The 95th Birthday of Sylviane Muselier, Half-Sister of Queen Geraldine of Albania

Sylviane in front of portraits of her sister Queen Geraldine and her brother-in-law King Zog.

Today, Sylviane Girault Muselier turns ninety-five!

Gladys Virginia Stewart.

Born on 3 August 1927 at Mehun-sur-Yèvre, Centre-Val de Loire, Sylviane Girault was the eldest child of and Gontran Girault (1882-1964) and Gladys Virginia Stewart (1891–1947), who wed in 1926. Sylviane was joined by two younger siblings: Guy Girault (b.1930) and Patricia Girault (b.1932). Sylviane's mother Gladys had previously been married in 1914 to Count Gyula Apponyi de Nagy-Appony (1873–1924). From this marriage, Sylviane had three older siblings: Countess Geraldine (1915-2002; married King Zog I of the Albanians), Countess Virginia (1916-2002; married 1st András Baghy; married 2nd Joseph Blackburn; married 3rd József Máriássy), and Count Gyula (1923-1946).

The family at Marseilles in 1955.
(left to right) Sylviane, Queen Geraldine, Gontran Gilrault, Princess Senije, and Crown Prince Leka.

On 18 December 1955, Sylviane Girault married Maurice Muselier (1907-1989), the son of Admiral Émile Muselier, who fought against the Nazi invasion of France. The couple had two children: Corinne Muselier (married 1st Bernard Serour; married 2nd Roger Tréger) and French doctor and politician Renaud Muselier (b.1959; married Stéphanie Clément). 

Sylviane with her son Renaud and other family attend the royal wedding.
Photo (c) Seth B. Leonard.

In October 2016 in Tirana, Sylviane Muselier attended the wedding of her great-nephew Crown Prince Leka of Albania to Elia Zaharia. Seventy-eight years earlier, Sylviane was present for the wedding of Leka's grandparents, King Zog of Albania and Countess Geraldine Apponyi de Nagy-Appony. At the time of her half-sister's wedding in 1938, Sylviane was just ten years-old.

Sylviane Muselier and President Ilir Meta, 2017.

In 2017, the President of Albania awarded the Mother Teresa Medal to Sylviane Muselier. The award was given to Madame Muselier "as a testament of deep gratitude for her remarkable contributions, over many years, in four of sick children and Albanian families in need, for her concern and for her humanitarian and medical support as well as in recognition of the her promotion of the values and image of Albania and Albanians in France."

Sylviane with her great-nephew Crown Prince Leka and his wife Crown Princess Elia in 2019.

Our best wishes to Madame Muselier on her birthday!

The Wedding of Hereditary Prince Pál-Antal Esterházy von Galántha & Franziska von Reutter

On Saturday, 30 July 2022, Hereditary Prince Pál-Antal Esterházy von Galántha and Franziska von Reutter celebrated their religious marriage. 

Born in 1986, Hereditary Prince Pál-Antal Esterházy von Galántha is the only child of Fürst Anton Esterházy von Galántha (b.1936) and Ursula Koenig (b.1941). Born in 1989, Franziska von Reutter is the daughter of Georg von Reutter (b.1954) and Joanna Doubleday (b.1954). Hereditary Princess Franziska Esterházy von Galántha is a descendant of Archduke Johann of Austria and Anna Maria Josephine Plochl (created Countess von Meran).

Our congratulations to the couple on their special day!

The Sapphire Wedding of Count Karl Eugen von Neipperg and Archduchess Andrea of Austria

Today, Count Karl Eugen von Neipperg and Archduchess Andrea of Austria celebrate forty-five years of marriage!

The Villa Austria, home of Archduke Otto and Archduchess Regina.

On 30 July 1977 at Pöcking, Archduchess Andrea of Austria religiously married Count Karl Eugen von Neipperg. Their civil wedding took place on 9 July. The couple met in 1976 at a ball in Munich. 

Andrea and Karl Eugen.

Born at Schwaigern on 20 October 1951, Count Maria Karl Eugen Johannes Nepomuk Erwin Michael von Neipperg was the eldest child of Count Josef Hubert von Neipperg (1918-2020) and his first wife Countess Maria von Ledebur-Wicheln (1920-1984). Karl Eugen studied at the Economic Institute of Nürtingen. He received his degree as an agricultural engineer. Following his formal education, the count worked on his family's property holdings (agricultural lands and forests). 

Archduchess Andrea kisses the hand of her grandmother Empress Zita.

Born at Würzburg on 30 May 1953, Archduchess Andrea Maria of Austria was the eldest child of Archduke Otto of Austria, Crown Prince of Hungary (1912-2011) and Archduchess Regina (1925-2010; née Princess of Saxe-Meiningen), who wed in 1951. Andrea received her early education at the primary school in Pöcking. The archduchess enrolled at the University of Innsbruck, where she perfected her knowledge of English and Spanish. 

The Austrian (with the exception of Archduke Georg) and Neipperg siblings.

Empress Zita with four of her sons. Archduke Otto sits next to her. Behind them are Archduke Carl Ludwig, Archduke Robert, and Archduke Rudolph.

(left to right) Princess Klara-Maria of Saxe-Meiningen, Archduchess Regina, Archduchess Andrea, Count Karl Eugen, Empress Zita, and Count Degenfeld.

Andrea and Karl Eugen dance the night away.

On 29 July at the Golfhotel Kaiserin Elisabeth in Feldafing, an intimate dinner was hosted by Archduke Otto and Archduchess Regina for their daughter and her betrothed as well as one hundred guests. Dancing followed the dinner. 

The religious wedding of Andrea and Karl Eugen.

On her wedding day, Archduchess Andrea wore a white satin dress, created by a Pöcking designer, with a headdress of flowers. On her gown, the archduchess had pinned the Order of the Starry Cross, of which she is a member. Bishop Bruno Wechner of Feldkirk officiated over the religious wedding, assisted by Father Mathias Defregger. After the benediction, the Bishop Wechner read a telegraph addressed to the newlyweds from Pope Paul VI. The witnesses for Archduchess Andrea were Archduke Lorenz of Austria and Count Degenfeld; for Count Karl Eugen, the witnesses were Count Reinhard von Neipperg and Fürst Nicholas Leopold zu Salm-Salm. 

Archduke Otto of Austria and Countess Marie von Neipperg followed by Archduchess Regina of Austria and Count Josef Hubert von Neipperg.

Duchess Charlotte of Mecklenburg and Fürst Franz Joseph II of Liechtenstein followed by Countess Franziska von Waldburg-Wolfegg-Waldsee and Archduke Rudolph of Austria.

Prince Ernst August of Hannover and Fürstin Georgina of Liechtenstein followed by Countess Elisabeth Hunyady and Archduke Ferdinand of Austria. 

Two hundred guests attended the Austrian imperial wedding. Among the attendees were Fürst Franz Joseph and Fürstin Georgina of Liechtenstein, Prince Ernst August of Hannover, Duchess Charlotte of Mecklenburg, and the Margrave of Meissen.

Our best wishes to Karl Eugen and Andrea on their anniversary!

The Sapphire Wedding of Count Karl Eugen von Neipperg and Archduchess Andrea of Austria

Today, Count Karl Eugen von Neipperg and Archduchess Andrea of Austria celebrate forty-five years of marriage!

The Villa Austria, home of Archduke Otto and Archduchess Regina.

On 30 July 1977 at Pöcking, Archduchess Andrea of Austria religiously married Count Karl Eugen von Neipperg. Their civil wedding took place on 9 July. The couple met in 1976 at a ball in Munich. 

Andrea and Karl Eugen.

Born at Schwaigern on 20 October 1951, Count Maria Karl Eugen Johannes Nepomuk Erwin Michael von Neipperg was the eldest child of Count Josef Hubert von Neipperg (1918-2020) and his first wife Countess Maria von Ledebur-Wicheln (1920-1984). Karl Eugen studied at the Economic Institute of Nürtingen. He received his degree as an agricultural engineer. Following his formal education, the count worked on his family's property holdings (agricultural lands and forests). 

Archduchess Andrea kisses the hand of her grandmother Empress Zita.

Born at Würzburg on 30 May 1953, Archduchess Andrea Maria of Austria was the eldest child of Archduke Otto of Austria, Crown Prince of Hungary (1912-2011) and Archduchess Regina (1925-2010; née Princess of Saxe-Meiningen), who wed in 1951. Andrea received her early education at the primary school in Pöcking. The archduchess enrolled at the University of Innsbruck, where she perfected her knowledge of English and Spanish. 

The Austrian (with the exception of Archduke Georg) and Neipperg siblings.

Empress Zita with four of her sons. Archduke Otto sits next to her. Behind them are Archduke Carl Ludwig, Archduke Robert, and Archduke Rudolph.

(left to right) Princess Klara-Maria of Saxe-Meiningen, Archduchess Regina, Archduchess Andrea, Count Karl Eugen, Empress Zita, and Count Degenfeld.

Andrea and Karl Eugen dance the night away.

On 29 July at the Golfhotel Kaiserin Elisabeth in Feldafing, an intimate dinner was hosted by Archduke Otto and Archduchess Regina for their daughter and her betrothed as well as one hundred guests. Dancing followed the dinner. 

The religious wedding of Andrea and Karl Eugen.

On her wedding day, Archduchess Andrea wore a white satin dress, created by a Pöcking designer, with a headdress of flowers. On her gown, the archduchess had pinned the Order of the Starry Cross, of which she is a member. Bishop Bruno Wechner of Feldkirk officiated over the religious wedding, assisted by Father Mathias Defregger. After the benediction, the Bishop Wechner read a telegraph addressed to the newlyweds from Pope Paul VI. The witnesses for Archduchess Andrea were Archduke Lorenz of Austria and Count Degenfeld; for Count Karl Eugen, the witnesses were Count Reinhard von Neipperg and Fürst Nicholas Leopold zu Salm-Salm. 

Archduke Otto of Austria and Countess Marie von Neipperg followed by Archduchess Regina of Austria and Count Josef Hubert von Neipperg.

Duchess Charlotte of Mecklenburg and Fürst Franz Joseph II of Liechtenstein followed by Countess Franziska von Waldburg-Wolfegg-Waldsee and Archduke Rudolph of Austria.

Prince Ernst August of Hannover and Fürstin Georgina of Liechtenstein followed by Countess Elisabeth Hunyady and Archduke Ferdinand of Austria. 

Two hundred guests attended the Austrian imperial wedding. Among the attendees were Fürst Franz Joseph and Fürstin Georgina of Liechtenstein, Prince Ernst August of Hannover, Duchess Charlotte of Mecklenburg, and the Margrave of Meissen.

Our best wishes to Karl Eugen and Andrea on their anniversary!

The Golden Wedding of Princess Chantal d'Orléans and François-Xavier de Sambucy de Sorgue

 

Princess Chantal on her wedding day with her parents, the Count and Countess of Paris.

 

In 1971, Princess Chantal d'Orléans (b.1946), the youngest daughter of the Count and Countess of Paris, became engaged to François-Xavier de Sambucy de Sorgue (b.1943), a member of a noble family originally from Bologna, Italy. The Sambucy de Sorgues established themselves in Rouergue in the XIV century. The family also had contact with the Orléans as François-Xavier's great-uncle, Father Gaston de Sambucy de Sorgue, was the priest who officiated over the burial ceremony, in the Royal Chapel at St Louis de Dreux, for the Duchess d'Orléans, King Louis-Philippe's mother. François-Xavier and Chantal were married at the Royal Chapel at Dreux on 28 July 1972. She wore a splendid wedding gown designed by renowned couturier Balmain, as well as a diadem by Mellerio, a gift from her in-laws. 

 

Chantal and François-Xavier with Alexandre and Kildine in 1999.

 

The couple have three children: Axel (b.1976), Alexandre (b.1978), and Kildine (b.1979).

Duke Eugen Eberhard of Württemberg (1930-2022)

Duke Alexander, Duchess Sophie, and Duke Eugen attend the wedding of Duchess Fleur, 2003.
Photograph (c) Seeger-Presse / Sandra Zellner.

Ivaylo Schalafoff, the Executive Director of the King Boris and Queen Giovanna Royal Heritage Fund, has announced that Duke Eugen of Württemberg died this afternoon (26 July), aged ninety-one. Eugen was a first cousin of the late Duke Carl of Württemberg, the Head of the Royal House, as well as first cousin of King Simeon II of Bulgaria.

Eugen's mother Princess Nadejda of Bulgaria, 1916.

The engagement of Albrecht Eugen of Württemberg and Nadejda of Bulgaria is announced in January 1924.

Newlyweds: Duke Albrecht Eugen of Württemberg and Princess Nadejda of Bulgaria.

On 2 November 1930, Duke Eugen Eberhard Albrecht Maria Joseph Ivan Rilsky Robert Ulrich Philipp Odo Carl Hubert of Württemberg was born at Karlsruhe. Eugen was the third child and second son of Duke Albrecht Eugen of Württemberg (1895-1954) and Princess Nadejda of Bulgaria (1899-1958), who married in 1924. Eugen joined two older siblings, and was followed by two younger siblings: Duke Ferdinand (1927-2020), Duchess Margarethe (1928-2017; married to François Luce de Chevigny), Duke Alexander (b.1933), and Duchess Sophie (b.1937; married and divorced Antonio Manuel Rôxo de Ramos-Bandeira). The family became known as the "Black Württembergs" as the children of Albrecht Eugen and Nadejda all had dark hair, which put them in contrast with their first cousins, the children of Albrecht Eugen's brother Philipp.

Duke Albrecht of Württemberg and Archduchess Margarete Sophie of Austria
Image (c) ALAMY

Eugen's paternal grandparents were Duke Albrecht of Württemberg (1865-1939) and Archduchess Margarete Sophie of Austria (1870-1902). The duke's maternal grandparents were King Ferdinand of Bulgaria (1861-1948) and Princess Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma (1870-1899). 

Duke Alexander, Duchess Sophie, and Duke Eugen in Coburg, 2001.

Duke Eugen and his brother Duke Alexander at the wedding of Prince Karl Emich zu Leiningen, 2008.

 

Duke Eugen worked as a banker and he lived in Frankfurt. 

 

Duchess Sophie, Antonio Manuel Rôxo de Ramos-Bandeira, Duke Ferdinand, Duchess Margarethe, Princess Eudoxia of Bulgaria, Duchess Alexandra and Duke Eugen Eberhard, 1969. 

On 31 August 1962 at Mondsee, Duke Eugen of Württemberg civilly married Archduchess Alexandra of Austria (b.1935), a daughter of Archduke Anton of Austria and Princess Ileana of Romania. The couple's religious wedding followed on 3 September 1962. Eugen and Alexandra did not have children, and the pair's union was dissolved by divorce on 6 April 1972 at Frankfurt. The Holy See annulled their marriage on 7 November 1973.

 

 

May the Duke Rest In Peace.

Duke Eugen Eberhard of Württemberg (1930-2022)

Duke Alexander, Duchess Sophie, and Duke Eugen attend the wedding of Duchess Fleur, 2003.
Photograph (c) Seeger-Presse / Sandra Zellner.

Ivaylo Schalafoff, the Executive Director of the King Boris and Queen Giovanna Royal Heritage Fund, has announced that Duke Eugen of Württemberg died this afternoon (26 July), aged ninety-one. Eugen was a first cousin of the late Duke Carl of Württemberg, the Head of the Royal House, as well as first cousin of King Simeon II of Bulgaria.

Eugen's mother Princess Nadejda of Bulgaria, 1916.

The engagement of Albrecht Eugen of Württemberg and Nadejda of Bulgaria is announced in January 1924.

Newlyweds: Duke Albrecht Eugen of Württemberg and Princess Nadejda of Bulgaria.

On 2 November 1930, Duke Eugen Eberhard Albrecht Maria Joseph Ivan Rilsky Robert Ulrich Philipp Odo Carl Hubert of Württemberg was born at Karlsruhe. Eugen was the third child and second son of Duke Albrecht Eugen of Württemberg (1895-1954) and Princess Nadejda of Bulgaria (1899-1958), who married in 1924. Eugen joined two older siblings, and was followed by two younger siblings: Duke Ferdinand (1927-2020), Duchess Margarethe (1928-2017; married to François Luce de Chevigny), Duke Alexander (b.1933), and Duchess Sophie (b.1937; married and divorced Antonio Manuel Rôxo de Ramos-Bandeira). The family became known as the "Black Württembergs" as the children of Albrecht Eugen and Nadejda all had dark hair, which put them in contrast with their first cousins, the children of Albrecht Eugen's brother Philipp.

Duke Albrecht of Württemberg and Archduchess Margarete Sophie of Austria
Image (c) ALAMY

Eugen's paternal grandparents were Duke Albrecht of Württemberg (1865-1939) and Archduchess Margarete Sophie of Austria (1870-1902). The duke's maternal grandparents were King Ferdinand of Bulgaria (1861-1948) and Princess Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma (1870-1899). 

Duke Alexander, Duchess Sophie, and Duke Eugen in Coburg, 2001.

Duke Eugen and his brother Duke Alexander at the wedding of Prince Karl Emich zu Leiningen, 2008.

 

Duke Eugen worked as a banker and he lived in Frankfurt. 

 

Duchess Sophie, Antonio Manuel Rôxo de Ramos-Bandeira, Duke Ferdinand, Duchess Margarethe, Princess Eudoxia of Bulgaria, Duchess Alexandra and Duke Eugen Eberhard, 1969. 

On 31 August 1962 at Mondsee, Duke Eugen of Württemberg civilly married Archduchess Alexandra of Austria (b.1935), a daughter of Archduke Anton of Austria and Princess Ileana of Romania. The couple's religious wedding followed on 3 September 1962. Eugen and Alexandra did not have children, and the pair's union was dissolved by divorce on 6 April 1972 at Frankfurt. The Holy See annulled their marriage on 7 November 1973.

 

May the Duke Rest In Peace.