March 10, 1912
Kaiser Wilhelm II's only daughter, Princess Victoria Luise, is suffering from bronchitis and having a long rest in Switzerland, according to German court officials. But the Los Angeles Times reports, based on German military sources," that the princess's absence from Berlin is "due to an affair of the heart."
The German Emperor was very supportive of a marriage between his 19-year-old daughter and Hereditary Grand Duke Adolf of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the 29-year-old son of Grand Adolf Friedrich Vof Mecklenburgh-Strelitz and Princess Elisabeth of Anhalt. He is the third of four children and the only surviving son.
The Hereditary Grand Duke has two older sisters, Duchess Marie, who is divorced from Count George Jametel, and Crown Princess Jutta of Montenegro. His younger brother, Duke Karl Borwin was killed in a duel with his brother-in-law Count George in 1908.
An engagement was expected to be announced during the current social season. Victoria Luise and the Hereditary Grand Duke were seen together until "the last court ball."
Duke Adolf left Berlin before attending the "Ceremonial chapter of the Order of the Black Eagle." A few days later, Princess Victoria Luise traveled to Celerina, Switzerland, to join her brother, Crown Prince Wilhelm.
She did not return to Berlin with her brother. It is understood that the Princess was "entirely satisfied" with this arranged match, but it was Adolf who not only "hesitated," but then made it clear that he "had no desire to marry anyone at present."
Victoria Luise is understandably devasted by the snub and her father is said to be furious. Duke Adolf is the heir to an independent grand duchy, and can't be forced to wed the Kaiser's daughter.
4 comments:
Adolf Friederich never got married and he committed suicide in February 1918.
Was it ever known the reason for his suicide ?
Did it have to do with WW1 where, by 1918, Germany was being defeated ?
Or were there any more personal reasons ?
Was he gay and could deal with the fact, given his role of ruler of an independent monarchy within the Empire ?
Eurohistory journal published an article I wrote about Adolf a few years ago. He was in a relationship with a commoner who was blackmailing him. A marriage was arranged by Daisy Pless with renate Reuss but it never took place because Adolf was having issues trying to extricate himself from the blackmailer
Thanks, Marlene
I didn't know duels were taking place as late as 1908. When was the last known duel in Europe?
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