The Newest Royal Centenarian: 100 Years of Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar, Princess of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach

Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar and Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach on their wedding day.
Photograph (c) Eurohistory Photo Collections.

On 31 March 1920, HSH Princess Felicitas Sophie Katharine Margarethe Hermine Irene zu Salm-Horstmar was born at Potsdam. Today, the princess celebrates her 100th birthday. Felicitas is the oldest living member of the European Gotha.

The paternal grandmother of Felicitas: Fürstin Emilie zu Salm-Horstmar (1841-1892).

The mother of Felicitas: Princess Sabine von Schoenaich-Carolath (1893-1965).
© Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels / photo: J. Geleyns / Ro scan

The princess was the third daughter of Prince Emich zu Salm-Horstmar (1883-1959) and Princess Sabine von Schoenaich-Carolath (1893-1965). Emich and Sabine married in 1914; the couple had three children: Princess Sieglinde (1915-2006; who married Franz Bussmann), Princess Rosmarie (1918-2005; who married Conrad Kirchmeyer), and Princess Felicitas. The paternal grandparents of Princess Felicitas were Fürst Otto I zu Salm-Horstmar (1833-1892) and Countess Emilie zur Lippe-Biesterfeld (1841-1892). The maternal grandparents of Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar were Fürst Karl zu Carolath-Beuthen (1845-1912) and his second wife Countess Katharina von Reichenbach-Goschütz (1861-1941).

Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach with his son Bernhard.

Grand Duchess Feodora of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach with her son Bernhard.

Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach.

Princess Felicitas married Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (1917-1986) on 12 March 1943 at Heinrichau. Bernhard was the third child and second son of Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (1876-1923) and his second wife Princess Feodore of Saxe-Meiningen (1890-1972). Felicitas and Bernhard had three children: Princess Katharina (b.1944), Prince Alexander (1945-1945), and Prince Wilhelm Ernst (b.1946). Felicitas and Bernhard divorced in 1956 after thirteen years of marriage.

Princess Katharina of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach marries Prince Emanuel of Hohenzollern.
Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger.

Princess Katharina of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach with her daughter Eugenia and granddaughter Angelina.
Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger.

In May 1968, Princess Katharina of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, the only daughter of Felicitas, married Prince Emanuel of Hohenzollern (1929-1999). Emanuel was the son of Prince Franz Joseph of Hohenzollern (1891-1964) and Princess Maria Alix of Saxony (1901-1990). Katharina and Emanuel had two children, Princess Eugenia (b.1969) and Prince Carl Alexander (b.1970), before divorcing in 1985.

Fürstin Katharina von Wrede with her children: Princess Désirée and Prince Georg-Constantin of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach.
Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger.

Prince Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and his children: Prince Georg-Constantin and Princess Désirée.
Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger.

In May 1973, Prince Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, the only surviving son of Felicitas, married Eva Katalin [Katharina] Kovarcz de Kovarczfalva (b.1945). Eva was the daughter of Dezsö Kovarcz de Kovarczfalva and Eva-Maria Fiala-Vogelsang. Wilhelm Ernst and Eva had two children, Princess Désirée (b.1974) and Prince Georg-Constantin (1977-2018), before divorcing in 1985. Eva married Fürst Karl von Wrede (b.1942) in 1991.

Princess Désirée of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and Count Florian von und zu Hoensbroech on their wedding day.
Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger.

From her four grandchildren, Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar has seven great-grandchildren. In 1991, her granddaughter Princess Eugenia of Hohenzollern married Alexander Sautter: the couple have two daughters. In 2000, her granddaughter Princess Désirée of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach married Count Florian von und zu Hoensbroech (b.1969): the couple have five sons.

The ill-fated heir: Prince Georg-Constantin of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach.
Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger.

In August 2015, the ninety-five year-old Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar attended the marriage of her grandson Prince Georg-Constantin of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach to Olivia Page (b.1979). Given that the Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach dynasty was short of male dynasts, Georg-Constantin would have eventually become the Head of the Grand Ducal House after his cousin Michael Benedikt and his father Wilhelm Ernst. Sadly, the prince died as the result of an equestrian accident in 2018.

Princess Felicitas is a first cousin once removed of Fürst Philipp Otto zu Salm-Horstmar, the head of the family.

We wish the Princess many happy returns of the day!

Royal Family of Romania Gives Messages Of Support To The Romanian People

Embed from Getty Images

Recently, Princess Margarita of Romania and her nephew Nicholas took to social media to offer their support to the people of their country during this difficult time.

Margarita, who is often styled as Her Majesty The Custodian of the Crown, delivered her message on the occasion of her birthday, 26 March. This year the princess turned seventy-one. Margarita is the eldest daughter of the late King Michael and Queen Anne of Romania. In her video, Margarita expressed thanks for the congratulations and well wishes on the occasion of her birthday, while also addressing the concerns around the current pandemic. Margarita is the founder of the Princess Margarita of Romania Foundation.

[English subtitles are available for the statement delivered by Prince Nicholas above.]

On 26 March, Nicholas of Romania wished his aunt Margarita a happy birthday on all of his social media platforms. Two days later, on 28 March, Nicholas issued a video statement wherein he thanked the Romanian authorities, nongovernmental organisations, private companies, and, especially, the medical professionals who are working to safe people affected with COVID-19 in the nation. Adhering to the advice offered by most medical experts on infectious diseases, Nicholas and his wife Alina-Maria have been self-isolating at home for the past several weeks. Nicholas is the founder of the Prince Nicholas Association.

The people of Romania can be certain that the members of their royal family stand with them in this current public health crisis, which has left no nation untouched.

Archduke Sigismund, Titular Grand Duke of Tuscany, Gives Statement To Tuscans Urging Solidarity In Uncertain Times

 

On Friday, 27 March, Archduke Sigismund of Austria, Titular Grand Duke of Tuscany, issued a statement offering good wishes and strength to the Tuscan people during the ongoing public health crisis due to coronavirus. Sigismund (b.1966) is the Head of the Grand Ducal House of Tuscany. He is son of Archduke Leopold Franz (b.1942), who renounced his rights as Head of House to his eldest son in 1993, and Laetitia de Belzunce-d'Arenberg (b.1941).

The grand ducal statement reads as follows:

Dear all, 

In this moment of hard trial, both physical and moral, I wish to make all of you, the Tuscan People, as well as all other Italians, feel the sense of my caring and vigilant attention, as well as my intension solidarity.  

The health authorities do well to warn us against this dangerous and invisible enemy; measures that tend towards the so-called "social distancing" are necessary, but, inevitably, they generate in each of us a sense of tiredness and frustration. 

For this reason, and also in order to live better this strong Lenten time, I invite you to "not lose sight of each other"; if this is physically impossible nowadays, we can still cheer up the day of some old Friend (or brother) of ours by calling him and making him feel our affectionate closeness. 

[May] this Lenten time, so strange and so different from any other time experienced so far, be for all of us a moment of deep reflection and awakening of our consciousness. Prayer then becomes fundamental to create a virtuous circle of good souls who are committed to soliciting and encouraging the healing of the sick, as well as to accelerate the transit to the Lord of those who have not made it. 

Our thoughts go to the inhabitants of the whole world, since this devious and terrible enemy does not seem to spare any country at all.  

For my part, I am close to you with much affection and participation in your anxieties, worries and fears, with the promise to return to you as soon as possible in your beautiful country. In the meantime, I wish you all the best for the approaching Holy Easter, first, and hopefully last, of this kind. 

[signed] 

Sigismondo d'Asburgo-Lorena

Sigismund's ancestor: Grand Duke Ferdinando IV of Tuscany

Archduke Sigismund is the great-great grandson of Grand Duke Ferdinand IV of Tuscany, who was the last member of the dynasty to rule. Ferdinand IV (1835-1908) reigned for less than a year, between June 1859 and March 1860, when the grand duke lost his country due to Italian unification under the Savoys of Sardinia.

Grand Duchess Maria of Russia Addresses Her Fellow Countrymen

Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia
Photograph (c) Russian Imperial House

 

Today Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, Head of the Imperial House of Russia, issued a public statement to the Russian people about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

A Statement from the Head of the Imperial House of Russia H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia on the Coronavirus Pandemic

To my fellow Countrymen:

The entire world, including our country Russia, is enduring an enormous challenge. An illness is spreading across the globe and a cure for it has yet to be discovered.

In some countries, the virus has already claimed thousands of lives. But even in those countries where the situation is less desperate, there remains the possibility of a rapid explosion in the number of cases. The real danger lies in the fact that carriers of the virus often exhibit no symptoms, but can still transmit the disease, unknowingly, to many other people they encounter.

Just a few short months ago, we celebrated the New Year 2020, wishing each other happiness and making plans for the future. Probably no one expected that our lives would be suddenly and starkly changed, and that all of our plans, cares and problems would recede into the background, replaced by the global task facing each and every one of us: to prevent getting infected with the virus ourselves, and not to become a source of suffering and death for others.

In these circumstances, I consider it my duty to turn to you with a request and appeal.

Without despair or panic, and holding firm our faith in Divine protection, hope and optimism, we must be responsible as never before.

We must comply strictly and completely with the instructions of state authorities, doctors and other public health professionals.

We must be grateful to all the various medical professionals, pharmacists, law enforcement agencies, the military, firefighters and other emergency services, clergy, volunteers, store and shop employees and transport workers—everyone who is now working at considerable risk to their lives in order to meet the needs of the public and to strengthen our spirit. We must help them in any way we can and express our deep appreciation for their heroism and self-sacrifice. And we must in no way commit the sin of grumbling or otherwise obstructing the implementation of necessary measures being enacted to prevent the spread of this pandemic.

We can protect ourselves and others from danger by observing the simplest rules: do not leave your homes unless absolutely necessary, wash your hands and disinfect all surfaces, do not touch your face, keep the recommended distance, and limit contacts with others as much as possible.

In observing these small and temporary limitations on our freedom, we may save ourselves and possibly hundreds or even thousands of others.

There surely is no single explanation for why the Lord periodically allows such disasters to occur. But it is very clear that this is a serious life test for each of us. Think what answer we will give to our conscience if, due to our own carelessness, the lives of our parents and relatives, friends, or even strangers we happen upon, are cut short by an illness they contracted from us.

At such times, the words of our Saviour take on special meaning: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:48). The young and strong should, fully adhering to sanitary guidelines, step in to help the elderly and the weak who are in need of care and attention. The wealthy and those in positions of power must assume even more social responsibilities and prove by their actions that their privileges and positions serve the interests of society at this trying moment.

The people of Russia have endured many trials and tribulations and have each time saved their country through unity. Let us be united now, even if conditions force us to minimize direct contact with each other.

Let us try to turn this unfortunate situation into something good. Popular wisdom tells us: “There is always a silver lining” and “There is always some blessing in misfortune.” We can hope that the current misfortune might weaken the political and economic competition between nations and unite them to work together to save lives, without regard for religious, national and social differences, because the virus does not make such distinctions, but affects everyone. We can ourselves remember our traditional values and rely on them to bolster our resolve. We can appreciate anew our relationships with those near us or far away and the connections that bind all humanity. We can love and care for our spouses, parents and children, whom we can sometimes take for granted in a world filled with cares and bustle. We can do acts of mercy. We can put the needs of others above our own dreams and aspirations. We can learn from our history the necessary lessons for our future.

I was preparing to visit my homeland in May for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Victory in World War II. The serious situation in Spain has confined me to Madrid, however, where, as you know, the rate of infection is extremely high and strict quarantine measures have been introduced by the government. As a result, I will not be able to travel outside of Spain in the immediate future. But the one person closest to me, my hope and support, my son and heir, Grand Duke George of Russia, is now in Moscow. It is difficult and sad for me to be apart from him, but I thank God that he—and through him, the Imperial House—can help our homeland in this difficult period, not only from abroad, but also directly inside Russia.

I extend my deepest, most sincere condolences to all who have lost relatives and friends in this pandemic. I pray for the speedy recovery of all those who have become ill, and for the preservation of the health of all.

May Almighty God help us and hasten the hour when the coronavirus pandemic shall end, through the strength of our Faith and Reason.

H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia

Madrid, 16/29 March 2020

 

Get Well Soon, Sir: The Condition of Prince Antônio of Orleans and Bragança is Improving!

Prince Dom Antônio of Orleans and Bragança Photograph (c) Casa Imperial do Brasil

Almost two weeks ago, it was announced that Prince Dom Antônio, second in line to the headship of the Imperial House of Brazil, had contracted the novel coronavirus. Today his family has informed the public that Prince Antônio of Orleans and Bragança's condition is no longer considered serious. The prince, who is still hospitalised, is awaiting a transfer from the ICU to another hospital unit. Dom Antônio has been progressively improving since the beginning of this week. The prince is considered as part of the Covid-19 at-risk group, not only because he is over sixty-years old, but also due to the fact that he has a pre-existing history of pulmonary complications. Antônio was the only member of the Brazilian Imperial Family to be hospitalised due to the coronavirus. Also diagnosed with COVID-19, Antônio's brothers, Prince Francisco and Prince Alberto, as well as his sister-in-law, Princess Maritza, were able to be treated at home. Late on the evening of Friday, 27 March, the Secretariet of the Imperial House released the following statement:

ANNOUNCEMENT: THE STATE OF HEALTH OF PRINCE DOM ANTÔNIO 

São Paulo, 27 March 2020 

Prince Don Antonio of Orleans and Bragança is still in treatment for the NOVEL coronavirus (Covid-19), assisted by his wife and son, Princess Dona Christine and Prince Dom Rafael. 

His Highness remains in Rio de Janeiro, where he is awaiting a transfer from the intensive care unit (ICU) to another room. 

We thank you for all your prayers to God, our Lord, and to the Blessed Virgin, for the full restoration of his health. 

The other members of the Imperial Family who have contracted the disease have been recovering at home, without the need for hospitalisation. 

More information will be released in due course.

Source: Coronavírus: estado de saúde do Príncipe Dom Antonio já não é mais grave

All Are Equal In The Eyes Of The Law: Princess Marie Of Romania Arrested In New Mexico In 2009

Screenshot from MUGSHOTS.COM / Photos shown are (c) MUGSHOTS.COM

On 12 January 2009, HRH Princess Marie of Romania was booked in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, on the charge of "failure to appear." In the typical terse terms of a police report, it was noted that Marie was 5'8" and 162 lbs with blonde hair and hazel eyes. Although divorced from her husband since 2003, she was booked under the name "Marie Mystkowski." The princess was released the same day on a $200.00 bond.

Marie had moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2004 in order to began what she described as her "wapeni," which is a Native American word meaning "renewal." The princess and her husband Kazimierz Mystkowski, a Polish-born investment technology specialist, had divorced in 2003 after a long separation. During their brief marriage, which took place in 1995 and was attended by the bride's parents King Michael and Queen Anne, the couple lived in New York.

After relocating to New Mexico, Marie, known en famille as Mia, was the defendant in several lawsuits, one of which resulted in her arrest.

In July 2005, the princess was sued by her landlord, a Donald Yates. During this court case, her name was given as "Mia Mystkowski." In October 2005, the court ruled in the landlord's favour, and ordered Marie to pay him $1,732.00. The case was administratively closed by the New Mexico judicial system in October 2019.

In May 2008, GE Money Bank filed suit against the princess, under the name Marie Mystkowski, for "debt and money due." Several months later, a writ of garnishment was issued by the court, forcing Marie to repay what she owed.

The next legal dispute in which the princess became entangled involved her HOA, the Sierra Madre Homeowners Association. On 5 December 2008, the homeowner's association filed a general civil complaint against "Marie de Roumanie"; this was followed the next day by a civil summons being issued to the princess. As she apparently ignored the summons, Marie was arrested - likely by turning herself in - and released in January 2009. Due to a lack of prosecution on the HOA's behalf, the case against Marie was administratively closed in October 2015.

The final legal saga that Princess Marie of Romania weathered was a foreclosure action brought against her by BAC Home Loans Servicing. The princess had borrowed money to purchase a piece of land and subsequently became delinquent in her payments. In this lawsuit, which was filed in July 2009, Marie was joined as a co-defendant by the Sierra Madre Homeowners Association (the HOA that had sued her the year before), the GE Money Bank (a questionable financial institution that had also sued Marie the year before), the Taxation and Revenue Department of the State of New Mexico, and, oddly, "the Unknown Spouse of Marie Mystkowski" (who was dropped from the suit when it became known that Marie was divorced). In 2010, the courts ordered that the land (4557 Camino San Juan, Santa Fe, New Mexico) which Marie had purchased be foreclosed upon and sold at public auction.

After these quandaries, the princess moved from Santa Fe to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Marie resided there until 2015, when she was called to Romania to take up duties on behalf of the royal family, which is now headed by her godmother and eldest sister, Margarita. In late 2019, the princess is believed to have made the decision to withdraw from her role, and she has not appeared in a public capacity since that time.

Princess Marie of Romania is currently sixth in line to the succession of the headship of the royal house, per the continuously amended 2007 Fundamental Rules. The princess still serves on the Management Board of the Princess Margarita of Romania Foundation (Fundatia Regala Margareta a Romaniei).

Sources:
MUGSHOTS.COM - Marie Mystkowski
DONALD N YATES, Plaintiff(s) v. MIA MYSTKOWSKI, Defendant(s)
GE MONEY BANK V MYSTKOWSKI
TIERRA MADRE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff(s) v. MIA DE ROUMANIE, Defendant(s)
BAC HOME LOANS V MARIE MYSTKOW
Familia Regala - ASR Principesa Maria
Fundatia Regala Margareta a Romaniei - Our Team

 

CATS: Royals & Their Feline Friends

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images