The Duke of Cambridge has died

July 8, 1850

The following bulletin was issued earlier today by the "medical gentlemen," according to The Times.

"The Duke of Cambridge was in a very exhausted state during the night, but His Royal Highness has rallied considerably this morning."

The Duke's sister, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Glocester arrived at Cambridge House at 8:30 in the morning to "learn the state of her Royal brother."

His Royal Highness Prince George "went from Cambridge House in the forenoon to Buckingham Palace, and had an interview with Her Majesty."

The Queen and Prince Albert visited Cambridge House in the "middle of the day and were received by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by Prince George and Princess Mary."   They "took leave of the Duchess of Cambridge": at about 1 p.m.

Due to the Duke of Cambridge's health, the Drawing Room, scheduled to be held by her Majesty on the 9th, and the State Ball at Buckingham Palace, on the 10th, were canceled.

The Duchess of Glocester (which is how Gloucester was spelled) returned to Cambridge House at 9:30 p.m.  The Duke died ten minutes later.

The final bulletin was issued at 10 p.m.

"His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, after passing a tranquil day, expired somewhat suddenly, and without at suffering, at 20 minutes before 10 o'clock."

Shortly after the Duke's death, his principal Equerry, Major Baron Knesebeck, traveled to Buckingham Palace "to announce the melancholy intelligence to the Queen and the Prince."

Prince Albert, accompanied by his Equerry in Waiting, was driven immediately to Cambridge House to "pay a visit of condolence" to the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George.  He remained with them until 10:45, and then returned to Buckingham Palace.  The Duchess of Glocester remained "some time longer with her afflicted relatives."

The Duke of Cambridge was in his 76th year.  The Duke "took a prominent position in the support of charitable institutions."  It was noted that he would "sacrifice none of his own dignity" when getting involved in the minutiae of the charities he supported.

In private life, the Duke was equally irreproachable; and, through many members of our Royal Family have earned and continued to deserve a great amount of popular esteem, yet the Prince must indeed be considered fortunate who leaves behind him a fairer reputation than the Duke of Cambridge."

The Duke of Cambridge is survived by his widow, Princess Augusta of Hesse-Cassel, and their three children, Prince George, who succeeds him as Duke of Cambridge, Augusta, Hereditary Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and Princess Mary Adelaide.  He is also survived by one grandson, Duke Adolphus Friedrich of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, his brother, King Ernst August of Hanover, and his sister, Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester.

A glimpse into the life of King Albert II of the Belgians

More images from the Marlene A. Eilers Koenig Collection

Albert, the Prince of Liege, third child of King Leopold III and Queen Astrid, was only 14 months old when his mother died in a car accident on August 29, 1935.

Happy Birthday ... to Royal Musings

Five years ago today -- really has it been FIVE YEARS -- Royal Musings made its debut!  I certainly never expected that the blog would get so much attention and so many readers from around the world.   Most of the hits come from the United States, followed by the United Kingdom.   I expect to reach three million readers in a few weeks!

A selection of the first bloggings!

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2008/07/royal-musings.html

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2008/07/get-in-line-for-british-throne_5944.html

Bits and pieces turned out to be right with this article:

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2008/07/york-princesses-to-take-on-royal-duties.html

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2008/07/happy-birthday-belated-to-margrave-of.html

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2008/07/ileana-of-roumanias-last-day-as-single.html

Prince George, Princess Augusta & Princess Mary Adelaide OF Cambridge

Prince George of Cambridge

Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge (mother of Queen Mary)

Horses or Rugby?

Or both!

Buckingham Palace announced today that Zara Tindall, daughter of the Princess Royal, is expecting her first child in early 2014.

Zara is married to Mike Tindall, a rugby player.  They were married in July 2011 at Edinburgh.  This will be the third grandchild for the Princess Royal and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, and the fourth great-grandchild for Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/10166516/Zara-Phillips-baby-will-be-16th-in-line-to-throne.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/10166725/Zara-Phillips-to-carry-on-riding-while-pregnant-spokesman-says.html

Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy

British reporters have become more lazy and sloppy.  It was announced today that the child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be styled Prince or Princess of Cambridge.  Duh. Goes without saying.  But the press, including the Daily Fail and the Daily Telegraph (I once worked as their D.C., researcher) are reporting that this baby will the first to be styled as such.

How sloppy (and incorrect) is the statement.  Verrrrry!

Prince Adolphus, 7th son and 10th child of King George III and Queen Charlotte), was created Duke of Cambridge.  He married Princess Augusta of Hesse-Cassel in 1818.  They had three children:  George (1819-1904), Augusta (1822-1916) and Mary Adelaide (1833-1897).

Raise your hands kiddies if you have the correct answer:  how were these three children styled?

Yes ... HRH Prince George of Cambridge, HRH Princess Augusta of Cambridge and HRH Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge.  

The Duke of Cambridge died in 1850 and was succeeded by his son, George, who became the Duke of Cambridge.  His marriage was in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act so his three sons and their male line descendants used the surname FitzGeorge   The second Duke died in 1904, and his title reverted to the Crown.

Augusta was the wife of the Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.  She died in 1916 in Strelitz, but always a loyal British princess.   Mary Adelaide, the People's Princess long before Diana, married Prince Franz, Duke of Teck.   Their eldest child, Princess Mary, married Prince George, Duke of York in 1893.   George succeeded to the throne as George V.  

Thus, George and Mary were the grandparents of Queen Elizabeth.  Not only will this baby not be the first to be styled as "of Cambridge," he or she is a direct descendant of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge,  through his youngest child, Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge.

When Charles succeeds to the throne,  William will be come the Duke of Cornwall and be styled as Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge until he is named as Prince of Wales.  This means William's children will be HRH Prince or Princess Christian name of Cornwall and Cambridge until the Prince of Wales title is bestowed.   After that, they will be HRH Prince or Princess Christian name of Wales.

Looking back: King Albert II

On July 21, King Albert II of the Belgians will turn the reins of the power to his elder son, Prince Philippe, the Duke of Brabant.  

This post is the first of several to show images from King Albert's life.  All of the images are from the Marlene A. Eilers Koenig collection.

BULLETIN: King Albert II of the Belgians to abdicate

King Albert II will speak to the Belgian people at 6 p.m. (1p.m. east coast). The Prime Minister will also speak to the nation.  The King met with his Cabinet earlier today.

The date for the abdication: July 21.

Crown Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant, is the heir apparent.   When Philippe succeeds as King, the heiress apparent will be HRH Princess Elisabeth.

[I am going to a concert tonight on the Mall - July 4th rehearsal concert - so will not be able to write more until late tonight. There will be plenty of coverage on news sites.]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23167525

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_23590721/belgian-king-speaking-amid-rumors-step-down

Death of Princess Daisy of Pless

July 3, 1943

Berlin radio reported today the death in Waldenburg of Princess Mary Theresa Olivia of Pless.  The broadcast was recorded by the Associated Press.

The Princess, a descendant of Henry III of England, married Prince Heinrich XV of Pless in London on December 8, 1891. The marriage ended in divorce in 1922.  Her son, Hans Heinrich XVII is now head of the house.  In the broadcast, he was described as "being interned in England."

In 1907, the Princess was voted one of England's most beautiful women.

The Princess, known by her nickname Daisy,  was born at Ruthin Castle in Denbighshire, Wales, on June 28, 1873, the daughter of Col. William Cornwallis-West and Mary "Patsy" Fitzpatrick.

The Princess is survived by her two eldest sons, Hans Heinrich, and Count Alexander von Hochberg.  Her youngest son, Count Bolko died in 1936.  Her former husband died in 1938
.

Prince Otto files for divorce - salacious details

July 3, 1919

Prince Otto of Windisch-Graetz has caused a "painful sensation" by filing a petition for a judicial separation against his wife, Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria, daughter of the late Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria and Countess Stephanie Lonyay.

The New York Times is reporting that the petition "alleges numerous cases of immoral conduct" by the Archduchess.  The list of the her alleged lovers includes submarine commander Eugen Lerch, who was killed in a battle in the Adriatic, and then with Lerch's brother "and a number of other officers" during Elisabeth's "sojourn on the romantic Brioni Island and at a Budapest hotel."

Archduchess Elisabeth has filed a counter suit against her estranged husband, "alleging among other grounds his spendthrift habits."


Prince Otto's details defy "publication for their perverse character."

A boy for Princess Carl of Denmark

July 3, 1903

Princess Carl of Denmark, daughter of King Edward VII, has given birth to a son at Appleton Cottage at Sandringham, reports the New York Times.

Mother and infant prince are "doing well."  The former Princess Maud of Wales married her first cousin, Prince Carl of Denmark on July 22, 1896.

This is the couple's first child.

The wedding of Duchess Sophie in Bavaria and Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein

thank you card

Press and Information Office

Press and Information Office

Press and information office

Tomorrow, July 3, will be the 20th anniversary of when the Duke in Bavaria gave his eldest daughter, Sophie, in marriage with Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein, eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Liechtenstein.  The couple were married in at St. Florin's church in Vaduz.
All the photos and postcards are from my collection.

copyright: press and information office

A lovely photo

Copyright  Marlene A. Eilers Koenig

If I say so myself.  I am not a professional photographer, but there are times when I am pleased with a shot ... and this was one of them.

I covered this event for Britain’s the Royal year and the Associated Press.

February 2, 1989.   The Princess of Wales visited FAO Schwarz in New York City.

Very few people noticed the Charles and Diana wedding dolls on a shelf behind the Princess.

THIS PHOTO CANNOT BE REPRODUCED, REPUBLISHED ANYWHERE WITHOUT ASKING ME FIRST!

A new Cambridge House

Embed from Getty Images

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2352452/Cambridge-House-Mayfair-club-transformed-250MILLION-mega-mansion.html?ito=feeds-newsxml


94 Piccadilly has seen a lot of history.  The house was built for the 2nd Earl of Egremont between 1756-1761.   The house was known as Egremont House.  The late Palladian style home was owned by several families after Lord Egremont before it was acquired by the 1st Marquess of Cholmondeley.  Lord Cholmondeley lived in the house during the 1820s. 

In 1829, the house was acquired by Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge.  He died at Cambridge House in 1850.

The house became known as Cambridge House, and has retained the name.

After the Duke's death, the house was purchased by Lord Palmerston, who served as Prime Minister from 1855-1865.   After Lord Palmerston's death, the house was bought by Naval and Military Club. also known as the In and Out Club.

Embed from Getty Images 

The Club moved to a new residence in 1999, having sold Cambridge House three years earlier to Simon Halabi for £50 million.

Halabi wanted to develop the residence as a hotel and private club.  Halabi, whose company went into bankruptcy  in 2009, was never able to develop the property. 

Cambridge House fell into disrepair and has been sitting vacant for some years.

Embed from Getty Images 

Three years ago, the house and adjoining properties (90-93 Piccadilly, 95 Piccadilly, and 12 White Horse Street) and 96-100 Piccadilly) were offered for sale as the Piccadilly Estate.

The properties were purchased by the Reuben brothers for £130 million.  Cambridge will be restored as a very pricey private home.  Other parts of the property will be converted to apartments.  As a part of the planning approval process, the two brothers also agreed to donate £3.85 million toward the construction of affordable housing in the area.

Prince Adolphus was the 10th child of King George III and Queen Charlotte.  In 1818, he married Princess Augusta of Hesse-Cassel.  They had three children,  Prince George, 2nd Duke of Cambridge, Princess Augusta and Princess Mary Adelaide.

Prince George was born at Cambridge House on March 26, 1819.  His two sisters were born in Hanover.    Princess Augusta, then the Hereditary Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, gave birth to her first child, a son, Prince Friedrich Wilhelm, on January 13, 1845 at Cambridge House.  The infant lived for only a few hours.

After the death of the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cambridge and her unmarried daughter, Princess Mary Adelaide, moved into an apartment in St. James's Palace.  Their favorite residence, however, was Cambridge Cottage in Kew Gardens.

The present Duke of Cambridge is a great-great-great-grandson of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge:  Duke of Cambridge-Princess Mary Adelaide-Queen Mary-George VI-Elizabeth II-Prince of Wales-William

A son for Prince Floris & Princess Aimee

@ Prince Floris of Orange-Nassau,

Princess Aimee of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, gave birth to a son, Willem Jan van Vollenhoven at the Bronovo Hospital in The Hague earlier today.

Princess Aimee is the wife of Prince Floris, fourth and youngest son of Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and Pieter van Vollenhoven.

Princess Floris and Aimee Söhngen were married on February 25, 2005.  Floris did not see permission for his marriage, which meant he lost his right to succeed to the throne.  [This right was transitory because he would have lost the right when the Prince of Orange succeeded to the throne, which happened in April.]

The couple have two daughters, Magali (2007) and Eliane (2009).

The baby's full name is Willem Jan Johannes Pieter Floris van Vollenhoven.  He is Princess Margriet's 11th grandchild.

"We are very happy and very thankful for the birth of our son, Willem-Jan,"  the new parents said in a statement released by the RVD.

Prince Floris and Princess Aimee are members of the Dutch Royal Family, but not the Royal House.    The Dutch Royal House includes King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima,  their three daughters, Princess Beatrix, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien (not their children) and Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven