Moniek Bloks's Blog, page 3

September 26, 2025

Imperial Consort Ding – The first wife of Cao Cao whom he regretted divorcing

Imperial Consort Ding was an imperial consort to the infamous Cao Cao (also known as the posthumous Emperor Wu of the Wei Dynasty). She was originally his main wife. After the death of her stepson, Cao Ang, Imperial Consort Ding blamed her husband for his death.[1] The death of Cao Ang caused Imperial Consort Ding’s marriage to fall apart.[2] Cao Cao divorced her.

In 160 C.E., Imperial Consort Ding was born.[3] Her origins are unknown.[4] It is not known when she married the warlord, Cao Cao and became his main wife.[5] Lady Ding proved to be infertile.[6] She remained childless.[7] Cao Cao gave Lady Ding two of his children to raise.[8] They were Cao Ang (also known as Zixiu) and a sister who would later be known as Princess Qinghe.[9] She loved them “as if she had borne them herself.”[10] Lady Ding greatly disliked Lady Bian and her children.[11] She refused Lady Bian’s offer of friendship.[12]

In 197 C.E., Cao Ang died in battle. Lady Ding blamed her husband, Cao Cao, for her son’s death.[13] She said to Cao Cao: “Having taken my son and killed him, you don’t think of him anymore.”[14] Cao Cao could no longer tolerate his wife’s sorrow.[15] He sent her to her family and hoped that she would recover from her grief.[16]

When Cao Cao visited her sometime later, Lady Ding did not look at him or acknowledge him while she knelt at her loom.[17] Cao Cao caressed her back and said, “Turn around and look at me and let us ride back together.”[18] Lady Ding remained silent.[19] Before he left, Cao Cao begged her to go back with him.[20] She remained silent.[21] Cao Cao felt that he had no choice but to divorce Lady Ding.[22] He told her family to find another man to marry.[23] However, it would be difficult for Lady Ding to remarry because she was already in her forties.[24] Therefore, Lady Ding remained at home.[25]

In 219 C.E., Queen Bian made attempts at friendship with Lady Ding.[26] She sent her gifts and met with her.[27] When Lady Ding visited King Cao Cao’s palace, Queen Bian always gave her the seat of honour and personally saw her off when she left.[28] Lady Ding was deeply moved by Queen Bian’s kindness to a “cast-off”,[29] as she called herself.[30] Lady Ding apologised to Queen Bian for her treatment of her in the past.[31]

In 220 C.E., Lady Ding died.[32] Queen Bian requested her husband, King Cao Cao, to hold a funeral for her.[33] King Cao Cao gave Lady Ding a funeral that befitted her status as his imperial concubine.[34] Before King Cao Cao died on 15 March 220 C.E., he deeply regretted divorcing Imperial Consort Ding.[35] He said, “In all my thoughts and deeds, there has never been anything that I have been ashamed of. But if there is a soul after death, and should my son, Zixiu, ask ‘Where is my mother!’—how shall I reply?”[36]

Many modern historians have sympathised with Imperial Consort Ding.[37] They see her as a grieving mother.[38] They also called her “a brave woman”[39] because she “dared to defy”[40] the fierce warlord, Cao Cao. Her outspokenness would lead Cao Cao to divorce her.[41] At the end of his life, Cao Cao would deeply regret the divorce.[42] Imperial Consort Ding is truly an unfortunate and tragic royal figure.[43]

Sources:

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

Ching-Chung, P. (2015). “Ding, Consort of Cao Cao, King of Wei”. 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. pp. 272-275.

[1] Ching-Chung, 2015

[2] Ching-Chung, 2015

[3] Ching-Chung, 2015

[4] Ching-Chung, 2015

[5] Ching-Chung, 2015

[6] Ching-Chung, 2015

[7] Ching-Chung, 2015

[8] McMahon, 2013

[9] Ching-Chung, 2015

[10] Ching-Chung, 2015, p. 274

[11] McMahon, 2013

[12] McMahon, 2013

[13] McMahon, 2013; Ching-Chung, 2015

[14] Ching-Chung, 2015, p. 274

[15] McMahon, 2013; Ching-Chung, 2015

[16] McMahon, 2015; Ching-Ching, 2015

[17] Ching-Chung, 2015

[18] Ching-Chung, 2015, p. 274

[19] Ching-Chung, 2015

[20] Ching-Chung, 2015

[21] Ching-Chung, 2015

[22] Ching-Chung, 2015

[23] Ching-Chung, 2015

[24] Ching-Chung, 2015

[25] Ching-Chung, 2015

[26] McMahon, 2013

[27] McMahon, 2013

[28] Ching-Chung, 2015

[29] McMahon, 2013, p. 112

[30] McMahon, 2013; Ching-Chung, 2015

[31] Ching-Chung, 2015

[32] Ching-Chung, 2015

[33] Ching-Chung, 2015

[34] Ching-Chung, 2015

[35] McMahon, 2013; Ching-Chung, 2015

[36] Ching-Chung, 2015, p. 274

[37] Ching-Chung, 2015

[38] Ching-Chung, 2015

[39] Ching-Chung, 2015, p. 274

[40] Ching-Chung, 2015, p. 274

[41] Ching-Chung, 2015

[42] McMahon, 2013; Ching-Chung, 2015

[43] Ching-Chung, 2015

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Published on September 26, 2025 21:00

September 25, 2025

Princess Salma of Jordan – The first female jet pilot in the Jordanian Armed Forces

Princess Salma bint Abdullah of Jordan was born on 26 September 2000 as the second daughter and third child of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan.

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She was born at the King Hussein Medical Centre in Amman and joined her elder siblings, Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Iman. A younger brother, Prince Hashem, was born in 2005. Princess Salma and her sister Princess Iman are not in the Jordanian line of succession, as only male descendants of King Abdullah I of Jordan can succeed to the throne.

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The Princess attended the International Amman Academy (IAA) and graduated on 22 May 2018.

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Princess Salma headed to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst’s short commissioning course program and was commissioned into the Jordanian Armed Forces as a second lieutenant on 24 November 2018. In 2020, the Princess became the first female jet pilot in the Jordanian Armed Forces. She received her wings from her father. In 2023, she was promoted to first lieutenant.

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Princess Salma joined the University of Southern California and graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in archaeology.

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The Princess sometimes does royal appearances. This began at the age of 15 when she and her brother, Prince Hashem, planted a tree in honour of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh. At the age of 17, she accompanied her father on a state visit to France. She also makes appearances at family events such as the wedding of her brother, Crown Prince Hussein.

 

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Published on September 25, 2025 21:00

Prince Albert sculpture found to have been made by his daughter Victoria

A sculpture of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, which has been on display for the last 160 years at Windsor Castle, was found to have been made by his daughter, Victoria, Princess Royal and later German Empress.

This discovery was made during research for European Sculpture in the Collection of His Majesty The King, a comprehensive catalogue of sculptures in the Royal Collection. Prince Albert and his eldest daughter had a close relationship. Victoria, like her sisters Alice and Louise, took lessons in sculpting.

victoria princess royal(public domain)

Victoria made the sculpture in memory of his early death in 1861 alongside her tutor, Hugo Hagen. She wrote to her mother from Berlin, “It is a work which completely engrosses me… I feel very nervous … I hope you will like it. How I wish you were here to give advice!” Queen Victoria wrote back, “I like it extremely.” And she only added that the nose was a little too thick. Princess Victoria later gifted the sculpture to her mother for Christmas 1864.

The catalogue’s author, Jonathan Marsden, found that Princess Victoria created the bust by examining archival correspondence between the Queen and her daughter.

Jonathan Marsden said,  “The publication of the catalogue raisonné marks the completion of one of the largest cataloguing projects undertaken by Royal Collection Trust, recording almost 2,000 works of art and bringing this part of the Royal Collection into the light. Sculpture can easily fade into the background, yet closer examination can reveal works of art of quality and significance with their own stories to tell. By sharing our discoveries, both through the catalogue and online, we hope visitors to the palaces will have a renewed appreciation of these beautiful works of art and pieces of history. For researchers and specialists, the catalogue represents an important new body of evidence, the foundation for future scholarship.”

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Published on September 25, 2025 01:31

September 23, 2025

Empress Yu Daolian – The Empress of the Deposed Emperor

Empress Yu Daolian was the empress consort of Emperor Fei of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Emperor Fei would be known in history as the “Deposed Emperor.”[1] Empress Yu Daolian was also the daughter of Yu Bing (the brother of the famous regent, Yu Liang).[2] She reigned as Empress of the Eastern Jin Dynasty for less than one year. When Emperor Fei was deposed, Yu Daolian’s empress title was removed.[3]

The birthdate of Empress Yu Daolian is unknown. She was the daughter of Yu Bing (the brother of the regent, Yu Liang).[4] Her mother is unknown.[5] She had two brothers named Yu Yun and Yu Yao.[6] Yu Yun would later be renowned for penning the famous poem “Lan ting shi”[7] (which means “Poem on Lan ting gathering”[8]). Yu Daolian was the niece of Empress Dowager Yu Wenjun.[9] Yu Daolian married Emperor Cheng’s son and her first cousin, Sima Yi (the Prince of Donghai).[10] Therefore, Yu Daolian was Princess of Donghai. In 361 C.E., Sima Yi was made Prince of Langya.[11] Yu Daolian was made Princess of Langya.

On 30 March 365 C.E., Sima Yi’s older brother, Emperor Ai, died. Emperor Ai had no sons.[12] Therefore, Sima Yi ascended the throne as Emperor Fei. On 13 August 365 C.E., Yu Daolian was installed as empress.[13] Emperor Fei’s motto was “Great Harmony.”[14] Emperor Fei also had a regent named Huan Wen.[15] Empress Yu Daolian bore Emperor Fei no children. In 366 C.E., Empress Yu Daolian died. Her posthumous title is Empress Xiao.

In 371 C.E., Huan Wen deposed Emperor Fei. This was because Emperor Fei’s army was defeated by the Former Yan.[16] Huan Wen installed the deposed Emperor Fei’s great-uncle, Sima Yu, as Emperor Jianwen on the Eastern Jin throne. The deposed Emperor Fei was demoted to Prince of Donghai.[17] This caused the posthumous Empress Yu Daolian’s title to be demoted to Princess of Donghai.[18] Sima Yi was further demoted to Duke of Daixi.[19] This caused the posthumous Princess Yu Daolian’s title to be further demoted to Duchess of Haixi.[20]

On 23 November 386 C.E., Duke Sima Yi died and was forgotten by the Eastern Jin court.[21] He was buried in Mound Wuling. Duchess Yu Daolian was reburied beside him. Duke Sima Yi was not given a posthumous Emperor title.[22] Duchess Yu Daolian’s empress title was not restored to her.

Very little is known about Empress Yu Daolian.[23] She was from the powerful Yu family.[24] Her father was regent.[25] Yet, she died shortly after she was invested as empress. Empress Yu Daolian was also childless.[26] When Emperor Fei was deposed, Empress Yu Daolian was demoted and was forgotten.[27] Empress Yu Daolian still remains forgotten to this day.[28]

Sources:

Knechtges, D. R., Ed.; Chang, T., Ed. (2014). Ancient and Early Medieval Chinese Literature: A Reference Guide. Parts 3 & 4. Netherlands: Brill.

Theobald, U. (2018, June 23)., “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”. Chinaknowledge.de- An Encyclopedia on Chinese History, Literature, and Art. Retrieved on December 13, 2024 from http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/....

Theobald, U. (2018, June 30). “Yu Bing 庾冰”. Chinaknowledge.de- An Encyclopedia on Chinese History, Literature, and Art. Retrieved on December 13, 2024 from http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/....

[1] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[2] Theobald, June 30, 2018, “Yu Bing 庾冰”

[3] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[4] Theobald, June 30, 2018, “Yu Bing 庾冰”

[5] Theobald, June 30, 2018, “Yu Bing 庾冰”

[6] Knechtges and Chang, Eds., 2014

[7] Knechtges and Chang, Eds., 2014, p. 2032

[8] Knechtges and Chang, Eds., 2014, p. 2032

[9] Theobald, June 30, 2018, “Yu Bing 庾冰”

[10] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[11] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[12] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[13] Knechtges and Chang, Eds., 2014

[14] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[15] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[16] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[17] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[18] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[19] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[20] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[21] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[22] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[23] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[24] Knechtges and Chang, Eds., 2014

[25] Theobald, June 30, 2018, “Yu Bing 庾冰”

[26] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[27] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

[28] Theobald, June 23, 2018, “The Deposed Emperor of Jin 晉廢帝 Sima Yi 司馬奕”

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Published on September 23, 2025 21:00

September 21, 2025

Who would be Queen of Portugal today?

The Kingdom of Portugal existed from 1139 until 1910. The kingdom operated under male-preference primogeniture, which did allow for the succession of women if they had no brothers.

The claimants of the Portuguese throne in the traditional line have all been men. The Queens mentioned are, therefore, consorts and not reigning Queens. Any claimed titles since the end of the kingdom are titular.

King Manuel II of Portugal was the last King of Portugal, and he left Portugal in 1910 following a republican coup d’état. He lived in exile in the United Kingdom, and he married Augusta Victoria of Hohenzollern in 1913. They did not have any children together, which meant that upon King Manuel’s death in 1932, the claim passed to Duarte Nuno, Duke of Braganza, a descendant of King Miguel I, who had usurped the throne from his niece, Queen Maria II, and was subsequently deposed. There were descendants of Queen Maria II alive in 1932, but none possessed Portuguese nationality. The 1826 Charter stated that no foreigner could succeed to the throne of Portugal. Duarte Nuno had also not been born in Portugal, but this had been due to the exile of Miguelists.

Nevertheless, opinions remain divided on who the true claimant is.

The majority seems to now support the claims of Duarte Nuno, Duke of Braganza. He had married Princess Maria Francisca of Orléans-Braganza in 1942, and they had three sons together.

Maria Francisca and Duarte Nuno (public domain)

Upon his death in 1972, he was succeeded in his claims by his eldest son, Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza. He married Isabel Inês de Castro Curvelo de Herédia in 1995, and they had two sons and a daughter. This means that Isabel is the current titular Queen of Portugal.

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His eldest son, Afonso, Prince of Beira, born in 1996, is set to inherit the claim to the Portuguese throne.

The descendants of Queen Maria II

If the line of Queen Maria II of Portugal was to be followed, regardless of whether or not the claimant had Portuguese nationality, the line of her eldest daughter, Infanta Maria Ana, would be followed. In 1932, the claimant was Georg, Crown Prince of Saxony. He became a priest after the abolishment of the monarchy in Saxony in 1918 and remained unmarried. His younger brother, Friedrich Christian, would have inherited his brother’s claim in 1943. He had married Princess Elisabeth Helene of Thurn and Taxis in 1923, and they had five children together.

Elisabeth Helene (public domain)

Friedrich Christian died in 1968, and his claim passed to his eldest son, Maria Emanuel. He had married Princess Anastasia of Anhalt in 1962, but they had no children together. As they had no children, he adopted his nephew Alexander, the son of his second sister, Maria Anna Josepha (the eldest, Maria Josepha had no children). However, if we follow the lifetimes of each person, Maria Emanuel would be briefly succeeded by his brother, Albert. Albert would die 3 months after his brother on 6 October 2012. He had married Elmira Henke in 1980, but they did not have any children together.

The Portuguese claim would then pass to their eldest sister, Maria Josepha, who remained unmarried and had no children. She would have been the only Queen regnant in this claim, which is widely unsupported. She died in 2018, the claim would pass to her nephew Alexander (as his mother had died in 2012), who had also been adopted as Maria Emanuel’s son. Alexander had married Princess Gisela of Bavaria in 1987, and they had four children together.

Their eldest son, Georg, is set to continue this weak Portuguese claim.

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Published on September 21, 2025 21:00

September 20, 2025

Book News Week 39

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Book News Week 39 – 22 September – 28 September 2025

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Maria Theresa: The Habsburg Empress in Her Time 

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Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan 

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Queen Soraya, Her Divorce Destroyed A Dynasty 

Hardcover – 28 September 2025 (UK)

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Published on September 20, 2025 05:00

September 19, 2025

Grand Empress Dowager Bian – The prostitute who became Empress Consort to an infamous warlord

Grand Empress Dowager Bian was the empress consort of the infamous Cao Cao (also known as Emperor Wu of the Wei Dynasty). She was also the mother of Cao Pi (also known as Emperor Wen of the Wei Dynasty). Grand Empress Dowager Bian was originally a prostitute.[1] However, she rose to the highest position in the empire of Wei.[2]

On 29 January 161 C.E., Grand Empress Dowager Bian was born in Kaiyang in Langye Commandery (modern-day Linyi in Shandong Province).[3] Her personal name is unknown.[4] Her surname was Bian. Her parents’ personal names are unknown, but she came from a poor family.[5] She did have a brother named Bian Bing.[6] She became a prostitute in Jiao Commandery (modern-day Bo County in Anhui Province).[7] In 178 C.E., Cao Cao made Lady Bian his concubine.[8] She frequently accompanied Cao Cao on his military expeditions.[9] Lady Bian also was known to have cared for the elderly.[10]

In 189 C.E., Dong Zhuo (the General-In-Chief) rebelled against the Han Dynasty.[11] Cao Cao fled east to raise an army against Dong Zhuo.[12] However, his followers heard false rumours that Cao Cao had died.[13] They prepared to desert him.[14] However, Lady Bian persuaded them not to desert him.[15] She said, “We do not know for certain that Cao Cao is dead. How could you face him if you left and he returned tomorrow? And even if calamity should befall us, would it not be better to die together?”[16] Therefore, Cao Cao’s supporters stayed.[17] In 196 C.E., Cao Cao returned to Luoyang.[18] He admired Lady Bian’s devotion to him.[19]

In 196 C.E., Cao Cao divorced his first wife, Lady Ding. He made Lady Bian his main wife.[20] Lady Bian bore Cao Cao four sons: Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, Cao Zhi (her favourite and Prince of Dong’e), and Cao Xiong (who died at a young age).[21] Lady Bian also had to raise Cao Cao’s twenty-five other sons, whom he had with thirteen other women.[22] She was known to be practical and frugal.[23]

In 196 C.E., Cao Cao persuaded Emperor Xian to move the capital to Xucheng (modern-day Henan Province).[24] Once the imperial family was established at Xucheng, Cao Cao became very powerful.[25] He had total control of the Han court.[26] Emperor Xian was his puppet.[27] In 208 C.E., Cao Cao was made Minister of State.[28] In 213 C.E., Cao Cao was given the noble rank of Duke.[29] In 215 C.E., Cao Cao’s daughter Cao Jie became Empress of the Han Dynasty.[30]

In 216 C.E., Cao Cao was made King of Wei. In 219 C.E., King Cao Cao made Lady Bian his queen.[31] Queen Bian had a close relationship with her brother, Bian Bing.[32] She asked her husband to promote and reward him.[33] King Cao Cao refused.[34] He did build him a mansion.[35] Queen Bian celebrated the event by giving her family a light meal.[36] Throughout the meal, Queen Bian told her family not to ask for any more rewards, or she would punish them.[37]

On 15 March 220 C.E., King Cao Cao of Wei died. He was succeeded by his son, Cao Pi. King Cao Pi forced Emperor Xian to abdicate his throne.[38] Thus, the Han Dynasty was no more.[39] Cao Pi became Emperor Wen and founded the Wei Dynasty.[40] Emperor Cao Pi made his father, Cao Cao, the posthumous Emperor Wu of the Wei Dynasty. Emperor Cao Pi made his mother, Queen Bian, the Empress Dowager of Wei.[41] She lived in Yongshou Palace.[42]

Empress Dowager Bian lived frugally.[43] She wore modest jewellery.[44] Her utensils were made of clay.[45] Empress Dowager Bian held much influence over Emperor Wen.[46] When Prince Cao Zhi was going to be heavily punished for public intoxication, Empress Dowager Bian persuaded Emperor Wen to lessen his punishment.[47] When Emperor Wen’s cousin, Cao Hong, was about to be executed, Empress Dowager Bian intervened and saved his life.[48] Cao Hong was removed from his post and lost his fiefdom.[49] His property was confiscated.[50] Through Empress Dowager Bian’s intervention, Cao Hong’s property was returned to him.[51] It was said that Empress Dowager Bian did not agree with her son’s state policies.[52]

On 29 June 226 C.E., Emperor Wen of the Wei Dynasty died. He was succeeded by his son, Cao Rui. Cao Rui ascended the throne as Emperor Ming of the Wei Dynasty. Emperor Ming made his grandmother the Grand Empress Dowager.[53] On 9 July 230 C.E., Grand Empress Dowager Bian died at the age of seventy-one.[54] She was buried next to her husband, Emperor Wu of the Wei Dynasty, in Gaoling at Linzhang Commandery (modern-day Hebei Province).[55] She was given the posthumous title of Empress Wuxuan.[56]

Grand Empress Dowager Bian had risen from a prostitute to a Grand Empress Dowager.[57] She was fortunate to live in tumultuous times that made her climb to the highest position in the Wei Empire.[58] Even though she had a scandalous past, she was an intelligent and capable empress.[59] She lived frugally.[60] She also inspired Cao Cao’s followers to stay loyal to him.[61] Therefore, it is no wonder why she has been respected and admired in Chinese history.[62]

Sources:

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

Su, Z. & Ching-Chung, P. (2015). “Bian, Wife of Cao Cao, King of Wei”. 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. pp. 269-271.

[1] McMahon, 2013; Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[2] McMahon, 2013; Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[3] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[4] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[5] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[6] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[7] McMahon, 2013; Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[8] McMahon, 2013; Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[9] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[10] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[11] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[12] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[13] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[14] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[15] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[16] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015, p. 269

[17] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[18] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[19] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[20] McMahon, 2013

[21] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[22] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[23] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[24] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[25] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[26] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[27] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[28] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[29] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[30] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[31] McMahon, 2013; Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[32] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[33] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[34] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[35] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[36] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[37] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[38] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[39] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[40] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[41] McMahon, 2013; Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[42] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[43] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[44] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[45] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[46] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[47] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[48] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[49] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[50] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[51] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[52] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[53] McMahon, 2013; Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[54] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[55] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[56] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[57] McMahon, 2013; Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[58] McMahon, 2013; Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[59] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[60] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[61] McMahon, 2013; Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

[62] Su and Ching-Chung, 2015

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Published on September 19, 2025 21:00

September 18, 2025

The Year of Queen Sālote Tupou III – The weddings of Sālote and Tungī

In early 1917, Princess Sālote’s father became ill, and it was clear that he was declining quickly.

Around this time, a suitor for Sālote was settled on, and he met with the approval of the Privy Council, the public and the royal family. His name was Tungī Mailefihi.

Wedding preparations began in earnest, and there was barely enough time to grow the amount of food, to fatten the pigs and gather the other traditional items. Most of the items for the western-style wedding came from Australia and New Zealand. The wedding cake was ordered from Buchanan’s in Auckland. It was eight feet high and cost £65. It was decorated with Tonga’s coat of arms, the motto “God and Tonga are my inheritance”, and the couple’s initials. It was dispatched in several pieces with instructions on how to assemble it.1

The wedding gown came from Australia and was “white crepe-de-chine, trimmed with pearls, worn with a long court train brocaded with silk lined with pink ninon, ‘ richly worked with an appropriate and chaste design’, and a veil hand-made in Sydney.”2

A press report stated, “The Princess, in choosing her trousseau, showed a weakness for pastel tints, especially in blues and pinks. Lace, silver, and pearls play an important part in the adornment scheme of her bridal apparel. The wedding gown has a fashionable court train, which is 5 1/2 yards long and 3 yards wide. The elaborate gown is of Brussels lace over white silk taffeta and ninon with a pointed tunic of white crêpe de Chine. Silver and pearls edge the tunic, which is caught with silver tassels. Ivory white brocaded satin has been used for the court train, which is lined with white ninon and edged with innumerable frills of malines lace and ninon, and finished at the corners with silver leaves and orange blossoms. The bodice is of rich lace and silk with a trail of orange blossoms and silver leaves on the left shoulder. The whole is stitched with silver according to the bride’s wish, and the stitchery shows a gleam of silver through the lace mesh.”3

The western-style wedding took place on 19 September 1917. Her bridesmaids were seven young women of a rank. Tungī wore “well-cut trousers, a shirt with a bat-wing collar, and a frock coat.”4 The royal chapel was decorated, and there was a huge floral bell, which scattered confetti over the newlyweds. After the wedding ceremony, a reception was held in front of the palace.

The Tongan tu’uvalu ceremony was celebrated two days later on 21 September. Sālote wore two of the Tu’i Tonga fine-mats. There were lots of dances, even specially choreographed ones. The songs accompanying the dances emphasised the advantages of the alliance. Islay McOwan, who became the Agent & Consul, wrote, “The three following days were devoted to native ceremonies, including the presentation and exchange of property between the royal house and the family of Tugis [sic], native dances and feasting, all of which excited the greatest interest and enthusiasm. The kava ceremony at which the bride and groom seated on the laps of their prospective foster parents on a huge pile of mats and native cloth drank a bowl of kava together, was an interesting feature, while the presentation and distribution  of some hundreds of roasted pigs, large quantities of native cloth and numerous mats was an unusual sight, even in the Pacific, owing to the scale on which the presentations were made…”5

Sālote would have alienated some of the chiefs whomsoever she married, but it turned out Tungī was a wise choice, and they complemented each other.

Author’s note: I am not able to find any wedding pictures, but I have provided below an image of the 1976 wedding of Queen Sālote’s granddaughter, Princess Royal Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu, and The Honourable Siosaʻia Maʻulupekotofa, Lord Tuita of ʻUtungake, to show the fine-mats worn during such an occasion.

(public domain)

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Published on September 18, 2025 21:00

September 16, 2025

Book Review: Charlene, In Search of a Princess by Arlene Prinsloo

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Charlene Lynette Wittstock was born on 25 January 1978 as the daughter of Michael and Lynette Wittstock. On 1 July 2011, she became Her Serene Highness the Princess of Monaco as the wife of Albert II, Prince of Monaco.

As the new Princess of Monaco, she faced several challenges. She had to live up to the ideal of her mother-in-law, Princess Grace. She had to learn a new language, and it was expected that children would come sooner rather than later. It was perhaps not unexpected that the tabloids descended on her like vultures, and horrible stories have circulated about her since her relationship with Albert was revealed.

Charlene, In Search of a Princess by Arlene Prinsloo pieces together Charlene’s story with the help of old friends. In this unauthorised biography, the author tries to tackle horrid headlines and tell the actual story. Charlene and Albert often release statements about horrid headlines, but these statements never seem to make it to the headlines. And so the story seems to live on that Charlene is in an unhappy marriage.

The author does a good job of telling Charlene’s story without automatically believing the headlines. Charlene has often expressed her own feelings, and those are shared. The book is well-written and a great look at such an underrated Princess.

Charlene, In Search of a Princess by Arlene Prinsloo is available now in the US and the UK.

 

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Published on September 16, 2025 21:00

September 14, 2025

Atossa II Shahbanu and Amestris III Shahbanu – The Princesses who were forced to marry their father and became Persian Queens

Atossa II Shahbanu and Amestris III Shahbanu were the daughters of King Artaxerxes II of the Achaemenid Empire. They were forced to marry their royal father and became queens.[1] The father-daughter marriage was highly unusual in the Achaemenid Empire.[2] However, King Artaxerxes II married them himself to ensure that his imperial bloodline would remain pure and to strengthen the Achaemenid royal dynasty.[3]

The birthdates of Atossa II Shahbanu and Amestris III Shahbanu are unknown.[4] They were the daughters of King Artaxerxes II of the Achaemenid Empire (r. 404-358 B.C.E.).[5] Atossa II Shahbanu’s mother was Stateira I. Amestris III Shahbanu’s mother is unknown.[6] Some of their known brothers were Prince Darius, Prince Ariapses, Prince Ochus (the future King Artaxerxes III), and Prince Arsames.[7]

Late in King Artaxerxes II’s reign, King Artaxerxes II married his daughter, Princess Atossa II.[8] Atossa II became queen of the Achaemenid Empire.[9] King Artaxerxes II betrothed his daughter, Princess Amestris III, to Tiribazus (the satrap of Armenia).[10] However, King Artaxerxes II cancelled the betrothal and married Princess Amestris III himself.[11] Amestris III also became Queen of the Achaemenid Empire.[12] After Amestris III Shahbanu became queen, nothing more is known of her.[13] The marriage between King Artaxerxes II and his daughters was considered highly unusual.[14] However, King Artaxerxes II married his daughters to keep the bloodline pure and to strengthen his dynasty.[15]

Atossa II Shahbanu played a major role during the succession of her father-husband, King Artaxerxes II.[16] King Artaxerxes II made his eldest son, Prince Darius, his successor.[17] However, Atossa II Shahbanu preferred Prince Ochus as the next king instead.[18] She made a deal with Prince Ochus that if she helped him become the next king, then he should marry her.[19] Atossa II Shahbanu believed that her brother Prince Ochus was the most capable successor who could let her keep her power.[20] Atossa II Shahbanu reached out to the nobles to support Prince Ochus.[21] The nobles agreed because Prince Ochus was younger and a warrior.[22]

Prince Darius conspired with Tiribazus to assassinate King Artaxerxes II. King Artaxerxes II learned about the conspiracy.[23] He executed Prince Darius and Tiribazus.[24] With the heir apparent position vacant, King Artaxerxes II preferred his second eldest son, Prince Ariaspes.[25] However, Atossa II Shahbanu and Prince Ochus ordered their servants to send messages to Prince Ariaspes with false messages that their father was displeased with him.[26] Prince Ariaspes felt depressed that King Artaxerxes II did not want him as the next king, and he committed suicide.[27] Prince Ariaspes’s suicide moved Prince Ochus closer to the Achaemenid throne.[28] Still, King Artaxerxes II did not want to make Prince Ochus his heir apparent.[29]

King Artaxerxes II appointed his most loyal son, Prince Arsames, to be his heir.[30] He sent Prince Ochus to stop the Egyptians from invading the southwestern region of the empire.[31] Atossa II Shahbanu hired Arpates (Tiribazus’s son) to kill Prince Arsames.[32] Prince Arsames’s death caused King Artaxerxes II of the Achaemenid Empire’s health to deteriorate.[33] In 358 B.C.E., King Artaxerxes II of the Achaemenid Empire died. Prince Ochus ascended the throne as King Artaxerxes III of the Achaemenid Empire.[34] 

King Artaxerxes III married his stepmother and sister, Atossa II Shahbanu.[35] He made her his queen.[36] Therefore, Atossa II Shahbanu became queen for a second time.[37] Atossa II Shahbanu bore King Artaxerxes III his youngest son named Prince Arses.[38]

In 338 B.C.E., Artaxerxes III was poisoned by his eunuch, Bagoas.[39] Modern historians believe that Atossa II Shahbanu may have perished when Bagoas assassinated the entire royal family except for Prince Arses in 338 B.C.E.[40] Prince Arses ascended the throne as King Artaxerxes IV of the Achaemenid Empire.[41] King Artaxerxes IV tried to poison Bagoas.[42] However, Baogoas poisoned him and placed his cousin, Darius III Codomanus, on the Achaemenid throne.[43]

Atossa II Shahbanu and Amestris III Shahbanu were princesses of the Achaemenid Empire.[44] They ended up becoming queens through an incestuous marriage with their father, King Artaxerxes II.[45] Amestris III Shahbanu was once betrothed to a nobleman, but King Artaxerxes II decided he should keep his bloodline pure and strengthen his dynasty by marrying his daughters himself.[46] While it is unclear if Amestris III Shahbanu wielded immense power during her husband and father’s reign, it is clear that Atossa II Shahbanu was very powerful.[47] Through her influence, Atossa II Shahbanu helped her brother, Artaxerxes III, become king.[48] Atossa II Shahbanu became Artaxerxes III’s queen and was the mother of the next king, Artaxerxes IV.[49] Therefore, Atossa II Shahbanu was the last queen of the Achaemenid Empire to wield immense power and influence.[50]

Sources:

Culley, Trevor. (2023, February 9). “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”. The Collector. Retrieved on December 13, 2024 from https://www.thecollector.com/ancient-....

Llewellyn-Jones, L. (2022). Persians: The Age of the Great Kings. NY: Basic Books.

LeCoq, P. (1986). “Arses”. Encyclopædia Iranica, Volume II/5: Armenia and Iran IV–Art in Iran I. London and New York: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p. 548. Retrieved on December 13, 2024 from https://iranicaonline.org/articles/ar....

Schmitt, R. (1989). “AMESTRIS”. Encyclopædia Iranica, Volume I/9. pp. 935-936. Retrieved on December 13, 3024 from https://www.iranicaonline.org/article....

[1] Llewellyn-Jones, 2022

[2] Llewellyn-Jones, 2022

[3] Llewellyn-Jones, 2022

[4] Llewellyn-Jones, 2022

[5] Llewellyn-Jones, 2022

[6] Schmitt, 1989, “Amestris”

[7] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[8] Llewellyn-Jones, 2022

[9] Llewellyn-Jones, 2022

[10] Schmitt, 1989, “Amestris”

[11] Schmitt, 1989, “Amestris”

[12] Schmitt, 1989, “Amestris”

[13] Schmitt, 1989, “Amestris”

[14] Llewellyn-Jones, 2022

[15] Llewellyn-Jones, 2022

[16] Llewellyn-Jones, 2022

[17] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[18] Llewellyn-Jones, 2022

[19] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[20] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[21] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[22] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[23] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[24] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[25] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[26] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[27] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[28] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[29] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[30] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[31] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[32] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[33] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[34] Llewellyn-Jones, 2022

[35] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[36] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[37] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[38] LeCoq, 1986, “Arses”

[39] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[40] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

[41] LeCoq, 1986, “Arses”

[42] LeCoq, 1986, “Arses”

[43] LeCoq, 1986, “Arses”

[44] Llewellyn-Jones, 2022

[45] Llewellyn-Jones, 2022

[46] Schmitt, 1989, “Amestris”

[47] Schmitt, 1989, “Amestris”; Llewellyn-Jones, 2022

[48] Llewellyn-Jones, 2022;

[49] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”; LeCoq, 1986, “Arses”

[50] Culley, February 9, 2023, “5 Powerful Queens of the Persian Empire”

The post Atossa II Shahbanu and Amestris III Shahbanu – The Princesses who were forced to marry their father and became Persian Queens appeared first on History of Royal Women.

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Published on September 14, 2025 21:00