Upcoming Grand Ducal Marriage in September!

Hereditary Prince Alexander and Hereditary Princess Hande of Mecklenburg. Photo (c) Grand Ducal House of Mecklenburg.

On 17 September 2022 at 11am, Hereditary Prince Alexander of Mecklenburg and Hereditary Princess Hande will religiously marry at the Stadtkirche in Neusterlitz.

The couple were civilly married on 17 June 2022 in the Great Hall in the Palace of Mirow. 

The hereditary prince and his fiancée at the Hermitage Amsterdam, August 2020. Picture courtesy of the Grand Ducal House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

Hereditary Prince Georg Alexander of Mecklenburg was born on 17 July 1991 to Duke Georg Borwin of Mecklenburg (b.1956) and Duchess Alice (b.1959; née Wagner). Alexander has two siblings: Duchess Olga (b.1988) and Duke Michael (b.1994). Hande Macit was born on 16 September 1992 to of Mr Suphi Macit and his wife Cemile (née Uçar). Hande has one brother: Kerem (b.1987). Alexander and Hande live in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Alexander and Hande announced their engagement in 2020.

Noble Titles Linked to Franco Regime To Be Abolished By Proposed Law

 

Around thirty aristocrats will have their titles abolished by the Spanish Cortes if and when it adopts the Democratic Memory Law (Ley de Memoria Democrática). The text of the law was published in September 2020. At the time, Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo noted that the bill's sixty-six articles would honour the victims of the Franco dictatorship, while reaffirming the importance of democracy and ensuring reconciliation amongst Spaniards.

Here is the full text of the Ley de Memoria Democrática: https://www.mpr.gob.es/servicios/participacion/Documents/APL%20Memoria%20Democrática.pdf

Article 42 of the proposed bill reads: 

"Artículo 42. Supresión de títulos nobiliarios.

1. La persona titular del ministerio competente en la gestión de los asuntos relativos a los títulos nobiliarios y grandezas de España elaborará un catálogo de títulos nobiliarios concedidos entre 1948 y 1978, que representen la exaltación de la Guerra y Dictadura, y se procederá a su supresión.

2. Queda suprimida la Orden Imperial del Yugo y las Flechas."

This clearly indicates that the only noble titles which will be affected by this bill are those given to close associates of the Franco dictatorship. As it turns out, there are only thirty-three titles which are actually likely to be abolished. The following list was compiled by El Debate:

1. Duque de Primo de Rivera, con Grandeza de España.

2. Duque de Calvo Sotelo, con Grandeza de España.

3. Duque de Mola, con Grandeza de España.

4. Conde del Alcázar de Toledo, con Grandeza de España.

5. Conde de Labajos.

6. Marqués de Dávila y la Grandeza de España que se le une.

7. Marqués de Saliquet.

8. Marqués de Queipo de Llano.

9. Marqués de Alborán.

10. Conde del Jarama.

11. Marqués de Varela de San Fernando.

12. Conde de Benjumea.

13. Marqués de Somosierra.

14. Grandeza de España otorgada al Conde de Rodezno.

15. Marqués de San Leonardo de Yagüe.

16. Conde de la Cierva.

17. Marqués de Vigón.

18. Conde de Fenosa.

19. Conde del Castillo de la Mota.

20. Marqués de Suanzes.

21. Marqués de Kindelán.

22. Conde de Pallasar.

23. Marqués de Casa Cervera.

24. Conde de Martín Moreno.

25. Marqués de Bilbao Eguía.

26. Grandeza de España a Don Fernando Suárez de Tangil y de Angulo.

27. Conde de Bau.

28. Duque de Carrero Blanco, con Grandeza de España.

29. Señorío de Meirás, con Grandeza España.

30. Duque de Franco, con Grandeza de España.

31. Marqués de Arias Navarro, con Grandeza de España.

32. Conde de Rodríguez de Valcárcel.

33. Conde de lturmendi.

Source: Ley de memoria democrática - Esta es la lista definitiva de los títulos nobiliarios y grandezas que Sánchez ha suprimido con su ley de Memoria

The most prominent title which is likely to cease to exist is the Duchy of Franco (with Grandee of Spain), which was granted to Doña María del Carmen Franco y Polo (1926-2017) by then Prince Juan Carlos of Spain on 26 November 1975, six days after the death of Carmen's father General Francisco Franco. 

See here for the official bulletin concerning the granting of the Ducado de Franco: https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1975/11/27/pdfs/A24781-24781.pdf

The current holder is Doña María del Carmen Martínez-Bordiú y Franco (b.1951), 2nd Duchess of Franco. Carmen's eldest child and only surviving son is Don Luis Alfonso de Borbón y Martínez-Bordiú (b.1974; a pretender to the French throne; uses the title Duke of Anjou in that vein). If and when the law passes, Carmen, who now lives quietly in Portugal, will cease to be the Duchess of Franco, and the title will cease to exist forever. This will likely be a disappointment for her son Luis Alfonso, who would have been his mother's heir to the duchy. 

The only other title linked to the Franco family itself that will be abolished is the Señorío de Meirás. This title is currently held by Carmen's brother Don Francisco "Francis" Franco y Martínez-Bordíu (b.1954). However, even if Francis is deprived of the lordship of Meirás, he will still retain the title of Marqués de Villaverde, which he inherited from his father, Don Cristóbal Martínez-Bordiú y Ortega.

For more on the Franco family's situation, there is this article: El ducado de Franco en entredicho: por qué Carmen Martínez-Bordiú no podrá hacer duquesa a su nieta, Eugenia de Borbón

When and if the above thirty-three noble titles are abolished, their former holders will only have recourse by going before the Tribunal Constitucional. This would be a rather difficult course of actions, as the former holders of the abolished titles will have to make the case as to why the original grantee was not associated with the Francoist regime. 

On This Day in 2007: The Death of Prince Theodore Romanoff

 

Fifteen years ago today, Prince Theodore Romanoff died on 25 August 2007 at Pompano Beach, Florida. The prince was thirty-two years-old.

The New York Daily News of 12 December 1974 announces the arrival of Prince Theodore,

A young Prince Theodore. Photo (c) Jacques Ferrand.

Born on 30 November 1974 at New York City, Prince Theodore Romanoff was the only child of Prince Nikita Romanoff (1923- 2007) and his wife Princess Anna Mikhailovna (1933-2017; née Janet Anne Schonwald), who wed in 1961. Theodore's paternal grandparents were Prince Nikita of Russia (1900-1974) and Countess Maria Vorontzova-Daschkova (1903-1997). His maternal grandparents were Emanuel Schonwald (1903-1976) and Ethel Diamond (1907-1995).

Prince Nikita and Princess Janet Romanov, 1986.

In February 1978, Prince Nikita and Princess Janet were with their son Theodore in Palm Beach. The Miami Herald recorded a little glimpse of this close family unit: "Vacationing Nikita Romanoff, of New York, said he thought the carnival was just fine for him and his three year-old son, Theodore. 'Ah, yes. It looks nice, all the colours, in front of the church,' Romanoff said, waiting for Theodore to finish a ride. 'This is his first carnival. We brought him here this morning then took him to lunch and brought him back this afternoon. Now he's going to take a nap.'" 

Prince Theodore and his paternal grandmother Princess Maria, 1994 in Cannes. Photo (c) Jacques Ferrand.

Prince Theodore Romanoff studied Classics and Egyptian and ancient languages at Columbia University and at Brown University, where he earned a M.A. with honors. He faithfully took care of his father, Prince Nikita, who died on 3 May 2007, following Nikita suffering many complications from a stroke. 

May Theodore's memory always be a blessing.

The 50th Birthday of Archduchess Eilika of Austria

Archduchess Eilika and Archduke Georg of Austria, 2016. The couple are here attending the wedding in Tirana of Crown Prince Leka of Albania. Photo (c) Seth B. Leonard.

Today, Archduchess Eilika of Austria celebrates her fiftieth birthday!

Johann and Ilka of Oldenburg with their daughter Eilika and her fiancé Georg of Austria in 1997. Photograph (c) Seeger-Presse.

Born on 22 August 1972 at Bad Segeberg, Duchess Eilika Helene Jutta Clementine of Oldenburg was the eldest child of Duke Johann of Oldenburg (b.1940) and Duchess Ilka (b.1942; née Countess zu Ortenburg), who wed in 1971. Eilika was followed by a sister and a brother: Duchess Tatjana (b.1974; married Count Axel de Chavagnac) and Duke Konstantin (b.1975; married Esther Sáchez Calvo). From 1993-1994, Eilika of Oldenburg attended the Sorbonne in Paris. In the summer of 1994, the duchess studied the Spanish language in Madrid. Between 1996-1997, Eilika enrolled at the University of Lille where her focus was business management. 

Hereditary Grand Duke Nikolaus of Oldenburg and Hereditary Grand Duchess Helene (née Waldeck und Pyrmont)

Eilika's paternal grandparents were Hereditary Grand Duke Nikolaus of Oldenburg (1897-1970) and his first wife Hereditary Grand Duchess Helene (1899-1948; née Princess of Waldeck and Pyrmont). Her maternal grandparents were Count Alfred-Friedrich zu Ortenburg (1906-1973) and Jutta von Lücken (1906-1991).

Georg and Eilika on their wedding day, 1997. Photo (c) Getty Images / Jean-Claude Deutsch.

On 18 October 1997 at Budapest, Duchess Eilika of Oldenburg married Archduke Georg of Austria (b.1964), the youngest child and second son of Archduke Otto of Austria and Archduchess Regina (née Princess of Saxe-Meiningen). In addition to the Habsburg and Oldenburg families, their wedding was attended by King Felipe VI of Spain (then Prince of Asturias) and Prince Albert II of Monaco (then Hereditary Prince of Monaco). Through their respective mothers, Duchess Eilika and Archduke Georg are fifth half cousins once removed; they are both descendants of Kurfürst Wilhelm II of Hessen (1777-1847), with Georg descending from Wilhelm and his first wife Princess Auguste of Prussia (1780-1841) and with Eilika descending from Wilhelm and his second wife Emilie Ortlöpp, Countess von Reichenbach und Lessonitz (1791-1843).

Archduke Georg and Archduchess Eilika with their parents and their three children, 2004. Photo (c) Getty Images / Isza Ferenc.

Archduke Georg and Archduchess Eilika are the parents of three children: Archduchess Zsófia "Sophie" (b.2001), Archduchess Ildiko (b.2002), and Archduke Károly-Konstantin (b.2004). Georg and Eilika had made their home in Budapest, the Hungarian capital, which is where their three children were born.

In September 1998, Eilika founded the Eilika of Habsburg Foundation (HABSBURG EILIKA ALAPITVÁNY) in Hungary. The foundation has provided support to hospitals and social institutions in the country. At a certain point, the archduchess began to focus on encouraging adults and children to participate in equestrian sports by facilitating training and practice. Eilika recalled: "When I came to Hungary as a young bride, I didn't speak a word of Hungarian and didn't even understand the language. However, my language skills have now at least developed to such a level that, for example, I can comprehend the information that people tell me and pass it on. I've always been a curious person who likes to work, and if necessary I'll do hard physical work. I can say that my work is also my hobby, and my hobby is also my work...and I give many people the opportunity to enjoy this hobby with us...I have been riding since my early childhood and have passed this passion on to my children. Horse riding is not only a sport but also a way of life. It helps with body language, communication, clear and honest words and driving skills." Eilika's son Karoly is also becoming an accomplished horseman, following in the steps of his mother.

Our best wishes to the Archduchess on her birthday!

Ratibor und Corvey: Unique Ancestor of the Duke of Ratibor und Corvey

 

[This post was written by Arturo E. Béeche and originally appeared on Eurohistory's former blog in 2013.]

I purchased this beautiful photo at an auction in Berlin two weeks ago. It was a hard fought battle, but luckily I succeeded and now this amazingly rare, signed photo is part of the Eurohistory Archive!

But who is the lady in question, my readers may wonder?

She is Princess Sophie von Metternich (1857-1941), eldest daughter of Fürst Richard von Metternich (the Austrian Chancellor's eldest surviving son, who was Austrian ambassador to France during the reign of Napoleon III) and of his wife, and niece, the former Countess Pauline Sándor von Szlanicza (1836-1921), one of the most famous luminaries at the court of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie. Pauline was the daughter of Princess Leontine von Metternich (1811-1861) and of her husband Count Moritz Sándor von Szlanicza, who died in 1878.

Sophie, the eldest of three daughters, married Fürst Franz Albrecht zu Oettingen-Oettingen und Oetingen-Spielberg (1847-1916). Sophie was the mother of three children: Franz (1879-1895), Moritz (1885-1911) and Princess Elisabeth (1886-1976), who in 1910 married Viktor III (1879-1945), Duke of Ratibor, Fürst von Corvey.

It was Sophie's sister, Princess Klementine who adopted Franz Albrecht, Sophie's grandson. Since the adoption, which took place in the late 1920s, Franz Albrecht and his descendants have used the last name "Metternich-Sándor."

The Ratibor und Corvey family owned vast estates in Central Europe. These estates included the duchy of Ratibor in Upper Silesia. The title of Duke of Ratibor was acquired by Landgraf Victor Amadeus of Hesse-Rotenburg in 1821. King Frederick William IV of Prussia, in 1840, granted it to the landgrave's nephew Prince Viktor of Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst, in turn for his renunciation of the Hohenlohe inheritance in favor of his younger brother Chlodwig, who later became German Imperial Chancellor during the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II.

From Landgraf Victor Amadeus, the last of his line, Prince Viktor of Hohenlohe-Schillngsfürst (1818-1893), who became the Duke of Ratibor and Prince of Corvey, besides Ratibor, inherited the impressive estate of Corvey in Westphalia. In Austria, the family owns one of the country's most beautiful estates, Schloß Grafenegg, site of a renowned summer music festival.

Although the family's once vast estates in Silesia and Bohemia were lost after the end of the Second World War, there was still quite a bit left. The remaining estates were inherited by Franz Albrecht, only surviving son of Princess Elisabeth and Duke Viktor III.

Franz Albrecht Metternich-Sándor, Duke of Ratibor, Fürst of Corvey, was born in Rauden (the duchy of Ratibor) in 1920. In 1962 he married Altgräfin Isabella zu Salm-Reifferscheidt-Krautheim und Dyck (b. 1939). The ceremony took place in Dyck, Germany. Married for nearly five decades, Franz Albrecht and Isabella were the parents of five sons: Viktor (b. 1964), married to Alexandra von Wohlgemuth, Tassilo (b. 1965), who is married to Countess Clarissa zu Törring-Jettenbach (Clarissa is a granddaughter of Princess Elisabeth of Greece and thus a Romanov and Schleswig-Holstein descendant), Stephan (b. 1968), who married Kathleen Robbins, Benedikt (b. 1971), who married Anna-Christine von Oswald, and Philipp (b. 1976), who married Countess Assunta Calice.

Duke Franz Albrecht passed away in June 2009. His obituary was included inside Eurohistory Issue LXXI (Volume 12.5 – October 2009).

His son Viktor IV is the current Duke of Ratibor, Fürst of Corvey.

The late Franz Albrecht, Duke of Ratibor, Fürst of Corvey, (1920-2009).

Eurohistory Issue LXXI – Volume 12.5, October 2009

Prince Wauthier de Ligne (1952-2022), First Cousin of Grand Duke of Luxembourg

Prince Wauthier.

On Monday, 15 August, Prince Wauthier de Ligne died in hospital near Beloeil following a long illness. He was seventy years-old. 

Prince Antoine de Ligne and Princess Alix of Luxembourg on their wedding day, 1950.

Born on 10 July 1952 at the familial home, Château de Beloeil, Prince Wauthier Philippe Féliz Marie Lamoral de Ligne was the son of Prince Antoine, 13th Prince de Ligne (1925-2005), and Princess Alix of Luxembourg (1929-2019), who wed in 1950. Coincidentally, Prince Wauthier and his first cousin Archduchess Alexandra of Austria were both born on 10 July 1952 at Beloeil; Alexandra is the daughter of Wauthier's aunt Princess Yolande and her late husband Archduke Carl Ludwig of Austria. Wauthier had six siblings: Prince Michel (b.1951; married Princess Eleonora of Orléans-Brangaça), Princess Anne-Marie (b.1954), Princess Christine (b.1955; married Prince Antônio of Orléans-Brangaça), Princess Sophie (b.1957; married Count Philippe de Nicolay), Prince Antoine (b.1959; married Countess Jacqueline de Lannoy), and Princess Yvonne (b.1964; married Hugo Townsend, the son of Group Captain Peter Townsend, who was once very close to Princess Margaret). 

LIFE magazine dubs Wauthier the "Scene-stealing Prince" in 1958. He was almost six years-old and an attendant at an aunt's wedding.

The closest that Wauthier ever came to publicity was in 1958, when he got a little squeamish during the wedding of his aunt Princess Marie Adelaide of Luxembourg to Count Karl Josef Henckel von Donnersmarck.

Prince Félix and Grand Duchess Charlotte. Photo (c) Cour Grand-Ducale.

Prince Wauthier's paternal grandparents were Prince Éugene de Ligne and Philippine de Noailles. His maternal grandparents were Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg and Prince Félix of Bourbon-Parma. Wauthier's paternal aunt is Archduchess Yolande of Austria (b.1923; née Princess de Ligne), who married Archduke Carl Ludwig, a son of Wauthier's maternal great-aunt, Empress Zita of Austria. Wauthier's brother Michel is the head of the princely house; and their sister Christine is the wife of Prince Antonio, who will likely be the eventual head of the imperial house of Brazil. Additionally, Wauthier's first cousin is Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg.

In 1976, Prince Wauthier married Countess Marguerite Régine Marie Françoise Xavière de Renesse (b.1955), the daughter of Count Guy de Renesse and Countess Elisabeth de Limburg-Stirum. The couple had three children: Prince Philippe (b.1977; married Laetitia Rolin), Princess Yolande (b.1979; married Paul Weingarten), and Princess Elisabeth (b.1983; married Baron Baudouin Gillès de Pélichy).

The funeral of Prince Wauthier de Ligne will take place on 22 August at l'église Saint-Pierre de Belœil.

May the Prince Rest in Peace. 

Source: Le château de Belœil perd l’un de ses princes, Wauthier de Ligne 

Sculptures of King Michael and Queen Mother Helen of Romania

King Michael.

In the Museo Pietro Canonica at the Villa Borghese in Rome, there are two sculptures of a mother and a son, a queen mother and a king. Both likenesses were created in marble by Italian artist Pietro Canonica (1869-1959). The sculptures depict King Michael I of Romania and his beloved mother Queen Helen of Romania. 

Queen Mother Helen.

To learn more, please visit the website of the museum:

Museo Pietro Canonica a Villa Borghese