner" with his fiancee, Princess Ena of Battenberg, the Los Angeles Times reports in an exclusive dispatch. 

The guests at midday meal include Princess Ena's mother, Princess Henry of Battenberg, and her elder brother, Prince Alexander of Battenberg, and Princess Frederica of Hanover and her husband, Baron Alfons von Pawel-Rammingen. 

After lunch, the king traveled by car to Cambo, and then returned to Biarritz before heading back this evening to San Sebastian.  During his visit with Princess Ena, the king maintained "a rigorous incognito as Baron de Covadonga."

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

another QVD

Princess Tatiana zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg and her husband, Hubertus Stephan, are the parents of a son, Carl Casper, born on January 22 in Munich.

A third grandchild for Prince and Princess Andreas zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

Charlotte Casiraghi's problems with the press

even though she is not a "Monaco Royal"

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57363962-10391698/monaco-royal-has-paparazzi-troubles-too/

Rumors of a Swedish royal engagement

January 24, 1932


The Los Angeles Times reports exclusively on the rumors in Sweden concerning the engagement of Hereditary Prince Gustaf Adolf.  Several names have been suggested as the the future bride, but the "most prominently mentioned" is Princess Sibylla of of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

The couple met in London recently at the wedding of Queen Mary's niece, Lady May Cambridge.  Princess Sibylla was one of Lady May's bridesmaids.