On This Day In History: The Birth of Prince Eugen of Anhalt, Erstwhile Head of House Anhalt

Duke Eduard of Anhalt (1861-1918)

Princess Luise of Saxe-Altenburg (1873-1953)

 

On 17 April 1903, Prince Eugen Friedrich Ernst August Heinrich Adolf Aribert of Anhalt, Duke of Saxony, Count zu Askanien, was born at Dessau, the capital of the Duchy of Anhalt. Eugen was the fifth child and third son of Duke Eduard of Anhalt (1861-1918) and Princess Luise of Saxe-Altenburg (1873-1953). Eduard and Luise had married in 1895 at Altenburg; the couple had six children, of whom four survived until adulthood: Princess Friederike (born and died in 1896), Prince Leopold (1897-1898), Princess Marie Auguste (1898-1983; married firstly to Prince Joachim of Prussia, then to Baron Johannes-Michael von Loën), Prince Joachim Ernst (1901-1947; Duke of Anhalt; married firstly to Elisabeth Strickrodt, then to Edda Marwitz), Prince Eugen (1903-1980), lastly, and Prince Wolfang (1912-1936). Duke Eduard and Duchess Luise of Anhalt were divorced in 1918, before Eduard's death. Their eldest surviving son, Joachim Ernst, was the last reigning Duke of Anhalt. He lost his throne in 1918 when his uncle and regent, Prince Aribert, abdicated on his behalf. Aribert was the ex-husband of Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein, granddaughter of Queen Victoria; the couple's divorce in 1901 sparked rather a scandal. 

 

Princess Marie Auguste of Anhalt (1898-1983)

Duke Joachim Ernst of Anhalt (1901-1947)

Prince Eugen of Anhalt (1903-1980)

Prince Wolfgang of Anhalt (1912-1936)

 

In January 1928, Prince Eugen and his sister Princess Marie Auguste, Baroness von Loën, took their older brother Duke Joachim Ernst to court at Dessau. The siblings requested that Joachim Ernst, who was described as "an art connoisseur and a theatrical producer," should be placed under a trusteeship by the court. Joachim Ernst contested that his sister Marie Auguste was unjustly seeking damages against him, after he had agreed (but failed) to give her a monthly allowance of $500. The duke further stated that his brother Eugen was only seeking additional monetary gain, as Joachim Ernst alleged that Eugen had already received certain sums of money from the Anhalt estate. 

 

Duke Joachim Ernst of Anhalt and first wife Elisabeth Strickrodt 

 

At this time, Joachim Ernst was married to his first wife, Odile Elisabeth Strickrodt (1903-1971), a former actress. Elisabeth was granted the title Countess of Ascania upon her marriage. Joachim Ernst and Elisabeth divorced in 1929; later that same year, Joachim Ernst remarried to Editha "Edda" Charlotte Wilhelmine Marwitz (adopted daughter of Bertha von Stephani, whose surname Edda used afterwards). Five children were born during the course of the union of Joachim Ernst and Edda: Princess Marie Antoinette "Alexandra" (1930-1993), Princess Anna Luise (1933-2003), Prince Friedrich (1938-1963), Princess Edda (b.1940), and Prince Eduard (b.1941). Duke Joachim Ernst died on 18 February 1947 at Buchenwald as a Russian prisoner of war.

Duke Joachim Ernst of Anhalt

Duchess Edda of Anhalt

 

The Ducal Children: Alexandra, Anna Luise, Friedrich, Edda, and Eduard of Anhalt

Prince Eugen married Anastasia Marie Therese Karoline Jungmeier (25 July 1901-19 February 1970) on 2 October 1935 at Munich. Anastasia was the daughter of industrialist Max Jungmeier and his wife Anastasia Steiner. Eugen and Anastasia of Anhalt had one child: Princess Anastasia Luise Alexandra Elisabeth Jutta Sybille Marie-Auguste Henriette, who was born at Regensburg on 22 December 1940. 

 

Prince Eugen of Anhalt and Anastasia Jungmeier on their wedding day

After it became known that his brother Joachim Ernst had died, Prince Eugen staked his claim as Head of the Ducal House of Anhalt. This occurred despite the fact that two sons were born during the marriage of Joachim Ernst and Edda Marwitz-von Stephani. However, some genealogists have raised doubts about the paternity of Friedrich, Edda, and Eduard of Anhalt, Eugen's nephews and youngest niece. Princess Alexandra, Eugen's niece and Eduard's sister, went on the record in 1990 and claimed that her "half-brother" was actually the son of Heinrich Himmler; Eduard dismissed his sister's words as being part of a smear campaign. The reasoning behind genealogists' doubts about the paternity of Eduard (and his late brother) hold their grounding in the fact that Joachim Ernst, their legal father, was in a concentration camp beginning in 1938 and until his death in 1947: thus, he would not have been in a position to sire children with his wife during that time. Prince Eugen maintained his claim to the Headship of House Anhalt until his death.

 

Prince Eugen of Anhalt

Prince Eugen and Princess Anastasia of Anhalt were both able to witness the marriage of their daughter in 1962. Anastasia Luise civilly married Prince Maria Emanuel of Saxony (1926-2012) on 22 June 1962 at La Tour de Peilz, Switzerland. The couple's religious wedding took place the following day. Maria Emanuel worked as a banker in Switzerland. He was also a painter of talent, and several exhibitions were held that displayed his work. In this vein, he shared a bond with his mother-in-law, Anastasia, who was also a noted painter. The princess signed most of her works as "Anastasia Young [Jung]."

 

Princess Anastasia Luise of Anhalt and Prince Maria Emanuel of Saxony after their civil wedding

 

 

Anastasia Luise and Maria Emanuel after their religious marriage

Upon the death of Prince Friedrich Christian of Saxony in 1968, his son Maria Emanuel succeeded as the Head of the Royal House of Saxony and assumed took the title Margrave of Meißen. Anastasia Luise and Maria Emanuel were married for fifty years when the Margrave of Meißen died on 23 July 2012. The couple did not have children. Maria Emanuel was succeeded as Head of House Saxony by his nephew and adopted son Prince Alexander, Margrave of Meißen, who is married to Princess Gisela of Bavaria. Princess Anastasia Luise, Dowager Margravine of Meißen, is quite close to her nephew and adopted son Alexander, as well as his family, who all embody the future of the Royal House of Saxony.

 

Prince Maria Emanuel and Princess Anastasia Luise, Margrave and Margravine of Meißen

 

 

Maria Emanuel and Anastasia Luise of Saxony with King Simeon and Queen Margarita of Bulgaria
Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger

 

Meanwhile, Princess Anastasia of Anhalt died at Vevey on 20 February 1970, aged sixty-eight. The princess was an artist of some note, and her passing was mentioned in several international papers. Prince Eugen survived his wife by ten years: he died at La Tour de Peilz on 2 September 1980. Eugen of Anhalt was seventy-seven. 

 

Obituary of Princess Anastasia of Anhalt

 

Princess Anastasia Luise of Saxony, Dowager Margravine of Meißen, lives today at the Villa Ascania in Switzerland.

Princess Anastasia Luise of Saxony with Prince Alexander and Princess Gisela of Saxony with their children

Royal Messages of Support Pour in Following Notre-Dame Fire

The Heads of various Royal and Imperial houses around the world have been sending messages of encouragement and support to the French people after the tragic fire at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Paris.

HRH Prince Jean d'Orléans, Count of Paris

The Message of HRH The Count of Paris:

This afternoon, at 3:00pm, I will go to Notre-Dame de Paris. I will pray for our country, of which Our Lady, erected by the kings of France, is the spiritual and protective symbol. I call on all French people to live in the same way and to unite in Hope.

 

HIH Jean-Christophe, Prince Napoléon

The Message of HIH The Prince Napoléon:

Deeply saddened by the tragedy of Notre-Dame de Paris. I thank the firefighters for their courage, and my prayers are with the Catholics during this Holy Week. 

I believe in the strength and solidarity of the French people to revive together this extraordinary monument, symbol of our heritage and our History.

 

TRH The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

 

The Messages of TRH The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg:

Monsieur le Président de la République, 

The images of Notre Dame Cathedral on fire broke our hearts last night. Today we want to salute the movement of mobilization which is being born so that this high place of French civilization shines again in the whole world. Our bond with Our Lady is stronger than ever. 

Henri and Maria Teresa
Luxembourg, 16 April 2019

Monseigneur the Archbishop of Paris,
Monsignor Patrick Chauvet, Rector-Archpriest of Notre-Dame Cathedral, 

The images of the burning cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris have upset us because of this unique link that unites us to the symbol of Christian and eternal France. We did not expect to relive the time of the cathedral builders. We will be with you wholeheartedly in this work of reconstruction so that comfort gives way to our immense sorrow. 

Henri and Maria Teresa
Luxembourg, 16 April 2019

 

 

HIH Grand Duchess Maria of Russia

The Message of HIH The Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia:

The Head of the Imperial House of Russia, H.I.H. the Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, and her son and heir, H.I.H. the Grand Duke George of Russia, were deeply saddened by the news of the destruction by fire of a significant part of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. This is a tragic event for the entire Christian world, a portentous sign, and an irreplaceable loss for the culture of all the world. Their Imperial Highnesses pray that the Lord will preserve the lives of all the firefighters and others who are offering aid during this dreadful catastrophe, and that He will save from destruction the many holy relics which are kept in the Cathedral. The Grand Duchess and Grand Duke send their deepest condolences to the people of France.

HM The King of Sweden

The Message of HM The King of Sweden:

His Excellency Emmanuel Macron
President of the French Republic
PARIS 

Her Majesty the Queen and I wish to express our sincere sympathy following the fire at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris and convey our deep feelings of solidarity to the French people. 

CARL GUSTAF R

Royal Palace, Stockholm
16 April 2019 

HM The Queen

The Message of HM The Queen of the United Kingdom:

Prince Philip and I have been deeply saddened to see the images of the fire which has engulfed Notre-Dame Cathedral.

I extend my sincere admiration to the emergency services who have risked their lives to try to save this important national monument.

My thoughts and prayers are with those who worship at the Cathedral and all of France at this difficult time.

Elizabeth R.

 

HRH The Prince of Wales

 

The Message of HRH The Prince of Wales:

Cher Monsieur le Président, 

My wife and I were utterly heartbroken to learn of the terrible fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral this evening and wanted to let you know immediately how much we are thinking of yourself and the French people at this most agonizing of times, and of the emergency services who are so bravely tackling the blaze.

I realize only too well what a truly special significance the Cathedral holds at the heart of your nation; but also for us all outside France it represents one of the greatest architectural achievements of Western Civilization. It is a treasure for all mankind and, as such, to witness its destruction in this most dreadful conflagration is a shattering tragedy, the unbearable pain of which we all share.

Cher Monsieur le Président, our hearts go out to you and the people of France more than you can ever know, especially in view of our experience with the devastating fire at Windsor Castle twenty-seven years ago. We send you our most profound sympathy, however inadequate that may be.

Très cordialement à vous
Charles
The Prince of Wales

Fifty Years Since the Death of Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain

On 15 April 1969, Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain died at Lausanne, Switzerland, at the age of eighty-one. The queen was buried on 18 April 1969 at the Église du Sacré-Cœur in Lausanne. Sixteen years later, Her Majesty was reburied at El Escorial in Spain on 25 April 1985.

Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain

The future queen of Spain was born on 24 October 1887 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The princess was the daughter of Prince Henry of Battenberg (1858-1896) and Princess Beatrice of the United Kingdom (1857-1944), who had married in 1885. The newest Battenberg was named after her grandmother, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, and her godmother, Empress Eugénie of the French.

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Princess Victoria Eugenia of Battenberg married King Alfonso XIII of Spain on 31 May 1906 at San Jerónimo el Real in Madrid. The celebrations were marred by a failed assassination attempt on the couple. Victoria Eugenia's wedding was attended by her mother Beatrice, by her brothers Alexander and Louis, and by her cousins the Prince and Princess of Wales (the future King George V and Queen Mary).

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Assassination attempt on King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia on their wedding day

 

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In the course of their marriage, King Alfonso and Queen Victoria Eugenia had seven children in quick succession. The first to arrive was the heir, Infante Alfonso, Prince of Asturias, on 10 May 1907. The Prince of Asturias renounced his dynastic rights in 1933 upon his first marriage to Edelmira Sampedro-Ocejo y Robato, Countess of Covadonga (1906-1994). The couple's union ended in divorce in 1937. That same year, Alfonso married Marta Esther Rocafort-Altuzarra (1913-1993); they separated after a few months and were divorced in 1938. The Prince of Asturias passed away at the age of thirty-one on 6 September 1938. Like his youngest sibling, Gonzalo, the prince had inherited haemophilia, the tragic legacy of Queen Victoria, through his mother Queen Victoria Eugenia.

 

Infante Alfonso, Prince of Asturias

 

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Next to arrive was Infante Jaime on 23 June 1908. Jaime, who was titled Duke of Segovia, renounced his rights to the throne of Spain in 1933. The infante married twice, both times morganatically. In 1935, Jaime married Emanuelle de Dampierre (1913-2012), with whom he had two sons, Alfonso and Gonzalo. The Duke and Duchess of Segovia civilly divorced in 1947. In 1949, Infante Jaime took as his second wife former German actress Charlotte Tiedemann (1919-1979). The Duke of Segovia died on 20 March 1975 at the age of sixty-six.

Infante Jaime of Spain

 

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Then came Infanta Beatriz on 22 June 1909. Beatriz wed Alessandro Torlonia, 5th Prince of Civitella-Cesi in 1935. Beatriz passed away on 22 November 2002 at the age of ninety-three. Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg (b.1968; née Weiller), wife of Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg and sister-in-law of Grand Duke Henri, is a granddaughter of the infanta.

Infanta Beatriz of Spain

 

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A stillborn son followed Infanta Beatriz, Infante Fernando, who was born and died on 21 May 1910.

On 12 December 1911, Infanta Maria Cristina joined the family. In 1940, the infanta married Enrico Eugenio Marone-Cinzano, 1st Count Marone. Maria Cristina died at the age of eighty-five on 23 December 1996.

Infanta Maria Cristina of Spain

Infante Juan was born on 20 June 1913: he was given the title Count of Barcelona and married Princess Maria de las Mercedes of the Two Sicilies in 1935. The Count and Countess of Barcelona became the parents of King Juan Carlos I of Spain and his two sisters, Infantas Pilar and Margarita. The Count of Barcelona died on 1 April 1993, aged seventy-nine.

Infante Juan of Spain

 

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Lastly came Infante Gonzalo, who arrived on 24 October 1914 and died aged nineteen on 13 August 1934. Gonzalo had inherited haemophilia through his mother; this affliction led to his early death after he was involved in an automobile accident.

Infante Gonzalo of Spain

 

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With her family, Victoria Eugenia departed Spain on 14 April 1931 when elections in the country brought the Republicans to power. Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain became a widow on 28 February 1941, when King Alfonso XIII died at Rome following the fallout of a heart attack suffered earlier in the month. The couple had lived separate lives for sometime. 

 

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The queen returned to Spain in February 1968 to witness the baptism of her great grandson, Infante Felipe (the current King of Spain). 

 

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Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris in Royal History

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Today, Monday, 15 April 2019, is a day that will not be forgotten or remembered happily in history. On this day, during Holy Week, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris was engulfed in flames beginning at 6:40PM CEST. As of 12:00AM CEST, the fire still burns at Notre-Dame.

 

Fire consumes Notre-Dame de Paris

Construction of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Paris started in 1163 and was largely finished by 1345. The cathedral is located the Île de la Cité in the fourth arrondissement of Paris. Over its more than 800 years of existence, Notre-Dame has been subject to numerous renovations. 

 

The Nave of Notre-Dame de Paris

 

The Cathedral has been the sight of numerous events of immense historic importance. It is a Roman Catholic Church that serves as an icon of Paris and France: it contains numerous treasures of immeasurable worth. The full extent of the loss is not yet known.

 

Here is a small selection of images of European royal history that have occurred at Our Lady of Paris.

 

King Henry VI of England is crowned King of France on 16 December 1431 at Notre-Dame

 

The Marriage at Notre-Dame of King François II of France and Queen Mary of Scots on 24 April 1558

 

The Coronation of Napoléon I as Emperor of the French on 2 December 1804 at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame

 

The Marriage of the Duke of Berry and Princess Marie-Caroline of the Two Sicilies on 17 June 1816 at Notre-Dame

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who mourn this horrific event. 

On This Day In History: The Death of Francisco de Asís, King Consort of Spain

Queen Isabel II and King Consort Francisco de Asís of Spain

On 13 April 1902, His Majesty Francisco de Asís, King Consort of Spain, died at his residence, the château d'Épinay-sur-Seine in Paris. He was seventy-nine years-old. Francisco was the husband of the by-then-deposed Queen Isabel II of Spain (10 October 1830 – 9 April 1904). At his deathbed, the king consort was surrounded by his wife the Queen and their daughters the Infantas Isabel and Eulalia. Francisco's earthly remains were buried in the Panteón de los Reyes at El Escorial Monastery, outside Madrid.

Château d'Èpinay-sur-Seine (today functions as City Hall of the Parisian suburb of Èpinay-sur-Seine)

Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain and Princess Luisa Carlotta of the Two Sicilies

Infante Francisco de Asís María Fernando of Spain was born at the Royal Palace of Aranjuez on 13 May 1822. Francisco was the second son and third child of Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain (1794-1865) and his first wife and niece Princess Luisa Carlotta of the Two Sicilies (1804-1844); the couple had married in 1819. Francisco de Paula was the youngest son of King Carlos IV of Spain (1748-1819) and his wife and first cousin Queen Maria Luisa (1751-1819; née Bourbon-Parma); Luisa Carlotta was the daughter of King Francesco I of the Two Sicilies (1777-1830) and his second wife and first cousin Queen Maria Isabel (1789-1848; née Spain).

King Ferdinando VII and Queen Maria Cristina of Spain

Francisco de Asís was the third of eleven children born to his parents. Francisco de Asís had been preceded by two siblings: Infante Francisco de Asís (1820-1821) and Infanta Isabel (1821-1897). Francisco de Paula and Luisa Carlotta had eight more offspring after their second son's birth. These children were: Infante Enrique (1823-1870), Infanta Luisa (1824-1900), Infante Duarte Felipe (1826-1830), Infanta Josefina (1827-1910), Infanta Teresa (1828-1829), Infante Fernando (1832-1854), Infanta Maria Cristina (1833-1902), and Infanta Amalia (1834-1905). Like his older brother, who died as an infant, Francisco de Asís was named after St Francis of Assisi. 

A medal to commemorate the marriage of Queen Isabel II of Spain and Infante Francisco of Spain

On 10 October 1846 (the sixteenth birthday of the Queen), Infante Francisco de Asís of Spain was married at Madrid to Queen Isabel II of Spain, the first daughter of King Ferdinando VII and Queen Maria Cristina of Spain (née Two Sicilies). Francisco and Isabel were double first cousins: both were grandchildren of King Carlos IV and Queen Maria Luisa of Spain (née Bourbon-Parma) as well as grandchildren of King Francesco I and Queen Maria Isabella of the Two Sicilies (née Spain). It was well-known that the couple were ill-suited from the beginning: Isabel was a man-eater and Francisco de Asís was not manly. In Madrid, famous for cutting sobriquets, Francisco de Asís was known as "Paquita," a diminutive of "Francisca." Spanish historians have argued that the bride was more interested in marrying her groom's bother, Infante Enrique, a virile, swashbuckling young man who seemed better suited to the wedding bed than his older bother. Reluctantly, Queen Isabel II and Infante Francisco de Asís entered into holy matrimony in a joint wedding ceremony alongside the queen's sister Infanta Luisa Fernanda (1832-1897) and Prince Antoine d'Orléans, Duke of Montpensier (1824-1890), the son of King Louis Philippe and Queen Marie-Amélie of the French. There had been much international debate about which royal prince should be wed to which of the two sisters. Queen Isabel certainly drew the shorter straw when she wound up with her effete cousin Francisco, while Infanta Luisa was considered far more lucky in getting the Duke of Montpensier. The French monarch's hope centered on Francisco de Asís being unable to procreate any children, thus the crown passing to the offspring of Montpensier and Luisa Fernanda. Queen Isabel's prodigous sexual appetite, which she satisfied by welcoming countless men to her bed chamber, ensured her one would retain the Spanish throne.

King Consort Francisco de Asís of Spain

During the course of the union of Queen Isabel II and King Consort Francisco de Asís, she gave birth countless times. Very few of her children shared the same father. However, of Queen Isabel II's many offspring, only five children reached adulthood. The first to arrive was Infanta Isabel (1851-1931), who married her mother's and father's first cousin Prince Gaetan of the Two Sicilies, Count of Girgenti. Infanta Isabel, quite possibly a lesbian, became a widow at a young age due to her husband's suicide. She never remarried, but her Madrid palace witnessed a long line of lady companions. Next to appear was the only surviving son, the future King Alfonso XII of Spain (1857-1885), who went on to marry twice. His first wife was Infanta María de las Mercedes, one of the many children of Montpensier and Luisa Fernanda. However, the beloved queen died of tuberculosis just months after their wedding. Alfonso XII's second wife was Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria (1858-1929), who served as regent during the childhood of the king's posthumous son, Alfonso XIII. The third child and second daughter, Infanta María del Pilar (1861-1879), came next; she was considered as a bride for the Prince Imperial, son of Emperor Napoléon III and Empress Eugénie of the French. The fourth child and third daughter, Infanta María de la Paz (1862–1946), then made her appearance; Paz married her first cousin Prince Ludwig Ferdinand of Bavaria (1859-1949), son of Infanta Amalia (a sister of Francisco de Asís) and Prince Adalbert, youngest son of King Ludwig I and Queen Theresa of Bavaria. Finally, and lastly, Infanta Eulalia (1864-1958) arrived and completed the family unit; Eulalia wed her cousin Infante Antonio, Duke of Galliera (1866-1930). Theirs was a disastrous marriage that caused the royal family much angst. Their two sons, Alfonso and Luis Fernando, suffered greatly by the marital turmoil of their parents. Alfonso, known as "Ali" within the family circle, made a splendid marriage to Princess Beatrice of Edinburgh, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. As for Luis Fernando, he was a walking mess...well-known for his homosexual escapades, and alcohol and drug-induced debauchery, he eventually went through his fortune. Left with few options, he married Princess Marie de Broglie (née Say), a wealthy widow whose fortune Luis Fernando dealt a death blow to.

Infanta Isabel of Spain and Prince Gaetan of the Two Sicilies

King Alfonso XII and Queen Maria Cristina of Spain (née Austria)

Infanta Pilar of Spain

Infanta Paz of Spain and Prince Ludwig Ferdinand of Bavaria

Infanta Eulalia of Spain, Duchess of Galliera

In 1833, Isabel II became Queen of Spain at the age of three following the death of her father. In 1868, after thirty-five years on the throne, Isabel II abdicated following the Glorious Revolution. The queen, the king consort, and the royal children left for exile in France. In 1870, Isabel and Francisco separated on amicable terms. The only surviving son, Alfonso XII, reigned as King of Spain from 1874 until his untimely death in 1885. 

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Queen Isabel and King Consort Francisco de Asís survived King Alfonso XII by more than fifteen years. Queen Isabel II died on 9 April 1904 at Paris, aged seventy-three. She was also laid to rest at the Panteón de los Reyes in El Escorial. 

The majority of the estate left by King Consort Francisco de Asís went to his favorite grandson Infante Fernando of Bavaria, who married his first cousin Infanta María Teresa, youngest of two daughters of King Alfonso XII and Queen Maria Christina. Infante Fernando and his grandfather shared an interest in beautiful objets d'art and jewelry. Noted Spanish historian, Ricardo Mateos, has alleged that Infante Fernando also shared his grandfather's taste for homosexual liaisons.

Queen Isabel II of Spain in exile

King Felipe VI (b.1968), the great-great-great grandson of Queen Isabel II and King Consort Francisco de Asís, is the current Spanish monarch. 

King Felipe VI of Spain

Count of Paris to meet President Macron in May

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Prince Jean, Count of Paris, will meet President Emmanuel Macron on 2 May 2019. The Head of the Royal House of France will receive the President of the French Republic at the Château d'Amboise. Formerly the personal property of the Orléans family, the château has been owned by the Fondation St Louis since 1974, when the grandfather of the current Count of Paris placed a number of the family's properties into the foundation to secure them for future generations.

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The Château d'Amboise was the site of an event that held particular importance for Prince Jean d'Orléans. In September 1987 at Amboise, his grandfather, the late Henri, Count of Paris, announced to a group of 2,000 French monarchists that he was granting his elder grandson Jean the title Duke of Vendôme and his younger grandson Eudes the title Duke of Angoulême. Henri also made it clear that he was designating Jean to be his immediate successor, thus disinheriting Jean's father Henri, who had greatly displeased his father after his 1984 divorce from Princess Marie-Thérèse, Duchess of Montpensier (née Württemberg). In making this decision, the Count of Paris also bypassed his eldest grandson, Prince François d'Orléans, who had been born with a several handicap.

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As the French Royal Family was celebrating 1,000 years of the Capetian dynasty, the Count of Paris, the Duchess of Montpensier, and the Duke of Angoulême all watched from their place on the dais as the Duke of Vendôme read the following statement to those assembled: "If one day circumstances lead Frenchmen to confer national responsibilities on me, it will be because I have earned their confidence by my work, my efforts, and, I hope, my services rendered. The second millennium has begun in honour, peace and respect. With the help of God, long live France." [In 1991, after reconciling, the Count of Paris restored his son Prince Henri, Count of Clermont, to his place in the line of succession. The count also granted the title Princess of Joinville to Micaëla, the second wife of the Count of Clermont. Upon the death of Prince Henri, Count of Paris, in 1999, he was succeeded as Head of the Royal House by his eldest son Henri (1933-2019). Prince Jean became the Head of House France following the death of his father in January.]

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The Count of Paris and President Macron will be coming together at Amboise in May to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci.

Crown Princess Cecilie of Prussia's Fabergé Tiara Goes Up For Sale

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This week Sotheby's confirmed that a diamond Fabergé tiara, formerly the property of Crown Princess Cecilie of Prussia (1886-1954; née Mecklenburg-Schwerin), will go to auction in Geneva on 14 May 2019. The tiara is described by the auction house as "[being] set with three circular-cut diamonds, framed with stylised laurels within an arched surround of lattice work design, joined with rose diamond quatrefoils, central circular motif detachable, six small rose diamonds deficient, unsigned." This magnificent piece was created in 1903 and was a gift to Cecilie upon her marriage in 1905 to Crown Prince Wilhelm, eldest son of Wilhelm II.

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The Fabergé tiara did not solely adorn the head of the Crown Princess. In 1949, her youngest child Princess Cecilie (1917-1975) wore the tiara when she married American architect Clyde Harris (1918-1958). Princess Cecilie and Clyde Harris had one child, Kira (b.1954). Princess Cecilie was the only daughter of Crown Princess Cecilie to marry; she was also the only daughter of the Crown Princess to whom the tiara would have been bequeathed. Crown Princess Cecilie's only other daughter, Princess Alexandrine (1915-1980), was affected with Down Syndrome.

Crown Princess Cecilie with her daughters Princess Alexandrine (left) and Princess Cecilie (right)

It is conservatively estimated that the tiara will fetch between $200,000-$300,000; however, it will likely bring much more when it comes to the auction floor owing to its glorious past.

For more on this magnificent piece of royal jewellery, please visit Sotheby's: Diamond tiara, attributed to Fabergé, circa 1903