Miss Cornwallis-West marries Prince of Pless

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December 8, 1891

Miss Mary Theresa Olivia Cornwallis-West, the eldest daughter of Col. Cornwallis-West, MP, and Mrs. Cornwallis-West, was married today at St, Margaret's Westminster, to Prince Hans Heinrich of Pless,  reports the New York Times.

There was a "brilliant gathering at the church of relatives and friends."  The most prominent of guests were the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Prince and Princess of Saxe-Weimar,  Prince Heinrich Pless XI, the father of the groom; Count Deym, the Marquess and Marchioness of Headford, Count Hochberg, Lord Sackville, and "all the members of the Diplomatic Corps in London, including Mr. Henry White, Secretary of the American Legation.

Miss Cornwallis-West wore an "empire gown of white satin, edged with a cloud of silk malines tulle, caught up with garlands of orange blossoms."   The gown had a "low bodice and was completed with an underdress of silk embroidery, in empire design."  Her train was five yards in length, and was made of brocade, "draped from the shoulder, with a silver collar."

The bride wore a crown of diamonds, a gift from her husband, and a "necklace, buckle, and an aigrette of diamonds."

The wedding reception followed the ceremony at the bride's family home in London at 30 Portman Square.   The newlyweds will spend their honeymoon in Paris and on the Riviera.


When the new Princess Hans Heinrich of Pless departed for the honeymoon, she wore a traveling dress made of Russian green velvet. The gown's skirt was "trimmed with Egyptian embroidery of delicate tints, intermixed with gold and bordered on either side  with a piping of otter."  The gown is covered by  a long Louis XVI coat "of the same velvet, having a large revere and collar and sleeves of embroidery to correspond with the dress."  The coat is also edged with otter fur.

Prince Hans Heinrich of Pless, 30, is the eldest of three sons of the Prince of Pless, a "Silesian magnate and Senator of the German Empire.   Prince Hans Heinrich, who is known as Henry, serves as a captain in the Imperial Hussars. He has also spent time in Germany's diplomatic service and served as an attaché in Paris and as Secretary of the German Legation in London.   He does not currently serve in the German Empire's diplomatic service, but "is likely to be called upon to resume it."   His father has given him one of the family castle's, Schloss Fürstenstein, near Salzbrunn in Silesia.

The newlyweds will divide their time between the Schloss and England.

The princess' mother, Mrs. Cornwallis-West has been described by the New York Times as a "society beauty."

Wilhelmina declares war on Japan

December 8, 1941

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands has issued a 500-word proclamation to her people, stating that the kingdom of the Netherlands considers itself at war with Japan," reports the Associated Press.

The Japanese sea and air forces "without a preceding declaration of war have made surprise attacks on American and British territory. Thus, war has been forced upon the republic of the United States and on the British empire. Neither the safety of the territory of our empire in the East nor the bond which ties us to our British allies nor the specific associations between the Netherlands and the United States allows the government of the kingdom to remain innocent.

"The kingdom considers itself at war with Japan because of aggression, which aims at destroying peace-loving nations, one after the other can, must, and will be resisted in firm alliance."

Queen Wilhelmina made the proclamation in London, where she is now living, after fleeing the German occupation of her country earlier this year.

Prince Joachim's wedding postponed

December 8, 1915

A dispatch to the Exchange Telegraph Company from Amsterdam to the New York Times is stating that Kaiser Wilhelm II has postponed the wedding of his youngest son, Prince Joachim, to Princess Marie Auguste of Anhalt.

The original message came from Cassel, Prussia, and is seen as authoritative.  "The marriage was to have taken place before Christmas.  The Emperor and Empress hope that the war will be ended by February, and they therefore postponed the marriage ceremony until that time.  Should the war not have been concluded by the date set for the wedding the ceremony will be extremely simple."

The King of Sweden is dead

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December 8, 1907

The New York Times and other newspapers are reporting the death of King Oscar II of Sweden.   The king died this morning at 9:10 a.m., at the palace in Stockholm.

The king's eldest son, Gustav, has succeeded to the throne and will be known as King Gustav V.

Members of the late king's family, including the aged Queen Sophie, Crown Prince Gustav, and members of the Swedish government.  "Great crowds" gathered outside the palace learned of the king's death when the palace flag was lowered to half staff.  Thousands "stood about the palace with bowed heads and tearful eyes" long after the official announcement was made of the "loss of their well-beloved sovereign."

All of Sweden is "stricken with grief," as King Oscar was more than "the ruler of his people."  He had "endeared himself to them as an intimate and personal friend."

The official statement read:  "We declare upon oath that his Majesty King Oscar II, expired peacefully at 9:10 o'clock this morning in the castle at Stockholm, at the age of 78 years, 9 months and 17 days, as the result of calcification of the cerebral and cardiac blood vessels."

The king was unconscious for the final hours of his life, and "up to the end he gave no sign of recognizing those about him."   Queen Sophie was described as "grief-stricken" because her husband could "not bid her farewell."

After the king was pronounced dead, most everyone in the room left, leaving the royal family.  Queen Sophie, "surrounded by her children and grandchildren, knelt and prayed."

At one p.m.,  King Gustav V "took the oath of office before the Cabinet and Court assembled in the grand gallery."   The other male members of the royal family swore allegiance to the King, "who embraced and kissed them, giving his favorite brother, the giant Carl, a hearty slap on the back." 

King Gustav V read his proclamation and "announced his motto: "With the people for the Fatherland.'"

In the afternoon, a memorial service was conducted in the palace chapel, which was attended by nearly all members of the Royal Family, with exception of Queen Sophie and the new Queen Victoria, who is not expected to return to Sweden until tomorrow.  

King Oscar II reigned for almost thirty-five years.  He came to the throne in 1872, succeeding his eldest brother, King Carl XV.  In 1857, he married Princess Sophie of Nassau.    He is survived by Queen Sophie, and four sons,  King Gustav V,  Prince Oscar (who renounced his rights to the throne when married Miss Ebba Munck), Prince Carl, and Prince Eugene.

The new heir to the throne is King Gustav V's elder son, Crown Prince Gustav Adolf, who is married to Princess Margaret of Connaught.

Phasing out the Infantas?

The Royal Household in Spain is looking at the possibility of further limiting the size of the Royal Family.  This has been confirmed to the Spanish newspaper, ABC. 

The first reports of a change surfaced about a decade ago, and raised the possibility that when the Prince of Asturias married and had children, the Palace would reduce the official activities of the Prince's two sisters, Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina.    The two Infantas would be in a similar position as King Juan Carlos' two sisters, Infanta Pilar and Infanta Margarita, who are considered members of the King's family, but are not members of the Royal Family.

Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina do not receive state support for their official duties.  But Zarzuela Palace has acknowledged that there are no plans to change the current structure of the Royal Family.

Belgians learn of King's marriage

December 7, 1941

Joseph Ernest Cardinal van Roey, Archbishop of Malines, today announced the morganatic marriage of King Leopold III to Miss Marie Lillian Baels, the daughter of the former Belgian minister of Agriculture.  

The marriage took place three months ago according to the Cardinal's letter that was "read in all Catholic churches in Belgium today," reports the New York Times.

The news came "as a complete surprise."  Many residents of Brussels "made pilgrimages all day" to the Chateau de Laeken where the King and his wife, who will be known as the Princess de Rethy, share his "voluntary detention" as "Belgium's prisoner of war No.1."

Queen Ena likes exile

December 7, 1935

Queen Ena of Spain has no regrets about being in exile, according to a close family friend who is vacationing in Menton, France.

The unnamed informant told a United Press reporter that she is "enjoying personal freedom for the first time in her life."

"A reigning queen's life is all duty, and my stenographer working from 9 to 5 has a better job and a more enviable existence.  I haven't the authority to speak for His Majesty, but I think I am safe in saying that she has no regret over losing her job as Queen.

"The greatest part of a queen's time is taken up with bowing to iron-clad court etiquette, submitting to compulsory ceremonies that are tiresome and boring.

"Over and over they must extend fingertips to be kissed by pompous court officials.  Even in receiving their equals, queens or princesses from other courts, whether on state occasions or in private, they are denied the privileges of intimate talks, and must limit themselves to monotonous 'ready-made' conversations.
"The route is much harder on old queens, and these are usually the most unhappy of all.  Many queens have been bereaved through political assassinations and are mourning the loss of a husband, son or brother, although the monotonous court routine must be continued.  The expression 'happy as a queen' is meaningless, and I'm positive that Queen Ena has no regrets but is enjoying the personal freedom which was denied her before the revolution."

Infanta Eulalia asks for forgiveness

December 7, 1911

The New York Times reports today that King Alfonso of Spain has received a letter from his aunt, Infanta Eulalia, "asking him to pardon her, and saying she had acted in a moment of forgetfulness."   She wrote that she had "no intention of wounding the royal family nor had any political motive."

Infanta Eulalia ended her letter by saying that she is "an affectionate aunt and a true and loyal Spaniard."

Who will be Alfonso's bride?

December 8, 1905

ABC, a Madrid-based newspaper recently asked its readers to vote on their choice for King Alfonso XIII's bride.  The voting closed on December 1.

As of November 19, the eligible royal princesses in order of votes were:
Princess Olga of Cumberland, 22; Princess Victoria Luise, 18;  Princess Gertude of Bavaria, 21; Princess Patricia of Connaught, 19;  Princess Marie Antoinette of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, 21; Princess Victoria Eugénie of Battenberg, 18, and Princess Louise of Orléans, 23.

The final winner has not been announced, reports the New York Times.  It is also not known if the young Spanish king will "follow the popular voice in choosing his consort."

Is Ena preparing to become a Catholic?

December 7, 1905


According to the New York Times today, the "Vatican has not received any communication concerning the marriage" of King Alfonso XIII of Spain to Princess Ena of Battenberg,  except a "report from Spanish clergy saying it would be impossible for a new Queen to enter Spain" without having first become a Roman Catholic.

If King Alfonso has chosen Princess Ena to be his bride,  it is believed that her "conversion to Catholicism will be announced before the marriage."  It is also understood that the princess is already preparing for the conversion "under the tutelage of ex-Empress Eugénie" who lives in Farnborough, England.  Eugénie is very close to Princess Ena, and looks upon her as a daughter, and if rumors are to be believed, Eugénie will leave Ena a "large fortune."

Queen Wilhelmina's marital difficulties

December 7, 1901

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands' "domestic infelicities" are the talk of the European courts, reports the New York Times today.   The "romantic halo surrounding the young Queen has only helped to "accentuate public curiosity and sympathy" for her marital problems.

The alleged failure of her marriage may have "grave political consequences for Europe," and recent developments are being "followed closely" by diplomats and government officials. 

There are others who feel that the situation "will blow over for the present," but there may be "grave apprehensions for the future."

The British royal house is more concerned in the situation in Hesse, where Grand Duchess Victoria Melita is "on the verge of separation from her husband."   Victoria Melita was only eighteen when she married her first cousin, Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse and by Rhine.    The marriage has proved to be "one of the most unsatisfactory among all the royal matches."  Many believe that the marriage would never have taken place without Queen Victoria's "imperious influence" in her two grandchildrens' lives.

Victoria Melita is the second daughter of The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.  The Duke' eldest daughter, the Crown Princess of Romania is also said to be unhappily married.  However, recent reports of a separation  have been met with "official denials."

But no one in England would be surprised if the Crown Princess and her husband were also separating.

Duke of Cambridge's daughter-in-law going into trade

December 7, 1901

Mrs. George Fitzgeorge, daughter-in-law of the Duke of Cambridge, will soon be opening a "hygienic beautifying concern in the heart of Mayfair," reports the Chicago Daily Tribune.   Mrs. Fitzgeorge hopes to "rid her fashionable friends of wrinkles and other blemishes."

Colonel George Fitzgeorge is a Colonel in the British Army, and once served as an equerry to King Edward VII when he was the Prince of Wales.  The Duke of Cambridge is a first cousin to the late Queen Victoria.

Royal engagement: great pleasure

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 December 7, 1891

The announcement of the betrothal of the Duke of Clarence and Princess Victoria Mary of Teck has caused an "immense amount of pleasurable excitement" in London when the news "became generally known last evening, according to a special cable to the Chicago Daily Tribune.

Princess Victoria Mary is "very popular," and "thoroughly an Englishwoman in sentiment, manner and action."  She is the only daughter of Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge and her husband, the Duke of Teck.

The Duke of Clarence, eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, was a guest at a house party at the country home of the Danish Minister at Luton Hoo in the Chiltern Hills, near Bedford.  The Duchess of Teck and her daughter were also at the house party.

It has "been long known that the young couple were devoted to each other."  They often managed to slip away from the other guests, and "their quiet love-making furnished  many scenes for close observers of the courtship."   The Duke returned to London yesterday and "informed his father of his desire to marry Victoria."

The Prince of Wales had no objection to the matter.  He told his elder son that he needed to go to Windsor and seek Queen Victoria's consent.   This was done rather quickly, as the Queen's consent was "cheerfully given."

An official announcement was made in the evening.  The wedding date has not been set, but it is expected to take place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor.  After the marriage, the couple is likely to live in "an elegant suite recently prepared" for the Duke of Clarence at St. James's Palace in London.

Princess Isabelle engaged

December 6, 1941

Princess Isabelle de Ligne and  Carlos de Saavedra y Ozores, Marques de Villalobar y de Guimarey are engaged to be married, according to a United Press dispatch from Vichy, France.   The couple will be married on December 13 at the bride's home, Schloss Beloeil, near Mons, Belgium.

Princess Isabelle is the second of four children of Eugène, Prince of Ligne, and his wife, Philippine de Noailles.  She has an older brother, Hereditary Prince Baudouin, and a younger sister, Princess Yolande, and a younger brother, Prince Antoine.  None of her siblings are married.

Prince admits he's the dad

December 6, 1937

Viennese actress Nora Gregor married Prince Ernst Rüdiger von Starhemberg four days ago after his first marriage was annulled. Today, the Prince acknowledged that he is the father of his new wife's three-year-old son, Heinrich.

He has petitioned the Swiss birth registry office in Lucerne, where Heinrich was born, to "re-register the child."  

Ludwig Draxler, the former Austrian Minister of Finance, represents the "wealthy and politically prominent prince, told the Associated Press that he "expected no serious complications."   Under Austrian law,  Heinrich was legitimized by his parents' marriage.

The little boy, born on October 4, 1934, was initially registered with the name Heinrich Rüdiger Gregor.

A family friend has admitted that the little boy is hidden and being guarded by detectives.   Heinrich's whereabouts are secret "because of threats" made by his father's political enemies to "kidnap him should his father re-enter Austrian politics."

The newly married couple is expected to leave shortly for Switzerland, where the prince "planned to attend personally to re-registration of the birth certificate."