Thursday, May 6, 2021

Mass at Les Invalides to Commemorate 200th Anniversary of Emperor Napoléon's Death

The French Imperial Family. Left to right: Princess Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Prince Charles Bonaparte, the Princess and Prince Napoléon. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.
Left to right: Prince Jérôme Napoléon, Princess Licia Napoléon, Princess Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Prince Charles Bonaparte, Princess Maria del Pilar Murat, Prince Joachim Murat, Princess Olympia Napoléon, and Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon.  Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

The Prince and Princess Napoléon. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

On Wednesday, 5 May, a mass took place at Les Invalides in Paris to commemorate the 200th anniversary since the death of Emperor Napoléon I of France in 1821. The French imperial family was out in full force; the Prince and Princess Napoléon attended the mass in addition to Jean-Christophe's father Prince Charles Bonaparte, his mother Princess Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, and his uncle and aunt Prince Jérôme and Princess Licia Napoléon. Prince Joachim Murat, 8th Prince Murat and 7th Principe di Pontecorvo, was present with his wife Princess Maria del Pilar Murat as well as his son and heir Prince Joachim Murat, Principe di Monte-Corvo, and his daughter-in-law Princess Yasmine Murat.

Prince Jean-Christophe and Princess Olympia Napoléon. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.
Prince Charles Bonaparte and his son Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon.
Prince Jérôme and Princess Licia Napoléon. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.
The Prince Napoléon and the Count of Paris. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.
The Count and Countess of Paris also attended the service. Prince Jean d'Orléans, Count of Paris, and Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon are third cousins. They both descend from Prince Alfonso of the Two Sicilies, Count of Caserta, and Princess Maria Antonietta of the Two Sicilies, Countess of Caserta.

During the ceremony, the Prince Napoléon laid a wreath at the tomb of the Emperor in Les Invalides. Two other wreaths were sent by the Fondation Napoléon and the Souvenir Napoléonien.

Princess Maria Pia of Savoy. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.
Princess Olympia Napoléon and Princess Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.
The Count of Paris, Duchess Sophie of Württemberg, Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, and the Countess of Paris. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.
Prince Jean and Princess Philomena d'Orléans, Count and Countess of Paris, represented the French royal family. Other guests included Prince Jean of Luxembourg and Diane de Guerre, Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, Princess Maria Pia of Savoy, and Duchess Sophie of Württemberg.
The Prince and Princess Napoléon meet President Macron and Madame Macron. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Christophe Petit Tesson.
The Prince and Princess Napoléon also welcomed President Emmanuel Macron and Madame Brigitte Macron to Les Invalides. The Napoléons and the Macrons visited the tomb of Napoléon I together. 
Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon in front of a statue of his ancestor Jérôme Napoléon, Prince de Montfort and King of Westphalia. Jérôme was the youngest brother of Emperor Napoléon I. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

On This Day in 1981: The Baptism of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia

Archbishop Anthony of Los Angeles prepares to baptise Grand Duke George, who is held by his grandfather Grand Duke Vladimir.
Helen Kirby with her nephew and godson Grand Duke George. 
Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich, his cousin Prince Georg-Dietrich von Schoenaich-Carolath, and Princess Magdalena of Prussia.
On 6 May 1981, Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia was baptised in Madrid. The baby Romanov was born on 13 March 1981 in the Spanish capital. George was the first and only child of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (b.1953) and Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich of Russia (b.1943; né Prince Franz-Wilhelm of Prussia), who married in 1976. Archbishop Antony Sinkevitch of Los Angeles, who officiated at the wedding of Grand Duchess Maria and Grand Duke Michael, presided over the baptism of their son. Grand Duke George Mikhailovich had King Constantine II of Greece as his godfather (as the king was unable to attend, the infant's grandfather Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich acted as proxy); George's godmother was his aunt Helen Louise Kirby. The baptism of the eventual heir of the Imperial House of Russia was attended by King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía of Spain, King Simeon II of Bulgaria, Princess Magdalena of Prussia (widow of Prince Hubertus), Infante Luís Alfonso of Spain, Princess Marisol of Bavaria, Prince Bagrat Bagration-Mukhransky, and Prince Georg-Dietrich von Schoenaich-Carolath. 
Grand Duchess Maria holding her son Grand Duke George, Grand Duke Vladimir and Grand Duchess Leonida, and Queen Sofía. The imperial family celebrated Orthodox Easter after the baptism.
Prince Bagrat Bagration, King Simeon of Bulgaria, and Grand Duchess Maria.
Infante Luís Alfonso of Spain, Princess Marisol of Bavaria, Princess Maria del Carmen Bagration, and Prince Bagrat Bagration.

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

A Musy Tiara of the Royal House of Savoy to be Auctioned by Sotheby's!

Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo, Queen of Spain, Duchess of Aosta.

A Musy tiara formerly owned by Princess Maria Vittoria del Pozzo, Duchess of Aosta and Queen of Spain from 1870 until 1873, will go on the auction block at Sotheby's in Geneva on 11 May. The tiara is estimated to sell for anywhere between $1 million and $1.5 million. Due to its royal provenance, it is highly possible and likely that the piece will fetch a much higher price.

The Musy tiara. Photograph (c) Sotheby's.

Following is an abbreviated portion of the history that Sotheby's provides about the Musy tiara, which can also be worn as a necklace: 

One of the most important tiaras to appear at auction in recent years, this royal tiara dates to the second half of the 19th century. Steeped in the rich history of the House of Savoy, this tiara hails an extraordinary provenance. Likely to have been presented to Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo in 1867 as a wedding gift on the occasion of her marriage to Amedeo of Savoy, Duke of Aosta, later elected King of Spain as Amadeo I (1870- 1873), the tiara, which has remained with the family for over 150 years, is believed to have been created by Musy Padre e Figli – Court Jeweller of Turin, and one of the oldest goldsmiths in Europe. 

To learn more about the Musy tiara, and to place a bid if you are so inclined, please visit Sotheby's listing: Musy | Magnificent and Historic Natural pearl and diamond tiara/necklace, second half of the 19th century

Monday, May 3, 2021

Orthodox Royals in Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, & Serbia Celebrate Pascha

 

King Simeon II of the Bulgarians attended Easter services at the St. Nedelya Metropolitan Cathedral in Sofia. With the blessing of His Holiness the Metropolitan of Sofia and Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte, at midnight His Eminence Bishop Polycarp of Belogradchik proclaimed the Resurrection of Christ to the gathered crowd and celebrated the hierarch's Holy Liturgy in the church.

Nicholas of Romania, grandson of the late King Michael of Romania, and his wife Alina-Maria and their daughter Maria-Alexandra celebrated Easter at their home in Bucharest. 

Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and his fiancée Victoria Romanovna Bettarini celebrated Easter in Moscow. Victoria's father Ambassador Roberto Bettarini was able to spend the holiday with the couple. On the evening of 30 April 2021, Good Friday, Grand Duke George and Victoria Romanovna and Ambassador Bettarini attended services at the Vvedensky Temple near the Saltykov Bridge. Aided by her priest Father Nikon, Victoria Romanovna made traditional Orthodox Easter cakes using an original wooden mold that is over 150 years old. Grand Duke George and Victoria then hosted Easter dinner with Ambassador Bettarini and their priest Father Nikon at the couple's Moscow home.

Prince Philip and Princess Danica of Serbia marked Easter by attending Pascha services with their son Prince Stefan. Philip is the son of Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia. 

Lawton Filer: American Heiress and Countess von Wurmbrand-Stuppach

Miss Lawton Filer, 1926.

On 1 March 1902 in Salt Lake City, Utah, Lawton Filer was born as the only daughter and child of Walter George Filer (1870-1943), a mining engineer, and his wife Esther Freed (1878-1967). The Filers moved to California shortly after the birth of their daughter. Lawton Filer was educated at Miss Shimm's in San Mateo and went on to attend Miss Spence's finishing school in New York City. 

Miss Lawton Filer, 1921.

In 1916, Goodwin's Weekly of Salt Lake City (Volume 27, 17 June 1916, p.9) contained this entry: "After passing the winter in this state for several years, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Filer have come to the conclusion that California is the ideal place, and to prove it, they have purchased the George A. Newell residence on the Newell estate near Burlingame. Mr. and Mrs. Filer are selecting the furnishings of their home, and expect to move in early in the autumn. The Filers have one child, Miss Lawton Filer, a beautiful young girl, who will be a debutante of several seasons hence." The Filers became members of the San Francisco social set. Mrs. Filer and Miss Lawton Filer went off on weekends to Lake Tahoe, attended fancy dress balls in the city, and mingled with other well-to-do San Francisco names over dinners at the St. Francis Hotel in Union Square. In August 1918, Esther Filer hosted a dance for her daughter and friends at La Cumbre County Club in Santa Barbara. In 1921, Lawton Filer took her place as a debutante of the season. In October 1924, Lawton Filer was a bridesmaid at the wedding of James Athearn Folger III (of Folgers Coffee) and Jane Carrigan which took place at St. Mary's Cathedral on California and Grant.

Count Degenhard von Wurmbrand-Stuppach.

Lawton Filer's marital stakes were cemented during a 1925 trip to Europe with her mother. Esther and Lawton made their headquarters in Paris; from this base, mother and daughter spent a good deal of time in Rome and on the French Riviera. The Filers then made their way to Vienna. While in the Austrian capital, Lawton made the acquaintance of Count Degenhard von Wurmbrand-Stuppach. Born on 17 July 1893 at Schloß Krummnußbaum, Count Degenhard Gundaccar Adolf Maria von Wurmbrand-Stuppach was the second child and eldest son and heir of Count Wilhelm von Wurmbrand-Stuppach (1862-1927) and Margarethe von Schenk (1872-1957). The engagement between Count Degenhard von Wurmbrand-Stuppach and Miss Lawton Filer was announced from Vienna in April 1926. 

Countess Lawton von Wurmbrand-Stuppach, mid-1930s.

Lawton and Degenhard's romance must have been a whirlwind. A month after their engagement, the couple were married in Paris on 15 May 1926. They divided their time between the Wurmbrand estate in Vienna and the family's apartment in Paris. The count and countess traveled to New York City in December 1926 in order to spend the Christmas holidays with Mr. and Mrs. Filer. The Wurmbrand pair settled in New York City in January 1927. On 11 April 1927 in the Big Apple, Lawton gave birth to Countess Leonora "Lori" Huberta Maria von Wurmbrand-Stuppach, who would be Lawton and Degenhard's only child. In September 1927, Degenhard and Lawton spent a spell in Burgliname, where they were hosted by the Filers and entertained by the family's friends. In January 1931, the Wurmbrand-Stuppachs moved to San Francisco with their daughter. 

Countess Lawton von Wurmbrand-Stuppach (née Filer) and Herbert Fleishhacker.
On 10 December 1935, Count Degenhard and Countess Lawton von Wurmbrand-Stuppach were divorced in Reno, Nevada. Custody of their eight year-old daughter Leonora and property rights were settled out of court. Lawton Filer von Wurmbrand-Stuppach married San Francisco banker Herbert J. Fleishhacker Jr. (1907-1968) on 20 March 1936 in the Filer residence at Burlingame. The bride carried an orchid bouquet and wore "pale shell pink lace and chiffon" in a "filmy creation with a full skirt and cape sleeves." The groom was a Stanford graduate who stood 6 feet 4 inches tall. Superior Judge Timothy Fitzpatrick performed the service at high noon, which was followed by a wedding breakfast. Afterwards, the newlyweds motored to Palm Springs for their honeymoon. After returning to the city, they took up an apartment on Green Street.
Walter George Filer.

On 3 April 1943, Walter G. Filer passed away in San Mateo. Having became a successful businessman, Mr. Filer left 1/2 of his assets to his widow; the other half of the estate went to his only child Lawton. Lawton Filer Wurmbrand Fleishhacker's mother Esther Freed Filer died on 13 July 1967. The estate of Mrs. Filer was worth $2.5 million at the time. Esther bequeathed 1/3 of her assets to her granddaughter Leonora as well as Leonora's three children: Therese, Paul, and Albert. The remainder went to Esther's daughter Lawton. 

Countess Leonora von Wurmbrand-Stuppach and Robert Folger Miller, 1947.

Lawton's only child Countess Lori von Wurmbrand-Stuppach wed Robert "Bob" Folger Miller on 9 August 1947 at St. Catherine's Church in Burlingame. Lori had attended Vassar and studied at Radcliffe College. Bob was the son of Robert Watt Miller (1899-1970) and Elizabeth Jane Folger (1898-1994). After their marriage, Lori and Bob Miller lived in Boston, where Bob was completing his studies at Harvard University. The couple had three children: Therese Marie Miller (b.1949), Paul Michael Miller (b.1950), and Albert "Albie" Watt Miller (1951-1974). In 1963, the Millers moved to Europe; their daughter Therese was enrolled in a French school and their sons attended a Swiss school. Alas, all was not well in the Miller marriage. In October 1964, the Robert Folger Millers were divorced; Lori charged Bob with extreme mental cruelty. The couple shared joint custody of their three children. 

Countess Leonora von Wurmbrand-Stuppach.
Lori Wurmbrand-Stuppach Miller was not to remain single for long. On 21 December 1965, she married Thomas-Alfred "Tommy" Wertheimer Edler von Wertheimstein at the Chelsea Registrar's Office in London. The couple's witnesses were Lord Ashcombe and Kelpie Buchanan. Lori's ex-husband Bob Miller had remarried the month prior, in November 1965, to family friend Maryon McGuire Funsten in Carson City. Lori and Tommy Wertheimer honeymooned at Gstaad; Bob and Maryon Miller were vacationing on the Swiss Alps at the same time with Lori and Bob's three children.
Herbert J. Fleishhacker Jr.

A year after her mother's death, Lawton was widowed when her husband Herbert Fleishhacker Jr. died on 18 December 1968. Herbert suffered a heart attack while duck hunting near Maryville, California. Mr. Fleishhacker had an immensely successful business career; he had risen to become the vice president of Crocker-Anglo National Bank. From the San Francisco apartment in which he and Lawton had begun married life, the couple had went on to residence in a mansion at 15 Woodgate Court in Hillsborough. The Fleishhackers also maintained a home in Oregon, where they indulged in their mutual love of fishing. Herbert and Lawton frequently flew to Alaska, where Herbert was able to enjoy his passion for big game hunting. Lawton and Herbert did not have children.

Aged ninety-six, Mrs. Lawton Filer Wurmbrand Fleishhacker died on 30 December 1998 in Hillsborough, California. She was laid to rest beside her husband Herbert at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Colma. 

Friday, April 30, 2021

The Count and Countess of Dreux Are Expecting Their Third Child

Prince François and Princess Therese d'Orléans, 2014.

In an interview with Ultima Hora, Prince François and Princess Theresa d'Orléans revealed that they are expecting their third child. The Count and Countess of Dreux live in Mallorca with son Prince Philippe (b.2017) and daughter Princess Marie Amélie (b.2019). Prince François d'Orléans (b.1982), youngest child of Prince Michel d'Orléans and his first wife Béatrice Pasquier de Franclieu, and Theresa von Einsiedel (b.1984), daughter of Curt-Hildebrand von Einsiedel and Fürstin Amélie von Urach, were married in 2014. The Count of Dreux is a first cousin of Prince Jean, Count of Paris and Head of the Royal House of France.

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

The 60th Birthday of Prince Heinrich of Hannover

Today, Prince Heinrich of Hannover turns sixty years-old!

Prince Ernst August and Princess Ortrud of Hannover with their six children, 1963. Photograph (c) Prince Heinrich of Hannover.

Born on 29 April 1961 at Hannover, Prince Heinrich Julius Christian Otto Friedrich Franz Anton Günter of Hannover was the third son and sixth and last child of Prince Ernst August of Hannover (1914-1987) and Princess Ortrud of Schleswig-Holstein (1925-1980), who married in 1951. Heinrich had five older siblings: Princess Marie (b.1954; married Count Michael von Hochberg), Prince Ernst August (b.1954; married 1st Chantal Hochuli; married 2nd Princess Caroline of Monaco), Prince Ludwig Rudolph (1955-1988; married Countess Isabella von Thurn und Valsassina-Como-Vercelli), Princess Olga (b.1958), and Princess Alexandra (b.1959; married Fürst Alexander zu Leiningen). From his father Ernst August's earlier relationship with Baroness Maria Anna von Humboldt-Dachroeden (1916-2003; ex-wife of Prince Hubertus of Prussia), Heinrich has an older half-brother Christian Freiherr von Humboldt-Dachroeden (b.1943).

The wedding of Prince Heinrich and Princess Thyra of Hannover, 1999. Photograph (c) Getty Images/Franziska Krug

In 1999, Prince Heinrich of Hannover married Thuringian aristocrat Thyra von Westernhagen (b.14 August 1973), the daughter of Burghard von Westernhagen and Uta Maria von Pape. The couple have three children: Prince Albert (b.1999), Princess Eugenia (b.2001), and Prince Julius (b.2006). From an earlier relationship with Desirée Nick (b.1960), Heinrich has a son: Oscar Prinz von Hannover (b.1996; né Nick). 

Princess Thyra, Prince Heinrich, and their son Prince Albert of Hannover attend the 2017 wedding of Heinrich's nephew Hereditary Prince Ernst August and Ekaterina Malysheva. Photograph (c) Getty Images/Gisela Schober.
Prince Heinrich of Hanover founded, owns and manages the publishing company MatrixMedia Verlag in Göttingen.

Many happy returns to Prince Heinrich!

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