Margaret of Connaught engaged to Prussian prince

May 3, 1899

By special cable to the New York Journal and Chicago Tribune. 


Princess Margaret of Connaught, the eldest children of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, is to marry Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia, son of Prince Albrecht of Prussia,  according to an announcement made today in London.    Princess Margaret is 17 years old, "but looks a mere child."  She is a "beauty in a childish fashion and is much admired."

Prince Friedrich Wilhelm, a second cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm II, is a "large and soldierly man," reports the Chicago Tribune. 

Princess Margaret is known affectionately as "the little Princess," at the family home at Bagshot.  She was born March 11, 1882, and was baptised Margaret Victoria Augusta Charlotte Norah.  She resembles her father, the Duke of Connaught, considered to be the most handsome member of the British Royal family.  Her mother was born Princess Luise Margarete of Prussia.

The young prince Friedrich Wilhelm,  who will celebrate his 19th birthday on July 12, is a Lieutenant of the First Regiment of Guards, and is a Chevalier of the Order of the Black Eagle.

Prince Friedrich Wilhelm is the third son of  Prince Albrecht and his wife, Princess Marie of Saxe-Altenburg.

[It should be noted that  Duke and Duchess of Connaught, accompanied by their three children, Princess Margaret, Prince Arthur and Princess Victoria Patricia, arrived at the Charing Cross station in London on April 29 after visiting Egypt and the Sudan.  They arrived at Charing Cross at 5:40 p.m, and were met by several carriages from Buckingham Palace.  The original plan was to travel to Buckingham Palace to have tea with the Prince of Wales.  But as their boat had arrived late, it was decided that they would be driven to Waterloo station to catch the 6 p.m. train to Bagshot. 

It seems unlikely that an engagement would be announced only three days later.  There are no references to this "engagement" in the Court Circular.  Prince Albert and Prince Friedrich Wilhelm were in Ireland in mid-May, visiting Dublin and Killarney.]