Princess Sofia zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn Marries with Her 100 Year-Old Grandma Mamarazza in Attendance

The newlyweds.
Photograph courtesy of Schloß Sayn. 

Photograph courtesy of Schloß Sayn.

Photograph courtesy of Schloß Sayn.

On 8 August 2020, Princess Sofia zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn (b.1986) and Archia Akhavan-Kharazian (b.1990) were married at the Filialkirche Sankt Lorenz near Mondsee in the Salzkammergut, Austria. The Dean of Frankfurt, Johannes zu Eltz, a first cousin once removed of the bride, officiated over the religious ceremony. The bride wore the Sayn family bridal veil and tiara.

 

Sofia and Archia with their parents and Sophie's grandmother.
Photograph courtesy of Schloß Sayn. 

Fürstin Marianne and her granddaughter Princess Sofia.
Photograph courtesy of Schloß Sayn.

Sofia is the sixth child and third daughter of Fürst Alexander zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn and Countess Gabriela von Schönborn-Wiesentheid. Sophie's 100 year-old grandmother Fürstin Marianne zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn (b.1919; née Baroness Mayr von Melnhof) was one of the guests at the wedding. Archia is the son of Asghar Akhavan-Kharazian and Eva Jimenez Ontanaya. Sofia and Archia's engagement was announced in March 2020.

 

Archia and Sofia at their civil wedding.
Photograph courtesy of Schloß Sayn.

Before their religious wedding, Archia and Sofia contracted their civil marriage at the Rathaus St. Gilgen. The couple will take their honeymoon whenever conditions permit. The groom is an entrepreneur in London.

An Image of the Eagles: The Imperial Bonapartes in 1949

The Dowager Princess Napoléon (née Princess Clémentine of Belgium), her daughter-in-law the Princess Napoléon (née Alix de Foresta), and her son the Prince Napoléon. The trio are here photographed near their residence at Prangins, near Lausanne, in 1949.

14 November 1910: the marriage of Prince Victor Napoléon and Princess Clémentine of Belgium

Princess Clémentine of Belgium (1872-1955) was the third daughter and fourth and last child of King Léopold II of the Belgians and Queen Marie Henriette (née Austria). In 1910, Clémentine married Prince Victor Napoléon, the son of Prince Napoléon Bonaparte and Princess Clotilde of Savoy. Clémentine and Victor had two children: Princess Marie Clotilde (1912-1996) and Prince Louis (1914-1997). Prince Victor Napoléon died in 1926, aged sixty-three. Princess Clémentine Napoléon died in 1955, aged eighty-two.

16 August 1949: the marriage of Prince Louis Napoléon and Alix de Foresta 

The Princess Napoléon in her wedding gown

Prince Louis Napoléon married Alix de Foresta (b.1926) in 1949. The couple have four children: the twins, Prince Charles and Princess Catherine (b.1950); Princess Laure (b.1952), and Prince Jérôme (b.1957). Prince Louis died in 1997, aged eighty-three. His widow Princess Alix, now ninety-four, lives at Prangins, Switzerland. 

SISTERS: Princess Daisy of Pleß and Shelagh, Duchess of Westminster

THE SISTERS

Princess Daisy of Pleß and Shelagh, Duchess of Westminster

Every so often, here at EUROHISTORY, we receive a book that fills a much-needed niche in our study of European royalty and aristocracy. Much to our absolute delight, this is what THE SISTERS does so beautifully!

The book brings to the reader, in great detail, the family and life history of two remarkable women who played very prominent social role in pre-Great War European royal and aristocratic circles.

The author, Barbara Borkowy has achieved a remarkable feat!

Princess Daisy of Pleß and her sister Shelagh, Duchess of Westminster are them protagonists of this excellent study. This is, "a story that reads like an exciting period romance novel. The author zestfully and meticulously recreates the momentous lives of the sisters..." Furthermore, this expertly-written dual biography, "is a must-read for those who are fascinated by the last chatelaine of Castle Fürstenstein," the dreamlike castle in Silesia that served as home to the Princes of Pleß.

A reviewer correctly asserted that, "Sisters is also recommended to anyone wanting to learn about the extraordinary fate of two remarkable women spanning a fascinating yet tragic period of European history."

EUROHISTORY has been asked by the publisher in Poland to assist in giving this magnificent volume wider distribution. We are simply honored for the book is...excellent!

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Email: eurohistory@comcast.net / aebeeche@mac.com

The Death and Funeral of Johannes Count von Mirbach-Geldern-Egmont, Prince zu Hohenlohe-Jagstberg

On 6 July 2020, Count Johannes von Mirbach-Geldern-Egmont, Prince zu Hohenlohe-Jagstberg, died as a result of contracting COVID-19. Johannes was eighty-one years-old.

Fürst Johannes zu Hohenlohe-Bartenstein and Archduchess Anna of Austria.

The Hohenlohe-Jagstberg siblings (right to left): Maria Rosa, Karl, Albrecht, Elizabeth, Margarethe, and Friedrich August.

Prince Johannes Maria Carl Alfons Friedrich Leopold zu Hohenlohe-Jagstberg was born at Haltenbergstetten on 2 December 1939. Johannes was the second child and son of Fürst Albrecht zu Hohenlohe-Jagstberg (1906-1996) and Countess Therese von Geldern-Egmont (1911-2000), who married in 1936. The paternal grandparents of Johannes were Fürst Johannes zu Hohenlohe-Bartenstein (1863-1921) and Archduchess Anna of Austria (1879-1961).

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The prince had two siblings: Fürst Alexander zu Hohenlohe-Jagstberg (b.1937; married (div.) Princess Michaela von Schönburg-Waldenburg) and Princess Eleonore (b.1940; married Baron Peter von Kap-herr). Johannes was adopted by his maternal uncle Count Ladislaus von Mirbach-Geldern-Egmont (1905-1982).

Prince Johannes zu Hohenlohe-Jagstberg, Count von Marbach-Geldern-Egmont at the wedding of Duchess Fleur of Württemberg in 2003.
Photograph (c) Seeger-Presse.

(Left to right): Count Benedikt von Dürckheim, Princess Andrea, Prince Johannes, and Princess Isabella in 2003 at the wedding of Duchess Fleur of Württemberg.
Photograph (c) Seeger-Presse.

Prince Lamoral and Princess Ruve zu Hohenlohe-Jagstberg.
Photograph (c) Seeger-Presse.

On 22 December 1969 at Haltenbergstetten, Johannes married Andrea Vogel (b.18 October 1944). Andrea is the daughter of Karl Vogel and Ingeborg Schreiber. Johannes and Andrea had two children: Princess Isabella (b.1972) and Prince Lamoral (b.1973). In 2018, Princess Isabella married Burkhard Keese, the CFO of Lloyd's of London. In 2000, Prince Lamoral married Ruve Nevillia Watts (b.1968); the couple have four children: Princess Feodora (b.2002), Princess Franziska (b.2004), Princess Mercedes (b.2007), and Princess Henrietta (b.2009). Prince Lamoral and Princess Ruve live in New South Wales, Australia, with their children. Lamoral is the founder of Mirbach Financial Modelling.

 

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The funeral for Count Johannes von Mirbach-Geldern-Egmont, Prince zu Hohenlohe-Jagstberg was held privately in July. A memorial service will take place in 2021. Following are photos from the funeral.

 

 

 

May Johannes Rest in Peace.

The Time Of King Juan Carlos In Spain Is On The Wane

King Emeritus Juan Carlos of Spain has sent a letter to his son King Felipe VI stating that Juan Carlos will be departing the country. The former Spanish monarch had been living at La Zarzuela Palace.

Indeed, it has now been confirmed by Max Foster of CNN that the king emeritus has already left Spain. Recent mounting criticism of extremely questionable financial and personal actions by Juan Carlos are the most understandable catalyst for this drastic step; indeed, the king abdicated in 2014 amidst declining popularity as reports of misconduct became public knowledge. The letter of don Juan Carlos to his son don Felipe reads as follows:

Your Majesty, dear Felipe:  

With the same desire for service to Spain that inspired my reign and in the face of the public repercussions of certain events from my past private life, I wish to express to you my absolute availability to contribute to facilitating the exercise of your functions, from the tranquility and calmness that your high responsibility requires. My legacy, and my own dignity as a person, demand it of me. One year ago, I expressed my will and desire to stop participating in institutional activities. Now, guided by the conviction of providing the best service to the Spanish people, their institutions, and to you as the King, I communicate to you my thoughtful decision to move, at this time, outside of Spain. A decision I make with deep feeling, but with great serenity. I was King of Spain for almost forty years and for all of them I have always wanted the best for Spain and for the Crown. 

With my loyalty forever.  

With my care and affection always, your father.

It is not indicated where don Juan Carlos, who is eighty-two, will be relocating.

Queen doña Sofía will continue to live at La Zarzuela.

¡Adiós, don Juan Carlos!

Per Press Reports, King Emeritus Juan Carlos of Spain Has Relocated to Cascais, Portugal

Numerous outlets in the Portuguese press, which have been picked up by Spanish media, are reporting that King Emeritus Juan Carlos of Spain moved to Estoril, Cascais, Portugal. The reports have not been confirmed. It is possible that the Household of King Felipe VI will not issue a statement regarding the relocation of the former Spanish monarch. Juan Carlos reigned as King of Spain from 1975 until 2014.

The Spanish royal family in 1952 at the Villa Giralda, Estoril. Left to right: Infanta Pilar, Infante Juan Carlos, the Countess of Barcelona, Infante Alfonso (seated), Queen Victoria Eugenia, the Count of Barcelona, and Infanta Margarita.

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Estoril is well-known to Juan Carlos, whose family spent many years in exile there. The Count and Countess of Barcelona lived at the Villa Giralda, which was sold decades ago, from 1946 until 1976. Indeed, the youngest sister of King Juan Carlos, the Infanta Margarita, married her husband Dr. Carlos Zurita y Delgado at Estoril in 1972.

Estoril

The family of Juan Carlos is fondly remembered in the community of Estoril. It has the potential to be the ideal place for the former Spanish monarch to spend his time. He will be close to Spain and able to receive visits from his family and friends there without issues.

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Zarzuela Palace

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Queen Sofía of Spain will not be joining her husband of fifty-eight years in Portugal. The queen will remain at her apartment in Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, where she lives together with her sister Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark. Queen Sofía remains very popular and frequently carries out public engagements on behalf of the royal house.

Princess Marie Gabrielle of Luxembourg, Countess of Holstein-Ledreborg, Turns Ninety-Five

Princess Marie Gabrielle of Luxembourg

Today, Princess Marie Gabrielle of Luxembourg, Countess of Holstein-Ledreborg, celebrates her ninety-fifth birthday! She is the sister of the late Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and the aunt of Grand Duke Henri.

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Princess Marie Gabrielle Aldegunde Wilhelmine Louise of Luxembourg was born on 2 August 1925 at Berg Castle, Luxembourg. The princess was the third daughter and fourth of the six children of Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg and her husband Prince Félix.

Newlyweds: Count Knud of Holstein-Ledreborg and Princess Marie Gabriele of Luxembourg.

Knud and Marie Gabrielle with their seven daughters.

In August 1951, the engagement was announced between Princess Marie Gabrielle of Luxembourg and Count Knud of Holstein-Ledreborg. On 5 November 1951 at Colmar-Berg, Princess Marie Gabrielle civilly married Count Knud of Holstein-Ledreborg (b.2 October 1919). Knud was the son of Count Josef of Holstein-Ledreborg (1874-1951) and Countess Christina Hamilton. Count Knud and Princess Marie Gabrielle celebrated their religious wedding the following day on 6 November 1951. The couple had seven daughters: Countess Monica (b.1952; married Henrik de Dompierre de Jonquières), Countess Lydia (b.1955; married Prince Eric of Bourbon-Parma), Countess Veronica (b.1956; married François de Pottere), Countess Sylvia (b.1958; married John Munro of Foulis), Countess Camilla (1959-2010; married Baron Eric Bertouch-Lehn), Countess Tatiana (b.1961; married Mark von Riedemann), and Countess Antonia (b.1962; took religious orders and became a nun in 1992).

Count Knud of Holstein-Ledreborg passed away on 25 June 2001 at the age of eighty-one. Knud had suffered from cancer. His funeral took place on 30 June 2001 at Ledreborg.

Princess Marie Gabrielle of Luxembourg, Countess of Holstein-Ledreborg, lives at Ledreborg in Denmark.