Engagement of Infanta Maria Francisca, Duchess of Coimbra!

Duarte and Maria Francisca.

Duarte and Isabel, the Duke and Duchess of Braganza, have announced the engagement of their only daughter a Infanta Maria Francisca to Duarte de Sousa Araújo Martins in a communiqué this morning:

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Bragança are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Her Highness Infanta Maria Francisca of Bragança, Duchess of Coimbra, and Mr Duarte de Sousa Araújo Martins. Her Highness and Mr Duarte de Sousa Araújo Martins became engaged in Timor, earlier this month.  Infanta Maria Francisca informed Their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Bragança and other close members of her family. More details regarding the wedding day will be announced in due course. Sintra 15 December 2022

Our congratulations to Maria Francisca and Duarte!  

Duke Eugen Eberhard of Württemberg (1930-2022)

Duke Alexander, Duchess Sophie, and Duke Eugen attend the wedding of Duchess Fleur, 2003.
Photograph (c) Seeger-Presse / Sandra Zellner.

Ivaylo Schalafoff, the Executive Director of the King Boris and Queen Giovanna Royal Heritage Fund, has announced that Duke Eugen of Württemberg died this afternoon (26 July), aged ninety-one. Eugen was a first cousin of the late Duke Carl of Württemberg, the Head of the Royal House, as well as first cousin of King Simeon II of Bulgaria.

Eugen's mother Princess Nadejda of Bulgaria, 1916.

The engagement of Albrecht Eugen of Württemberg and Nadejda of Bulgaria is announced in January 1924.

Newlyweds: Duke Albrecht Eugen of Württemberg and Princess Nadejda of Bulgaria.

On 2 November 1930, Duke Eugen Eberhard Albrecht Maria Joseph Ivan Rilsky Robert Ulrich Philipp Odo Carl Hubert of Württemberg was born at Karlsruhe. Eugen was the third child and second son of Duke Albrecht Eugen of Württemberg (1895-1954) and Princess Nadejda of Bulgaria (1899-1958), who married in 1924. Eugen joined two older siblings, and was followed by two younger siblings: Duke Ferdinand (1927-2020), Duchess Margarethe (1928-2017; married to François Luce de Chevigny), Duke Alexander (b.1933), and Duchess Sophie (b.1937; married and divorced Antonio Manuel Rôxo de Ramos-Bandeira). The family became known as the "Black Württembergs" as the children of Albrecht Eugen and Nadejda all had dark hair, which put them in contrast with their first cousins, the children of Albrecht Eugen's brother Philipp.

Duke Albrecht of Württemberg and Archduchess Margarete Sophie of Austria
Image (c) ALAMY

Eugen's paternal grandparents were Duke Albrecht of Württemberg (1865-1939) and Archduchess Margarete Sophie of Austria (1870-1902). The duke's maternal grandparents were King Ferdinand of Bulgaria (1861-1948) and Princess Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma (1870-1899). 

Duke Alexander, Duchess Sophie, and Duke Eugen in Coburg, 2001.

Duke Eugen and his brother Duke Alexander at the wedding of Prince Karl Emich zu Leiningen, 2008.

 

Duke Eugen worked as a banker and he lived in Frankfurt. 

 

Duchess Sophie, Antonio Manuel Rôxo de Ramos-Bandeira, Duke Ferdinand, Duchess Margarethe, Princess Eudoxia of Bulgaria, Duchess Alexandra and Duke Eugen Eberhard, 1969. 

On 31 August 1962 at Mondsee, Duke Eugen of Württemberg civilly married Archduchess Alexandra of Austria (b.1935), a daughter of Archduke Anton of Austria and Princess Ileana of Romania. The couple's religious wedding followed on 3 September 1962. Eugen and Alexandra did not have children, and the pair's union was dissolved by divorce on 6 April 1972 at Frankfurt. The Holy See annulled their marriage on 7 November 1973.

 

May the Duke Rest In Peace.

Exclusive: Hereditary Prince of Hohenzollern Weds American Partner

We can report that Hereditary Prince Alexander of Hohenzollern married Michelle V. Keith, a US citizen and his girlfriend, last year. Alexander is the only son of Fürst Karl Friedrich of Hohenzollern and his first wife Countess Alexandra Schenk von Stauffenberg.

In November 2021, Alexander and Michelle celebrated their religious marriage in a small Roman Catholic church in Sigmaringen. We have not yet learned when the couple’s civil wedding occurred. After his religious wedding, Alexander informed his father Fürst Karl Friedrich of his marriage. It is quite likely that the new Erbprinz will be the Fürst’s next eligible brother.

Alexander and Michelle von Hohenzollern reside in Sigmaringen.

Our best wishes to the couple on their union!

Princesses of Bourbon-Parma Receive First Holy Communion

The Duke and Duchess of Parma with their three children.

Photo (c) PPE / Jeroen van der Meyde.

On Sunday, 29 May, Princess Luisa and Princess Cecilia of Bourbon-Parma received their first Holy Communion at the Holy Jacobus de Meerdere Church in The Hague. Their proud parents, Prince Carlos and Princess Annemarie, were present as was their younger brother Prince Carlos. Also in the congregation were Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Princess Margarita of Bourbon-Parma with her daughters, Prince Jaime of Bourbon-Parma with his daughters, and the maternal grandparents of the princesses, Johan Gualtherie van Weezel and Anne Gualtherie van Weezel-de Visser.

Dynastic Legal Issues Regarding Recent Serbian Renunciation

On Saturday, 30 April, the press office of the Royal Palace in Belgrade released a statement from Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia regarding the renunciation of his eldest son, Prince Peter:

Concerning the withdrawal of my oldest son Prince Peter from the line of succession, I wish him all the best for the future, good health, and happiness. I appreciate his honesty regarding the tough decision he made. This issue was brought to me quickly, while I am abroad, due to previous obligations. Unfortunately, such a crucial and important procedure was not followed properly, in accordance with the tradition and rules of the Royal Family, and the Family Rulebook, which was written in the time of the Kingdom, and which all members of the Royal Family need to follow. This occurrence and procedure did not take place at the Royal Palace, in Serbia, with my presence and authority as the Head of the Royal Family, with the blessing of our Holy Church and with Crown Council participation in the process, but in a foreign country, without a good reason for performing such important matter away from our homeland. The Royal Family of Serbia will continue to serve the people with dedication, honesty, and loyalty, which is the obligation and duty for us.

As previously reported on Thursday, 28 April, Hereditary Prince Peter of Serbia renounced his rights of succession in a ceremony in Seville on 27 April. If enacted, this would make his brother Prince Philip the new heir to Crown Prince Alexander. On Saturday, Prince Philip and his wife Princess Danica visited Oplenac, the mausoleum of the Serbian royal family, where they paid tribute to the prince's ancestors. 

According to the Family Book of Rules of 5 April 1930, which govern the Royal House of Karađorđević and its members, there are several technical problems with Prince Peter's renunciation. Article 3 states: "The Ruling King is the head and protector of all the members of The Royal House. The King determines the rank of all the members of The Royal House." Furthermore, Article 5 reads: "Without the special approval and consent of the King no member of The Royal House is allowed to commit any act or deed of the public importance, nor to make any permanent commitments to anyone. The King takes care, by all means, that with no exception The Royal House is always governed by the rules and considerations of honour, order and exemplary behaviour, worthy of the Royal House." When reading this dynastic text, it is worth noting that when there is a reference to the King, then the current holder of that position is the Head of the Royal House, i.e. Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia, as he would be monarch if Serbia was currently a monarchy.

The statement of the Crown Prince does not directly address whether or not the renunciation of Prince Peter has been accepted in its current form. The first portion of the communiqué seems to hint that the renunciation has possibly been accepted by the Head of House, while the second portion goes on to point out the issues with the renunciation which could render it invalid, as noted above. With time, more clarity will likely be given on the situation. 

The Teenage Californian Countess Swept Out to Sea in 1956

Camilla.

On 29 December 1956, Countess Camilla von Schönborn-Buchheim fell victim to the current of the sea and drowned at Strawberry Beach near Half Moon Bay (San Mateo), California. She was only seventeen years-old. Residents of the locale went on the record to state that many visitors to this beach had suffered the same fate. The countess had been with two friends when the tragedy occurred; one of these friends was also captured by the tide, but was able to be saved by the other friend. It was not until 31 December that Camilla's body was found by rescuers, as their search was hampered by the fog that often descended on that part of the Bay Area coast. 

Camilla and Friedrich Karl.

Born on 30 July 1939 at Graz, Countess Camilla Maria Helene Sofie Carolina von Schönborn-Buchheim was the only child of Count Friedrich Karl von Schönborn-Buchheim (1914-2011) and Countess Camilla Chorinsky, Baroness von Ledske (1918-1961), who married in 1938. Camilla's parents divorced in 1945. In 1951, Camilla's father married Edith Carpenter Macy (b.1927), whose mother Lydia married the Prince di San Faustino. Camilla was a student at Sarah Dix Hamlin School, where she was a senior. She lived with her father and stepmother at 2710 Scott Street in San Francisco. Camilla was slated to graduate from the private girls' school in June 1957, and she planned to attend university. Camilla was said to be a fine student and was popular with her classmates. 

Countess Marianne "Bunny" Esterházy (1938-2021)

Countess Marianne Esterhazy in 1998.

Photo (c) Desmond O'Neill Features Ltd. 

Announcements in The Times and The Telegraph have noted that Countess Marianne "Bunny" Esterházy died on 27 November 2021 at the age of eighty-two. 

 

The death announcement in The Telegraph.

The countess was a private person, with many fascinating connections, and she will surely be deeply missed by her surviving son, her grandchildren, her family, and her friends.

 

Bunny's mother Etti.
Photo (c) Getty Images / Central Press.

Born on 12 December 1938 at Budapest, Countess Mária Anna "Bunny" Berta Felicie Johanna Ghislaine Theodora Huberta Georgina Helene Genoveva Esterházy was the first and only child of Count Mária Tamás "Tommy" Pál Esterházy (1901-1964) and Countess Maria "Etti" von Wurmbrand-Stuppach (1914-2003), who married in 1938 and divorced in 1944. Bunny's mother Etti was married six times. Etti's memoirs, Horses and Husbands, are a fascinating read; they were published after her death with the great assistance of royal and noble biographer Hugo Vickers. 

Countess Bunny Esterhazy in 1956.

In her memoirs, Bunny's mother recalls with a touching dose of self-reflection: "We had one daughter... Of course, I did not look after Bunny myself when she was little. We had lovely English nurses. One of them had been nurse to the Queen and Princess Margaret and she loved dogs. So there were always dogs in the nursery. We were not very happy about that, but she assured us that in England babies and dogs were always together. It was so funny. I know that I was neither a good nor attentive mother. Both Tommy and I adored Bunny, but we either left her with the nannies or despatched her to stay with friends." Despite the divorce of Bunny's parents, it is clear from her mother's memoirs (which are really a must have!) that they both fiercely loved their daughter, in their own way. In April 1956, Bunny's mother Etti and her stepfather Arpad Plesch hosted a ball for the young countess at Claridges in London. The then seventeen year-old Bunny had been presented to society the previous month. In 1957 and 1958, it was reported that Bunny Esterhazy was a good friend of the Aga Khan, who was only a few years older than her. 

Dominic Elliot and Bunny Esterhazy upon their engagement.

Photo (c) Keystone Press / Alamy Stock Photo.

On 4 May 1962 at London, Countess Bunny Esterházy married London 4 May 1969 the Honourable George Esmond Dominic Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound (1931-2018), the youngest son of the 5th Earl of Minto. The wedding of the Countess and the son of the Earl of Minto was attended by The Queen as well as her sister The Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon in addition to the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Dominic Elliot had been a youthful beau of Princess Margaret. The reception following the wedding was held at Lord Astor's Carlton House Terrace alongside the Mall. 

Dominic Elliot and Bunny Esterhazy on their wedding day.

Photo (c) mauritius images / TopFoto.

The Elliots went on to have two children: sons Alexander (1963-1985) and Esmond (b.1965). Dominic and Bunny divorced in 1972, having separated some years before. In 1970, Bunny Esterhazy was romantically linked to the Earl of Carnarvon, a connection which her mother Etti strongly denied when asked for comment. In 1974, Bunny Esterhazy and Keith Mason, 4th Baron Blackford, were reported to be in a relationship; however, this did not result in a marriage.

Countess Bunny Esterhazy with the then Marchioness of Tavistock (later Duchess of Bedford), 1980.
Photo (c) ANL/Shutterstock.

May the Countess Rest in Peace.

Divine Photo of Various Blue Bloods from Raffles Magazine

Photo (c) Raffles Magazine.

The Raffles Hotel and Resorts Magazine published a splendid photo of a variety of royal and noble persons from around the world. In this image, which is part of an advertising campaign for the hotel and resort chain, we can see from left to right: Maharajah Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, Archduchess Catharina of Austria (formerly Countess Secco di Aragona), Archduchess Anna-Gabriele of Austria (born Fürstin von Wrede), Prince Nikolai of Denmark, the Marquess of Blandford, and Princess Olympia of Greece.

 

Raffles Hotels introduces Princess Olympia of Greece and Denmark

Raffles Hotels introduces Maharajah Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur

Raffles Hotels introduces George Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford

Raffles Hotels introduces Prince Nikolai of Denmark