Moniek Bloks's Blog, page 213

From Tyranny to Freedom – Memoirs of My Life by Countess Viktoria-Luise of Solms-Baruth Book Review

Countess Viktoria-Luise of Solms-Baruth was born on 13 March 1921 as the daughter of Count Hans of Solms-Baruth and Princess Karoline Mathilde of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg. On 25 January 1942, she married her first cousin Friedrich Josias, Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and they had one son together. Their son is now the Head of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. They divorced in 1946 and Viktoria-Luise went on to marry Richard Whitten who was stationed in Germany. They had a daughter named Victoria together and relocated to the United States. She died in 2003.

From Tyranny to Freedom – Memoirs of My Life is the life story of Viktoria-Luise in her own words. From the pages, a magnificent lady emerges with a great sense of humour and practical sense. She certainly had a flair for writing and she transports everyone with her back in time. And a difficult time it was, especially during those war years when her marriage also fell apart. She found happiness in her second marriage though and one can only be inspired by her courage.

Unfortunately, she was unable to finish her memoirs and it ends rather abruptly, only to be finished by someone else in the epilogue. It just isn’t the same.

From Tyranny to Freedom – Memoirs of My Life by Countess Viktoria-Luise of Solms-Baruth is available now in the UK and the US.

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Princess Victoria in her journal – 2 August 1832

Princess Victoria in her journal – 2 August 1832

One of the earliest entries

We have just changed horses at Birmingham where I was two years ago and we visited the manufactories which are very curious. It rains very hard. We just passed through a town where all coal mines are and you see the fire glimmer at a distance in the engines in many places. The men, women, children, country and houses are all black. But I can not by any description give an idea of its strange and extraordinary appearance. The country is very desolate everywhere; there are coals about, and the grass is quite blasted and black. I just now see an extraordinary building flaming with fire. The country continues black, engines flaming, coals, in abundance, everywhere, smoking and burning coal heaps, intermingled with wretched huts and carts and little ragged children.1

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Princesses of Orange – Anna Pavlovna of Russia

Anna Pavlovna was born on 18 January 1795 as the daughter of Paul I of Russia and Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg, who was known as Maria Feodorovna after marriage. She was their eighth child. Anna was just six years old when her father was assassinated, and he was succeeded by her 23-year-old brother Alexander I. Anna was close with her younger brothers Nicolas and Michael, and they even had rings to represent this intimate bond. Anna spoke Russian, German and French fluently and she was also taught mathematics and physics. In her free time, she liked to paint and embroider.

She was considered to be a great catch, and several candidates for her hand were turned down, including Napoleon, the Duke of Berry, the future Ferdinand I of Austria and the Duke of Clarence. In 1815, her brother settled on the Prince of Orange, the future King of the Netherlands. William travelled to St. Petersburg to meet Anna. Though Anna considered herself to be above him in birth, the meeting went well. She agreed to marry him, and her dowry was settled at 1 million rubles. Anna could remain Russian Orthodox as long as any children they would have were raised as Protestants. They were married on 21 February 1816, and they arrived in the Netherlands in August of that same year. Anna was now Her Imperial and Royal Highness The Princess of Orange. They lived in The Hague and Brussels. However, William was popular in Brussels, and Anne enjoyed the Brussels court life more than that of The Hague.

King William II with his family. From left to right: William III (1817–1890), Alexander (1818–1848), William II (1792–1849), Anna Pavlovna (1795–1865), Sophie (1824–1897) and Henry (1820–1879).

Between 1817 and 1824 Anna gave birth to five children. Her oldest son, yet another William, was born in Brussels on 19 February 1817, followed by Alexander on 2 August 1818, Henry on 13 June 1820, Ernst Casimir on 21 May 1822 and Sophie on 8 April 1824. Only Ernst Casimir did not survive to adulthood. Her favourite son Alexander died of tuberculosis on Madeira at the age of 29. She was close to Henry and Sophie, but she was often at odds with her eldest son William.

Anna and William’s marriage was rocky. William had relationships outside of the marriage with both men and women, and when several pieces of jewellery were stolen in 1829, she suspected him of taking them to settle his debts. He was blackmailed several times for his homosexual relationships. They lived apart until 1843, but she remained loyal to him during the years of the Belgian troubles. Anna finally became Queen consort of the Netherlands when her father-in-law abdicated on 7 October 1840 to marry his late wife’s lady-in-waiting. She was known to be a cold and arrogant Queen, but she was still very involved. She even spoke better Dutch than William.

In March 1849, her husband suddenly fell ill while he was in Tilburg. Anna and her son Henry travelled to be with him, and he died in their presence on 17 March 1849. He was interred in the royal crypt Delft, and according to custom, Anna did not attend his funeral. Despite their often troubled relationship, Anna was devastated at her husband’s death, and she completely withdrew from public life. Her relationship with her son the new King continued to be strained. She disliked his wife – the daughter of her sister Catherine – whom she considered sly and his ‘scourge here on earth’, but her son disliked her too finally giving the two something to agree on. Anna died on 1 March 1865. She was interred in the royal crypt in Delft.

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From Queen Victoria to the Empress Frederick – 31 July 1900

From Queen Victoria to the Empress Frederick – Osborne,  31 July 1900

I little thought when I wrote yesterday giving a bad account of beloved Affie1 that the end was so near. It is too terrible and, I fear, must be a great shock to you. We have been kept quite in the dark and he, poor dear, in writing to poor dear Marie2 never mentioned his health even though already some time ago he was very ill. The end was most peaceful. It is hard at 81 to lose a third grown-up child in the prime of life…

Poor Muther was finally very sorry to go, but he was determined to leave. I have got a very nice gentlemanlike and fähige (capable) successor, Herr von Pfiffer whom I like very much. In the midst of my great grief for our beloved Affie I omitted to say how dreadfully shocked and grieved I was at the murder of the dear king King of Italy, always a true and kind friend. It is awful, but he never took any sort of precautions. I always feared this happening. The poor, poor Queen, how I feel for her! God bless you, darling child, protect and guide you.3

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Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester – For the love of the people

Alice Christabel Montagu Douglas Scott was born on 25 December 1901 as the daughter of John Montagu Douglas Scott, 7th Duke of Buccleuch and Lady Margaret Bridgeman. Alice was a descendant of King Charles II, through his illegitimate son James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth. She was to be one of eight siblings, and her elder brother eventually succeeded her father as Duke of Buccleuch.

Much of her childhood was spent travelling between grand estates. From the age of six, she spent her days in the schoolroom and with a governess. A turning point in her life came at the age of 14 when she nearly drowned. She wrote in her memoirs that she prayed, “Oh God, give me life. I promise I’ll make use of it if you give it back to me.” She then felt rocks beneath her feet and managed to get out. She also attended a boarding school – St James’s School for Girls – during the First World War and was still there when peace was declared in 1918. Afterwards, she attended a finishing school in Paris.

The early twenties were a carefree time for Alice. She hunted during the winter months and her future husband, Prince Henry, the third son and fourth child of King George V and Queen Mary, was often among her brother’s friends during these hunting parties. She got her first glimpse of Africa when she accompanied a friend in 1924. She would return there in 1926, but she had a frightening experience with cerebral malaria.  In 1929, she left for Kenya where she would spend a year on her uncle’s farm. She later went to India to visit her brother, George, before returning to England – just as she received word of her father’s ill-health.

Once back home, it became clear that Prince Henry wanted to be more than just an acquaintance. He was terribly shy, but they finally became engaged during a walk. Alice was already 34 years old, and she wrote, “I had had very good innings.” Alice was delighted with the prospect of getting married and doing something useful with her time. King George V was also very happy with the engagement and wrote to her father, “I must send you a line to say how delighted the Queen and I are that my son Henry is engaged to be married to your third daughter Alice.” Shortly after, Alice and her mother were invited to Balmoral. The wedding date was selected, but Alice’s father would not live to see it. He died on 19 October 1935. Though there was some talk of postponing the wedding, it also seemed likely that the King should die soon, so it was decided to let the wedding go ahead on 6 November. It was moved from Westminster Abbey to the private chapel at Buckingham Palace. Alice was only too glad not to have a grand wedding.

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Nevertheless, the crowds came out to see the bride. After the wedding ceremony, there was a wedding breakfast. The only hitch that day was the fact that the cake could not be cut because the icing was too hard. The newlyweds went onto the balcony to greet the crowds and soon headed to St Pancras in an open coach. Alice was now Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Gloucester. They spent a quiet honeymoon at Boughton. Three weeks later, the court was plunged into mourning by the death of the King’s sister Princess Victoria, followed by the death of the King himself in January. Then came the abdication of the new King Edward VIII, throwing Alice’s new life into turmoil. Alice and Henry were invited to dinner with the new King and Wallis Simpson, of which Alice wrote, “This was awkward, as we were as unhappy with the liaison as the rest of the family, but as a brother, Prince Henry felt obliged to go. Mrs Simpson was always charming and friendly and, being American, also a wonderful hostess.”

Now that King George VI had succeeded as King, Prince Henry was promoted to the position of Regent Designate – meaning he would have to act as Regent should something happen to the King before Princess Elizabeth’s 18th birthday – and their royal duties increased. Alice soon accepted her first patronage – an organisation called “Invalid Kitchens”, the forerunner of “Meals on Wheels.” Meanwhile, Alice suffered a second miscarriage – it is unknown when she suffered the first one. The doctor ordered rest and Henry and Alice decided to visit Kenya. On their way back to England, they stopped in Paris to see the abdicated King Edward VIII, now Duke of Windsor, and the Duchess of Windsor. War now began to approach.

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Prince Henry was appointed Chief Liaison Officer and was soon in France. Alice accepted the Presidency of the Hospital Supply Branch of the Red Cross, and in 1940 she was also appointed Air Chief Commandant of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. In May 1941, Alice found out that she was once again pregnant. Queen Mary wrote to her, “I was so thrilled and delighted at your good news this morning that I nearly fell off my dressing table stool with excitement.” Alice gave birth to Prince William on 18 December. Henry was allowed to return home for a few days but was soon back in Scotland with the 20th Armoured Brigade. William’s christening took place on 22 February with the Archbishop of Canterbury performing the ceremony. In 1943, she fell pregnant once more and gave birth to a son named Richard on 26 August 1944.

From 1945 until 1947, the family lived in Canberra after Henry was appointed Governor-General of Australia. The family was plagued by health problems while there, but young William proved to be a star attraction. They travelled all over the country, focussing on the capital cities in the first year. Shortly after returning to England, Henry and Alice went on a State Visit to Malta and arrived home just in time for the wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Prince Philip. The following year, they headed to Ceylon and Denmark.

The King’s death in 1952 came as a shock and was a great blow to Prince Henry. They were again plunged in sadness with the death of Queen Mary the year after. The Duke of Windsor stayed with them for the funeral. The coronation of the new Queen Elizabeth II lifted their spirits somewhat. In 1958 and 1959, Henry and Alice made extensive visits to Africa and continued to travel the world.

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In 1965, Prince Henry suffered a stroke while Alice was in the car with him. He came out relatively unscathed, but Alice had a broken arm and extensive injuries to her face that required 57 stitches. Her face was so bruised that she could not open her eyes. She also had a broken nose and a cracked knee. A trip to Australia had to be postponed, but Alice was well enough to go with just a short postponement. While in Australia, Henry probably had another small stroke. Alice too had overdone herself and suffered from a delayed concussion. By 1968, further strokes had made Prince Henry almost a complete invalid.

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On 8 July 1972, her younger son Richard married Birgitte van Deurs, but just one month later, her elder son William was killed in a plane crash. She wrote in her memoirs, “I was completely stunned and have never been quite the same since, though I have tried to persuade myself that it was better to have known and lost him than never to have had him at all.” Henry would follow his son to the grave just two years later, on 10 June 1974. She wrote, “Prince Henry no longer with me, William no longer around – no more annual holidays in Scotland, no horses to ride – I seemed bereft of so much that had brought happiness into my life.” After her husband’s death, she requested permission from The Queen to use the title and style HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester instead of becoming HRH The Dowager Duchess of Gloucester. This permission was granted.

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The arrival of three grandchildren brought some happiness back. Once the immediate pain of the grief had passed, she took up her royal duties again, and she was warmly received everywhere she went. She even returned to travelling overseas.

In 1994, Alice moved in with her son and daughter-in-law at Kensington Palace and officially retired from royal duties at the age of 98. In December 2001, Alice celebrated her 100th birthday, and it was also her last public appearance. When Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother died in March 2002, Alice became the oldest living member of the British Royal Family.

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Alice died on 29 October 2004 at the age of 102. Her funeral was held on 5 November 2004, and she was interred next to her husband at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore. The Dean of Windsor paid tribute to her “sense of fun and her love of people, particularly the young” during the service.1

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Lost Kingdoms – Kingdom of Majorca

The Kingdom of Majorca was created in 1231 following King James I of Aragon’s conquest in 1229 of the Balearic Islands from the Muslim rulers. He ruled it in conjunction with the Crown of Aragon. The first Queen consort of Majorca was James’s second wife Violant of Hungary whom he married in 1235. His son with his first wife, Eleanor of Castile, predeceased him. James and Violant went on to have ten children together. She probably died circa 1251 and James went on to contract a morganatic marriage. Upon James’s death in 1276, he was succeeded in Aragon by his eldest son who was now King Peter III. In Majorca, he was succeeded by his second son, who was now King James II.

In fact, James not only inherited Majorca, but also Ibiza, Formentera, Roussillon, Cerdanya, Montpellier, and the barony of Aumelàs, and the viscounty of Carladès. He also had a tribute from the fourth Balearic island of Menorca, but this remained under Muslim control throughout his reign. In 1275, he had married Esclaramunda of Foix, and they went on to have six children together. Upon James’s death in 1311, he was succeeded by his second son, now King Sancho I of Majorca. His eldest son had become a Franciscan friar before his father’s death. In 1308, Sancho had married Maria of Naples, but this marriage remained childless. Sancho died in 1324, and he willed Majorca to his nephew, who became King James III of Majorca. Maria remarried but ended up as a prisoner of the Aragonese King. She was released six years later following negotiations by her brother King Robert of Naples. She died in either 1346 or 1347.

The new King James III was just nine years old, and he was under the regency of his uncle Philip of Majorca. To keep the relationship with the Crown of Aragon friendly, James married Constance of Aragon, the daughter of Alfonso IV. Constance and James went on to have two children together. In 1342, James refused to give an oath of fealty to the new King Peter IV of Aragon. He was driven out of Majorca by King Peter, and the Balearic Islands were annexed to the Crown of Aragon. Constance died in 1346 and in 1347, he remarried to Violante of Vilaragut. Their only child died young. King James died on 25 October 1349 during the Battle of Llucmajor while trying to retake his Kingdom. He was succeeded nominally by his only son, who became King James IV of Majorca. The young King was taken prison by King Peter until he managed to escape in 1362. He took refuge with Queen Joanna I of Naples whom he married in 1363. They rarely saw each other and had no children together. He did not manage to retake his Kingdom, and his titles in pretence passed to his sister, now Queen Isabella.

Isabella would be the only Queen in her own right. Isabella had married John II Palaiologos, Marquess of Montferrat in 1358 and they went on to have five children together. She was widowed in 1372, and she secretly remarried in 1375 to Konrad of Reischach and Jungnau. The claim to the Kingdom of Majorca was abandoned in 1406.

The Kingdom of Majorca is part of Spain and France today. Following male-preference primogeniture, the claim would probably lie with Prince Guillaume Franz Josef Maria Windisch-Grätz, a descendant in the female line of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria.

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Princess Victoria in her Journal – 28 July 1834

Princess Victoria in her Journal – 28 July 1834

The separation (from her half-sister Princess Feodora) was indeed dreadful. I clasped her in my arms, and kissed her and cried as if my heart would break, so did she dearest Sister. We then tore ourselves from each other in the deepest grief… When I came home I was in such a state of grief that I knew not what to do with myself. I sobbed and cries most violently the whole morning… My dearest best sister was friend, sister, companion all to me, we agreed so well together in all our feelings and amusements. I love no one better than her.1

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The Reign of Queen Victoria by Hector Bolitho Book Review

Originally published in 1948, The Reign of Queen Victoria by Hector Bolitho was republished in time for Queen Victoria’s bicentenary. The book surprisingly begins with the relationship between Prince’s Albert’s parents, Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Princess Louise of Saxe Gotha Altenburg. Reading Princess Louise’s comments were by far the best part of the book for me.

However, the rest of the book is rather boring and quite judgemental, using words like “pathetic.” The wording rather put me off wanting to finish the book. Key events in Queen Victoria’s and Prince Albert’s family life are skipped over with a single sentence, for example, the birth of the Princess Royal, who also doesn’t receive a name in the book until after her brother has been born.

All in all, I’d say there are better books available on Queen Victoria’s reign. The Reign of Queen Victoria by Hector Bolitho is available now in both the UK and the US.

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The Year of Queen Victoria – Louise Margaret of Prussia (Part Two)

In 1883, it was decided that her husband should go to India and that she should accompany him – leaving their children behind. They had no idea how long their stay was going to be, but Louise Margaret knew it was the sacrifice a soldier’s wife had to make. The children remained with Queen Victoria, and wherever her court was. While in India, they were often travelling around if Arthur’s posting allowed it. In early 1885, they were informed that they were to return home, but a Russian attack on Penjdeh delayed their departure and Engeland prepared for war. They were able to return to England briefly for the wedding of Arthur’s sister Beatrice, but on the day of their arrival, news arrived that Louise Margaret’s father had died and so they travelled straight on to Potsdam for the funeral. They did not come to Windsor until the end of June.

On 17 March 1886, Louise Margaret gave birth to a second daughter named Patricia at Buckingham Palace. They returned to India not much later, and this time, their two eldest children were with them for most of the time. In 1889, they finally left India for good and travelled via Japan and Canada to see some sights. Life slowly returned back to normal.

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In 1896, Arthur and Louise Margaret travelled to Russia to attend the coronation of Nicholas II of Russia and his wife, Alexandra Feodorovna. The following year, Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. In 1899, the royal couple visited Italy, where they called on the King and Queen of Italy, and they were received by the Pope. After leaving Italy, they travelled to Egypt while their daughters remained behind in Florence. The following year, they visited Germany to see Arthur’s sister Victoria who was already seriously ill, but things seemed hopeful, and they intended to return the following autumn.

In early 1901, Queen Victoria passed away at the age of 81 and Arthur was one of the executors of her will. Just a year later, Arthur was in charge of all the military arrangements for the coronation of his brother, now King Edward VII, and Arthur and Louise Margaret returned to India at the end of the year as representatives of the royal family at the State Durbar and proclamation of King Edward VII at Delhi. Afterwards, they left for Ireland, where Arthur was stationed.

In February 1905, the engagement of their eldest daughter Margaret and the Crown Prince of Sweden was announced, and their wedding took place on 15 June in St George’s Chapel at Windsor. Louise Margaret’s first grandchild was born on 22 April 1906, and he was named Gustaf Adolf. Over the next ten years, she would give them four more grandchildren. In 1910, Arthur’s brother King Edward VII passed away, and he was succeeded by his son, now King George V.

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In 1911, the Connaughts went abroad once more. Arthur was appointed Governor-General of Canada, and Louise Margaret would join him there. She had been in good health until then, but she developed peritonitis. She continued to do what she could. By 1913, she was so ill that she went home to England where she underwent two serious operations. She returned to Canada at the end of the year, but she had not yet recovered fully. Her daughter Patricia fell in love with a commoner named Commander Ramsay, and although Louise Margaret liked the man personally, such marriages were not typically allowed. They would have to wait a long time for permission while Louise’s Margaret’s son Arthur married Princess Alexandra, Duchess of Fife, the daughter of King Edward VII’s daughter Louise, Princess Royal, in 1913, and their only child was born the following year. In 1914, the elder Arthur resigned the governorship of Canada.

During the First World War, Louise Margaret and her daughter Patricia engaged in numerous activities relating to the war. They raised money for charities, attended Red Cross meetings and donated handmade items. However, Louise Margaret’s zeal in the war effort had weakened her – already strained – heart, and although she tried to keep going, she fell ill with influenza and bronchitis on 13 February 1917.

Her recovery was slow, and her thoughts were with her children. She wanted Patricia to marry Commander Ramsay, and she gave them her blessing. Then she also contracted measles. There was now no more hope, and Louise Margaret died on 14 March 1917 – still only 56 years old.1

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The Year of Queen Victoria – Louise Margaret of Prussia (Part one)

Louise Margaret of Prussia was born on 25 July 1860 at the Marble Palace in Potsdam as the daughter of Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia and Princess Maria Anna of Anhalt-Dessau. Her father was a nephew of William I, German Emperor and a double cousin of Frederick III, German Emperor, who was also the husband of Louise Margaret’s future sister-in-law, Victoria, Princess Royal.

Louise Margaret grew up mostly in Berlin and was a true soldier’s daughter – something that would come in handy in her married life. She was known as “Mimi” in the family. As a child, she was considered to be delicate, and she grew up to be rather shy. The age difference between her and her elder sisters, and younger brother was quite big, and she tended to be rather lonely growing up. She had an English governess and was friendly with her sister-in-law, Victoria and her eldest daughter Charlotte.

She met her future husband, Arthur, Duke of Connaught when she just 18 years old – he was ten years older. He presented her with a bouquet of her favourite flowers but did not propose just yet. He returned to England to consult his mother. Queen Victoria recorded the conversation with her son in her journal. “Dear Arthur arrived and stopped with us while we were taking tea. Afterwards remained talking with me a little while, and told me that he had taken a great liking to young Louise of Prussia, Fritz Carl’s youngest daughter, who was brought up by an English governess. The latter is now gone to Alice’s girl. He said he did not wish to marry yet, and no one had breathed a word about it, but he liked her better and better, and meant, if I had no objection, to ask to see her this summer again. I could not help saying that I dislike the Prussians and told him he should see others first, but he said it would make no difference. What could I then say, but that, of course, his happiness was the first thing? He assured me he liked her better than anyone he had seen, but that he would not do anything without my consent, and looked so sad and earnest, yet so dear and gentle, that, having heard nothing but good of the girl, I could not object.”

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Even Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter approved and she wrote to her mother, “I could not choose for a sister-in-law anyone I like better than Louise. She will make Arthur a most delightful wife. Each is the complement of the other, and I foresee that each will make the other supremely happy.” Eventually, a double engagement was announced between Arthur and Louise Margaret but also between her elder sister Marie and Prince Henry of the Netherlands. The death of Arthur’s sister Alice meant that the engagement lasted for over a year and Arthur travelled to Berlin several times during this year.

In March 1878, Louise Margaret travelled to England. She received a dowry of £30,000, half of which was spent on her trousseau. Arthur was waiting on the shore as Louise Margaret arrived in a yacht and sprang abroad when the yacht came alongside the shore. They appeared on the deck together, and there were cheers as they disembarked.

Louise Margaret charmed Queen Victoria who gave her the nickname “Louischen.” Queen Victoria wrote to her eldest daughter, “Had I not seen Louischen before Arthur spoke to me of his feelings for her, I should not have grieved him by hesitating for a moment in giving my consent to their union. She is a dear, sweet girl of the most amiable and charming character, and whatever nationality she was, I feel sure dear Arthur could not have chosen more wisely.” The wedding day was set for 13 March 1879.

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The wedding was celebrated with great pomp at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. Arthur led his bride to the altar, and there were many foreign royals in attendance. Louise Margaret was attended by eight bridesmaids in white satin gowns embroidered with wild roses. She wore a gown of rich white satin trimmed with lace, and she wore myrtle leaves. She had diamonds in her hair, and she wore a diamond necklace, and a veil was attached to her bridal wreath. After several days at Claremont and Windsor Castle, the newlyweds departed for a cruise in the Mediterranean. After their return to England, they took up residence in Bagshot Park.

On 15 January 1882, Louise Margaret gave birth to a daughter who was christened Margaret after her mother. Arthur was delighted, but he was soon called to active service in Egypt. Louise Margaret hid her anxiety at his departure but could not hide her sadness. He did not return until the end of the year, just in time to see the birth of his son – also named Arthur – on 13 January 1883. As Arthur returned home, life went back to normal somewhat. Louise Margaret spent most of her time sketching away with her children by her side – and often the subject of the sketch.1

 

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