Otto & Regina married in "royal pomp"

May 10, 1951

Archduke Otto of Austria and Princess Regina of Saxe-Meiningen were married today "in the lavish pomp of old," according to the AP report.

As Otto is barred from entering Austria, his marriage took place in Nancy, which was once the capital of Otto's French ancestors, the Dukes of Lorraine.

The flag of the Duchy of Lorraine fluttered in the wind from the balcony of City Hall, where the couple were married in a civil ceremony, as required by French law. The religious wedding was held at the Cathedral, where many of Otto's Lorraine ancestors are buried.

The day was marred by "communist-inspired students marred the wedding procession by hurling a few badly-timed eggs." None of the eggs hit their targets and the royal couple were unruffled by the events. Police arrested three people, who had been handing out Communist literature "protesting the absence of the French flag," at City Hall.

David K.E. Bruce, the United States Ambassador to France, and Mrs. Perle Mesta, the American ambassador to Luxembourg, were among the 400 guests. In April, Mrs. Mesta sent the couple an embroidered tablecloth and twelve napkins, all bearing the Habsburg crest.

Otto's brothers, Archdukes Robert and Felix, were his witnesses at the religious ceremony. His mother, Empress Zita, accompanied him to City Hall.

The "tall, stately bride," was dressed in "oyster white satin and diamond tiara." She was escorted down the aisle by her first cousin, Grand Duke Carl-August of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach.

At the altar, Otto and Regina knelt on yellow cushions "made by the women of Vienna and Linz." Dirt was sprinkled on the cushions "so it could be said that the wedding took place on Austrian soil."

Regina's crown included "myrtle sent specially from Austria." On the church's high altar was a statue of our Lady of Zell, which had been lent from an Austrian shine to symbolize protection of the marriage.

Pope Pius XII sent an Apostolic blessing to the couple, which was read at the wedding: "To our dear son, Prince Otto of Habsburg-Lorraine. The awaited day will soon shine on the ceremony in which your Imperial and Royal Highness will marry Her Most Serene Highness the Princess Regina of Saxe-Meiningen. We do not wish this happy event to pass without giving your souls the joy of our good wishes and fatherly blessings."