Moniek Bloks's Blog, page 113

Royal Jewels – The Palm-Leaf Brooch

The Palm-Leaf brooch was made for Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother by Cartier using loose diamonds from her own collection.

It’s in the shape of a curling oriental palm leaf with nine brilliants in the centre in claw settings. The borders are lobed pavé set brilliants. The clip is a Cartier speciality and allows for versatile usage. The brooch was inherited by The Queen after her mother’s death in 2002.

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother wore it many times, including in 1952 when she was at King’s Cross Station as her husband’s body arrived there from Sandringham. It can be seen in the famous image taken that day.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

The brooch is currently in The Queen’s personal collection, and she too wears it often, such as when she welcomed President Trump and First Lady Melania to Windsor Castle in 2018.1

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

 

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Review: SIX the Musical

The six wives of King Henry VIII of England are reclaiming their place in history, not just as the wives, but as their own person with their own stories to tell. And it wouldn’t be the 21st century if this wasn’t poured into an electric, funky musical with a fair bit of irony and sarcasm.

I visited the Vaudeville theatre in London on 12 May for an afternoon performance of SIX. Despite it being a random Thursday afternoon, the theatre seemed to be almost completely sold out. I had already raided the merchandise stand beforehand and scored myself a beanie and the Aragon and Boleyn pins. Kudos to merchandising done right, by the way. The collection also included things like mugs and t-shirts, and everything looked fantastic.

I had listened to the soundtrack beforehand and was thus able to sing along throughout. The women who portrayed the Six Queens were all amazing singers and performers. I loved the costumes, but I do wonder if they were comfortable to dance in! They often engaged with the audience and seemed to love being there.

Overall, I had a great night with a touch of history, and I’d highly recommend going if this is playing near you. They are currently in London until at least April 2023, but there is also a Broadway version that appears to be running until at least November 2022.

We were allowed to “take out our phones” at the end so here‘s a short clip of the performance.

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Pingyang – The warrior Princess

Princess Pingyang’s story is truly remarkable. She was not an average woman. When her father, Li Yuan, led a rebellion against his cousin, Emperor Yang Guang, Princess Pingyang assisted her father by leading her own army called the Woman’s Army. The Woman’s Army was an army of over 70,000 troops that consisted mainly of peasants. With the help of her army, the Sui dynasty was overthrown, and the Tang Dynasty was established. Princess Pingyang’s story shows a courageous, daring, and brilliant young woman who played a key role in the overthrow of the Sui dynasty.

Princess Pingyang was born in 600 C.E.[1] She was the third daughter of the Duke of Tang, Li Yuan, (the future Emperor Gaozu) and his wife, Duchess Dou (the future Empress Dou). The reign she was born in was that of her great-uncle, Emperor Wen. Princess Pingyang’s grandmother was the sister-in-law of Emperor Wen’s wife, Empress Dugu.[2] Because Li Yuan was related to the royal family, he was given various imperial posts throughout the empire.[3]

When the last Sui emperor, Yang Guang, ascended the throne in 604 C.E., Li Yuan did not get along with his cousin.[4] Emperor Yang Guang was insecure about his position and often viewed Li Yuan as a threat.[5] One day, Li Yuan did not attend Emperor Yang Guang because he was ill. Emperor Yang Guang was so angry with Li Yuan that he was about to murder him and his whole family.[6] However, his officials stopped the Emperor from committing mass murder. Emperor Yang Guang also neglected state affairs and spent most of his time living a debauched life.[7] He squandered his father’s money for his personal pleasures. Rebellions soon arose all throughout the empire.[8] With trouble brewing throughout the empire, Li Yuan decided to raise his own rebellion to take the throne away from his cousin and make himself Emperor instead.[9] He ordered each of his sons to form their own armies.[10] In 617 C.E., Li Yuan moved to Taiyuan, where he raised his own army against the Sui dynasty.

Li Pingyang was married to Chai Shao, who was the son of the Duke of Julu, and she gave him two sons. Li Yuan asked his daughter and his son-in-law to join him in Taiyuan. Li Pingyang and Chai Shao were living in the Sui capital. Chai Shao was in charge of the protection of the Crown Prince. They both wanted to join Li Yuan, but Chai Shao knew it was too dangerous for them both to go.[11] This would arouse Emperor Yang Guang’s suspicions.[12] Chai Shao said to his wife, “We cannot both go to join your father, whose righteous army is poised to settle the capital, for fear of arousing Emperor Yang’s suspicions, but I am afraid it will place you in harm’s way if I go alone, leaving you behind.” [13] Li Pingyang replied to him, “As a woman, it is easy for me to hide when the time comes. I have ways of taking care of myself.” [14] Chai Shao left to join his father-in-law’s army, and Li Pingyang remained behind in the Sui capital.

A few days later, Li Pingyang left the capital and made her way to her father’s estate in Hu Province.[15] The peasants near her father’s estate were starving, and Li Pingyang used the estates’ food storages to give them food.[16] The peasants were grateful to her, and the peasant men vowed to fight for her father.[17] These peasant men formed the basis of Li Pingyang’s army called the Woman’s Army.[18] There were no women in the Woman’s Army, but they named it because their leader, Li Pingyang, was a woman.[19] The Woman’s Army then made its way throughout the province, fighting for her father and brother, Li Shimin (the future Emperor Taizong), who were currently at war with the Sui.[20]

Other rebel forces joined the Woman’s Army. Three of these men who were formidable players in establishing the Tang Dynasty were Shi Wanbao (one of the Tang dynasty’s greatest generals), He Panren, and Li Zhongweng.[21] These three legendary men all fought under her.[22] They took the capital of Hu Province and made it their base.[23] The peasants saw Li Pingyang’s army as heroes, and they offered them food and water.[24] Many peasant men also joined the Woman’s Army. Thus, the numbers kept increasing.[25] Li Pingyang was a very strict leader. She prohibited looting, raping, and pillaging.[26] The army achieved many victories and captured many cities in Hu Province. When it grew to over 70,000 troops, the Sui imperial army realized that the Woman’s Army was a threat.[27] The Sui imperial forces tried to attack Li Pingyang, but they were routed.[28]

Li Pingyang established victory in Hu Province.[29] Her father and brother, Li Shimin, were conquering other regions.[30] The Sui dynasty was losing, and the Tang forces were winning victories.[31] In the final battle against the Sui imperial army, Li Pingyang and her husband, Chai Shao, were finally reunited. Chai Shao joined his Calvary with the Woman’s Army.[32] The Sui lost, and Emperor Yang Guang fled south, where he was assassinated in 618 C.E.[33] When the victorious Li Yuan entered the Sui capital, he was escorted by the troops of the Woman’s Army.[34] Li Pingyang’s generals (including the three legendary men, Shi Wanbao, He Panren, and Li Zhongweng) were given ample rewards.[35]

Li Yuan ascended the throne as Emperor Gaozu (which means “High Progenitor”).[36] He named his dynasty Tang after his fiefdom. Li Pingyang was made not only Princess but a Marshal in the imperial army.[37] This meant that she was entitled to have her own staff and military staff.[38] This was an honour that was reserved solely for a prince and not a princess.[39] However, Princess Pingyang did not have the health to use these privileges.[40] Raising an army and fighting for her father’s cause had taken a tremendous toll on her.[41] She fell ill soon after her father became Emperor.[42] She never recovered and died in March 623 C.E. Princess Pingyang was only twenty-three.[43]

Emperor Gaozu named a mountain pass in Pingding County “The Young’s Lady Pass” in her honour.[44] Princess Pingyang was given a funeral with a military honour guard where they played martial music, which was a privilege solely for military generals.[45] When his advisors learned that Princess Pingyang was not going to be honoured as a princess but as a general, they protested because of her gender.[46] Undeterred, Emperor Gaozu said to his officials, “As you know, the Princess mustered an army that helped us overthrow the Sui army. She participated in many battles, and her help was decisive in founding the Tang dynasty. . . she was no ordinary woman.” [47] Thus, an honourable funeral was given to a worthy woman who defied society’s expectations and was a key player in establishing the Tang Dynasty.

Sources:

Peterson, B.B. (2015).”Princess Pingyang”. Notable Women of China: Shang Dynasty to the Early Twentieth Century. (B. B. Peterson, Ed.; Z. Zhongliang, Trans.). London: Routledge. 

McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.

Liu, N. & Lee, L.X.H. (2014). “Li, Princess Pingyang.” Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women, Volume II: Tang Through Ming 618 – 1644. (L. X. H. Lee, Ed.; A. D. Stefanowska, Ed.; S. Wiles, Ed. J. Eagleton, Trans.). NY: Routledge.

[1] Peterson, p. 177

[2] McMahon, p. 186

[3] Liu, et al., p. 198

[4]Liu, et al., p. 198

[5]Liu, et al., p. 198

[6]Liu, et al., p. 198

[7] Liu, et al., p. 198

[8] Liu, et al., p. 198

[9]Liu, et al., p. 198

[10] Liu, et al., p. 198

[11] Liu, et al., p. 198

[12] Liu, et al., p. 198

[13] Liu, et al., pp. 198-199

[14] Liu, et al., p. 199

[15] Peterson, p. 178

[16] Peterson, p. 178

[17] Peterson, p. 178

[18] Peterson, p. 178

[19] Liu, et al., p. 199

[20] McMahon, p. 186; Peterson, p. 178

[21] Liu, et al., p. 199

[22] Liu, et al., p. 199

[23] Peterson, p. 179

[24] Peterson, p. 179

[25] Peterson, p. 179

[26] Peterson, p. 179

[27] Peterson, pp. 179-180

[28] Peterson, p. 180

[29] Peterson, p. 180

[30] Peterson, p. 180

[31] Peterson, p. 180

[32] Liu, et al., p. 199

[33] Peterson, p. 180

[34] Liu, et al., p. 200

[35]Liu, et al., p. 198

[36] Peterson, p. 180

[37] Peterson, p. 180

[38] Peterson, p. 180

[39] Peterson, p. 180

[40] Peterson, p. 180

[41] Peterson, p. 180

[42] Peterson, p. 180

[43] Peterson, p. 180

[44] Peterson, p. 180

[45] Liu, et al., p. 200

[46] Peterson, p. 180

[47] Peterson, p. 180

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Empress Erzhu Ying’e – The wife of three Emperors

Empress Erzhu Ying’e was the daughter of the most powerful man in Northern Wei. Her father, Erzhu Rong, helped bring down the Northern Wei dynasty. Empress Erzhu Ying’e was married to three emperors. Empress Erzhu Ying’e’s life was turbulent from the moment she first entered the palace to become a consort to Emperor Xiaoming to the moment where she died at the hands of her stepson while being sexually assaulted. Empress Erzhu Ying’e witnessed the fall of the Northern Wei dynasty and watched as her dynasty split into two kingdoms. They were the Western Wei (which would eventually become Northern Zhou after her death) and the Northern Qi. She knew her Kingdom where she had once reigned as Empress would never be the same.

Empress Erzhu Ying’e was born in 514 C.E. Her father was Erzhu Rong, the chieftain of the nomadic Jie tribe.[1] As Erzhu Rong’s daughter, Erzhu Ying’e was described to be a skilled archer.[2] Erzhu Ying’e entered the imperial palace and became a Consort to Emperor Xiaoming of Wei.[3] She never bore him a child due to political events that would shape her destiny.[4]

Even though Emperor Xiaoming was of age, he had no power.[5] The true ruler was his mother, Empress Dowager Hu. Emperor Xiaoming wanted to rule on his own, so he asked his father-in-law Erzhu Rong for help.[6] When Empress Dowager Hu’s ministers found out that Emperor Xiaoming had requested outside help, they killed him.[7] Empress Dowager Hu sent Emperor Xiaoming’s concubines, including Consort Erzhu Ying’e, to a Buddhist monastery to become nuns.[8]

When Erzhu Rong learned about the death of his son-in-law, he was furious.[9] He gathered his army and made his way to the capital gates. He threatened to storm it unless Empress Dowager Hu provided a suitable Emperor to the Northern Wei.[10] After unsuccessfully installing two Emperors (one of whom was Consort Erzhu Ying’e’s step-daughter named Empress Yuan), Erzhu Rong was so frustrated that he chose an Emperor himself.[11] He chose Emperor Xiaowen’s grandson named Tuoba Ziyou as the next Emperor.[12] He fetched his daughter, Consort Erzhu Ying’e, from the monastery and made her marry Tuoba Ziyou.[13] This was so she could become the next Empress.[14] Erzhu Rong immediately became the most powerful man in Northern Wei. Erzhu Rong’s army stormed the gates and attacked the capital. Erzhu Rong’s army slaughtered thousands of officials and their families. Most of them were Han Chinese.[15] Erzhu Rong’s army even drowned Empress Dowager Hu.[16] After the massacre, Tuoba Ziyou was installed as Emperor Xiaozhuang and Consort Erzhu Ying’e was installed as Empress.[17]

Emperor Xiaozhuang had no power and was a figurehead.[18] The real ruler was Erzhu Rong. Emperor Xiaozhuang was unhappy with his situation.[19] He wanted to be a true ruler, and he believed that in order to rule for himself, he would have to kill Erzhu Rong.[20] Emperor Xiaozhuang found the opportunity when Empress Erzhu Ying’e bore him a son in 530 C.E.[21]

Emperor Xiaozhuang invited Erzhu Rong to the palace to see his daughter and his grandson.[22] The ecstatic grandfather entered the palace, unaware of the death trap that awaited him.[23] As soon as he entered the palace, Erzhu Rong was taken to see the Emperor. Once he arrived at the Emperor’s audience chamber, he found Emperor Xiaozhuang seated upon the throne.[24] Immediately, the Emperor’s guards surrounded Erzhu Rong.[25] Realizing he had walked into a death trap, Erzhu Rong immediately attacked Emperor Xiaozhuang, but Emperor Xiaozhuang overpowered his attack.[26] The Emperor’s guards relentlessly hacked Erzhu Rong to death.[27] There is no mention of how Empress Erzhu Ying’e felt about her father’s murder.

Emperor Xiaozhuang’s happiness was short-lived. When Erzhu Rong’s clan found out about his murder, they were furious at Emperor Xiaozhuang.[28] The Erzhu clan gathered their army, arrived at the capital’s gates, and demanded Emperor Xiaozhuang to release Erzhu Rong’s body to them.[29] Emperor Xiaozhuang refused and declared Erzhu Rong a traitor.[30] The Erzhu clan was so devastated about not getting Erzhu Rong’s body back that they continued to wail outside the gates.[31] Emperor Xiaozhuang was moved by their grief and gave them Erzhu Rong’s death certificate.[32] Yet the Erzhu clan was not satisfied by the death certificate.[33] They wanted Erzhu Rong’s body, and they vowed revenge.[34] Emperor Xiaozhuang quickly gathered his military, but he was defeated.[35] Erzhu Zhao (Erzhu Rong’s nephew) deposed and captured Emperor Xiaozhuang. Erzhu Zhao also raped all of Emperor Xiaozhuang’s concubines.[36] He did not harm Empress Erzhu Ying’e but killed her infant son because he was of Emperor Xiaozhuang’s blood.[37] The Erzhus took Emperor Xiaozhuang back to their homeland and held him hostage in the Sanji Monastery.[38] On 23 January 531 C.E., Erzhu Zhao strangled Emperor Xiaozhuang.

The Erzhus continued to control the Northern Wei court. However, a subordinate under Erzhu Rong named General Gao Huan wanted power for himself.[39] He defeated the Erzhu clans and established a puppet Emperor in 534.[40] Then, the puppet Emperor moved his capital to Chang’an.[41] This became known as the Western Wei.[42] Gao Huan enthroned another Emperor, and his capital was Ye.[43] This was known as the Eastern Wei.[44] Thus, the Northern Wei dynasty was split into two kingdoms.[45] Gao Huan’s son, Gao Yang, would soon dissolve the Eastern Wei dynasty and establish his own dynasty known as the Northern Qi.[46]

Gao Huan was never an Emperor during his lifetime.[47] He was posthumously made Emperor Shenwu after his son, Gao Yang, became Emperor of Northern Qi. Gao Huan made many political marriages.[48] One of his wives was Empress Erzhu Ying’e. This marriage was to show that he was Erzhu Rong’s heir.[49] The marriage also allowed him to gain the wealth that the Erzhu clan had once held.[50] Because she was once an empress, Gao Huan treated her with more respect than his first wife, Lou Zhaojun.[51] He gave her the title of “Great Consort.” [52] Whenever she was in his presence, he made sure he was in proper attire and addressed himself as “Your Humble Official.” [53] Consort Erzhu Ying’e bore him two sons named Gao You and Gao Ning.

In 545 C.E., Consort Erzhu Ying’e met Gao Huan’s new wife, the Ruanruan Princess, en route to Gao Huan’s harem. One day, the Ruanruan Princess wanted to show her archery skills.[54] She aimed her arrow at a bird flying in the sky and hit it. Consort Erzhu Ying’e then aimed her arrow at the sky and hit a flying bird.[55] Impressed with his wives’ archery skills, Gao Huan said, “Both my wives are worthy of crushing bandits.” [56]

Gao Huan died in 547 C.E., and Consort Erzhu Ying’e entered the Buddhist monastery and became a nun.[57] Gao Huan’s second son named Gao Yang became Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi.[58] Consort Erzhu Ying’e stepped out of her retirement as a nun.[59] He made her sons kings. Gao You became the King of Pengcheng, and Gao Ning became The King of Huashan.[60] Emperor Wenxuan honoured Consort Erzhu Ying’e by giving her the title of “Princess of Pengcheng.” [61] Emperor Wenxuan respected Princess Erzhu Ying’e until one day he was so heavily intoxicated that he no longer saw her as his stepmother.[62] Emperor Wenxuan became enamoured by Princess Erzhu Ying’e and wanted to have intimate relations with her.[63] Princess Erzhu Ying’e refused because he was her stepson.[64] Angry that Princess Erzhu Ying’e kept rejecting his advances, Emperor Wenxuan killed her with his bare hands.[65] 

The daughter of Erzhu Rong and who was once the Empress of Northern Wei came to such a tragic end in the most horrible way. Empress Erzhu Ying’e seemed to be the pawn of her clan’s ambitions and barely received any respect from the men around her. Her relationship with her first husband, Emperor Xiaoming, was so short-lived that she did not produce a child. Her second husband used her son’s birth as a means to kill her father. Yet, it was her third husband who gave her the respect she deserved. It is a pity that Empress Erzhu Ying’e did not receive respect from her stepson, who only viewed her as a sexual object. Yet, Empress Erzhu Ying’e was a powerful witness to the fall of the Northern Wei dynasty and the rise of the Northern Zhou dynasty and the Northern Qi dynasty. China would not be reunified until the Sui dynasty in 581 C.E.[66]

Sources:

DayDayNews. (12 October 2019). “A legendary woman who married three emperors one after another and was a queen but was eventually killed by her stepson”. Retrieved on 20 December 2021 from https://daydaynews.cc/en/history/1772....

Luo, M. (2019). The politics of place-making in the records of Buddhist monasteries in Luoyang. T’Oung Pao, 105(1-2), 43–75. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685322-1051....

Lau, L. M. & Ching-Chung, P. (2015). Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity Through Sui, 1600 B.C.E. – 618 C.E. (L. X. H. Lee, Ed.; A. D. Stefanowska, Ed.; S. Wiles, Ed.). NY: Routledge.

McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.

Waldherr, K. (2008). Doomed Queens: Royal Women Who Met Bad Ends, From Cleopatra to Princess Di. NY: Bloomsbury Books.

Xiong, V.C. (2016). Capital Cities and Urban Form in Pre-Modern China: Luoyang, 1038 BCE to 938 CE (Asian States and Empires). NY: Routledge.

[1] Lau & Ching-Chung, p. 298

[2] McMahon, p. 166

[3] McMahon, p. 165

[4] Lau & Ching-Chung, p. 298

[5] Waldherr, p. 60

[6] Lau & Ching-Chung, p. 298

[7] Lau & Ching-Chung, p. 298

[8] DayDayNews, “A legendary woman who married three emperors one after another and was a queen but was eventually killed by her stepson”, para. 5

[9] Lau & Ching-Chung, p. 298

[10]Lau & Ching-Chung, p. 298

[11]Lau & Ching-Chung, p. 298

[12] Lau & Ching-Chung, p. 298

[13] Lau & Ching-Chung, p. 298

[14] Lau & Ching-Chung, p. 298

[15] Lau & Ching-Chung, p. 298

[16] Waldherr, p. 60

[17] Luo, p. 44

[18] Luo, p. 44

[19] Xiong, p. 107

[20] Xiong, p. 107

[21] Xiong, p. 107

[22] Xiong, p. 107

[23] Xiong, p. 107

[24] Xiong, p. 107

[25] Xiong, p. 107

[26] Xiong, p. 107

[27] Xiong, p. 107

[28] Xiong, p. 108

[29] Xiong, p. 108

[30] Xiong, p. 108

[31] Xiong, p. 108

[32] Xiong, p. 108

[33] Xiong, p. 108

[34] Xiong, p. 108

[35] Xiong, p. 108

[36] Xiong, p. 108

[37] DayDayNews, “A legendary woman who married three emperors one after another and was a queen but was eventually killed by her stepson”, para. 7

[38] Xiong, p. 108

[39] Luo, p. 44

[40] Luo, p. 44

[41] Luo, p. 44

[42] Luo, p. 44

[43] Luo, p. 44

[44] Luo, p. 44

[45] Luo, p. 44

[46] Luo, p. 44

[47] McMahon, p. 164

[48] McMahon, p. 165

[49] McMahon, pp. 165

[50] McMahon, pp. 165-166

[51] McMahon, p. 166

[52] McMahon, p. 166

[53] McMahon, p. 166

[54] McMahon, p. 166

[55] McMahon, p. 166

[56] McMahon, p. 166

[57] McMahon, p. 166

[58] McMahon, p. 166

[59] DayDayNews, “A legendary woman who married three emperors one after another and was a queen but was eventually killed by her stepson”, para. 10

[60] DayDayNews, “A legendary woman who married three emperors one after another and was a queen but was eventually killed by her stepson”, para. 10

[61] DayDayNews, “A legendary woman who married three emperors one after another and was a queen but was eventually killed by her stepson”, para. 10

[62] McMahon, p. 166

[63] McMahon, p. 166

[64] McMahon, p. 166

[65] McMahon, p. 166

[66] McMahon, p. 145

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Queen Elizabeth II becomes the second longest-reigning monarch in history

Today, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom surpasses King Rama IX of Thailand to become the second longest-reigning monarch. King Rama IX, also known as Bhumibol Adulyadej, reigned from 9 June 1946 until his death on 13 October 2016. He was 88 years old at the time of his death.

Only last month, Queen Elizabeth surpassed Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein, to become the third longest-reigning monarch in history. Johann II ruled the principality of Liechtenstein between 1858 and 1929. He succeeded his father on 12 November 1858 upon his death at the age of 62. Johann had just turned 18 the month before. He reigned until his own death at the age of 88 on 11 February 1929. He never married and was succeeded by his brother Franz I.

Queen Elizabeth became the fourth longest-reigning monarch in March 2020 and surpassed Eleanor of Aquitaine, who ruled the Duchy of Aquitaine in her own right, as the longest-reigning female ruler in 2019. In 2015, she surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria to become the longest-reigning British monarch.

However, the longest-reigning monarch in history remains King Louis XIV of France, and he reigned for 26,407 days. Queen Elizabeth will reach that milestone on 24 May 2024, by which time she’ll be 98 years old.

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The Year of Empress Elisabeth – Sisi & her sister-in-law Charlotte of Belgium (Part three)

Read part two here.

Maximilian woke early on the morning of 19 June. Around 5, he received the last sacraments during a short mass. He handed his wedding ring, a rosary and a scapular to Doctor Basch and told them to give them to his mother. He had a breakfast of coffee, bread, chicken and red wine. His escort arrived at 6.30, upon which he suddenly went very pale.1 Maximilian and his two generals were escorted to the place of execution. They stood in front of a wall, facing the crowds. The executioners were handed money so they would aim for the heart. According to bystanders, Maximilian’s last words were, “I forgive everyone, and I ask everyone to forgive me. May my blood, which is about to be shed, be for the good of the country. Viva Mexico, Viva la Independencia!”2 Seconds later, the former Emperor fell back, but he wasn’t killed immediately. A first mercy shot was also not fatal. Then the gun refused to work. With the third attempt, Maximilian’s heart was finally pierced by a bullet.3 

Ten days later, the news of his execution finally reached Europe. Franz Joseph and Elisabeth were enjoying a rare holiday together with their children when they learned of Maximilian’s fate. His mother collapsed into her husband’s arms and sobbed, “Those brutes, those savages! They have murdered him, my darling, my beautiful, lighthearted Max. They have shot him down like a common criminal.”4 Charlotte’s mental state was such that she was not immediately informed of her husband’s death. She remained convinced that he would be joining her soon. No one in the imperial family had bothered to visit Charlotte since her return from Mexico. In late July, after much bargaining with the family, Queen Marie Henriette of the Belgians came to Miramare to bring her sister-in-law Charlotte back to Belgium. She initially stayed at the Castle of Tervuren, but after a devastating fire, she moved to Bouchout Castle. When Charlotte was finally informed of her husband’s death, she reportedly wept quietly and later cried in the arms of her sister-in-law Queen Marie Henriette, saying, “Ah, if only I could make my peace with heaven and confess.”5 She also received a very touching letter of condolence from Empress Elisabeth.

At the end of November, Maximilian’s body was finally returned home, and Vienna began to prepare for a funeral with full imperial honours. He was interred in the Imperial Crypt next to the Duke of Reichstadt, formerly known as Emperor Napoleon II.

Now hidden from public view, Charlotte appeared to be all but forgotten by her husband’s family. In 1880, Empress Elisabeth was received by the Belgian royal family in Brussels. She came to see the girl her son Rudolf had chosen as his new bride – Princess Stéphanie of Belgium. Elisabeth requested that she and Queen Marie Henriette visit her long-forgotten sister-in-law. There is no account of what took place during their visit to Charlotte, but Elisabeth never visited her again. Luckily, her Belgian family would often visit her and her niece Princess Clementine was a great favourite of hers. Her moments of lucidity were often far apart, and her family sometimes witnessed her watering the flowers that were stitched into the carpet.

There is just one record of Elisabeth even mentioning Charlotte again. In 1891, she was at Miramare castle, and she was showing a newly employed teacher around the pavilion. She told him, “Thirty years of madness – a terror-haunted abyss, and yet I am told she is getting stout.”6

Charlotte would outlive not only her sister-in-law but also the Austrian Empire. There does not appear to be a record of how Charlotte responded to her sister-in-law’s assassination or if she was even informed of it. By the end of 1925, she was barely eating. Speaking to herself, she said, “Yes, sir, we are old, we are stupid, we are insane.”7 The following year, she was confined to her bed after she suffered paralysis of the legs. She was eventually able to take small steps again but never fully recovered from this. She declared, “It is all finished and will come to nothing.”8

On 19 January 1927, at 7 o’clock in the morning, Charlotte passed away at the age of 86. Sixty years earlier, as she had left Miramare, she had wistfully stared out to sea and declared, “I’ll be waiting for him for sixty years.”9 Charlotte’s prophecy had come true.

Photo by Moniek Bloks

Charlotte was buried in the royal family crypt at Laeken.

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Royal Wedding Recollections – Princess Margrethe of Denmark & Henri de Laborde de Monpezat

On 10 June 1967, the heiress presumptive to the Danish throne Princess Margrethe married the French diplomat Henri de Laborde de Monpezat at the Holmen Church in Copenhagen. Today would have been their Emerald wedding anniversary, but tragically Prince Henrik, as he was then known, passed away in 2018. So today, we take a look at their wedding.

The couple had met during an official dinner at the French Embassy and began a relationship not much later. However, their relationship had been kept secret, and so the official engagement announcement on 4 October 1966 came as a surprise to many. Margrethe’s engagement came from Van Cleef and Arpels and featured two square-cut diamonds set at a diagonal. Henri did not move to Copenhagen until shortly before the wedding.

Margrethe’s wedding was designed by Jørgen Bender, and it was a silk long-sleeve gown with a long silk train. The lace on the bodice was heirloom lace that had once belonged to Margrethe’s grandmother, Princess Margaret of Connaught. She wore a daisy brooch on the front of the dress, which belonged to her mother, Queen Ingrid (born of Sweden). Margrethe was gifted the brooch from her mother for her 60th birthday in 2000. She also wore the Khedive of Egypt tiara.

Photo by Moniek Bloks

The wedding ceremony lasted just 20 minutes, and the French-born Henri said his vows in Danish. After the ceremony, the newlyweds appeared on the balcony of Amalienborg Palace before heading to the first of two receptions. Upon marriage, Henri became His Royal Highness Prince Henrik of Denmark. He also received the Order of the Elephant, the highest Danish order.

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The wedding was attended by plenty of Danish and foreign royals, but one notable absentee was Margrethe’s sister Queen Anne-Marie of Greece. She had recently been exiled from Greece and was thus an unwanted guest for the Danish government.

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Margrethe and Henrik went on to have two sons together: Crown Prince Frederik (born 1968) and Prince Joachim (born 1969). Margrethe succeeded her father as Queen in 1972, but Henrik was not named as Prince Consort until 2005. He reverted to his former style of Prince Henrik in 2016. They were married for almost 51 years when Prince Henrik died in 2018.

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The Year of Empress Elisabeth – Sisi & her sister-in-law Charlotte of Belgium (Part two)

Read part one here.

In the early 1860s, Emperor Napoléon III wished to turn Mexico into a satellite state and needed a figurehead for the empty throne. He chose Maximilian, who needed a challenge, and he accepted the throne against his brother’s advice. There were many doubts about this, but he believed that he could turn things around once he was actually in Mexico. In rare agreement with her mother-in-law, Elisabeth also disagreed with the plan and blamed Charlotte’s ambition. Archduchess Sophie found a formidable opponent in Charlotte and soon found her almost as tiresome as she found Elisabeth.

In early April 1864, Franz Joseph visited his brother shortly after he had renounced his rights to the Austrian lands, and a lengthy discussion followed. Shortly after, Franz Joseph hugged his brother before boarding his train. It was the last time they would see each other.1 Maximilian’s parent sent a slightly ominous telegram, “Farewell. Our blessing – papa’s and mine – our prayers and tears will accompany you. May God guide you and protect you. A last farewell from your place of birth, where we may never see you again. Once again, we bless you from our deeply saddened hearts.”2 

On 14 April 1862, at two in the afternoon, Charlotte and Maximilian departed Miramare for Mexico. On 28 May 1864, they arrived a few days earlier than expected. There were no crowds to greet the couple.3 After travelling more inland, there were more people to greet them. The entrance into the capital was attended by thousands. It was a unique spectacle.4 The couple threw themselves into their new role and showed themselves to the public as much as they could. It was a pretty good start to their reign.5 

A new empire needed successors, but they had not had any children so far. For the time being, Charlotte herself was appointed Maximilian’s heir, and his younger brothers were also considered. In the end, the first Imperial family of Mexico became involved.  Agustín de Iturbide y Green and his cousin Salvador de Iturbide y de Marzán were to be the heirs. Their aunt Josefa also became part of the new Imperial family.6 

It remained a precarious situation, and French troops soon began to withdraw from Mexico. Maximilian desperately attempted to keep the Mexican Empire going. It was slipping away. Charlotte wrote to her husband that he should not abdicate.7 She offered to travel to Europe to find help for the suffering Empire. On 8 July 1866, Charlotte left Mexico City. Maximilian accompanied her until Ayotla. They probably didn’t realise that they would never see each other again. 8 She arrived in Saint Nazaire on 8 August, but Emperor Napoléon tried to get out of meeting her.9 She eventually met with the Imperial couple, but there is little they can do. They were impressed by Charlotte, and emotions were high. “Mexico is an abyss in which France is sliding. I must stop it”, the Emperor said.10 

Around this time, the first signs of paranoia in Charlotte begin to show. The situation was difficult for her, and after several meetings, she was at her breaking point. She travelled to Miramare, where she rested.11 On 18 September 1866, she travelled towards Rome, but after arrival, she received a visitor who told her that there was little that the pope could do. Nevertheless, she spoke with the pope for over an hour the next day. However, the conversation left her even more broken. She became hysterical and hid in her hotel.12 On 30 September, she begged the pope on her knees for help and refused to leave the building. The pope was forced to allow her to spend the night, and she became the first woman to stay the night officially. While there, she wrote her last message to Maximilian, “Dearest darling, I say goodbye to you. God had called me to him. I thank you for the happiness you have given me. May God bless you and bring you eternal salvation. Your always faithful Charlotte.”13 

Charlotte was eventually returned to her hotel, but her mental state was alarming. She was in constant fear of being poisoned, and food had to be prepared in front of her. Her brother Philippe finally managed to persuade her to return to Miramare.14 Once there, her situation improved somewhat.

Meanwhile, Maximilian was embroiled in a siege that lasted 71 days. The city of Santiago de Querétaro fell on 15 May 1867, and Maximilian was captured the next day. Following a court-martial, Maximilian was sentenced to death alongside his two generals. Maximilian wrote to his mother, “Sweet, darling mother, Steadfast in my faith and loyal to my honour, I go towards an undeserved death with a clear conscience. My last thoughts in this world I reserve for my dear, poor Charlotte and for you, beloved mother, to whom I owe so much good.”15

Part three coming soon.

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The Year of Empress Elisabeth – Her coronation as Queen of Hungary

With the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary was created. Count Gyula Andrássy, who shared Empress Elisabeth’s devotion to Hungary, became its first  Prime Minister and a coronation for the King and Queen of Hungary was arranged for 8 June 1867.

During a prior visit to Hungary, Elisabeth had been a huge success. She had worn her own interpretation of the Hungarian costume with a white silk dress with a black bodice trimmed with lacings of diamonds and pearls. She also wore a white lace apron, a Hungarian bonnet and a diamond crown. She spoke in Hungarian to express her gratitude for Hungary’s good wishes. This was also the first time she had a conversation with Count Gyula Andrássy. Franz Joseph praised his wife in a letter to his mother in Vienna, “Sisi is of great help to me with her courtesy, her exquisite tact, and her good Hungarian, in which the people are less reluctant to hear some rebuke from lovely lips.”1

Her address to the Hungarian national diet was also an overwhelming success. She spoke the words, “May the almighty attend your activities with His richest blessing”, as her eyes filled with tears. A spectator later wrote that it was “so moving that the deputies could not utter the Elje, and tears streamed down the cheeks of the old and the young.2

Elisabeth returned to Hungary with the children shortly after the Battle of Königgrätz, much to her mother-in-law’s dismay as she believed the children were safer at home. But Elisabeth had the best relationship with Hungary of anyone in the family, and they were received enthusiastically.

Elisabeth now fell under the influence of Count Gyula Andrássy. She wrote long letters to her husband with his demands and ended with, “I have nothing to fall back on but to reassure myself with the knowledge that, whatever happens, I will one day be able honestly to tell Rudolf, ‘I did all in my power. Your misfortune does not weigh on my conscience.’”3 Franz Joseph eventually agreed to the demands, leading to the Austro-Hungarian Compromise.

Preparations began weeks before the coronation, and hundreds of boxes and chests were shipped from Vienna to Budapest via Danube steamers. The day itself started at 4 in the morning with a 21-gun salute from the Citadel of St. Gerhardsberg as people began lining the streets, hoping for a glimpse of the imperial couple. Then, at 7 in the morning, the procession set out from Budapest Castle. Count Gyula Andrássy was preceded by 11 standard-bearers, and he wore the large cross of the Order of St. Stephen while carrying the holy crown of Hungary. He was followed by gonfaloniers bearing the state insignia on red velvet pillows. Behind him came the King – Franz Joseph.

(public domain)

However, Elisabeth was the star of the show, and her appearance has been described in great detail. “On her head the diamond crown, the glittering symbol of sovereignty, but the expression of humility in her bowed bearing and traces of the deepest emotion in her noble features – thus she walked – or rather floated – along, as if one of the paintings that adorn the sacred chambers had stepped out of its frame and come to life. The appearance of the Queen at the holy site produces a deep and lasting impression.”4

During the service, Franz Joseph was anointed King by the Primate of Hungary while Count Gyula Andrássy – representing the palatine – placed the crown on Franz Joseph’s head. Elisabeth was anointed too, but the crown was not placed on her head. Instead, per custom, it was held over her right shoulder by Count Gyula Andrássy.

The ceremonial procession at the end of the coronation ceremonies saw Franz Joseph ride a white steed. The procession stopped before a platform, where Franz Joseph spoke the oath. “We shall uphold intact the rights, the constitution, the lawful independence and territorial integrity of Hungary and her attendant lands.”5 He then rode Coronation Hill before closing the day with a lavish banquet. However, he and Elisabeth did not eat and only had a little wine.

As a coronation gift, Franz Joseph and Elisabeth were gifted the Royal Palace of Gödöllő to use as their private residence. Elisabeth had been eager for this gift as she had requested it from her husband earlier. However, he had then been short of money and could not get it for her. Subsequently, she would spend much time there in the years to come. In return, Elisabeth gave the Hungarian nation the gift of another child – Marie Valerie.

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The Year of Empress Elisabeth – Sisi & her sister-in-law Charlotte of Belgium (Part one)

Charlotte of Belgium was born on 7 June 1840 as the daughter of Leopold I of Belgium and Louise of Orléans. Though her childhood was considered to be happy, she had little contact with her parents. Charlotte was separated from her brothers and was given an entirely different education. She grew up fast, and Charlotte was just ten years old when her mother died.1

She first met Archduke Maximilian of Austria at the end of May 1856 when he visited Brussels. She was still only 15 years old. He was not the most handsome, but she fell for his charm and character. They had equally religious backgrounds. 2 He wrote to his younger brother, “She is small of stature, I am tall like it’s supposed to be. She has brown hair, I am blonde, which is good. She is very smart, which worries me a little, but I am sure I will get over it.”3 In October 1856, an official request for Charlotte’s hand came from Triest.4 In December, Maximilian was back in Brussels to get to know his bride.5 As one of his Christmas presents, he presented her with an oil painting of Empress Elisabeth.6 On 27 July 1857, Maximilian and Charlotte married in a religious ceremony in the Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula in Brussels.

Her new mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie, was delighted with her new daughter-in-law and wrote, “Charlotte is charming, beautiful, attractive, loving, and gentle to me. I feel as if I had always loved her… I thank God with all my heart for the charming wife He has given Max, and for the additional child He has given us.”7 With Sophie’s praise, it is perhaps no surprise that Charlotte and her sister-in-law Elisabeth did not get along well. In addition, Charlotte was the daughter of a King and immensely rich. Elisabeth probably felt scolded by her mother-in-law with every little bit of praise that was showered upon Charlotte. The arrival of Charlotte also unhappily coincided with the aftermath of the death of Elisabeth and Franz Joseph’s eldest daughter Sophie. The court was in deep mourning, but Franz Joseph had ordered a brief respite to have a reception for the newlyweds as they were expected to leave for Italy the following day anyway.

Elisabeth resented having to come out of her mourning to receive her new sister-in-law, in whom she already had no interest.8 Elisabeth appeared at the reception dressed in white and made no attempt to make Charlotte feel at ease – they barely spoke. Nevertheless, Charlotte wrote lovingly that she already felt at home with her new family.9 The following day, they travelled on to Triest, where Maximilian’s Miramare Castle was still being built.10 They lived in Villa Lazarovich before moving into Miramare at the end of 1860.11

Maximilian had been created Viceroy of Lombardy-Venetia, but the situation in Italy was complicated and fueled by hate of everything Austrian. The couple went to Milan in 1857 for Maximilian’s duties. Maximilian’s policies were pretty liberal for the time, and the public began to love the young couple. However, he never managed to get the Italian nobility on his side and his brother thoroughly disapproved of his policies.12 The situation became unmanageable when an Italian nationalist attempted to kill the French Imperial couple. Several people were killed, but Emperor Napoléon III and Empress Eugénie were unharmed.13  Eventually, he felt forced to send Charlotte from Milan after she was booed by the public several times. On 20 April 1859, Maximilian was relieved of his duties as viceroy. In the following war, Austria lost Lombardy but managed to keep Venice.14  The only role left for Maximilian was that of vice-admiral of the fleet, though he never actually commanded the fleet.

The couple began to retreat from the public after Milan. Maximilian’s spent his time building Miramare while Charlotte spent her time painting and playing the piano.15 Despite their added time together, the couple never had any children. Having children was surely a wish that both of them shared, if only for dynastic reasons.16 To escape the pressures, Maximilian and Charlotte travelled a lot.17 They were meant to travel to Brasil in 1859, but in Madeira, it was decided that Charlotte would remain behind. This caused rumours about the relationship. Undoubtedly, the trip caused all kinds of memories for Maximilian because he had lost his first love in Madeira.18

Over time, the relationship between Elisabeth and Charlotte did not approve. Elisabeth wrote that Charlotte was a “pretentious little Coburg, who was always showing off her knowledge and was so boringly possessive with Max.”19 Charlotte resented the attitude of a woman who came from a family she considered to be below her. In 1861, Charlotte and Maximilian came to greet Elisabeth at Miramare as she returned home from Madeira. Elisabeth immediately shut herself in her rooms after the formalities were over, completely ignoring Charlotte. And to add insult to injury, one of Elisabeth’s dogs killed Charlotte’s little lapdog, which had been a gift from Queen Victoria. Charlotte’s grief over her little dog did not impress Elisabeth, who merely stated her dislike for small dogs. Shortly after Elisabeth’s return to Vienna, she fell ill (again), and Maximilian was requested to accompany Elisabeth to Corfu to help her settle in. Charlotte was not only being completely ignored; now her husband was being used as some kind of servant. When Elisabeth’s terrible illness then turned out to be related to her nerves, Maximilian scathingly wrote home that Elisabeth’s recovery was “little short of miraculous.”20

Part two coming soon.

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