Prince Rostislav and Princess Foteini Romanovsky To Religiously Wed On Sunday

Rostislav and Foteini.

On Sunday, 12 September, Prince Rostislav Rostislavovich Romanovsky and his wife Princess Foteini Romanovsky will celebrate their religious marriage at the Saint Alexandre Nevsky Cathedral in Paris. 

The engagement announcement of Rostislav Romanoff, Prince Romanovsky, and Foteini Georganta. Announcement (c) The Telegraph of 25 September 2019.

The civil wedding.

In 2011, Rostislav Romanovsky and Foteini Georganta first met at the Russian Summer Ball held at Whitehall Palace in London. In 2013, the couple welcomed the birth of their first child, a son named Rostislav-George. The couple were civilly wed on 29 October 2019 in Rye, East Sussex, United Kingdom.

Prince Rostislav Rostislavovich with his wife Christa and their three children in 1998 during their trip to Saint Petersburg.

Prince Rostislav posing for Tatler, 2017. Photo (c) Oli Kearon.

Born on 21 May 1985 at Lake Forest, Illinois in the United States, Prince Rostislav Rostislavovich Romanovsky was the first son and second child of Prince Rostislav Rostislavovich Romanovsky (1938-1999) and Christia Ipsen (b.1949; married Prince Rostislav in 1980; married Hon. David Whitney Erskine Russell, 5th Baron Ampthill, in 2002). Rostislav has two full siblings: Princess Alexandra Rostislavovna (b.1983; married in 2020 to Edward George William Heard) and Prince Nikita Rostislavovich (b.1987). From his father's first marriage to Stephena Verdel Cook, Rostislav has an older half-sister, Princess Stephena Rostislavovna (b.1963; married in 1988 to William Porter Boggess III). Rostislav Romanoff is a talented artist; full disclosure: I own one of his paintings, so I might be biased. 

Prince Rostislav and Princess Foteini Romanovsky at the reception following their civil wedding.

Born on 7 November 1979 at Athens, Foteini Maria Cristina Georganta was the only daughter and youngest child of Greek industrialist Philippos S. Georganta (deceased) and Haralambia Papathoma. Foteini has three older brothers, one of whom (Georges) died last year from Covid-19. 

Prince Rostislav of Russia and Princess Alexandra Galitzine.

The paternal grandparents of Prince Rostislav Romanovsky are HH Prince Rostislav Alexandrovich of Russia (1902-1978) and his first wife Princess Alexandra Pavlovna Galitzine (1905-2006). The 1928 marriage of Prince Rostislav of Russia and Princess Alexandra Galitzine was not in conformity with the Fundamental Laws of the Russian Imperial House; therefore, the descendants of this morganatic union do not have dynastic status. In 1951, Princess Alexandra Pavlovna and her descendants received the title of Prince(ss) Romanovsky from Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich of Russia, Head of the Imperial House. 

Prince Rostislav Romanovsky, Princess Olga Romanovsky, TRH Prince Michael and Princess Michael of Kent attend services commemorating a century since the death of Tsar Nicholas II, 2018.

Photo (c) Alexander Chizhenok / Shutterstock.

Strangely, the announcement of the religious marriage of Prince Rostislav Rostislavovich Romanovsky refers to Rostislav as having the style of His Imperial Highness, which is incorrect. Rostislav's grandfather Prince Rostislav of Russia, who was a member of the Russian Imperial House, only bore the style of His Highness. It is totally inaccurate to claim that Prince Rostislav Rostislavovich Romanovsky, a Romanov morganaut, might hold any style besides His Serene Highness (the style accorded to some Princes Romanovsky), let alone a style that is higher than that borne by his own grandfather Prince Rostislav Alexandrovich of Russia, who was a Romanov dynast. If you would like to read the entirety of the press release regarding the religious marriage of Prince Rostislav and Princess Foteini, you can find it below.

Our best wishes to Prince Rostislav and Princess Foteini on their religious wedding!

The Pearl Wedding Anniversary of Fürst Carl and Fürstin Katharina of Wrede

Fürst Carl and Fürstin Katharina of Wrede, 2007. Photo (c) Seeger-Presse / Sandra Zellner.

Today, the Fürst and Fürstin of Wrede celebrate their thirtieth wedding anniversary. Fürst Carl of Wrede (b.1942) and Eva Katharina Kovarcz de Kovarczfalva (b.1945) married on 9 September 1991 at Pleinfeld. It was the second marriage for both parties. 

The Fürst and Fürstin of Wrede with their children (left to right) Hereditary Prince Carl Christian of Wrede, Prince Georg-Constantin and Princess Désirée of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, 1997. Photo (c) Seeger-Presse / RB.

In 1969, Fürst Carl of Wrede married Ingeborg Hamberger (b.1944). The couple had two children: Princess Alexandra (b.1970; married Archduke Karl Peter of Austria) and Hereditary Prince Carl Christian (b.1972; married Countess Katalin Bethlen de Bethlen). Fürst Carl and Fürstin Ingeborg divorced in 1989. 

In 1973, Eva Katharina Kovarcz de Kovarczfalva married Prince Wilhelm of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (b.1946). The couple had two children: Princess Désirée (b.1974; married Count Florian von und zu Hoensbroech) and Prince Georg-Constantin (1977-2018; married Olivia Page). Prince Wilhelm and Princess Katharina divorced in 1985.

Fürstin Katharina and Fürst Carl of Wrede, 1998. Photo (c) Seeger-Presse.

Our congratulations to the Fürst and Fürstin of Wrede on their 30th wedding anniversary!

The Youngest Musini/Liechtenstein Guest: Baby Princess Anastasia of Bourbon-Parma!

Schneider-Press/Frank Rol/SIPA/Newscom.

The youngest guest at the weekend religious nuptials of Emanuele Musini and Princess Maria Anunciata of Liechtenstein was likely the bride's first cousin once removed: Princess Anastasia of Bourbon-Parma. Prince Henri of Bourbon-Parma and his wife Archduchess Gabriella of Austria attended the wedding on Saturday, 4 September, in Vienna along with their infant daughter, who is the couple's second child. It seems Anastasia was born quite recently. Prince Henri and Archduchess Gabriella married in 2020; the couple welcomed their first daughter Victoire in 2017. 

The wedding of Prince Henri and Archduchess Gabriella, 2020.

Both of Princess Anastasia's parent are related to Princess Maria Anunciata of Liechtenstein. Prince Henri of Bourbon-Parma and Princess Maria Anunciata are second cousins; both are great-grandchildren of Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg and her husband Prince Félix of Bourbon-Parma. This is the same line of descent that connects Prince Henri and his wife Archduchess Gabriella. Archduchess Gabriella and Princes Maria Anunciata are first cousins; both are grandchildren of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and his wife Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte (born Princess of Belgium).

September 2020: The Marriage of Prince Henri of Bourbon-Parma and Archduchess Gabriella of Austria

Our congratulations to Henri and Gabriella on the birth of Anastasia!

Count Jan Bernadotte (1941-2021)

Count Jan Bernadotte af Wisborg.

Count Jan Bernadotte af Wisborg died on 1 September 2021. He was eighty years-old.

Count Lennart Bernadotte and Karin Nissvandt, 1932.

On 9 January 1941, Count Carl Johan "Jan" Gustaf Vilhelm Bernadotte af Wisborg was born at Stockholm. He was the son of Count Lennart Bernadotte af Wisborg (1909-2004; born Prince Lennart of Sweden) and his first wife Karin Nissvandt (1911-1991). Count Jan's paternal grandparents were Prince Wilhelm of Sweden (1884-1965), Duke of Södermanland, and Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia (1890-1958). Count Jan Bernadotte is the second cousin of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.

Count Jan Benadotte and his first wife Gunilla Stampe.

Count Jan Bernadotte and his second wife Anna Skarne.
Photograph (c) Getty Images.

Count Jan Bernadotte and his seventh and current wife Gunilla Stenfors.

Photograph (c) Svenskdam.

The count was well-known to royal genealogists for his reputation as the "Elizabeth Taylor" of the Gotha. Jan had been married seven times. From 1965 until their divorce in 1967, Jan Bernadotte was the husband of Gunilla Stampe (1941-2010). From 1967 until their divorce in 1970, Jan was the spouse of Anna Skarne (b.1944). From 1972 until 1974, the count was married to Annegret Thomssen (b.1938). From 1974 until 1987, Jan was married to Maritta Berg (1953-2001). From 1993 until their divorce in 2004, Jan Bernadotte was the husband of Gabrielle Kick (b.1949; née Hess). From 2004 until their divorce in 2011, the count was married to Christiane Grandmontagne (b.1944), a former partner of Prince Christian-Sigismund of Prussia. Finally, in 2012, Count Jan Bernadotte wed Gunilla Stenfors (b.1957), a teacher. 

Count Jan Bernadotte.

Count Jan Bernadotte has four children, two daughters and two sons. From his second marriage to Anna Skarne, Jan has a daughter, Countess Sophia Magdalena Bernadotte af Wisborg (b.1968). From his third marriage to Annegret Thomssen, Jan has a daughter, Countess Cia-Rosemarie Bernadotte af Wisborg (b.1972). From his fourth marriage to Maritta Berg, Jan has two sons, Count Alexander Wilhelm Bernadotte af Wisborg (b.1977) and Count Stephan Bernadotte af Wisborg (b.1980).

Source: Kungens svåra sorg – släktingen Jan Bernadotte plötsligt död

May Jan Rest in Peace.

______________

 

For further news and articles about Europe's imperial, royal, and noble families, join Eurohistory:

 

Subscribe to the European Royal History Journal!

A Staunch Humanitarian: Princess Cécile of Bourbon-Parma (1935-2021)

Princess Cécile of Bourbon-Parma.

On Wednesday, 1 September 2021, Princess Cécile of Bourbon-Parma died at the Hôpital Broca, in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. The princess was eighty-six years-old. 

Her death was announced on social media by her nephew Duke Carlos Javier of Parma and by only surviving brother, Prince Sixte-Henri.

Prince Xavier of Bourbon-Parma and Madeline de Bourbon-Busset on their wedding day, 1927.

Born on 12 April 1935 at Paris, Princess Cécile Marie Antoinette Madeleine Jeanne Agnès Françoise of Bourbon-Parma was the fourth child and third daughter of Prince Xavier of Bourbon-Parma and Madeleine de Bourbon-Busset. The princess was named after Saint Cecilia; three of her paternal aunts had become nuns at the Abbaye Sainte-Cécile de Solesmes: Princess Adelaide (1885-1959; she became Mother Marie Bénédicte), Princess Francesca (1890-1978; she became Mother Scholastique), and Princess  Maria Antonia (1895-1979; she became Mother Maria Antonia). 

1955: Princess Cécile at her first ball at the Ritz in Paris. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Francois Pages.

Princess Cécile, Princess Marie-Thérèse, and Princess Marie-des-Nieges.

Cécile joined two older sisters and an older brother: Françoise (b.1928), Carlos Hugo (1930-2010), and Marie-Thérèse (1933-2020). The princess was followed by two younger siblings: Marie-des-Neiges (b.1937) and Sixte-Henri (b.1940). 

Princess Cecilia speaks at a Carlist gathering in Spain, 1966. Photo (c) Getty Images / Gianni Ferrari.

Caption: "Princess Cecilia de Bourbon-Parma waving from the door of an aircraft with her parachute on her lap as she prepares for a parachute jump, Madrid, August 18th 1963." Photo (c) Getty Image / Central Press.

Cécile studied in Paris and Munich. She eventually obtained her pilot's license. When her brother Prince Carlos Hugo became engaged to Princess Irene of the Netherlands in 1964, Cécile was his only sibling who traveled with the pair from Madrid to the Netherlands for a meeting with Queen Juliana about the engagement. The princess remained deeply attached to her older brother and his children. Together with her sisters Marie-Thérèse and Marie-des-Nieges, Cécile was a steadfast supporter of Carlos Hugo's modern vision for the Carlist movement, which took on a distinctly socialist bent. Her stance pitted the princess against her parents, Duke Xavier and Duchess Madeleine, as well as her sister Princess Françoise and her brother Prince Sixte-Henri.

Princess Cécile calls for food drops to Biafra, January 1970.  

Between 1968-1970, Princess Cécile participated in humanitarian efforts to bring supplies to the inhabitants of Biafra. The princess undertook this mission as a member of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. She spent fifteen months in Biafra and was deeply concerned about the well-being of the population there. The Republic of Biafra was a short-lived nation in West Africa, a "break-away" region in Nigeria, that existed from May 1967 to January 1970. In 1969, most of Cécile's family was expelled from Spain due their Carlist ties: only the princess (owing to her charity work in Biafra) and her sister-in-law Princess Irene of the Netherlands were excluded from the order. In early 1970, Cécile was in Washington, DC, to lobby on behalf to the people of Biafra. She stated: "The need is so great. So many people are dying in terrible conditions. In two weeks it will be too late." In 1971, the princess was finally ordered to leave Spain due to her connections with the Carlist movement. From Madrid, Cécile was put on a flight to Paris, where she arrived aboard an Iberian Airlines plane, to which she had been escorted by plainclothes Spanish policemen. She noted that she was asked to leave Spain "undoubtedly because I was with Carlist friends."

(left to right): Princess Marie-des-Neiges, Princess Marie-Thérèse, and Princess Cécile of Bourbon-Parma. Photographed at the christening of their grand-nephew Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Parma in 2016. Photograph (c) PPE / Albert Nieboer. 

Thereafter, the princess made her home in the French capital. Cécile devoted herself to the preservation of the archives of her family. Princess Cécile also immersed herself in caring for the psychological and spiritual needs of terminally ill-people. Recently, for some years, she had been living with her sisters Marie-Thérèse and Marie-des-Neiges in Paris. 

Princess Cécile, Princess Marie-Thérèse, and Princess Marie-des-Nieges attend the funeral of their brother Duke Carlos Ugo of Parma, 2010. Photo (c) PPE / Albert Nieboer.

In 2014, Cécile became the godmother of her grand-niece Princess Cecilia of Bourbon-Parma (b.2013), the daughter of Duke Carlos and Duchess Annemarie of Parma. In 2016, the princess and her two closest sisters attended the christening of their grand-nephew Carlos, the eventual heir to the Ducal House of Parma.

Princess Cécile of Bourbon-Parma with Prince Michael of Greece and Denmark.

In 2020, Cécile lost her sister Marie-Thérèse to complications from the coronavirus. Maria Teresa, as she was known in Carlist circles, had come down with COVID-19 from interactions with the nurse who was looking after Marie-Thérèse, Cécile, and Marie-des-Neiges.

Princess Cécile at a Carlist event.

Duke Xavier and Duchess Madeleine of Parma with their two sons and three youngest daughters and their daughter-in-law.

May the Princess Rest in Peace. 

The 50th Birthday of Prince Christian zu Schaumburg-Lippe

Today, Prince Christian zu Schaumburg-Lippe celebrates his fiftieth birthday!

Left to right: newlyweds Princess Lena and Prince Christian of Schaumburg-Lippe, Queen Margarethe II of Denmark, Princess Ilona and Prince Wilhelm of Schaumburg-Lippe, 2009. Photograph (c) dpa picture alliance archive / Alamy Stock Photo.

Born on 4 September 1971 at Munich, Prince Christian Hubertus Clemens-August Friedrich-Sigismund Louis-Ferdinand Harald zu Schaumburg-Lippe was the first child and only son of Prince Wilhelm of Schaumburg-Lippe and his wife Princess Ilona (née Baroness Hentschel von Gilgenheimb). Christian has one sister, Princess Désirée (b.1974; married Michael Frederik Iuel). In 2009, Prince Christian married Lena Giese (b.1979). Prince Christian and Princess Lena have one child, Prince Julian (b.2012).

Our best wishes to Prince Christian on his birthday!

The 90th Birthday of Princess Ingrid of Waldeck-Pyrmont

The princess in 2018.

Today, Princess Ingrid of Waldeck and Pyrmont celebrates her ninetieth birthday!

Born on 2 September 1931 at Munich, Ingrid was the third child and daughter of Fürst Josias of Waldeck and Pyrmont (1896-1967) and Duchess Altburg of Oldenburg (1903-2001), who wed in 1922. The princess had four siblings: Princess Margarethe (1923-2003), Princess Alexandra (1924-2009), Fürst Wittekind (b.1936), and Princess Guda (b.1939).

Princess Ingrid never married and has no children.