January 29, 1940
Dom Pedro de Alcantara, the pretender to the Brazilian throne, "died suddenly this afternoon" at his home in Petropolis, near Rio de Janeiro.
According to the AP, Dom Pedro suffered a heart attack, after "attending the theatre." He was the eldest son of the Count d'Eu, and Princess Isabel, the daughter of Pedro II, the last emperor of Brazil.
One of Dom Pedro's daughters, Isabelle, is the wife of the Count of Paris, the "heir presumptive to the throne of France."
Dom Pedro is survived by his wife, Elisabeth, three daughters, the Countess of Paris, Princess Maria Francisca, Princess Teresa Cristina, and two sons, Prince Pedro Gaston and Prince Joao.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Zog confirms his betrothal to half-American countess
January 29, 1938
King Zog of Albania will "inform" his Parliament in a special session that "he plans to give his country a Queen of American blood" by marrying Countess Geraldine Apponyi.
The official confirmation came as Albania's press service "announced that the Parliament had been summoned in accordance with the Constitution for the announcement," according to the Associated Press.
Countess Geraldine, 22, is the daughter of the former Gladys Virginia Stewart of New York, who was married in Geneva on July 29, 1914, to Count Julius Nagy-Apponyi, a member of a distinguished Hungarian noble family.
The bride-to-be's uncles, Counts Charles and Louis Apponyi, and her younger sister, Mme. Virginia Debagi, are already in Tirana "for the announcement of the engagement."
Queen Victoria of Sweden "critically ill"
January 29, 1930
Queen Victoria of Sweden, who has been an invalid for many years, is "seriously ill" at her villa in Rome, the AP reports.
Her husband, King Gustav V, is with her. An official bulletin was released today stating that the Queen has "persistent coughing which caused fatigue. Unsatisfactory heart functioning and a weakening of strength that aroused uneasiness." Victoria, 68, "passed a relatively calm night."
Queen Victoria of Sweden, who has been an invalid for many years, is "seriously ill" at her villa in Rome, the AP reports.
Her husband, King Gustav V, is with her. An official bulletin was released today stating that the Queen has "persistent coughing which caused fatigue. Unsatisfactory heart functioning and a weakening of strength that aroused uneasiness." Victoria, 68, "passed a relatively calm night."
Is Wilhelmina expecting again
January 29, 1910
By exclusive dispatch to the Los Angeles Times.
By exclusive dispatch to the Los Angeles Times.
Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands has promised to "make her subjects the happiest people in the world. There is hope that the young queen, "who is the center of interest to every patriotic Hollander," is again pregnant, as "the stork is said to be hovering near the Dutch royal mansion."
There is said to be "much gossip" concerning Wilhelmina's "domestic life. The "little Queen" is "desperately in love with her big husband." She married Prince Henrik "for love," and has never "ceased to love him, despite gossip and court scandal. It was because of her devotion to Henrik that "she came to lose her first two children." She has insisted on "following him everywhere he wants, " even on horseback, "at a time when she should have remained quietly at rest.
The German-born Prince Henrik, in "a rough German fashion, has shown himself to be a man of heart."
The Dutch people are devoted to little Princess Juliana, but it is of "the most vital importance" that Queen Wilhelmina give birth to a son, who will one day reign as King.
Wilhelmina is only 34 and "in robust health, so there may be a whole nursery of little Princes to delight their hearts and further their hopes for a King."
There is said to be "much gossip" concerning Wilhelmina's "domestic life. The "little Queen" is "desperately in love with her big husband." She married Prince Henrik "for love," and has never "ceased to love him, despite gossip and court scandal. It was because of her devotion to Henrik that "she came to lose her first two children." She has insisted on "following him everywhere he wants, " even on horseback, "at a time when she should have remained quietly at rest.
The German-born Prince Henrik, in "a rough German fashion, has shown himself to be a man of heart."
The Dutch people are devoted to little Princess Juliana, but it is of "the most vital importance" that Queen Wilhelmina give birth to a son, who will one day reign as King.
Princess Juliana was born last April 30.
Wilhelmina is only 34 and "in robust health, so there may be a whole nursery of little Princes to delight their hearts and further their hopes for a King."
Christian IX dead at 87
January 29, 1906
King Christian IX of Denmark is dead. He was 87 years old. His death has "plunged had the Courts of Europe into deepest mourning and has brought a sense of personal loss, as well as of sincere grief, to everyone throughout Denmark, reports the New York Times.
He died with "startling suddenness" at the Amalienborg Palace.
The King "appeared to be in his usual health this morning." After having breakfast, he held a "public audience," which he did every Monday morning. This reception was "largely attended" and the king was eager to converse "freely and affably." The reception was followed by a luncheon, and although Christian "appeared slightly fatigued," he remained for the meal with members of his family, including the Dowager Empress of Russia and his brother, Prince Johann.
During the meal, King Christian said he was feeling unwell, and he was assisted to his room by his daughter, Dagmar, and Prince Johann. His doctor was called, but by the time he arrived, the king had collapsed. His doctor tried to revive him, but his "efforts were useless," and King Christian, without "uttering a word," died in the arms of the Dowager Empress. The court physician and Prince Johann were also present.
Crown Prince Frederik, who had been summoned, arrived just as the king "breathed his last." Other members of the family, many of whom had come to Denmark for Christian's 88th birthday celebrations, "arrived shortly afterward."
Crown Prince Frederik, 61, will be declared as king tomorrow. He "bears the weight of his years lightly," and is popular in Denmark, as was his father. It was Frederik's "curious fate" to see his brother, Wilhelm, to be elected king of Greece in 1863, shortly before Christian succeeded to the Danish throne. Frederik's son, Carl, is King Haakon VII of Norway.
The new Crown Prince is Frederik's eldest son, Christian, who is married to Duchess Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and they have two sons, Frederik and Knud.
King Christian IX is survived by his children, Frederik, Queen Alexandra, the consort of Edward VII of Great Britain, Dagmar, the Dowager Empress of Russia, King George I of the Hellenes, Prince Valdemar, and Princess Thyra, the Duchess of Cumberland. He is also survived by his brother, Prince Johann, known as Hans, and numerous grandchildren, including the future kings of Great Britain, Greece, and Norway, and the present Emperor of Russia.
Christian, as a Prince of Schleswig-Holstein, was elected as heir to the Danish throne, when he was 34 years old. He was a "poor infantry officer in the Danish army," and he eked out a "meager salary by teaching drawing." His claim to the Danish throne was helped by his marriage to Princess Louise of Hesse-Cassel, whose claim to the throne superseded Christians, but she ceded her rights so her husband could become the heir.
The marriages of his children "served to compensate the King for the loss of Schleswig-Holstein" in the early years of his reign. Christian was also able to overcome the "lack of harmony between the Court party and the people of Denmark." His views were "narrowly conservative," but King Christian was "personally simple and kindly, and possessed the affection of his people." He was the "representative of the older order among the royal group in Europe, and his role is not likely to be assumed by any survivor."
Christian's wife, Louise, died in 1898.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Special service in NYC honors Prince Christopher
January 28, 1940
Prince Christopher of Greece, who died last week in Athens, was honored today with a special memorial service in New York City. A "solemn high mass" took place at he the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Greek Orthodox church at 319 East 74th Street. "Prominent members" of the Greek community were among those who attend the service.
The Greek Consul General, Nicholas Lely, declared that Prince Christopher, who was an uncle of King George II, was "deeply mourned by Greece, not only because he was a member of 'a beloved dynasty but also because he was a great patriot.'"
The brief service was held at the Cathedral's high altar.
Prince Christopher of Greece, who died last week in Athens, was honored today with a special memorial service in New York City. A "solemn high mass" took place at he the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Greek Orthodox church at 319 East 74th Street. "Prominent members" of the Greek community were among those who attend the service.
The Greek Consul General, Nicholas Lely, declared that Prince Christopher, who was an uncle of King George II, was "deeply mourned by Greece, not only because he was a member of 'a beloved dynasty but also because he was a great patriot.'"
The brief service was held at the Cathedral's high altar.
Ileana to marry on February 19
January 28, 1930
Count Alexander of Hochberg, the fiancee of Princess Ileana, drove through Bucharest today with Ileana's young nephew, King Michael. They drove from the Cotroceni Palace, the residence of Queen Marie, where the count is staying, to the Chaussee Palace, where he dined with Michael's mother, Princess Helen, according to the New York Times.
The count first met Ileana last summer in Germany. He will celebrate his 25th birthday on February 1 "with an official celebration of his engagement." The Roumanian public has only just learned that the count has been in Bucharest for several weeks. The media's original criticism of the count, who is the second son of the Prince of Pless, and will not inherit the family estates, has since been muted, and today "the press generally expresses satisfaction."
It is understood that the marriage will take place on February 19. However, there is no official confirmation of this as it is "impossible to obtain any statement on the subject of the engagement" until after the Prime Minister makes a statement. This is expected to happen in the next few days.
Count Alexander of Hochberg, the fiancee of Princess Ileana, drove through Bucharest today with Ileana's young nephew, King Michael. They drove from the Cotroceni Palace, the residence of Queen Marie, where the count is staying, to the Chaussee Palace, where he dined with Michael's mother, Princess Helen, according to the New York Times.
The count first met Ileana last summer in Germany. He will celebrate his 25th birthday on February 1 "with an official celebration of his engagement." The Roumanian public has only just learned that the count has been in Bucharest for several weeks. The media's original criticism of the count, who is the second son of the Prince of Pless, and will not inherit the family estates, has since been muted, and today "the press generally expresses satisfaction."
It is understood that the marriage will take place on February 19. However, there is no official confirmation of this as it is "impossible to obtain any statement on the subject of the engagement" until after the Prime Minister makes a statement. This is expected to happen in the next few days.
new little Prince Ilyinski to see America
January 28, 1928
The new little son of Grand Duke Dimitri of Russia and his American wife, Audrey Emery, who has the title Princess Ilyinski, are expected to visit the United States this summer, according to the Associated Press.
Grand Duke Dimitri announced that he and his wife, who is the daughter of the late John Emery, an American millionaire, plan to visit the princess's relatives in Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Long Island. The purpose of the trip is for the relatives to "have a look at our little Prince."
No plans to visit Palm Beach, however.
The new little son of Grand Duke Dimitri of Russia and his American wife, Audrey Emery, who has the title Princess Ilyinski, are expected to visit the United States this summer, according to the Associated Press.
Grand Duke Dimitri announced that he and his wife, who is the daughter of the late John Emery, an American millionaire, plan to visit the princess's relatives in Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Long Island. The purpose of the trip is for the relatives to "have a look at our little Prince."
No plans to visit Palm Beach, however.
Alfonso expects to wed in April
January 28, 1906
The marriage of King Alfonso XIII of Spain and Princess Ena of Battenberg is expected to take place in April, according to newspaper reports. After the visit to Spain by the King and Queen of Portugal on February 24, King Alfonso will travel to London to sign the marital contract.
Alfonso was in Biarrita today, where he met his fiancée and drove the princess to San Sebastian by automobile. Queen Maria Cristina, the queen mother, is also in San Sebastian, and her visit is "declared to be for the purpose of putting an end to the malicious and persistent rumors" that she is not pleased with Alfonso's engagement to a Protestant princess and a Battenberg.
The trip to San Sebastian began this morning at 11:15. Princess Ena and her mother, Princess Henry and the King were in the first car, and Ena's older brother, Prince Alexander and his suite were in the second car. Military officers followed in other automobiles.
Along the route, the "royal party was enthusiastically cheered," according to the Chicago Daily Tribune. The entire population of San Sebastian turned out to greet the couple, and "flowers were showered on the princesses."
Queen Maria Cristina "received Princess Ena is the most gracious manner." After lunch, King Alfonso took Ena and her mother for a trip "around the town and the surrounding country," and returned in time for tea at the palace.
At 5:30 p.m., Princess Ena and Princess Henry, accompanied by King Alfonso and Prince Alexander left for Biarritz. They arrived at the Villa Mouriscot at 6:45 p.m., and Alfonso left for San Sebastian by train at 7 p.m., "in order to dine with the queen mother."
The marriage of King Alfonso XIII of Spain and Princess Ena of Battenberg is expected to take place in April, according to newspaper reports. After the visit to Spain by the King and Queen of Portugal on February 24, King Alfonso will travel to London to sign the marital contract.
Alfonso was in Biarrita today, where he met his fiancée and drove the princess to San Sebastian by automobile. Queen Maria Cristina, the queen mother, is also in San Sebastian, and her visit is "declared to be for the purpose of putting an end to the malicious and persistent rumors" that she is not pleased with Alfonso's engagement to a Protestant princess and a Battenberg.
The trip to San Sebastian began this morning at 11:15. Princess Ena and her mother, Princess Henry and the King were in the first car, and Ena's older brother, Prince Alexander and his suite were in the second car. Military officers followed in other automobiles.
Along the route, the "royal party was enthusiastically cheered," according to the Chicago Daily Tribune. The entire population of San Sebastian turned out to greet the couple, and "flowers were showered on the princesses."
Queen Maria Cristina "received Princess Ena is the most gracious manner." After lunch, King Alfonso took Ena and her mother for a trip "around the town and the surrounding country," and returned in time for tea at the palace.
At 5:30 p.m., Princess Ena and Princess Henry, accompanied by King Alfonso and Prince Alexander left for Biarritz. They arrived at the Villa Mouriscot at 6:45 p.m., and Alfonso left for San Sebastian by train at 7 p.m., "in order to dine with the queen mother."
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Crown Prince Kardam hospitalized
Prince Kardam of Bulgaria was taken to a hospital in Conxo, Spain, suffering from a high fever and respiratory problems, according to the Spanish newspaper, El Correo Gallego. The Bulgarian royal family has not released any information about the prince's condition.
On August 15, 2008, Crown Prince Kardam and his wife, Princess Miriam, were returning from their farm in Riaza, Segovia, when the Jaguar he was driving ran off the road, collided with a tree and overturn within ten yards of a house. The accident took place at El Molar.
Kardam suffered a severe head trauma and catastrophic injuries to his hands. Miriam was also injured and underwent several surgeries for a fractured elbow. The prince's condition was described as vegetative. Last summer, the Crown Princess had her husband moved to a private clinic in Galicia, the FOLTRAN Foundation, which specializes in brain injury treatment. Kardam, whose official title is the Prince of Tirnovo, is now able to respond to some stimuli, including hugging his two young sons, and eat some food.
The paper's correspondent added later that the family has denied that Kardam was taken to the hospital, and was treated at the clinic, although the clinic will not comment on private matters.
On August 15, 2008, Crown Prince Kardam and his wife, Princess Miriam, were returning from their farm in Riaza, Segovia, when the Jaguar he was driving ran off the road, collided with a tree and overturn within ten yards of a house. The accident took place at El Molar.
Kardam suffered a severe head trauma and catastrophic injuries to his hands. Miriam was also injured and underwent several surgeries for a fractured elbow. The prince's condition was described as vegetative. Last summer, the Crown Princess had her husband moved to a private clinic in Galicia, the FOLTRAN Foundation, which specializes in brain injury treatment. Kardam, whose official title is the Prince of Tirnovo, is now able to respond to some stimuli, including hugging his two young sons, and eat some food.
The paper's correspondent added later that the family has denied that Kardam was taken to the hospital, and was treated at the clinic, although the clinic will not comment on private matters.
Queen Victoria ill
January 27, 1890
From the Dunlop Cable Company (and reported by the New York Times). Queen Victoria is "suddenly indisposed, and there is reason to fear influenza."
From the Dunlop Cable Company (and reported by the New York Times). Queen Victoria is "suddenly indisposed, and there is reason to fear influenza."
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Earl of Lichfield marries
The groom is an earl. The bride is a daughter of a marquess.
The groom's paternal grandmother is the niece of the late Queen Mother.
The bride's stepmother is the aunt of the husband of the groom's first cousin, a daughter of a duke.
Two of the earl's first cousins are heirs apparent to dukedoms. The groom's mother is the daughter of a duke, and her sister also married (and later divorced) a duke.
One would have expected a grand wedding, perhaps at St. Margaret's, Westminster, or the bride's family chapel at her father's stately home in Ireland.
Shortly after the official announcement of the engagement between Thomas William Robert Hugh Anson, the 6th Earl of Lichfield and Lady Henrietta Tamara Juliet Conyngham, daughter of the 8th Marquess Conyngham, spoke to the Daily Telegraph: "Tom went to prep school with my brothers, but we met again by chance walking our dogs in Kensington Gardens two years ago," she tells me. "He proposed at the spot where we met. We'll almost certainly marry at Slane."
Slane Castle in County Meath is the Conyngham family seat. http://www.slanecastle.ie/
From today's Daily Telegraph:
The Earl of Lichfield and Lady Henrietta Conyngham
The marriage took place quietly in December at Chelsea Register Office between the Earl of Lichfield and Lady Henrietta Conyngham.
The new Countess is a holistic massage therapist.
I am sure the bride and groom have their reasons for not having a grand wedding, but in the scheme of things: we've been robbed.
Yes, the groom does have royal connections. His paternal grandmother was Anne Bowes-Lyon,, a niece of the Queen Mother, which married Thomas' father, the late Lord Lichfield (better known as the photographer Patrick Lichfield) a first cousin to Queen Elizabeth II.
Patrick Lichfield suffered a stroke on November 9, 2005, and died the following day.
Anne, too, had her own royal connections. She divorced Viscount Anson in 1948, and two years later, at Glamis Castle, married Prince Georg of Denmark. (The 5th earl succeeded his grandfather as his father was already dead.)
Lord Conyngham succeeded to the title in March 2009 following the death of his father. Lady Lichfield's parents are divorced.
Lord Lichfield's mother, Lady Leonora, is the daughter of the 5th Duke of Westminster. The present Duke of Westminster is Lady Leonora's brother. Their sister, Lady Jane, was married to the 10th Duke of Roxeburghe. Thus, Earl Grosvenor and the Marquess of Beaumont and Cessford, heirs apparent to the Westminster and Roxeburghe dukedoms, respectively. Lord Beaumont's sister, Lady Rosanagh (a bridesmaid at the 1986 wedding of the Duke of York) is married to Viscount Grimston, heir apparent to the Earldom of Verulam.
Lord Verulam's sister, Lady Iona, is the second wife of Lord Conygnham, which means she is the bride's stepmother.
Several members of the family have royal godparents, including the late Lord Lichfield, who was a godson of the Queen Mother. The present earl's sisters, Lady Rose, and Lady Eloise Anson, are the godchildren of Princess Margaret and the Princess Royal, respectively.
Lord Lichfield was baptized on October 15, 1978, in Lichfield Cathedral by the Dean of Lichfield. The Duke of Westminster was one of the godparents, although he did not attend the baptism. Sir Geoffrey Shakerley, Bt, stood proxy. Sir Geoffrey was married to Patrick Lichfield's sister, Lady Elizabeth Anson.
(The present Lord Lichfield is not a first cousin of Nicholas Shakerley, the heir to Shakerly baronetcy, as he is the elder of two sons from Sir Geoffrey's first marriage to the late actress Virginia Maskell.)
I can only muse about the reasons for not having a church wedding and a reception. No problems in getting a caterer as Lady Elizabeth Anson runs Party Planners. Perhaps the family tiara was being fixed! Although the earl of Lichfield no longer owns Shugborough Hall (it is owned by the National Trust), the family has access to the estate. It is also entirely possible that neither the bride nor groom are religious, and did not feel the need to have a church wedding.
Or perhaps the new Countess might expect the patter of little feet in the not-to-distant future, and she did not want to waddle down the aisle. Of course, it really is their business and their decision.
No grandchildren at Kaiser's birthday
January 27, 1930
None of the former Kaiser Wilhelm's grandchildren were present today for his 71st birthday celebration. This includes Prince Wilhelm, the eldest son of the Crown Prince, who is studying at Königsberg university in Berlin. The Associated Press' dispatch includes a comment from the Berlin representative for the Hohenzollerns: Prince Wilhelm "found the expense of the trip from east Prussia to Holland too big."
Only three the Kaiser's sons attended, two with their wives, Crown Prince Wilhelm and Crown Princess Cecilie, Prince and Princess Adalbert, and Prince August Wilhelm. The Kaiser's only daughter, Viktoria Luise, had to decline due to the illness of one of her children. is Wilhelm's youngest sister, Margarethe, and her husband, the Landgrave of Hesse.
Mourning for the Kaiser's brother, the late Prince Henry, who was considered an "intimate adviser," and his sister, Viktoria, Frau Subkoff, "contributed to make the birthday observances informal and inconspicuous."
At the noon dinner, Crown Prince Wilhelm, "in the name of the guests, proposed a toast to his father's health. The Kaiser "responded briefly." Wilhelm also received congratulations from "many parts of Germany," and from other countries. The gala dinner in evening was attended by the Kaiser and his family, and eight of their closest friends. Decorations and uniforms were worn.
None of the former Kaiser Wilhelm's grandchildren were present today for his 71st birthday celebration. This includes Prince Wilhelm, the eldest son of the Crown Prince, who is studying at Königsberg university in Berlin. The Associated Press' dispatch includes a comment from the Berlin representative for the Hohenzollerns: Prince Wilhelm "found the expense of the trip from east Prussia to Holland too big."
Only three the Kaiser's sons attended, two with their wives, Crown Prince Wilhelm and Crown Princess Cecilie, Prince and Princess Adalbert, and Prince August Wilhelm. The Kaiser's only daughter, Viktoria Luise, had to decline due to the illness of one of her children. is Wilhelm's youngest sister, Margarethe, and her husband, the Landgrave of Hesse.
Mourning for the Kaiser's brother, the late Prince Henry, who was considered an "intimate adviser," and his sister, Viktoria, Frau Subkoff, "contributed to make the birthday observances informal and inconspicuous."
At the noon dinner, Crown Prince Wilhelm, "in the name of the guests, proposed a toast to his father's health. The Kaiser "responded briefly." Wilhelm also received congratulations from "many parts of Germany," and from other countries. The gala dinner in evening was attended by the Kaiser and his family, and eight of their closest friends. Decorations and uniforms were worn.
It's official: Ileana to marry Alexander of Hochberg
January 27, 1930
The official announcement of the engagement between Princess Ileana of Roumania and Count Alexander of Hochberg, the second son of the Prince of Pless, is expected to be made on Saturday, according to the Associated Press.
Ileana, 21, is the youngest daughter of the late King Ferdinand and the Dowager Queen Marie.
The announcement is being delayed because of a concern that Ileana could lose her royal title when she married the count, and means are being sought "by which the Princess might retain her royal title." Count Alexander is not of royal rank.
The Princess has been "reported engaged many times," with the Prince of Wales and the Crown Prince of Italy as probable husbands.
Count Alexander is 25 years old. His mother is the British-born Daisy Cornwallis-West. She and Queen Marie are good friends.
A son for Audrey Emery
January 27, 1928
Princess Ilyinski, the wife of Grand Duke Dimitri of Russia, gave birth today in London to a son. The Princess is the former Audrey Emery of Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of John Emery, a leather magnate.
The marriage between Miss Emery and Grand Duke Dimitri is considered unequal, according to the Fundamental Laws. She was created Princess Ilyinski, the name coming from the name of Grand Duke Dimitri's estate in Russia. They were married in "grand splendor at Biarritz," and the wedding was attended by "many exiled Russian aristocrats."
Since the Revolution, Grand Duke Dimitri has, in exile, worked as a clerk in a New York bank and as a wine agent in Paris. He is the only son of the late Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich, who was killed by the Bolsheviks in January 1919.
The name of the child has not been announced, but many expect the baby to be named for his late paternal grandfather.
Princess Ilyinski, the wife of Grand Duke Dimitri of Russia, gave birth today in London to a son. The Princess is the former Audrey Emery of Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of John Emery, a leather magnate.
The marriage between Miss Emery and Grand Duke Dimitri is considered unequal, according to the Fundamental Laws. She was created Princess Ilyinski, the name coming from the name of Grand Duke Dimitri's estate in Russia. They were married in "grand splendor at Biarritz," and the wedding was attended by "many exiled Russian aristocrats."
Since the Revolution, Grand Duke Dimitri has, in exile, worked as a clerk in a New York bank and as a wine agent in Paris. He is the only son of the late Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich, who was killed by the Bolsheviks in January 1919.
The name of the child has not been announced, but many expect the baby to be named for his late paternal grandfather.
Grand Duchess Helen to marry a Bonaparte
The Marquise de Fontenoy also reports the contents of private letters she recently received from a "friend high in office at the court of Russia," regarding the announcement of the engagement between Prince Louis Bonaparte and Grand Duchess Helen Vladimorovna of Russia.
The Grand Duchess recently "jilted" Prince Max of Baden, and has since returned to Russian with her aunt, the Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Her parents, Grand Duke Vladimir and Grand Duchess Marie Pavlovna are now en route to Egypt.
The Marquise's friend ridicules the news of the engagement: "You may take it for certain that the Emperor would not help one of his officers at this moment to make a movement which might plunge France into anarchy and Europe into war. He is too much wedded to peace to allow any such risk, and although he has certain progressive ideas he never forgets that he is a Romanoff, steeped in the traditions and not a little influenced by the prejudices of his house. The second Nicholas, of course, differs a good deal from the first Emperor of that name. But the great-grandson of Nicholas I is not likely to forget or be allowed to forget that it was that monarchy who among the sovereigns of Europe declined, when recognizing Louis Napoleon as Napoleon III, to address him in the customary fashion as 'Mon frère, but adopted the chilling compromise as 'Mon cher ami,' which was one of the causes of the Crimean war. Depend upon it, Nicholas II is no more desirous than Nicholas I to call a political adventurer 'Mon frère', and the less desirous when that adventurer has been a subaltern office in his own service.
" In one word, the Russian Emperor thoroughly realizes that in permitting a marriage between Prince Louis Napoleon, who is a cavalry General in his army, and Grand Duchess Helen, he would be virtually striking a severe blow at the stability of the French republic by strengthening the position of a Prince who at any moment through his elder brother's death may find himself in the position of chief of the Bonapartist party and pretender to the imperial dignity in France. It would be an act of disloyalty to France on the part of her Russian ally. Were Louis Napoleon already on the throne of France it is just possible that Nicholas might countenance a matrimonial alliance of that kind, although I doubt it, seeing that not merely Nicholas I, but before him Alexander I of Russia had rejected with disdain the offer of any union with the house on Bonaparte. But it is quite certain that as long as he remains the ally of the French republic, he will never allow any member of his family to become the wife of one who is bound to be sooner or late in the position of an avowed pretender to the French throne, and who is regarded by the republic as its most generous foe."
In other words, Grand Duchess Helen's parents, after they return from their sojourn to the warmer climes, will need to find another eligible prince for their only daughter.
Archduchess Elisabeth makes debut
January 27, 1900
The first state ball since the tragic assassination of Empress Elisabeth of Austria "has just taken place at the court of Vienna," according to the latest column in the Chicago Daily Tribune by the Marquise de Fontenoy.
The ball was hosted by Emperor Franz Joseph and was "signalized by the debut of the young Archduchess Elisabeth," the only child of the late Crown Prince Rudolf. Elisabeth's future husband, Duke Robert of Württemberg, "a handsome man, with clean-cut features, dark hair, and mustache," also attended the ball. He attracted a "good deal of attention," even though the engagement has not yet been officially announced.
The young Archduchess' mother, Crown Princess Stephanie was also present, and she was "treated with unusual consideration and cordiality" by Franz Joseph. This is "taken in conjunction" with the fact that Stephanie was also included in the family party at the Emperor's family dinner on New Year's Day. The dinner was the first time that the Princess "participated in any strictly family festival" since Rudolf's death ten years ago.
Crown Princess Stephanie's presence also appears to confirm the rumor that she has broken off her engagement with the Hungarian Count Lonyay, "in deference to the wishes of the Emperor and of the imperial family."
The matrimonial ties between the Württembergs and the Habsburgs are close.
Duke Robert is the fourth child of Duke Philipp of Württemberg and his wife, Archduchess Maria Theresia of Austria. Robert's eldest brother, Albrecht, is married to Archduchess Margarete Sophie of Austria.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Juan Carlos to meet Obama
King Juan Carlos I will be making an official visit to the United States in February. He will meet with President Barack Obama on February 17.
This is the Spanish king's first official visit to the United States in more than five years. He met with President George Bush at the latter's ranch in Crawford, Texas, in 2004.
In February 2009, the King and his wife, Queen Sofia, visited Florida as a part of the 450th anniversary celebrations in Pensacola.
This is the Spanish king's first official visit to the United States in more than five years. He met with President George Bush at the latter's ranch in Crawford, Texas, in 2004.
In February 2009, the King and his wife, Queen Sofia, visited Florida as a part of the 450th anniversary celebrations in Pensacola.
doubts Stephanie will marry next week
January 25, 1900
This is by special cable from Vienna to the Chicago Tribune. Aristocratic circles in Vienna are doubting the recent report in the Frankfort Zeitung that Princess Stephanie, widow of the late Crown Prince of Austria, is to be married to the Hungarian Count Elemor Lonyay in London next week. This story is finding "little credence" because next Tuesday is the 10th anniversary of the Crown Prince's death, which would make the marriage "next week improbable."
The marriage is expected to take place later, as Stephanie's daughter, Archduchess Elisabeth, has been "introduced this winter into society," and Stephanie has "frequently declared that as soon as her daughter was introduced she would follow the inclinations of her heart," and marry the Count. This is despite the fact that Stephanie's father-in-law, Emperor Franz Joseph, has voiced objections to Stephanie's remarriage.
This is by special cable from Vienna to the Chicago Tribune. Aristocratic circles in Vienna are doubting the recent report in the Frankfort Zeitung that Princess Stephanie, widow of the late Crown Prince of Austria, is to be married to the Hungarian Count Elemor Lonyay in London next week. This story is finding "little credence" because next Tuesday is the 10th anniversary of the Crown Prince's death, which would make the marriage "next week improbable."
The marriage is expected to take place later, as Stephanie's daughter, Archduchess Elisabeth, has been "introduced this winter into society," and Stephanie has "frequently declared that as soon as her daughter was introduced she would follow the inclinations of her heart," and marry the Count. This is despite the fact that Stephanie's father-in-law, Emperor Franz Joseph, has voiced objections to Stephanie's remarriage.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Juliana's baby "in the spotlight:
The heir to the Netherlands throne "is eagerly awaited," according to the New York Times. Crown Princess Juliana is expected to give birth later this month.
Every Dutchman knows that the "male line of the House of Nassau is extinct," and Juliana, an only child, is the only direct heir to the Dutch throne.
It is "too early to start arranging marriage for the new arrival," but one can "imagine the royal babies in their non-existent group nursery speculating on the treatment" accorded to the new royal arrival.
Every Dutchman knows that the "male line of the House of Nassau is extinct," and Juliana, an only child, is the only direct heir to the Dutch throne.
It is "too early to start arranging marriage for the new arrival," but one can "imagine the royal babies in their non-existent group nursery speculating on the treatment" accorded to the new royal arrival.
New honor for Prince Michael
King Carol II of Roumania today conferred on his son, Crown Prince Michael the Roumanian Navy's Order of Merit for his "extraordinarily behavior" during the 32-hour storm when he "was aboard the destroyer Queen Marie en route to Athens" for the wedding of Crown Prince Paul and Princess Frederika of Hanover. The weather was so bad that the "destroyer was compelled to return."
Otto meets prince of Liechtenstein
January 22, 1938
Archduke Otto of Austria, the heir to the former throne of Austria, arrived today in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, for a four day visit with the Prince of Liechtenstein. Otto's visit is described as "private", according to the Associated Press. The archduke had no intention of "conferring with legitimists."
Archduke Otto of Austria, the heir to the former throne of Austria, arrived today in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, for a four day visit with the Prince of Liechtenstein. Otto's visit is described as "private", according to the Associated Press. The archduke had no intention of "conferring with legitimists."
Haakon and Maud leave Norway
January 22, 1936
The AP is reporting that King Haakon and Queen Maud left Norway today for London to attend the funeral of the queen's brother, King George V.
The New York Times reports that King Carol II of Roumania, "whom the late King George refused to receive at Buckingham Palace," will be attending the funeral. Ever since Carol abandoned his wife, Helen, for Elena Lupescu, he has been "persona non grata at the Court of St. James." In 1934, his mother, Queen Marie, a first cousin of King George, "came to London to intervene on his behalf," but the British king was "adamant," and would not meet with Carol.
King Carol, "with the Kings of the Belgians, Norway, and Denmark," will walk in the procession behind the British king's body.
Other foreign royals who are expected to attend the wedding are Queen Maud of Norway, King George's sister, and Crown Prince Olav; Prince Axel of Denmark; the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Sweden; Prince Charles of Belgium; Prince George of Greece, representing King George II of the Hellenes and Crown Prince Paul; Prince Paul, the regent of Yugoslavia; Prince Felix of Luxembourg, who is the husband of Grand Duchess Charlotte and the Crown Prince of Egypt.
The Belgian, Danish and Norwegians monarchs "will be escorted across the English Channel" by the Montrose, the British flotilla leader, and four destroyers.
The German delegation will include the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, a first cousin of the late king.
The AP is reporting that King Haakon and Queen Maud left Norway today for London to attend the funeral of the queen's brother, King George V.
The New York Times reports that King Carol II of Roumania, "whom the late King George refused to receive at Buckingham Palace," will be attending the funeral. Ever since Carol abandoned his wife, Helen, for Elena Lupescu, he has been "persona non grata at the Court of St. James." In 1934, his mother, Queen Marie, a first cousin of King George, "came to London to intervene on his behalf," but the British king was "adamant," and would not meet with Carol.
King Carol, "with the Kings of the Belgians, Norway, and Denmark," will walk in the procession behind the British king's body.
Other foreign royals who are expected to attend the wedding are Queen Maud of Norway, King George's sister, and Crown Prince Olav; Prince Axel of Denmark; the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Sweden; Prince Charles of Belgium; Prince George of Greece, representing King George II of the Hellenes and Crown Prince Paul; Prince Paul, the regent of Yugoslavia; Prince Felix of Luxembourg, who is the husband of Grand Duchess Charlotte and the Crown Prince of Egypt.
The Belgian, Danish and Norwegians monarchs "will be escorted across the English Channel" by the Montrose, the British flotilla leader, and four destroyers.
The German delegation will include the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, a first cousin of the late king.
Duke of Connaught won't be at funeral
January 22, 1936
The 85-year-old Duke of Connaught will be not be able to attend the funeral of his nephew, King George V, at Windsor on Tuesday, the New York Times reports. This is due to his advanced age. The Duke, the only surviving son of Queen Victoria, will attend a memorial service in Bath, where he is "spending the Winter."
The 85-year-old Duke of Connaught will be not be able to attend the funeral of his nephew, King George V, at Windsor on Tuesday, the New York Times reports. This is due to his advanced age. The Duke, the only surviving son of Queen Victoria, will attend a memorial service in Bath, where he is "spending the Winter."
Marie Adelheid of Luxembourg to be married
January 22, 1916
The Swiss newspaper, Neue Züricher Zeitung's Luxembourg correspondent has announced that the marriage of the Grand Duchess Marie Adelheid of Luxembourg "will probably take place soon," according to a report in the New York Times.
Marie Adelheid's court officials favor an Austrian archduke. For "political reasons", the Grand Duchess cannot marry a German or a Bourbon prince, and the "Princes of the smaller neutral States are too young or are Protestants."
Among the eligible candidates are Archduke Maximilian, younger brother of the heir presumptive, Archduke Karl, Archduke Rainer Karl, son of Archduke Leopold Salvator, and Archdukes Leon and Wilhelm, sons of Archduke Karl Stephen.
Marie Adelheid was eighteen years old when she succeeded her father in 1912.
Clementine free to marry
January 22, 1910
Prince Victor Napoleon's secretary has confirmed that "death of King Leopold removed the only barrier to the marriage of Prince Victor and Princess Clementine of Belgium," according to a special cable to the New York Times.
The couple are said to be "deeply attached for several years past," but Leopold's "objections were diplomatic rather than personal." This has now changed because Clementine is no longer the daughter, "but only a cousin," of the Belgium sovereign.
Prince Victor Napoleon's secretary has confirmed that "death of King Leopold removed the only barrier to the marriage of Prince Victor and Princess Clementine of Belgium," according to a special cable to the New York Times.
The couple are said to be "deeply attached for several years past," but Leopold's "objections were diplomatic rather than personal." This has now changed because Clementine is no longer the daughter, "but only a cousin," of the Belgium sovereign.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Mrs. Leeds goes on a cruise
January 21, 1928
Mrs. William B. Leeds is leaving onboard the Anchor liner California for a cruise to the West Indies. Mrs. Leeds, who is Princess Xenia of Russia, is being joined by her sister, Nina, Princess Paul Chavachavadze.
Princess Xenia and William Leeds were married in 1921. They have one daughter, Nancy, who was born in 1925.
Mrs. William B. Leeds is leaving onboard the Anchor liner California for a cruise to the West Indies. Mrs. Leeds, who is Princess Xenia of Russia, is being joined by her sister, Nina, Princess Paul Chavachavadze.
Princess Xenia and William Leeds were married in 1921. They have one daughter, Nancy, who was born in 1925.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
new honor for the Countess of Wessex
The Countess of Wessex celebrated her 45th birthday today with a very nice present. Buckingham Palace announced that she would be given the Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. She will be a Dame Commander of the order. This order, which was established by Queen Victoria, is a personal gift of the Sovereign. The honor is in recognition of the Countess's "personal" service to the Queen and the British monarchy.
The former Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones married Prince Edward in 1999. The couple have two children, Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/7035897/Countess-of-Wessex-to-be-honoured-with-Royal-Victorian-Order.html
The order is a personal gift of the Sovereign. Other royals who have been conferred as members of the Order are the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, the Princess Royal, the Duchess of Kent, the Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Michael of Kent. King Michael of Romania and King Harald V of Norway are also members.
In 2004, the Countess of Wessex received Queen Elizabeth II's family order, which is limited to distaff members of the Royal Family. This order is also a personal gift of the Sovereign. The late Diana, Princess of Wales, received the honor several months after her marriage to the Prince of Wales.
The former Duchess of York did not receive the honor, and Princess Michael remains the only distaff member of the British royal family who had not received the family order.
The former Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones married Prince Edward in 1999. The couple have two children, Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/7035897/Countess-of-Wessex-to-be-honoured-with-Royal-Victorian-Order.html
The order is a personal gift of the Sovereign. Other royals who have been conferred as members of the Order are the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, the Princess Royal, the Duchess of Kent, the Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Michael of Kent. King Michael of Romania and King Harald V of Norway are also members.
In 2004, the Countess of Wessex received Queen Elizabeth II's family order, which is limited to distaff members of the Royal Family. This order is also a personal gift of the Sovereign. The late Diana, Princess of Wales, received the honor several months after her marriage to the Prince of Wales.
The former Duchess of York did not receive the honor, and Princess Michael remains the only distaff member of the British royal family who had not received the family order.
Three in a row
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are to be grandparents thrice over. All three of their children will become parents later this year -- and all within one month of each other. The Earl and Countess of Ulster expect their second child, and the Lady Davina and Lady Rose are pregnant with their first child.
Lord and Lady Ulster's son, Xan, who bears the courtesy title, Baron Culloden, is 2 years old.
Lady Davina, 32, is married to a Maori, Gary Lewis, and Lady Rose, 29 is the wife of George Gilman, son of property developer, Peter Gilman.
The Duke a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, and is one of the most selfless members of the Royal Family.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1244533/New-twist-Carings-stag-saga.html
Lord and Lady Ulster's son, Xan, who bears the courtesy title, Baron Culloden, is 2 years old.
Lady Davina, 32, is married to a Maori, Gary Lewis, and Lady Rose, 29 is the wife of George Gilman, son of property developer, Peter Gilman.
The Duke a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, and is one of the most selfless members of the Royal Family.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1244533/New-twist-Carings-stag-saga.html
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Prince Ernst August: act II
Well, the Prince of Hannover has left Thailand. This past weekend, he and his brunette armour were seen eating schnitzel and potatoes with a tomato salad at Rosi's Sonnbergstubn restaurant in Kitzbühel, an Austrian ski resort.
The woman is said to be a 41-year-old Moroccan events manager named Myriam. According to the restaurant's owner, Rosi Schipflinger, Ernst August and his lady friend "enjoyed their meal very much and definitely want to come back." Myriam apparently spent the night with Ernst August at his Austrian home.
The Prince has also launched a legal action against the German magazine, Bunte, for publishing the photos taken of the Prince and the woman who is not his wife.
The woman is said to be a 41-year-old Moroccan events manager named Myriam. According to the restaurant's owner, Rosi Schipflinger, Ernst August and his lady friend "enjoyed their meal very much and definitely want to come back." Myriam apparently spent the night with Ernst August at his Austrian home.
The Prince has also launched a legal action against the German magazine, Bunte, for publishing the photos taken of the Prince and the woman who is not his wife.
Monday, January 18, 2010
A noble wedding in 1916
 |
| Marlene A, Eilers Koenig collection |
It was March 4, 1916, in Prague at the height of the first world war. Looking at this photo one wonders about the weather. Warm perhaps. Certainly no snow. Prague, the capital of what would become Czechoslovakia, was one of the major cities of the Austro-Hungarian empire.
The bride and groom are Princess Francoise Lobkowicz (1893-1964) and Franz Anton Prince von Thun und Hohenstein (1890-1973).
Franz Anton was the second child but eldest son of Jaroslav Prince Thun von Hohenstein and Countess Marie Chotek v.Chotkowa u.Wognin, the elder sister of Countess Sophie Chotek, the morganatic wife of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.
This wedding of Sophie's nephew took place nearly two years after Franz Ferdinand and Sophie were assassinated at Sarajevo, the event that precipitated the start of the first world war.
As the women are wearing matching dresses, it can be assumed that this photo shows the bride and groom and their wedding party.
Eight months after the wedding, Francoise gave birth to the couple's first child, a daughter, Ida.
A son and heir, Christoph, was born on November 10, 1918, one day before the Armistice was declared. Marie Assunta was born in 1925 and Theresia was born in 1929. Both were born in Tetschen, which is now Decin in the Czech Republic.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
What Mrs. Ronald Greville left in her will
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| Mrs. Greville as a young woman |
Mrs. Ronald Greville -- Dame Margaret Helen Greville, DBE of Charles Street, Berkeley Square, and Polesden Lacey, Dorking, -- died on September 15, 1942. The details of her will were published in The Times on January 8, 1943. She left £1,564,038 gross. The net was £1,505,120, and the tax was paid on £830,120.
She left "with my loving thoughts" of her her jewelry and jewels to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Princess Margaret received £20,000, and Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain, who was a close friend received £12,500 "with a deep affection and in memory of a great kindness and affection which her Majesty has shown me."
Mrs. Greville also left £10,000 to the National Anti-Vivisection Society. There were also smaller bequests to different charities.
The current value of the £20,000 is just over £2 million. Queen Ena's bequest would be worth about £1,400,000 in current values.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesden-lacey
The current value of the £20,000 is just over £2 million. Queen Ena's bequest would be worth about £1,400,000 in current values.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesden-lacey
Friday, January 15, 2010
Four generations
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Sweden were also present in Karlsruhe in May 1911. These two photos show the Dowager Grand Duchess of Baden with her daughter, Queen Victoria of Sweden, her grandson, Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf, and his wife, Margaret, and her three great-grandchildren, Gustaf Adolf, Sigvard, and Ingrid.
Louise was born in 1838, the younger of two children of Wilhelm I and Augusta of Germany. Her older brother, Friedrich, who died in 1888, was married to Princess Victoria of Great Britain, whose brother, Arthur, was the father of Princess Margaret.
Louise married Grand Duke Friedrich in 1856. She died in 1923.
Cousins at play
 |
| Marlene A Eilers Koenig Collection |
This postcard shows Princess Marie Alexandra and Prince Berthold of Baden with their cousins, Princess Gustaf Adolf and Sigvard, and their younger sister, Princess Ingrid, of Sweden.
The photo was taken in Baden in early May 1911. Little Ingrid was just a few weeks short of her 1st birthday.
The Swedish children photographed here were the children of Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and his first wife, Princess Margaret of Connaught. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess were married in 1905. Their first child, Gustaf Adolf, was born in 1906, Sigvard in 1907, and Ingrid in 1910.
What happened to these children?
In 1931, Prince Gustaf Adolf married Princess Sibylla of Sweden. The couple were the parents of four daughters and a son, Carl Gustaf, who was the reigning King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Prince Gustaf Adolf was killed in an air crash in 1947.
Prince Sigvard ceased to be a royal and a prince when he married a German commoner in 1934. He was married three times and was the father of one son, Michael. In 1951, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg created Sigvard as Count of Wisborg, He died in 2002.
Princess Ingrid was married in 1935 to the future King Frederik IX of Denmark. They were the parents of three daughters, Queen Margrethe II, Princess Benedikte, and Princess Anne Marie.
Thirteen years after this photo was taken, Princess Marie Alexandra married Prince Wolfgang of Hesse. They had no children. Marie Alexandra was killed in an air raid on Frankfurt-am-Main in January 1944.
Prince Berthold married in 1931 to Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark, the second of five children of Prince and Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark. They had three children, Margarita, Max, and Ludwig. Prince Berthold died in 1963. His son, Max, is the current of the house of Baden.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Lia says she had help
Richard Kay's column in the Daily Mail includes a few comments from Lia Lambrino.
At least he got her age right -- but she was born at Great Lakes, Illinois, not Detroit, Michigan.
Lia described her son as a "little miracle" and added that "We were blessed by fine doctors, here in Romania, in the U.S and in Harley Street in London. Lia also states that her pregnancy was "planned" and "that a part of her treatment was to undergo stem-cell therapy."
"I have been open-minded about this. It is not a youth elixir I was given, but my energy was re-charged."
She was asked if she received IVF. She acknowledged that "I was assisted."
Sixty-year-old women do not plan pregnancies because sixty-year-old women do not ovulate.
Most Romanians have no idea who Lia is, as Romania is a republic. Most of the news coverage have mentioned that Paul is not a member of the former ruling family.
The heir to the throne is Michael's daughter. Crown Princess Margarita.
There is no contact between the royal family and the Lambrinos.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1243300/The-Queen-plans-300-000-cruise.html
At least he got her age right -- but she was born at Great Lakes, Illinois, not Detroit, Michigan.
Lia described her son as a "little miracle" and added that "We were blessed by fine doctors, here in Romania, in the U.S and in Harley Street in London. Lia also states that her pregnancy was "planned" and "that a part of her treatment was to undergo stem-cell therapy."
"I have been open-minded about this. It is not a youth elixir I was given, but my energy was re-charged."
She was asked if she received IVF. She acknowledged that "I was assisted."
Sixty-year-old women do not plan pregnancies because sixty-year-old women do not ovulate.
Most Romanians have no idea who Lia is, as Romania is a republic. Most of the news coverage have mentioned that Paul is not a member of the former ruling family.
The heir to the throne is Michael's daughter. Crown Princess Margarita.
There is no contact between the royal family and the Lambrinos.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1243300/The-Queen-plans-300-000-cruise.html
Help for Haiti
Matthew 22:34-40
When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’
Haiti is our neighbor. Everyone is our neighbor, but Haiti is a special neighbor. The French-speaking country, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, has never been able to get it right as a nation. In 1492, Columbus landed on this island and named it Hispaniola, which means Little Spain. By 1697, Spain ceded the western part of the island to France, which named this area as Haiti. Unfortunately, for France, which would suffer a brutal revolution one hundred years later, was never able to establish civility in Haiti. It was in 1801, when a former slave Touissant Louverture was able take control of the government and abolish slavery. The French tried to take back control, but were defeated, and Haiti declared itself independent in 1804, when Jacques Dessalines declared himself to be emperor.
It is one thing to declare independence. It's another thing to have a plan. The thirteen colonies declared independence from Britain, fought a war, won that war, and then put together a government, first the Articles of Confederation, and then the Constitution. It must be sad, of course, that the Founding Fathers were learned men, educated, and for all the discourse between the colonies and Great Britain, there was something to said for the bi-cameral legislature and Common Law.
The French did not have that tradition, and Haitians, for their desire for independence, were woefully unprepared for what followed independence. Dessalines, a former slave, was assassinated in 1806.
The conflict between blacks and mulattos has never ended. For some years, blacks had no rights in Haiti. In 1915, due to the increasing tension between the mulattos and the blacks, the United States invaded the country in order to protect investments and property. The American military remained until 1934, but continued to run the country's finances until 1947.
Democracy and fair and free elections are largely unknown in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Francois Duvalier, a voodoo doctor, seized power in a coup in 1956. Papa Doc eventually declared himself President for Life. He was a brutal dictator, helped by the equally brutal Ton T0n Macoutes, who have been described as militia. I call them thugs.
When Papa Doc died in 1971, he was succeeded by his son, "Baby Doc," an equally oppressive dictator with a wife, Michelle, who had a penchant for Hermés and Givenchy. His reign of terror ended in 1986, when international pressure forced the Duvaliers to leave the country.
Coups and military rule continued, but there was a glimmer of hope in 1990 when Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected president. The glimmer quickly faded, and the popular priest was overthrown in yet another coup a year later.
The UN approved sanctions and the threat of an American military invasion (with UN approval) brought down the military government. Aristide returned . U.S. troops were eventually replaced by UN troops.
In the last decade, Haiti has been devastated by gang riots, killings, food shortages, and continued government instability.
In 2004, Haiti received pledges of more than $1 billion dollars in international aid. Not long afterward, more than 3000 Haitians were killed in floods caused by Tropical Storm Jeanne. A year later, Hurricane Dennis wreaked havoc in Haiti.
Despite more food aid from the United States and the United Nations, Haiti has continued to struggle with shortages. The government is corrupted and there is no real infrastructure.
On January 12, a 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti, the epicenter only ten miles from the capital, Port-au-Prince. I cannot even imagine the horrors of this. The worst quake ever to hit the United States was on Good Friday, March 27, 1964 in Anchorage, Alaska. It was a 9.2 quake. 151 people died.
There is no official count for the dead in Haiti, but the death toll is expected to hit at least 100,000. The population of Haiti is about 10 million.
I cannot believe there are Americans who say we should not be helping because we are broke, and we should help our own people first. (These are probably the same people, who call themselves "Christians," but are opposed to health care or anything that helps Americans who are less fortunate.)
I am so tired of the me-me-me attitude. The USA is not broke. We have economic issues that can and will be fixed. We are not a poor nation. We have resources. We have the medical equipment and personnel. Yes, we do have poverty in this country (and this bothers me), but face it, the poorest people in the United States are rich in comparison to the average Haitian.
I actually heard an American say: why should we help Haiti? What have they done for us. No one ever comes to help us. Er um. I can think of at least three countries that provide aid and assistance after Hurricane Katrina: Canada, the UK, and the Netherlands. There were probably more.
(Moral of story: do not hire cronies to head FEMA.) We need to be more We the People, rather than Me the Person.
REAL Americans are compassionate, and care for our neighbors, whether the neighbor is a fellow American or a Haitian. Whether it is the President ordering the military to provide transport to bring aid or Americans digging into their pockets to send money, providing assistance is the right and moral thing to do. There is nothing more powerful or potent than a photo of a Marine carrying boxes that say "Gift of the people of the United States America." This is what the face of America should be. Providing aid, providing food, and not providing weapons.
The American Red Cross has made it easy to donate. For people who can send text messages (I do not text), you can use your cell phone by texting HAITI to 90999. This is an automatic donation of $10.00 to the Red Cross, and the charge will appear on your cell phone bill.
My charity of choice is Lutheran World Relief, which is one the top rated international relief organizations. http://www.lwr.org/
You can also donate online with the American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/
Three other highly respected relief organization: Catholic Relief Services
http://www.crs.org/ ,Doctors without Borders http://doctorswithoutborders.org/ and Habitat for Humanity http://www.habitat.org/
It is what Jesus commanded: Love your Neighbor as Yourself.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/haiti/6987858/Haiti-earthquake-Aid-floods-in-as-rescue-workers-launch-critical-72-hour-effort.html
and one of the first rescue groups that is sent to disaster areas around the world is located right in my home county, Fairfax County, Virginia.
http://www.vatf1.org/
When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’
Haiti is our neighbor. Everyone is our neighbor, but Haiti is a special neighbor. The French-speaking country, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, has never been able to get it right as a nation. In 1492, Columbus landed on this island and named it Hispaniola, which means Little Spain. By 1697, Spain ceded the western part of the island to France, which named this area as Haiti. Unfortunately, for France, which would suffer a brutal revolution one hundred years later, was never able to establish civility in Haiti. It was in 1801, when a former slave Touissant Louverture was able take control of the government and abolish slavery. The French tried to take back control, but were defeated, and Haiti declared itself independent in 1804, when Jacques Dessalines declared himself to be emperor.
It is one thing to declare independence. It's another thing to have a plan. The thirteen colonies declared independence from Britain, fought a war, won that war, and then put together a government, first the Articles of Confederation, and then the Constitution. It must be sad, of course, that the Founding Fathers were learned men, educated, and for all the discourse between the colonies and Great Britain, there was something to said for the bi-cameral legislature and Common Law.
The French did not have that tradition, and Haitians, for their desire for independence, were woefully unprepared for what followed independence. Dessalines, a former slave, was assassinated in 1806.
The conflict between blacks and mulattos has never ended. For some years, blacks had no rights in Haiti. In 1915, due to the increasing tension between the mulattos and the blacks, the United States invaded the country in order to protect investments and property. The American military remained until 1934, but continued to run the country's finances until 1947.
Democracy and fair and free elections are largely unknown in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Francois Duvalier, a voodoo doctor, seized power in a coup in 1956. Papa Doc eventually declared himself President for Life. He was a brutal dictator, helped by the equally brutal Ton T0n Macoutes, who have been described as militia. I call them thugs.
When Papa Doc died in 1971, he was succeeded by his son, "Baby Doc," an equally oppressive dictator with a wife, Michelle, who had a penchant for Hermés and Givenchy. His reign of terror ended in 1986, when international pressure forced the Duvaliers to leave the country.
Coups and military rule continued, but there was a glimmer of hope in 1990 when Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected president. The glimmer quickly faded, and the popular priest was overthrown in yet another coup a year later.
The UN approved sanctions and the threat of an American military invasion (with UN approval) brought down the military government. Aristide returned . U.S. troops were eventually replaced by UN troops.
In the last decade, Haiti has been devastated by gang riots, killings, food shortages, and continued government instability.
In 2004, Haiti received pledges of more than $1 billion dollars in international aid. Not long afterward, more than 3000 Haitians were killed in floods caused by Tropical Storm Jeanne. A year later, Hurricane Dennis wreaked havoc in Haiti.
Despite more food aid from the United States and the United Nations, Haiti has continued to struggle with shortages. The government is corrupted and there is no real infrastructure.
On January 12, a 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti, the epicenter only ten miles from the capital, Port-au-Prince. I cannot even imagine the horrors of this. The worst quake ever to hit the United States was on Good Friday, March 27, 1964 in Anchorage, Alaska. It was a 9.2 quake. 151 people died.
There is no official count for the dead in Haiti, but the death toll is expected to hit at least 100,000. The population of Haiti is about 10 million.
I cannot believe there are Americans who say we should not be helping because we are broke, and we should help our own people first. (These are probably the same people, who call themselves "Christians," but are opposed to health care or anything that helps Americans who are less fortunate.)
I am so tired of the me-me-me attitude. The USA is not broke. We have economic issues that can and will be fixed. We are not a poor nation. We have resources. We have the medical equipment and personnel. Yes, we do have poverty in this country (and this bothers me), but face it, the poorest people in the United States are rich in comparison to the average Haitian.
I actually heard an American say: why should we help Haiti? What have they done for us. No one ever comes to help us. Er um. I can think of at least three countries that provide aid and assistance after Hurricane Katrina: Canada, the UK, and the Netherlands. There were probably more.
(Moral of story: do not hire cronies to head FEMA.) We need to be more We the People, rather than Me the Person.
REAL Americans are compassionate, and care for our neighbors, whether the neighbor is a fellow American or a Haitian. Whether it is the President ordering the military to provide transport to bring aid or Americans digging into their pockets to send money, providing assistance is the right and moral thing to do. There is nothing more powerful or potent than a photo of a Marine carrying boxes that say "Gift of the people of the United States America." This is what the face of America should be. Providing aid, providing food, and not providing weapons.
The American Red Cross has made it easy to donate. For people who can send text messages (I do not text), you can use your cell phone by texting HAITI to 90999. This is an automatic donation of $10.00 to the Red Cross, and the charge will appear on your cell phone bill.
My charity of choice is Lutheran World Relief, which is one the top rated international relief organizations. http://www.lwr.org/
You can also donate online with the American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/
Three other highly respected relief organization: Catholic Relief Services
http://www.crs.org/ ,Doctors without Borders http://doctorswithoutborders.org/ and Habitat for Humanity http://www.habitat.org/
It is what Jesus commanded: Love your Neighbor as Yourself.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/haiti/6987858/Haiti-earthquake-Aid-floods-in-as-rescue-workers-launch-critical-72-hour-effort.html
and one of the first rescue groups that is sent to disaster areas around the world is located right in my home county, Fairfax County, Virginia.
http://www.vatf1.org/
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Kirill & Victoria Melita
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| both images - Marlene A. Eilers Koenig collection |
A formal photograph of Grand Duchess Victoria Feodorovna and Grand Duke Kyril of Russia in 1906 in Coburg. Two years later, Victoria with her daughter, Marie, who was born in 1907.
King Constantine I and his children in England
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| Marlene A. Eilers Koenig collection |
Smile for the camera! King Constantine II of the Hellenes and his children, Crown Prince George, Prince Alexander, Prince Paul, Princess Helen and Princess Irene, arrive in England.
Queen Olga of Greece with her daughters
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| Marlene A. Eilers Koenig collection |
Prince Christopher in serious condition
January 13, 1940
Prince Christopher of Greece, 51, is said to be in serious condition at his home in Athens, according to the AP. The prince has been ill for some time, and has taken "little food since Wednesday."
Prince Christopher of Greece, 51, is said to be in serious condition at his home in Athens, according to the AP. The prince has been ill for some time, and has taken "little food since Wednesday."
The prince is an uncle of the Duchess of Kent. He is married to Princess Francoise d'Orleans, and they have an infant son, Michael. Christopher was first married to the American Nancy Leeds, the widow of the tin plate king, William Leeds. Nancy, who was created Princess Anastasia in her own right, died of cancer in 1923. A part of her fortune was left to Prince Christopher.
Louis Ferdinand's wedding to be at Doorn
January 13, 1938
It was announced today -- at Kaiser Wilhelm II's request -- that the marriage of his grandson, Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia to Grand Duchess Kira of Russia will take place at Doorn. The marriage is expected to take place in April, according to a report in the New York Times.
Prince Louis Ferdinand is the second son of Crown Prince Wilhelm, and is the future head of the house as his older brother, Wilhelm, renounced his rights when he married a commoner, Dorothea von Salviati, in 1933.
Grand Duchess Kira is the younger daughter of Grand Duke Kirill of Russia, pretender to the Russian throne, and his wife, Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.
It was announced today -- at Kaiser Wilhelm II's request -- that the marriage of his grandson, Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia to Grand Duchess Kira of Russia will take place at Doorn. The marriage is expected to take place in April, according to a report in the New York Times.
Prince Louis Ferdinand is the second son of Crown Prince Wilhelm, and is the future head of the house as his older brother, Wilhelm, renounced his rights when he married a commoner, Dorothea von Salviati, in 1933.
Grand Duchess Kira is the younger daughter of Grand Duke Kirill of Russia, pretender to the Russian throne, and his wife, Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.
Marie d'Orleans weds Philippe of Bourbon-Two Sicilies
January 13, 1916
The marriage between Princess Marie Louise d' Orléans and Prince Philippe of Bourbon-Two Sicilies took place today at the home of Princess Marie's father, the Duke of Vendome. The New York Times reports that the ceremony "was strictly private."
All four of the witnesses were represented by proxies. The bride's two witnesses, her uncle, the Duke of Orléans, and King Albert of the Belgians were represented respectively by the Duke of Guise and Belgium's Minister to France.
The Duke of Orléans was unable to attend the wedding "on account of the edict of the French government of the head of the Royal House of France placing foot on French soil."
Prince Philippe's witnesses were King Alfonso XIII of Spain, who was represented by Infante Don Carlos of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, and Prince Gennaro of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, represented by the Count de la Tour Envoire. The two Princes are the bridegroom's older brothers.
This marriage unites two branches of the House of Bourbon. the oldest royal house in Europe.
Princess Marie is the daughter of the Duke of Vendome and Princess Henriette of Belgium, sister of King Albert. The bridegroom is the son of the Count and Countess of Caserta.
The marriage between Princess Marie Louise d' Orléans and Prince Philippe of Bourbon-Two Sicilies took place today at the home of Princess Marie's father, the Duke of Vendome. The New York Times reports that the ceremony "was strictly private."
All four of the witnesses were represented by proxies. The bride's two witnesses, her uncle, the Duke of Orléans, and King Albert of the Belgians were represented respectively by the Duke of Guise and Belgium's Minister to France.
The Duke of Orléans was unable to attend the wedding "on account of the edict of the French government of the head of the Royal House of France placing foot on French soil."
Prince Philippe's witnesses were King Alfonso XIII of Spain, who was represented by Infante Don Carlos of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, and Prince Gennaro of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, represented by the Count de la Tour Envoire. The two Princes are the bridegroom's older brothers.
This marriage unites two branches of the House of Bourbon. the oldest royal house in Europe.
Princess Marie is the daughter of the Duke of Vendome and Princess Henriette of Belgium, sister of King Albert. The bridegroom is the son of the Count and Countess of Caserta.
The Good Wife: Caroline defends Ernst August
Princess Caroline was in a Hildesheim court to testify for her husband in a court case.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iA1n17VP5E7ncx-Po971PVq5T0qg
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iA1n17VP5E7ncx-Po971PVq5T0qg
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The Mornington twins
Lady Mae Madeleine Wellesley and Arthur Darcy (Viscount Wellesley) were born on January 4, 2010.
From the Daily Telegraph"
MORNINGTON
On 4th January 2010, to Jemma and Arthur, a girl, Mae Madeleine Wellesley, and a boy, Arthur Darcy Wellesley.
From the Daily Telegraph"
MORNINGTON
On 4th January 2010, to Jemma and Arthur, a girl, Mae Madeleine Wellesley, and a boy, Arthur Darcy Wellesley.
Death of Mrs. Parker Bowles
Rosemary Parker Bowles, the second wife of Andrew Parker Bowles, has died following a long battle with cancer. She was 69.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1242690/Camillas-ex-hit-death-second-wife.html
From her obituary:
Rose died peacefully at home aged 69 on 10th January having bravely fought cancer for several years. A Funeral Service for family and local friends will be held at 11.30 a.m. on Monday 18th January in St Aldhem's Catholic Church, Malmesbury. A Thanksgiving Service will be held in London at a later date. No flowers but donations will be gratefully received by The Blues and Royals Welfare Fund (Afghanistan), Combermere Barracks, Windsor, SL4 3DN.
An article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/6976319/Rosemary-Parker-Bowles-dies-after-battle-against-cancer.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1242690/Camillas-ex-hit-death-second-wife.html
From her obituary:
Rose died peacefully at home aged 69 on 10th January having bravely fought cancer for several years. A Funeral Service for family and local friends will be held at 11.30 a.m. on Monday 18th January in St Aldhem's Catholic Church, Malmesbury. A Thanksgiving Service will be held in London at a later date. No flowers but donations will be gratefully received by The Blues and Royals Welfare Fund (Afghanistan), Combermere Barracks, Windsor, SL4 3DN.
An article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/6976319/Rosemary-Parker-Bowles-dies-after-battle-against-cancer.html
What's in a name!
Queen Victoria was the last member of the House of Hanover to reign in the United Kingdom. Her son, Edward VII, was the first to reign as a member of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. This changed on July 17, 1917, when George V issued a proclamation: " from the date of this Our Royal Proclamation Our House and Family shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, and that all the descendants in the male line of Our said Grandmother Queen Victoria who are subjects of these Realms, other than female descendants who may marry or may have married, shall bear the said Name of Windsor." This was further amplified in November with the issuance of a Letters Patent:
"George the Fifth by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting: Whereas Her late Majesty Queen Victoria did by Her Letters Patent dated the thirtieth day of January in the twenty seventh year of Her Reign declare her Royal Pleasure as to the style and title of the Princes and Princesses of the Royal Family in the manner in the said Letters Patent particularly mentioned And whereas we deem it expedient that the said Letters Patent should be extended and amended and that the styles and titles to be borne by the Princes and Princesses of the Royal Family should be henceforth established defined and limited in manner hereinafter declared Now Know Ye that We of our especial grace certain knowledge and mere motion do hereby declare our Royal Will and Pleasure that the children of any Sovereign of these Realms and the children of the sons of any such Sovereign and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales shall have and at all times hold and enjoy the style title or attribute of Royal Highness with their titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective Christian names or with their other titles of honour And We do further declare our Royal Will and Pleasure that save as aforesaid the style title or attribute of Royal Highness Highness or Serene Highness and the titular dignity of Prince or Princess shall not henceforth be assumed or borne by any descendant of any Sovereign of these Realms excepting always any such descendant who at the date of these Letters Patent holds or bears any right to any such style degree attribute or titular dignity in pursuance of any Letters Patent granted by Ourselves or any of Our Royal Predecessors and still remaining unrevoked it being Our Royal Will and Pleasure that the grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes of these Our Realms Our Will and Pleasure further is that Our Earl Marshal of England or his deputy for the time being do cause these our Letters Patent or the enrolment thereof to be recorded in Our College of Arms to the end that Our officers of Arms and all others may take due notice thereof. In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the thirtieth day of November in the eighth year of Our reign. "
This was followed by a second Letters Patent in December: 1917
Whitehall, 11th December, 1917.
The KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date the 30th ultimo, to define the styles and titles to be borne henceforth by members of the Royal Family. It is declared by the Letters Patent that the children of any Sovereign of the United Kingdom and the children of the sons of any such Sovereign and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales shall have and at all times hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness with their titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective Christian names or with their other titles of honour; that save as aforesaid the titles of Royal Highness, Highness or Serene Highness, and the titular dignity of Prince and Princess shall cease except those titles already granted and remaining unrevoked; and that the grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes.
The new Letters Patent redefined the British Royal Family in terms of titles and the establishment of a surname. The first member of the family to be effected by the change was three-year-old HH Prince Alistair Arthur of Connaught, the only son of TRH Prince and Princess of Arthur of Connaught. Princess Arthur was also Duchess of Fife in her own right. With the stroke of a pen, Alistair ceased to be a prince. He was the heir apparent to his mother's dukedom, and it was decided that Alistair would be styled as Earl of Macduff, the secondary title for the Fife dukedom.
The children of the Sovereign and the grandchildren of the Sovereign are princes and princess of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, although a prince or princess may be styled differently.
Most princes are also created Royal Dukes.
George V's second son, Albert, was created Duke of York. His two daughters were styled as HRH Princess Elizabeth of York and HRH Princess Margaret of York. This style ended when the Duke of York succeeded as king. The official style for the two princesses became HRH The Princess Elizabeth and HRH The Princess Margaret.. The article "the" is used solely for the sovereign's children who do not have other titles, such as a dukedom.
When Princess Elizabeth married Lt. Philip Mountbatten in 1947, her father issued a new Letters Patent to create Philip a royal highness and bestowed him with the title Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich.
A year later, as Princess Elizabeth expected her first child, King George VI issued a new Letters Patent that extended the HRH and the title of prince or princess to Elizabeth's children. If this had not been done, Prince Charles would have been styled as the Earl of Merioneth and Anne would have been The Lady Anne Mountbatten, taking their rank and titles from their father, the Duke of Edinburgh, until Elizabeth became queen.
The Letters Patent allowed for Charles and Anne to be styled as HRH Prince Charles of Edinburgh and HRH Princess Anne of Edinburgh.
Take a look at Elizabeth's wedding license. You will see that she had a surname - Windsor. She was listed as Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor. The Windsor surname was not used on the licenses for Princess Margaret or Princess Alexandra.
HRH Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, succeeded to the throne on February 6, 1952. On April 9, 1952, she issued a declaration: "My Lords,I hereby declare My Will and Pleasure that I and My children shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, and that My descendants, other than female descendants who marry and their descendants, shall bear the Name of Windsor". This lasted until February 8, 1960, when Elizabeth II declared: "My Lords Whereas on the 9th day of April 1952, I did declare in Council My Will and Pleasure that I and My children shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, and that My descendants, other than female descendants who marry and their descendants, shall bear the name of Windsor:And whereas I have given further consideration to the position of those of My descendants who will enjoy neither the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness, nor the titular dignity of Prince and for whom therefore a surname will be necessary:And whereas I have concluded that the Declaration made by Me on the 9th day of April 1952, should be varied in its application to such persons:Now therefore I declare My Will and Pleasure that, while I and My Children shall continue to be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, My descendants other than descendants enjoying the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness and the titular dignity of Prince or Princess and female descendants who marry and their descendants shall bear the name of Mountbatten-Windsor."
It was largely assumed that the surname Mountbatten-Windsor would not be used until two generations had passed for the non-royal male line descendants.
In fact, the Mountbatten-Windsor surname was first used in November 1973 on the marriage registration for Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Mountbatten-Windsor. This surname also appears on the marriage licenses for Andrew and Edward.
The surname was not used for the Prince of Wales' license.
The surname Windsor has been in use since the 1960s. It would have applied to the Earl of St. Andrews, the heir apparent to the Duke of Kent. The earldom is one of the two courtesy titles for the dukedom. George's family name is Windsor, but he uses George St. Andrews, which is the style for non-peers with courtesy titles. A peer of the realm signs only his title. Wellington. (This does not apply to the royal dukes because their royal rank takes precedence.) His son, Edward, has the courtesy title Baron Downpatrick, so he can sign Edward Downpatrick. The wife of a peer or the wife of a courtesy peer signs her first name with the title: Sylvana St. Andrews.
It was not until 1964 with the birth of the Duke of Kent's daughter Helen that the name Windsor was used officially as a surname. At this time, there are four women who have the maiden name of Windsor: Lady Helen and her first cousin, Lady Gabriella, and their second cousins, Lady Davina and Lady Rose, the daughters of the duke of Gloucester. The Windsor surname will continue through the male line descendants of the Earls of St.Andrew and Ulster (the heir to the duke of Gloucester) and Lords Nicholas and Frederick Windsor. Lord Nicholas' sons are the first male line descendants of George V to have the surname Windsor without a courtesy title.
On June 19, 1999, Queen Elizabeth II released a statement regarding titles of the children born to Prince Edward and his future wife, Sophie Rhys-Jones. Their children would not have the style of Royal Highness, but bear the courtesy titles as children of an earl. Edward, who had been created Earl of Wessex on the morning of his wedding, and Sophie, had agreed to this decision. Although the 1917 Letters Patent gives the HRH and the title Prince or Princess to the grandchildren of the Sovereign in the male line, Edward and Sophie's children would not have royal titles. There are several theories about this decision. Edward and Sophie want to keep their children out of the public eye, and the children will not carry out royal duties when they become adults, so why burden them with royal titles. The announcement also came after several years of constant barrage in the media about so many royals supported by tax payers, and the Queen did not want to add more fuel to the fire by having Edward's children styled as royals.
The Sovereign has the prerogative to limit or create titles, and how it is done - press release or letters patent -- is immaterial.
When the Countess of Wessex gave birth to her first child, Louise, in November 2003, it was announced that the infant would have the surname Mountbatten-Windsor, but would be styled as The Lady Louise Windsor. Sophie gave birth to a son, James, who bears the courtesy title, Viscount Severn. His male line descendants will have the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.
The surname Mountbatten-Windsor will also be used on the marriage licenses for Beatrice and Eugenie, as well as for Prince Harry. It might also be used if William marries in his grandmother's lifetime. Indeed, William's children, apart from his eldest son, will not have royal titles until Prince Charles succeeds to the throne.
and now about that Duke of Edinburgh. The Earl of Wessex will not inherit his father's dukedom. Period. Full stop. The 1947 Letters Patent that created the dukedom allowed for male line succession. Thus, the current line of succession for the dukedom is as follows: The Prince of Wales, Prince William, Prince Harry, The Duke of York, The Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn. If the Duke of Edinburgh dies before Elizabeth, the Prince of Wales inherits the dukedom, and would remain as duke (even though he would not use the title), until he became king, when dukedom (and the courtesy titles) revert to the Crown.
The present dukedom has to revert to the Crown before a new dukedom can be created. This will only happen after Charles succeeds to the throne, and both his parents are deceased. Only then can he create a new dukedom for his youngest brother. The Peerage Disclaimer Act allows for a person to disclaim a peerage, but he cannot disclaim for his heirs. Thus, Charles and William could choose to disclaim the Edinburgh dukedom, but the title would remain in abeyance because William could have male heirs.
"George the Fifth by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting: Whereas Her late Majesty Queen Victoria did by Her Letters Patent dated the thirtieth day of January in the twenty seventh year of Her Reign declare her Royal Pleasure as to the style and title of the Princes and Princesses of the Royal Family in the manner in the said Letters Patent particularly mentioned And whereas we deem it expedient that the said Letters Patent should be extended and amended and that the styles and titles to be borne by the Princes and Princesses of the Royal Family should be henceforth established defined and limited in manner hereinafter declared Now Know Ye that We of our especial grace certain knowledge and mere motion do hereby declare our Royal Will and Pleasure that the children of any Sovereign of these Realms and the children of the sons of any such Sovereign and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales shall have and at all times hold and enjoy the style title or attribute of Royal Highness with their titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective Christian names or with their other titles of honour And We do further declare our Royal Will and Pleasure that save as aforesaid the style title or attribute of Royal Highness Highness or Serene Highness and the titular dignity of Prince or Princess shall not henceforth be assumed or borne by any descendant of any Sovereign of these Realms excepting always any such descendant who at the date of these Letters Patent holds or bears any right to any such style degree attribute or titular dignity in pursuance of any Letters Patent granted by Ourselves or any of Our Royal Predecessors and still remaining unrevoked it being Our Royal Will and Pleasure that the grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes of these Our Realms Our Will and Pleasure further is that Our Earl Marshal of England or his deputy for the time being do cause these our Letters Patent or the enrolment thereof to be recorded in Our College of Arms to the end that Our officers of Arms and all others may take due notice thereof. In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the thirtieth day of November in the eighth year of Our reign. "
This was followed by a second Letters Patent in December: 1917
Whitehall, 11th December, 1917.
The KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date the 30th ultimo, to define the styles and titles to be borne henceforth by members of the Royal Family. It is declared by the Letters Patent that the children of any Sovereign of the United Kingdom and the children of the sons of any such Sovereign and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales shall have and at all times hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness with their titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective Christian names or with their other titles of honour; that save as aforesaid the titles of Royal Highness, Highness or Serene Highness, and the titular dignity of Prince and Princess shall cease except those titles already granted and remaining unrevoked; and that the grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes.
The new Letters Patent redefined the British Royal Family in terms of titles and the establishment of a surname. The first member of the family to be effected by the change was three-year-old HH Prince Alistair Arthur of Connaught, the only son of TRH Prince and Princess of Arthur of Connaught. Princess Arthur was also Duchess of Fife in her own right. With the stroke of a pen, Alistair ceased to be a prince. He was the heir apparent to his mother's dukedom, and it was decided that Alistair would be styled as Earl of Macduff, the secondary title for the Fife dukedom.
The children of the Sovereign and the grandchildren of the Sovereign are princes and princess of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, although a prince or princess may be styled differently.
Most princes are also created Royal Dukes.
George V's second son, Albert, was created Duke of York. His two daughters were styled as HRH Princess Elizabeth of York and HRH Princess Margaret of York. This style ended when the Duke of York succeeded as king. The official style for the two princesses became HRH The Princess Elizabeth and HRH The Princess Margaret.. The article "the" is used solely for the sovereign's children who do not have other titles, such as a dukedom.
When Princess Elizabeth married Lt. Philip Mountbatten in 1947, her father issued a new Letters Patent to create Philip a royal highness and bestowed him with the title Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich.
A year later, as Princess Elizabeth expected her first child, King George VI issued a new Letters Patent that extended the HRH and the title of prince or princess to Elizabeth's children. If this had not been done, Prince Charles would have been styled as the Earl of Merioneth and Anne would have been The Lady Anne Mountbatten, taking their rank and titles from their father, the Duke of Edinburgh, until Elizabeth became queen.
The Letters Patent allowed for Charles and Anne to be styled as HRH Prince Charles of Edinburgh and HRH Princess Anne of Edinburgh.
Take a look at Elizabeth's wedding license. You will see that she had a surname - Windsor. She was listed as Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor. The Windsor surname was not used on the licenses for Princess Margaret or Princess Alexandra.
HRH Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, succeeded to the throne on February 6, 1952. On April 9, 1952, she issued a declaration: "My Lords,I hereby declare My Will and Pleasure that I and My children shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, and that My descendants, other than female descendants who marry and their descendants, shall bear the Name of Windsor". This lasted until February 8, 1960, when Elizabeth II declared: "My Lords Whereas on the 9th day of April 1952, I did declare in Council My Will and Pleasure that I and My children shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, and that My descendants, other than female descendants who marry and their descendants, shall bear the name of Windsor:And whereas I have given further consideration to the position of those of My descendants who will enjoy neither the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness, nor the titular dignity of Prince and for whom therefore a surname will be necessary:And whereas I have concluded that the Declaration made by Me on the 9th day of April 1952, should be varied in its application to such persons:Now therefore I declare My Will and Pleasure that, while I and My Children shall continue to be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, My descendants other than descendants enjoying the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness and the titular dignity of Prince or Princess and female descendants who marry and their descendants shall bear the name of Mountbatten-Windsor."
It was largely assumed that the surname Mountbatten-Windsor would not be used until two generations had passed for the non-royal male line descendants.
In fact, the Mountbatten-Windsor surname was first used in November 1973 on the marriage registration for Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Mountbatten-Windsor. This surname also appears on the marriage licenses for Andrew and Edward.
The surname was not used for the Prince of Wales' license.
The surname Windsor has been in use since the 1960s. It would have applied to the Earl of St. Andrews, the heir apparent to the Duke of Kent. The earldom is one of the two courtesy titles for the dukedom. George's family name is Windsor, but he uses George St. Andrews, which is the style for non-peers with courtesy titles. A peer of the realm signs only his title. Wellington. (This does not apply to the royal dukes because their royal rank takes precedence.) His son, Edward, has the courtesy title Baron Downpatrick, so he can sign Edward Downpatrick. The wife of a peer or the wife of a courtesy peer signs her first name with the title: Sylvana St. Andrews.
It was not until 1964 with the birth of the Duke of Kent's daughter Helen that the name Windsor was used officially as a surname. At this time, there are four women who have the maiden name of Windsor: Lady Helen and her first cousin, Lady Gabriella, and their second cousins, Lady Davina and Lady Rose, the daughters of the duke of Gloucester. The Windsor surname will continue through the male line descendants of the Earls of St.Andrew and Ulster (the heir to the duke of Gloucester) and Lords Nicholas and Frederick Windsor. Lord Nicholas' sons are the first male line descendants of George V to have the surname Windsor without a courtesy title.
On June 19, 1999, Queen Elizabeth II released a statement regarding titles of the children born to Prince Edward and his future wife, Sophie Rhys-Jones. Their children would not have the style of Royal Highness, but bear the courtesy titles as children of an earl. Edward, who had been created Earl of Wessex on the morning of his wedding, and Sophie, had agreed to this decision. Although the 1917 Letters Patent gives the HRH and the title Prince or Princess to the grandchildren of the Sovereign in the male line, Edward and Sophie's children would not have royal titles. There are several theories about this decision. Edward and Sophie want to keep their children out of the public eye, and the children will not carry out royal duties when they become adults, so why burden them with royal titles. The announcement also came after several years of constant barrage in the media about so many royals supported by tax payers, and the Queen did not want to add more fuel to the fire by having Edward's children styled as royals.
The Sovereign has the prerogative to limit or create titles, and how it is done - press release or letters patent -- is immaterial.
When the Countess of Wessex gave birth to her first child, Louise, in November 2003, it was announced that the infant would have the surname Mountbatten-Windsor, but would be styled as The Lady Louise Windsor. Sophie gave birth to a son, James, who bears the courtesy title, Viscount Severn. His male line descendants will have the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.
The surname Mountbatten-Windsor will also be used on the marriage licenses for Beatrice and Eugenie, as well as for Prince Harry. It might also be used if William marries in his grandmother's lifetime. Indeed, William's children, apart from his eldest son, will not have royal titles until Prince Charles succeeds to the throne.
and now about that Duke of Edinburgh. The Earl of Wessex will not inherit his father's dukedom. Period. Full stop. The 1947 Letters Patent that created the dukedom allowed for male line succession. Thus, the current line of succession for the dukedom is as follows: The Prince of Wales, Prince William, Prince Harry, The Duke of York, The Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn. If the Duke of Edinburgh dies before Elizabeth, the Prince of Wales inherits the dukedom, and would remain as duke (even though he would not use the title), until he became king, when dukedom (and the courtesy titles) revert to the Crown.
The present dukedom has to revert to the Crown before a new dukedom can be created. This will only happen after Charles succeeds to the throne, and both his parents are deceased. Only then can he create a new dukedom for his youngest brother. The Peerage Disclaimer Act allows for a person to disclaim a peerage, but he cannot disclaim for his heirs. Thus, Charles and William could choose to disclaim the Edinburgh dukedom, but the title would remain in abeyance because William could have male heirs.
Grand Duchess Kira a guest at dinner
January 12, 1930
Grand Duchess Kira of Russia, the younger daughter of Grand Duke Kirill, pretender to the Russian throne, was the guest of honor at a dinner this evening hosted by the Duchess of Richelieu at her home, 140 East End Avenue. More guests were invited for a musicale afterwards, where Irma de Baun, soprano, sang.
Earlier today, the Grand Duchess attended a lecture on the plight of the Russian exiles which Mrs. Henry P. Loomis "gave at the Colony Club."
Grand Duchess Kira of Russia, the younger daughter of Grand Duke Kirill, pretender to the Russian throne, was the guest of honor at a dinner this evening hosted by the Duchess of Richelieu at her home, 140 East End Avenue. More guests were invited for a musicale afterwards, where Irma de Baun, soprano, sang.
Earlier today, the Grand Duchess attended a lecture on the plight of the Russian exiles which Mrs. Henry P. Loomis "gave at the Colony Club."
Ex-wife sues Radziwill for child support
January 12, 1926
Countess Palffy, who is the former Miss Dorothy Deacon of Boston, has filed suit against her first husband, Prince Albert Radziwill, and his mother, for the recovery of 136,000 francs "claimed as due for the support" of her daughter, Princess Betka Radziwill.
Prince Albert, who is in Poland, failed to appear in the Paris courtroom, according to the New York Times. Countess Palffy, through her lawyer, said she filed suit in order to gain the maintenance for her daughter. The Countess is Betka's legal guardian. The Prince has not responded to earlier requests, so his former wife decided to sue Albert and his mother for the funds.
Miss Deacon and Prince Albert were married in London on July 10, 1910. Their daughter was born on November 21, 1917. The marriage was annulled by the Pope on January 12, 1922, due to "non-consent." Shortly afterwards, Dorothy married Count Palffy, a Czechoslovakian nobleman.
The Court postponed a decision in the case today.
Countess Palffy, who is the former Miss Dorothy Deacon of Boston, has filed suit against her first husband, Prince Albert Radziwill, and his mother, for the recovery of 136,000 francs "claimed as due for the support" of her daughter, Princess Betka Radziwill.
Prince Albert, who is in Poland, failed to appear in the Paris courtroom, according to the New York Times. Countess Palffy, through her lawyer, said she filed suit in order to gain the maintenance for her daughter. The Countess is Betka's legal guardian. The Prince has not responded to earlier requests, so his former wife decided to sue Albert and his mother for the funds.
Miss Deacon and Prince Albert were married in London on July 10, 1910. Their daughter was born on November 21, 1917. The marriage was annulled by the Pope on January 12, 1922, due to "non-consent." Shortly afterwards, Dorothy married Count Palffy, a Czechoslovakian nobleman.
The Court postponed a decision in the case today.
Queen Victoria of Sweden ill
January 12, 1926
The AP is reporting that Queen Victoria of Sweden's health has "taken a turn for the worse," and her doctors have advised that she travel to a warmer clime. The Queen's favorite winter spot has been the isle of Capri, and she is expected to travel there shortly.
The AP is reporting that Queen Victoria of Sweden's health has "taken a turn for the worse," and her doctors have advised that she travel to a warmer clime. The Queen's favorite winter spot has been the isle of Capri, and she is expected to travel there shortly.
The Grand Duke of Oldenburg has a constitutional crisis
January 12, 1908
Grand Duke Friedrich August of Oldenburg is, according to the Marquise de Fontenoy's column, is in the midst of a constitutional crisis. The Grand Duke, the only European sovereign apart from Edward VII who "can boast of having visited the United States," is having a quarrel with his consort. This quarrel "is setting half the courts of Europe by the ears," and has also precipitated a constitutional crisis in Oldenburg. His minister and elected officials have sided with the grand duchess.
Grand Duchess Elisabeth, who is nearly 17 years her husband's junior, is the Grand Duke's second wife. She was Duchess Elisabeth of Mecklenburg-Schwerin before her marriage in 1896, just a year after the death of the Grand Duke's first wife, Princess Elisabeth of Prussia.
It was not a love match between Elisabeth and her "gifted but eccentric husband," but he was infatuated with her in the early years of their marriage. In 1897, Elisabeth gave birth to a son, Nikolaus, who is the heir apparent. With the agreement of his minister and the Parliament, the Grand Duke reached a "legislative enactment" that would allow for Elisabeth to act as regent for her son if the Grand Duke died before Nikolaus reached his majority.
Nearly three years ago, differences arose between the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, which became "more and more acute, and developed into downright animosity and into a virtual separation."
Friedrich August intimated to his ministers that his wife no longer enjoyed his confidence, and "was no longer in sympathy with his views." He decided that the regency act needed to be modified and he wanted to replace Elisabeth with Duke Friedrich Ferdinand of Schleswig-Holstein.
The Oldenburg government would not agree, and would not remove Elisabeth from the terms of the regency act, as the minister "sympathize with her in her trouble with her husband."
The squabbles between husband and wife are now public, and can "no longer be treated as a passing matrimonial squall, concerning which it is preferable to maintain silence."
The "matrimonial shipwreck" is complicated by the fact that Duke Friedrich Ferdinand is a brother-in-law of Kaiser Wilhelm II, as his wife, Karoline Mathilde, is the sister of Auguste Viktoria.
It seems that Friedrich Ferdinand occupies a "warm place in the affections" of his sister, Auguste Viktoria, and her husband, the Emperor, but is also "persona gratissima" at St. Petersburg.
Grand Duke Friedrich August has one daughter, Sophie Charlotte, by his first wife, who was the eldest sister of the Duchess of Connaught. The Grand Duke is "extremely fond" of Sophie, who is married to the Kaiser's second son, Eitel Friedrich. The princess and her husband sympathize with her father in "his troubles."
It is said that the Duke and Duchess of Connaught are also in sympathy with the Grand Duke. Grand Duchess Elisabeth's interests are "championed" by her family, the Mecklenburg-Schwerins, especially her brother, Henry, who is married to Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, and by her half-brother, who is the Regent for the Duchy of Brunswick, and her half-sister, Marie, the Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia.
Friedrich August is an "amicable and gifted man" who loves mechanics and science. He is also described as eccentric, and has taken several cures in Dresden due to be being "overworked."
But the Grand Duke has never truly gotten along with his minister and the parliament, and when they refused to accept his demands for an increase in the civil list, he "subjected his country and his capital to a species of boycotts."
He closed his palaces, put his staff on half-pay, and went abroad. "Trade and industry suffered to such an extent" that the Oldenburg government gave into Friedrich August's demands, and he returned to Oldenburg.
Grand Duke Friedrich August and Grand Duchess Elisabeth also have two daughters, Princess Ingeborg Alix and Princess Altburg, who are six and four years old, respectively.
Grand Duke Friedrich August of Oldenburg is, according to the Marquise de Fontenoy's column, is in the midst of a constitutional crisis. The Grand Duke, the only European sovereign apart from Edward VII who "can boast of having visited the United States," is having a quarrel with his consort. This quarrel "is setting half the courts of Europe by the ears," and has also precipitated a constitutional crisis in Oldenburg. His minister and elected officials have sided with the grand duchess.
Grand Duchess Elisabeth, who is nearly 17 years her husband's junior, is the Grand Duke's second wife. She was Duchess Elisabeth of Mecklenburg-Schwerin before her marriage in 1896, just a year after the death of the Grand Duke's first wife, Princess Elisabeth of Prussia.
It was not a love match between Elisabeth and her "gifted but eccentric husband," but he was infatuated with her in the early years of their marriage. In 1897, Elisabeth gave birth to a son, Nikolaus, who is the heir apparent. With the agreement of his minister and the Parliament, the Grand Duke reached a "legislative enactment" that would allow for Elisabeth to act as regent for her son if the Grand Duke died before Nikolaus reached his majority.
Nearly three years ago, differences arose between the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, which became "more and more acute, and developed into downright animosity and into a virtual separation."
Friedrich August intimated to his ministers that his wife no longer enjoyed his confidence, and "was no longer in sympathy with his views." He decided that the regency act needed to be modified and he wanted to replace Elisabeth with Duke Friedrich Ferdinand of Schleswig-Holstein.
The Oldenburg government would not agree, and would not remove Elisabeth from the terms of the regency act, as the minister "sympathize with her in her trouble with her husband."
The squabbles between husband and wife are now public, and can "no longer be treated as a passing matrimonial squall, concerning which it is preferable to maintain silence."
The "matrimonial shipwreck" is complicated by the fact that Duke Friedrich Ferdinand is a brother-in-law of Kaiser Wilhelm II, as his wife, Karoline Mathilde, is the sister of Auguste Viktoria.
It seems that Friedrich Ferdinand occupies a "warm place in the affections" of his sister, Auguste Viktoria, and her husband, the Emperor, but is also "persona gratissima" at St. Petersburg.
Grand Duke Friedrich August has one daughter, Sophie Charlotte, by his first wife, who was the eldest sister of the Duchess of Connaught. The Grand Duke is "extremely fond" of Sophie, who is married to the Kaiser's second son, Eitel Friedrich. The princess and her husband sympathize with her father in "his troubles."
It is said that the Duke and Duchess of Connaught are also in sympathy with the Grand Duke. Grand Duchess Elisabeth's interests are "championed" by her family, the Mecklenburg-Schwerins, especially her brother, Henry, who is married to Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, and by her half-brother, who is the Regent for the Duchy of Brunswick, and her half-sister, Marie, the Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia.
Friedrich August is an "amicable and gifted man" who loves mechanics and science. He is also described as eccentric, and has taken several cures in Dresden due to be being "overworked."
But the Grand Duke has never truly gotten along with his minister and the parliament, and when they refused to accept his demands for an increase in the civil list, he "subjected his country and his capital to a species of boycotts."
He closed his palaces, put his staff on half-pay, and went abroad. "Trade and industry suffered to such an extent" that the Oldenburg government gave into Friedrich August's demands, and he returned to Oldenburg.
Grand Duke Friedrich August and Grand Duchess Elisabeth also have two daughters, Princess Ingeborg Alix and Princess Altburg, who are six and four years old, respectively.
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