Friday, June 27, 2014

Alfonso: I will marry Beatrice

June 27, 1908

In an exclusive dispatch to the Los Angeles Times,  Prince Alfonso of Borbon-Orléans  states "I will marry Beatrice if I have to quit Spain, leave her army and forfeit my princely privileges."   The prince offered his comments to the Los Angeles Times' correspondent in Madrid.  He added: "No sacrifice is too great for me to make for her sake, although I hope she yet be reconciled to the Catholic church."

Differences in religion appear to be the major obstacle to a marriage between Prince Alfonso, elder son of Infanta Eulalia, and Princess Beatrice of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

The prince is a first cousin of King Alfonso XIII, and Princess Beatrice is a first cousin of Queen Victoria Eugenie.

Infanta Eulalia and her husband, the Duke of Galliera have "stoutly opposed" the marriage unless Princess Beatrice, a Lutheran, converts to Catholicism.

Alfonso appears to "have won his nother over to his cause" because she recently came "from Paris with him" to meet with King Alfonso and recommended that he "better induce the Pope to grant a dispensation for the mixed marriage" as Alfonso and Beatrice are determined to have their way and get married.

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