A Visit to Newport, Rhode Island Day one The Elms

I spent a few days visiting Newport, Rhode Island.   Touring the mansions on Bellevue Avenue has been on my bucket list for sometimes.   Friends of mine are living in Newport until June so this was the opportune time to visit.  I booked a flight on Southwest - and off I went.   The weather was fine for three of the four days.  It rained a bit on Friday but did not damper my holiday.

Only three of the mansions - the Elms, The Breakers and Marble House are open at this time of year.  More of the houses will open next month as more tourists return to Newport.

These mansions were summer cottages for the very wealthy who spent six weeks every summer in Newport before returning to their mansions in New York City, Long Island, Chicago or Philadelphia.  Winters were spent in warmer climes.


On Thursday, my friend picked me up at the airport in Providence and we drove to Newport.  First stop was Elms, once the home of the Berwind family.  I also tried to talk my way into Rough Point (one the name of William and Nancy Leeds and later Doris Duke) as the gate was open.  (the house opens next month). as well as seeing the exterior of Belcourt, the home of Alva and Oliver Belmont.  We spent some time at one of Newport's beaches and the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge Center, where a Snowy Owl (from Quebec) is the star attraction.  In the next few weeks, the owl will fly back to Canada.


Taking photos is encouraged at the Newport Mansions -- but no flash.

As this is the off-season, few tourists in Newport.  No crowds, but also the fountains at these homes remain covered - and gardens won't be planted for a few more weeks.

Elizabeth Drexel Lehr.  She was a 31 year-old widow when she married Harry Lehr.  As she prepared for her wedding night, she received a message from her new husband: ""I married you because the only person on earth I love is my mother. I want above everything else to keep her in comfort. Your father's fortune will enable me to do so. But there is a limit to sacrifice. I cannot condemn myself to the misery of playing the role of adoring lover for the rest of my life."   After his death, she learned he was gay.  They remained married for 28 years.  Her third husband was Lord Decies, an Irish peer.  This portrait is  by Giovanni Boldini.

Elizabeth Drexel Lehr (Giovanni Boldini)

Can you spot the mistake?

Gertrude Berwind (1881)  married Baron Ruprecht Ludwig Boecklin von Boeckslau (1875-1955).  She was the niece of Edward Berwind, owner of the Elms.  The marriage ended in divorce.  The couple had one son, Ruprecht (1803-1978)   https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/04/archives/barons-son-kills-wife-and-himself-say-jersey-police-suicide-note.html

Yes, a summer cottage

Rough Point 

The gate was open so I tried to talk my way past the guard, telling him that I wrote an article on Nancy Leeds and all I wanted is to take a good photo of Rough Point, which was originally owned by Frederick Vanderbilt, who sold it to William and Nancy Leeds.  It was last owned by Doris Duke.  I was not successful in getting passed the guard, but the next gate had a good view with a long lens.

Belcourt  is now under renovation and restoration.

Belcourt was once the home of Oliver Perry Hazard Belmont who married Alva Vanderbilt after her divorce from William Kissam Vanderbilt.  Belmont was not fond of the nouveau rich who built their homes facing the water so to show his disdain, he made sure the entrance to Belcourt did not face Bellvue Avenue.  He died in 1908.  Alva remained in the home until 1933, when the house passed to her brother-in-law, August Belmont.  The house passed through several owners and into disrepair.  It is now owned by  Carolyn Rafaelian, who is spending millions to renovate the mansion.

Miramar.  This home on Bellevue Avenue was meant to be the summer home of Philadelphia millionaire George Widener.  He and his son Harry died in the sinking of the Titanic.  The house is now owned by retired Goldman Sachs executive David Ford.  The house is not open to the public.

Snowy owl at Sachuest Point

Sachuset Point

My first Snowy Owl.  So adorable.

https://www.newportmansions.org/explore/the-elms

http://www.newportrestoration.org/roughpoint/#visit


https://www.belcourt.com/index.html


https://www.newportri.com/news/20190121/five-tips-for-respectfully-viewing-snowy-owls-at-sachuest-point

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EXCLUSIVE: Royal engagement: Countess Olympia to wed Jean Christophe

Countess Olympia von and zu Arco-Zinnebergg and Prince Jean Christophe Napoleon are engaged to be married.  The engagement took place in Switzerland in January.

The bride-to-be is the third daughter of Archduchess Maria Beatrice of Austria and Count Riprand of Arco-Zinneberg.  She celebrated her 31st birthday on January 4.

Jean-Christophe, Prince Napoleon, 32, is the head of the former ruling house of France.
He is the son of Prince Charles Napoleon and Prince Beatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.



http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2014/05/prince-jean-napoleon-countess-olympia.html


http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2011/12/engagement-for-jean-christophe-prince.html

https://www.gala.de/royals/allgemein/graefin-olympia---jean-christophe--prinz-napoleon--sie-haben-sich-verlobt-22028660.html?fbclid=IwAR3NkTNF_mf3VRiXsacQgyXkUCnjsnqKaL-w3-dDPOIHMzVUTmAdMKDc9Bg

Grand Duke Wladimir works factory

March 13, 1939


Grand Duke Wladimir, the 22-year-old head of the Russian imperial house, is now in England. where he is working under an assumed name in a Diesel motor factory in England, reports the New York Times,

Wladimir, a great-grandson of Queen Victoria on his mother's side, states in a letter:  "All Russian youths in exile should try to extend their knowledge and experience to the fullest possible limit, for Russia will need our practical experience.  That is why I am going to work myself.  I want to know both the practical and social side of factory life and to be subject to discipline.

"I shall, however, continue my political work, and all affairs must be addressed to my chancellery as usual."


Wladimir succeeded as head of the Imperial House following the death of his father, Grand Duke Kirill, on October 12, 1938.  His mother, Grand Duchess Victoria, was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.  She died in March 1936.

Actress who loved grandson of Franz Josef ends life

March 13, 1929


Helen Resch, a "brilliant young actress," committed suicide with her mother today in their "dingy apartment" in Vienna.  In Miss Rench's arms was the body of her infant son, Franz Josef Rench, reports the New York Times.

The actress was 20 years old.  In her final note, she wrote: "Bury me with the photographs of my two greatest treasures, my lover, Ernst, and my baby son, Franz Josef."

The young woman's mother, Anna, was 58 years old

Miss Rench had recently starred in Roses in Florida, an Americanized Viennese operetta.

Prince Ernst Weriand Maria Otto Antonius Expeditus Anselmus is a "handsome youth of 24, who is the second son of Prince Otto of Windisch-Graetz and his estranged wife, Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria, only child of the late Crown Prince Rudolf, and the granddaughter of Emperor Franz Josef.

Local newspapers have hinted that the prince failed to reciprocate Miss Rench's love.  One Austrian newspaper reported that the prince gave Miss Resch 156 shillings per month.


 The triple tragedy has "stirred all of Vienna," as the young actress was very popular.

New earldom for Edward

from Buckingham Palace

Prince Filippo of Bourbon Two Sicilies dead at 63

March 8, 1949


Prince Filippo of Bourbon-Two-Sicilies died today in a hospital in St. John, New Brunswick, according to the Associated Press.  He was 63 years old.

The cause of death was pneumonia.  Prince Filippo became ill shortly after his arrival in Canada.   He came with his wife, Odette Labori, who was giving lectures on "her part in the French resistance movement during the recent World EWar."

Prince Filippo was 10th of twelve children of Prince Alfonso, Count of Caserta, and his wife, Princess Antoinetta of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.  His eldest brother, Ferdinando, is the Duke of Calabria and head of the former ruling house.


HRH prince Filippo Maria Alfonso Antonio Ferdinando Francisco di Paola Lodovico Enrico Alberto Taddeo Francesco Uberto was born at Cannes on December 10, 1885.  He was first married in 1916 to Princess Marie Louise of Orléans.  This marriage ended in divorce and was annulled in 1925.  Two years later, on January 10, 1927, he married Odette Labori.

He is survived by his wife and his son, Prince Gaetano, by his first wife, and a grandson, Adrian de Bourbon, who will celebrate his first birth in April.  Prince Gaetano married Olivia Yarrow in 1946.

Queen Marie is planning a trip

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 March 8, 1929


Queen Marie of Romania is planning to leave Bucharest next week with her daughter, Princess Ileana, to visit her sister, Infanta Beatriz, who lives in Spain.

The New York Times reports that the Queen may also go to St. Lunaire, where another sister, Grand Duchess Victoria Feodorovna resides, with her husband, Grand Duke Kirill.

Marie will travel incognito.  In Madrid she and the princess will stay with the Spanish Foreign Minister.

Death of Cecily Castenskiold, daughter-on-law of the late Princess Dagmar of Denmark

Cecily Castenskiold died at Thousand Oaks, California on February 26, 2019.

She is survived by her husband, Christian and their daughter, Alexandra Cuilty and two granddaughters, Ava and Amelia. 

Christian Castenkiold is the second child of Princess Dagamar of Denmark, youngest child of King Frederik VIII, and Jorgen Castenkiold.   The late King Frederik IX, father of Queen Margrethe II, was his first cousin.

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1952/11/12/84366260.html?action=click&contentCollection=Archives&module=ArticleEndCTA&region=ArchiveBody&pgtype=article&pageNumber=30


http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2010/12/just-chris.html

Archduchess Eleonore of Austria to marry racing driver Jerome D'Ambrosio

Embed from Getty Images 

 It's official.  Archduchess Eleonore of Austria, elder daughter of Archduke Karl and his estranged wife Archduchess Francisca (nee Baroness Francisca  von   Thyssen-Bornemisza de Kászon et Impérfalva ) is engaged to marrry Jerome D'Ambrosio.

Embed from Getty Images 

 The engagement was announced on Francisca's Instagram page (March 4)

Jerome D'Ambrosio is a Belgian-born Formula E Racing for Mahindra Racing an Indian Team.   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqyQv7Wi7Tk

He recently won the Marrakesh ePrix race.

He was born on December 27, 1985 in Etterbeck, Belgium.

This will be the second marriage for Jerome.  His first marriage to the American-Chilean model  Natalie "Natty" Sifferman took place in 2013.  Their civil marriage took place on November 30, which was followed by the church wedding in La Hulpe, Belgium.  The marriage lasted for two years and ended in divorce in 2015.

After the civil marriage, Natty Sifferman told her Twitter followers "'What a day! I am officially Mrs D'Ambrosio. I love that feeling. Thank you for all kind and warm words."
https://vimeo.com/83798141


D'Ambrosio is also a Global Brand Ambassador for Hugo Boss and Julius Baer.

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HI & RH Archduchess Eleonore Jelena Maria del Pilar Iona of Austria was on February 28, 1994 in Salzburg, Austria.   She is a great granddaughter of Karl I, the last emperor of Austria.

She studied law at London's European Business School.
For the last year she has been working as a fashion model for Dolce & Gabbana.

Embed from Getty Images

https://www.krone.at/1621258

Eleonore's brother, Archduke Ferdinand Zvonimir, is also a racing car driver.

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Sir Miles Huntington-Whiteley (1929-2019)

 Sir Miles and Victoria Huntington-Whiteley (1997)  (Marlene A Eilers Koenig Collection)

Sir (John) Miles Huntington-Whiteley 4th Baronet, Lt Cdr RNR, VRD and Two Clasps, died suddenly 19th February, aged 89. Beloved husband of Victoria and father of Louise, Beatrice and Leopold, and grandfather to four boys. Funeral Service will be held at 12 noon on Thursday 21st March 2019 at Chelsea Old Church, Old Church Street, London SW3 5DQ. No black to be worn. No flowers but donations, if desired, to the RNLI c/o Chelsea Funeral Directors, 260b Fulham Road, London SW10 9EL.


John Miles Huntington-Whiteley was born on July 18, 1929 at Fareham, Hampshire, the third son of Sir Herbert Maurice Huntington-Whitelely, 2nd Baronet,  and Lady Pamela Margaret Baldwin daughter, Stanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley.

Stanley Baldwin served as prime minister on three occasions during the 1920s and 1930s.  He was prime minister during the abdication of Edward VIII.


Sir Miles was married to Countess Viktoria Adelheid zu Castell-Rüdenhausen, daughter of Princess Caroline Mathilde (Calma) of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Count Friedrich-Wolfgang zu Castell-Rüdenhausen, who was killed in action in 1940.

He succeeded to the baronetcy in 2014 following the death of his older brother, Sir Hugo, who was the second of the three sons.  The eldest son, Herbert, was killed during the second world war in 1944.

Countess Viktoria Adelheid was living at Kensington Palace with her great-aunt, Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, whose brother, the late Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha,  Viktoria's grandfather.

The couple married at Queen's Chapel, St. James's Palace on June 20, 1960 in the presence of Princess Alexandra of Kent, Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, the Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the Duchess of Beaufort and Lady Helena Gibbs.   The reception was held at Kensington Palace.

Sir Miles is survived by his wife, Victoria, their two two daughters, Louise Sewell and Beatrice Grant and son, Leopold, who succeeds to the baronetcy, and four grandsons, Henry & Benjamin Sewell and Frederik and Ludovic Grant.



I corresponded with Sir Miles for many years - and we exchanged Christmas cards since the 1990s.  The last card was in December 2018.