On 29 October 1875, Marie Alexandra Victoria was born to Prince Alfred, second son of Queen Victoria, and Maria Alexandrovna, daughter of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, at Eastwell Manor, her parents residence in Kent. With her father being away often, because of his position in the Royal Navy, Marie and her siblings spent the early portion of their childhood in Eastwell Park, which was the preferred residence of their mother. Marie and her siblings were taught French at first, however, their education was eventually neglected, for their mother found them "not very bright or gifted". In 1886, the family moved to San Antonio Palace in Malta, since her father became Commander-in-Chief to the Mediteranian Fleet. In 1889, the family relocated Coburg, due to their father becoming the new heir presumptive to the Duke of Saxe-Cobourg and Gotha. Their mother was very pro- German, and therefore, she hired a German governess for her children. Their mother even went to the extent of making them wear very plain clothes and having them confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Contrary to their previous education, Marie and her siblings received a better education in Coburg; they were educated in subjects such as painting and music. As Marie matured, she grew into a beautiful lady with "sparkling blue eyes and silky fair hair". She caught the eye of many royal bachelors, including Prince George of Wales. He was second in line to the British throne and Queen Victoria and her father approved of the match, however her mother did not for many reasons. One was that she did not want Marie to live in England, and she also didn't agree with idea of first cousins marrying. Consequently, the couple ended their relationship. Marie's mother suggested that she meet Crown Prince Ferdinand, the son of King Carol I of Romannia. So they meet at a gala dinner and they became quite fond of each other. Soon after they became engaged. Marie and Fernindand were married on 10 January 1893 in first a civil ceremony, then Catholic, and lastly an Anglican Ceremony. Marie was accepted warmly by the people of Romannia, however her marriage was not advancing much. Her relationship with Ferdinand was not much more than a friendship, but they still made a good team. Marie even said that they were," the best associates, the most loyal companions, but our live intertwine only uncertain matters." They had their first son Prince Carol on 15 October 1883, and the marriage produced six children in all. At the beginning, Marie had a hard time adjusting to life at court. Her high spirits and flamboyant personality often clashed with the"austere" atmosphere at court. She wrote that "for long hours she would mope, whilst her young husband did his military service, all alone in rooms..." King Carol died on 10 October 1914 and Fernindand became King and Marie Queen. They were acclaimed King and Queen in he Chambre of Deputies. Marie had a great influence over the king, in fact it has even been written "as crown princess, she had been popular, as Queen, she was more loved". She influenced decisions such as the decision to not make any changes to the Romanian court, and the decision for Romania to enter into the Triple Entente alliance during World War I. In 1927 King Ferndnand was suffering from intestinal cancer and later died on 20 July. He died in Marie's arms. In the summer of 1937, Marie was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, she died the next year on 18 July 1938.
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On 14 June 1870, Sophie Dorthea Ulrike Alice was born in the New Palace in Potsdam, Prussia to Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia and Victoria, Princess Royal, the eldest daughter of Queen Victoria. As a child, to match her sister who's nickname was "Mossy", Sophie was know as " Sossy" by her family. Sophie was raised with a great love for England and she made frequent visits to see her grandmother Queen Victoria, whom she loved dearly. Because of her long stays in England, her paternal grandparents usually avoided her. Sophie met Crown Prince Constantine of Greece, who was called "Tino", while in England celebrating her grandmothers Golden Jubilee on 1887. The Queen, who noticed the two, said as the relationship grew," Is there a chance of Sophie's marrying Tino? It would be vey nice for her, for he is very good." Despite this developing relationship, Sophie's family was experiencing hard times back home. Sophie's father, Emperor Frederick III, was dying slowly of throat cancer, and her eldest brother was becoming very ambitious. On 15 June 1888, her father died, and her brother, now Wilhelm II, quickly plundered through his fathers possessions looking for evidence of his liberal plots. During this turbulent time, Sophie agreed to marry Crown Prince Constantine. They were married on 27 October 1889 in Athens, Greece. The couple produced six children together. On 18 March 1913, Constantine succeeded his father to the throne of Greece, making him King Constantine I and Sophie Queen Consort of Greece. The following year, World War I broke out, and Sophie took it upon herself to get involved. She was involved in some affairs of state and she kept steady communication with her brother, Wilhelm II. Some questioned how much Sophia actually cared about Greece, for example, G. Leon said,
Although some people thought Sophie lacked affection for Greece, many others thought otherwise. During the war, Sophie carried out many charitable works to improve the life of Greek people. The uncaring image of the Sophia was favoured more. In 1916, a fire mysteriously started at Tatoi, the summer palace of the royal family, while the King and Queen were residing there. The fire destroyed most of the main residence and much of the forests surrounding it; the fire lasted for forty eight hours. It is said that Sophie grabbed her youngest child, Katherine, and she ran a mile with her in her arms. The fire was suspected as a deliberate act of arson. The King and Queen left on 11 June 1917, as Constantine was forced to abdicate because of his alleged pro-German sentiments; the couple fled to Switzerland. However they were called back to Greece after their son, Alexander, who was reigning in his fathers place, died. Dreadfully, his second reign didn't last long, for he was forced to abdicate a second time after Greece was defeated in a war with Turkey in 1922. The following year King Cnstantine died. In the last years of Queen Sophie, she was diagnosed with cancer. She died in Frankfurt, Germany in 1932. When the monarchy was restored in Greece, Sophie's remains were reburied at the royal burial ground at Tatoi Palace in 1936. She was buried next to her husband. Yesterday, Her Majesty, visited the Scotish Veterans' Garden City Associations's new housing development for disabled veterans in Edinburgh today. She talked with injured veterans who have been helped by the SVGCA, Houses for Heroes; they have been providing afordable housing for disabled veterans on Scotland since 1915. The Queen also met representatives of the City of Edinburgh, before unveiling a commemorative stone and the. Planting a tree at the site of this development. On day four of Holyrood Week, The Queen, with The Duke of Edinburgh, observed a moment of silence to honour the victims of the Tunisia attacks while visiting the University of Strathclyde. The guards at Buckigham Palace also did the same during the Changing of The Gaurd ceremony.The flag outside of Bickingham Palace was also lowerd to half mast. Today in Holyrood Palace, The Queen met with Tricia Marwick, The Presiding Officer of The Scottish Parliament, during an audience; she also met with Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. There was also an Investiture today, at which the leader of The Galsgow City Council Gorden Matheson and his partner Stephen Wallace was awarded with a CBE, a Commander of The British Empire, for their services to the local government. Also at this Investiture Commonwealth Gold Medalist Euan Burton and his wife Gemma Gibbons were awarded an MBE, Member of the British Empire, for theirs services to Judo. Both these honours were established by George V on 4 July 1917. This week is Holyrood week in Scotland. The Queen will carry out many engagements celebrating Scotish Culture and History! She will stay at the history filled Holyrood Palace, which is her official residence in Scotland and was the home of Mary Queen of Scots, the last Queen of The Scottish Kingdom before the Union of Scotland and England! She has already carried out her first engagement of the week, The Ceremony of The Keys! In this ceremony she is given the keys of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and she is welcomed to "Your ancient and hereditary Kingdom of Scotland" |
AuthorHello All! My name is Blake Johnson and I am a passionate royalist and Monarchist. It would be my pleasure to entertain and inform you with all things royal, weather it be history or royal news. I now invite you all to be members of La Cour Royale. Categories
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