However, a promise to our readers, we will have coverage both here in the blog and in Issue LXXXIX of Eurohistory.
For now...enjoy!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Luxembourg Royal Wedding
Busy with other projects, I have been unable to pay much attention to the royal wedding in Luxembourg.
However, a promise to our readers, we will have coverage both here in the blog and in Issue LXXXIX of Eurohistory.
For now...enjoy!
However, a promise to our readers, we will have coverage both here in the blog and in Issue LXXXIX of Eurohistory.
For now...enjoy!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
UK: Exhibition "British Royal Portraits"
Shortly after photographer Mario Testino went to England from his native Peru in 1976, he took his first photograph of British royalty, an impromptu shot of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and her grandson, Prince Edward, as they passed by crowds gathered in London’s streets to celebrate the marriage of HRH the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer. It was the first of many photographs Testino has taken of members of the House of Windsor during the course of his significant career. “Mario Testino: British Royal Portraits” showcases images of the royal family, from Diana, Princess of Wales, and Prince Charles, to their sons, William and Harry, and, most recently, the engagement portraits of Prince William and Kate Middleton, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. This will be the first US showing of many of these photographs.
http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/mario-testino-0
http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/mario-testino-0
Monday, October 8, 2012
Saxony: + Prince Albert of Saxony (1934-2012)
HRH Prince Albert of Saxony, youngest son of Prince Friedrich Christian of Saxony, Margrave of Meißen, and of his wife the former Princess Elisabeth Helene of Thurn und Taxis, passed away at hospital in Munich on Saturday, October 6.
The Prince had resided in the Bavarian capital for decades. He was a respected historian and professor, as well as author of several books on the history of his family, the Wettins.
He remained unmarried until middle age when in 1980 he wed Ms. Elmira Henke, a lady of Polish extraction who was four years his senior. Obviously, the marriage was morganatic and would remain childless.
Albert's older brother, Maria Emanuel, succeeded their father as Margrave of Meißen and Head of House in 1968. He had married in 1963 Princess Anastasia of Anhalt, but the couple remained childless. Given that the Saxon royal family was running out of male dynasts, for after all Maria Emanuel and Albert's first cousins (Timo, Dedo and Gero) did not leave any dynastic heirs, a solution had tobe found to secure the dynasty from becoming extinct.
Several years ago under the guidance of the Margrave of Meißen, who passed away earlier this summer, the Wettins gathered and discussed the future of the dynasty. They all agreed that upon the Margrave's death, their nephew Prince Alexander (whom the Margrave of Meißen adopted), would succeed him as Head of House with the venerable title of Margrave of Meißen. Prince Albert and his wife, along with the Margrave and Margravine, and their sisters Maria Josepha, Maria Anna and Mathilde, as well as their first cousins Princes Dedo and Gero and the widow of Prince Timo, all signed the Family Pact guaranteeing a smooth succession. Consequently, Prince Alexander of Saxe-Gessaphe became a full member of the Royal Family with the title of Prince of Saxony, extended as well to his wife and their children. Signing the agreement was voluntary and all its signatories were bound by it.
Several years later, and led by Prince Albert and his wife, who tried to manipulate matters, some of the signatories (Albert, Elmira and Dedo and Gero) questioned the Family Pact and announced that they would most likely support the late Prince Timo's morganatic son, Rüdiger Prinz von Sachsen to become the Margrave of Meißen. This decision violated their signature of the Family Pact and plunged the family into endless bickering. Rüdiger, not an easy person to start with, fanned the flames and tried desperately to have himself and his three sons elevated to the princely rank. The Margrave of Meißen would not have it – perhaps among his reasons foor standing against the rebellion from within was Rüdiger checkered past, which included a stint in jail that lasted several years.
When Maria Emanuel died, Prince Alexander (who married Princess Gisela of Bavaria) assumed Headship of House. Supported by the Family Pact Alexander thus became the Margrave of Meißen. Rüdiger and his supporters protested outside the Cathedral in Dresden where Maria Emanuel's funeral mass was taking place. It was a shameful scene that marred somewhat the solemn events of the day. Luckily, Margrave Alexander and his uncle Prince Albert, who had taken to calling himself Margrave, met before the funeral of the late Maria Emanuel and Albert abandoned his claim to the title.
Perhaps, the matter will now forever rest. Prince Albert died childless, as mentioned before. He recognized his nephew Alexander as the family's heir. He abandoned the use of the title of Margrave of Meißen and accepted that Alexander was Head of House Saxony. Hopefully this sad chapter is now closed and the family can mourn in peace and look toward a brighter future.
May He Rest in Peace...
The Prince had resided in the Bavarian capital for decades. He was a respected historian and professor, as well as author of several books on the history of his family, the Wettins.
He remained unmarried until middle age when in 1980 he wed Ms. Elmira Henke, a lady of Polish extraction who was four years his senior. Obviously, the marriage was morganatic and would remain childless.
Albert's older brother, Maria Emanuel, succeeded their father as Margrave of Meißen and Head of House in 1968. He had married in 1963 Princess Anastasia of Anhalt, but the couple remained childless. Given that the Saxon royal family was running out of male dynasts, for after all Maria Emanuel and Albert's first cousins (Timo, Dedo and Gero) did not leave any dynastic heirs, a solution had tobe found to secure the dynasty from becoming extinct.
Several years ago under the guidance of the Margrave of Meißen, who passed away earlier this summer, the Wettins gathered and discussed the future of the dynasty. They all agreed that upon the Margrave's death, their nephew Prince Alexander (whom the Margrave of Meißen adopted), would succeed him as Head of House with the venerable title of Margrave of Meißen. Prince Albert and his wife, along with the Margrave and Margravine, and their sisters Maria Josepha, Maria Anna and Mathilde, as well as their first cousins Princes Dedo and Gero and the widow of Prince Timo, all signed the Family Pact guaranteeing a smooth succession. Consequently, Prince Alexander of Saxe-Gessaphe became a full member of the Royal Family with the title of Prince of Saxony, extended as well to his wife and their children. Signing the agreement was voluntary and all its signatories were bound by it.
Several years later, and led by Prince Albert and his wife, who tried to manipulate matters, some of the signatories (Albert, Elmira and Dedo and Gero) questioned the Family Pact and announced that they would most likely support the late Prince Timo's morganatic son, Rüdiger Prinz von Sachsen to become the Margrave of Meißen. This decision violated their signature of the Family Pact and plunged the family into endless bickering. Rüdiger, not an easy person to start with, fanned the flames and tried desperately to have himself and his three sons elevated to the princely rank. The Margrave of Meißen would not have it – perhaps among his reasons foor standing against the rebellion from within was Rüdiger checkered past, which included a stint in jail that lasted several years.
When Maria Emanuel died, Prince Alexander (who married Princess Gisela of Bavaria) assumed Headship of House. Supported by the Family Pact Alexander thus became the Margrave of Meißen. Rüdiger and his supporters protested outside the Cathedral in Dresden where Maria Emanuel's funeral mass was taking place. It was a shameful scene that marred somewhat the solemn events of the day. Luckily, Margrave Alexander and his uncle Prince Albert, who had taken to calling himself Margrave, met before the funeral of the late Maria Emanuel and Albert abandoned his claim to the title.
Perhaps, the matter will now forever rest. Prince Albert died childless, as mentioned before. He recognized his nephew Alexander as the family's heir. He abandoned the use of the title of Margrave of Meißen and accepted that Alexander was Head of House Saxony. Hopefully this sad chapter is now closed and the family can mourn in peace and look toward a brighter future.
May He Rest in Peace...
The late Prince Albert of Saxony with his wife Princess Elmira.
From left: The Margrave of Meißen, Prince Maria Emanuel,
the Margravine of Meißen, Princess Mathilde and Prince Albert.
the Margravine of Meißen, Princess Mathilde and Prince Albert.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Serbia – More News on the Reburial of Prince Paul
FROM THE OFFICE OF CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER
ROYAL FAMILY, PRESIDENT OF SERBIA, SERBIAN CHURCH AND SERBIAN PEOPLE PAY RESPECT TO PRINCE PAUL, PRINCESS OLGA AND PRINCE NICHOLAS IN OPLENAC
Belgrade, 6 October 2012 - Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II, Crown Princess Katherine, their sons, Hereditary Prince Peter and Prince Philip, Prince Alexander (son) and Princess Elizabeth (daughter of Prince Paul and Princess Olga), other members of Kradjordjevic Royal Family, together with H.E. Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, President of Serbia, Arhierarchs and clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church, representatives of Parliament of Serbia, Serbian Army, members of other Royal Families, and a great number of citizens from all over Serbia, Republika Srpska and abroad, representatives of diplomatic corps, paid final respect to TRH Prince Paul, Princess Olga, and their son Prince Nicholas, who were buried at St. George church in Oplenac today.
The coffins with the remains of TRH Prince Paul, Princess Olga and Prince Nicholas, covered with Serbian flags and Karadjordjevic insignia were brought into the church with a salute from the Serbian Army Guard. Then the Holy Liturgy for the dead and Requiem was served by Their Graces Bishop Pahomije of Vranje and Bishop Irinej of Australia and New Zealand, with the clergy of Sumadija diocese.
At the church service there were also present TRH Prince Nicholas of Greece, Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Barbara, Princess Linda, Prince George, Prince Michael, Prince Vladimir and Princess Brigitta, Mrs. Catherine Oxenberg and Mr. Nicholas Balfour (grandchildren of Prince Paul and Princess Olga).
After the Liturgy and the Requiem, and the laying wreaths took place, H.E. President of Serbia Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, His Grace Bishop Irinej of Australia and New Zealand, HRH Princess Elizabeth and HRH Crown Prince Alexander II, delivered speeches before the reburial.
President of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, said that Serbia was releaved of a great burden today. “We
are burying them at the Holy Serbian land, at the church built by King Peter I”, President has stressed out.
HRH Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Prince Paul and Princess Olga, said that a great injustice has been rectified, and a deep wound has been healed, and thanked President of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic for his support in bringing back to Serbia her beloved ones.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander emphasized in his speech: “This is a historic moment for our family, but also very important event for our nation. My late father, King Peter II, who is unfortunately still buried abroad, always spoke with kindness and affection about Prince Paul and Princess Olga. I have dearest memories of meetings with them from my youth. Let us all pray to God at this solemn and sad event today for unity and prosperity of our Serbia, at the bier of this great statesman and patriot”.
TRH Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine, Hereditary Prince Peter and Prince Philip will host a reception on this solemn occasion for the Family, high officials, church dignitaries, members of foreign royal families from aborad and ambassadors at the White Palace at 8 pm this evening.
Princess Barbara of Yugoslavia and Catherine Oxenberg.
Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia.
Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia.
Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine.
Crown Prince Alexander, the President of Serbia, Catherine
Oxenberg and Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia.
Oxenberg and Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia.
©Website of the Serbian Royal Family
Friday, October 5, 2012
Serbia – Reburial of Yugoslav Royals
For years Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia worked tirelessly to gain two goals that were dear to her heart: the rehabilitation of her father, Prince Regent Paul, and the return of her family's earthly remains to the former Yugoslavia.
She was indefatigable in her quest. The first success took place last year when Prince Regent Paul was officially rehabilitated and his image as a patriot restored.
The second goal was equally challenging. She faced some governmental recalcitrance, as well as opposition from some surprising quarters. Both were eventually overcome, the Serbian Orthodox Church providing Princess Elizabeth with its support.
The remains of Prince Regent Paul, Princess Olga and their son Prince Nicholas were exhumed last week from a cemetery in Lausanne, where they rested next to the grave of Queen Mother Helen of Romania. Besides being first cousins, Olga and Helen were also dear, loving friends. Their lives were bound by deep bonds of affection and the sharing of countless challenges and tragedies, ranging from exile to loss of personal property and untimely family loss.
The descendants of Prince Regent Paul and Princess Olga are now in Serbia attending the reburial of their loved ones. With Princess Elizabeth are two of her children (Catherine Oxenberg and Nicholas Balfour), while her brother Prince Alexander is accompanied by his wife Princess Barbara and their son Dushan, as well as by Prince Michel, Alexander's son from his first marriage to Princess Maria Pia of Savoy. With them are their cousins, including: Archduchess Helen of Austria, Prince Michael of Kent, Count Hans Veit zu Toerring-Jettenbach and members of their respective families.
Other members of the Serbian Royal Family present include: Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine, Prince Vladimir, Prince George, Princess Linda, Princess Birgitta, as well as ministers from the Serbian government, members of the diplomatic corps, religious and other officials.
She was indefatigable in her quest. The first success took place last year when Prince Regent Paul was officially rehabilitated and his image as a patriot restored.
The second goal was equally challenging. She faced some governmental recalcitrance, as well as opposition from some surprising quarters. Both were eventually overcome, the Serbian Orthodox Church providing Princess Elizabeth with its support.
The remains of Prince Regent Paul, Princess Olga and their son Prince Nicholas were exhumed last week from a cemetery in Lausanne, where they rested next to the grave of Queen Mother Helen of Romania. Besides being first cousins, Olga and Helen were also dear, loving friends. Their lives were bound by deep bonds of affection and the sharing of countless challenges and tragedies, ranging from exile to loss of personal property and untimely family loss.
The descendants of Prince Regent Paul and Princess Olga are now in Serbia attending the reburial of their loved ones. With Princess Elizabeth are two of her children (Catherine Oxenberg and Nicholas Balfour), while her brother Prince Alexander is accompanied by his wife Princess Barbara and their son Dushan, as well as by Prince Michel, Alexander's son from his first marriage to Princess Maria Pia of Savoy. With them are their cousins, including: Archduchess Helen of Austria, Prince Michael of Kent, Count Hans Veit zu Toerring-Jettenbach and members of their respective families.
Other members of the Serbian Royal Family present include: Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine, Prince Vladimir, Prince George, Princess Linda, Princess Birgitta, as well as ministers from the Serbian government, members of the diplomatic corps, religious and other officials.
Prince Regent Paul of Yugoslavia (©Eurohistory).
Princess Olga, Prince Alexander, princess Elizabeth
and Prince Nicholas of Yugoslavia (©Eurohistory).
and Prince Nicholas of Yugoslavia (©Eurohistory).
Princess Olga of Yugoslavia (©Eurohistory).
Prussia: New Royal Baby Expected
A German magazine has reported that HIRH Prince Georg Friedrich, Head of House Prussia, and his wife the former Princess Sophie of Isenburg are expecting their first child!
No due date was announced.
No due date was announced.
Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia (©Eurohistory).
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
+ Princess Maria Christina of Altenburg (1923-2012)
Princess Maria Christina of Altenburg passed away earlier today in Poland.
Born at Zywiec (Saybusch) on 8 December 1923, Maria Christina was the second child of Archduke Karl Albrecht of Austria and of his wife, Swedish noblewoman Alice Ankracrona. The marriage was considered unequal and the Head of the Imperial House later granted Alice the title of Princess of Altenburg, a princely name inherited by her children.
After the fall of the Habsburg Empire, part of the former realm went to form the new Poland. Considerable Habsburg-Teschen lands were located within the borders of the new country. These properties belonged to Archduke Karl Stephan of Austria, a brother of the immensely wealthy Archduke Friedrich, Duke of Teschen, as well as of Queen Mother María Cristina of Spain. Karl Stephan's children were first cousins of King Alfonso XIII of Spain, a family relation that the Spanish Royal House surely has forgotten about by now. Karl Stephan's half-sister, Maria Theresa, was the last Queen of Bavaria as consort of King Ludwig III, who also lost his throne in the debacle that followed the end of the Great War.
Karl Albrecht and Alice were the parents of four children. Prince Karl-Stefan was born in 1921. Maria Christina followed him. Then came Karl-Albrecht, who was born at Zywiec in 1926 and died there two years later. Finally, in 1931 Alice gave birth to her last child, Renata, who was born at Zywiec. Karl-Stefan married his first cousin Marie-Louise af Petersens in 1952. They had two children, but these offspring never married. Princess Renata married Eduardo de Zulueta y Dato, a Spanish diplomat she met while he served as Embassy Secretary in Stockholm. He later served as Spain's ambassador to the United Nations, Luxembourg and Algeria. Renata and Eduardo had four children, of whom three survive with descendants.
Archduke Karl Albrecht of Austria owned many businesses in the new Poland, including the vast estate at Saybusch with its forests and a renowned brewery. His children, the Princes of Altenburg were to inherit the estate, known in Polish as Zywiec. Unfortunately, the tragic events leading to Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 and the onset of war destroyed the family finances. WBy the time the Soviets overran Poland, Karl Albrecht and his family had fled.
The Altenburgs were to live in Sweden for some time and before Maria Christina eventually settled in Switzerland. Princess Maria Christina lived there until she was able to return to a free Poland and take up residence in an apartment granted to her by the authorities managing Zywiec, the property having been expropriated by the Communists after 1945. Several years ago the Altenburgs were able to reach a settlement with the Polish state and this restored a small portion of their formerly vast domains. Heineken International purchased the brewery several years ago.
In 1993 she was able to reclaim Polish nationality and eight years later she moved permanently to Zywiec. While she lived at Zywiec, Maria Christina was treated with great respect and admiration. She represented the spirit of resistance that has inspired Poland to do away with the shackles of state-sponsored terror consequence of decades under Communist rule.
She will be laid to rest next week in theFamily Crypt at Zywiec.
May She Rest in Peace...
Born at Zywiec (Saybusch) on 8 December 1923, Maria Christina was the second child of Archduke Karl Albrecht of Austria and of his wife, Swedish noblewoman Alice Ankracrona. The marriage was considered unequal and the Head of the Imperial House later granted Alice the title of Princess of Altenburg, a princely name inherited by her children.
After the fall of the Habsburg Empire, part of the former realm went to form the new Poland. Considerable Habsburg-Teschen lands were located within the borders of the new country. These properties belonged to Archduke Karl Stephan of Austria, a brother of the immensely wealthy Archduke Friedrich, Duke of Teschen, as well as of Queen Mother María Cristina of Spain. Karl Stephan's children were first cousins of King Alfonso XIII of Spain, a family relation that the Spanish Royal House surely has forgotten about by now. Karl Stephan's half-sister, Maria Theresa, was the last Queen of Bavaria as consort of King Ludwig III, who also lost his throne in the debacle that followed the end of the Great War.
Karl Albrecht and Alice were the parents of four children. Prince Karl-Stefan was born in 1921. Maria Christina followed him. Then came Karl-Albrecht, who was born at Zywiec in 1926 and died there two years later. Finally, in 1931 Alice gave birth to her last child, Renata, who was born at Zywiec. Karl-Stefan married his first cousin Marie-Louise af Petersens in 1952. They had two children, but these offspring never married. Princess Renata married Eduardo de Zulueta y Dato, a Spanish diplomat she met while he served as Embassy Secretary in Stockholm. He later served as Spain's ambassador to the United Nations, Luxembourg and Algeria. Renata and Eduardo had four children, of whom three survive with descendants.
Archduke Karl Albrecht of Austria owned many businesses in the new Poland, including the vast estate at Saybusch with its forests and a renowned brewery. His children, the Princes of Altenburg were to inherit the estate, known in Polish as Zywiec. Unfortunately, the tragic events leading to Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 and the onset of war destroyed the family finances. WBy the time the Soviets overran Poland, Karl Albrecht and his family had fled.
The Altenburgs were to live in Sweden for some time and before Maria Christina eventually settled in Switzerland. Princess Maria Christina lived there until she was able to return to a free Poland and take up residence in an apartment granted to her by the authorities managing Zywiec, the property having been expropriated by the Communists after 1945. Several years ago the Altenburgs were able to reach a settlement with the Polish state and this restored a small portion of their formerly vast domains. Heineken International purchased the brewery several years ago.
In 1993 she was able to reclaim Polish nationality and eight years later she moved permanently to Zywiec. While she lived at Zywiec, Maria Christina was treated with great respect and admiration. She represented the spirit of resistance that has inspired Poland to do away with the shackles of state-sponsored terror consequence of decades under Communist rule.
She will be laid to rest next week in theFamily Crypt at Zywiec.
May She Rest in Peace...
©Pawel Sowa/AG
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