Moniek Bloks's Blog, page 127

Review: Beatrix in Images exhibition

Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands reigned as Queen of the Netherlands between 1980 and 2013 and reverted to using the title of Princess after abdicating in her eldest son’s favour. The Stedelijk Museum in Vianen has taken the occasion of their 50th anniversary to host an exhibition of portraits of the former Queen.

Most of these are official portraits but there are also a few non-official ones. The museum is quite small but nonetheless proud, rightly so, of its items on display. The portraits are simply gorgeous and show the former Queen in all her glory. I think my favourite one was the one in her bridal outfit but the Andy Warhol portrait is simply iconic. However, except for the portrait, the place was pretty empty. Perhaps something more could have been done to fill the space?

I was surprised to actually see some items relating to the exhibition in their shop as it seems museums often forget about this. So kudos for that. Overall, I enjoyed the exhibition and I would recommend it if you’re in the area.

The exhibition in the Stedelijk Museum will run until 31 January 2022. You can find more information here.

Click to view slideshow.

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Royal Wedding Recollections – Princess Margriet of the Netherlands & Pieter van Vollenhoven

On 10 March 1965, the engagement between Princess Margriet, third daughter of then Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard, and Pieter van Vollenhoven was announced. They had met in 1963 while they were studying law. Pieter graduated in 1965, while Princess Margriet did not leave with a diploma. As the engagement was announced, Pieter was actually recovering from a triple leg fracture after a skiing accident.

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Although Queen Juliana told the press of her “joy” at the engagement of her third daughter, others were more apprehensive. Pieter would be the first commoner to marry into the Dutch royal family. Dutch newspaper Het Parool wrote about it being “not traditional” and, although they don’t seem judgemental, they appeared to link the welcoming of commoner Pieter to the lack of suitable protestant princely candidates.1 Another newspaper commented that he was “just a young man, of which there are so many.”2 Nevertheless, the general public seemed to welcome the breath of fresh air.

Pieter and Princess Margriet would have to wait nearly two years before being able to get married. Her elder sister Princess Beatrix, the future Queen, would marry precisely one year after Margriet and Pieter’s engagement announcement on 10 March 1966 to Claus von Amsberg. But while Claus may have been from the untitled nobility, he too was not a Prince. However, as the future consort of the Queen, he was created His Royal Highness Prince Claus of the Netherlands on his wedding day. And so began a discussion as what to call Pieter, should he be made a Prince as well? There is some debate whether or not Pieter asked for a title, but he did not receive one in the end.

In early 1967, it was decided that any of their children would be titled as Prince(ss) of Orange-Nassau with the style of Highness with the additional last name of “van Vollenhoven.”3

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On 10 January 1967, Princess Margriet walked down the aisle of the St. Jacobschurch in The Hague in a gown of white cloqué with a pattern of daisies and long sleeves. Her train was 5 metres long and was also embroidered with daisies. Keeping with the daisy theme – her tiara also featured daisies of diamond with a heart of pearl.

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Among the foreign royal guests were Queen Elizabeth II and her daughter Princess Anne, Princess Kira and Prince Friedrich of Prussia, Prince Moritz of Hesse (later Landgrave), Prince Charles of Luxembourg, Princess Christina of Sweden and the future Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and her fiance. Princess Margriet later described the day as “unforgettable.”

© RVD – Anko Stoffels

Margriet and Pieter went on to have four sons and 11 grandchildren.

 

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The Duchess of Cambridge at 40: A future Queen

Catherine Elizabeth Middleton was born on 9 January 1982 as the daughter of Michael and Carole Middleton in Reading at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Her younger sister Pippa was born in 1983, and her younger brother James was born in 1987.

Catherine was baptized at the parish church of St. Andrew’s Bradfield on 20 June 1982. Between 1984 and 1986, the family lived in Amman, Jordan, where her father worked, and Catherine attended a local nursery school there. After returning to the United Kingdom, the family moved to Bradfield Southend. The year following their return, Catherine’s parents founded the company Party Pieces, which is now worth millions. In 1995, the family moved to a manor house in Bucklebury. Catherine attended the St. Andrew’s School in Pangbourne until 1995 when she went to Marlborough College in Wiltshire, where she studied chemistry, biology and art at A-level. She also played several sports while she was there.

She left Marlborough College in July 2000 and took a gap year, during which she studied in Florence and undertook a Raleigh International programme in Chile. After her gap year, she enrolled at the University of St. Andrews in Fife, where she met her future husband, Prince William. During their second year at the university, she and William shared a flat with two other friends and reportedly began dating in 2003. She graduated in 2005 with a 2:1 in History of Art. Prince William graduated that same year with a 2:1 in Geography.

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After graduation, Catherine began to work part-time for a clothing chain called Jig Saw and also worked for her family business with marketing and photography. During this time, Catherine was often hounded by the paparazzi, and she was photographed daily as she went about her life. This forced her to complain to the police on several occasions.1 She was also taunted with a cruel nickname. She and Prince William briefly broke up in 2007, but by June 2010, they were living together in Wales, where Prince William undertook his RAF search-and-rescue training.

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Prince William proposed to Catherine in October 2010 during a 10-day trip to Kenya, and the engagement was subsequently announced by Clarence House on 16 November 2010. He gave her the engagement ring that had belonged to his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

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Catherine and Prince William were married on 29 April 2011 in Westminster Abbey. Prince William was created Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, and Baron Carrickfergus upon marriage2, so that Catherine would become known as Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.3 Although she is not entitled to be called “Princess Catherine”, she does have the status of a Princess as was confirmed by the palace upon the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of York (the future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth). “In accordance with the settled general rule that a wife takes the status of her husband Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon on her marriage has become Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York with the status of a Princess.“4

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Catherine wore a satin and lace wedding dress by Sarah Burton by Alexander McQueen. She wore the Cartier Halo tiara loaned to her by The Queen. Her wedding bouquet included myrtle, Lily of the Valley, Sweet William and hyacinth. Her diamond earrings were a gift from her parents. Prince William wore the uniform of the Irish Guards mounted officer. They received a country home called Anmer Hall as a wedding gift from the Queen. Catherine was soon pregnant with her first child. The announcement came on 3 December 2012 after she was admitted to King Edward VII’s Hospital with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness. This returned with her subsequent pregnancies and led to her having to cancel official engagements. Her first child, Prince George, was born on 22 July 2013, followed by Princess Charlotte on 2 May 2015 and Prince Louis on 23 April 2018.

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Since becoming a royal, Catherine has devoted her time to many charitable causes. Her charity work focuses mainly on issues surrounding young children, mental health, sport, addiction, and art. She also undertakes official visits, locally and abroad, on behalf of the Queen. As the wife of the second in line to the throne, she will (barring any disasters) become Duchess of Cornwall, Princess of Wales and Queen (consort).

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New portraits released to mark The Duchess of Cambridge’s 40th birthday

Kensington Palace has released three new photos of The Duchess of Cambridge ahead of her 40th birthday on Sunday.

Click to view slideshow.

The photos were taken at Kew Gardens in November 2021 by Paolo Roversi, and the images will enter the collection of the National Portrait Gallery. Catherine is Patron of the National Portrait Gallery.

As the National Portrait Gallery is not re-opening until 2023, the photos will feature first in the Coming Home project. This project sends portraits of well-known people to locations to which they are closely associated. For The Duchess of Cambridge, these places are Berkshire, St Andrews and Anglesey, and the exact spots will be announced in due course by the National Portrait Gallery.

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Vijaya Raje Scindia – Queen and politician

This article was written by Shivangi Kaushik.

Vijaya Raje Scindia was born as Lekha Divyeshwari Devi on 12 October 1919 at Sagar (present-day Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India). She was popularly known as the Rajmata of Gwalior, which translates to Queen mother.

She was the eldest child of Thakur Mahendra Singh of Kotla state and his second wife, Chuda Devashwari Devi. Her father was a deputy collector in the provincial administration. Her mother tragically died giving birth to her. She was brought up by her maternal grandfather Khadga Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana, who had been exiled to India and had taken up residence at Sagar. As her mother had died, she never lived with her father. Her grandmother, who was a deeply religious woman, left a lasting impact on young Lekha’s personality.

As her family was exiled, even though she had a royal lineage, her upbringing was quite normal. Her education also was apt for modern high middle-class families rather than aristocratic. She studied both at Vasanta college in Banaras and The Isabella Thoburn College in Lucknow. During her college days, she lived in the dormitories as any other average student. During this time, the Indian freedom struggle was at its peak. Young Lekha was influenced by Gandhi’s call for a boycott of foreign goods, and she gave up the use of foreign goods and fabrics.

The turning point in her life came when at the age of 22, she was married to the Maharaj of Gwalior, Jivajirao Scindia. Gwalior was one of the largest and richest princely states in India. Maharaja Jivajirao Scindia took the important decision of marriage in one day. At their very first meeting at The Taj hotel in Mumbai, he instantly fell in love with Lekha. However, he remained firm on the decision to marry her, even in the face of opposition. He was fascinated by her beauty and intelligence.

There was a lot of opposition from the Scindia family and the Maratha chieftains (a warrior clan in Maharashtra). However, later Lekha won the trust and respect of the Scindia family with her demeanour, dedication and diligence. As per the tradition, a new name was chosen for Lekha, which was based upon the couple’s horoscope. Thus, she received the name Vijaya Raje Scindia. The relationship between her and her husband was considered to be idyllic and harmonious. It was quite contrary to that of her children.

The early death of her husband in 1961, at the age of 45, meant she was left alone to take care of the government of the Gwalior state and her young children, four daughters and a son. True to her character Vijaya Raje proved an exacting and strict parent whose own religious upbringing reflected in that of her children. She expected her children to meet her standards of lifestyle and behaviour. This led to a somewhat cold relationship with her adult children in later life.

Her eldest daughter was Padmavati Raje, who married the Maharaja of Tripura. Her second daughter Usha Raje married Pashupati Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana, a Nepalese politician who belonged to the Rana dynasty of Nepal. They are the parents of Devyani Rana, for whom the Crown Prince of Nepal reportedly had a dispute with his parents, King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya.1 Her third daughter Vasundhara Raje is a politician and a two-term Chief Minister of the state of Rajasthan. Her fourth daughter, Yashodhara Raje, is also a politician and has been a member of the Indian Parliament.

Her only son Madhav Rao Scindia was the titular Maharaja of Gwalior. He was also a politician and a member of the Parliament. He tragically died in an aeroplane crash in 2001, at the age of 56. In her biography, Vijaya Raje regretfully mentions how little sympathy she was able to extend to her two young daughters in their troubled marriages and wondered whether her husband would have handled things differently and in a better way. Her relationship with her only son was reported to be especially troubled. Both of them following different political parties based on contrasting ideologies added to the woes.

In later years they were both involved in a public dispute over property. Their animosity showed when her will, read shortly after her death, stated that her son would not be allowed to perform her funerary obsequies. This is considered to be the ultimate castigation an orthodox Hindu can give out to a son, as it is a son’s duty to light the funeral pyre of his parents. 

Vijaya Raje was initiated into electoral politics in 1957. She won both the central and state elections several times. She won the 1991,1996 and 1998 elections on a Bhartiya Janata party ticket. In 1999 she did not run due to her old age. She was jailed during the Emergency Period imposed by then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, ultimately sharing the cell with fellow Member of Parliament Rajmata Gayatri Devi of Jaipur. One of her most notable achievements as Maharani of Gwalior was the founding of the Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya school in 1956. The school paved the way for an all-rounded Indian education of girls focussing on Indian values, religion and culture.

She once said, “The progress of science along with industrialisation has brought a change in the old pattern of the family tree. Because of economic conditions, Indian women had to come out and also add to family income. I believe in the old saying, “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world”. I wanted a school to strengthen those hands. My dream was to start a school that would serve both of these ends.”

In 1998, she stepped down as the Vice-President of Bhartiya Janata Party and quit electoral politics. She died on 25 January 2001. 

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Queen Victoria’s mausoleum at risk of being lost forever

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s mausoleum is at risk of being lost forever, according to Historic England’s latest heritage at risk register. This register contains nearly 5,000 sites that are most at risk due to neglect, decay or “inappropriate” development.1

The mausoleum is located on the Frogmore estate within the Home Park in Windsor. Prince Albert was first interred there in 1871 after the completion of the mausoleum. He had died in 1861. Queen Victoria joined him there on 5 February 1901.

According to Historic England, the damp problems puts the external and internal historic fabric at risk, including paintings inside. The original drainage for rainwater was poorly designed. It has been undergoing repairs since 2018, which includes replacing the roof and creating a moot. This is expected to be completed in 2023.

However, it will still take several years before the building is dry to accommodate interior work.

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Book Review: The Royal Governess by Wendy Holden

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Marion Crawford, or Crawfie as she called, was the governess of the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. She spent many years with the Princesses, and she did not retire until Princess Elizabeth married in 1947. She was granted a grace and favour residence on the grounds of Kensington Palace, but she left there in 1950 after the publication of The Little Princesses, which she wrote about the Princesses. After she wrote the book, she was ostracized by the royal family, and they never spoke to her again. She retired to Aberdeen, where she bought a house close to Balmoral, and the royal family often drive by on their way to Balmoral, though they never visited her. She became depressed in her final years and died in 1988.

The Royal Governess by Wendy Holden is a fictional account of Marion’s life and shows us how Marion came to work for the then Duke and Duchess of York, despite wanting to work in the slums. I have not read The Little Princesses, so I don’t know how close to the facts (or at least what Marion believed to be the facts) this book is. I found The Royal Governess interesting at first, but it soon became a bit long-winded. Marion’s apparent disdain for her new employers did not sit well with me, as did the constant hammering of her wanting to work in the slums and/or teaching Princess Elizabeth about real life. Marion herself comes across as quite naive, especially when dealing with romance and men.

Overall, The Royal Governess is enjoyable, but I would say that it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

The Royal Governess by Wendy Holden is available now in the UK and the US.

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Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun – The fall of the Western Han Dynasty

Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun has been known in history for causing the fall of the Western Han dynasty. However, unlike many last empresses of a Chinese dynasty, Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun has been portrayed sympathetically by historians. She was known as a long-suffering empress who tried her best to manage a declining dynasty. Her greatest fault was doting on her relatives. Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun has also been seen as a heroine who would defy her nephew’s usurpation of the throne.

Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun was born around 71 B.C.E in Dongpinlin (east of modern-day Jinan in Shandong Province).[1] She was from an aristocratic family that claimed descent from the state of Qi’s rulers from the Warring States era.[2] Her grandfather was one of Emperor Wu’s imperial envoys. Her father, Wang Jin, was a judge in Wei Prefecture (modern-day Darning District in Hebei Province).[3] Her mother’s name is unknown, but her family surname was Li.[4] Early in her childhood, Wang Jin would desert her mother and marry other women.[5] When Wang Zhengjun became Empress Dowager, she sent an imperial order forcing her father to go back to her mother.[6] Wang Jin had a total of 12 children.[7] Four of them were daughters, and eight of them were sons.[8] Wang Zhengjun’s full-blooded siblings were two brothers.[9]

Wang Zhengjun was well-educated, and she was well-versed in music and history.[10] In 57 B.C.E., she was sent to the palace to enter Crown Prince Liu Shi’s harem. In 51 B.C.E, Consort Wang Zhengjun gave birth to Liu Shi’s first son, who would later be the future Emperor Cheng. Emperor Xuan was so joyous at the birth of his grandson that he gave him the name of Liu Ao. Ao meant “galloping steeds,” and it reflected his grandfather’s hopes for his grandson to further the expansion of the Han empire.[11] Emperor Xuan also made Wang Zhengjun Liu Shi’s chief wife, and she became Princess Consort.[12] After Princess Wang Zhengjun gave birth to an heir, her husband lost interest in her, and she never bore him another child.[13]

Liu Ao was Emperor Xuan’s favourite grandson. He made it clear that Liu Ao was to succeed his father and gave him the title of “Grandson Successor.”[14] In 49 B.C.E., Emperor Xuan died. Liu Shi became Emperor Yuan. Wang Zhengjun became Empress Xiaoyuan.[15] Liu Ao was made Crown Prince. Emperor Yuan was so disgusted with Liu Ao’s indulgence of pleasure and drinking that he wanted to make Prince Gong (his favourite son by his beloved concubine, Lady Fu) Crown Prince instead.[16] Yet, he was met with dissent by both his officials and his empress, who reminded him of Emperor Xuan’s love for his grandson so that he would not make any changes. Wang Zhengjun soon began promoting her family members.[17]

In 33 B.C.E, Emperor Yuan died. Liu Ao became Emperor Cheng. Wang Zhengjun was made Empress Dowager. As Empress Dowager, Wang Zhengjun became directly involved in politics and began to make decisions on state affairs.[18] She gave her five surviving brothers vast territories within the Han empire. They became known as “The Five Vassals.” [19] Thus, Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun and her brothers were the true rulers of the empire, while the emperor remained a figurehead.[20] They made all the decisions regarding the empire. The Wang brothers were very powerful but disliked for their corruption. They were known for having a lavish lifestyle, bribery, and constantly demanding money and grain from peasants.[21]

One of these Wangs was Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun’s nephew, Wang Mang. He was very ambitious. His lust for power would eventually lead him to usurp the throne in 9 C.E. Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun promoted him and let him make decisions in both military and civil affairs.[22]

In 7 B.C.E, Emperor Cheng died. Since he was childless, his nephew, Liu Xin, became Emperor Ai. Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun and her family continued to maintain power.[23] In 1. B.C.E., Emperor Ai died, and he too had no children. Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun still wished to continue ruling and had no desire to retire.[24] She made her wishes known to Wang Mang. He installed another of Emperor Cheng’s nephews. This new emperor was a frail nine-year-old.[25] He became known as Emperor Ping. Wang Zhengjun became Grand Empress Dowager and was made regent.[26] As Regent, Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun faced many problems within the Han empire. She found that instead of a glorious Han, her country was on the brink of an economic collapse.[27] The state revenues had declined.[28] The peasants were taxed while the landowners were not.[29] There was a high population in the country, and the empire was still suffering from the aftermath of slave revolts that took place two decades before she became regent.[30]

While Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun was dealing with these difficulties, Wang Mang desired the throne for himself. He began to build supporters and get rid of his rivals.[31] Wang Mang made his son Prime Minister.[32] He made his daughter empress by marrying her to Emperor Ping.[33] In 5 C.E., Emperor Ping died at the age of fourteen. Wang Mang then appointed Liu Ying, the great-great-grandson of Emperor Xuan, and made himself regent instead of Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun.[34]  

In January 9 C.E., Wang Mang shocked everyone when he usurped the throne and made himself emperor. He asked Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun to give him the imperial seal and ribbon, which symbolized the emperor’s authority.[35] Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun was so angry with her nephew that she threw the seal and ribbon to the ground and shouted curses at him.[36] 

As Emperor, Wang Mang changed the dynasty’s name from Han to Xin (which means “New”).[37] He gave Wang Zhengjun the title of Grand Empress Dowager Mother Wen.[38] He also destroyed Emperor Yuan’s temple.[39] The destruction of her husband’s temple so greatly distressed Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun that she resisted all attempts of Emperor Wang Mang’s efforts to please her.[40] She no longer dined with him and ate only with her personal attendants. She never obeyed any of his edicts.[41] When Emperor Wang Mang ordered his court to wear yellow instead of black to honour a new calendar, Grand Dowager Empress Wang Zhengjun ordered her supporters to continue to wear black and use the Han calendar.[42] 

In 13 C.E., Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun died at the age of 84. She had ruled for nearly fifty years.[43] Yet, her greatest mistake was giving her nephew too much power that would end the Western Han dynasty.[44] Still, Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun remains a hero in Chinese history because she refused to give her nephew the imperial seal and ribbon.[45] A popular television show called The Queens was based upon her life. The actress who played her was Yuan Li. Through popular media, Grand Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun’s valiant efforts will never be forgotten.

Sources:

Fanzhong, F. & Peterson, B. (2015). Notable Women of China: Shang Dynasty to the Early Twentieth Century (B. B. Peterson, Ed.; C. Gengduo, Trans.). London: Routledge.

Lidong, S. (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.

Milburn, O.(2021). The Empress in the Pepper Chamber: Zhao Feiyan in History and Fiction. Seattle: University of Washington Press.

[1] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 78

[2] Milburn, p. 59

[3] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 78

[4] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 78

[5] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 78

[6] McMahon, p. 85

[7]McMahon, p. 85

[8] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 78

[9] McMahon, p. 85

[10] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 78

[11] Fanzhong & Peterson p. 78

[12] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 78

[13] Lidong, p. 213

[14] Lidong, p. 213

[15] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 78

[16] McMahon, p. 86

[17] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 78

[18] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 78

[19] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 79

[20] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 79

[21] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 79

[22] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 79

[23] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 80

[24] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 80

[25] Lidong, p. 214

[26] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 80

[27] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 80

[28] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 80

[29] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 80

[30] Fanzhong & Peterson pp. 80-81

[31] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 81

[32] Fanzhong & Peterson, 81

[33] McMahon, p. 87

[34] Lidong, p. 214

[35] Lidong, p. 214

[36] Lidong, p. 214

[37] Lidong, p. 214

[38] Lidong, p. 214

[39] Lidong, p. 214

[40] Lidong, p. 214

[41] Lidong, p. 214

[42] Lidong, p. 214

[43] Fanzhong & Peterson, p. 81

[44] Lidong, 214

[45] McMahon, p. 85

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The Duchess of Cornwall receives special honour from The Queen

The Duchess of Cornwall has received a special honour from her mother-in-law, The Queen. She has been made a Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

The appointment of Royal Knights and Ladies is entirely in the gift of The Queen, which means that the decision was made without Prime Ministerial advice. Her appointment takes effect today – 1 January 2022.

The Most Noble Order of the Garter was founded in 1348 by King Edward III and is the highest order of chivalry and the third most prestigious honour. Soon after its founding, women were appointed “Ladies of the Garter”, but they were not made companions. The first woman was King Edward III’s wife Philippa of Hainault, who was made a Lady of the Garter in 1358.

The most recent royal female additions are:

Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII (1901)Queen Mary, wife of King George V (1910)Queen Elizabeth, wife of King George VI and later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (1936)Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (1944)Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II (1947) (Sovereign of the Order)Queen Juliana of the Netherlands (1958)Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (1979)Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (1989)Anne, Princess Royal (1994)Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy (2003)

Only female monarchs were companions of the Garter. It wasn’t until 1987 that a statute made it possible for a woman to be installed as a companion.

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Maria Josepha of Bavaria – The neglected Empress (Part two)

Read part one here. 

Joseph wrote, “My wife has become insupportable to me… They want me to have children. How can I have them? If I could put the tip of my finger on the tiniest part of her body that is not covered with boils, I would try to have children.”1 He was so cruel to Maria Josepha that her sister-in-law remarked, “I believe that if I were his wife and so mistreated, I would escape and hang myself on a tree at Schönbrunn.”2 Joseph spoke badly of his wife in public and even partitioned off their joined balcony. Maria Theresa wrote, “The fact is that my son is to be pitied. She is neither pretty nor agreeable. I want to believe that she is good. But, if it goes on (if she turns out to be pregnant), we could not thank God enough that at least she brings us an heir – provided that it is a prince.”3

Maria Josepha only found kindness with her father-in-law Francis, but tragically he died 18 August 1765. This led to Joseph succeeding him as Holy Roman Emperor, and the unloved Maria Josepha became Holy Roman Empress. After his death, Maria Josepha wrote, “He never made any difference between me and his own children. And I loved him and honoured him as if he had indeed been my father. His memory is graven [sic] on my heart, and my gratitude towards him will cease only with my life.”4

Joseph continued to avoid his wife, and when his younger brother Leopold married Maria Luisa of Spain, she was not even invited along to the wedding. Despite their obvious alienation, rumours soon circulated that she was pregnant. In October, Joseph wrote, “As for my Empress, there is no change. She has no illness but considerable disturbance. She may be pregnant, though without the slightest swelling. I just don’t understand it, and console myself with the happy life I lead as a bachelor husband.” He later wrote, “I live almost as a bachelor, getting up at 6 o’clock in the morning, going to bed about 11, seeing my wife only at the table and touching her only in bed.”5 It looks like they managed to consummate the marriage after all. The English ambassador later wrote that the Emperor had spoken of his “bed of thorns.”6

In July 1766, Joseph wrote to his mother, “I venture to enclose a letter for my wife; I would prefer and would be less embarrassed to write to the Great Mogul, for she is not satisfied with respectful sentiments and she has already criticised me for them. Ask yourself, dear mother, what can I write to her and where the devil would you expect me to go and dredge up another feeling? Forgive the expression, which is simply the truth! This letter merely acknowledges hers, assures her I am well, am having a good trip, wishes her the same and assures her that I have the honour to be at the foot of the page her humble husband.”7 Maria Josepha had no one to talk to and apparently poured her heart out to the servants.

In May 1767, Maria Josepha became seriously ill, and Maria Theresa sat with her until the physician came to bleed her. When her sleeve was pulled up, everyone noticed the distinctive marks of smallpox. Maria Josepha was horrified, as was her mother-in-law, but Maria Theresa stayed throughout the bloodletting and even kissed her goodbye when it was over. Unfortunately, Maria Theresa too became infected with the illness, but while she survived, Maria Josepha did not.

Maria Josepha died on 28 May 1767 at the age of 28. Joseph did not see her while she was sick; he was not there when she died and he did not attend her funeral. Maria Theresa’s Lord Great Chamberlain wrote of Maria Josepha after her death, “It is certain that, if ever the emperor could have become accustomed to her appearance and her certainly none too refined manners, and had not required of her an understanding as brilliant as his first wife had, she would have been worthy of his love in return for her own almost excessive tenderness for him and her entirely blind acceptance of his wishes; as he himself half acknowledges, since in the first reaction to receiving the news of her death he let fall to some of his intimates some remarks which imply some regrets for the coldness he has shown her.”8 Joseph later said that his wife had been “for so many reasons worthy of respect.”9

William, Marquis of Kildare, wrote to his mother Emily, Duchess of Leinster, “The loss of the young Empress does not seem to affect any of them here, and, by what I hear, her death is full as little regretted at Vienna, though they all say she was good-natured but terribly ugly.”10

For Maria Josepha, these sentiments came too late. She now rests in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna in the shadow of the shared tomb of her parents-in-law.11 Joseph never remarried and was eventually succeeded by his younger brother Leopold.

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