May 14, 1962
Princess Sophia of Greece today wed her "six-foot blond, curly-haired Spanish prince," The New York Times reports that Sophia's "wedding dress was all shimmering white with a frothy twenty-foot train carried by eight princesses from six countries, and everyone agreed that the Princess was as lovely as a swan."
The Princess, 23, is the elder daughter of King Paul and Queen Frederika of the Hellenes. Her new husband, Prince Juan Carlos, 24, is the son of the Count of Barcelona, pretender to the Spanish throne. One day, the newlyweds may become the King and Queen of Spain.
Athens police estimate that more than a million people lined the streets between the palace, the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches, but other observers "thought the crowd was closer to 200,000."
Princess Sophia's wedding dress was made of silver lamé "sheathed in layers of tulle and old family lace. She wore her mother's bridal veil.
The couple were married first at St. Denis Roman Catholic Church, which was followed by an Orthodox service at the Cathedral. At both services, she "smiled constantly at her parents." After leaving the Orthodox Cathedral, she "tossed her tiny white bouquet." It was caught by one of her bridesmaids, Princess Anne Marie of Denmark.
Queen Ingrid of Denmark and Princess Grace of Monaco were "the most talked about guests," due to their outfits. Ingrid wore "heavy red silk with a cap of red feathers," and Princess Grace wore "an ice-blue gown with a decoration ribbon across the bodice."
According to Greek law, the marriage "was not recognized" until after the Orthodox ceremony.
Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, King Olav of Norway, Queen Ingrid of Denmark, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco were among the 120 royal guests.
Pope John XXIII gave a special dispensation for the marriage as Princess Sophia "pledged to raise her children in the Roman Catholic faith." She also renounced her rights to the Greek throne.
Monday, May 14, 2012
A disillusioned Helen
May 14, 1932
Former Queen Helen of Romania wants to see her son, according to a new profile by the Associated Press. She recently returned from Bucharest to her "modest abode" in Florence, a "bit better off financially" than before she visited Bucharest, but there is "no appreciable improvement" in her relationship with her former husband, King Carol.
King Carol was not on hand to welcome her when she arrived in Romania's capital, nor was he present when she department.
She "receives news constantly" of her young son, Crown Prince Michael, and is thankful that she was able to spend five weeks with him in Bucharest. Mother and son correspond frequently, but Helen worries about the "bad influences" to which Michael is subjected.
Helen lives in Count Spalleti's villa in Florence, where she resided with her mother, Queen Sophie, until her death in January. Helen's two younger sisters, Princesses Irene and Katherine are living with her.
The three women have been looking for a new home, "seeking a small villa more in keeping with their depleted purses." Princess Helen had thought before she left for Bucharest that her house-hunting problems would be over. She had made plans to purchase a villa owned by an American, "expecting to pay $60,000 for it." She had agreed to the purchase, but then at the last minute, she had to cancel the deal. The Romanian court had promised her the money, but the legislature "cut the item out of the royal appropriations."
Helen was caught in the middle of two political parties in Romania, one wanting her return, and the other wishing for her departure. It was the former party that defeated the $60,000 expenditure, "thinking her financial straits would force her to a reconciliation with Carol."
Former Queen Helen of Romania wants to see her son, according to a new profile by the Associated Press. She recently returned from Bucharest to her "modest abode" in Florence, a "bit better off financially" than before she visited Bucharest, but there is "no appreciable improvement" in her relationship with her former husband, King Carol.
King Carol was not on hand to welcome her when she arrived in Romania's capital, nor was he present when she department.
She "receives news constantly" of her young son, Crown Prince Michael, and is thankful that she was able to spend five weeks with him in Bucharest. Mother and son correspond frequently, but Helen worries about the "bad influences" to which Michael is subjected.
Helen lives in Count Spalleti's villa in Florence, where she resided with her mother, Queen Sophie, until her death in January. Helen's two younger sisters, Princesses Irene and Katherine are living with her.
The three women have been looking for a new home, "seeking a small villa more in keeping with their depleted purses." Princess Helen had thought before she left for Bucharest that her house-hunting problems would be over. She had made plans to purchase a villa owned by an American, "expecting to pay $60,000 for it." She had agreed to the purchase, but then at the last minute, she had to cancel the deal. The Romanian court had promised her the money, but the legislature "cut the item out of the royal appropriations."
Helen was caught in the middle of two political parties in Romania, one wanting her return, and the other wishing for her departure. It was the former party that defeated the $60,000 expenditure, "thinking her financial straits would force her to a reconciliation with Carol."
Marie and Ferdinand en route to Greece
May 14, 1922
King Ferdinand and Queen Marie of Romania have left the palace in Bucharest and are on their way to Constanza where they will board the "fastest warship," which will take them to Piraeus in Greece.
Their eldest daughter, Crown Princess Elisabeth of Greece, is said to be in "extremely dangerous condition."
The 27-year-old Princess is "considered the greatest beauty in European royalty." She married the Crown Prince of Greece last year, "following several years of parental opposition." In April it was reported that she was "seriously ill" with typhoid fever.
King Ferdinand and Queen Marie of Romania have left the palace in Bucharest and are on their way to Constanza where they will board the "fastest warship," which will take them to Piraeus in Greece.
Their eldest daughter, Crown Princess Elisabeth of Greece, is said to be in "extremely dangerous condition."
The 27-year-old Princess is "considered the greatest beauty in European royalty." She married the Crown Prince of Greece last year, "following several years of parental opposition." In April it was reported that she was "seriously ill" with typhoid fever.
Greek Crown Princess is very ill
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Crown Princess Elisabeth, the wife of Crown Prince George of Greece has been "ill for some time," and is in "very critical condition," reports the Associated Press. She is said to be suffering from a "plural abscess."
The Crown Princess underwent surgery yesterday, where a "small quantity of pus was removed."
At 2 a.m., there were "symptoms of pulmonary edema with great weakness of the heart and cold extremities." An evening bulletin noted that her temperature was 102.5.
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| Princess Elisabeth of Romania and Crown Prince George of Greece were married on February 27, 1921 |
The Crown Princess's mother, Queen Marie of Romania, is expected to arrive later today. She has been at the bedside of her youngest daughter, Princess Ileana, who is suffering from chicken pox.
Royal Death: King Frederik VIII of Denmark
May 14, 1912
The New York Times and other newspapers are reporting the death, earlier tonight, of King Frederik VIII of Denmark. He was 68 years old. According to the news reports, the death was "sudden."
Frederik was 62 when he succeeded his father, Christian IX, in 1906. His reign was "too short, and the part his country has played of late in history has been too small to make him a very noteworthy character." He played his part "as a constitutional monarch with an ability and high purpose that won him the admiration" of those opposed to monarchy.
Frederik was born June 3, 1843, the eldest son of King Christian IX and his wife, Louise of Hesse-Cassel. On July 28, 1869, he married Princess Louise of Sweden and Norway.
The king was noted for being "the most approachable of men," and was often seen strolling through the streets of Copenhagen or Hvidore. Once, when a group of American tourists found their way into the gardens of one of his Summer palaces, the king "showed them around, and only revealed his identity as he shook hands at a party." He also told them: "If you want to see the stables, just say you have the King's permission."
Frederik is succeeded by his eldest son, Christian X, who is married to Duchess Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. They have two sons, Frederik and Knud. The elder son is now the Crown Prince.
A younger son, King Haakon VII of Norway, is married to Princess Maud, the youngest sister of King George V, while the eldest daughter, Princess Ingeborg, is married to Prince Carl of Sweden.
Frederik has three sisters, Alexandra, the Dowager Queen of the United Kingdom, Marie, the Dowager Empress of Russias, and Thyra, the Duchess of Cumberland.
The New York Times and other newspapers are reporting the death, earlier tonight, of King Frederik VIII of Denmark. He was 68 years old. According to the news reports, the death was "sudden."
Frederik was 62 when he succeeded his father, Christian IX, in 1906. His reign was "too short, and the part his country has played of late in history has been too small to make him a very noteworthy character." He played his part "as a constitutional monarch with an ability and high purpose that won him the admiration" of those opposed to monarchy.
Frederik was born June 3, 1843, the eldest son of King Christian IX and his wife, Louise of Hesse-Cassel. On July 28, 1869, he married Princess Louise of Sweden and Norway.
The king was noted for being "the most approachable of men," and was often seen strolling through the streets of Copenhagen or Hvidore. Once, when a group of American tourists found their way into the gardens of one of his Summer palaces, the king "showed them around, and only revealed his identity as he shook hands at a party." He also told them: "If you want to see the stables, just say you have the King's permission."
Frederik is succeeded by his eldest son, Christian X, who is married to Duchess Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. They have two sons, Frederik and Knud. The elder son is now the Crown Prince.
A younger son, King Haakon VII of Norway, is married to Princess Maud, the youngest sister of King George V, while the eldest daughter, Princess Ingeborg, is married to Prince Carl of Sweden.
Frederik has three sisters, Alexandra, the Dowager Queen of the United Kingdom, Marie, the Dowager Empress of Russias, and Thyra, the Duchess of Cumberland.
Royal Marriage: Greece-Spain
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| All four photos: Marlene A. Eilers Koenig Collection |
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| The newlyweds with the bridesmaids: HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent, HSH Princess Tatiana Radziwill, HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark, HRH Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark, HRH Princess Anne Marie of Denmark, Princess Anne of France, Princess Irene of the Netherlands, and Infanta Pilar of Spain |
Don Juan Carlos, Infante of Spain, and Princess Sophie of Greece were married earlier today in Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic services in Athens.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Prince Michael of Kent given financial advice by Russian oligarch
Prince Michael of Kent received £320,000 from Russian tycoon Boris Berezvosky in the past few years.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/queens-cousin-given-financial-assistance-by-exiled-russian-oligarch-berezovsky/2012/05/13/gIQALgjPMU_story.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/queens-cousin-given-financial-assistance-by-exiled-russian-oligarch-berezovsky/2012/05/13/gIQALgjPMU_story.html
Saturday, May 12, 2012
It's over for Corinna and the King
I said this would happen. It was bound to end in sadness and tears (and possible litigation.)
Corinna Prinzessin zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg has "ceased to be problem" for King Juan Carlos, according to Pilar Eyre, a columnist for the Spanish newspaper El Mundo.
The twice-divorced Corinna has decamped to Monte Carlo, leaving her home in El Pardo, near Zarzuela. Juan Carlos has cut all ties with his now former mistress, apparently for reasons of state. According to a confidential source, Eyre learned that the King is claim, eager to move forward, and, although he is not always well-advised, the King does "trust his own instincts."
There will be no divorce for the King and Queen, and Juan Carlos has no intention of abdicating his throne.
Corinna, who will always be seen as the other woman, has retained the services of prestigious German lawyer, Matthias Prinz, who also represents Princess Caroline of Monaco.
Prinz's father, former director of the German tabloid newspaper, Bild, will use his legal-eagle eyes to track media reports about his client, and will sue on Corinna's behalf if he feels she has been compromised by the media. [There is a certain irony to this as Bild was one of the papers to identify Corinna as the king's hussy, I mean, close companion.]
Compromised by the media? One might already have the view that the German-born Corinna has already been in a few compromising positions of her own making.
Eyre notes that Corinna will not suffer, and she won't go hungry even though she won't be providing comfort and care to an elderly king.
Corinna Prinzessin zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg has "ceased to be problem" for King Juan Carlos, according to Pilar Eyre, a columnist for the Spanish newspaper El Mundo.
The twice-divorced Corinna has decamped to Monte Carlo, leaving her home in El Pardo, near Zarzuela. Juan Carlos has cut all ties with his now former mistress, apparently for reasons of state. According to a confidential source, Eyre learned that the King is claim, eager to move forward, and, although he is not always well-advised, the King does "trust his own instincts."
There will be no divorce for the King and Queen, and Juan Carlos has no intention of abdicating his throne.
Corinna, who will always be seen as the other woman, has retained the services of prestigious German lawyer, Matthias Prinz, who also represents Princess Caroline of Monaco.
Prinz's father, former director of the German tabloid newspaper, Bild, will use his legal-eagle eyes to track media reports about his client, and will sue on Corinna's behalf if he feels she has been compromised by the media. [There is a certain irony to this as Bild was one of the papers to identify Corinna as the king's hussy, I mean, close companion.]
Compromised by the media? One might already have the view that the German-born Corinna has already been in a few compromising positions of her own making.
Eyre notes that Corinna will not suffer, and she won't go hungry even though she won't be providing comfort and care to an elderly king.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Royal birth: a new princess for Greece
May 11, 1942
Crown Princess Frederika of Greece gave birth today to her second daughter, according to the Associated Press. The infant princess was born in South Africa, where the Crown Prince Paul and Crown Princess Frederika and their two older children have been living since the German invasion of Greece.
Crown Prince Paul is the younger brother of King George II, who is divorced from Princess Elisabetha of Romania.
Mother and daughter are doing well.
Crown Princess Frederika of Greece gave birth today to her second daughter, according to the Associated Press. The infant princess was born in South Africa, where the Crown Prince Paul and Crown Princess Frederika and their two older children have been living since the German invasion of Greece.
Crown Prince Paul is the younger brother of King George II, who is divorced from Princess Elisabetha of Romania.
Mother and daughter are doing well.
A son for the Countess Montignoso
May 11, 1908
The Countess Montignoso has given birth a son, according to the New York Times. The Countess, the former Crown Princess Luisa of Saxony, is married to Italian musician Signor Toselli. The birth has been "greeted joyfully by the music master as controverting the rumors of quarrels" between the couple.
Signor Toselli told reporters that the couple's new son is a "good substitute" for the countess' daughter, Princess Anna Monica Pia of Saxony, who is now living with her father, King Friedrich August III of Saxony.
The Countess Montignoso has given birth a son, according to the New York Times. The Countess, the former Crown Princess Luisa of Saxony, is married to Italian musician Signor Toselli. The birth has been "greeted joyfully by the music master as controverting the rumors of quarrels" between the couple.
Signor Toselli told reporters that the couple's new son is a "good substitute" for the countess' daughter, Princess Anna Monica Pia of Saxony, who is now living with her father, King Friedrich August III of Saxony.
No babies for now ...
For Zara and Mike Tindall. They have put parenthood on hold
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9259301/Royal-Couple-put-family-on-hold-to-concentrate-on-sporting-careers.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9259301/Royal-Couple-put-family-on-hold-to-concentrate-on-sporting-careers.html
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Getting ready for the Royal Wedding
The guests have begun to arrive in Athens for the five-day celebration that will culminate on the 14th with the wedding of Princess Sophie of Greece and Prince Juan Carlos, son of the pretender to the Spanish throne.
The New York Times reports that the couple will be married in Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox ceremonies. Prince Juan Carlos and his family are Catholic, and Greek Orthodox is the faith of the Greek royal family.
The 135 guests include "two reigning kings, three queens, two former kings and their consorts, two queen mothers and three reigning princes."
The stiff wedding invitation "topped by a gilt crown and twin shields" read: "At the command of the Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Hellenes, and of Their Royal Highnesses, the Count and Countess of Barcelona, the Grand Marshal of the Court, Grand Master of Ceremonies, has the honor to invite ..."
Putting together the guest list was only one of the "tricky problems."
""You don't just send a wedding invitation to royalty," one palace told the New York Times reporter. "There is a far more complicated procedure. You first end an announcement of the wedding and, if they signify their wish to attend, you send the formal invitations."
The Orthodox Cathedral and the Roman Catholic church are both small. Half the guests will attend the Orthodox service and the other half will be present at the Roman Catholic wedding.
There will be two "official evening receptions" before the wedding. Five hundred guests are expected to attend. The invitations had to be "handled with care so that no one could take offense at being invited to one or the other festivity." A wedding breakfast for 200 guests will be held at the palace.
One court official said: "If May were not an unpredictable month, we could layout one big reception for 1,000 in the palace gardens, but we have had too many weather mishaps in May to take the risk. The parties will have to be indoors."
Accommodating all the guests has also proven difficult. There are not enough guest rooms at the palace in Athens to accommodate everyone, so only King Olav of Norway, Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, Queen Ingrid of Denmark and Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain, grandmother of the groom, and Queen Mother Helen of Romania, will stay at the palace.
The other royal guests will stay at two large Athens hotels, the Grand Bretagne and the King George.
Prince Juan Carlos, 24, and his parents are staying at the Maximos Mansion, next door to the palace. The residence is also known as the Little White House "since it served as the residence of the United States Ambassador.
Princess Sophia's younger brother, Crown Prince Constantine, 22, has taken on the task of entertaining "the young princes and princesses. He will host a ball for them at the Grand Bretagne Hotel, and has also made "arrangements for excursions and sight-seeing tours."
About "thirty-five scions of Athens society" have been chosen to escort the royal guests as they visit the city.
The bride and groom have received special dispensation from Pope John XXIII for the two wedding ceremonies. The Roman Catholic wedding will take place at ten a.m., followed at noon by the Orthodox service.
Princess Sophia, 24, is expected to convert to the Roman Catholic faith after the wedding. The conversion is "mandatory," due to Prince Juan Carlos' position with the Spanish throne.
More than 40,000 tourists are in Athens for the wedding, including 2,500 Spaniards, "who are coming to acclaim the princely couple" who one day may sit on Spain's throne.
Umberto II named as king for interim
May 10, 1946
Umberto II came out on the balcony of the Quirinal Palace today, where he received an ovation from a crowd of about 12,000, "most of them evidently monarchists," reports the New York Times. This appearance followed the Cabinet's endorsement of his father, King Vittorio Emanuele's abdication, in favor of Umberto.
Umberto said in his proclamation that "the people's will as pressed in the elections will determine the future form and the new structure of the State."
Elections will be held on June 2. The new King "further affirmed his willingness to bide by the wishes of the Italian people."
The monarchist crowd cheered as Umberto appeared on the balcony three times alone and then reappeared with his wife, Queen Marie José, and their four children, Crown Prince Vittorio Emanuele, 9, and his three sisters, Princesses Maria Pia, 11, Maria Gabriella, 5, and Maria Beatrice, 3.
Observers note that "Italy has gained in the change of Kings, from the point of view of popular affection and past reputations -- at least in the past twenty years." But many remain doubtful that this change "will swing the populace to vote for the retention of the monarchy."
Umberto II came out on the balcony of the Quirinal Palace today, where he received an ovation from a crowd of about 12,000, "most of them evidently monarchists," reports the New York Times. This appearance followed the Cabinet's endorsement of his father, King Vittorio Emanuele's abdication, in favor of Umberto.
Umberto said in his proclamation that "the people's will as pressed in the elections will determine the future form and the new structure of the State."
Elections will be held on June 2. The new King "further affirmed his willingness to bide by the wishes of the Italian people."
The monarchist crowd cheered as Umberto appeared on the balcony three times alone and then reappeared with his wife, Queen Marie José, and their four children, Crown Prince Vittorio Emanuele, 9, and his three sisters, Princesses Maria Pia, 11, Maria Gabriella, 5, and Maria Beatrice, 3.
Observers note that "Italy has gained in the change of Kings, from the point of view of popular affection and past reputations -- at least in the past twenty years." But many remain doubtful that this change "will swing the populace to vote for the retention of the monarchy."
Elena in bed with a broken toe
May 10, 1936
Queen Elena of Italy has broken a bone in one of her toes and is confined to her bed. She broke the toe when she fell off "a ladder in her library" as she was reaching for a book, according to the New York Times.
The Queen was unable to participate in the Italian annexation of Ethiopia, "which which she becomes an Empress."
She is resting in bed "with her right foot in a plaster cast." The accident happened several days ago. The injury is not "deemed serious.""
Queen Elena of Italy has broken a bone in one of her toes and is confined to her bed. She broke the toe when she fell off "a ladder in her library" as she was reaching for a book, according to the New York Times.
The Queen was unable to participate in the Italian annexation of Ethiopia, "which which she becomes an Empress."
She is resting in bed "with her right foot in a plaster cast." The accident happened several days ago. The injury is not "deemed serious.""
Grand Duke Dimitri and Dowager Empress now in Kiev
May 10, 1918
By special cable to the New York Times. A correspondent for a Kiev newspaper says "former Grand Duke Dimitri Pavlovich took an active part in the coup d'etat." He also stated that the former Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna has arrived in Kiev.
It is believed that the former Grand Duke has been active in the Ukrainian separatist movement.
By special cable to the New York Times. A correspondent for a Kiev newspaper says "former Grand Duke Dimitri Pavlovich took an active part in the coup d'etat." He also stated that the former Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna has arrived in Kiev.
It is believed that the former Grand Duke has been active in the Ukrainian separatist movement.
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