Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Officials diffuse attempt on Ferdinand's life

April 2, 1893


Three railroad officials and four officers are now under arrest for plotting to kill Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria, according to a Berlin dispatch to the Chicago Daily Tribune.

Although the dispatch has not been confirmed, it is understood that the men planned to use dynamite to blow up the train that will take Prince Ferdinand to Viareggio,  later this week, where he will marry Princess Marie Louise, daughter of the Duke of Parma.

Prince Ferdinand Maximilian Carl Leopold Marie of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duke of Saxony, accepted the Bulgarian crown in 1887.  He is a cousin of the reigning Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and a son of Prince August and Princess Clementine, daughter of Louis Philippe.

The 33-year-old Prince is a "tall, slim young man with thick hair, a fair complexion, firm, clear eyes, and a pronounced bourbon nose."  He is said o resemble his uncle, the Duke of Nemours.

Ferdinand is said to be one of "wittiest members of Vienna society," and is fluent in German, English, French, Italian and Hungarian.

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