Happy Birthday Prince Philip!
10 Sunday Jun 2012
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in09 Saturday Jun 2012
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in08 Friday Jun 2012
Posted From the Emperor's Desk
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Countess Donata zu Castell-Rüdenhausen, Crown prince Wilhelm of Germany, FDR, Franklin Deleno Roosevelt, Germany, House of Hohenzollern, HSH Princess Sophie Johanna Maria of Isenburg, Imperial Germany, Otto von Bismark, Prince Louis Fedrinand, Prince Wilhelm of Prussia, Prussia, Wilhelm II of Germany
When Louis Ferdinand died on September 26, 1994 his grandson succeeded him as head of the imperial house. This is not an empty sounding title or position as it may sound. The Will of the former Kaiser Wilhelm II stipulated that the estate could only pass to his descendents that entered into equal marriages. This is one of the main reasons Louis Ferdinand chose his grandson as successor. Of the four sons of Louis Ferdinand and Grand Duchess Kira the elder of the two, Princes Friedrich Wilhelm and Michael did not enter into equal marriages while the two younger sons, Louis Ferdinand jr and Christian-Sigismund did enter equal marriages. Prince Georg Friedrich’s father, Louis Ferdinand jr, married Countess Donata zu Castell-Rüdenhausen a member of an aristocratic family satisfying the requirements of the Kaiser’s will. Louis Ferdinand jr died a little over a year after the marriage when he was killed during military maneuvers leaving his son as his grandfather’s heir.
This decision was contested by Georg Friedrich’s uncles who contend their marriages were equal even though they renounced their rights prior to their marriages. After lengthy battles in lower and higher German courts the final ruling came that George Friedrich was the rightful heir of his grandfather and the associated estate. The court did rule that Georg Friedrich did have to give his uncles a portion of the inheritance. As far as the headship to the imperial house is concerned the court would not render a decision on this matter since the monarchy had been abolished and the court had no jurisdiction over the matter. Today George Friedrich is recognized as the head of the imperial house and pretender to both the imperial throne of Germany and the royal throne of Prussia.
Pressure had always been on Georg Friedrich to marry equally to maintain his qualifications as the head of the house. In August of 2011 Georg Friedrich married equally HSH Princess Sophie Johanna Maria of Isenburg in Potsdam on the 950th anniversary of the founding of the House of Hohenzollern. Despite being a republic there were many who were interested in the marriage which was broadcast live by local public television.
Georg Friedrich currently works for a company that assists universities in bringing their innovations to the public. He also administers the Princess Kira of Prussia-Foundation a charity foundation established by his grandmother in 1952.
07 Thursday Jun 2012
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Crown prince Wilhelm of Germany, FDR, Franklin Deleno Roosevelt, Germany, House of Hohenzollern, Imperial Germany, Otto von Bismark, Prince Louis Fedrinand, Prince Wilhelm of Prussia, Prussia, Wilhelm II of Germany
Prince Georg Friedrich and Princess Sophie of Prussia.
I will now return to my series on Pretenders to the Throne. Up next is Germany.
The House of Hohenzollern which ruled as German Emperors from 1871 until the collapse of the Empire in 1918 at the end of World War I has a fascinating history. Beginning as counts of Zollern in the eleventh century the family slowly rose to power within the Holy Roman Empire. They eventually became Burgraves of Nuremberg and eventually Margarves and Imperial Electors of Brandenburg. In 1618 a branch of the Family became Dukes of Prussia (a Polish fief) and eventually Kings of Prussia in 1701. They were initially Kings in Prussia as the Prussian part of the Hohenzollern lands were outside of the boundaries of the Holy Roman Empire. King Friedrich II “the Great” of Prussia changed the title to King of Prussia as he consolidated his power and lands.
With the demise of the Holy Roman Empire Prussia and Austria vied for supremacy as the question of unifying the German lands became inevitable. Through a series of wars Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismark forged the German Empire to the exclusion of Austria. The Prussian kings became German Emperors of this federated state. The Empire did not last long and crumbled with the defeat of Germany at the end of the first World War. Efforts to save the monarchy also failed.
The last German Emperor, Wilhelm II, died in exile in 1941 at the age of 82. His son, Crown Prince Wilhelm, became head of the imperial and royal house, Wilhelm III to German monarchist, until his death ten years later in 1951. The eldest son of the Crown Prince, another Wilhelm, renounced his rights to the succession in 1933 when he contracted an morganatic (unequal) marriage that same year. Sadly, Prince Wilhelm was critically wounded in Valenciennes during World War II and died in a field hospital in Nivelles on May 26, 1940. This left his bother, Prince Louis Ferdinand, as successor to the headship of the imperial and royal house in 1951.
Prince Louis Ferdinand contracted an equal marriage in 1938 when he married HIH Grand Duchess Kira Kirillovna of Russia the second daughter of Grand Duke Kyril Vladimirovich and Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. As noted in our series on Russian Pretenders Kira’s father was the pretender to the Russian throne. Louis Ferdinand was an ardent opponent to the Nazis and there was once talk with FDR of placing Louis Ferdinand on the German throne but this never came to fruition. The Prince became a very successful businessman, he was friends with Henry Ford, and patron of the arts. Prior to his death in 1994 at the age of 86 Louis Ferdinand appointed his grandson, Prince Georg Friedrich, as his successor and head of the imperial and royal house of Prussia. It was this decision that sparked a long and expensive battle for the right to the headship of the house.
Check back for Part II tomorrow!
06 Wednesday Jun 2012
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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Elizabeth II, Kings and Queens of England, kings and queens of the United Kingdom, Prince Charles, Prince William, Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth II
During the Diamond Jubilee festivities I cam across an argument that I have seen on the internet before, namely, that when Her Majesty dies the crown should go to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge rather than the next in line, Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales. This generally has me rolling my eyes and shaking my head with a mixture of laughter and annoyance. I find the majority of those who entertain this wish are Americans. Although there are some British subjects who also entertain this idea the majority of people that understand the monarchy do not want to see this happen.
I do understand the popularity of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. First of all Prince William is the son of the very popular Diana, Princess of Wales whose fairytale marriage ended in divorce and she died much too young in a tragic car accident. Secondly, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are a young and attractive couple and in the US we have a culture that worships youth. At 63 The Prince of Wales just doesn’t have the youth appeal that his son has.
When I began following royalty in the late 70s the Prince of Wales was a young man of action. He was in the military and also active in sports. He also was very cultured, articulate and intelligent and I found much to admire and respect in him. Problems came with his marriage to the then Lady Diana Spencer. With hindsight we all now know that what began as a modern day fairytale not only ended sadly but probably never should have happened in the first place. The couple were ill suited for one another. Prince Charles was unable to let go of the woman he truly loved and this was a huge source of problems in their marriage. At some point in the marriage Diana also strayed.
The affair between Charles and the woman who is now his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, is the main reason many want the crown to skip a generation. I can understand and empathize with their dislike and anger toward Charles. I went through that for a time period myself. In time I was able to move on and what helped me was seeing his actions during Diana’s funeral and how he really became a hands on Dad to the boys after her death. The the men do have a close familial relationship and that has also helped me regain my respect for him.
As I have come to learn about the Duchess of Cornwall I have come to see that she is well suited to the Prince of Wales. From what I understand is that she is also very kind and has a very warm personality and her popularity is growing in the UK as people have come to experience her testify that she really is a remarkable woman in her own right.
The main reason Charles will someday be king is the fact that the succession to the monarchy is established in centuries old laws and the Queen does not have a say in these laws. Although the monarchy needs the support of the people to survive the succession cannot be just set aside based on personal whims.
When the time comes Charles does have large shoes to fill. His mother has been an an exemplary monarch and the Prince of Wales would be wise to adhere to as much as her style as he possibly can. However, the Prince of Wales will develop his own style when he becomes king and seeing that he can be a personable and caring individuals as well as an intelligent man who, like his mother, has dedicated his life to the service of his country, Charles will indeed make a fine king when his time comes.
05 Tuesday Jun 2012
Posted In the News today...
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Buckingham Palace, Camilla, Crown Jewels, Cullinan diamond, Diamond Jubilee, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Elizabeth II, Kate, Kings and Queens of England, kings and queens of the United Kingdom, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Queen Victoria
Here are a couple of photos from the conclusion of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Church service at St Paul’s Cathedral. Her Majesty is wearing a brooch that is worn infrequently. The brooch, know affectionately as “Granny’s Chips,” contain stones 3 & 4 of the Cullinan diamond. The larger stones, 1 & 2, are also part of the Crown Jewels and are fitted into the scepter and imperial state crown respectively.
On the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the serve. The absence of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh is sadly noted. I wish him a speedy and thorough recovery. Her Majesty is supported by her two eventual successors, HRH The Prince of Wales (the future King Charles III) and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (the future King William V and Queen Catherine).
Although here in the United States we still have last night’s concert to watch, today’s ceremonies end the official Diamond Jubilee celebration.
I completely enjoy the pomp and pageantry that surrounds the British monarchy and I have been very caught up in the emotions of the events. These are rare historic events. Jubilees do not come very often and this is only the second Diamond Jubilee in British History. The first was in 1897 when Queen Elizabeth II’s great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee.
With millions celebrating and cheering in Britain and around the world the support for the monarchy is high at this moment and any rumblings and complaints from the Republicans (those who want the monarchy abolished) have been drowned out by the cheers. I am grateful that I lived to see these events and pray that Her Majesty continues in good health and may she continue to reign for a long long time. Who knows? If Her Majesty has the long life her mother had she will easily reach 96 years of age ten years from now and will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, 70 years on the throne!
05 Tuesday Jun 2012
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Buckingham Palace, Diamond Jubilee, Elizabeth II, Flotilla, Kings and Queens of England, kings and queens of the United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Very well written article about the flotilla and thanks to my friend George for sending me the article.
Tonight ABC is broadcasting last night’s Concert 9-11 Eastern time. Check your local listings!
05 Tuesday Jun 2012
Posted From the Emperor's Desk
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Buckingham Palace, Charles, Diamond Jubilee, Elizabeth II, HRH The Prince of Wales, Kings and Queens of England, kings and queens of the United Kingdom, the prince of Wales
After the concert outside Buckingham Palace the Prince of Wales plays loving tribute to Her Majesty the Queen and his father HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.