Prince Paul is in Chicago, "unroyal, free and glad"

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 January 10, 1926

Prince Paul of Greece is staying in Suite 407-9 at Chicago's Blackstone Hotel, having arrived tonight from New York City.  The 24-year-old prince met with reporters at the hotel, reports the Chicago Daily Tribune.

Leaning across the dresser in his room, the 6 feet 2 inches tall prince, "crossed his fee, grinned boyishly," and "gazed amusingly through a highly polished monocle, immovably gripped over his right eye."

"You know as much about conditions in Greece as I do," the prince said. 

He speaks flawless English with a Greek-English accent.  He graduated from Britain's naval academy.

"One thing is certain: the steps we had planned toward moving the body of my father, the late King Constantine, from Florence, Italy, to a final and formal resting place in Athens have been dropped for the present.

"Indeed, as things seem to be over there now, none of us, the quick or the dead, will ever return to my country."

Prince Paul, third son of the late King Constantine and his German wife, Sophie, has been in the United States for four months.

"Most of the time I have spent with my cousin, Mrs. William B. Leeds, the former Princess Xenia, and her husband on Long Island.  I have made several visits to eastern cities."

A reporter asked:  "Have you been impressed by our prohibition law?" 

Prince Paul, who "seemed indifferent" to what he was called -- Master Paul or your royal highness -- thought for a few minutes before responding. 

"I've been impressed to this extent, that there seems to be all the liquor that one wants to find everywhere one goes.  I don't drink, but if I did I'd have as little trouble getting it in America as in England."

In answer to another question, Prince Paul said he was not "seeking a marketable appraisal of his title in the marriage mart."  He also chose not to make the "usual bromidic alien applesauce" about the "feminine marvels" of American girls.

He did "discuss with anticipatory pleasure" the places he will visit in Chicago, before returning to the Leeds home next week.  He "seemed eager" to meet with seventy-five Greeks who waited for him in the hotel's reception hall.

Tomorrow, Prince Paul will attend a memorial service for his father at Holy Trinity Church.  The service was conducted by the Hellenic National Union of Chicago.

King George V angered by Cousin Marie

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 January 9, 1926

The Chicago Daily Tribune has learned that King George V has "received a special report on the renunciation of the Roumanian throne by former Crown Prince Carol, about which the British monarch has been much annoyed."

George V is said to be annoyed, not because Carol is a cousin, but "because he feels such incidents are injurious to the monarchical idea."

The Tribune has learned that the British sovereign "blames King Ferdinand and Queen Marie for allowing the matter to go so far."   In conversation with his own aides, the King has used "the strongest language, calling the Roumanian king a 'dodderer,' and making uncomplimentary references to Queen Marie, whose claim to be an English woman is much resented in court and official circles in England."

[This makes no sense as Queen Marie was a British princess birth and King George's first cousin.]

The report sent to King George indicates that Carol's renunciation was not "voluntary but was forced and was due not to domestic troubles but entirely to political."     According to this report, Carol was opposed to the regime headed by the Bratiano brothers, one of whom is the prime minister and the other is the finance minister.

Their government is said to be "signalized by the worst forms of graft, corruption, and oppression."  Carol was said to be involved with "organizing a party" to replace the brothers.

He would have thrown out the Bratianos as soon as he came to the throne, which "might have occurred at any time" due to King Ferdinand's poor health.   Queen Marie supports the Bratianos, and she is described in the report as the real ruler of Romania.  She was "persuaded" to get rid of "her eldest son, putting her infant grandson in his place."  This would allow the Bratianos and Queen Marie  to dominate the Roumanian government "for many years to come."

In order to carry out their wishes, "it was necessary to find a pretext and the pretext was found" in Carol's friendship with Elena Lupescu, described as a member of "one of the leading Jewish families of Roumania."

[Note:  Elena's father converted to Roman Catholicism, and Elena was baptized as an infant in the Roman Catholic faith.]

Anti-semitism is rampant in Roumania and there is concern that "there might be a Jewish queen if Carol was allowed to succeed to the throne."

This was the argument that was placed before Ferdinand, who "finally agreed to the demand of his wife and premier" that his eldest son must be removed from the succession.

The Tribune is also reporting that in Roumania that Carol remains very popular, and if King Ferdinand has "an early death a popular movement to recall carol and enthrone him is likely."

Adolf II - Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe

Adolf II, Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe, was the last of the German sovereigns to abdicate following the collapse of the German Empire in November 1918.  He was born on February 23, 1883, in Stadthagen, the first son of Hereditary Prince Georg and his wife, Princess Marie of Saxe-Altenburg.   Adolf was ten years old when his grandfather, Adolf I, died and was succeeded by Georg,   He succeeded his father on April 29, 1911.

Adolf II reigned until November 15, 1918, when he abdicated, and Schaumburg-Lippe became the Free State of Schaumburg-Lippe.

On January 10, 1920, Adolf married Ellen-Elisabeth Bischoff-Korthaus.  The couple was married in Berlin. 

In March 1936, the Prince and Princess were on vacation in Mexico.  They were among the fourteen passengers of a Mexican airplane flying from Mexico City to the capital of Guatemala, when the plane crashed between two volcanos on March 26.

The plane was flying low and developed engine trouble, "when it was between the volcanoes it apparently developed engine trouble, for it circled as if the pilot intended to return to the landing field, " reported the New York Times.
"Suddenly the ship became enveloped in smoke and it crashed with great speed to the earth and burned completely."

Adolf's marriage was childless.  He was succeeded as head of the house by his brother, Wolrad.

Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Parma engaged

Princess Irene of the Netherlands announced today the engagement of her younger daughter, Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Parma, to Albert Brenninkmeijer. 

The princess is also the daughter of the late Prince Carlos Hugo of Bourbon-Parma, Duke of Parma.

The 37-year-old Princess studied political science at the University of Amsterdam and Harvard University.  She also studied Forced Migration at Oxford University.  She now works for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, a department of the United Nations in Geneva.

Mr. Brenninkmeijer, 37, studied economics at the University of Edinburgh. He received a MBA from Oxford.  He is a manager at C&A France.   His family owns the C&A chain.  

The couple have known each other for more than a year.  The date of the wedding was not announced.

Albert was born on May 16, 1974 at Paris. He is the third child of Alphons Brenninkmeijer and Cecilé Duwaer. 

http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/4492/Nederland/article/detail/3111405/2012/01/09/Prinses-Carolina-stapt-in-het-huwelijksbootje.dhtml#.Twq55oouu1c.twitter

A Monaco Christmas

The scan omitted the Monogram AC on the top of the card

Christmas in Belgrade

CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE ROYAL PALACE

Belgrade, 6 January 2012 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II, Crown Princess Katherine, Prince Peter, Prince Philip, Prince Alexander and Michael Garfinkel, the grandson of Princess Katherine, celebrated Christmas Eve at the Royal Palace in Dedinje.

The traditional burning of the Yule log was performed in front of the Royal Palace, which was blessed by Protopresbyter Vladan Perisic, Father Panayotis Kartasios, representative of the Greek Orthodox Church in Serbia, Father Ilija Buha and clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

 Beside Their Royal Highnesses there were present members of the Gendarmerie, employees of The Royal Palace, as well as representatives of the media. Burning of the Yule log was followed by traditional short reception for all present at the Royal Palace.

Representatives of HM King Peter I Foundation from Oplenac participated at Evening Liturgy and Christmas Eve activities in front of the Church of St. George. After burning of the Yule log over 700 children from Topola and surrounding villages received Christmas parcels.

Their Royal Highnesses will attend Morning Christmas Liturgy on 7^th of January at 9:00 am at the Cathedral Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Belgrade that will be officiated by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia.

Another call (and a cold) for Princess Anne

January 6, 1948

Princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma, who is confined to her bed at her home in Copenhagen, with a bad cold, received a second telephone call today from her fiance, former King Michael of Romania, reports the Associated Press.

Michael, who was forced to abdicate his throne on December 30, is now in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Princess Anne's father, Prince Rene, told reporters that his daughter and his wife, Princess Margrethe, plan to leave for Lausanne in a few days.  But he "declined to discuss any possible plans" for a wedding between his daughter and King Michael.

The Gloucesters name their baby

January 6, 1942

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester today announced the names of their first child, who was born last December 18.  The Associated Reports that the little prince has been named William Henry Andrew Frederick.

Carol heads "Free Rumania" cause

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 January 6, 1942

Former King Carol II, now living in Mexico City, has "accepted the leadership of the Free Rumania Committee for the Triumph of Democracy," according to the New York Times, which also noted that Carol has "authorized the publication of a statement to that effect."

He sent a telegram from Mexico City to Leon Fischer, the president of the Free Rumania Committee, which has its headquarters at 419 Lafayette Street in New York City.  Fisher, who visited Carol in Mexico City two weeks ago, told reporters today that "His Majesty plans to be in the United States shortly, probably about Jan. 15 or 20."

Carol also wants "to call upon his countrymen to rebel against the Axis."  He also stated that "contrary to all be beliefs, he had not abdicated as King of Rumania."

The New York Times has learned from "competent sources" that the former King would like to establish a Free Rumanian government in Canada.  But well-informed sources doubt that Carol would be able "to continue his political activity."   The British government is "said to be hostile" to Carol's plans.

The British government would not grant a visa to the former king.  He has "launched a campaign" to obtain a visa to the United States, but the State Department is unlikely to grant his request.  The British government has asked the Mexican Government to "instruct Carol to conform to his pledge and abstain from all political activity."

The Free Rumania Committee has branches in the United States and in Canada.  The first office was opened in London. 

Fischer's statement also included: "After several months of deliberation, Carol has accepted the leadership of the Free Rumania forces.  The former king was faced with more than a distressing problem.  On the one hand, there was his son Michael acting as head of the present kingdom, and on the other hand the true welfare of the Rumanian people.  It was a dilemma that few men are called to face....Yet after profound deliberation, Carol came face to face with the fact that there could be one true answer ... If, as a man, he is called upon to sacrifice his son for the greater good of his people, then he, as king, must answer the call of duty and right and fight for the survival of his people as a free nation.

"The plan to frustrate Carol's leadership by the present government in Rumania is to hurry Michael's marriage.  Michael's marriage to a German princess is being pressed in the belief that an heir might be born whom the Nazis might proclaim the Crown Prince of Rumania and so turn the minds of the population from Carol to the new so-called heir apparent."

Prince of Wales to stay in Britain for a year

January 6, 1926

The Prince of Wales has abandoned plans for another foreign tour this year, reports the Associated Press. It is stated that the heir to British throne "will not leave the British Isles during the next year.
This announcement is seen by many as "confirmation of the reports" of the Prince of Wales's engagement  and, "possibly his marriage to Princess Astrid of Sweden will be accomplished within this time."

Instead of touring abroad, the Prince of Wales is planning "a busy year within the island kingdom."  He does enjoy traveling, but he "is eager to take a more prominent part in national affairs," and he expects to carry out a "long list of engagements for the year."

The Prince of Wales is expected to spend the Spring months in London, "which coincides with the plans for the visit of Princess Astrid to Buckingham Palace."

His younger brothers, the Duke of York, and Prince Henry, are expected to "undertake foreign tours as substitutes for the Prince of Wales."

The Coburgs return home

After living in New York City for five years, where he worked for Deutsche Bank, Hereditary Prince Hubertus of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and his American-born wife, Kelly, have returned to Coburg to live.

On January 1, the 36-year-old prince took over from his father, Prince Andreas, the running of the  family's Coburg foundation.

It will be a change for Prince Hubertus and Princess Kelly from living in New York City, a mega metropolis, to Coburg, a much smaller town.

Prince Hubertus is happy to be back at home.  He did not return solely for the new duties.  "This is the place for me at the right time.   The prince said that his wife "loves Coburg!"  

New York was "fascinating," but for the Hereditary Princess, Coburg, a fortress city, has proved to be "incredibly charming".  There is the feel of a small town atmosphere for the couple, as they "are often greeted by name" when they walk into a local store.  "In New York, however, is of course very anonymous,"  Prince Hubertus said.

He added that it was Princess Kelly's desire to one day live in Europe, in a non-English speaking country."  She is now living in Coburg in Germany. 

The couple have also rented an apartment in Munich because most of their friends live in that city, and "we do not always want to stay at a hotel when we visit them."

Munich is also closer to Austria, where the family owns land and forests.  Prince Hubertus will also now be responsible for the Austrian properties, including Schloss Greinburg in Grein.

The primary business is timber. "I'm glad that our core business is forestry as lumber is a solid and sustainable product."

Prince Andreas won't meddle in his son's leadership role.  "Every generation has its own ideas."

http://www.infranken.de/nachrichten/lokales/coburg/Ein-Prinz-kehrt-heim-nach-Coburg;art214,238707

The newest (perhaps) QVD

Saygan Hasburg, daughter of Christopher Habsburg, son of Archduke Stefan of Austria, who was the eldest son of Princess Ileana of Romania, gave birth to her first child, a son,  Wulfric Aurelius Habsburg-Schultes, on December 10, 2011 at St. John Providence Park Hospital in Novi, Michigan.  The proud papa is Saygan's partner, Leigh Thomas Schultes.

Another descendant of Queen Victoria will be having twins this spring ...the information came in parents-to-be's Christmas card to me!  

One new descendant is expected to arrive this month!

Princess Elisabeth of Luxembourg's mass card

Princess Anne talks to her fiancee

January 5, 1948

Princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma was able to talk today to "her sweetheart, former King Michael of Romania for nearly 15 minutes," reports United Press.

Michael arrived earlier today in Lausanne, Switzerland, after being forced into exile by the Communist government.  He reached Princess Anne at the Copenhagen home of her cousin, Prince Georg of Denmark.

A "reliable source" has told United Press that the princess will not be leaving for Lausanne until Michael can settle down. 

Princess Louise declared insane

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January 5, 1902

Princess Louise, the "eccentric eldest daughter of King Leopold of Belgium," has been declared "hopelessly insane," according to a report in the New York Times.   The princess, divorced from  Prince Philipp of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, has been held "practically as a prisoner" at an asylum near Dresden for the last two years. 

 

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 Her daughter, Princess Dorothea, is the wife of Duke Ernst Günther of Schleswig-Holstein, the brother of Empress of Germany.