Crown Prince Alexander interview in Washington, D.C.

Crown Prince Alexander interviewed after attending the annual Prayer breakfast in Washington, D.C., February 5. The interview was conducted by Voice of America
Karadjordjevic: "Prayer Breakfast is an unrivalled opportunity to meet with many people not only from the United States, but from around the world. Here, friendships that are made are permanent and we are here in Washington for the third time at the Prayer Breakfast. Discussions are made on the situations in the world, but this time the emphasis is on events in Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, and of course we talked about Serbia, its problems and future. We had interviews with congressmen, senators, and exchanged opinions about our country. This is a large set of social and political connections".

Voice of America: Belgrade strives to become a member of the European Union as soon as possible. What do you think EU membership could bring Serbia?

Karadjordjevic: "I believe that it is of great importance we accomplish this relatively quickly. The future as a part of European Union is important for entire region and nobody wants Serbia to be the last country to join the Union. I think this membership can help us greatly to achieve much for our country and its citizens in accordance to the benefits that EU members already enjoy. Russia does not oppose Serbia's joining the EU, because they see Serbia as a friend within the European Union. Relations with the United States are also positive and Washington supports our aspiration to become EU members. However, there must be plenty to do in this regard, including further cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, as well as other issues. I hope that we will end this year submitted all necessary documentation. "

Voice of America: One half of the original EU member states are Constitutional Monarchies. Given your family heritage you are advocating for this type of governmental structure?

Karadjordjevic: "I think that country would definitely benefit out of that situation. Karadjordjevic family is deeply rooted in the history of modern Serbia. Constitutional monarchy provides a unifying centre, unity and continuity. Important is to have the head of the state who is neutral person, not a member of any political party. Of course, we would still have free and fair elections and Prime Minister who would manage the country. I think that Monarchy would be good for Serbia, its image abroad and for business".

Voice of America: Most former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe adopted a law on the returning private property confiscated after the Second World War. Where are we now in terms of the law in Serbia, including your and the property of others?

Karadjordjevic: "Unfortunately, we are lagging behind. All neighbouring countries, such as the Czech Republic, Hungary and others have adopted such a law. As you know, 1947 Tito asked Kardelja to sign a document on the confiscation of private property, including our own, and revocation of citizenship. After restoration of democracy they gave us our citizenships, on which we congratulate them. Then it was implicated that a new law on restitution will be adopted, but that still didn’t happened. One of the requests of the European Union is that this must be done in order to Serbia become EU member. Therefore, either to return property or to compensate. I believe the issue will be resolved once and for all 2011. One should take into account the legal advices of experts in the Unite States of America and European Union on how to resolve this question and I believe it is important that Serbia responds to its obligations.

Young Affie's death - a terrible shock

February 11, 1899

The death of Hereditary Prince Alfred of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in an insane asylum,  appears to have been a "terrible blow" to his parents.  His father, Duke Alfred, is "in such a frail condition of health that he is unlikely to survive his son long."
The shock of young Affie's death, according to the Marquise de Fontenoy, has caused his father to lose his hair.    The young prince "died under such a cloud of mental aberration," and the origins of his illness began in Berlin.
Perhaps it is "just as well that the Prone should have thus passed away," as it will "have the effect of putting an end to the unkindly rumors" about him. 
Owing to the "successive severity and relentlessness" with which Kaiser Wilhelm II has proceeded "against all those implicated in the scandal,"  Duke Alfred was compelled to place his son in a mental institution, instead of "quietly sending the boy" to one of his country homes. 
The relations between Coburg and Berlin will become further strained by the young heir's death.   The Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha is "so embittered against her nephew, the Kaiser, and she resents the treatment of her son.
Wilhelm II did not attended the recent Silver Wedding celebrations of the Duke and Duchess, and "even refrained from sending the most elementary courtesy" of conveying his good wishes.

Duke Alfred "has lived down all the prejudices against him" on the "score of his nationality."  He is also a British prince, and a royal duke.  In Coburg, he and his wife are "exceedingly popular."  Both Coburg and Gotha are "becoming up-to-date capitals," with electric lighting and electric car lines.  Real estate is "going up by leaps and bounds."
The next in line to the throne is the Duke of Connaught, who is married to a Prussian princess.  He is said to be on good terms with his nephew, the Kaiser.    It is now expected that the Duke will have to give up his post of Commander-in-chief of the British Army.
The Duke and Duchess of Connaught have one son, Prince Arthur, who is at Eton.   Next in line in the Coburg succession is the Duke's nephew, the Duke of Albany, son of the late Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany.   He is also at Eton, but is currently in poor health.
The succession then moves to the Roman Catholic branch, headed by Prince Philipp, whose wife, Princess Louise of Belgium, is in a mental institution.  Philipp is even "a worse profligate and drunkard" than the late Hereditary Duke.   Philipp also has one son, who will soon enter the Austrian army.
Then comes Philipp's brother, Prince Ludwig August, who is married to Princess Leopoldina of Brazil, younger daughter of former King Pedro II.   Their eldest son, Prince Peter, is a "homicidal maniac," who was at once time the heir presumptive to the Brazilian throne.  He once barricaded himself in the Coburg Palace in Vienna, "armed with revolvers and rifles," and "maintained a full-fledged siege" until he was finally out-maneuvered by the Viennese fire department.

[Note - the facts regarding young Affie's death were not immediately known  - and there was a lot of speculation.  For more information, please click here  http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2009/02/hereditary-prince-of-coburg-dead-at-24.html

Charles to visit Aunt Margaret

February 11, 1961

Prince Charles is at Windsor for several days with his aunt, Princess Margaret.  The Associated Press is reporting that the young heir to the throne is "convalescing from a recent attack of measles," which he caught at his boarding school, Cheam.

Queen Elena awaits birth of grandchild

February 11, 1937

Queen Elena has arrived at the royal palace in Naples, according to the Associated Press.  She is expected to remain with her daughter-in-law, the Princess of Piedmont, until the Princess' second child is born.
The Princess is expected to give birth in the next few days.

Joachim Ernst of Anhalt to marry actress

 

February 11, 1927

German aristocracy is "shocked" by the announcement that Duke Joachim Ernst of Anhalt, is to marry an unemployed actress, Ottilie Strickrodt.  The New York Times reports that the wedding will be celebrated on March 1 at the bride's home in Ballenstedt.
Joachim Ernst succeeded his father as the duke of Anhalt in 1918, but as he was a minor, a regency was appointment.  He reigned for only two months, before abdicating on November 12, 1918.
His sister, Marie Auguste, is the widow of Prince Joachim of Prussia, youngest son of the former Kaiser, who committed suicide in 1920.  The Duke and Miss Strickrodt have been courting for the past five years.

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2009/03/duke-of-anhalt-marries-actress.html

Luise refuses to give up daughter

February 11, 1905

The Countess Montignoso, the divorced wife of the King of Saxony,  is "assuming a tragic character owing to the tenacity" in refusing to give up her young daughter, Princess Anna, reports the New York Times.
King Friedrich August's  emissary, Dr. Koerner,  met with the Countess, and read to her the king's decree that she turn over Princess Anna to him.  When Luise refused, Dr. Koerner threatened to "employ Saxon detectives to watch her."
The Countess, holding Anna tightly in her arms," exclaimed: "You will have to tear her from me,"   The doctor replied:  "Let's stop this farce.
This incident took place in Florence, Italy, where the Countess is currently living.  The doctor is en route to Rome, where he plans to seek assistance from the German embassy.
The Countess' lawyers are demanding that all "exchanges of views regarding the case shall be through diplomatic channels."  They also claim they have "valid reasons" for refusing to allow the Countess to turn over Anna to her father. 

Princess Friedrich Leopold - loves skating

February 11, 1901


Princess Friedrich Leopold of Prussia, younger sister the Kaiserin, loves to skate.  She is, according to the Marquise de Fontenoy, "the champion skater of world royalty."   A few days ago, the Princess "skated all the way from Potsdam to Brandenburg, a distance of eighteen miles."  After a short rest, the Princess returned to Potsdam in "the same manner.  On this skating excursion, she was accompanied by her "favorite lady-in-waiting," and several gentlemen-in-waiting.
About three years, the Princess got into "serious trouble" with her brother-in-law, the Kaiser, for another "skating excursion, when she went without anything attendants, apart from one lady-in-waiting.   The two women fell through the ice, and were "rescued in the nick of time from drowning by some peasants," who heard their cries for help.
Kaiser Wilhelm II was so angry about this breech of court etiquette that he placed the Princess and her husband, Prince Friedrich Leopold under "haus arrest."
When they are out of doors, the distaff members of the Prussian royal house must be attended by a lady-in-waiting and by a gentleman-in-waiting.
The Prince and Princess were confined to their palace, and were not permitted to take part in any "court functions or entertainments given by the nobility."

Royal Baptism

The infant twin son and dughter of the Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark will be baptized on April 14 at the Holmen Kirche.  The twins' names will be announced at the baptism, and not one minute before!

Upstairs Downstairs - Deux

Downton Abbey ended a week ago on Masterpiece Theatre.  I look forward to the second series, now in production.   A new series of Upstairs,Downstairs, which begins in 1936, will be seen on Masterpiece Theatre in April.  This was announced some weeks ago, but here is the link to the website.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/upstairsdownstairs/index.html

Farouk's engagement to be announced

February 10, 1951

The "long-awaited announcement" of King Farouk of Egypt's betrothal to Miss Narriman Hanen Sadelk, a 17-year-old commoner, will be announced to the Egyptian people tomorrow of occasion of the King's thirty-first birthday, reports the New York Times.
No date for the wedding has been announced.

The official statement is as follows:  "Rendering praise to God, His Majesty's Cabinet is happy to announce to the noble Egyptian people the good news of the betrothal of their King, who has given them his heart and love.
"On this blessed day when the country celebrates with gladness and joy the glorious anniversary of the royal birth, there took place by the grace of God the betrothal of our well-beloved Sovereign with the descendant of an illustrious and noble family, Miss Narriman Hanem, daughter of the late Hussein Fahmy Sadek Bey.
"In announcing the news of this happy betrothal of the great Farouk, the Cabinet thanks Divine Providence for its beneficence and prays that it may surround His Majesty with its high solicitude and make of this blessed betrothal a source of happy omen for beloved Egypt and for the august royal family."

United Press reports that the announcement of the king's engagement brought to a "climax a courtship swathed in mystery and censorship for more than a year."
The popular version of the story is that Farouk first saw Narriman in a Cairo jewelery store, "shopping for an engagement ring with another young man, Zaki Hashem, a young United Nations diplomat."
Farouk's engagement came less than forty-eight hours before the marriage of the Shah of Iran with another commoner, 18-year-old Soraya Isfandiari.
The two rulers were divorced from their first wives within "a few days of each other in 1948."  The Shah of Iran's first wife, Princess Fawzia, the mother of his only child, a daughter, is Farouk's eldest sister.   Farouk's first wife, Queen Farida, gave birth to three daughters, and not the required son.
Narrriman has spent the last year in Europe, "buying her trousseau."
News about Egypt's royal family is not "bandied about," and most news about the family must go through filters of censorship.   It seems likely that Farouk and Narrimann have met for only a dozen times since their first meeting.   Both traveled to Europe, "but so far as can be learned, their paths did not cross."

[Farouk went into exile in a bloodless coup staged by the military on July 26, 1952.   The New York Times reported that the coup which removed Farouk from his throne had "launched a drive against the corruption that has so long gone unpunished in Egypt, that land of vast wealth and mass poverty."  The coup leaders (as were the Egyptian people) were very anti-British as the British had "moved into the country" seventy years earlier.  There was also a keen desire to acquire the water rich and "prosperous" Sudan.  Farouk saw himself as the King of Egypt and Sudan.  Egyptians rioted for some weeks before Farouk and his family -- his wife had given birth a son a few months earlier -- went into exile.  In the early stages, Farouk replaced cabinet and government officials, but it was all for naught.   Egypt has been run by dictators for 5000 years.  The country does not have the civic infrastructure to put together a democracy.  It took Poland ten years to build a democratic state. ]

Prince will marry ... then look for a job

February 10, 1951

Prince Michel de Bourbon-Parma and his fiancee, Princess Yolande de Broglie, have arrived "with chaperons at the Villa Iris," in Villefranche, which is owned by King Michael of Romania,  according to a report from the Chicago Tribune News Service.

Michael is married to Michel's sister, Anne.
"We will be married on June 9 in Paris," the Prince told a reporter," if my brother-in-law, King Michael, is back from his trip to America in time.
"We will go to Finland for our honeymoon, and then back to Paris to live, where I hope to find a job."
Princess Yolande is the daughter of the Prince de Brogile.

Banquet for Don Carlos proves a success

February 10, 1901


The banquet at the Palace last night given by the Queen Regent Maria Cristina in honor of Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, and his parents, the Count and Countess of Caserta, has been deemed an  "extremely brilliant affair, "according to the New York Times.
Prince Carlos is to marry the Queen's eldest daughter, the Princess of Asturias. 
A band of "halberdiers" played throughout the evening.
Prince Carlos and his parents were joined by his fiancee, her sister, Infanta Maria Teresa, Infanta Eulalia, and Prince Carlos' sister, Princess Immaculada.   The Queen Regent's mother, Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria was also present, along with numerous court and government officials.  The Queen's brother, Archduke Eugene, arrived earlier today, and will be able to attend the Court Ball tomorrow night.
Six hundred students have sent a letter to the Minister of Public Instruction, Senor Garcia Alix, stating that "considering the marriage of the Princess of the Asturias with the son of him who caused the nation so many sorrows to be a national misfortune and a reason for mourning instead of rejoicing." 
The students have said they "deem it their duty not to accept holidays" in honor of the Princess' marriage.

"bits beginning to drop off"

Prince Philip on getting older ...


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-philip/8314370/Duke-of-Edinburgh-admits-bits-beginning-to-drop-off-ancient-frame.html

Prince and Princess Henry about to visit Siam

February 9, 1899


After spending Christmas and New Year's in Hong Kong, Prince and Princess Henry of Prussia are preparing to "pay a state visit to the court of Siam at Bangkok, " reports the Marquise de Fontenoy.  Afterward, the Princess will return to Germany in April,  "traveling across America," to  New York, where she will board a German liner for Hamburg or Bremen.

Princess Henry will be the first Princess "of any reigning House of Europe" to visit the court of Siam or that of China, although a visit to Peking has not yet been decided.   It is understood that the Princess will not visit Japan, as Prince Henry "greatly resented the response by the Mikado" when Henry arrived in the Orient eighteen months ago.

At that time, Prince Henry "intimated his intention of visiting the Mikado," but was dissuaded from doing so as the "Japanese authorities were reluctant to undertake the responsibility for his personal safety."

The Russians have an "intense hostility" toward everything Japanese due to the "unfortunate attempt" to assassinate the present Czar when he visited Japan some years ago.  The Japanese are afraid of "incurring the enmity of Germany" if something similar happened to Prince Henry.

Princess Henry will be the "third woman" of Europe's reigning royal houses to visit the United States after Infanta Eulalia of Spain, and the former Empress of Brazil, a Princess of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.   The Empress and her husband made a "prolonged tour" of the United States at the time of the Philadelphia exhibition.
Princess Henry is the former Princess Irene of Hesse and By Rhine.  Her youngest sister is married to Nicholas II of Russia.

New princess gets five names

February 9, 1937


The baptism of Princess Alexandra Helen Elizabeth Olga Christabel of Kent took place today in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace, reports the Associated Press.  The Archbishop of Canterbury officiated at the ceremony. 

 
The infant princess is the first daughter and second child of the Duke and Duchess of Kent.  

 
King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Mary, and other members of the royal family attended the ceremony.

The gold christening font was brought over from Windsor Castle, and water "from the River Jordan was poured on the perturbed little girl," who wore an "ancient robe of Brussels lace and cream satin," worn for the first time in 1840 at the baptism of Queen Victoria's first child, Princess Victoria.

Princess Alexandra's godparents are the King and Queen and Earl of Athlone, who were present, and the Queen of Norway, Princess Beatrice, Princess Nicholas of Greece, Princess Paul of Yugoslavia, who were unable to attend.

The Times reports that Princess Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, and Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, attended the ceremony.  Prince Edward of Kent, elder child of the Duke and Duchess, " was taken to the ceremony."