The newly engaged Harold and Helena

July 6, 1908

The recent announcement of the engagement of Prince Harold of Denmark and Princess Helena of Schleswig-Holstein reminds the Marquise de Fontenoy that Prince Harold "was one of the unsuccessful suitors" for Queen Wilhelmina's hand.

The Marquise also notes that the engagement may bring about a marked improvement between the Danish and Prussia courts.  Princess Helena is said to be "the favorite niece" of Empress Auguste Viktoria.


One of Helena's sisters, Viktoria Adelheid, is married to the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.  Another sister, Auguste Viktoria, is engaged to marry the Kaiser's fourth son, Prince August Wilhelm.   The princess' mother, Karoline Mathilde, is a younger sister of the empress.

Denmark's navy controls the "entrance to the Baltic," which means Germany wants to cultivate a good relationship with the much smaller nation.  Since the 1864 war, Germany has tried to "assuage Danish resentment and convert it to good will."   

It is expected that the marriage between Prince Harold and Princess Helena will help to further build a good relationship between the two countries.