Royal baby: "Angelic"

December 12, 1948

The Countess Granville, sister of Queen Elizabeth, gave the first "public description" of the 4-week-old infant son of Princess Elizabeth.    Lady Granville told the Associated Press that the baby "couldn't be more angelic look."  She added that he has "amazingly delicate features for so young a baby."

The infant Prince is described as "golden haired with the most beautiful complexion."

Earlier today, John Gordon, editor of the Sunday Express "reproved the Palace for being so close-mouthed about the royal heir."

He wanted to know why the baby's name has not been announced.

"Has this secrecy been necessary?  Even more important, is it wise and good?"


Newspapers have been "pleading in vain" for the Palace to release photographs of the baby and tell the world his name. 

Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, gave birth to her first child on November 14. 

Tongues wag as Margaret visits Blenheim

December 12, 1952

Is there an engagement in the offing?  This is what matchmakers and bookie are thinking as Princess Margaret spent the weekend at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough.

The Associated Press reported that the Duke's 22-year-old son, the Marquess of Blandford "squired the princess" to Oxford where they saw the American musical,  High Button Shoes."

Many now expect that Princess Margaret's engagement to Lord Blandford will be announced shortly before her 19th birthday next August.

Marie Louise of Orleans weds American

Marlene A. Eilers Koenig collection

December 12, 1928

Princess Marie Louise of Orleans and Walter P. Kingsland Jr. were married today at St. Richard's Church in Chichester, England, despite rumors that "efforts were being made to prevent the marriage" between a French princess and a commoner, according to reports by the Chicago Daily Tribune and the Associated Press.

The princess issued a statement, which said that her parents were "reconciled" to the marriage. The Duke, who has been ill, sent a representative to the wedding ceremony. Marie Louise feared "that overzealous royalists might attempt to prevent the marriage."

Princess Marie Louise received police protection at her home last night. She had lived in a cottage in the "lonely countryside of West Sussex" for more than a year.

According to the New York Times, "every entrance to the moss-covered church was guarded by police."  Inside, detectives were on watch inside the church.
The simple wedding ceremony took place in the small Roman Catholic church. There were no music or wedding bells, as the princess is still in mourning for the death of her sister, Princess Sophie.

Fifty people were in the congregation and all were admitted by ticket, although there were only eight invited guests. Even the bridegroom had to show a ticket to be admitted to the church.

The princess wore a "brown dress and a brown cloth coat trimmed with fox fur." She also wore a brown hat, three ropes of pearls, and a "large spray of mauve orchids."

After Walter Kingsland repeated: "I take thee, Marie Louise, Princess of Orleans, to be my wedded wife," he placed on her finger a silver and gold ring that had been passed down "through the royal families of France."

A reception was held at the bride's home, and afterward, they left for their honeymoon in London.

This is the bride's second marriage. In 1916, Princess Marie Louise married Prince Filippo of Bourbon-Two-Sicilies. A year later, the princess gave birth to the couple's only child., Prince Gaetano. The marriage was annulled in 1925.

The groom is described as a "wealthy New Yorker and Parisian."
He is the son of Walter F. Kingsland, who has lived in Paris for a number and maintains a home on the Avenue Bois de Boulogne.

Princess Marie Louise's father, the Duke of Vendome, was unable to attend the wedding due to illness.

A new American Princess

December 12, 1916

It appears that all of opposition to the marriage of Prince Alfred of Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst and Miss Catherine Britton has abated.  Prince Alfred, former attache to the Austro-Hungarian embassy in Washington, D.C., will marry his American sweetheart, Catherine Britton later this week in Washington, reports the Chicago Daily Tribune.

Austrian diplomatic officials were so opposed to Prince Alfred's courtship that he was "temporarily detached from the embassy" and sent on a trip to California.''

But of course absence made Alfred's heart grow even fonder for Miss Britton, and she has agreed to be his wife.  He recently returned from California to make the "detailed arrangements" for the wedding.

It is understood that no member of the embassy staff will be present for the wedding.  It is expected that the the couple will be married in "the presence of a small company."

The Prince as already declared his intention" of "braving the disfavor of his family," and may even become an American.  He is "exceedingly democratic," and enjoys the "freedom of the United States."

Over a year, Miss Britton traveled to France with a friend, to work in an allied hospital.  Her affection for her Austrian prince "has changed to her sympathies," and she is now "decidedly pro-German."

Alexis won't succeed to throne

December 12, 1912

The Daily Express, a London newspaper, reports today on the revival of a story that Tsarevich Alexis of Russia was the "victim of Nihilism."

The report asserts that the only son of Emperor Nicholas II is "suffering the effects of a wound" made by a once loyal servant, now believed to be a Nihilist.

The report further states that the young heir "cannot succeed to the throne," and the "appointment of an heir-designates" is under discussion at the the Russian Court.

Nicholas II's younger brother, Grand Duke Michael, has renounced his rights to the throne.

A dispatch to the Times of London from St. Petersburg states that there will be a "variation of the regency law" due to Grand Duke Michael's renouncement.

Ferdinand comes to Windsor

December 10, 1892

Crown Prince Ferdinand of Romania arrived earlier today at Windsor Castle to meet the family of his fiancee, Princess Marie of Edinburgh, reports the New York Times.

A "large party," including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Marquess of Lorne and Princess Louise, the Hon. Charles Spencer, MP, youngest son of the Earl Spencer and Admiral Stephenson.

In a few days, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and Princess Marie will leave for Sigmaringen, to prepare for the wedding. 

It's nearly official: Wilhelmina to wed

December 10, 1898

Queen Emma of the Netherlands has sent a letter to Queen Victoria "definitely announcing her daughter's betrothal to Prince Wilhelm of Wied," reports the New York Times.

An official announcement of the betrothal will be "made shortly."    The question of Prince Wilhelm's status at the Dutch court has not yet been decided, but it is understood that "Queen Victoria's precedent will be followed." which established her husband's precedence over her paternal uncles.

This problem won't happen in the Netherlands because Queen Wilhelmina does not have any paternal uncles who would try to claim precedence over her new husband.

Franz Josef to remary

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 December 10, 1898

Gil Blas, a French newspaper, reports that Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph is going to marry Princess Isabelle of Orléans, third daughter of the late Count of Paris.

Princess Isabelle's eldest brother, Prince Philippe, Duke of Orléans, is the current resented to the French throne.  Her sister, Amelie, is the wife of King Carlos of Portugal.   Another sister, Helene, is the wife of Prince Emanuel, Duke of Aosta.

Princess Isabelle was born at the Chateau d'Eu on May 7, 1878.  Franz Josef is her 48 years her senior.  His wife, Empress Elisabeth, was assassinated in Switzerland in 1898, and his only son and heir, Crown Prince Rudolf committed suicide in 1889.

Princess Helen of Serbia - freed

December 10, 1918

Princess Helen of Russia, wife of Prince Ioann Constantovich, arrived in Stockholm today on a steamer from St. Petersburg, reports the New York Times.

The princess, a daughter of King Peter of Serbia, has been held by the Bolsheviks for several months.  Due to the efforts of the Norwegian Legation in St. Petersburg, the Princess was allowed to leave Russia. 

Prince Ioann was the eldest son of the late Grand Duke Konstantin of Russia.   He married Princess Helen on September 1, 1911.  The couple's first child, Prince Vsevolod, was born in January 1915.  A daughter, Princess Catherine, was born in July 1912.

Last July, a dispatch from Moscow to a Cologne newspaper reported that Prince Ioann and "three other Russian grand dukes" were carried off "by an unidentified band, which had broken into their residence."

More recently, New York Times correspondent Carl W. Ackerman reported from Ekaterinburg that 5 bodies believed to be Russian Grand Dukes were found  near Ekaterinburg "in a well into which the victims had been thrown alive."  They were killed the Bolsheviks with hand grenades thrown into the mine.

A royal Christmas reading

Hereditary Prince Hubertus and Hereditary Princess Kelly of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha hosted a Christmas event  at Schloss Callenberg on Sunday afternoon.

The Prince and Princess opened the castle to families to take part in the Magic of Christmas event, which the prince and princess hope will be repeated in years to come.

The event was held in the Castle's Red Saloon, where there were cookies, tea coffee and cake.  The Prince and Princess joined their visitors in singing Christmas carols and helped to make stars out of construction, and decorate the Christmas on the main floor.

A tour of the castle was offered as well before everyone gathered in the Red Salon for a reading of Christmas stories.  Prince Hubertus chose to read "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."   Princess Kelly's choice was the poem "'Twas the Night before Christmas," which she read in English.

The American-born Princess explained that "In America we celebrate Christmas on the morning of December 25."  She said her mother would read poem on Christmas morning when Kelly was a child.

The children were "spellbound" by the readings although many of the younger children were unable to understand English.

Due to a heavy snowstorm and "difficult road conditions," many of the visitors came by sled, and used their sleds do race down the hill.

All proceeds from the Magic of Christmas will benefit Coburg's Child Protection Agency, Sterntaller, to assist local disadvantaged children.


http://www.infranken.de/regional/coburg/Auf-Callenberg-lauschten-die-Kinder-dem-Prinz-und-der-Prinzessin;art214,364696

The marriage treaty between Princess Alice and Prince Louis of Hesse

Vicky as heiress apparent

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Every time the subject of the succession of the firstborn regardless of sex comes up in the United Kingdom,   one of the newspapers feels it is important to include Queen Victoria and her children.  Her eldest child, Princess Victoria, was born in November 1840, just nine months after the young Queen married the man of her dreams, Prince Albert.

After being told that the child was a girl, Victoria apparently said:  "never mind, next time a boy."  She was right about that. A year later, she gave birth to a son, who would succeed her as Edward VII.

Prince Albert adored his eldest child, and he had other plans for her  Pussy -Princess Victoria's nursery name -  would not be succeeding her mother.   But she would make a marriage that would change the face of European politics, although the change was not what Prince Albert would have sought for Germany.

Vicky first met her future husband, Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia, when he and his parents, Prince and Princess Wilhelm came to London to attend the Great Exhibition.  Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had invited the Prussians to come to England, not only to see the Great Exhibition but also to consider Friedrich as a possible husband for Vicky.  Four years later, when Princess Victoria, whose official title was Princess Royal, and Friedrich became engaged at Balmoral.  The young prince was 24 years old, ten years Vicky's senior.

An official announcement of the couple's betrothal was made on May 19, 1857.  The Prussians wanted the marriage to take place in Berlin. Queen Victoria put her foot down and vetoed a Berlin marriage.  Prince Friedrich was marrying the eldest daughter of the Queen of the United Kingdom. 

So the wedding took place at St. James's Palace on January 25, 1858. The 17-year-old Princess Victoria had become HRH Princess Friedrich of Prussia.   Friedrich became the Crown Prince in 1861 when his father succeeded to the Prussian throne as King Wilhelm I. 

The marriage between Vicky and Fritz was certainly an arranged marriage for political reasons.  It was also a love match.

The marriage was designed to strengthen relations between the United Kingdom and a united Germany.  But that's not what happened.  Enter an evil fairy named Otto von Bismarck who had no desire for a politically liberal Germany or a Germany that was allied with Great Britain.   Fritz and Vicky were largely isolated because of their views  ... and dreams for a more liberal Germany. 

When Fritz succeeded his father in March 1888, he was already dying from throat cancer.  He reigned for 99 days, succumbing to cancer on June 15, 1888.   The new King of Prussia and German Emperor was Vicky and Fritz's eldest son, Wilhelm II.   

Although Vicky and Fritz had hoped to imbue their son with their views, he eschewed the ideas of British democracy and liberalism, preferring a more authoritarian rule as taught by his German tutors. 

We know how this story turned out.

As the author of the book, Queen Victoria's Descendants, I know a lot about the descendants.  It has largely been my life's work.   It has been rather silly - and yes -- frustrating when journalists write articles about what if Vicky had been heiress apparent and who would now be the British sovereign. 

Following gender equality, the succession would have been Victoria-Wilhelm-Wilhelm-Wilhelm-Felicitas-Friederike von der Osten.

There is something wrong with this picture.  If Vicky had been the heiress presumptive, her parents would not have arranged a marriage for her with the future king Prussia (and German Emperor.).  It would not have happened.

A husband, perhaps a German prince, a younger son, would have been found for Princess Victoria.  He would have come to England, as did Prince Albert, to be Victoria's consort.

My book (and my bookshelves) would have been very different.  The German political situation might have been very different.  No Kaiser Wilhelm II.  No Prince Henry to marry his cousin Irene.  No Princess Sophie to marry the Crown Prince of Greece.

Vicky and her mother would not have conspired to bring about a marriage between Princess Alexandra of Denmark and Bertie.   As the second child whose place in the succession would drop a notch each time Vicky had a child,  Bertie would have less value as a royal husband.  Without the burden of being the heir, he may have chosen a less acceptable spouse, following his mother's first cousin, Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, who married in contravention of the Royal Marriage Act, and fathered a line of FitzGeorges   Would Bertie have done the same as the father of FitzEdwards?

Princess Alexandra's father, Prince Christian, became king of Denmark in 1851.  The family was not rich, but his children made several grand marriages.  But would these marriages have taken place if Alexandra had not married Bertie?  Her marriage put Denmark on the map for brides.  Her younger sister, Dagmar, won the hand of Grand Duke Nicholas Alexandrovich of Russia, heir to the throne, and following his death, she married his younger brother, the future Alexander III.   (This was the precedence that led Princess May of Teck to marry the future King George V after the death of her first fiance, the Duke of Clarence.)

Would Alexander II have considered Dagmar as a bride for his eldest son if her older sister had not married the heir to the British throne?  Alexander and his wife, Marie of Hesse and by Rhine, might have chosen a more traditional bride, a German princess, and their son might have grown up differently, less vacillating, less prepared for the throne.  This son might not have fallen in love with Princess Alix of Hesse and by Rhine. 

Alexander III's successor might have been able to bring about a positive change within Russia.  His heir would not have been worried about a hemophiliac son.  [Vicky was not a carrier so the mainline would have remained free of the disease unless her heir -- if her first child was a son -- married his first cousin, Alix of Hesse and by Rhine.] 

And what about Alexandra and Dagmar's younger brother, Prince Vilhelm?  Would the British have supported him as their candidate for the position of King of Greece if Alexandra was married to someone other than Bertie?

The European wars of the mid and late 19th centuries would still have happened, but the results would have affected Queen Victoria's family in different ways.  It is also entirely possible that the marriages of Queen Victoria's younger children would have remained the same.

Hanover would still have been sucked into the Prussian empire, sending the royal family into exile.  The feud between the Duke of Cumberland and the Prussians ended when his son, Prince Ernst August married Princess Viktoria Luise, Kaiser Wilhelm II's only daughter. 

Viktoria Luise would never have been born because her grandmother would not have married her grandfather. 

Certainly, the Greek monarchy would have been very different.  No George, no Sophie, nor Frederika and Paul.  King Michael of Romania's mother would not have been Princess Helen of Greece and Denmark.

Juan Carlos of Spain might have married one of the Savoy princesses.  Lady Diana Spencer might have had a different troubled marriage. 

It is difficult to say or even assume that the Balkan wars or the first world war would not have happened if Vicky had not married Fritz.   Lenin would still have fomented revolution, but the Russian emperor might have saved the Russian empire from falling to the abyss.

There are so many ifs about the succession of the firstborn if applied to Queen Victoria's children.  Vicky's life would have been very different. 

So would have mine as my book would have had a different set of characters, different family trees.

One thing is certain, however.  The British sovereign would not be named Friederike von der Osten.

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Princess Augusta of Cambridge's marriage treaty

 

 

The marriage treaty included a provision for the Princess to receive £3000 per year to be paid quarterly for the rest of her life.  This was to be her money, and would not be paid to her husband, the future Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

 

The Dowager Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who never lost her affection for the United Kingdom, was stripped of the annuity in September 1914 due to the fact that she lived in an enemy country.

The Ceremonial for Princess Augusta of Cambridge's wedding

Lord Chamberlain's Office, 1st July 1843.



CEREMONIAL observed at the Marriage of Her Royal Highness the Princess AUGUSTA CAROLINE CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH MARY SOPHIA LOUISA, eldest Daughter of His Royal Highness the DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE, with His Royal Highness FREDERICK WILLIAM CHARLES GEORGE ERNEST ADOLPHUS GUSTAVUS, HEREDITARY GRAND DUKE OF MECKLENBURG STRELITZ, in the Chapel Royal of Buckingham Palace, on Wednesday the 28th of June 1843.

Members of the Royal Family, and other Royal and Illustrious Visitors, assembled in the Drawing Room, on the Ground Floor, in Buckingham Palace, at half past eight o'clock in the evening.

Her Royal Highness the Princess Augusta Caroline, upon her arrival, was, with her suite, conducted to a room adjoining the Drawing Room.

His Royal Highness the Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg Strelitz, upon his arrival at the Palace, was conducted to the Drawing Room.

The Ambassadors, Foreign Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, and others, invited to the Solemnity, assembled in the Library, at Buckingham Palace, at eight o'clock, and, upon their arrival, were conducted by the Officers of Arms to seats provided for them in the Chapel.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Norwich (Clerk of Closet ), with the Dean of Carlisle (Rector of the parish of Saint George, Hanover-square), the Honourable and Reverend Charles Leslie Courtenay (Domestic Chaplain to Her Majesty), the Archdeacon
Wilberforce, and Lord Wriothesley Russell, Canon of Windsor (Chaplains to His Royal Highness Prince Albert), and the Reverend Evan Nepean, assembled in the room adjoining the Old Dining Room at eight o'clock in the evening.

As soon as the Visitors had taken their seats, the Procession of Her Majesty, having been formed, moved from the Queen's Apartments in the following order ; Lancaster Herald, Windsor Herald, A, W. Woods, Esq. R. Laurie, Esq.
Equerry in Waiting • Clerk Marshal, Equerry in Waiting to H. R. H. Prince Albert, Lieut.-Col. Lord Charles to the Queen,

•Major-General Sir Edward Wellesley. Colonel Edward Buckley, Bowater, K.C.H. Comptroller of the Household, Treasurer of the Household,

Right Hon. George Lionel Dawson Darner. Earl Jermyn. Gentleman Usher of the Privy Chamber, Gentleman Usher Charles Heneage, Esq. Daily Waiter, and to the Sword of State, Sir William Martins. Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, Garter Principal King of Arms,  carrying his Rod, cai'rying his Sceptre,
-Sir Augustus William James Clifford, Bart. Sir Charles George Young, Knt,
room of the Bedchamber Groom in Waiting to HR H. Prince Albert, to the Queen, General Sir George Anson, G.C.B. Captain the Hon. Arthur Dtmcombe, R. N. Lord of the Bedchamber Lord in Waiting to H. R, H. Prince Albert, to the Queen, Lord George Lennox. Viscount Hawarden. Their Serene Highnesses the Prince and Princess Peter of Oldenburg, the Prince attended by Mons. Lerche, and the Princess by Madame de Maltzoff. His Serene Highness the Prince Reuss Lobenstein Ebersdorff, attended by Baron de Beust.

His Royal Highness Prince George, attended by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir William Davison, K.H..

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Wurtemburg, attended by General Baron de Maucler and Comte de Zeppelin.

The death of Britain's oldest princess

December 5, 1916

A telegram from Neu Strelitz, Germany, to Amsterdam, announces the death of the Dowager Grand Duchess Augusta of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, according to a dispatch to the New York Times.

The late Dowager Grand Duchess was born a Princess of Great Britain and Ireland and Hanover.  She was the last surviving grandchild of George III.

She was 94 years old, and the oldest Princess in Europe. 

Princess Augusta was the second of three children of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, and his wife, Princess Augusta of Hesse Cassel.  She was born at Hanover, where her father served as the Viceroy for his older brothers, George IV and William IV.

Augusta's younger sister, Mary Adelaide, married Duke Franz of Teck.  Their only daughter, is Queen Mary, the wife of George V.  The Queen consort had a very close relationship with her Aunt Augusta.

She was born at Schloss Monbrillant in Hannover on July 19, 1822.  Her full names were Augusta Caroline Charlotte Elizabeth Mary Sophia Louise. 
Augusta married her first cousin, Friedrich Wilhelm, Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz on June 28, 1843, at Buckingham Palace. Her husband succeeded his father as Grand Duke on September 6, 1860.

The Grand Duchess had two sons, Friedrich Wilhelm, who died shortly after birth on January 13, 1845, and Adolphus Friedrich, who was born on July 22, 1848.  He succeeded his father in 1904 and died on June 11, 1914, less than two weeks before the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.

Grand Duchess Augusta received a pension from the civil list until September 1914, when the annuity was suspended by the British government.  She received $15,000 a year.  The annual annuity was stopped because she lived in "an enemy's country", even though the arrangement was made in 1843 as a part of her marriage contract. 

After her mother died in 1889,  Grand Duchess Augusta purchased a house in Buckingham Gate in London.  She visited London each year until her age made it too difficult for her to travel abroad.

As the oldest living member of the British royal family,  Augusta was an invaluable source of information on royal etiquette.  The Duke of Norfolk relied on her knowledge of the coronations of King William IV and Queen Adelaide and Queen Victoria. 

Augusta was only nine years old at the time of her Uncle William's Coronation, but she remembered many details including having kissed Queen Adelaide's hand.  She was sixteen when she attended Victoria's coronation.