A Century Since the Birth of Princess Alexandra of Greece, Future Queen of Yugoslavia

Queen Sophia of Greece with her granddaughter Alexandra, April 1921.

 

On 25 March 1921, Aspasia Manos gave birth to a daughter at Athens. The infant was named Alexandra. Her father, the late King Alexander I of the Hellenes, had died on 25 October 1920.

A lithograph of King Alexander I of the Hellenes and Aspasia Manos, circa 1918.

In 1915, Prince Alexander of Greece, son of King Constantine I of the Hellenes and his wife Queen Sophia (born Princess of Prussia), met Aspasia Manos, daughter of Colonel Petros Manos and his first wife Maria Argyropoulos. After a time, the couple became secretly engaged. This was necessary owing to the fact that the Greek royal family expected its members to marry other royals: this was a check mark that Mademoiselle Manos did not tick. In 1917, Alexander was compelled to become the King of the Hellenes after his father King Constantine was forced off the throne and his older brother Crown Prince George was not considered malleable by the then Greek government. Save for the new king, the entire Greek royal family was forced to go into exile. Aspasia was Alexander's sole support on the home front. The couple secretly married on 17 November 1919. 

Aspasia Manos and King Alexander I of the Hellenes.
Photograph (c) Alamy.

Alexander and Aspasia were just shy of marking their first wedding anniversary when the king died as the result of a tragic accident. Aspasia was four months pregnant when her husband passed away. Five months after Alexander's death, Aspasia gave birth to their only child, who was named Alexandra in honour of her father. Alexandra's grandfather King Constantine I and her great-grandmother Queen Dowager Olga served as her godfather and godmother. In July 1922, Alexandra was retroactively recognised as Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Greece and Denmark, albeit with the caveat that she was not to be considered a Greek dynast. In September 1922, Alexandra's mother Aspasia was also given the style and title Her Royal Highness Princess Aspasia of Greece and Denmark. 

Princess Aspasia and her daughter Princess Alexandra.

After the overthrow of monarchy in 1924, Princess Aspasia and her daughter Alexandra followed the royal family into exile. For a period, mother and daughter lived in Fiesole, Italy, with Alexandra's grandmother Queen Dowager Sophia, who was very fond of her granddaughter. In 1927, Aspasia and Alexandra briefly relocated to the United Kingdom, and then returned to Italy after Aspasia purchased the villa The Garden of Eden in Venice. Aspasia and Alexandra remained in Venice until the outbreak of the Greco-Italian War in 1940, which necessitated the princesses leaving Fascist Italy, the enemy of their homeland. After periods in Egypt and South Africa, Aspasia and Alexandra moved to the United Kingdom.

King Peter II and Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia with their son Crown Prince Alexander.

In 1942, Princess Alexandra of Greece and Denmark met King Peter II of Yugoslavia in London. Two years later, the couple were married in the British capital with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth as guests. In 1945, King Peter and Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia welcomed the arrival of their only child, Crown Prince Alexander. 

The last King and Queen of Yugoslavia, Paris, 1967.

King Peter II of Yugoslavia died in 1970, aged only forty-seven. For much of her life, Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia suffered from mental health difficulties; she was ably looked after by her mother Princess Aspasia, who passed away in 1972. Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia's health remained precarious. She spent her later years in a British nursing home. On 30 January 1993, Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia passed away at Burgess Hill, West Sussex. Alexandra was seventy-one years-old. The queen was survived by her son Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia and her three grandsons.

The 25th Birthday of Dom Afonso, Prince of Beira

The Prince of Beira.

On 25 March 1996, Dom Afonso de Santa Maria Miguel Gabriel Rafael de Bragança was born at Lisbon. Afonso is the eldest son of Infante Dom Duarte Pio, Duke of Bragança, and Dª. Isabel Inês Castro Curvello of Herédia. As his father's heir, he has the style of Royal Highness and the title of Prince of Beira. However, he is not considered an infant of Portugal, as this title is traditionally reserved for younger royal children, the result of a royal warrant issued in 1455 by King Afonso V of Portugal, to commemorate the birth of the future João II. Dom Afonso is the first in line to the throne of Portugal.

 

The Duke and Duchess of Braganza with their son Afonso.
Photograph (c) Homem Cardoso.

Afonso was baptised in the Cathedral of Braga on 1 June 1996. The ceremony was celebrated by the Archbishop of Braga, Dom Eurico Dias Nogueira. The Prince of Beira's godparents are Dom Afonso de Herédia, the brother of the Duchess of Braganza, and Princess Elena Sofia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. 

 

Dom Afonso, Prince of Beira.

Afonso studied at St. Julian's School on the Portuguese Riviera, Planalto College in Lisbon, and The Oratory School, a Catholic public school in England. He also studied Political Science and International Relations at the Portuguese Catholic University at the Institute of Political Studies in Lisbon. The Prince of Beira has now completed his studies at the Catholic University and is doing an internship at the Portuguese-American Chamber of Commerce. He also completed the course and training, and today he is a firefighter in the Royal Association of Volunteer Firefighters of Lisbon. This association of firefighters was founded by Infante Dom Afonso, brother of King Dom Carlos.

 

The Duchess of Bragança with her children (left to right) Dom Afonso, Dona Francisca, and Dom Diniz.

In August 2018, Afonso joined as an intern in the Department of Social and Pre-Hospital Emergency, in the Volunteer Fire Department of Lisbon, following in the footsteps of Dom Afonso, Duke of Porto, who was Honorary Commander of this same brigade.

 

The Duke of Bragança with his children (left to right) Dom Diniz, Dom Afonso, and Dona Francisca.

Through his father's connections to Timor, Afonso was appointed Honorary Liurai in September 2014, when he and his family visited the country to participate in the second senate session of the Liural Association, which represents the descendants of the island's tribal kings. The Prince of Beira is also the patron of the Prince of Beira Biomedical Sciences Award.

Dom Afonso, Prince of Beira.

 

Many happy returns of the day to the Prince of Beira!

30 Years Since the Passing of Nicholas Phillips, Master of Luton Hoo

Nicholas Phillips.
Photograph by Lord Litchfield.

A little over thirty years ago, the last guardian of Luton Hoo passed away. Nicholas Phillips was found dead in his car in the garage of Luton Hoo on 1 March 1991. Mr Phillips was only forty-three years old.

The wedding of Harold Phillips and Georgina Wernher.

Born on 23 August 1947 at London, Nicholas "Nicky" Harold Phillips was the only son of Lieutenant Colonel Harold "Bunnie" Phillips (1909–1980) and his wife Georgina "Gina" Wernher (1919-2011; later Lady Kennard), who wed in 1944. Nicholas had four sisters: Alexandra "Sacha" (1946-2018; later Duchess of Abercorn), Fiona (b.1951), Marita (b.1954), and Natalia (b.1959; later Duchess of Westminster). Nicholas Phillips was the maternal grandson of Major-General Sir Harold Augustus Wernher, 3rd Baronet, and his wife Countess Anastasia "Zia" de Torby. Through his grandmother Zia, Nicholas was the great-grandson of Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich of Russia and his wife Countess Sophie von Merenberg. Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served as Nicholas' godfather at his christening.

Nicky and Lucy Phillips, 1984.

Photograph (c) Desmond O'Neill Features Ltd: www.donfeatures.com.

On 18 October 1975 at Salzburg, Nicholas Phillips married Countess Marie Lucie "Lucy" Czernin von Chudenitz (b.Graz 16 May 1941), the daughter of Count Paul Czernin von Chudenitz and his wife Baroness Elisabeth von Gudenus. Nicholas and Lucy had two children: Charlotte Sonia Maria Phillips (b.Paris 22 December 1976) and Edward Phillips (b.London 2 November 1981; married Marina Wilson). 

Nicky and Lucy Phillips at Luton Hoo.

After learning of Nicholas' death, the Hon. Jeremy Soames, a grandson of British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, wrote: 

 

Nicholas Phillips's many friends will be deeply shocked and saddened by the news of his tragic death. His natural reserve belied a thoroughly cultured, astute, and generous mind.

Following university in Switzerland and a period as a banker in Paris, Nicky returned to England and immersed himself in his family's business interests. The international approach he inherited from his grandparents and cultivated in his own lifetime, added an extra dimension.

His meticulous running of his family's estate at Luton Hoo and his ability to enhance its appeal and access to the local community has set a fine example for others in privileged positions to follows. A respected racehorse breeder, he directed a considerable amount of energy towards the administration of British racing. It was typical of Nicky that he should wish to make a contribution to a sport which had provided him and his family with so much pleasure.

He enjoyed and appreciated the many treasures which his family had accumulated, but his real pleasure came from sharing the with his many friends and the community around Luton Hoo. His unaffected generosity will be widely remembered. 

May his memory be a blessing. 

The Hereditary Prince and Princess of Leiningen Expecting Second Child

The Hereditary Prince and Princess of Leiningen on their wedding day. Photograph (c) Micky Goeler.

As reported by Bunte, Hereditary Prince Ferdinand zu Leiningen and his wife Hereditary Princess Viktoria Luise (née Prinzessin von Preussen) are expecting their second child. The couple married in 2017. They are the parents of a daughter Princess Alexandra (b.2020).

Dowager Countess of Paris At Mass in Memory of Husband Over Weekend

The Dowager Countess of Paris, 20 March 2021. Photograph (c) F. Monmarche.

On Saturday, 20 March 2021, Princess Micaëla d'Orléans, Dowager Countess of Paris attended a Mass in memory of her late husband, Prince Henri d'Orléans, Count of Paris, at the Church of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois. After thirty-four years of marriage, the Count of Paris died on 21 January 2019 in Paris. His death came exactly forty-six years after he crossed paths with the woman who was to be his partner for the rest of his life. The Countess of Paris was unable to attend the funeral of her husband due to poor health; however, Princess Micaëla did attend a recent requiem mass in memory of her spouse.

Dowager Countess of Paris At Mass in Memory of Husband Over Weekend

The Dowager Countess of Paris, 20 March 2021. Photograph (c) F. Monmarche.

On Saturday, 20 March 2021, Princess Micaëla d'Orléans, Dowager Countess of Paris attended a Mass in memory of her late husband, Prince Henri d'Orléans, Count of Paris, at the Church of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois. After thirty-four years of marriage, the Count of Paris died on 21 January 2019 in Paris. His death came exactly forty-six years after he crossed paths with the woman who was to be his partner for the rest of his life. The Countess of Paris was unable to attend the funeral of her husband due to poor health; however, Princess Micaëla did attend a recent requiem mass in memory of her spouse.

An Insightful Interview of Sorts with Sculptor Boris of Bulgaria

Boris Saxe Coburg Gotta with the "Pivotal" sculpture. Photograph (c) Boris Saxe Coburg Gotha

Earlier this week, London-based sculptor Boris Saxe Coburg Gotha (also known as Prince Boris of Bulgaria) gave an AMA (Ask Me Anything) segment on his Instagram. The questions posed to him and the answers he provided are given below for the reader to learn more about Boris's career, interests, and life.

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Q: How did you get inspired to start a business of such unique sculptures?

A: It started for charity! But I enjoy puzzling concepts and making pieces that challenge the viewer. 

Q: Who are the artists that inspire you or that you admire the most?

A: I love Richard Serra, Kandinsky, Miró, Donald Judd, Rusha, and Russian de-constructivism. But I take inspiration from anything and everything. I love science, engineering, and design, so there's many more areas of inspiration and interest. 

Q: How's the Covid situation in London? 

A: Better, we can now walk in the park with one person [while] maintaining social distance. The vaccine is being rolled out very quickly.

Q: How has art and your work helped you during the Covid lockdowns? 

A: It's kept me busy and more motivated. It also helped me develop and grow. It's been an amazing journey so far!

Q: What song can't you get enough of these days?

A: The Business by Tiësto. This song has been stuck! Not my usual genre, but for some reason [I cannot stop listening to it].

Q: As someone who wears glasses and wears a mask, how do you avoid your glasses fogging up?

A: I can't! It's a constant problem for people who wear glasses!

Q: Which one of your pieces is your favourite so far?

A: I really loved making this one [the "Passion" sculpture]! I want to try out more concepts around this. I'm also working on some text art works with lights. But I am most proud of the one I did to raise money for charity!

Q: Do you make sculptures in bronze or steel?

A: Not yet, but I would love to make this one out of bronze or steel! I am open for commissions! 

Q: What is your next project? Are you planning on designing furniture, for instance?

A: I have many projects in mind. It's hard to materialise them as I don't have a proper studio. There is a table concept that I'd love to produce!

Q: Do you have some sort of record of where your sculptures go?

A: Yes! I keep track of everything! There are sculptures from Peru to Bulgaria, from the Middle East to Spain!

Q: What is the first place you'll visit when there are no restrictions?

A: I'm not sure, but I can't wait to travel and see friends!

Q: What time of day do you find you're most creative?

A: Always at night. I had the idea for this table [that I made] in the middle of the night, and spent the whole night and day making it!

Q: Aside from making modern sculpture, what are your other interests?

A: There are too many! I'm a very curious person and I'm interested in a lot, but here are just a few things: engineering, photography and photogrammetry, Formula One, Sim driving, opals and gemstones, technology and phones, playing the drums, philosophy, geology and zoology. I could go [on] for ages.

Q: What's your favourite food or meal?

A: I love all kinds of food. I love trying new things, but if I had to choose one cuisine it would be Mediterranean or Japanese. 

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Boris Saxe Coburg Gotha studied at the University of Arts London from 2016-2019; there he earned a BFA in Fine Art Sculpture. He was previously educated at the Lycée Français Molière in Villanueva de la Cañada near Madrid. Boris lives in London. 

Born in 1997, Prince Boris of Bulgaria is the son of Crown Princess Miriam of Bulgaria, a jewellery designer better known as Miriam de Ungria, and the late Crown Prince Kardam of Bulgaria. Boris is a grandson of King Simeon II of Bulgaria and his wife Queen Margarita. Boris has one brother, Prince Beltran.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Boris Saxe Coburg Gotha raised £1,280 for the National Health Service. On his fundraiser's webpage, he gave the following statement for his desire to help in some way:

I wanted to first and foremost thank everyone in the NHS, whether you are a nurse, doctor or volunteer, for all your relentless efforts in containing this Virus. As we begin to see the loosening of restrictions, the return to normality, we look back at how this crisis has affected everyone. One way or another everyone has seen a change in their life or will have to adapt to the times to come. The NHS has seen the worst side of this pandemic but it is far from over. The NHS Charities Together supports over 250 charities under their umbrella, from staff, to equipment and anything in between. Their Covid relief campaign has raised over £100 Million and they continue to gather more and more donations. https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ClapForOurCarers With this fundraiser I aim to contribute to their efforts. Please share with all your friends and donate anything you can. Just Giving is truly a great platform. Alternatively you can donate directly to the Covid Relief with the link above. This campaign is aiming to collect £1000 through donations. As an artist I wanted to use my platform and art for the better good and at the end of the campaign my sculpture will go to the highest donor.

To learn more about the works of Boris Saxe Coburg Gotha, please see his website: BSCG.