A Royal Romance: Twenty Years of Marriage for the Duke and Duchess of Calabria

The Duke and Duchess of Calabria at the Royal Palace in Madrid, 2019. Photograph (c) Bekia.

Today, Prince Pedro and Princess Sofía of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke and Duchess of Calabria, celebrate their twentieth anniversary!

Doña Sofía arrives at the wedding with her father Don José Manuel Landaluce.

The Duke of Noto arrives at the wedding.

On 30 March 2001, Prince Pedro, Duke of Noto, and Doña Sofía Landaluce y Melgarejo were married in the chapel at the Real Club Puerto de Hierro in Madrid. Father Marco Álvarez de Toledo y Marone, a grandson of Infanta Cristina of Spain, officiated at the religious ceremony. Don José Manuel Landaluce acted as the godfather for the couple; Princess Anne, Duchess of Calabria, acted as godmother. Among others, the wedding was attended by the Prince of Asturias (now King Felipe VI of Spain), Infanta Elena and her husband Don Jaime, and Infanta Margarita and her husband Dr Carlos Zurita.

Pedro and Sofía.

Born in 1968, Prince Pedro of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Noto, was the only son of Infante Carlos of Spain, Prince of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, and his wife Princess Anne d'Orléans. Pedro's paternal grandparents were Infante Alfonso of Spain, Prince of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, and his wife Princess Alicia of Bourbon-Parma. Pedro's maternal grandparents were Prince Henri d'Orléans, Count of Paris, and his wife Princess Isabelle of Orléans-Bragança. Born in 1973, Doña Sofía Landaluce y Melgarejo was the daughter of Don José Manuel Landaluce y Dominguez and his wife Doña Blanca Melgarejo y Gonzales. Sofía's paternal grandparents were Don Francisco Landaluce y Asensio and Doña Manuela Dominguez. Sofía's maternal grandparents were Don Carlos Melgarejo y Tordesillas (a son of the 5th Duke de San Fernando de Quiroga) and Doña Emilia Gonzáles y Gonzáles de Jonte. The marriage of the Duke of Noto and Doña Sofía Landaluce y Melgarejo was the crowning of a loving relationship of almost ten years, which had began in 1991. Pedro and Sofía had known one another since they were teenagers. A strong bond formed between them formed: their romance commenced when Pedro was twenty-three and Sofía was eighteen. In 1993, the couple welcomed the arrival of their first child, a son: Jaime (now Duke of Noto). Pedro's father Infante Carlos, Duke of Calabria, hoped for a royal bride for his only son and heir; therefore, paternal and dynastic approval for the couple to marry was not immediately forthcoming. 

Pedro and Sofía with their son Jaime.

Despite the lack of approval, Pedro and Sofía maintained their relationship. Sofía focused on raising their son Jaime, and Pedro regularly spent time with his beloved and their child. Over the years, Sofía won over her eventual father-in-law Carlos. The dedication of Pedro and Sofía to one another and their child, as well as their desire to be married, was ultimately victorious. Infante Carlos, Duke of Calabria, served as one of the witnesses to the couple when they married in 2001.

The Duke and Duchess of Calabria with their children, 2015.

After their marriage, the Duke and Duchess of Noto had a further six children: Prince Juan (b.2003), Prince Pablo (b.2004), Prince Pedro (b.2007), Princess Sofia (b.2008), Princess Blanca (b.2011), and Princess Maria (b.2015). Although the children of the Notos were initially not considered to be dynasts, the Duke of Calabria decided after 2004 that the children of his son and daughter-in-law should, in fact (and rightfully so), be styled as Royal Highnesses and Prince(ss) of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. 

The Duke and Duchess of Calabria arrive at the funeral of Infanta Alicia, 2017. Photograph (c) Getty Images/Europa Press Entertainment.

In 2015, Pedro's father Infante Carlos passed away. Prince Pedro succeeded as the Head of the Royal House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies; he and his wife Sofía became titled as Duke and Duchess of Calabria. In 2020, the couple announced the engagement of their eldest son Prince Jaime, Duke of Noto, to Lady Charlotte Lindesay-Bethune. The wedding was originally scheduled for Summer 2021; however, due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the marriage has had to be delayed.

The Duke and Duchess of Calabria.

Our congratulations to Prince Pedro and Princess Sofía, Duke and Duchess of Calabria, on their 20th wedding anniversary!

Princess Leopoldine von Lobkowicz, Countess Jan Dobrzensky von Dobrzenicz (1926-2021)

Princess Leopoldine von Lobkowicz, Countess Jan Dobrzensky von Dobrzenicz.

Photograph courtesy her family via Community Funeral Homes.

Aged ninety-four, Princess Leopoldina "Leo" von Lobkowicz, Countess Jan Dobrzensky von Dobrzenicz, passed away on 18 March 2021 at Haliburton Hospital, Ontario, Canada.

Prince Leopold von Lobkowicz and his wife Princess Franziska von Montenuovo.

Born on 14 November 1926 at Unterberkovic, Princess Leopoldine Bertha Marie Franziska Ida Balthasar Leonhardine von Lobkowicz was the third of four daughters of Prince Leopold von Lobkowicz (1888-1933) and Princess Franziska "Fanny" von Montenuovo (1893-1972), who married in 1918. Leopoldine had three sisters: Princess Maria Julia (1919-2008; married Prince Johann von Thurn und Taxis), Princess Amalie (1921-2013; married Prince Franz zu Schwarzenberg), and Princess Rosa (1929-1997).

A young Count Jan Dobrzensky von Dobrzenicz, future husband of Princess Leo Lobkowicz.

On 22 August 1945, Princess Leopoldine von Lobkowicz married Count Jan "Jenda" Nepomuk Maxmilian Ladislav Vojtěch Dobrzensky von Dobrzenicz (1911-1996), the only son of Count Jan Josef Dobrzensky von Dobrzenicz (1870-1947) and Countess Rosa von und zu Trauttmansdorff-Weinsberg (1879-1967). Through his father, Count Jan was a first cousin of Princess Isabelle of Orléans and Bragança, the Countess of Paris. Princess Leopoldine and Count Jan were fourth cousins once removed: both being descendants of Count Lájós Cavriani, Baron zu Unter-Waltersdorf (1739-1799) and Countess Johanna von Kolowrat-Novohradsky (d.1826). Leopoldine and Jan had five children: Count Jan "John" (b.1946), Countess Zdislava (b.1947), Countess Helen (1948-2011), Countess Margaret (b.1952), and Count Charles (1955-1980). The family escaped from communist Czechoslovakia and arrived in Canada in 1951.

Princess Fanny von Lobkowicz with her daughter Leopoldina.

Countess Leopoldine Dobrzensky von Dobrzenicz was a great-great-granddaughter of Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria, Duchess of Parma, one-time Empress of the French, and her second husband Count Adam von Neipperg.

Source: Obituary for Leopoldina "Leo" Dobrzensky-Dobrzenicz (nee Lobkowicz)

May Leopoldina Rest in Peace.

Russian Imperial Wedding: Victoria Romanovna On Choosing Her Wedding Tiara!

Victoria Romanovna wearing the Lacis Tiara. Photograph (c) David Nivière.

On Thursday, Victoria Romanovna (Rebecca) Bettarini was kind enough to send photographs by noted French photographer David Nivière as well as the full English translation of an interview which appeared in an abbreviated form in Point de Vue. In the interview, Victoria Romanovna tells of the process behind picking her bridal diadem in addition to giving some further insight into the preparations for the first imperial wedding in Russia in over a century.

An Interview with Victoria Romanovna

Victoria Romanovna enters Maison Chaumet in Paris. Photograph (c) David Nivière.

Q: How did you choose your tiara? A: Stephane Bern and the CEO of Chaumet, Jean Marc Mansvelt, welcomed me to this extraordinary Hôtel particulier at 12 place Vendôme, and from there we talked a lot about what I hoped this tiara would symbolize for Russia, for France, and for Europe. I wanted to be able to wear a tiara on this day that had deep historical significance. This was why I chose to pay tribute not only to Russia, but also to jewelry from a house with 240 years of history such as Chaumet. The choice was very fast, I immediately found exactly what I was looking for.

Victoria Romanovna reviewing the Chaumet tiara collection. Photograph (c) David Nivière.

Q: Which type of tiara attracted you? A: I chose a tiara which is breathtaking -- because it balances lightness in construction with the extraordinary stones, it is both classic and contemporary, sumptuous and simple. It suits the wedding dress perfectly, and reflects my own personality very well. Q: Why did you choose Chaumet? A: Maison Chaumet created many masterpieces for the Russian Imperial House [in the past]. In particular, George's great-great-grandmother [Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna] one of the house's most important clients by 1899. The “Waterfall” tiara that the house created for her remains today a mythical and extraordinary piece, which unfortunately disappeared during the revolution. It must also be remembered that Chaumet created a sensation during The Red Cross Exhibition of 1901 in Saint Petersburg, following which [Joseph] Chaumet was decorated with the Imperial Order of Saint Anna.

The Chaumet Lacis Tiara which will be worn by Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff. Photograph (c) David Nivière.

Q: Why this particular one? A: The choice was hard because they had majestic tiaras. But I wanted to choose a tiara that had never been worn, and which would be both a tribute to Russian culture, as well as a tribute to the firm’s fine jewelry. This is why I wanted to choose a tiara created with the "fil couteau” or “knife edge" technique, which is one of the specialties of Maison Chaumet. In its form, the tiara pays homage not only to a Russian kokoshnik [the traditional form for Russian tiaras], but in addition its shape is inspired by ships’ sails, and for me this seemed like an homage not only to George’s great-grandfather [Grand Duke Kirill] who was chief of Naval staff, but also to the City of Saint Petersburg. Q: What does Grand Duke George think of it? A: He thinks it is just perfect in it’s symbolism, but also that it looks great on me. Q: Did you choose it together? A: No, because that same day the Grand Duke was participating in an official engagement at the French Senate for a ceremony as part of the bicentenary of the Emperor Napoleon.

The Chaumet Lacis Tiara which will be worn by Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff. Photograph (c) David Nivière.

Q: What does it [the tiara] mean to you? A: I think it is important to pay tribute to the history of Russia, a great European empire which over the centuries has repeatedly help determine the fate of Europe and the world. This cultural exchange, with links between Russia, France, and Europe is part of a long historical tradition.

Victoria Romanovna wearing her chosen wedding diadem, the Lacis Tiara, at Maison Chaumet. Photograph (c) David Nivière.

Q: How did you feel when you tried it on for the first time? A: I immediately felt that it was the right choice, and it made me realize that the finesse of this wonderful knowledge and craftsmanship is the result of a passion and mastery of the art [of jewelry making] over generations. Q: What were the reactions to the announcement of your engagement? A: It is very touching to see the interest aroused by the announcement of our upcoming marriage, which will be the first marriage of the son of the head of the Imperial House in St Petersburg since before the revolution. Q: How are you going to occupy the months leading up to your wedding scheduled for October 1 in St. Petersburg? A: The organisation of this wedding is already consuming us, we are prepared for a lot of work, we have a lot of choices and decisions to be made, and a lot of protocol work awaits us! Fortunately, we can count on the help of the Chancellery as well as the support of the Russian authorities for the organisation. Q: What style of wedding are you hoping for? A: It will be an Orthodox wedding in the finest traditions of both Russia and the Imperial Family. Q: Have you imagined your future dress? A: I found that finding the dress was not as easy as I thought it was! After a long search, I found what I was looking for. A dress that is imposing but soft, with a contemporary fabric but a very classic style. A dress that will stand out from others, but very traditional at the same time. Q: What would you like for the reception? A: The reception will take place in a historic palace in Saint Petersburg. We hope to be able to open many of the most beautiful palaces in the city to show our guests the grandeur and beauty of the “Venice of the North”, imagined by Peter the Great and which is still so beautiful and symbolic today.

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Again, one wishes to express one's thanks to the Russian Imperial Chancellery and Victoria Romanovna Bettarini for providing the photographs taken by Monsieur David Nivière as well as the English translation of the full interview given by Rebecca Victoria Romanovna Bettarini to Point de Vue. 

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For more coverage from Eurohistory on the upcoming Russian imperial wedding, please feel free to read the following articles:

The Chaumet Lacis Tiara for the Russian Imperial Wedding in October! (17 March 2021)

Russian Imperial Wedding in October 2021 at St Petersburg (5 March 2021)

Stunning Pictures from the Russian Imperial Betrothal Ceremony at Kostroma (26 January 2021)

The Betrothal Ceremony of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and Victoria Romanovna Bettarini (25 January 2021)

An Imperial Engagement: HIH Grand Duke George of Russia and Nob. Rebecca Virginia Bettarini (20 January 2021)

100 Years Since Emperor Karl of Austria-Hungary Returned to Hungary: A YouTube Talk by Archduke Eduard

On Friday, 26 March, (Today!) Archduke Eduard of Austria (aka Eduard Habsburg), the Hungarian Ambassador to the Vatican, will be giving a talk via YouTube on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the return of the Blessed Karl, Emperor of Austria-Hungary, to the Kingdom of Hungary.

On his Twitter, Archduke Eduard posted this message:

Want to see me talk about Blessed Karl? Then join me on Friday evening 21h (that's Sat morning for you in Australia) for a rosary & a conference on the Centenary of the Emperor's return to Hungary in March, 1921.

For those of us in the Eastern United States, the discussion will begin at 4:00pm. 

The YouTube link for the Archduke's talk is as follows: When Blessed Karl returned to Hungary.

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.