Ludwig & Philippa set the date

Prince Ludwig zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Countess Philippa Spannochi have the set the date.  Their religious wedding will take place on August 20.

Christmas greetings from the Prince & Princess of Venice

Just arrived ...

Princess Theodora busted for DWI, but charges dropped

Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark was "charged with driving under the influence of alcohol while tearing through Monterey County" on September 17.  She was "nailed by police in Salinas" and was found to have a blood alcohol level of .07, which is just under the legal limit in California.   But at the officer's discretion, drivers "can still be charged with impairment.

The "haughty princess" arrived for her arraignment in September with her checkbook, ready to pay the fine as she thought she be able to pay her ticket and leave.  She had to hire a lawyer after she was told that she would go on trial for DUI - Driving Under the Influence.  Her stage name is Theodora Greece.  She played the Impressed Lady in the 2009 film, The Lightkeepers, starring Robert de Niro and Blythe Danner.

Princess Theodora, 27, is the younger daughter of King Constantine II and Queen Anne Marie.  She attended Brown University in Rhode Island and Northeastern University.  

She appeared in the Monterey County Court on Wednesday, accompanied by her lawyer, Marlene Clara Zamora, where she pleaded no contest "of driving a motor vehicle above 100 mph and following too closely."  The original DUI charge was dropped.

The charge is considered a misdemeanor.

Theodora, who lives in Los Angeles and is pursuing an acting career, was fined $1000 plus court fees.  She was listed in the complaint as People vs Theodora, Hrh Princess.  Theodora considered the last name, Hrh the first name, and Princess the middle name. 

 
According to court records,  she was arraigned by citation on September 21.  This was followed by a Plea hearing on October 21.  A pre-trial conference was held on December 8, which was followed by two Plea Hearings, the first on January 11 and the final hearing on January 27.

 http://montereycitynews.com/2010/10/25/princess-charged-with-dui-awaits-trial.html

http://www.montereyherald.com/local/ci_17215072?nclick_check=1

Duke of the Abruzzis off to the North Pole

January 28, 1899

The Duke of the Abruzzis has left for the start of his his expedition to the North Pole.  Before he departed from Rome, his aunt, Queen Margherita of Italy, "presented him with an Italian flag," which she had embroidered with her own hands. 
"This flag shall wave over the north pole, or I shall not return," Prince Luigi said to his aunt.
According to the New York Times, the Queen "had difficulty in suppressing her emotion." She clasped her nephew's hands and exclaimed:  "You will return, Luigi.  You will return."

Kaiser rebuffs Hanover and Brunswick pretender

January 28, 1899

Kaiser Wilhelm II has made it clear that he will not be in the same room as the Duke of Cumberland, claimant to the thrones of Hanover and Brunswick.  Wilhelm II had accepted the invitation to attend the 25th wedding anniversary celebrations of the Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, but had "heard with chagrin" that the Duke of Cumberland had also been invited. 
The Kaiser, a nephew of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, sent a "strong expression of his dissatisfaction" regarding the invitation to the Duke of Cumberland.
Although the Duke of Cumberland had "expressed regret at his inability to attend,"  Wilhelm remained in high dudgeon and stayed away," reports the New York Times.
Persistent rumors remain regarding the status of the Duke of Cumberland's eldest son, who "might one day ascend the ducal throne of Brunswick" if he renounces all claims to Hanover, "demonstrates his loyalty to Prussia and accepts the status quo by becoming an officer in a Prussian regiment of the Guards."
The German emperor's recent visit to Hanover would certainly "repudiate any intention of a rapprochement" with the Duke of Cumberland,  He has also made it clear that he "considers the union of Hanover and Prussia to be an unalterable fact."

Princess Ingrid's engagement denied

January 28, 1935

The secretariat of the Swedish Cabinet today issued an official denial of the rumored betrothal between Princess Ingrid of Sweden and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, according to the Associated Press.
Court officials in Copenhagen also "professed to know nothing" about the engagement rumors.  The official denial of the report was issued "in behalf of King Christian as soon as he was informed of the report."

Queen Ena on her way to London

January 28, 1931

Princess Beatrice, mother of Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain, who is suffering from bronchitis and a broken arm, continues to maintain strength, according to the New York Times.  The Princes, youngest daughter of Queen Victoria and aunt of King George V, is resting comfortably at her home at Kensington Palace.  An official bulletin regarding her health was released earlier today.
An earlier bulletin reported that the princess "had a fairly restful night."
The Queen of Spain is now en route from Madrid, and is expected to arrive tomorrow afternoon.

Royal familes of Greece and Roumania to be united in two marriages

January 28, 1921

Crown Prince George of Greece and Princess Elisabeth of Roumania will be married in Bucharest between February 10 and February 15, reports the New York Times.   King Constantine will be represented at the marriage of his eldest son by Prince and Princess Nicholas, who will leave Athens on February 1.
After the wedding ceremony, the royal party, accompanied by Princess Marie of Roumania, will return to Athens to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Carol of Roumania and Princess Helen of Greece.  This marriage is expected to take place in late February.
King Ferdinand of Roumania is not expected to attend the wedding.

Crown Prince George and Princess Helen are brother and sister, as are Crown Prince Carol and Princess Elisabeth.

Hereditary prince of Brunswick is ill

January 28, 1915

By wireless telegram from Berlin to London

It has been confirmed that the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick, the infant son of the Duke of Brunswick and Princess Victoria Luise of Prussia, only daughter of the Kaiser, is "seriously ill," reports the new York Times.
The infant prince, operated on earlier this month for "inflammation of the ear," suffered an attack of influence and has "suffered a relapse."

Prince Ernst August was born on March 18, 1914.

Princess Alice in a car crash

January 28, 1909

Princess Alice of Bourbon, youngest daughter of Don Carlos, Spanish pretender, and several friends were involved in an auto accident near the Via Reggio today.
The car was wrecked, according to the New York Times.  The Princess and her friends were thrown out of the car, but no one was injured.

Royal Week upcoming on the Ovation Channel

Before going further, it must be noted that the Ovation Channel is not offered on every cable outlet in the USA.  I get the channel on Cox, and I watch it every so often.  It is a rare station that shows culture and there are no programs about fat people losing weight.
Ovation is jumping on the William and Kate bandwagon with the American premiere of William and Kate: a Modern Royal Romance.   In fact, Ovation will be celebrating "The Royals" with a week of programs about the British royal family. 
Other programs that will be seen during The Royals week include:

The Queen's Sister (2006) about Princess Margaret
Diana Everlasting
Icons: Princess Diana
How to Be a Prince
The King's Speech: An Inspirational Story of an Unlikely Friendship
Bertie & Elizabeth, starring James Wilby and Juliet Aubrey.

The Royals week starts in February 6 and runs through February 12.   Ovation is also showing the wonderful series, Aristocrats, which about the Lennox sisters  Aristocrats and Bertie & Elizabeth were first seen on Masterpiece Theatre.

http://www.channelguidemagblog.com/index.php/2011/01/19/ovation-airs-u-s-premiere-of-william-and-kate-documentary/

http://www.ovationtv.com/programs

Dangerous job - being a monarch

not a cushy job after all  ....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8286288/Its-tough-at-the-top-how-being-a-monarch-is-dangerous.html

QVD Update: death of Marina Patterson Engel

Marina Engel died on January 10, 2011 at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Downey, California.  She was 62 years old.
Marina Adelaide Emily Patterson was born on August 21, 1948 in Springfield, Missouri, one of a set of twins, to Princess Victoria Marina of Prussia and her American husband, Kirby William Patterson, a lawyer.   When she was in fourth grade, the family moved to Washington, D.C., where Kirby Patterson worked as a prosecutor for the Department of Justice.   Marina graduated from Western High School in Washington. D.C.
She attended the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, where she studied oceanography and marine biology.   In 1967,  Marina joined the United States Navy, where she studied nursing.   She began her nursing career at the Kaiser Permanente Hospital, in Bellflower, California, where she met her future husband, John William Engel.  She worked for many years as a nurse at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Downey.
Marina and John were married on September 24, 1982 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  She is survived by her husband, John, her son, William, and her twin brother, Berengar, and her younger sister, Dohna Pearl.
Marina was a great-granddaughter of Kaiser Wilhelm II and a great-great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria. 
Princess Victoria Marina's parents were Prince Adalbert of Prussia and Princess Adelheid of Saxe-Meiningen.

Marina Engel was a very lovely, very sweet woman. She was appreciative of her royal ancestry, and she was always eager to share family news.  My condolences to her two favorite men, her husband, John, and her son, William.

Has Kate picked her attendants ... or not

In his column in Thursday's Daily Mail,  Richard Kay writes that Kate Middleton is "wrestling over how many bridesmaids she should have."   He says that Kate's sister, Pippa, 26, will be the chief bridesmaid, and she will become "one of the oldest women to land the role for a royal wedding."

Kay notes that Kate is in a "quandary over who else to pick."  She is said to be "torn between following the example of the Queen, who had eight bridesmaids," or the Countess of Wessex, who had "just two."   
[Note to Kay:  Princess Anne had one bridesmaid, 9-year-old Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones.]


Kate apparently planned to make her decision in December, when she got to meet several of the eligible children at the Queen's annual Christmas lunch for the royal family.   She was going to announce her choices this month, but as since told courtiers that she needs three more weeks.   (Inquiring minds want to know: is she having auditions?)

Among the little girls said to be in the running (according to Kay) are:  Lady Louise Windsor, 7, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Wessex,  the Hon. Margarita Armstrong-Jones, 8, daughter of Lord and Lady Linley, Eloise Taylor, 7, the daughter of Lady Helen Windsor, and William's goddaughter, Grace van Cutsem.  
Grace's uncle, Edward van Cutsem,  was a page of the wedding of William's parents in 1981.

Lady Louise is William's first cousin.   Margarita is William's second cousin.   Eloise Taylor and Prince William are third cousins.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1350867/No-art-Saatchi-s-15k-deal.html

Will marriage interfere with exploring the North pole?

January 26, 1899

The Marquise de Fontenoy reports today that "love and marriage are likely to interfere" with Prince Luigi of Italy, Duke of the Abruzzi's projected expedition to the North Pole.  The prince recently spent several weeks in St. Petersburg, where he "devoted most of his time to visiting" the widowed Empress Marie and her two young children, Grand Duke Michael and Grand Duchess Olga, at Gatchina. 
He has now returned home to Italy rather unexpectedly for the purpose of obtaining his uncle, King Umberto's consent, to a marriage between himself and Grand Duchess Olga, youngest sister of the present Russian Emperor.
It appears that Prince Luigi has "made a favorable impression" on Empress Marie and her 17-year-old daughter.  This impression may be "ascribed in great measure to his manly studious character and to his father serious disposition."  He has completed "remarkable feats of mountaineering," including a record ascent on Mt. St Elias in Alaska.  He is also "undoubtedly the best of the younger generation of the Italian princes."   Nicholas II "could not wish for a better brother-in-law.
The match would be a "most advantageous one" for Italy, and in one respect, the marriage would "serve to consolidate its position in more senses than one."  Most people are not aware of the fact, but the Russian Court "has been practically the only one in Europe that has abstained from according to full recognition to the new order of things in Italy."
Both Nicholas II and his later father, Alexander III,  were strong "champions of legitimacy" in regards to "everything that pertained to the monarchical system" and have regarded the present reigning house of Italy as usurpers.
Alexander II bestowed the Order of St. George on the ex-King and Queen of Naples as an "avowed token of his profound admiration for the gallantry of their defense of the fortress of Gaeta against King Victor Emanuel."
Nicholas II, however, is keen to establish more cordial relations with the Italian court.  he provided Princess Elena of Montenegro with a "rich dowry" when she married Crown Prince Vittorio Emanuele."

Infanta seeks her jewels

January 26, 1935

Infanta Eulalia of Spain wants her jewels back, according to the New Times.  The aunt of former King Alfonso XIII has been unable to acquire a "wandering truckload of priceless royal jewels in Spain."  The Infanta has been living in "retirement for years, almost in poverty as compared with the style that her royal nephew and his immediate family maintain."
She owns one of "rarest collections of jewels in Europe," and was able to save it during the revolution.  The Spanin premier Azara, transferred the jewels to the Bank of Spain.
"Since then I have not learned much about them," said Infanta Eulalia.  "I got the services of an agent, but when inquired at the Bank of Spain he was told that no one knew where to find the jewels.  They are the gift of my mother and are worth several million francs."

Princess Beatrice breaks her arm

January 26, 1931


Princess Beatrice is said to be making "satisfactory progress" after breaking both bones in her left foream "as the result of a fall in her apartments in Kensington Palace on Friday.  The 73-year-old princess, aunt of King George V, is the widow of Prince Henry of Battenberg.  She is the youngest child of the late Queen Victoria.

Lennart will marry a commoner and live on an island

  January 26, 1931

The engagement of Prince Lennart of Sweden and Miss Karin Emma Louise Nissvandt is to be announced formally next summer, according to the Associated Press.
Prince Lennart, 22, is the only child of Prince Vilhelm of Sweden and his former wife, Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia.    The 20-year-old bride-to-be is the daughter of Sven Nissvandt of Stockholm.
The wedding will take place in the fall at Stenhammer, the summer residence of Prince Lennart's father, or in Stockholm.  Prince Lennart is now studying agriculture at Bolmbacke.
After the wedding, Prince Lennart and his new wife will live on the island of Mainau in Lake Constance, Germany, which the prince inherited from his grandmother, the late Queen Victoria.
Prince Lennart is a grandson of King Gustav V.

In New York City, where Grand Duchess Marie now lives on Fifth, the news of her son's marriage was "greeted with silence, reports the Associated Press.  The Grand Duchess refused to discuss her son's "matrimonial intentions" with reporters.   She was busy working in a Fifth Avenue shop, where she is employed as a "style creator."
Grand Duchess Marie and Prince Vilhelm were married at Tsarkoe-Selo in 1908.  Lennart was born in 1909.   The couple were not compatible, and after only five years, Maria and Vilhelm separated, and then divorced.  Lennart remained with his father, and Maria returned to live in Russia.  
Lennart grew up at the court in Sweden, and his mother soon encountered "experiences new to a Romanoff."  She worked as a nurse during the war, and then when the revolution came, she and her second husband, Prince Serge Poutiane, fled to to France.  They left their infant son behind with Prince Serge's parents.  The little boy died a few months later. 
The Grand Duchess' second marriage also ended in divorce.  In Paris, she "made her first attempts at earning a living."
She recently published her autobiography, Education of a Princess.

"Joachim is calling me," Auguste Viktoria tells Kaiser

January 26, 1921

Former German Empress Auguste Viktoria is critically ill with heart disease, and her condition continues to weaken, according to a report in the New York Times. Her son-in-law, the Duke of Brunswick, was called to her bedside at Doorn today.
The former empress was only recently told that her youngest son, Prince Joachim, took his own life. During a rare moment of lucidity, Auguste Viktoria reached for her husband, and told him: "I have followed you as long as possible, even in exile. Now I am no longer able to do so. I must leave you alone. Joachim is calling me."

Crown Prince arrives in London

January 26, 1919

By special cable from Vienna via Geneva to the New York Times.

The rumors about the Emperor Karl of Austria's "mind being obscured are exaggerated."  The facts concerning the former Austrian emperor are as follows.
He is "living in absolute seclusion with his wife, Zita and their children.  There are no contacts with other members of the Habsburg dynasty or with the "political world."  Karl has received no visitors apart from "business calls."   His only pastime at present is reading the newspapers and spending time with his children.
Karl is sad to be in "bad health and depressed," but the former Empress Zita is "quite resigned and holding up her head in adversity."   At this time, she has been unable to communicate with her mother, the Duchess of Parma.
The emperor's mother, Archduchess Maria Josefa, whose palace was seized by the Austrian government, is "compelled to accept" her son's offer of hospitality at Schloss Eckarsau, as she has "no other means of support."

Georg Friedrich and Sophie make an official visit to Burg Hohenzollern

Three days after the official announcement of their engagement,  Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia and Princess Sophie von Isenburg made an official, but very private visit to Burg Hohenzollern, the castle that the Prince owns jointly with the Prince of Hohenzollern
"Princess Sophie has visited the castle several times, most recently during the Christmas market", said the castle's manager, Anja Hoppe.
The entire staff at the castle - from the cleaning crew to the ladies at the checkout counter - were called together to drink a glass a champagne with the couple.  Prince Georg Friedrich and Princess Sophie confirmed that they were childhood playmates, but they did not meet, as some newspapers have noted, in the sandbox.  "It was in the wading pool,"  Anja Hoppe revealed afterward.  She added that Princess Sophie is looking forward to many visits to the castle.  Prince Georg Friedrich has fond childhood memories of holidays at Burg Hohenzollern, and he told Anja Hoppe that he will want to bring his children to the castle as well.
Anja Hoppe told a reporter afterward:  "The castle would be really suitable for baptisms."

The marriage will take place in Potsdam later this year. 
http://www.schwarzwaelder-bote.de/inhalt.hechingen-prinz-fuehrt-braut-auf-zoller-ein.16fdd519-4865-488d-8887-4b2b62f23361.html

Princess Sophie is Roman Catholic, and Prince Georg Friedrich is Lutheran.  His great-grandfather, Kaiser Wilhelm II, was the head of the Lutheran church.   In 1823,  the future King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia married Princess Elisabeth of Bavaria, a Roman Catholic. Seven years after the marriage, Elisabeth converted to the Lutheran church.

The artist is a princess

January 25, 1927

On the eve of a private viewing of her oil paintings and watercolors, the artist, a German woman named Mrs. Ruemann, disclosed her real identity. Although she prefers to be called Mme. Ruemann, she is, in her own right, Princess Alexandra Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein.

The exhibition is under the auspices of Art Patrons of America, Inc., at 9 East 57th Street. 

The Princess has been living in an apartment on 41 West 54th Street with her husband, Captain Alexander Ruemannm who once served in the German Imperial Navy.

 
According to the New York Times, the Princess said she has "spent much of her life studying the graphic arts," and she has held exhibitions in Berlin and Munich.

"I do not want to be regarded as a noblewoman, but merely as an artist," the princess said. "The difficulty of being a Princess and an artist at the same time lies in the anxiety of persons to pick flaws in one's art for no other reason than that one is not known primarily as an artist.

"Before the war, it was considered 'nice' for young ladies to paint, but they were not permitted to take this occupation too seriously. That is to say, while my friends of the court were appreciative of my work and encourages me in it, it was never regarded as anything more than a pastime.

"I studied under Otto Kamp, director of the Berlin Academy, and later under other teachers at Potsdam and Munich. I have traveled a great deal in late years with my husband, whom I married after the war. Last year I spent in Egypt painting many of the scenes there, as well as portraits of Egyptian types. Now my great ambition is to paint an American Indian chief. I am going to Hollywood. but I don't want to be a film star - oh never!  then I shall travel to Mexico.

"Here in New York, I have been engaged to paint portraits of Princess Braganza and of Mrs. Cosmo Hamilton, among others.  Mrs. Hamilton is such a sweet woman, don't you think?"

Princess Alexandra Victoria has a very enthusiastic view of American women.  "They are so free," she said. "They can choose from so many walks of life.  But in my own country, they are becoming that way, too, but not so free as the American women yet.  Do I think the women of New York dress well?  Yes, indeed. But women all over the world dress well today."

She also spoke of her son, Prince Alexander Ferdinand of Prussia,  whom she describes as a "lovely boy, 14 years old and much taller than his mother."   Alexander is her only child.  He is a student at the Potsdam Gymnasium.   Her sister, Princess Helena, who is married to Prince Harold of Denmark, "paints on porcelain and binds books," she said.

The exhibition of Princess's paintings - six watercolors and eight oils -- will open to the public tomorrow and remain open for twelve days.

The German consulate noted that the Princess arrived "several weeks ago".  She and her husband signed their passports as Mr. and Mrs. Ruemann.    The Princess's mother was a sister of the late Kaiserin Auguste Viktoria.  

 
Mrs. Ruemann said she "preferred not to discuss the Hohenzollern family" or the war.  She and Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia were divorced shortly after the end of the war.

If you liked this post, perhaps you can buy me a coffee

Nicholas and Alexandra may attend Victoria's funeral

January 25, 1901

The New York Times is reporting that Nicholas II of Russia and his wife, Alexandra, may attend Queen Victoria's funeral.  The number of "royalties and representatives of foreign nations" expected to attend the funeral is so great that the "royal palaces will be quite inadequate to accommodate them."  Hotels and "great residences" in London also being made available to handle the influx of important guest.
On February 1, the body of the late queen will be taken to Portsmouth on board the royal yacht Aberta, and will remain there overnight.  
It is also "virtually settled" that there will be an "imposing funeral procession through London," which will be led by the new King, Kaiser Wilhelm II and Lord Roberts.
The Grand Duke of Baden has sent word that he will be attending the funeral.   The King of Portugal has received the following telegram from King Edward VII:
"Your kind sympathy for me, dear Charles, at a moment when suffering such a cruel loss affects me deeply. Your presence will be truly welcome at the funeral of my beloved mother."

Italian Crown Princely couple to move to Rome

January 25, 1899

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Italy are in the process of moving from Naples to Rome, "for the purpose of enabling the Prince to take a more active part in the affairs of state and in the representation of the crown."

According to the Marquise de Fontenoy, the couple deeply resent "the manner in which the recent birth of a son to the Duke and Duchess of Aosta" has led people, both abroad and in Italy" to see the infant prince as a future King of Italy and his parents as "the next heirs to the throne." 

 
Crown Prince Vittorio Emanuele is of a "jealous turn of mind," and like all "men of diminutive stature, exceedingly touchy." He is keenly aware of "being ignored and set aside," especially as his advice and recommendations "in all moments of crises" have been ignored by the King and the King's Ministers.
However, the Crown Prince has been appointed Inspector General of the Italian Army, and will "share with his father the duties of representation of the crown."

It is not known how successful this venture will be as the Crown Prince's political views differ from his father's.   An "open quarrel" between father and son "is not beyond the bounds of possibility."

Crown Prince Vittorio Emanuele married Princess Jelena of Montenegro in October 1896.  At the time of the marriage, Jelena, raised in the Orthodox faith, converted to the Roman Catholic Church and is now known as Elena.

The Duchess of Aosta gave birth to a son, Prince Amedeo, on October 21.   The marriage of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess remains childless.

Archduke Leopold Salvator gets the boot

January 24, 1925

Archduke Leopold Salvator decided today to leave Austria, after receiving word from the Austrian government that "his presence was undesirable."  The archduke arrived in Vienna several days ago after receiving a one month's permit to stay in the country,  according to the New York Times.
Austrian authorities "were warned by various labor organizations" that Leopold Salvator's presence "would inevitably precipitate trouble as he had never renounced his right to the throne."  Thus, the Austrian government reckoned that the archduke's visit was illegal.
On the same day that the Archduke was expelled, his son, Leopold, known as Leopold Habsburg, was sentenced to a fine of $1.50 or twenty-four hours in jail "for speeding."  Herr Habsburg renounced his rights to the throne, and is a resident of Austria.  He is a merchant.  He was riding his motorcycle when he "bumped into another cyclist."
It appears that the Habsburgs are receiving better treatment in Hungary.  According to a Budapest report, Archduke Max, brother of the late former Emperor Karl, is in the Hungarian capital "negotiating with Legitimists" regarding the claim of Karl's eldest son, Archduke Otto.   Max, a priest, has been accorded a police guard.

The Prince of Pless to marry young Spanish lady

January 24, 1925

The Prince of Pless has announced his engagement to Senorita Clotilde de Silva, according to a report by the Chicago Tribune Foreign News Service.

The marriage, which will take place in London, is seen as a surprise announcement to many.  The Prince is 63, and his fiancee is 26 years old.

Prince Henry was formerly married to Maria Theresa Cornwallis-West, daughter of Col. Cornwallis-West and the sister of the former Duchess of Westminster.   The marriage between the Prince of Pless and Miss Cornwallis-West, known as Daisy, was one of the primary societal events in 1891.  The marriage took place at St. Margaret's Church, Westminster, on December 11, 1891, and was attended by the then Prince and Princess of Wales and other members of the British royal family.

The bride was only 17 at the time of the wedding.

The Prince and Princess settled into their home in Upper Silesia The Princess gave birth to three sons, Heinrich, Alexander, and Bolko.  She maintained strong ties to the British court up until the start of the world war. 

 
The Princess' change in nationality caused "her great difficulty." During the war, the prince served in the German army, while the princess "nursed the wounded in Berlin."    

The couple soon became estranged, and in 1923, the Prince sought an annulment of the marriage.  He claimed at the time that Colonel Cornwallis-West forced him to marry his daughter "at the point of a revolver". It was also reported at the time that a "Countess who made her home in Vienna" was the cause for the Prince's decision to seek an annulment.

 He remains an intimate friend of the former Kaiser, and one of the richest men in Germany.  But after the war, the Prince, fearing he would lose his estates, became a Polish citizen.   

The Princess now lives in London and is writing her memoirs.

For more information about the Pless family, please head here

https://royalbooknews.blogspot.com/2015/01/books-by-and-about-princely-family-of.html

  http://royalbooknews.blogspot.com/2011/01/princess-of-pless-and-pless-family.html

Edward proclaimed king

Embed from Getty Images

January 24, 1901

Edward VII was proclaimed king this morning in a ceremony at St. James's Palace.  At 9:00 a.m, the Norroy King of Arms, William Henry Weidon,  read the proclamation:

"Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God to call to His mercy our late Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria, of Blessed and Glorious Memory, by whose Decease the Imperial Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland is solely and rightfully come to the High and Mighty Prince Albert Edward : We, therefore, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of this Realm, being here assisted with these of her late Majesty's Privy Council, with numbers of other principal gentlemen of quality, with the Lord-Mayor, Aldermen, and citizens of London, do now hereby, with one voice and consent of tongue and heart, publish and proclaim, That the High and Mighty Prince Albert Edward, is now, by the death of our late Sovereign, of happy memory, become our only lawful and rightful Liege Lord Edward the Seventh, by the Grace of God, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India: To whom we do acknowledge all faith and constant obedience, with all hearty and humble affection, beseeching God, by whom Kings and Queens do reign, to bless the Royal Prince Edward the Seventh, with long and happy years to reign over us."

The new sovereign was not present.   He has been "proclaimed in many cities and towns" throughout the United Kingdom.   Most of the proclamations were made by the local mayors.

Empress Friedrich's condition

January 24, 1901

The Dowager Empress Friedrich's condition remains "satisfactory," according to a dispatch to the New York Times.  She is not in pain,  but this does "not imply improvement" to her condition. Her "sorrow and personal loss" due to the death of her mother, Queen Victoria,  "have been born with comparative fortitude."

An interview with Crown Prince Alexander

ALO! 22 January 2011




INTERVIEW: ALEXANDER KARAGEORGEVITCH, THE CROWN PRINCE


I HOPE THAT ESTATES WILL BE GIVEN BACK
By Vasilije Popovic


Solution for frequent political crises in the country, but also for better international image, could be reestablishment of the Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy. Would that happen, even the Crown Prince Alexander Karageorgevitch could not tell, but he emphasizes in his interview with Alo that his “duty” is to serve the state and the people.

The Royal Compound in Dedinje has had more money from 1945 till 2001, than today.

Are you satisfied with the influence you have in Serbia today?

Even in countries which are constitutional monarchies, the monarch does not have influence, this is the privilege of politicians in the government. The Monarch is the symbol of stability, unity and continuity of the country.

You live at the Royal Palace, but properties confiscated by communists were not returned to you. Will it be returned in a timely manner?

The Karageorgevitch family property is still illegally confiscated by state. I hope that this will be resolved positively by the law on restitution. I also hope that everyone else who had their property confiscated will have the situation resolved.

There was much controversy about financing you receive from the state?

The controversy about this exists, unfortunately, only in the Serbian media. The main problem after 2001 was the absence of the administrative ground for the adequate maintenance of the compound which is a protected monument of culture. When I say maintenance, I mean on the level as it was done from 1945 till 2001. I hope, and I have reasons to believe that this administrative obstacle will be resolved very soon.

It was recently reported in the press that you were forced to dismiss members of your staff due to a bad financial situation?


The whole country is going through difficult times, due to the global economic crisis. Like the government and other institutions, we were also forced to reduce the number of employees, and it was a very hard and sad for me.


What are your contacts with Serbian politicians? Does anyone of them seek your advice or oppinion on state or national issues?

My doors are always open, and it is up to them if and when they decide to ask me for advice.

With whom among politicians do you have the highest level of cooperation?

The basic principle of Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy is political neutrality. There are no favourite political parties.

What kind of relationships do you currently have with Vuk Draskovic?

My relationship with Vuk Draskovic, and all other politicians, is based on that principle.

Do you think that your Serbian is a hindrance to better communication with the people of Serbia?

My Serbian I am proud to tell you is better than many think. Of course there are difficult words like in any language. I think you can imagine there are a few people who negatively wish I did not speak any language.

Do your sons, Princes Peter, Philip and Alexander, speak Serbian?

They have made great strides ahead with our language.

Have you ever regretted the decision to come and live here?

I love my country, but I regret only that I was not allowed to come earlier.

WE PAID OFF MONTENEGRINS

There was a controversy regarding the Montenegrin Prince Nikola Petrovic who is your blood relation. Do you think that your grandfather King Aleksandar made a mistake when he expelled King Nikola in 1918?

This whole issue is a result of poor knowledge about the historical facts. The government of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croatians and Slovenians in fact protected Petrovic family from some decissions taken by Podgorica Assembly in 1918, where some hasty decisions were taken without any outside pressure. All members of the Petrovic family were compensated with 42 million dinars in 1927/28, partially in cash and partially in monthly portions. All members accepted and signed this agreement. Monthly payments stopped in 1945. You can not blame any of Karageorgevitch for that.

OR – OR

Democracy or Monarchy?

Both democracy and constitutional monarchy, don’t you know that nowadays those two are hand in hand like in Sweden and all the other constitutional monarchies?

Zvezda or Partizan?

Both Zvezda and Partizan and our national team.

Manchester or Arsenal?

Fun to watch.

Cricket or polo?

Tennis, basketball, water polo, volleyball, all sports in which we were the world champions.

Tadic or Nikolic?

I respect both of them

English or Serbian?

Serbian and English.

BROZ GHOST AT THE WHITE PALACE

Josip Broz also lived at the White Palace. Are you still haunted by his “ghost”?

There are no ghosts in Dedinje compound, only the remnants of history from 1922 till present. I invite you and your readers to come and check this.

The invitations have been sent

The Lord Chamberlain's office has mailed the invitations to the marriage of HRH Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton.

THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES WILL ATTEND THE MARRIAGE OF PRINCE WILLIAM


Belgrade, 24 January 2010 - Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine received an invitation from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William to Miss Kate Middleton on Friday 29 April 2011.
Their Royal Highnesses are delighted to attend the marriage and are very happy for the young couple.


Crown Prince Alexander is Queen Elizabeth II's godson.

A Facebook page for Royal Musings

This blog - and the sister blog, Royal Book News, continues to grow -- and now has a Facebook page.  You can discuss stories or if you have a question ... feel free to leave a message.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_134765736587577#!/home.php?sk=group_134765736587577&ap=1

A royal engagement: Prince Georg Friedrich von Preussen and Princess Sophie von Isenberg

On Friday,  Der Kaiser --  HI & RH  Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia announced his engagement to HSH Princess Sophie Johanna Maria of Isenburg, fourth child of Alexander, Prince of Isenburg, and his wife, the former Countess Christine von Saurma.

Prince Georg Friedrich, head of the house of Prussia, and Princess Sophie  have been dating for several years. It is suffice to say that their courtship has been discrete, as the Prince has usually attended weddings and funerals without the Princess. 
Princess Sophie was born March 7, 1978 at Frankfurt. She studied business administration and now works in a consulting firm in Berlin.  Prince Georg studied businesss administration at Freiburg University.  He currently works in Rostock for a company that markets the patents in the field of higher education.
 According to the official announcement, the wedding will take place later this year, probably in Potsdam.
The couple have known each other since they were children.
Prince Georg Friedrich was born June 10, 1976 at Bremen.  He is the first of two children of the late Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia and Countess Donata zu Castell-Rüdenhausen (now Duchess Friedrich August of Oldenburg).   Georg Friedrich's father died following from injuries suffered in a military accident in 1977.   Prince Georg Friedrich succeeded his grandfather, Prince Louis Ferdinand, as head of the house, in 1992.

http://www.preussen.de/de/heute/aktuell/verlobung_im_haus_hohenzollern.html

Sophie's two sisters, Katharina and Isabelle, are married to Archduke Martin of Austria and Carl, the Prince of Wied, respectively.

Georg Friedrich is a double descendant of Queen Victoria.  He descends from two of her children: Victoria, Princess Royal, and Prince Alfred, Edinburgh, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.   He is a possible dynast to the throne, according to the Act of Settlement, but he will cease to have the right to succeed to the throne when he marries.  Princess Sophie is a Roman Catholic.  He is exempt from the Royal Marriages Act as he descends from princesses who married in foreign houses.

Queen Victoria - May 24, 1819 - January 22, 1901

110 years ago - Queen Victoria died

Victoria off to Darmstadt

January 21, 1895

It was announced in today's Court Circular that Queen Victoria will travel to Darmstadt in April where she will meet Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra of Russia, the Emperor and Empress of Germany, the Dowager Empress of Germany, the Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland.

Infanta Eulalia at Sandringham

January 21, 1899


Infanta Eulalia of Spain is visiting England.  This week, she was the guest of the Prince and Princess of Wales at Sandringham, reports the New York Times.  The Infanta is the aunt of King Alfonso XIII.

Zog seeks very rich American bride

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January 21, 1935

Wanted: a $1,000,000 American bride with enough intelligence and courage" to help the bachelor, King Zog of Albania reform the "backward and sometimes violent little mountain kingdom," according to an Associated Press dispatch.

The "not bad looking king" is serious about finding a million-dollar American bride. He even asked for the assistance of Charles C. Hart, the American minister in Albania, to "look over the field in the United States.  Hart came back with a list of possible candidates, including Miss Natalie Hays Hammond, only daughter of John Hays Hammond, a"millionaire mining engineer, and promoter."

Miss Hammond  "failed to qualify" for the position of Queen as her personal income fell below the required $1,000,000.

Zog also paid attention to a very pretty Viennese blonde, "but it appeared that her lack of money and titled prevented a royal match."

The king wants very much to "reform his little backward mountain kingdom," and has already instituted a western code of justice in "place of medieval vendetta and blood feuds."  Italy has been providing financial support to Albania in "the hope of making a staunch ally,"  but has become "tired of holding the bag."  

Zog is "now said to be looking for new financial backing," including a very rich American bride.

Princess Charlotte has the grippe

January 21, 1921

Princess Charlotte of Belgium, aunt of King Albert, is "seriously ill of the grippe."  The condition is "causing much anxiety" due to the princess' advanced age, reports the New York Times.
Charlotte is the widow of the "ill-fated Archduke Maximilian of Austria, who was briefly emperor of Mexico before he was executed in 1867.

Victoria rallies

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January 21, 1901

There is little change to report in the condition of 82-year-old Queen Victoria, who lies near death in her bed at Osborne House.   The latest bulletin reports a "slight improvement" in the queen's condition, but the news merely "indicates a postponement of the inevitable."   The paralysis continues to spread to vital parts.
The end "may be a matter of days" or even hours.  Members of the royal family continue their weary visits to Osborne House, knowing that Victoria's death is "merely a question of a short time."

The queen gained consciousness in the afternoon and was still conscious at 10 p.m., tonight, although contrary to other reports she had not seen her eldest grandson, Kaiser Wilhelm II, reports the New York Times.

Members of the Queen's family were called four times today to a room adjoining Victoria's bedchamber.  Victoria's doctors used stimulants to try to keep the Queen alive until the arrival of the Prince of Wales and the Kaiser.  They arrived at Osborne at 11:30 this morning, and they were told that the Queen "was a trifle better than had been expected."

Much to the doctors' delight, Victoria rallied a bit, and a 4 p.m., asked for chicken broth.   Privately, however, the doctors have no false hope.  They know that the queen is failing,  and there is nothing they can do to save her.

Royal Measles

January 21. 1901

Several members of the German nobility contracted measles after attending the funeral of the late Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar, reports the New York Times.  The Duke Regent of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and the Duchess, a daughter of the late Grand Duke, have both come down with the disease after staying at "the infected schloss."  The young Duke of Saxe-Weimar is also ill with the measles.

Dowager Empress Friedrich in serious condition at Kronberg

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January 21, 1901

Although there is little "authentic information" to confirm the story, it is being reported that the Dowager Empress Friedrich of Germany's inability to travel to Osborne to be with her dying mother is "having a deplorable effect" on her "already shattered health."

The Dowager Empress, Victoria's eldest daughter, is said to be shattered by the news, and her "children and attendants have become greatly alarmed over her condition," reports the Chicago Daily Tribune.

Her family had to dissuade her from making the "hopeless attempt to go to England," but she was "much comforted" when she was told that Queen Victoria had recognized Kaiser Wilhelm.

Empress Auguste Viktoria, the wife of Wilhelm II, will travel to Kronberg tomorrow.

All of the Empress Friedrich's children, with the exception and the Crown Princess of Greece, are now with her at Kronberg.

Prince and Princess Henry of Prussia, Prince and Princess Friedrich Karl of Hesse and the Hereditary Princess of Saxe-Meiningen will remain at Kronberg.

The Dowager Empress is seriously ill and is suffering greatly.  It is understood that it is unlikely that she will ever leave Kronberg.

Ingrid Alexandra of Norway turns 7

HRH Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, second in line to the throne, celebrates her 7th birthday today. I love this photo of the princess ...

Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess/Royal Court

Archduke Christoph of Austria: engaged

Archduke Christoph of Austria is engaged -- at least according to his Facebook page. The 23-year old second son of Archduke Christian of Austria and his wife, Princess Marie Astrid of Luxembourg, changed his status on Monday to engaged. The archduchess-to-be is called Adelaide, and may be a member of a French noble family.
There has not been an official announcement of an engagement.

The Duchess of Aosta's death

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January 20, 1951

The Duchess of Aosta died today at her villa at Castellamara di Stabia near Naples.  She was 84 years old.  The Duchess was the widow of the Duke of Aosta, first cousin of the late King Victor Emanuele, who commanded the Italian 3rd Army during the first world war, reports the Associated Press.

The former Princess Helene of Orleans was the third of eight children of Prince Philippe, Count of Paris, and Infanta Maria Isabel of Spain.  She was born on June 13, 1871, at York House in Twickenham, where the French royal family lived in exile.

In spite of her family's exile,  Helene's parents had great hopes she would make a great marital alliance.  Her sister, Amelie, was married to the King of Portugal.
Princess Helene was known for her great beauty.  One journalist noted that she was "the personification of womanly health and beauty, distinguished as a graceful athlete and charming linguist."

Embed from Getty Images

Helene's great love was Queen Victoria's grandson, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence.  Both families were opposed to the marriage as Helene was Roman Catholic, but neither the Duke of Clarence nor Helene was willing to give up their love.

Helene, who said she would join the Church of England, went with Albert Victor to meet with his grandmother.  They confessed that they were in love.   With the news that Helene would convert, the Queen gave her support.    Albert Victor's mother, the Princess of Wales, also supported the marriage, despite the obstacles.
Unfortunately, for the young couple,  Helene's father was against the marriage. He would not permit his daughter to convert to the Anglican Church.  Helene remained determined to marry Albert Victor. She visited the Vatican to ask for Pope Leo XIII's intercession, but he agreed with her father.

Helene was forced to end her relationship with Prince Albert Victor.

Religion was also an obstacle to marriage with Tsarevich Nicholas, heir to the Russian throne.  Emperor Alexander III and Empress Marie considered Helene as their first choice for Nicholas' bride. The future Russian empress was required to be Orthodox.

Other possible suitors included Afonso, the Duke of Porto, younger brother of King Carlos of Portugal, who was married to Helene's sister, and the Crown Prince of Italy.

It would be another Italian prince who won Helene's hand, if not her affection.  On June 25, 1895,  Helene married Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, 2nd Duke of Aosta.  The wedding took place at St. Raphael's Catholic Church at Kingston-on-Thames.

The couple had two sons,  Prince Amedeo, 3rd Duke of Aosta (1898-1942), and Prince Aimone, 4th Duke of Aosta (1900-1948.)

Helene's husband died in 1931.    She is survived by her grandson, Amedeo, 5th Duke of Aosta, and two granddaughters, Princess Margherita and Maria Cristina, the daughters of the third Duke.

Date set for Alfonso's son's wedding

January 20, 1935

It was announced today that Don Jaime, second son of former King Alfonso XIII, will marry Emanuela de Dampierre, in Rome on March 4, reports the Associated Press.  This will be second marriage this year "inch American blood will join that if the royal family of Spain.   Earlier this month,  the king's elder daughter, Infanta Beatriz, married Prince Alessandro Torlonia, "grandson of an American industrialist."
The beautiful 21-year-old Emanuela, the daughter of a French Count, has American blood through her maternal grandmother, Josephine Curtis of New York.  Her American family tree includes links to Gen. Aquila Giles, aide-de-camp to George Washington; General William Tecumseh Sherman; and "other leaders in the civil and military life of the United States."
The bride's mother, Donna Vittoria Ruspoli, a member of the Italian nobility, said that the Count de Dampierre "had an American woman named Corbin among his forbears."    Donna Vittoria, who resumed her maiden name after her divorce from the count, said she had "no further knowledge of the Count's American blood."
Officials, speaking on behalf of the king, said that Don Jaime's wedding will be "conducted as quietly as possible because of his father's political situation," and because the family is still in mourning for the king's youngest son, Don, Gonzalo, who was killed in a car accident last August.
Don Jaime, a deaf mute, is said to be extremely intelligent, "easily able to make dinner partners forget his difficulties."   He enjoys dancing, horseback riding, and "plays an exceptionally good game of golf."

Bulgarian prince arrives in US "incognito"

January 20, 1929

Prince Cyrill of Bulgaria arrived today in New York on the North German Lloyd liner Berlin.  He is traveling incognito  as Cyrill Sokolski "on a tour of the world."  The 33-year-old Prince, younger brother of King Boris III, is accompanied by Professor Max Rabes of the University of Erlanger  in Bavaria.  The professor is also a noted portrait painter.
The Prince will spending the "greater part of his time" inspecting automobile plants.  At the Savoy-Plaza Hotel, the prince was told of a report that King Boris had told him to bring back a wealthy American bride.
Prince Cyrill smiled, and replied: "That is all nonsense.  I have no intention of marrying at present.  It is just a business tour that I am making." 
He said he planned to visit Florida, the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone Park. 
Professor Rabes told the New York Times reporter that it was a tradition in the Bulgarian royal family that every prince "upon attaining his majority" should travel around the world.  Prince Cyrill's trip was delayed due to the Great War.
The Prince is related to every royal family in Europe. His grandmother, Princess Clementine, was the daughter of King Louis Philippe of France.  Prince Cyrill has two sisters, Princess Eudoxia, and Princess Nadejda, who is married to the Duke of Württemberg.

The sudden death of Prince John

January 20, 1919

By cable from London via Montreal to the New York Times.

Prince John's death was unexpected and "came so quickly" that there was no time for his nurses to summon his parents, King George V and Queen Mary "to his bedside before he expired."
In recent years, the young Prince was cared for by an attendant due to his delicate health.  He has not been seen on public occasions with other members of the family for several years.  He lived "in comparative privacy" at Sandringham.
London newspapers "point out sympathetically" how the king and queen during the war buried the tragedy of their youngest son's "delicate health in the silence of their hearts, never hinting to the nation the nature of the personal anxieties weighing upon them."
President Woodrow Wilson has sent a telegram of sympathy to the King and Queen.

Victoria's death is very near

January 20, 1901

Queen Victoria remains alive, but her death is "expected momentarily, according to the latest reports. At 10 p.m.,  a "collapse occurred unexpectedly," and the Prince of Wales "was notified to return at once."
The "gravity of the situation" was increased by the Prince's inability to "obey the summons at once."  He is "seriously indisposed" and would not be able to leave London until 8 a.m., tomorrow.
Today was a day of "terrible anxiety at Osborne House."

Empress Friedrich "much depressed"

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January 20, 1901

Prince and Princess Henry of Prussia and the Hereditary Princess of Saxe-Meiningen have arrived at Kronberg to stay with the Dowager Empress Friedrich, who is described  as "terrible depressed" by the news of her mother's condition, according to a dispatch from the New York Times

The Empress is the eldest of Queen Victoria's nine children.

Kaiser Wilhelm II, the empress' eldest son, and the Duke of Connaught arrived tonight in London shortly after 6 p.m.  They were received by the Prince of Wales who came up from Osborne House to greet them.

The Prince of Wales arrived at the station, just before the train, which pulled in at 6:20 p.m.  The Duke of York, Prince Christian, and his son, Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein and Prince Arthur of Connaught, were also in the welcoming party.

Wilhelm stepped out of the saloon car, and "saluted the Prince of Wales by kissing him on both cheeks."  The Prince returned "a similar salutation.  He then embraced the Duke of York. and shook hands "with the others."

A crowd had gathered to watch their arrivals. and as the carriages drove off,  they "uncovered their heads."  Wilhelm and the Prince of Wales "acknowledged the courtesy by raising their hats."  There were no cheers, as the crowd maintained a "mournful silence."

At 10 p.m., tonight, the Prince of Wales spent an hour on the telephone with the queen's physicians at Osborne House.  The news was not good.  The Prince and his nephew will leave early tomorrow for Osborne.  Orders were given "for a royal yacht" to be waiting to take them to the Isle of Wight.

According to a report in The Daily Telegraph,  Wilhelm has asked that he be received at Osborne house as the queen's grandson, and not as the German Emperor.

"I am my grandmother's eldest grandson, and my mother is unable from illness to hasten to her bedside," Kaiser Wilhelm II said.

Duke of Cambridge

January 20, 1901

The Duke of Cambridge, who arrived in Paris last evening en route to the Riviera, received a telegram earlier today asking him to return to England, reports the New York Times.
He was preparing to leave when he received a more favorable dispatch this evening.  The Duke, a first cousin of Queen Victoria, has decided to "await further advices before returning to England."  He remains at the Hotel Bristol in Paris.  A correspondent saw him this evening, and his "demeanor indicated that he thought the outlook was more hopeful."

Is Brabourne heading back to Broadlands

Richard Kay, the Daily Mail's gossip columnist, is reporting in Thursday's paper that Lord Brabourne has apparently ended his relationship with Lady Nuttall.  Kay does not know if the breakup is permanent, but "friends are saying it is over."

The friend is quoted as saying: "None of us really knows what has happened with Jeannie, but Norton has made it clear he had no intention of divorcing Penny. The financial cost would have been immense.  This might have been the catalyst."

Perhaps Lord Brabourne has returned to his senses, and realizes Penny is worth fighting for. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1348730/Kate-Middleton-Goring-Hotel-night-Royal-wedding.html

Summer baby for the Schaumburg-Lippes

It will be a summer baby for the Prince and Princess of Schaumburg-Lippe!    This will the the couple's second child.  Their daughter, Felipa, celebrated her second birthday in December. 
The Princess said yesterday: "After December 2008, Felipa has enriched our lives, and now we look forward to our summer child."
The couple do not want if they are having a boy or a girl.  "Whether it is a boy or a girl, we do not want to know.  We want to be surprised,"  said 52-year-old Prince Alexander.
Alexander married 35-year-old Nadja Anne Zsoeks, a Munich lawyer, in 2007.

The Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe has a 16-year-old son, Hereditary Prince Heinrich Donatus, by his first wife, Princess Marie Louise "Lily" of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. 

http://www.landes-zeitung.de/portal/lokales/lz-heute/bueckeburg_Wir-freuen-uns-sehr-aufs-Sommerkind-_arid,302114.html


http://www.schloss-bueckeburg.de/

No California honeymoon for Carol and Helen

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January 18, 1921

Crown Prince Carol of Roumania and Princess Helen of Greece plan to be married soon, perhaps by the end of the month.  They would like to spend their honeymoon in California, but because of the "distance from Greece" they will be compelled to "confine their tour to European countries,"  the Crown Prince said today, according to the Associated Press.  

"It would be very pleasant to go to America again, but it is too far," the Crown Prince said.

"We shall probably spend a little time in Tatoi, later go to the Summer Palace at Sinai, Rumania, and then motor through Italy and Spain."

Crown Prince Carol visited the United States last fall on his way home following a world tour.

It is also reported today that Carol's sister, Princess Marie was betrothed to King Boris of Bulgaria.  Earlier rumors that she was engaged to Prince Regent Alexander of Serbia were denied by her brother, Carol.

Carol's parents, King Ferdinand and Queen Marie may come to Athens for the wedding, but "nothing definite has been decided."  The Crown Prince is living in King Constantine's palace, but "complains it is overcrowded with Princes."  He occupies much of his time by playing tennis and motoring with his fiancee and her sisters.

Prince John has died

all photos from the Marlene A Eilers-Koenig collection

January 18, 1919

By Special cable to The New York Times and the Associated Press.

An official bulletin was released tonight  in connection with the death of Prince John, youngest son of King George V and Queen Mary:

"Prince John, who since infancy has suffered epileptic fits, which lately had become more frequent and severe, passed away in his sleep following an attack at 5:30 P.M. Saturday."

Prince John was born at Sandringham on July 12, 1905.  He was "possessed of exuberant spirits, was the prime favorite of all classes, and the ideal of servants and tenants at Windsor."   He was said to be Princess Mary's favorite brother. The princess loved to "romp with him."

The young prince never "enjoyed robust health," but "no illness had been permitted to come out to interfere with the strenuous work" performed by the King and Queen.    He was educated at home and rarely appeared at court functions.  He was not present with his brothers, Princes Henry and George, at the recent festivities in honor of President Wilson. 

The Prince of Wales's semi-official visit to Paris will be postponed due to Prince John's death. If you liked this article

Elena of Italy's mother is not well

January 19, 1907


Queen Elena of Italy received word today that her mother, Princess Milena of Montenegro, is "alarmingly ill" at her palace in Cetinje.  The princess suffers from a kidney disease, and underwent surgery in Vienna "some time ago."  Queen Elena will go to Cetinje to care for  her mother, but in the meantime, she has sent a specialist to got Montenegro, according to a dispatch to the New York Times.

Victoria "at death's door"

January 19, 1901

Queen Victoria "lies at death's door," according to  the latest reports.  Late tonight, she was "stricken with paralysis."   There are unconfirmed reports that the Queen cannot live until Monday.  
The Prince of Wales has "received authority to act in her Majesty's stead," and now has the power to sign State documents.   The Prince's role is a "practical, though not Constitutional regency."   He arrived at Osborne House at 6:00 p.m.
Members of the family continue to arrive at Osborne House.  Among the members of the family at Victoria's bedside are the Prince and Princess of Wales and Princess Louise.
Her Majesty is extremely weak, and "the loss of all her faculties appear to be at present the chief cause for anxiety," according to the New York Times.   She "lies helpless and almost speechless in her bed.  Victoria is surrounded by "every comfort" and "all the accessories of modern medicine are at hand."
It is the opinion "of those best qualified to judge" that Victoria's "present serious condition was precipitated by intense worry over the losses and hardships suffered by the British troops in South Africa."
The Queen had oft-remarked to Court officials that "another war would kill her."
No official announcement has been made regarding the severity of the queen's illness, "although sorrow is written broad upon every face."

Kaiser en route to England

January 19, 1901

Kaiser Wilhelm II and the Duke of Connaught will leave by special train tonight for England at 6 p.m.  It was officially announced earlier today that due to "the serious illness of Queen Victoria" and the Kaiser's departure for England, "the grand Court receptions" fixed for Monday and Wednesday will not  take place.

The descendants of Queen Victoria

Marlene A Eilers Koenig collection

January 19, 1901

The Chicago Daily Tribune today published an article about the descendants of Queen Victoria.  She has seventy-three children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Victoria succeeded to the throne in 1837.  The newspaper noted that the direct line of succession had "dwindled to meager proportions," and was centered on the 18-year-old Victoria.  (Well, this was actually correct.  By 1837, Victoria had four first cousins,  Prince George of Cumberland, Prince George of Cambridge, Princess Augusta of Cambridge and Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge.)
But today, the Queen has seventy-three living descendants, and she has lived to see the third generation of direct heirs to her throne.

Among the Queen's grandsons and grandsons-in-law are the reigning Emperor of Russia, the German Emperor, and the Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine.  Her eldest daughter is the Dowager Empress of Germany, the mother of Kaiser Wilhelm II.   Victoria's descendants will "in time wear the crowns of Great Britain, Greece and Roumania."

The marriage of Victoria and her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha produced nine children, forty grandchildren, and thirty-five great grandchildren. 

 Death "has removed eleven of these - two sons and one daughter, one granddaughter and seven grandsons."

Victoria has been on the throne for sixty-three years.  She is eighty-two years old. 

[Perhaps one day, an American woman will write several books about the descendants of Queen Victoria ... oh ... talk about a shameless plug!]

Archduchess seeks rich American husband

January 18, 1921

"Charming Archduchess, accomplished musician, with knowledge of several languages, brought up in luxury and now tired of a miserable existence without money, would marry rich and refined American or English gentleman about 38 years old. Parvenus and individuals of other nationalities need not apply.  The Archduchess will willingly emigrate, and, even if necessary, change her religion.  An interview might be arranged in Switzerland."

This advert was recently published in a Tyrolean newspaper, reports the New York Times.  The unnamed Archduchess "is not alone in resorting to this method of trying to escape from a miserly existence in the former Austrian Empire.  Vienna newspapers are full of such advertisements, and advertisers, "despairing of finding suitable matches in their own country, are now beginning to advertise abroad."
A girl has to do what a girl has to do to secure a financially sound husband!

rumors about Victoria's health

January 18, 1901

By Atlantic cable to the Associated Press.

There are a "large number of rumors" circulating today in London regarding the health of Queen Victoria.   Unsubstantiated reports state that the Queen is "seriously ill" and her family have been "summoned to Osborne."   The Associated Press' reporter received a "flat denial of the reports" following an inquiry at 3:00 p.m.
The Prince of Wales is at Marlborough House, where no news has been received indicating that Her Majesty is not enjoying her usual health."   The Duke of York, second in line to the throne,  left for Sandringham earlier this afternoon.

An official announcement was released this evening: "The Queen during the past year has had a great strain upon her powers, which has rather told upon her nervous system.  It has therefore been thought advisable that Her Majesty should be kept perfectly quiet in the house, and should abstain from transacting business."
Rumors of Queen Victoria's illness "have alarmed the public and adversely affected the Stock Exchange" in spite of the denials from Osborne and Marlborough House.
Several telegrams from Cowes report that the Queen "was not well" today, and was suffering from insomnia.   The Associated Press communicated with Osborne House at 6:00 p.m., this evening, and was told by Lord Edward William Pelham-Clinton, master of the Queen's household that he was not able to discuss the matter further, but said that a statement would appear in tomorrow's Court Circular.
The Associated Press has also "received assurances" from the Foreign Office that there is "no reason for apprehension regarding the Queen's health."
Queen Victoria is 81 years old, and has been on the throne since June 1837/

Has Princess Madeleine found an American sweetheart?

Princess Madeleine of Sweden arrived in New York a few days after she broke off her engagement to Jonas Bergstrom, who had cheated on her with a Norwegian handball player.  She appears to have found her Prince Charming, Christopher O'Neill, a financial adviser.  He is the son of New York socialite Eva O'Neill. 
Christopher is said to be a 36-year-old millionaire, who "dispenses financial advice to super wealthy clients."

For more details of this budding relationship, please see the article in the current issue of New York Magazine.


http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2011/01/princess_madeliene_finds_east.html


http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/mogul_makes_princess_his_swede_heart_RY5pBd4sUfMcdTThRqqcBI

http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/1.2292337/madeleine-ar-fortfarande-singel

The final article is in Swedish, and features a brief video of the Princess and O'Neill at the Central Park Boathouse, at the bar.

A new baby for the Prince & Princess of Schaumburg-Lippe

The Princess of Schaumburg-Lippe is pregnant with her second child.  Her pregnancy has been confirmed by her husband, Alexander, 52, who spoke to the German weekly magazine, Bunte: "Yes, it's true. we're thrilled." 
Princess Nadja Anna, 35, did not attend the annual New Year's Concert at Schloss Bückeburg.  Prince Alexander told guests at the concert that his wife was unable to attend for "a beautiful reason," largely acknowledging that his wife was pregnant.
The Prince and Princess of Schaumburg-Lippe are the parents of a daughter, Princess Felipa, 2.  The Prince has a 16-year-old son, Hereditary Prince Heinrich Donatus, from his first marriage to Princess Marie Louise of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg.
The date of the expected birth has not been announced.

A royal engagement: Prince Ludwig zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg & Countess Philippa Spannocchi

On December 26, 2010, Prince Ludwig zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn and Countess Philippa Spannocchi  got engaged.   Prince Ludwig Ferdinand Maria Karl August Simon Theodor. 28, is the fifth of seven children of  Alexander, Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, and his wife, Gabriela, Countess of Schönborn-Wiesentheid.
Countess Philippa is the daughter of Count Hieronymous Spannocchi and Countess Verena  of Schönborn-Buchheim.
In August 2010,  Philippa and Prince Ludwig took  took part in  a fashion show at "Night of the Emperor" (Die Nacht der Kaiser) at Bad Ischl. the former summer residence of the Austrian Imperial Family. The fashion show raised funds for the Franz Klammer Foundation.  The gala celebrated the 180th birthday of the late Kaiser Franz Joseph I.  
Philippa,27. joined the other young nobles, including Countess Simone von Miller au Aichholz, Countess Cameo von Miller zu Aichholz and Count Gundaccar von Wurmbrand-Stuppach, in discussing her background with a reporter.  She said she enjoyed the imperial history. 
"My family lives in a castle in Upper Austria.  Thus I, and my four siblings grew up with this special flair.  I would love to run around in imperial clothes all day long.
"Several hundred years ago the Spannocchis were the richest family in Tuscany.  There is a saying 'as rich as a Spanncchi.'  Many think we are still so rich.  Unfortunately, they have the wrong idea."
She also talked about her relationship with Prince Ludwig.  "We have been together for two years.  I think my parents are very satisified. But I do don't think there would be a problem if my partner were a commoner."
Philippa grew up at Schloss Sprinzenstein, near Rohrbach.  Count Hieronymous inherited the castle from his grandfather, Count Guido von Sprinzenstein, who died without male issue.  (This title is now extinct.) 
http://madonna.oe24.at/thema/Aristokraten-Interview-Gewinnspiel-Nacht-der-Kaiser/1411059

http://www.sayn.de/html/aktuell.html

Philippa is the sales manager at the Hotel Prinz Eugen in Vienna.  Her aunt, Countess Katharina Spannocchi is the second wife and widow of Count Rudolf Erwein of Schöborn-Wiesentheid, Prince Ludwig's maternal grandfather. Her paternal grandfather, Count Lelio Spannocchi, was a prominent Austrian politician.
The date of the wedding has not been announced.

One of the nicest Christmas cards this year

Usually, the Prince of Monaco's card features a photo of the palace or a sketch, but not the card for Christmas 2010  --- what a lovely photograph of the Prince of Monaco and his fiancee, Charlene Wittstock.

Perhaps the card for 2011 will have a photograph from the wedding!

Prince Franz flies to mom

January 14, 1941

Prince Franz zu Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingsfürst declared today that his mother, Princess Stephanie, is "critically ill," according to a report in the New York Times. The 26-year-old prince will leave tonight from LaGuardia Field  for Palo Alto on an American Airlines flight.  He says there is "no substance to the charges leveled against her of being a Nazi agent," and added that he "wanted to be with her in her trouble."
Princess Stephanie was ordered to leave the United States in December "on the ground that her visitor's permit had expired."
She had first agreed to leave, but several days ago, it was reported that she would fight efforts to deport her.  The Princess is staying at a hotel near San Francisco.

Cheers for Alfonso as his daughter weds

January 14, 1935

Infanta Beatriz of Spain was married today to Prince Alessandro Torlonia, a member of the Italian nobility.  The wedding, as described by the Associated Press, "was the cause of an enthusiastic royalist demonstration" for the exiled Spanish king.

Twice, during the ceremony at the Jesuit Church of Jesus, "amid scenes of regal splendor, the throngs of royalists attending the wedding cheered vociferously for former King Alfonso."  Many threw kisses at the ex-ruler.
Beatriz's mother remained at her London hotel, and did not attend the wedding.  Unconfirmed rumors "have said that the two are estranged" and may seek a divorce.

More than 2500 Spaniards attended traveled a thousand miles to honor Alfonso and Infanta Beatriz with "a prolonged ovation time after time."
Infanta Beatriz's "simple, almost severe, white satin gown" was trimmed with white ermine, as was the long train.  She wore an orange blossom cornet in hair, the orange blossoms were brought fresh from Valencia, Spain.  The coronet was fastened to a tulle veil.   Beatriz's only piece of jewelry was a necklace of pearls that once belonged to her grandmother, the late Queen Maria Cristina.

The Roman Catholic service was conducted by Pedro Carindal Segura y Saenz, the exiled primate of Spain.  King Vittorio Emanuele and Queen Elena of Italy sat in the front row, along with other members of the Italian royal family.  Members of the Bavarian,  Orleans, Braganza, Greece and French royal families were in attendance, along with a "sprinkling of Habsburgs."

After the ceremony, Infanta Beatriz and Prince Alessandro were received by Pope Pius in "a twenty-minute audience."

The couple are spending their first night together at Frascati in the Alban Hills. Tomorrow they will leave by train for London to visit Beatriz's mother, Ena, before sailing to America for their honeymoon.  Prince Alessandro's mother, Elsie, is American.

King Alfonso's gift to the newlyweds was a "diadem, collar and pendant of black pearls" that once belonged to Empress Maria Theresia of Austria and  later to Alfonso's mother, Maria Cristina, who was born an Austrian archduchess. 

Another diadem, collar and bracelet, "set in aquamarine," was given to the bride by Queen Elena.   Princess Torlonia gave her her daughter-in-law a "jeweled spray."