March 4, 1941
Two-month-old Maria Teresa, daughter of Archduchess Assunta of Austria and Dr. Josef Hopfinger, "is the youngest passenger to fly from Europe to New York by way of Pan American's southern route," reports the New York Times.
Maria Teresa and her parents took off on the Atlantic Clipper tonight "on the last lap of an almost 5,000 mile journey," which will end tomorrow morning in New York City. They "hope to make New York their home."
Friday, March 4, 2011
Don Jaime weds American-French girl
March 4, 1935
Emanuela de Dampierre, an American-French girl, was united in marriage today with Don Jaime, second son of former King Alfonso XIII of Spain, reports the Associated Press.
The granddaughter of the former Josephine Curtis of Boston, "whose ancestors played an important part in United States history," and the "tall son of Spanish royalty" were married in a brilliant and regal ceremony at Rome's Jesuit church of St. Ignatius in the "presence of scores of royalty, hundreds from the aristocracy of France, Spain, and Italy, and a number of Americans.
The bride was escorted down the aisle by King Alfonso XIII, as her father, the Count de Dampierre, did not attend the wedding.
Crown Prince Umberto and Crown Princess Marie José represented the King and Queen of Italy. There were more than 2,000 wedding guests, including Queen Amelia of Portugal, Grand Duke Dimitri of Russia, the Count of Paris, his sister, Princess Francoise and her husband, Prince Christopher of Greece, and "scores of others."
Tonight, the couple dined with King Alfonso and members of the bride's family at Alfonso's villa in Rome. Tomorrow, they will leave for London to see Queen Victoria Eugenia.
After a honeymoon cruise "up the Nile," the young couple said they would like to visit the United States.
Don Jaime suffers from an "auditory ailment," and has sought treatment throughout Europe. He also has an "accompanying speech impediment." In 1933, he renounced for himself and his descendants the right to the Spanish throne.
His older brother, Alfonso, the Count of Covadonga, attended a party in Cannes, while "his brother was being married in Rome." He expressed "resentment that family approval should have been given his brother's marriage to a commoner and withheld from his own."
The Count, who lost his position as Prince of Asturias and the right of succession, when he renounced his rights at the time of his marriage in 1933 to a Cuban-born commoner, Edelmira Sampedro, told an AP reporter: "Since father disapproved of my marriage to a commoner, he should be present at my brother's marriage to a commoner."
Emanuela de Dampierre, an American-French girl, was united in marriage today with Don Jaime, second son of former King Alfonso XIII of Spain, reports the Associated Press.
The granddaughter of the former Josephine Curtis of Boston, "whose ancestors played an important part in United States history," and the "tall son of Spanish royalty" were married in a brilliant and regal ceremony at Rome's Jesuit church of St. Ignatius in the "presence of scores of royalty, hundreds from the aristocracy of France, Spain, and Italy, and a number of Americans.
The bride was escorted down the aisle by King Alfonso XIII, as her father, the Count de Dampierre, did not attend the wedding.
Crown Prince Umberto and Crown Princess Marie José represented the King and Queen of Italy. There were more than 2,000 wedding guests, including Queen Amelia of Portugal, Grand Duke Dimitri of Russia, the Count of Paris, his sister, Princess Francoise and her husband, Prince Christopher of Greece, and "scores of others."
The groom's mother, Queen Victoria Eugenia, did not attend the wedding and remained in London, where she now lives. She also did not attend the wedding of her daughter, Infanta Beatriz, to Prince Torlonia in January. After a private audience with Pope Pius, who gave the couple a "rosary and a prayer book," the newlyweds were the guests of honor at a "brilliant breakfast reception at an aristocratic palace in Rome."
Tonight, the couple dined with King Alfonso and members of the bride's family at Alfonso's villa in Rome. Tomorrow, they will leave for London to see Queen Victoria Eugenia.
After a honeymoon cruise "up the Nile," the young couple said they would like to visit the United States.
Don Jaime suffers from an "auditory ailment," and has sought treatment throughout Europe. He also has an "accompanying speech impediment." In 1933, he renounced for himself and his descendants the right to the Spanish throne.
His older brother, Alfonso, the Count of Covadonga, attended a party in Cannes, while "his brother was being married in Rome." He expressed "resentment that family approval should have been given his brother's marriage to a commoner and withheld from his own."
The Count, who lost his position as Prince of Asturias and the right of succession, when he renounced his rights at the time of his marriage in 1933 to a Cuban-born commoner, Edelmira Sampedro, told an AP reporter: "Since father disapproved of my marriage to a commoner, he should be present at my brother's marriage to a commoner."
Alfonso's son "deaf and dumb"
March 4, 1911
King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia have been "informed by experts that their second son, Infante Jaime, is deaf and dumb," reports the Chicago Tribune.
King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia have been "informed by experts that their second son, Infante Jaime, is deaf and dumb," reports the Chicago Tribune.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
An heir for Archduke and Archduchess Rainer
Archduke and Archduchess Rainer of Austria, who are both in their 80s, have adopted their niece and designated her as their heir. The Duchess of della Grazia will inherit "all of their immense wealth, including one of the stateliest palaces in Vienna and chateaux and castles scattered all off the ducal empire," reports the Marquise de Fontenoy.
The Duchess della Grazia is the daughter of Archduke Rainer's younger brother, Heinrich, who contracted a morganatic marriage in 1868 with Leopoldine Hoffman. Four years later, Leopoldine gave birth to the couple's only child, a daughter, Maria Raineria. In 1878, Emperor Franz Josef created the title Baroness von Waideck for Leopoldine and her daughter.
On July 26, 1892, Maria Raineria married Don Enrico Count Lucchesi-Palli, Prince di Campofranco. Five days before the wedding, Franz Joseph created Maria Raineria as Countess von Waideck. Don Enrico succeeded as the Duke of della Grazia on the death of his father, Adinolfo, on February 4.
The late duke's mother, Princess Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, was first married to the Duke of Berry, son of Charles X of France. The Duke of Berry was murdered at the Opera in Paris in 1820, and several months later, the duchess gave birth posthumously to a son. In 1830, during the July Revolution, Charles abdicated in favor of his nephew, who reigned for twenty-four hours as Henri V, before he and his mother and grandmother, were compelled to leave the country. The young Duke of Bordeaux, who was later known as the Count of Chambord, lived for many years at Frohsdorff in Austria.
In 1833, the Duchess of Berry led a foolhardy and mismanaged insurrection against King Louis-Philippe. She was caught and held captive at the Chateau of Blaye, where she gave birth to a daughter, Anna Maria. The infant girl lived for only a few months and died at Livorno on August 19.
Not long after giving birth to Anna Maria, the duchess revealed that she had contracted a secret marriage on December 14, 1831, with her chamberlain, Count Ettore Lucchessi-Palli, later Duke della Grazia. The marriage was performed by a Jesuit priest, and the nuptial mass was "solemnized by Cardinal de Rohan." The records of the marriage are preserved in the Vatican's archives, although many Royalists and Republicans have tried to deny the existence of this marriage.
After hearing about the duchess giving birth to her daughter, Royalists "abandoned her cause," and former King Charles X, as head of the house, "deprived her of the care and guardianship" of her son, Henri, as "punishment of her grave political indiscretion."
After her release from confinement, the Duchess of Berry went to Naples and then to Venice to live with her husband, who had become the Prince of Campofranco and the Duke della Grazia. She and her husband would have four more children, a son, Adinolfo, and three daughters.
Adinolfo and his wife, Donna Lucrezia Ruffo, maintained homes in Brunnsee, in the Austrian province of Styria, and the "lovely Vendrami palace" in Venice. All but one of their children have married into noble or royal families. Donna Blanca's husband is Georg Altgraf zu Salm-Reifferscheidt. Don Carlo has been married twice. His first wife, Countess Sidonie von Fünfkirchen, died in 1902. Nearly five years later, he married Princess Henriette of Salm-Salm. The youngest son, Pietro, is married to Princess Beatrice of Bourbon-Parma, daughter of Duke Roberto of Parma. The two youngest daughters, Caroline, who died in 1905) and Gabriella, married Count Rudolf von Enzenberg zum Freyen und Jöchelsthurm, and Count Giralamo Brandolini d'Adda, respectively.
Archduke Heinrich married Leopoldine Hoffmann, an actress, in defiance of Franz Joseph. They lived for the first nineteen years of their marriage abroad, mostly in Switzerland. It was through the intercession of Empress Elisabeth that a "complete reconciliation" took place. Franz Joseph invited Heinrich and Leopoldine and their daughter to visit him in Vienna. After taking up residence in the Hotel Sacher, the archduke "immediately called upon the emperor, who restored all of his honors and dignitaries."
The meeting between the two cousins "was most affectionate," but it was their last meeting. The following morning, Archduke Heinrich "was seized with a violent attack of illness." His wife also became ill. Their illnesses were probably caused by ptomaine poisoning. Leopoldine died the following day, and Heinrich succumbed a day later. He had not been told of his wife's death.
Eighteen-year-old Marie was now an orphan, and alone at the Hotel Sacher.
After years of banishment, the family's situation was looking up, and now young Marie was mourning the deaths of both her parents.
Heinrich's brother, Archduke Rainer, and his wife, Maria Christina, came at once to the hotel and "took charge of their niece, giving her a home," and "adopting her as their own children. She also received a settlement of a "large sum of money" from the emperor. Two years later, with the consent of Emperor Franz Joseph and of her adoptive parents, she married Count Enrico Lucchesi-Palli. Since their marriage, the couple, who have one daughter, Donna Maria Renata, live at Bozen, in a chateau owned by Archduke Rainer. They have also taken possession of the late Duke of della Grazia's schloss in Brunnsee and his palace in Venice.
[Note: Heinrich and Leopoldine were in Vienna to attend the wedding of Archduchess Luise to the Crown Prince of Saxony. It appears more likely that the couple died as a result of an influenza epidemic raging through Central Europe.
Two of Heinrich's brothers, Ernst and Sigismund, both of who were staying at Archduke Rainer's palace in Vienna, became ill with influenza. Sigismund died in mid-December. Ernst recovered. Several other members of the Habsburg family also became ill. Archduchess Marie Valerie, the youngest daughter of the Emperor, and her husband were reported to be sidelined with influenza. Marie Valerie was expecting a child at the time. In January, Archduke Karl Salvator also died as a result of influenza.]
Duke of Cambridge's condition - serious
Exclusive dispatch to the Los Angeles Times.
Members of the British Royal Family are "very anxious about the condition of the Duke of Cambridge." His Royal Highness was very upset by the death of his cousin, Queen Victoria.
The Duke, who was born two months before Victoria, and his cousin had enjoyed friendly relations since their childhoods. The two had played together as children.
Since Victoria's funeral, the Duke "has alarmed his relatives and medical advisers by his loss of appetite." He has had a "magnificent constitution," but due to his advanced age, his condition had deteriorated.
Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg's church wedding
Princess Benedikte of Denmark and Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg today announced that their daughter, Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, will marry Mr. Alexander Johannsmann on June 18, 2011 at the Evangelical Church in Bad Berleburg.
The couple were married in a civil ceremony in May 2010.
The Princess is an accomplished equestrienne is dressage. She was the Danish champion in dressage in 2002 and 2009. In 2008. she was a member of Denmark's dressage team that won the bronze medal. Alexander Johannsmann works for his uncle's firm that specializes in horse transportation. His father competed for many years in horse jumping.
The couple are the parents of a son, Konstantin, who was born on July 24, 2010.
The couple were married in a civil ceremony in May 2010.
The Princess is an accomplished equestrienne is dressage. She was the Danish champion in dressage in 2002 and 2009. In 2008. she was a member of Denmark's dressage team that won the bronze medal. Alexander Johannsmann works for his uncle's firm that specializes in horse transportation. His father competed for many years in horse jumping.
The couple are the parents of a son, Konstantin, who was born on July 24, 2010.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
New interview with Crown Prince Alexander
Interview with HRH Crown Prince Alexander for “Dan” newspapers Montenegro
Crown Prince Alexander Karageorgevitch speaking with “Dan” regarding the position of the Serbian people in Montenegro: Serbs to be a constitutive nation.
I doubt that translation of Njegos’ Gorski vijenac to Montenegrin would be better than the original in Serbian language, says Alexander Karageorgevitch.
Crown Prince Alexander Karageorgevitch says in his interview for Dan that Serbs should be one of constitutive nations in Montenegro. Commenting on more frequent attacks on the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro and attempts of assimilation of Serbian people, he says that historically speaking “actions motivated by passions instead of good reason are rarely successful”.
~ There will be census organized in Montenegro in one month. What do you think about current status of Serbian people in Montenegro?
- I believe that the Serbian nation should be one of constitutive nations in Montenegro. Only then we will have mutual responsibility – different nations of Montenegro towards the state and from the state towards its nations and citizens. Otherwise, the state interests of Montenegro and their implementation would not be secured without basic consensus of all members of the parliament. And that is not the case now.
~ What are your comments regarding pressures towards the Serbian Orthodox Church and Serbian culture and attempts to assimilate the Serbian nation in Montenegro?
- Any actions motivated by passions instead of good reasoning are rarely successful in historic sense. I doubt that translation of Njegos’ Gorski vijenac to Montenegrin would be better than original in the Serbian language.
~ How do you see the role of Karageorgevitch Dynasty in Serbia today?
- We want to represent the state in the best possible way, to improve its’ image abroad and to promote connections with the world. Also, we try to help our people with humanitarian activities and to bring investors in the country.
~ How do you see the role of the Dynasty in the region, especially in countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, with huge Serbian population?
- Other states, of course, have other priorities. Loyalty to the Monarchy is deeply rooted with our nation all across the Balkans.
~ How do you see the future formal and informal role of Constitutional Monarchy in Serbia, or other neighbouring countries where Serbs live?
- That role would be the same as in other Constitutional Monarchies such as Denmark, Norway, Spain, Netherlands, and others. The Monarch is head of the state and he reigns, while Prime Minister and his cabinet govern the country, based on people’s will represented by the parliament elected via free elections. The beauty of this system is based on the fact that head is neutral, is not a member of any political party, and guarantees unity, continuity and foundation of the state.
~ Are you the Crown Prince of Serbia or Yugoslavia?
- The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later on Yugoslavia, was a political reality from 1918 till 2003, even 2006. After all, the reality now is Serbia, and the new mission of modernizing, European unity, good neighbourhood relations, and the peaceful defending of the legitimate rights of the Serbian nation outside our state borders.
Crown Prince Alexander Karageorgevitch speaking with “Dan” regarding the position of the Serbian people in Montenegro: Serbs to be a constitutive nation.
I doubt that translation of Njegos’ Gorski vijenac to Montenegrin would be better than the original in Serbian language, says Alexander Karageorgevitch.
Crown Prince Alexander Karageorgevitch says in his interview for Dan that Serbs should be one of constitutive nations in Montenegro. Commenting on more frequent attacks on the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro and attempts of assimilation of Serbian people, he says that historically speaking “actions motivated by passions instead of good reason are rarely successful”.
~ There will be census organized in Montenegro in one month. What do you think about current status of Serbian people in Montenegro?
- I believe that the Serbian nation should be one of constitutive nations in Montenegro. Only then we will have mutual responsibility – different nations of Montenegro towards the state and from the state towards its nations and citizens. Otherwise, the state interests of Montenegro and their implementation would not be secured without basic consensus of all members of the parliament. And that is not the case now.
~ What are your comments regarding pressures towards the Serbian Orthodox Church and Serbian culture and attempts to assimilate the Serbian nation in Montenegro?
- Any actions motivated by passions instead of good reasoning are rarely successful in historic sense. I doubt that translation of Njegos’ Gorski vijenac to Montenegrin would be better than original in the Serbian language.
~ How do you see the role of Karageorgevitch Dynasty in Serbia today?
- We want to represent the state in the best possible way, to improve its’ image abroad and to promote connections with the world. Also, we try to help our people with humanitarian activities and to bring investors in the country.
~ How do you see the role of the Dynasty in the region, especially in countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, with huge Serbian population?
- Other states, of course, have other priorities. Loyalty to the Monarchy is deeply rooted with our nation all across the Balkans.
~ How do you see the future formal and informal role of Constitutional Monarchy in Serbia, or other neighbouring countries where Serbs live?
- That role would be the same as in other Constitutional Monarchies such as Denmark, Norway, Spain, Netherlands, and others. The Monarch is head of the state and he reigns, while Prime Minister and his cabinet govern the country, based on people’s will represented by the parliament elected via free elections. The beauty of this system is based on the fact that head is neutral, is not a member of any political party, and guarantees unity, continuity and foundation of the state.
~ Are you the Crown Prince of Serbia or Yugoslavia?
- The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later on Yugoslavia, was a political reality from 1918 till 2003, even 2006. After all, the reality now is Serbia, and the new mission of modernizing, European unity, good neighbourhood relations, and the peaceful defending of the legitimate rights of the Serbian nation outside our state borders.
Belgian queen very ill
Queen Marie Henriette of the Belgians is "gravely ill." She is suffering from bronchial pneumonia. Her doctors, however, remain "hopeful unless complications supervene," reports the New York Times.
Marie Henriette was born August 23, 1836, daughter of the late Archduke Joseph of Austria. She married the future King Leopold II of the Belgians on August 22, 1853. Leopold succeeded to the throne, following the death of his father, Leopold I, on December 10, 1865.
Leopold and Marie-Henriette have three daughters. The eldest, Princess Louise, was married to Prince Philipp of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. She and her husband recently separated and she is said to be "mentally deranged."
The second daughter, Princess Stephanie, married Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria, the only son of Emperor Franz Joseph, who "died under distressing circumstances on Jan. 30, 1889."
The youngest daughter, Princess Clementine, is not married. Marie-Henriette's only son, Prince Leopold, Count of Hainault, died from pneumonia at the age of 9, after falling into a pond at Laeken in 1869.
Alfonso gives royal jewels to son's fiancee
March 2, 1935
Former King Alfonso XIII of Spain's wedding present to his future daughter-in-law, Emanuela de Dampierre is one-fifth of his mother's jewels. Donna Emanuela will wear "part of these heirlooms with her wedding ensemble." One "especially famous piece, the fleur-de-lis diamonds," will be used by the bride to "clasp her white lace wedding down, according to the Associated Press.
She will wear on her breast "the emerald and gold pontifical cross of Pope Pius IX, containing as a holy relic a piece said to be from the crown of thorns."
Earlier today, the bride had a final fitting of her wedding gown, which is made of white and silver lamé. She will have a "majestic train, more than seven yards long." The train will be carried by 10 little girls, "all of noble blood, dressed in silver and blue with red roses in her hair."
Donna Emanuela, a granddaughter of the former Josephine Curtis of Boston, and Don Jaime, second son of King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia, will be married on Monday in Rome.
Former King Alfonso XIII of Spain's wedding present to his future daughter-in-law, Emanuela de Dampierre is one-fifth of his mother's jewels. Donna Emanuela will wear "part of these heirlooms with her wedding ensemble." One "especially famous piece, the fleur-de-lis diamonds," will be used by the bride to "clasp her white lace wedding down, according to the Associated Press.
She will wear on her breast "the emerald and gold pontifical cross of Pope Pius IX, containing as a holy relic a piece said to be from the crown of thorns."
Earlier today, the bride had a final fitting of her wedding gown, which is made of white and silver lamé. She will have a "majestic train, more than seven yards long." The train will be carried by 10 little girls, "all of noble blood, dressed in silver and blue with red roses in her hair."
Donna Emanuela, a granddaughter of the former Josephine Curtis of Boston, and Don Jaime, second son of King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia, will be married on Monday in Rome.
Former Archduke Leopold begins divorce proceedings against wife
March 2, 1907
Herr Leopold Wolfing (ne Archduke Leopold of Austria) has begun divorce proceedings against his wife, Wilhelmina Adamovics, a "one-time concert singer," who is now living at the "Nature's Children" colony on the shores of Lake Maggiore.
The London correspondent for the Chicago Daily Tribune reports that "surprisingly little" information has appeared in print about this cult, "surely one of the freakiest in existence, and its queer history," despite Frau Wolfing's "wholesome adoption of the 'new life' principles made between her and her aristocratic husband."
The former archduke has learned that in Europe, a man cannot divorce his wife "because she chooses to model her life after that of Mother Eve before the fall."
Leopold "sacrificed his rank and all his august titles," and took the name Leopold Wolfing in order to marry Wilhelmina Adamovic, a singer, "famous for her good looks, if not for the quality of her voice."
The marriage was going well until Mrs. Wolfing persuaded her husband to visit the colony, "which she was highly curious to see."
The colony is located about 30 minutes from Locarno. Twenty-five men and women live in the settlement. A "primitive board fence, broken down in many places," surrounds the colony. Visitors can pay 2 francs to go inside the colony.
The residents live in small wooden huts, and own very little in "the way of household goods and chattels."
The men have "long flowing hair and a band of ribbon across their foreheads, with mystic characters inscribed upon it." The "main feature" of their dress is a coarse shirt. Women wear a long "chemise kind of dress."
No one wears shoes or stockings. When they "engage in their chief labor in the gardens," the men and women are "said to be more scantily attired."
The main diet includes bread and fruit. Vegetables are eaten on "special occasions." Salt and other condiments are prohibited, as are animal foods.
For Frau Wolfing, life in "Nature's Children" seemed "idyllic." She was convinced that if she and her husband joined the community and adopted the lifestyle, "they would be as happy as turtle doves."
Leopold, however, did not share his wife's enthusiasm. He had a "healthy but decided carnal appetite," and could not adapt to a diet of bread and fruit. He also had an "aristocratic aversion to coarse shirts." But he was willing to give the cult a try and hoped that a brief trial would cure his wife.
But to Leopold's "astonishment and dismay," Wilhelmina thrived, and "became more enamored" of the lifestyle.
She gave away all her "pretty gowns," and "adopted the single garment style of dress." She stopped using her toothbrush and "threw away all her hairpins."
Leopold demanded that she would have to choose between him or the new life. She chose her new life.
The archduke returned to his home and filed for divorce in Geneva. But Swiss divorce laws are "not as elastic as those of some of the American states." The judges ruled that Mrs. Wolfing's lifestyle did not "constitute sufficient grounds" for divorce. Leopold then moved toward a mutual separation. Wilhelmina, who had renounced "all the pomp and vanities of this world," still retained an appreciation of money.
Several of Leopold's friends said he married the singer only after an "unfortunate love affair," which he had eleven years ago. He had fallen in love with Donna Elvira de Bourbon, the daughter of Don Carlos. They became secretly engaged, but his parents, "for political reasons," did not approve of the marriage.
The ever-fickle Donna Elvira "put the finishing touch on Leopold's despair" by running off with an artist.
Leopold was devastated by Elvira's behavior, and he spiraled downward toward a dissipated lifestyle. He flirted with socialism. He wanted to marry a waitress. Eventually, his family took action and placed Leopold in an asylum for six months. Not long after his release, he met and fell in love with Wilhelmina Adamovics. There was a huge family row when he announced plans to marry her. Only his younger brother, Archduke Joseph, supported him.
Now that he has rid himself of his wife, Leopold has made it clear that he wants to be an archduke again, heir to his father's estates, and has "opened negotiations" with Franz Joseph.
His brother, Joseph, however, is against any restoration of Leopold's titles and honors.
Herr Leopold Wolfing (ne Archduke Leopold of Austria) has begun divorce proceedings against his wife, Wilhelmina Adamovics, a "one-time concert singer," who is now living at the "Nature's Children" colony on the shores of Lake Maggiore.
The London correspondent for the Chicago Daily Tribune reports that "surprisingly little" information has appeared in print about this cult, "surely one of the freakiest in existence, and its queer history," despite Frau Wolfing's "wholesome adoption of the 'new life' principles made between her and her aristocratic husband."
The former archduke has learned that in Europe, a man cannot divorce his wife "because she chooses to model her life after that of Mother Eve before the fall."
Leopold "sacrificed his rank and all his august titles," and took the name Leopold Wolfing in order to marry Wilhelmina Adamovic, a singer, "famous for her good looks, if not for the quality of her voice."
The marriage was going well until Mrs. Wolfing persuaded her husband to visit the colony, "which she was highly curious to see."
The colony is located about 30 minutes from Locarno. Twenty-five men and women live in the settlement. A "primitive board fence, broken down in many places," surrounds the colony. Visitors can pay 2 francs to go inside the colony.
The residents live in small wooden huts, and own very little in "the way of household goods and chattels."
The men have "long flowing hair and a band of ribbon across their foreheads, with mystic characters inscribed upon it." The "main feature" of their dress is a coarse shirt. Women wear a long "chemise kind of dress."
No one wears shoes or stockings. When they "engage in their chief labor in the gardens," the men and women are "said to be more scantily attired."
The main diet includes bread and fruit. Vegetables are eaten on "special occasions." Salt and other condiments are prohibited, as are animal foods.
For Frau Wolfing, life in "Nature's Children" seemed "idyllic." She was convinced that if she and her husband joined the community and adopted the lifestyle, "they would be as happy as turtle doves."
Wilhelmina also believed that Leopold "would never again yearn for the enervating and debasing luxuries of an archducal existence."
Leopold, however, did not share his wife's enthusiasm. He had a "healthy but decided carnal appetite," and could not adapt to a diet of bread and fruit. He also had an "aristocratic aversion to coarse shirts." But he was willing to give the cult a try and hoped that a brief trial would cure his wife.
But to Leopold's "astonishment and dismay," Wilhelmina thrived, and "became more enamored" of the lifestyle.
She gave away all her "pretty gowns," and "adopted the single garment style of dress." She stopped using her toothbrush and "threw away all her hairpins."
Leopold demanded that she would have to choose between him or the new life. She chose her new life.
The archduke returned to his home and filed for divorce in Geneva. But Swiss divorce laws are "not as elastic as those of some of the American states." The judges ruled that Mrs. Wolfing's lifestyle did not "constitute sufficient grounds" for divorce. Leopold then moved toward a mutual separation. Wilhelmina, who had renounced "all the pomp and vanities of this world," still retained an appreciation of money.
She demanded a huge settlement before agreeing to a separation. Several of Leopold's family contributed to the settlement money.
Several of Leopold's friends said he married the singer only after an "unfortunate love affair," which he had eleven years ago. He had fallen in love with Donna Elvira de Bourbon, the daughter of Don Carlos. They became secretly engaged, but his parents, "for political reasons," did not approve of the marriage.
The ever-fickle Donna Elvira "put the finishing touch on Leopold's despair" by running off with an artist.
Leopold was devastated by Elvira's behavior, and he spiraled downward toward a dissipated lifestyle. He flirted with socialism. He wanted to marry a waitress. Eventually, his family took action and placed Leopold in an asylum for six months. Not long after his release, he met and fell in love with Wilhelmina Adamovics. There was a huge family row when he announced plans to marry her. Only his younger brother, Archduke Joseph, supported him.
Now that he has rid himself of his wife, Leopold has made it clear that he wants to be an archduke again, heir to his father's estates, and has "opened negotiations" with Franz Joseph.
His brother, Joseph, however, is against any restoration of Leopold's titles and honors.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The death of the Duc de Mouchy
Philippe Francois Armand Marie de Noilles, Duc de Mouchy, Prince-Duc de Poix, died on February 28, 2011. He was 88 years old.
The Duc was the former managing director of Chateau Haut-Brion. He served as managing director when his wife, Joan, was the present of Domaine Clarence Dillon. The Duchess de Mouchy is the former Joan Douglas Dillon, and the widow of Prince Charles of Luxembourg. The current president of Domaine Clarence Dillon is the duchess' son, HRH Prince Robert of Luxembourg.
http://www.decanter.com/news/wine-news/517746/duc-de-mouchy-of-haut-brion-dies
http://www.domaineclarencedillon.com/#/news/28-02-2011-death-of-the-duc-de-mouchy
The Duc's first wife was Diane de Castellane. They were married in 1948, and divorced in 1974. They had three children: Nathalie, who is the wife of Christian-Charles Meissirel-Marquot; Antoine-George-Marie, who succeeds his father as Duc de Mouchy; and Alexis, who is married to Princess Diane d'Orleans.
The new Duc de Mouchy is married to Isabelle Frisch de Fels. They have three children, Mélanie, Charles-Antoine-Marie and Adrien.
When Princess Joan of Luxembourg married the Duc de Mouchy, she ceased to be a member of the Luxembourg royal family and became a member of the de Mouchy family. She took the rank and title of her new husband, which meant the loss of the HRH and the title Princess of Luxembourg, due to her third marriage.
The Duc was the former managing director of Chateau Haut-Brion. He served as managing director when his wife, Joan, was the present of Domaine Clarence Dillon. The Duchess de Mouchy is the former Joan Douglas Dillon, and the widow of Prince Charles of Luxembourg. The current president of Domaine Clarence Dillon is the duchess' son, HRH Prince Robert of Luxembourg.
http://www.decanter.com/news/wine-news/517746/duc-de-mouchy-of-haut-brion-dies
http://www.domaineclarencedillon.com/#/news/28-02-2011-death-of-the-duc-de-mouchy
The Duc's first wife was Diane de Castellane. They were married in 1948, and divorced in 1974. They had three children: Nathalie, who is the wife of Christian-Charles Meissirel-Marquot; Antoine-George-Marie, who succeeds his father as Duc de Mouchy; and Alexis, who is married to Princess Diane d'Orleans.
The new Duc de Mouchy is married to Isabelle Frisch de Fels. They have three children, Mélanie, Charles-Antoine-Marie and Adrien.
When Princess Joan of Luxembourg married the Duc de Mouchy, she ceased to be a member of the Luxembourg royal family and became a member of the de Mouchy family. She took the rank and title of her new husband, which meant the loss of the HRH and the title Princess of Luxembourg, due to her third marriage.
Grand Duke Gabriel dead in Paris
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Grand Duke Gabriel Konstanovitch of Russia, a second cousin of Nicholas II, died in Paris yesterday "after a short illness," reports the New York Times. He was 68 years old.
Grand Duke Gabriel was married twice. His first wife was Antonina Nesterovskya. She died in 1950. The following year, he married Princess Irina Kurakina. Both marriages were morganatic.
Gabriel was the second son of Grand Duke Konstantine Konstantovitch of Russia and Princess Elisabeth of Saxe-Altenburg. He was born at Pavlovsk on July 15, 1887. Gabriel and his older brother were born with the title of Grand Duke and rank of Imperial Highness, but this status changed three days after Gabriel's birth when Alexander III changed the family law, and limited the title of Grand Duke and Grand Duchess and the rank of Imperial Highness to the children of the Emperor and the grandchildren of the Emperor in the male line. Great-grandchildren in the male line would now be styled as Prince with the rank of Highness.
Gabriel was close to his older brother, Ivan. Both young men were sickly as children, and they spent a lot of their time at the family's Crimea resort, Oreanda. In 1911, Gabriel attended a dance at the home of the famous ballerina, Mathilde Kschessinskaya, where he was first introduced to Antonina Rafailovna Nesterovskaya, a ballerina, who was a member of a minor Russian noble family.
The couple soon became lovers, and Gabriel was determined to marry her.
Antonina was installed into a house that Gabriel purchased for her in St. Petersburg. The couple were open about their relationship, entertained often, and were very much a devoted couple.
But when Gabriel approached Nicholas II for permission to marry, he was rebuffed in his attempt, due to family law. He even asked his aunt, Queen Olga of Greece, to intercede on his behalf.
Despite Nicholas' denial of approval, Gabriel remained determined to marry his beloved Antonina, who had given up her career to be with him. After Nicholas' abdication and the end of the monarchy in February 1917, Gabriel approached his mother and asked for her permission to marry. She refused to consent to such a marriage. Without telling his mother or other members of his family, apart from a cousin, Prince Alexander of Leuchtenberg, who helped find a priest to perform the wedding, Gabriel and Antonina were married on April 9, 1917, in St. Petersburg.
Eventually, Gabriel's mother, Grand Duchess Elisabeth also gave her blessing to the marriage.
During the summer of 1918, male members of the Romanov family were being rounded up by the police and imprisoned. Gabriel found himself in the same prison as his uncle Dimitri and Grand Dukes Nicholas Mikhailovitch and George Mikhailovitch. Antonina worked tirelessly to free her husband. She was a close friend of the writer, Maxim Gorky, who made contact with Lenin to release Gabriel. Near the end of 1918, Gabriel was first moved to a hospital, and Gorky arranged for Gabriel and Antonina to live with him. It was Maxim Gorky who pushed the Petrograd Soviet to allow Gabriel and Antonina to leave Russia for Finland.
Gabriel and his wife settled in Paris, where they lived a very social life, despite the loss of his fortune.
He supported Grand Duke Kirill as Nicholas' successor. In 1939, Kirill's son, Grand Duke Wladimir, elevated Gabriel to the Grand Ducal rank and style of Imperial Highness.
Grand Duke Gabriel is survived by his wife, Princess Irina. He had no children.
In the 1950s, Gabriel's memoir, Memories of Marble Palace, was published in French and in Russian. An English translation was published by Gilbert's Books in 2009.
Read more about Gabriel and his family:
http://royalbooknews.blogspot.com/2011/03/read-more-about-grand-duke-gabriel-and.html
Former Greek queen resumes Roumanian citizenship
March 1, 1935
Former Queen Elisabeth of Greece "resumed Rumanian citizenship today, lending apparent substance" to reports that she and former King George are now divorced, reports the Associated Press.
Elisabeth spends much of her time in Bucharest with her brother, King Carol of Rumania, and her mother, Dowager Queen. She chose to live in Bucharest rather than accompany the former King on "his prolonged hunting expedition to India.
According to Rumanian law, the "wife without exception takes the citizenship of her husband." Thus, when Elisabeth married King George II of the Hellenes, she became a citizen of Greece and ceased to be a Rumanian citizen. When the Rumanian Supreme Court granted Elisabeth Rumanian citizenship, "court circles drew the inference that the divorce was an accomplished fact."
Former Queen Elisabeth of Greece "resumed Rumanian citizenship today, lending apparent substance" to reports that she and former King George are now divorced, reports the Associated Press.
Elisabeth spends much of her time in Bucharest with her brother, King Carol of Rumania, and her mother, Dowager Queen. She chose to live in Bucharest rather than accompany the former King on "his prolonged hunting expedition to India.
According to Rumanian law, the "wife without exception takes the citizenship of her husband." Thus, when Elisabeth married King George II of the Hellenes, she became a citizen of Greece and ceased to be a Rumanian citizen. When the Rumanian Supreme Court granted Elisabeth Rumanian citizenship, "court circles drew the inference that the divorce was an accomplished fact."
King of Montenegro dead in France
March 1, 1921
Former King Nicholas of Montenegro died today at his home in Antibes, France, according to the New York Times.
Nicholas I, who was born in 1841, "was proclaimed Prince of Montenegro as successor to his uncle, Danilo I, in 1860." He assumed the title of King in 1910, on the fiftieth anniversary of his reign after a resolution "passed unanimously" by Montenegro's parliament.
Soon after his accession, an "insurrection broke out in Herzegovina, and the sympathy for their Christian kinsmen led to "the country's rupture with Turkey." The war, however, "resulted disastrously for Nicholas" and Montenegro was subjected to "severe terms" by the Convention of Scutari.
In 1876, Nicholas "formed an alliance with Prince Milan of Serbia," and declared war on Turkey. He led his army into Herzegovina, and "attacked Metun." A year later, Russia also declared war on Turkey, and Nicholas "renewed his hostilities against the Ottomans." In this incursion, Nicholas able to recover "the seaboard, which had belonged to Montenegro during the Middle Ages."
During the World War, Montenegro sided with the allies. After the armistice was signed, "Serbians ordered elections for the national assembly." In 1918, the assembly voted in favor of "the deposition of Nicholas and the reigning dynasty." Shortly afterward, the assembly voted for form a union with the Jugo-Slav state with the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
Nicholas and his cabinet moved to France. During his trials, Nicholas "always asserted his right to govern." At the time, it was reported that he "had refused an annuity of $500,000 in exchange for his abdication."
In 1860, Nicholas married Milena Petrovna Vukotitch, the daughter of the senator. They had ten children. One daughter, Elena, is married to King Victor Emmanuel of Italy. Queen Elena has been advised of her father's death, and she and her husband are expected to attend the funeral.
The date for the funeral has not yet been set.
Former King Nicholas of Montenegro died today at his home in Antibes, France, according to the New York Times.
Nicholas I, who was born in 1841, "was proclaimed Prince of Montenegro as successor to his uncle, Danilo I, in 1860." He assumed the title of King in 1910, on the fiftieth anniversary of his reign after a resolution "passed unanimously" by Montenegro's parliament.
Soon after his accession, an "insurrection broke out in Herzegovina, and the sympathy for their Christian kinsmen led to "the country's rupture with Turkey." The war, however, "resulted disastrously for Nicholas" and Montenegro was subjected to "severe terms" by the Convention of Scutari.
In 1876, Nicholas "formed an alliance with Prince Milan of Serbia," and declared war on Turkey. He led his army into Herzegovina, and "attacked Metun." A year later, Russia also declared war on Turkey, and Nicholas "renewed his hostilities against the Ottomans." In this incursion, Nicholas able to recover "the seaboard, which had belonged to Montenegro during the Middle Ages."
During the World War, Montenegro sided with the allies. After the armistice was signed, "Serbians ordered elections for the national assembly." In 1918, the assembly voted in favor of "the deposition of Nicholas and the reigning dynasty." Shortly afterward, the assembly voted for form a union with the Jugo-Slav state with the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
Nicholas and his cabinet moved to France. During his trials, Nicholas "always asserted his right to govern." At the time, it was reported that he "had refused an annuity of $500,000 in exchange for his abdication."
In 1860, Nicholas married Milena Petrovna Vukotitch, the daughter of the senator. They had ten children. One daughter, Elena, is married to King Victor Emmanuel of Italy. Queen Elena has been advised of her father's death, and she and her husband are expected to attend the funeral.
The date for the funeral has not yet been set.
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