Tears for Astrid as she leaves Sweden

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 November 5, 1926

Princess Astrid of Sweden, standing "almost alone on the deck of the Swedish cruiser Fylgia," was unable to hide the tears that came as the warship steamed out Malmo's harbor today to take her to Belgium to join her husband, Crown Prince Leopold.

The AP reports that the "tears were brought on seemingly by a realization that she was leaving her native land for an adopted one."  There were also tears of joy  over the "warmth of the farewells of a great crowd that had gathered to see her depart."   She was also able to witness the departure of her Danish relatives aboard a ferry.  King Christian X stood on the deck, "earnestly waving his hand."

As the Fylgia was no longer in sight, a final roar of "guns in salute" was heard, the last official "word" for the first part of the royal wedding.

Princess Astrid and Crown Prince Leopold were married yesterday in a civil ceremony at the palace in Stockholm.
Princess Astrid's father, Prince Carl, all the bridesmaids and ushers, and Crown Prince Olav of Norway are all en route to Flushing, where they will join the Princess and her mother aboard the Fylgia for the trip to Antwerp.

One of the Princess's bridesmaids is a "school chum of whom she is extremely fond." The young woman works as a stenographer in a government office, and she was not in a position to be able to afford "an expensive outfit or remain away from her work for the trip to Brussels."

At his daughter's request, Prince Carl called on the young woman's boss, and "made arrangements for a fortnight's holiday."  She also received all she needed in "the way of expenses and attire for the ceremonial."  She, too, is on her way to Brussels for the religious wedding. 

Prince Nicholas en route home to Greece

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November 5, 1916

Prince Nicholas of Greece, married to Grand Duchess Helen Vladimirovna of Russia, is on his way home to Greece, writes the Marquise de Fontenoy.  Due to the war, Prince Nicholas' route is rather circuitous, having just passed through England via Sweden and Norway.  He started out in Petrograd, "where he left his wife,  who, like her Russian mother-in-law, the widowed Queen Olga of Greece, found conditions intolerable in Athens owing to the pro-attitude of the Prussian-born Queen Sophie."

It is understood that Prince Nicholas, considered the most able of the sons of the late King George of Greece, is conveying to his brother, King Constantine, messages from Nicholas II of Russia, from King George V, and from the French government, "which may do something towards cleaning up the chaotic situation at Athens."

The messages "are to the effect that King Constantine has completely exhausted the patience of is royal and imperial relatives in Petrograd and in London."  Without their support,  he would have lost his throne and "shipped off to Germany."   King Constantine must emancipate "himself from the pro-German anti-ally domination of his masterful consort," or fall to the same fate as the late King Otho of Greece.

Haakon and Mette on the road again

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit are about to hit the road again.   The Norwegian couple were in New York City last week for a "whirlwind two-day tour to celebrate the 99th anniversary of the American-Scandinavian Foundation and to promote the cultural ties" between the United States  and the Nordic countries.

[Inquiring minds want to know: the 99th anniversary?   Not the 100th, which will be celebrated next year?  I would have thought that a centenary celebration would mean a lot more than the 99th anniversary.  Perhaps the American-Scandinavian Foundation will have a huge blow out next year with even more regal guests.   Seriously, the gala dinner on October 29 was to launch the centenary celebrations for 2011.]

Back to the story.  The Crown and Crown Princess were in New York City for two days but you would not have known this if you read the local papers.  The couple were "trailed by a Norwegian TV crew doing a documentary" on Crown Princess Mette-Marit's transition from single mother to Crown Princess.  Next year, the couple will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/yvonne-yorke/norwegian-royal-couples-w_b_777418.html
It was announced today that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess will take a two month break from official duties.    They plan to take a journey of discovery with their two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 6, and 4-year-old, Prince Sverre Magnus.  Crown Princess Mette-Marit's 13-year-old son, Marius Borg Hoiby will also be accompanying them.
The Crown Princess told the Norwegian Broadcasting Company that they would take their children out of school from mid-November until late January.  Both parents thought "long and hard" about their decision,  and have stated that the three children will follow their schools' curriculum from afar.
"We want to be together as a family, and use time as a family.  We want to show our children a bit of the world, that there are many different cultures and many ways of living," said Crown Prince Haakon.
This is the slow season for royal duties in Norway, according to the Crown Prince.  He would not say where the family would travel.  The Crown Prince leaves for an official trip to Indonesia next week, and the private holiday is expected to begin shortly afterward.  Neither the Crown Prince nor Crown Princess have any official duties after November 10.
"We hope we can experience exciting things together." 
The departure of the heir to the throne and his wife will mean that King Harald V and Queen Sonja, both 73, "will be without back-up" during the next few months.  "We hope there won't be too much for the king and queen while we are away."
http://www.newsinenglish.no/2010/11/04/young-royals-take-two-months-off/

It is not unusual in the United States for parents to take their kids on holiday during the school year.  Kids still do their homework, and can communicate with their teachers by email, for example.   However, I think Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus are still too young for a great adventure.   Marius may enjoy the travel, but the two younger children's memories of this trip will begin fade not long after they return home.
The couple will celebrate their 10th anniversary in August 2011.  Perhaps this is an early anniversary present to each other.  
In the not-to-distant future, Haakon will succeed to the Norwegian throne.  I believe he will be the first of the three Scandinavian heirs to become the sovereign.   King Harald has had several health scares, including an operation for cancer.  This may be the last chance for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to enjoy some real private time with their children before the Crown impedes into their lives. 
I am sure there will be rumors about the state of the couple's marriage.  One last chance at romance to save a faltering union ... or something like that.  Perhaps the Crown Princess enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love and decided that she and Haakon, with their kids in tow, should have a chance to experience the same adventures.  They could start with the Love in Indonesia! 

Photo credit: Kongehuset

Grand Duke Wladimir proclaims himself as heir

November 4, 1938
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Grand Duke Wladimir, 21 year-old son of the late Grand Duke Kirill, "issued a manifesto tonight announcing his claim to the extinct Russian throne," reports the New York Times.
Grand Duke Kirill died on October 12 at the American Hospital in Paris.
He notified his "subjects, largely White Russians, officially of his father's death.
"My beloved father, Emperor Kirill Vladmirovitch, bequeathed to me his love and sacrificial services to Russia and the Russian people."  

Wladimir promised to follow his father's path.  "Following the example of my father and with a deep conviction of the sacred duty that falls to me by inheritance, as head of the Russian Imperial House, I hereby assume all the rights and responsibilities belonging to me by virtue of the fundamental law of the Russian Empire and the statute of the Imperial family.

"As a faithful son of the Holy Orthodox Church, who is at present responsible to me, I beg her blessing and support in my forthcoming difficult service.

"I also address all Russians to whom the fate of Russia is dear, and I appeal to them to rally around me and follow me in close cooperation for the welfare of our people. I have only one aim, and aspiration - to give myself to Russia for the happiness and welfare of the Russian people, who will obtain freedom only under the protection of the Imperial throne.

"Kneeling before Almighty God, I pray that he will grant me forever the forces for my service to the people and I trust all Russians unanimously will come to help me in my striving to free the Fatherland from suffering and humiliation."
Grand Duke Wladimir, an undergraduate at London University, is popular with Russian monarchists, but his father, a cousin of the late Nicholas II, "did not hold their undivided allegiance."

Emperor Karl ready to abdicate

November 5, 1918

The latest bulletins from the New York Times and other media provide details of "further evidence of discord and turmoil" in Austria-Hungary, as the "Czech National Committee, which the aid of Czech troops, is disarming German-Austrian and Hungarian troops in the Czech towns of Bohemia and Moravia."  This report is based on a dispatch from Prague to the Lokal-Anzeiger, a Berlin newspaper.  The Czechs are also occupying several German towns.\
The Associated Press has issued the following dispatch from Basle regarding the status of the Austro-Hungarian Emperor:  "Emperor  Charles of Austria-Hungary is determined to abdicate and will retire to Switzerland, German newspapers say.
"The Emperor made this announcement, it is stated, during a conference on Saturday with the new Austrian Government and other influential leaders in the Dual Monarchy."
This report, however, contrast a "sign of submergence of the monarchy, " according to a Berne dispatch to the Associated Press.
"The Croatian Diet, meeting at Agram, had adopted unanimously a resolution calling for the re-establishment of the Austrian kingdom and uniting Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia with independent Austria."
According to a dispatch sent from Budapest to Amsterdam, Archduke Josef of Austria and his son, Archduke Josef Franz, have taken an oath to "submit unconditionally to the orders of the National Council of Hungary and to support it in all its decrees."

Prince Christian Victor buried in South Africa

November 5, 1900

The New York Times today reports on a dispatch from Pretoria, South Africa, regarding the death of Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein, a grandson of Queen Victoria.
The dispatch was dated November 1.

"Prince Christian Victor's end was sudden and unexpected, although he had been unconscious for three days.  The body was embalmed and preparations were made to take it to England, when the telegram arrived announcing the Queen's desire that the Prince be buried in a soldier's grave.  This ceremony was performed today.

"An imposing array of troops lined the route for two miles to the cemetery."
The pall bearers were Generals Kelly-Kenny, Brabazon, Wood, Marshall, Maxwell, and Baden-Powell.
The chief mourners included Lord Roberts, Prince Francis of Teck, Lord Kitchener, and Col. Campbell.
The dispatch also noted that "crowds of the townspeople attended."

Prince Christian Victor was the eldest son of Prince and Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein.  Princess Christian is the fifth child of Queen Victoria and the late Prince Consort.

Me and my Starbucks

I am so with the future Princess of Monaco, who said in a recent interview with Tatler, the British society magazine, that she longs for a Starbucks to open in Monaco.
I hear you, loud and clear.
I am a Starbucks aficionado.  My poison:  a venti vanilla latte with skim milk.  No, please do not use the sugar free vanilla ... don't even think it.   I allow myself one visit to Starbucks per week on Wednesday mornings en route to work. I stop at the Giant, a supermarket, which has a Starbucks.  (There are three Starbucks within a 2 second radius of each other near me.) 
The barista was about to make the usual when my eyes spied the menu board:  the holiday drinks are back ... PEPPERMINT MOCHA!!!   Venti skim milk.  No whipped cream! 
In warmer weather -- and it gets hot here in the summer - I might allow myself a second visit to Starbucks for my signature drink: the Marlene Frappacino.  I invented it .  Vanilla Frappacino with chocolate chips ... yummie. You won't find it on the menu board, but a barista can create it ...

On Saturdays, I treat myself to a coffee at the Seattle Best cafe at my local Borders Books.   A large vanilla latte with skim milk.  Iced in the summer.  The baristas know me well .. nearly everyone at Borders' knows me well.   I was browsing through the new books, and one of the baristas came over and asked me "which drink did I want with my vanilla."  I smiled, and he went back to make my vanilla latte.

Seattle Best is owned by Starbucks.  In this coffee-cravin' area of the USA, local coffee shops thrive and prosper, despite Starbucks (which can also be found in Barnes & Noble.)

Now about that rumor that Starbucks won't send coffee to the soldiers in Iraq -- it's NOT TRUE.  http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/starbucks.asp

When I travel outside the US, I do not go to Starbucks because I like trying local places.  When I arrive at Heathrow and walk out of customs, the first place I see and walk toward is Costa Coffee.  I get a large vanilla latte with skim milk!  Cafe Nero, too. 
I will say that if one needs to find a public loo, Starbucks and McDonalds are the places to head to anywhere in the world ... clean and safe ...  No Starbucks in Serbia (yet), but Costa Coffee is there (yea).  I also had a wonderful Vanilla Latte with skim milk at Coffee Dream in Belgrade.

The people who believe this must be Republicans, especially the Tea Baggers.  I won't call them Tea Partiers because they insult true tea parties - with Damask table clothes and matching napkins,  bone china tea service and silver trays for the cakes and little sandwiches.  Earl Gray tea.  Milk.  1 lump of demerara. 
It is true, dear readers.  A good portion of the American electorate is un-ED JU-KATED!  Tea baggers don't care about facts  or using their brains.

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/how-obama-saved-capitalism-and-lost-the-midterms/?hp

PS: the Rally to Restore Sanity was great! 

PPS: Dear Santa, I love Starbucks gift cards ... perfect for my stocking!

Here is a link to an article about Charlene's interview.  Tatler does not put its material online.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20439004,00.html

Princess Emma, betrothed of Dutch king

November 3, 1878

The Chicago Daily Tribune published today a report from The Times (London) on Princess Emma of Waldeck und Pyrmont, the young fiancee of the King of the Netherlands.   The Princess, who was born on August 2, 1858, is the third of second children of Prince Georg Viktor, who "resigned his sovereignty to Prussia.  According to "present arrangements" the civil marriage between the King and Princess Emma will be celebrated, by proxy," at the bride's home, Schloss Arolsen.  The "solemn blessing of the Church" will take place at the Cathedral in Amsterdam.

The Bernadottes arrive in the USA

November 3, 1930

Count and Countess Folke Bernadotte, accompanied by their infant son, Gustaf, arrived in New York City today, on the Swedish-American liner Kungsholm.  They will be visiting the countess' parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. Edward Manville, both of whom were at the pier to meet them, according to the New York Times.
The Count "denied reports that he would enter business here."
The former Estelle Romaine Manville and Count Folke Bernadotte af Wisborg, a nephew of King Gustaf V, were married on December 1, 1928, at Pleasantville, New Yorok, in a "military ceremony that glittered with the pomp of position and wealth and marked one of the most brilliant society gatherings in recent years."
The Countess is "the prospective heiress to $25,000,000" of a fortune founded by her grandfather, Charles Brayton Manville, the 'asbestos king.'  Their son, Gustaf Edward, who was born in Sweden last January 30, was named for King Gustaf, and for his paternal grandfather.

The death of Alice's first husband

November 3, 1910

Princess Alice of Bourbon, daughter of Don Carlos, the legitimist pretender to the throne of Spain, now lives in Florida with her second husband, former Captain Line del Prete.   Mr. Line del Prete on served with the Italian cavalry.   The Marquis de Fontenoy reports that the Princess may have "mixed feelings" about the recent death of her first husband, Prince Friedrich of Schonburg-Waldenburg.
Friedrich, whose conversion to Roman Catholicism was officiated by Pope Pius X, when he was the Archbishop of Venice.  It was Pius, who introduce Friedrich to Don Carlos and his daughter, Alice.   The Archbishop performed the marriage between Friedrich and Alice, which took place in 1897.
The marriage was not a happy one, "owing to the squabbles about money matters between the prince and his father-in-law."  Don Carlos refused to fulfil the pledge he had made to his daughter to give to her "at least a part of the fortune bequeathed to her by her dead mother."
Eventually Alice left her husband, and the marriage was dissolved by a court in Dresden.  Two years later, the Vatican annulled on the marriage "on the plea that the princess had been forced into the marriage by her father."
Princess Alice and Princess Eleonore Reuss, now the Queen of the Bulgarians, went to Manchuria during the Sino-Japanese war "to nurse the sick and wounded."  Since the death of her father, Princess Alice inherited her portion of her mother's estate, and is now comfortably well off. 
Alice and her second husband have two children.  She also has an eight-year-old son, Karl Leopold, by Prince Friedrich, who lives with her in Florida. 
Although the little boy is listed in the latest edition of the Almanach de Gotha as "full-fledged" member of the princely house, there are concerns about his inheritance and right of succession.   The Saxon court that dissolved the marriage came to "no decision" about the little boy's legitimacy.  The annulment decree made it clear that the "child was legitimate."
Other members of the Schonburg-Waldenburg family have continued their litigation to deny the little boy "his name, titles and rights to the family property," stating that he is not the late Prince Friedrich's son, although he was born in wedlock.  The agnates have based their "pretensions on the extraordinary evidence" give by both Princess Alice and her husband during the divorce trial.
The matter is further complicated by the fact that three years, the late Prince contracted a morganatic alliance with Franziska Maison von Lobenstein, a member of the "petty nobility in Austria.  King Friedrich August of Saxony bestowed upon Franziska the title of Countess of Bug as she was not entitled to her husband's titles and rank.
The King also announced at the same time, "provided that the little Bugs, that is to say, the children born to the union, would not inherit their mother's title, but be known as Baron or Baroness von Bug.

Will Prince Joachim Albrecht marry the actress?

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 November 3, 1906


It is being reported in Berlin that Prince Joachim Albrecht of Prussia, the son of the late Regent of Brunswick, will soon marry the actress Marie Sulzer.  According to The New York Times, the news may be premature as the actress has not divorced her "dummy" husband, Baron Liebenberg.

Last January, the Baron, a minor government official in Vienna,  was asked by a friend whether, "for the sum of 30,000 marks, he would be willing to marry a woman, who was a stranger to him and who desired a title."

Baron Lienbenberg agreed and traveled to London where he learned that his wife-to-be was Marie Sulzer.
The marriage took place in the presence of two witnesses.  The new Baroness thanked her husband, "took the marriage certificate, and departed."

The Baron did not receive the 30,000 marks.  He "threatened a scandal," and, in response, he received 4,000 marks.   After demanding the rest of the money, and waiting "for some time," he hired a Vienna lawyer now in negotiations with the Baroness's attorney.

Prince Joachim Albrecht will "probably pay the money," a divorce will be obtained, and he will marry the actress.

Umberto too ill for Roumanian trip

November 2, 1926

The Duke of Spoleto, instead of Crown Prince Umberto of Italy, will be heading the Italian mission to Bucharest tomorrow, according to the AP, which based its report on an item in the Bucharest newspaper Adeverul.    The Roumanian press has been full of rumors about a forthcoming marriage between Crown Prince Umberto, heir to the Italian throne, and Princess Ileana, the youngest daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie. 
The newspaper states "that no confirmation can be obtained from well-informed circles in Bucharest" regarding an engagement announcement.
King Ferdinand plans to welcome the Italian mission.  It is understood that the Italian mission to Bucharest will m pave the way for King Ferdinand and Queen Marie to make an official visit to Rome. 
Princess Ileana is now in the United States with Queen Marie.

King Albert arrives in Sweden for son's wedding

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November 2, 1926

King Albert and Queen Elisabeth of the Belgians arrived today in Stockholm today as official ceremonies to celebrate the forthcoming marriage of their son, Crown Prince Leopold, to Princess Astrid of Sweden. 

The king and queen and their son received "a rousing greeting," as they entered the city, according to the AP report.

King Gustav V, Prince Carl, and Princess Ingeborg, the parents of the bride, and the princess herself, received the Belgian royal family warmly.  King Gustav "hurried to embrace and kiss" Albert on both cheeks.  Queen Elisabeth gave a tender embrace to Princess Astrid, as Crown Prince Leopold "stood by."

The two royal families enjoyed an informal luncheon at the palace.  This afternoon, King Albert received "the various diplomats" in Sweden.

Princess Astrid had a busy day today as she tried on her wedding gown that she will wear for Thursday's civil wedding.   The gown "fit perfectly."   She also spent time in the kitchen of her home, "which is an apartment of the type familiar to Americans," and baked a chocolate frosted cake that will be served at the royal dinner tomorrow.  The cake was made especially for Crown Prince Leopold, who celebrates his 25th birthday tomorrow.

Astrid is the niece of King Gustav.  She is 20 years old, and is "known throughout Sweden as the personification of modesty.  It has been said that she is "overwhelmed by the brilliant preparations for the wedding."   She will also move from her parents' home to the palace.   Although Prince Carl and Princess Ingeborg's home, despite being luxurious, is in reality "an apartment of the type familiar to Americans."

Princess Astrid and Crown Prince Leopold have been "avoiding the public gaze as much as possible," and only leave the palace for "short walks or to attend informal functions."

Tonight a gala dinner in honor of the Belgian sovereigns will be held at the palace.

According to the New York Times,  the Swedish civil wedding "is not considered by the Belgian dynasty to constitute a binding marriage," although the civil marriage will be recognized by Belgian authorities.  Astrid will, however, be a "lawfully wedded wife in her own country."  She will become the Crown Princess of Belgium only after the Roman Catholic wedding next week in Brussels.

"Catholic piety" will "compel the newlyweds to separate" after the civil ceremony.  The Crown Prince will return home with his parents aboard a Belgian cruiser.  Princess Astrid and her mother will follow on a Swedish warship.
Astrid's father, Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland, dislikes "the sea so much" that he will travel to Brussels overland.  The water route was chosen because King Albert and Queen Elisabeth did not want to travel through Germany. 
There have been vague reports about "the romantic background" of the forthcoming wedding, but the "full and authentic story" was told to The New York Times correspondent  by an official of the Swedish court, who said:
"Every royal marriage is always described as a love match, but I think you will agree that that of our Princess really is one, and quite extraordinary one, too, when you hear how it came out."

More than a year ago, Princess Astrid and Prince Leopold met "quite by chance" at a thé dansant at the home of mutual friends in Paris.  The young heir to the Belgian throne danced twice with the tall, slender, Swedish girl. "whose brunette complexion and vivacious temperament make her seem French rather than Scandinavian."  

The princess is a descendant of Jean Bernadotte, the founder of the Swedish dynasty.

When the dance was over, Prince Leopold escorted Princess Astrid back to the hotel, where she and her mother "were staying in inconspicuous incognito."
The prince is equally "inconspicuous."  Not long after meeting Astrid, he and his mother made a secret trip to Stockholm to see "the Princess whom he meant to make his future Queen."   They were in Stockholm without even King Gustav knowing of their arrival.

Queen Elisabeth saw Astrid at a luncheon at a local hotel before "she made her presence known at the Swedish court.   A few hours later, Princess Astrid was officially presented to Queen Elisabeth, who then gave her consent to the marriage.

Leopold traveled three more times to Sweden to meet Astrid, all without the press finding out.  They also met in London and in Belgium at the castle of "mutual friends."  With a "lover-like haste," Prince Leopold arrived in Stockholm two days before his parents.

The marriage plans were "obstructed for many months, by the desire of King Gustav and Prince Carl that Princess Astrid remains Lutheran "instead of embracing Catholicism."  There was some opposition to the wedding, although the Pope did grant a special dispensation to allow the Crown Prince to marry a Protestant "with the usual proviso that their children be raised in the Catholic faith."

Grand Duke of Luxembourg ill

November 2, 1908

The New York Times reported today that the Grand Duke of Luxembourg is "dangerously ill" at his home, Schloss Hohenburg, in Bavaria.   The heir to the throne is the Grand Duke's eldest daughter, Hereditary Grand Duchess Marie Adelaide.

Duchess Vera heads into the air

November 2, 1908

Count Zeppelin "made a most successful trip in his new airship" today round Lake Constance, according to a New York Times dispatch.  He was accompanied by several women, including Duchess Vera of Württemberg and his own daughter.
The "airship was aloft for one hour."