Eurohistory Thanks You For Your Continued Support!

Eurohistory weekend sales.

As always Eurohistory would like to thank everyone for their support during this time. We understand that last year and 2021 continue to bring challenges to all of us. Please do your best to stay well and safe. We fervently hope that the rest of this year will bring us all better things and happier news.

We were fortunate to have had a very productive weekend! Many orders for Eurohistory books were received: from A Poet Among the Romanovs to The Grand Ducal House of Hesse to Recollections to Royal Exiles in Cannes, among others. It is our mission to provide you with informative and enjoyable royal books in addition to the European Royal History Journal.  Again, we are immensely grateful to you, our dear readers, for your continued support.

Yours sincerely, Arturo E. Beéche, Founder & Publisher, and the Eurohistory team

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The Bourbon-Parma Family Welcomes a Baby Boy!

The Bourbon-Parma Family Welcomes a Baby Boy!

 

Prince Joseph and Princess Anna Louise of Bourbon-Parma on their wedding day.

 

On 21 January 2021, Joseph de Bourbon de Parme and his wife Anna Louise welcomed the birth of their first child, a son named Arthur. 

 

Prince Philippe and Princess Annette of Bourbon-Parma with their sons Jacques and Joseph.

 

Joseph and Anna Louise married in 2018. Joseph (b.1989) is the younger son of Prince Philippe of Bourbon-Parma (b.1949) and his wife Annette Smith (b.1955), who married in 1979. Joseph has an elder brother, Jacques (b.1986). Anna Louise (b.1988) is the daughter of Leo Budd and Lilla Vibeke Bøgeløv.

 

Prince Jacques of Bourbon-Parma and Countess Birgitte of Holstein-Ledreborg on their wedding day.
Photograph (c) Getty Images/Keystone-France.

 

Arthur de Bourbon de Parme (b.2021) is the paternal great-grandson of Prince Jacques of Bourbon-Parma (1922-1964) and Countess Birgitte of Holstein-Ledreborg (1922-2009). 

 

Source: Descendants of King Christian IX of Denmark

A Review of FROM TYRANNY TO FREEDOM: MEMOIRS OF MY LIFE by Countess Viktoria-Luise of Solms-Baruth

The cover of From Tyranny to Freedom.

In 2016, Eurohistory published its 23rd book: From Tyranny to Freedom - Memoirs of My Life by Countess Viktoria-Luise of Solms-Baruth, former Princess Friedrich Josias of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (Mrs. Richard C. B. Whitten).

Countess Viktoria-Luise zu Solms-Baruth.

From Freedom to Tyranny - Memoirs of My Life comprise the reminiscences of Countess Viktoria-Luise of Solms-Baruth, the first wife of Prince Friedrich Josias, youngest son and heir of Duke Carl Eduard of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. She was, quite likely, the first German female of royal lineage to marry an American officer, Captain Richard "Dick" Whitten, whom she met early in 1947. Their love affair seemed like a whirlwind and by November the couple joined their destinies and settled down to a long marriage. Viktoria-Luise was an extraordinary woman. 

The marriage certificate of Captain Richard Whitten and Countess Viktoria-Luise of Solms-Baruth.

Viktoria-Luise arrives in the United States in 1948.

Following is a review of From Tyranny To Freedom by Seth B. Leonard:

Viktoria-Luise of Solms-Baruth (1921-2003) led one of the most extraordinary lives imaginable. Born to an extremely well-connected German noble family, her godmother and namesake was Viktoria-Luise’s maternal great-aunt, Auguste Viktoria of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg, the last German Empress and first wife of Wilhelm II. Viktoria-Luise was raised in a Germany reeling from the aftermath of defeat in World War I and she grew into adulthood during the dark days of the Third Reich. Her family was firmly against the Nazi regime, and eventually her father (and some other family members) was jailed because of his opposition to the insanely horrific policies of Adolf Hitler. On the cusp of her 21st birthday, Viktoria-Luise wed her first cousin (their mothers were sisters) Prince Friedrich Josias of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. This union was of short duration due to the total incompatibility of their characters, but before divorcing the couple did have one child, Andreas, who his mother referred to as “my little prince.” Today Prince Andreas is the Head of the Ducal House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Now in his golden years, the Prince recently released his own compilation of memoirs (I did it my way). From what this reviewer has read and heard, Andreas seems to be much loved by the people of Coburg, the town of his ancestors which he has called home since he returned to Germany in the 1960s. Not long after the defeat of the Axis Powers, a charming American army officer named Richard Whitten entered the scene. He and Viktoria-Luise fell in love and eventually married. This marriage brought much happiness and much change into Viktoria-Luise’s life. After living for a few years in Europe, the couple and their small children (Andreas and the couple’s young daughter, Victoria) moved to America. The last chapters of this collection of reminiscences unfold as Viktoria-Luise (at times, quite hilariously) tells the reader of her adaption to life as a “normal” housewife in the United States. In addition to the different culture, she was faced with so many new responsibilities and situations, but she certainly learned how to “fit in” with the way of life in this country—all the while remaining conscious of her heritage and retaining close ties to all of her numerous royal and noble relatives in Europe. The book comes to a close in the 1950s; perhaps the author intended to share more, but simply ran out of earthly time. If I recall correctly, these memoirs were written when Viktoria-Luise was an elderly lady living in Louisiana. Her personality jumps off the pages as when one reads her book. She is candid, funny (her sense of humor and self-deprecation made me burst into laughter several times), honest and “sharp as a tack.” It is almost as though you are sitting with her in her living room listening to her speak. From Tyranny to Freedom—Memoirs of My Life is truly a top favorite on my shelf. Read it and you will not fail to be charmed by this amazing woman.

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Purchase the Book at Eurohistory: Purchase FROM TYRANNY TO FREEDOM: MEMOIRS OF MY LIFE at Eurohistory.com

Marquis Antoine de Castellane (1934-2021): Uncle of Princess Silvia of Arenburg and Half-Brother of Princess Barbara d'Orléans

Antoine de Castellane.

French aristocrat and artist Comte and Marquis Antoine de Castellane died on 3 February 2021. He was eighty-six years-old. 

Antoine's father: Count Henri de Castellane.

Antoine's mother: Doña Silvia Rodríguez de Rivas.

Born on 8 October 1934 at Paris, Antoine was the second child and eldest son of Count Henri de Castellane (1903-1937) and his wife Doña Ana Rosa Silvia Rodríguez de Rivas y Díaz de Erazo (1909-2001), who married in 1931. Antoine had an elder sister and a younger brother: Doña Cordelia de Castellane y Rodriguez de Rivas, VI Condesa de Castilleja de Guzmán (b.1932); and Henri-Jean de Castellane (1937-2018; father of Silvia de Castellane, who married Prince and Duke Pierre of Arenburg). Through his father, Antoine was a second cousin of Diane de Castellane (1927-2010; married Philippe de Noailles, Duc de Mouchy; mother of Vicomte Alexis de Noailles, who married Princess Diane d'Orléans).

Antoine's stepfather: Boson de Talleyrand-Périgord, Duke de Talleyrand.

Antoine's stepfather: Erich von Posch-Pastor.

After the death of his father, Antoine's mother Silvia married in 1938 Paul Louis Archambauld Boson de Talleyrand-Périgord, VI Duc de Talleyrand, VIII Herzog zu Sagan, VI Duca di Dino (1867-1952). Silvia and the Duke divorced in 1942. In 1945, Silvia remarried Eric von Posch-Pastor (1917-1962). The couple had two children, among them a daughter, Barbara de Posch-Pastor (b.1951; married Prince Michel d'Orléans, Count d'Évreux). Silvia and Eric divorced in 1955.

Antoine and his wife Francine. Photograph (c) Getty Images.

Antoine's daughter: Victoire de Castellane.

On 28 May 1960, Marquis Antoine de Castellane married Françoise Dufour (b.1937). The couple had one child, Victoria de Castellane (b.1962; married 1st Paul-Emmanuel Reiffers; married 2nd Thomas Lenthal). In 1967, Antoine de Castellane and Françoise Dufour divorced. In 1976, Antoine married Francine Latour-Touya (b.1930). The marquis is survived by his widow, his first wife, his daughter and son-in-law, and his four grandchildren.

To learn more about the career and artistic portfolio of Antoine de Castellane, please visit this website: Antoine de Castellane

May the Marquis Rest In Peace.

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank Welcome Their First Child!

Jack and Eugenie hold their newborn son's hand. Picture courtesy of Princess Eugenie's Instagram.

This morning Princess Eugenie (b.1990) and her husband Jack Brooksbank (b.1986) welcomed the arrival of their first child, a baby boy!

Buckingham Palace put out the following statement:

Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie was safely delivered of a son today, 9th February 2021, at 0855hrs at The Portland Hospital. Jack Brooksbank was present. The baby weighs 8lbs 1oz. The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke of York, Sarah, Duchess of York, and Mr and Mrs George Brooksbank have been informed and are delighted with the news. This is Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s first child, The Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York’s first grandchild, and the ninth great-grandchild for The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.

The young Master Brooksbank, whose name will be announced in time, is eleventh in the line of succession to the British throne. His parents married in 2018. Baby Brooksbank was born on the nineteenth anniversary of the death of his great-great-aunt Princess Margaret.

Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina Visit King Juan Carlos in His Self-Imposed Exile

Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina of Spain.

Since King Emeritus Juan Carlos of Spain left his country for the United Arab Emirates in August 2020, there has been much speculation about the possible familial visits he might receive. Now, we have learned that both of his daughters, the Infantas Elena and Cristina, have gone together to see their father.

Over this past weekend, Elena and Cristina separately flew to Abu Dhabi to visit King Juan Carlos. Infanta Elena left Spain for the UAE on Saturday, 6 February. Infanta Cristina departed for Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning, 7 February, after traveling earlier in the weekend from Geneva to Spain spend time with her husband Iñaki Urdangarín. 

The infantas intend to be with their father for at least one week. This will be the first time that Infanta Cristina has seen her father since he left Spain. It will be the third time Infanta Elena has visited the King Emeritus after his self-imposed exile. 

Source: Infantas Elena and Cristina travel to Abu Dhabi to visit their father

Count Folke "Ockie" Bernadotte Turns 90!

Count Ockie and Countess Christine Bernadotte.

On 8 February 1931, Count Folke "Ockie" Bernadotte af Wisborg was born at Pleasantville, New York, as the second son of Count Folke Bernadotte af Wisborg (1895-1948) and his wife Countess Estelle (1904-1984; née Manville). Ockie Bernadotte made his entrance to the world at the home of his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. H. Edward Manville. He joined an older brother, Count Gustaf Eduard (1930-1936). Upon the birth of their second child, Folke and Estelle received congratulations from King Gustaf V of Sweden and other members of the royal family. 

Prince Oscar Bernadotte.

Princess Ebba Bernadotte.

Count Ockie Bernadotte (b.1931) is the paternal grandson of Prince Oscar of Sweden (1859-1953), Duke of Gotland, who married Ebba Henrietta Munck af Fulkila (1858-1946) in 1888. As a result of this marriage, Oscar gave up his royal and ducal title as well as his rights of succession and was created Prince Bernadotte and Count af Wisborg. The latter title, Count(ess) Bernadotte af Wisborg, is borne by the descendants of Oscar and Ebba. Count Ockie Bernadotte is the maternal grandson of Hiram Edward Manville (1872-1944), the president of the Johns-Manville Corporation, and his wife Henrietta Estelle Romaine (1878-1947). 

Countess Estelle Bernadotte.

Count Folke and Countess Estelle with their sons Gustaf Eduard and Ockie, 1934.

Count Folke and Countess Estelle with their sons Ockie and Bertil on Rhodes, February 1948. Photograph (c) Getty Images/Frank Scherschel.

In 1928, Count Folke Bernadotte, son of Prince Oscar and Princess Ebba Bernadotte, married Estelle Romaine Manville, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Edward Manville. Folke and Estelle had four sons: Count Gustaf Eduard (1930-1936), Count Folke "Ockie" (b.1931), Count Frederik (1934-1944), and Count Bertil (b.1935). Ockie's father Folke was a Swedish diplomat. During World War II, Count  Folke Bernadotte negotiated the release of around 31,000 prisoners from German concentration camps, including 450 Danish Jews from the Theresienstadt camp. In May 1948, Folke Bernadotte was unanimously chosen to be the United Nations Security Council mediator in the Arab–Israeli conflict of 1947–1948. The count, aged fifty-three, was assassinated at Jerusalem in September 1948. In 1973, his widow Countess Estelle Bernadotte married Carl Erik Sixten Ekstrand (1910-1988).

Ockie Berndotte and Christine Glahns.

The cover of Svansk Damlidning: Count Ockie and Countess Christine.

Count Ockie and Countess Christine Bernadette af Wisborg. 

On 2 July 1955, Count Folke "Ockie" Bernadotte af Wisborg married Christine Glahns (b.1932) at Grangärde. The couple have four children, two daughters and two sons: Countess Anne Christine (b.1956; married Per Larsen), Count Carl Folke (b.1958; married Birgitta Elisabeth Larsson), Countess Maria Estelle (b.1962; married Umberto Ganfini), and Count Gunnar Fredrik (b.1963; married Karin Lindsten). 

We wish Count Ockie many happy returns of the day!

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