More details about the romance between Archduchess Eleonora of Austria and Lt. Alfons von Kloss have emerged. The couple were married on January 9, two days before Eleonora's younger sister, Archduchess Mechtildis married Prince Olfgierd Czartoriski.
Both Archduchesses, daughters of Archduke Karl Stephan, were required to renounce their titles and positions as their husbands were not of equal rank.
The New York Times reports that the 32-year-old Lt. von Kloss is "very popular with his fellow officers. He fell in love with Archduchess Eleonora, who is six years his junior, several years ago. Lt. von Kloss was the the commander of Archduke Karl Stephan's yacht, Rovenska.
The Archduke and his family often took "pleasure cruises which lasted for days." Eleonora was naturally present, which meant she saw von Koss often.
An "affection sprang up" between them, but Eleonora and Alfons managed to keep their romance a secret until recently.
Archduke Karl Stephan and his wife, Archduchess Maria Theresa, were informed about the romance only after Eleonora had written to a cousin, telling her of the "romantic attachment."
She wrote: "I shall never give my hand to another. I hope to spend a happy life at the side of the only man I love."
After her parents discussed the situation, the young Archduchess said she was in love with Alfons von Kloss. Consent was given.
Emperor Franz Josef was also informed about the marriage. He made several inquiries into Lt. von Kloss, receiving satisfactory reports.
Lieutenant von Kloss was summoned to meet the Emperor who consented to the marriage.
The engagement was celebrated at Archduke Karl Stephan's castle in Saybusch, Silesia.
Alfons von Kloss is the son of a naval officer who was raised to the nobility after leaving service three years ago.
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