May 15, 1904
The health of the young Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha is causing some concern and anxiety, according to the Marquise de Fontenoy.
Carl Eduard, who was born several months after the death of his father, Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, "appears to have inherited a good deal of the delicacy of his father," who was an invalid "to all intents and purposes" for his entire life.
The questions regarding the duke's health bring a fresh reminder of the question of succession. Should Carl Eduard die, the succession would revert to his uncle, the Duke of Connaught, who, along with his son, Prince Arthur, renounced their rights in favor of Prince Carl Eduard (then known as Charles Edward).
The conditions "have not changed" concerning their decision to "waive their rights" it may be "taken for granted" that Duke of Connaught and Prince Arthur would "adhere to their former decision."
The throne would pass to Prince Philipp of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, a Roman Catholic, who is estranged from his wife, Princess Louise of Belgium. She is currently "under restraint in a private asylum for the insane near Dresden."
Prince Philipp has one son, Prince Leopold, currently serving as an Austrian hussar officer. Should anything happen to Prince Leopold, the next in line is Philipp's younger brother, Prince August, who married the younger daughter of the late Emperor Pedro of Brazil. Their eldest son, once the heir apparent to the throne of Brazil, has for a "number of years been interned in a lunatic asylum, afflicted with homicidal mania."
It is no wonder that the people of Coburg have a "good cause" for worrying about the health of their young Duke Carl Eduard.
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