A Bracelet at Auction Hints to Romance between Lady Iris Mountbatten and the Last Maharaja of Bundi

Gardener Galleries, an auction house in London, Ontario, currently has on offer a bracelet given to Lady Iris Mountbatten by His Highness Bahadur Singh, Maharaja of Bundi. The bracelet is made of silver and adorned with turquoises, garnets, and pearls. In addition to this jewellery, there are two letters from the Maharaja to Lady Iris, both written in 1950.

Maharao Bahadur Singh of Bundi entertaining a guest in the 1950s.

This is the description of the lot: Exquisite handcrafted antique solid silver hinged bangle bracelet designed in Mughal style of a double elephant head set with turquoise, pearl and garnets - gift to Lady Iris Mountbatten (moved to Toronto in 1960's) from the Maharaja of Bundi Rajputan (Col. HH Maharao Raja Shri Bahadur Singhji Bahadur) - in Birks box with her calling card, portrait photo and also accompanied by letters (some a little salacious) from the Maharaja to her. Following is an extract from one of the letters:

My very own Fatty,

Darling I wanted to write to you so badly for all these months, but as I didn't know your address in the States I couldn't. At last one day I was so worried & upset about you that I couldn't sleep the whole night...

Both letters from the Maharaja are written on his personal stationary, and they bear the arms of the Princely family of Bundi.

Lady Iris Mountbatten at Kensington Palace.

A great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria, Lady Iris Mountbatten (1920-1982) was the only child of the Marquess and Marchioness of Carisbrooke.

To see the bracelet, you can visit the website of Gardener Galleries.

To learn more about the last Maharaja of Bundi's service during World War II, you can read this article: Military Digest - The Prince who was a War Hero

Fürst Andreas and Fürstin Alexandra of Leiningen Mark Ruby Wedding Anniversary

Left to right: Princess Monika of Hannover, Fürst Emich of Leiningen, Princess Alexandra of Hannover, Prince Andreas of Leiningen, Fürstin Eilika of Leiningen, and Prince Ernst August of Hannover.

Today, the Fürst and Fürstin of Leiningen celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary. On 11 October 1981, Prince Andreas of Leiningen married Princess Alexandra of Hannover in a religious ceremony in Austria. The couple had been civilly married the previous day at Amorbach. Andreas (b.1955) was the second son of Fürst Emich of Leiningen and Fürstin Eilika (née Duchess of Oldenburg). Alexandra (b.1959) was the fifth child and third daughter of Prince Ernst August of Hannover and Princess Ortrud (née Princess of Schleswig-Holstein). Andreas and Alexandra have three children: Hereditary Prince Ferdinand (b.1982; married Princess Viktoria Luise of Prussia), Princess Olga (b.1984), and Prince Hermann (b.1987; married Isabelle Heubach). The Fürst and Fürstin of Leiningen live at Amorbach. 

Our congratulations to Andreas and Alexandra on the occasion of their Ruby Wedding Anniversary! 

The 70th Birthday of Prince Michael of Liechtenstein

Prince Michael in 2013. Photo (c) Getty Images / South China Morning Post.

On 10 October 1951 at Graz, Prince Michael Karl Alfred Maria Felix Moritz of Liechtenstein was born as the second child of Prince Heinrich of Liechtenstein and Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria. Michael's paternal grandparents were Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein and Princess Theresia Maria zu Oettingen-Oettingen und Oettingen-Wallerstein. The prince's maternal grandparents were Emperor Karl of Austria and Empress Zita (née Princess of Bourbon-Parma). Prince Michael has four siblings: Prince Vincenz (1950-2008), Princess Charlotte (b.1953), Prince Christof (b.1956), and Prince Karl (b.1957). 

Prince Michael and Princess Hildegard of Liechtenstein, 1998. Photo (c) Seeger-Presse.

In 1986, Prince Michael of Liechtenstein married Hildegard Berta Peters (b.1948). The prince and princess have two daughters: Princess Theresa (b.1987; married Count Cajetan zu Toerring-Jettenbach) and Princess Gisela (b.1990; married Victor Bergmann). 

Our best wishes to Prince Michael on his seventieth birthday!

The Death of Tây Phuong, the "Last Empress of Vietnam"

Emperor Bao Dai and his wife Princess Vĩnh Thụy in 1992.

Photo (c) Raymond Reuter/Sygma/Corbis.

French journalist and royal researcher Frederic de Natal has reported the recent death of Empress Tây Phuong of Vietnam, the widow of Emperor Bаo Đai. The empress reportedly passed away on the night of 27/28 September at Paris. She was seventy-five years-old. 

Monique Baudot.

Monique Marie Eugénie Baudot was born on 30 April 1946 at Pont-а-Mousson, Lorraine, France. In 1969, she met the widowed Emperor Bаo Đai in the French capital. At the time, Monique Baudot worked in the press office of the Embassy of Zaire to France. The couple married in February 1972, with the bride taking the title Princess Vĩnh Thụy. Between 1972 and 1974, the emperor and princess lived in Hong Kong, before returning to Paris, which became their permanent home. In 1982, the couple visited Vietnamese communities in Los Angeles, California; Washington, DC; and Newark, New Jersey. The last residence of the imperial pair was a small apartment at 29 rue Fresnel in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.

The headstone of Emperor Bao Dai.

Monique in 2006 at the Passy Cemetery.

Aged eighty-three, Emperor Bаo Đai died in Paris on 31 July 1997. The funeral of the emperor was attended by his five children from his first wife, Empress Nam Phương; however, his widow was not present. Bаo Đai was buried at the cimetière de Passy. After the death of the emperor, Princess Vĩnh Thụy assumed the title Empress Tây Phuong. In 2006, the empress presided over the placement of a new headstone on her late husband's final resting place. 

 Princess Vinh Thuy and Emperor Bao Dai in 1992.

Photo (c) Raymond Reuter/Sygma/Corbis

Frederic de Natal has written that the funeral for Empress Tây Phuong will be held on the morning of 14 October at the chapelle Sainte-Bernadette, 4 rue d'Auteuil, Paris.

May the Empress Rest in Peace.

Sources:

Décès de la dernière "impératrice" du Vietnam (Frédéric de Natal on 8 October 2021)

Savez-vous qu’une Mussipontaine est la dernière impératrice du Vietnam ? (L'Est Républicain of 21 January 2021) 

The Funeral of Countess Beatrix of Schönburg-Glauchau

Photo (c) Sabine Brauer of Brauer Photos. 

Yesterday, 6 October, Countess Beatrix of Schönburg-Glauchau was buried at the Nordfriedhof in Munich, Bavaria. Aged, ninety-one, Beatrix died at hospital in Regensburg on 30 September. 

Countess Irina, Count Alexander, Princess Gloria, and Count Carl-Alban at the funeral of their mother. Photo (c) Sabine Brauer of Brauer Photos.

The funeral of Countess Beatrix of Schönburg-Glauchau was attended by her three surviving children and their spouses: Fürstin Gloria of Thurn and Taxis, Count Carl-Alban and Countess Juliet, and Count Alexander and Countess Irina. Beatrix was predeceased by her daughter Countess Maya, who passed away two years ago.

Fürst Albert and Princess Elisabeth of Thurn and Taxis. Photo (c) Sabine Brauer of Brauer Photos.

Most of the grandchildren of the countess were also able to be present for their grandmother's funeral. Beatrix's granddaughter Princess Elisabeth of Thurn and Taxis wrote a very moving remembrance of her grandmother, which she posted to her Instagram account. Elisabeth's post reads as follows:

Today we buried our beloved grandmother, my last grandparent. She lived to be 91, exuding elegance and grace beyond her final breaths, in a hospital bed. She was a mother of 4, a grandmother of 12, a great grandmother of 3 and counting. She lived through war, fled communism, leaving behind her beloved Hungary, to settle down in a foreign place she turned into home. She never complained, rarely explained, a lady through and through. She asked for little and gave everything. She loved Hungary, her people and she was loved by so many more, from all corners and walks of life! She lived a long life full of joy and pain, with endless courage, strength and humility. She died peacefully surrounded by loved ones and continuous prayer. We love you so much Nagy and we will miss you dearly.

Prince Adalbert and Princess Eva Maria of Prussia. Photo (c) Sabine Brauer of Brauer Photos.

Born on 30 January 1930 at Hegyko, Hungary, Countess Beatrix Maria Valeria Therese Emerica Széchényi de Sárvár-Felsövidék was the fourth daughter and last child of Count Bálint Széchényi de Sárvár-Felsövidék (1893 - 1954) and his wife Princess Maria Pavlovna Galitzine (1895 - 1976), who had married in 1921. Beatrix joined three older sisters: Marianne (1923 - 1999; married in 1952 to Olivér de Harisi), Alexandra (1926 - 2018; married in 1958 to Baron Dietrich-Eberhard von Wrede), and Eva (1928 - 1997). Beatrix's parents Bálint and Maria divorced in 1931. In October 1957, Beatrix married Count Joachim von Schönburg-Glauchau (1929 - 1998); they divorced in 1986. Beatrix and Joachim had four children during the course of their union: Countess Maya (1958 - 2019), Countess Gloria (b.1960), Count Carl-Alban (b.1966), and Count Alexander (b.1969).  Eurohistory: Countess Beatrix of Schönburg-Glauchau (1930-2021)

The King of Egypt Shares Images from the Russian Imperial Wedding

The newly-married Princess Victoria Romanova greets King Fuad of Egypt. Photo courtesy of King Fouad II.

On his official Facebook account, King Fuad II of Egypt has shared some lovely pictures from the recent wedding of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff. The king is a long-time friend of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, Head of the Russian Imperial House. Grand Duchess Maria and her son Grand Duke George attended the wedding of Fuad's eldest son Crown Prince Muhammad Ali to Princess Noal Zaher of Afghanistan in 2013.

The Duke of Braganza, Queen Margarita of Bulgaria, King Fuad II of Egypt, Ambassador Roberto Bettarini, Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, and King Simeon II of Bulgaria. Photo courtesy of King Fouad II.

Crown Princess Noal Zaher of Egypt, King Fuad, Princess Tilsim of Liechtenstein, and Crown Prince Muhammad Ali of Egypt.

Photo courtesy of King Fouad II.

King Fuad, Grand Duchess Maria, and Crown Prince Mohamed Ali. Photo courtesy of King Fouad II.

Crown Prince Mohamed Ali, Grand Duchess Maria, and Crown Princess Noal Zaher. Photo courtesy of King Fouad II.

A Greek Royal Wedding in Three Weeks!

According to Ekdoseis Stemma, a Greek royal reporter, the office of King Constantine II of the Hellenes has confirmed that Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark will celebrate his religious marriage to Princess Nina (née Flohr) on 23 October at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens. The engagement of Philippos and Nina was announced in September 2020. The couple held their civil marriage on 12 December 2020 at St. Moritz, Switzerland. Philippos and Nina's wedding will be the first royal wedding to take place in Athens since that in 1964 of the groom's parents, King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie (née Denmark).

Countess Beatrix of Schönburg-Glauchau (1930-2021)

The death notice of Countess Beatrix.

Placed in Mittelbayerische Zeitung.

On 30 September, Countess Beatrix of Schönburg-Glauchau died at hospital in Regensburg. She was ninety-one years-old. The passing of the countess was announced by her daughter Fürstin Gloria of Thurn and Taxis. 

Count Bálint Széchényi and Princess Maria Pavlovna Galitzine

Beatrix's mum: Princess Maria Pavlovna Galitzine

On 30 January 1930, Countess Beatrix Maria Valeria Therese Emerica Széchényi de Sárvár-Felsövidék was born at Hegyko, Hungary. Beatrix was the fourth daughter and last child of Count Bálint Széchényi de Sárvár-Felsövidék (1893 - 1954) and his wife Princess Maria Pavlovna Galitzine (1895 - 1976), who had married in 1921. Beatrix joined three older sisters: Marianne (1923 - 1999; married in 1952 to Olivér de Harisi), Alexandra (1926 - 2018; married in 1958 to Baron Dietrich-Eberhard von Wrede), and Eva (1928 - 1997). Beatrix's parents Bálint and Maria divorced in 1931.

Newlyweds: Count Joachim and Countess Beatrix von Schönburg-Glauchau

In October 1957, Beatrix married Count Joachim von Schönburg-Glauchau (1929 - 1998). The couple had four children during the course of their union: Countess Maya (1958 - 2019), Countess Gloria (b.1960), Count Carl-Alban (b.1966), and Count Alexander (b.1969). Beatrix and Joachim divorced in 1986. Beatrix never remarried; Joachim wed the mother of his youngest child the same year that his divorce from Beatrix was finalised.

Beatrix with her daughter Fürstin Gloria von Thurn und Taxis and her grandson Fürst Albert in 2003. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger

Countess Beatrix with her elder sister Countess Alexandra in 2003. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger 

Beatrix with her late daughter Maya in 2003. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger

Over the years, all of Beatrix's children married, and she was able to enjoy numerous grandchildren. Her eldest daughter, Countess Maya von Schönburg-Glauchau, married German industrial heir Friedrich Christian "Mick" Flick (b.1944) in 1985. Maya and Mick had three children: Alexander, Maria-Pilar, and Ernst-Moritz. The couple divorced in 1993. Maya went on to have another daughter by her partner Stefan Hipp: Carlotta. After some years of illness, Countess Maya died of breast cancer in 2019 at the home of her mother.

Johannes and Gloria of Thurn and Taxis with their three children.

In 1980, Beatrix's youngest daughter, Mariae Gloria, married eventual Fürst Johannes von Thurn und Taxis (1926 - 1990). Gloria and Johannes had three children: Princess Maria Theresia (b.1980), Princess Elisabeth (b.1982), and current Fürst Albert (b.1983). Maria Theresia married British artist Hugo Wilson in 2014; the pair have two daughters, Mafalda (b.2015) and Maya (b.2017).

Count Carl-Alban, Countess Juliet, and their sons Counts Hubertus (the taller) and Benedikt (the smaller) in 2012. Photograph (c) ALAMY / Ursula Dueren

Beatrix's eldest son Carl-Alban married Juliet Beechy-Fowler (b.1966) in 1995. At the time of his marriage, Carl-Alban gave up his rights to the Schönburg-Glauchau title; these passed to his younger brother Alexander. Carl-Alban and his wife Juliet have two sons: Hubertus (b.1996) and Benedikt (b.1999).

Count Alexander von Schönburg-Glauchau and Princess Irina of Hesse on their wedding day

The benjamin of the family, Count Alexander, married Princess Irina of Hesse (b.1971) in 1999. Irina is the daughter of Prince Karl of Hesse and his wife Princess Yvonne. Irina's grandparents were Prince Christoph of Hesse and Princess Sophie of Greece and Denmark, a sister of the Duke of Edinburgh. Alexander and Irina of Schönburg-Glauchau have three children: Countess Maria-Letitia (b.2001), Count Maximus (b.2003), and Count Valentin (b.2005). Alexander has worked as a columnist for Vanity Fair.

May the Countess Rest in Peace.

A Royal Soirée Yesterday at the Russian Museum of Ethnography!

Princess Victoria with her father Ambassador Bettarini. Photo (c) Getty Images / Peter Kovalev.

A happy father and his beautiful daughter. Photo (c) Getty Images / Peter Kovalev.

The happy groom, Grand Duke George, waves to those outside the Russian Museum of Ethnography.

Photo (c) Peter Kovalev / TASS / Newscom.

Yesterday evening, guests gathered at the Russian Museum of Ethnography for a gala dinner after the wedding of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff. The bride, who arrived at the venue on the arm of her father Ambassador Roberto Bettarini, wore her nuptial diadem, the Chaumet Lacis tiara, and its hundreds of diamonds truly blazed in the night. The princess had changed from her wedding gown into a hand-embroidered tulle gown with a white cape made of silk Mikado, inspired by traditional designs and embroidered in a Torzhok style. This creation, as well as the wedding dress of the princess, was the result of a collaboration between New York designer Reem Acra and Russian designer Elina Samarina. 

The Order of Saint Anastasia.

One noticed that the Order of Saint Anastasia the Holy Great Martyr was pinned to the gown of the princess. This order was given to the princess by her mother-in-law, who is the Head of all the Dynastic Orders of the Imperial House of Russia. The Order of Saint Anastasia is only awarded to women.

Grand Duchess Maria. Photo (c) Getty Images / Peter Kovalev.

The mother of the groom and new mother-in-law of the bride! Photo (c) Getty Images / Peter Kovalev.

Grand Duchess Maria of Russia arrives at the gala dinner. Photo (c) Anatoliy Medved /​ SIPA /​ Shutterstock.

Grand Duke George, Hélène Kirby, and Princess Victoria.

Hélène Kirby and Crown Princess Miriam of Bulgaria.

Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, the mother of the groom, donned an amethyst and pearl kokoshnik tiara with amethyst drop earrings. Helen Kirby de Bagration, Countess Dvinskaya and the aunt and godmother of the groom, wore a pearl tiara that has been in the family for many decades (and which was last worn by her sister Grand Duchess Maria at her 1976 wedding).

King Simeon II and Queen Margarita of Bulgaria with Fürst Heinrich XIV Reuß zu Köstritz behind them. Photo (c) Getty Images / Olga Maltseva.

Crown Prince Leka and Crown Princess Elia of Albania. Photo (c) Getty Images / Olga Maltseva.

Prince Joachim and Princess Yasmine Murat. Photo (c) Getty Images / Peter Kovalev.

Prince Aimone and Princess Olga of Savoy, Duke and Duchess of Aosta.

Photo (c) Anatoliy Medved /​ SIPA /​ Shutterstock.

The Duke and Duchess of Braganza with their son Dom Afonso, Prince of Beira, and daughter Infanta Maria Francisca, Duchess of Coimbra. Photo (c) Anatoliy Medved /​ SIPA /​ Shutterstock.

Prince David and Princess Irina Bagration-Mukhransky of Georgia. Photo (c) Anatoliy Medved /​ SIPA /​ Shutterstock.

Princess Lea of Belgium. Photo (c) Anatoliy Medved /​ SIPA /​ Shutterstock.

A bit over five hundred guests were invited to the gala dinner. Social distancing was practiced as much as possible, and tables were kept at an appropriate distance from each other. The wedding organisers have observed many taken measures owing to the coronavirus pandemic. Guests of the imperial wedding have voluntarily undergone temperature checks and many wore masks at different periods. 

The view of a guest at the imperial gala.

Live music was provided throughout the evening by several musicians and vocalists. When guests sat down to dine, each received a commemorative medallion; one side bears the profiles of Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria and the other side bears their joint monogram. This kind of medal has become a much loved keepsake for the guests of royal weddings over the past century. The menu at the dinner was as follows:

Birch Log and Blinis "à la Peterbourgeoise" with Golubitskoe Estate Reisling 2020

Beef Stroganoff "à l'Impériale" with Golubitskoe Estate Merlot 2019

The "Victoria Romanovna" Wedding Cake accompanied by an Orange Sorbet with a Fête de Cheval Brüt Golubitskoe Estate 2018 

Vodka "Tsarskaya Zolotaya"

Mignardises Coffee, Tea, Herbal Tea

The "Victoria Romanovna" Wedding Cake. Photo (c) Michael Lewis-Anderson.

Princess Victoria and Grand Duke George cut their wedding cake with a sword! Photo (c) Russian Imperial Chancellery.

One of the highlights of the evening was surely when the imperial couple cut their wedding cake. Created by baker Michael Lewis-Anderson, this scrumptious creation consisted of fleur d'oranger with blueberries and raspberries. Mr Lewis-Anderson noted that he wished to incorporate the three colours of the Russian flag. He was also inspired by Fabergé, as can be seen by the tip top of the wedding cake. In addition to the menu above, this divine dessert was surely a wonderful finale to a delicious evening.

The imperial couple! Photo (c) Russian Imperial Chancellery.