Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Unhappy Princess Viktoria Luise: Oh Fugger!

Marlene A Eilers Koenig Collection



March 28, 1912

The Chicago Daily Tribune has learned on "indisputable authority" that Princess Viktoria Luise of Prussia, only daughter of Kaiser Wilhelm II, is the "unhappy heroine" in a story of a true love romance.

Princess Viktoria Luise, 19, "feel deeply in love" with the hereditary Count Georg Fugger von Babenhausen, a lieutenant in the elite gardes du corps in Potsdam. 
The Fugger von Babenhausen family originated in Bavaria and was once one of the wealthiest princely families in Europe.

The affection was said to be mutual, but the princess soon learned that a marriage would be impossible due to the difference in rank, and because the "Fuggers are devout Roman Catholics."

As a result of her family's determination to end the relationship, the Princess has "succumbed to a distressing attack of nervous prostration," and has removed herself from the rest of the court season.

As soon as the season ended, Viktoria Luise's parents decided to send her to St. Moritz with her brother, the Crown Princes, and his wife, in the hope that she would forget about her count, and enjoy the Swiss winter sports.  But the "cure"  was not a "complete success." 

It has now been decided that the princess will not remain in Germany with her mother, but instead, she will accompany her father on his Mediterranean and Corfu sojourn.

As the Kaiser's only daughter, Princess Viktoria Luise has been the subject of numerous matrimonial rumors, but her own "personal preference" for the Hereditary Count Fugger has been oft-reported in the German press.

It has been stated "with positiveness" that she was going to marry the hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, but this report was officially denied.  The Princess has also been linked with the heir to the British throne, the Prince of Wales.

Princess Viktoria Luise is said to have a "charming personality," and there is much sympathy for her dilemma.

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