Ambassador Leishman admits his daughter is engaged

April 19, 1913

Ambassador and Mrs. Leishman have told friends that their youngest daughter, Nancy, is engaged to the Duke of Croy.  The Ambassador and his wife have authorized the New York Times correspondent to "state that the betrothal has existed for several months," and the couple will be married between "now and midsummer."

The date and place of the wedding have not been set, as Ambassador Leishman is waiting for the appointment and arrival of his successor.  He currently serves as the American ambassador to Germany.

The wedding is most likely to take place in Paris as the Leishmans have a house at 12 Square du Bois de Boulogne.  Earlier this week, Mrs. Leishman and Miss Leishman left Berlin for Paris so the bride-to-be could give "attention to that all-important matter, the trousseau."

German society is not "officially aware" of this "affair of the heart, pure and simple." Carl, the 13th Duke of Croy, is "ardently in love with the vivacious American" for more than a year, and he "wooed her industriously" until he won her heart last winter.

The Duke of Croy is one of the "handsomest and striking officers" in the German Army.  He is 6 feet 1 inch tall, with an "athletic figure with a full head of thick, brown hair and piercing black eyes."

He is five years older than Miss Leishman, who is 18 years old.

In marrying the Duke,  Miss Leishman will become a member of one "of the most aristocratic families in Europe."  The Duke is the head of the Croy princely family. Belgium.   He owns property in Belgium, Bavaria, and France.

His sister, Princess Isabella, was recently married to the grandson of the Prince Regent of Bavaria.

The Duke is expected to leave the military after his marriage and "devote himself" to the management of his estates. 

The Croys are not a mediated family, and the Duke is not required to leave the army nor receive the consent of the Kaiser.   Miss Leishman will, however, be expected to join the Roman Catholic Church, as the Croys are Catholic.