The 95th Birthday of Alix, Dowager Princess Napoléon

Princess Alix Napoléon.
Photograph (c) Getty Images/Luc Castel.

Today, Her Imperial Highness the Dowager Princess Napoléon celebrates her ninety-fifth birthday!

Louis Napoléon and Alix de Foresta after their engagement in May 1949.

Count Albéric and Countess Geneviève de Foresta, 1949.

On 4 April 1926, Mademoiselle Alix Marie Joséphine Thérèse Henriette de Foresta was born at Marseille. Alix was the first child of Count Marie Joseph Albéric de Foresta (1895-1987) and his wife Geneviève Yvonne Berthe Hélène Fredet (1904-1994), who married on 17 April 1925 at Froges. Alix de Foresta had one younger sibling, a sister: Hedwige de Foresta (b.1935; married Marquis Hély de La Roche-Aymon). Alix de Foresta descended from a family that strongly supported the Legitimist claim to the French throne; they had been loyal partisans of the Count of Chambord. 

 

Alix, Princess Napoléon, in her wedding gown, 1949.

The wedding of Alix de Foresta and Prince Louis Napoléon, 1949.

On 16 August 1949, Alix de Foresta married Prince Louis Napoléon (1914-1997) at Linières-Bouton, France. Louis was the only son of Prince Victor Napoléon and Princess Clémentine of Belgium. The wedding of Louis and Alix took place in the strictest intimacy.

 

Louis and Alix Napoléon with the twins: Catherine and Charles, 1950.

Louis and Alix with their children (left to right) Catherine, Laure, Jérôme, and Charles.

 

The Prince and Princess Napoléon had four children. On 19 October 1950, the couple welcomed the arrival of twins: Prince Charles Marie Jerome Victor Napoléon and Princess Catherine Elisabeth Alberique Marie Napoléon were born at Boulogne sur Seine. Two years later, on 8 October 1952, the Princess Napoléon gave birth at Paris to a daughter, Princess Laure Clementine Genevieve Napoléon. The French imperial family was completed by the birth of Prince Jerome Xavier Marie Joseph Victor Napoléon on 14 January 1957 at Boulogne sur Seine.

 

The Prince and Princess Napoléon, Prangins, 1969.
Photograph (c) Getty Images/Philippe Le Tellier

The Prince and Princess Napoléon, Prangins, 1969.
Photograph (c) Getty Images/Philippe Le Tellier.

The Prince and Princess Napoléon with their four children, 1969.

Prince Louis and Princess Alix Napoléon raised their family between the Chateau de Prangins, Canton Vaud, Switzerland, and Paris. Their elder daughter Catherine studied social work. Their elder son Charles received a doctorate in economics. Their younger daughter Laure studied painting. Their younger son Jérôme became a librarian. 

 

Prince Louis and Princess Alix with Queen Fabiola of the Belgians at Prangins.

The Prince and Princess Napoléon with Princess Grace of Monaco and the Count of Barcelona.

Isabelle, Countess of Paris, and Alix, Princess Napoléon, 1990s.

The Prince and Princess Napoléon conducted themselves with discretion and dignity. They were close to a vast array of their royal European relatives, particularly the Belgian royal family and the Luxembourgish grand ducal family. In 1974, Princess Catherine Napoléon married Nicolò San Martino d'Agliè dei Marchesi di Fontanetto, a nephew of Queen Paola of Belgium; Catherine and Nicolò eventually divorced. In 1982, Catherine Napoléon remarried Jean-Claude Dualé, with whom she had two daughters. In 1978, Prince Charles Napoléon married Princess Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies; the couple had two children, Princess Caroline Napoléon (b.1980) and Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon (b.1986), before divorcing in 1989. In 1996, Charles Napoléon subsequently married Jeanne Françoise Valliccionni, the mother of his daughter Sophie Napoléon (b.1992). In 1982, Princess Laure Napoléon married Jean-Claude Lecomte; the couple had one son. In 2013, Prince Jérôme Napoléon married Licia Innocenti. 

 

Prince Louis Napoléon, 1965.

In 1997, Alix was widowed when her husband Louis passed away at the age of eighty-three.

 

The Prince and Princess Napoléon at Prangins.

The Dowager Princess Napoléon continues to live at her Swiss residence. 

 

Princess Alix Napoléon with her grandchildren, Princess Caroline and Prince Jean-Christophe.

 

Many happy returns of the day to Princess Alix!

A Review of Eurohistory's Royal Exiles in Cannes: The Bourbons of the Two Sicilies of the Villa Marie-Thérèse

Eurohistory published Royal Exiles in Cannes: The Bourbons of the Two Siclies of the Villa Marie Thérèse by David McIntosh and Arturo E. Beéche in 2015. This historic work "includes more than 315 unique and rarely seen photos from both Mr. McIntosh's archive and the renowned Eurohistory Royal Archive. The book follows the history of this once mighty kingdom from its creation in the Middle Ages to its inheritance by the Bourbons of Spain, and its final incorporation into the modern Kingdom of Italy in 1860-61. Furthermore, and perhaps more fascinatingly, the book catalogues the saga of the various members of the royal family as they rebuilt their lives in exile, while also continuing to make matrimonial alliances with most of the ruling Catholic dynasties of Europe, among them the Habsburgs, the Spanish Bourbons, Saxony, Parma, and several others. The storyline follows the lives of the Bourbons of the Two Sicilies and their descendants to today. It is a unique production on a popular exiled royal family that has maintained a prominent presence among Europe's royals." The Bourbons of the Two Sicilies have not received focus by English-language scholars since the two works of Harold Acton.

Prince Alfonso of the Two Sicilies, Count of Caserta

Princess Maria Antonietta of the Two Sicilies, Countess of Caserta

In 2016, the author of this post wrote the following review of this book:

As far as I am aware, this is the only book in the English language that focuses on the Royal House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies after they lost their throne in 1860—this alone makes Royal Exiles in Cannes an invaluable resource. Yet, Royal Exiles is more than just an informative tome on the dynasty. Yes, it offers wonderful vignettes on the Bourbon Kings of the Two Sicilies (Ferdinando I, Francesco I, Ferdinando II, Francesco II) as well as biographical sketches of the last King’s heir, Alfonso, Count of Caserta, and his wife (and first cousin) Maria Antonietta. However, the reader is also treated to chapters on the Count and Countess of Caserta’s many children and their countless descendants, who further expanded the ties of the Bourbons of Two Sicilies by marrying into the regal families of Austria, Bavaria, Brazil, France (both the Orlèans and the Bonapartes), Italy, Parma, Saxony, Spain and Württemberg…as well as plenty of other noble families around Europe. However, for this reader, the greatest gem to be found in Royal Exiles in Cannes is the plethora of photographs of the members of the Royal Family of Two Sicilies. There must be four or five *hundred* of these images, if not more, which all come from the Eurohistory Photo Archive. From the long-dead kings of the Two Sicilies to the modern-day Dukes of Calabria and Castro, you become acquainted with nearly every Bourbon-Two Sicilian relation, both past and present. The visual feast that this vital historical work provides cannot be overstated. Chuffed to have this book in my collection and highly recommend it!

++++++++

Purchase the book from Eurohistory:

Purchase Royal Exiles in Cannes at Eurohistory.com

A Review of Eurohistory's Royal Exiles in Cannes: The Bourbons of the Two Sicilies of the Villa Marie-Thérèse

Eurohistory published Royal Exiles in Cannes: The Bourbons of the Two Siclies of the Villa Marie Thérèse by David McIntosh and Arturo E. Beéche in 2015. This historic work "includes more than 315 unique and rarely seen photos from both Mr. McIntosh's archive and the renowned Eurohistory Royal Archive. The book follows the history of this once mighty kingdom from its creation in the Middle Ages to its inheritance by the Bourbons of Spain, and its final incorporation into the modern Kingdom of Italy in 1860-61. Furthermore, and perhaps more fascinatingly, the book catalogues the saga of the various members of the royal family as they rebuilt their lives in exile, while also continuing to make matrimonial alliances with most of the ruling Catholic dynasties of Europe, among them the Habsburgs, the Spanish Bourbons, Saxony, Parma, and several others. The storyline follows the lives of the Bourbons of the Two Sicilies and their descendants to today. It is a unique production on a popular exiled royal family that has maintained a prominent presence among Europe's royals." The Bourbons of the Two Sicilies have not received focus by English-language scholars since the two works of Harold Acton.

Prince Alfonso of the Two Sicilies, Count of Caserta

Princess Maria Antonietta of the Two Sicilies, Countess of Caserta

In 2016, the author of this post wrote the following review of this book:

As far as I am aware, this is the only book in the English language that focuses on the Royal House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies after they lost their throne in 1860—this alone makes Royal Exiles in Cannes an invaluable resource. Yet, Royal Exiles is more than just an informative tome on the dynasty. Yes, it offers wonderful vignettes on the Bourbon Kings of the Two Sicilies (Ferdinando I, Francesco I, Ferdinando II, Francesco II) as well as biographical sketches of the last King’s heir, Alfonso, Count of Caserta, and his wife (and first cousin) Maria Antonietta. However, the reader is also treated to chapters on the Count and Countess of Caserta’s many children and their countless descendants, who further expanded the ties of the Bourbons of Two Sicilies by marrying into the regal families of Austria, Bavaria, Brazil, France (both the Orlèans and the Bonapartes), Italy, Parma, Saxony, Spain and Württemberg…as well as plenty of other noble families around Europe. However, for this reader, the greatest gem to be found in Royal Exiles in Cannes is the plethora of photographs of the members of the Royal Family of Two Sicilies. There must be four or five *hundred* of these images, if not more, which all come from the Eurohistory Photo Archive. From the long-dead kings of the Two Sicilies to the modern-day Dukes of Calabria and Castro, you become acquainted with nearly every Bourbon-Two Sicilian relation, both past and present. The visual feast that this vital historical work provides cannot be overstated. Chuffed to have this book in my collection and highly recommend it!

++++++++

Purchase the book from Eurohistory:

Purchase Royal Exiles in Cannes at Eurohistory.com

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.