Born to Rule: Five Reigning Consorts, Granddaughters of Queen Victoria
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Born to Rule
Born to Rule
Five Reigning Consorts, Granddaughters of Queen Victoria
JULIA P. GELARDI
St. Martin’s Press
New York
BORN TO RULE. Copyright © 2005 by Julia P. Gelardi. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.stmartins.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Gelardi, P. Julia.
Born to rule : five reigning consorts, granddaughters of Queen Victoria / Julie P. Gelardi.—1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 427) and index (p. 441).
ISBN 0-312-32423-5
EAN 978-0312-32423-0
1. Queens—Europe—Biography. 2. Queens—Russia—Biography. 3. Victoria, Queen of Great Britain, 1819-1901—Family. I. Title.
D352.3.G46 2005
940.2’8’0922—dc22 [B]
2004057021
First Edition: March 2005
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For my children, Victoria and Gabriella,
whose patience with their busy mother
and curiosity about this project never abated,
I happily dedicate this book to them both.
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
SIMPLIFIED GENEALOGICAL TABLE
INTRODUCTION
PART I Sovereigns in the Making: The Formative Years (1869–1901)
One More Mother Than Grandmother
Two “Mad. Never Mind.”
Three “Gangan”
Four In Pursuit of Alix
Five “Maud Could Not Have Done Better”
Six “Too Painful to Bear”
PART II Trials and Tribulations (1901–1914)
Seven Splendid Isolation
Eight Embattled but Not Defeated
Nine The Facade Crumbles
Ten Destiny Beckons
Eleven Baptism of Fire
Twelve Norway’s English Queen
Thirteen Revolutionary Fever
Fourteen “La Reina Hermosa”
Fifteen “Mamma, Help Me!”
Sixteen Before the Storm
PART III On the Throne: Disaster and Triumph (1914–1920)
Seventeen Balkan Cauldron
Eighteen “Hold My Hand That I May Have Courage”
Nineteen Neutral North and South
Twenty Beleaguered and Betrayed
Twenty-one The Abyss
Twenty-two Death at Ekaterinburg
Twenty-three “Mamma Regina”
PART IV Denouement (1920–1969)
Twenty-four Capitulation Again
Twenty-five “Too Sad”
Twenty-six “I Would Never Leave England”
Twenty-seven “I Thought I Had Done Well”
Twenty-eight “The God Within Us!”
Twenty-nine “I Bless You with My Last Breath”
Thirty From Exile to “Viva la Reina!”
EPILOGUE
NOTES
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
IN THE COURSE OF RESEARCHING AND WRITING THIS BOOK, I HAVE been fortunate in receiving help from many individuals. Without them, it would never have come to fruition. I therefore wish to express my debt of gratitude to the following who have helped me through the years.
I acknowledge and thank Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, for granting permission to quote from unpublished material and to reproduce photographs from the Royal Photographic Collection. The collection’s curator, Frances Dimond, was cordial and helpful during my visit to Windsor Castle. I also wish to thank the Registrar of the Royal Archives, Pamela Clark, for her assistance.
For inviting me to his home near Geneva where he shared his impressions of his two grandmothers, Queen Marie of Romania and Queen Sophie of Greece, I am deeply indebted to His Majesty, King Michael of Romania. The king and his wife, Queen Anne, were most gracious and accommodating. King Michael’s secretary, Constanza Iorga, was unfailing in assisting me as well.
I wish to express my gratitude to H.R.H. Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia for taking the time to discuss his two great-grandmothers, Queen Marie of Romania and Queen Sophie of Greece, during a visit I made to London.
For graciously inviting me to her home in Buckinghamshire to give her reminiscences, I would like to thank Queen Sophie’s daughter, Lady Katherine Brandram. Her kindness and generosity in sharing her memories of her mother were invaluable. I also wish to thank Lady Katherine’s son, Paul Brandram, for his help.
To the staff of the numerous archives and university libraries, a sincere thank-you. These include in the United Kingdom: the Bodleian Library and Nuffield College at the University of Oxford; the British Library; the National Archives of Great Britain (formerly the Public Record Office); G. M. C. Bott of the University of Reading; the Hartley Library at the University of Southampton; Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives; the Cumbria Record Office; the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland; the Hampshire Record Office; the House of Lords Record Office; and the Isle of Wight Record Office. In the United States: the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and in particular R. Bulatoff; Nancy Birk at Kent State University; Colleen Schaforth and Betty Long of the Maryhill Museum; the New York Public Library and Western Washington University Library. In Canada: Simon Fraser University Library and the University of British Columbia Library.
The following individuals have also kindly helped with my queries: H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, H.R.H. Princess Alexandra, Sir Brian McGrath, and Jean Mazaré. A special thank-you is extended to Hugo Vickers and Marlene Eilers Koenig; also to Ian Shapiro and J. Hanson of Argyll Etkin.
Friends and acquaintances who have shown interest and given help include: Leo de Adrian, Art Beeche, Paul Gilbert, Jan Hill, Dee Ann Hoff, Cedric Jeffery, Greg King, Linda Obermeier, Roy Stephenson, and John Stubbs. Thanks as well to my translators: Dan Manarovici, Mette Drager, and Hans R.W Goksøyr. To all the many others who have been helpful and supportive, a sincere thank-you.
My agent, Julie Castiglia, of the Castiglia Literary Agency, was encouraging and ever ready to answer my queries and offer sound advice. I greatly appreciate the enthusiasm and support of my editor, Charles Spicer, whose knowledge and expertise were equally matched by his kindness. I am also indebted to Michael Homler and the hardworking staff at St. Martin’s Press who steered this book through the process of publication.
Lastly, I wish to thank my family: my parents for their help in a variety of ways and my husband, Alec, for his unwavering support, be it in evaluating the numerous drafts of the text or in accompanying me to half a dozen countries and numerous libraries and archives during my research.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Alexandra (1872-1918)—Tsarina of Russia, consort of Nicholas II, Tsar of Russia (1868–1918). Born at Darmstadt on 6 June 1872, she was the sixth child and fourth daughter of Princess Alice of Great Britain and Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse. Christened Alix Victoria Helena Louise Beatrice, upon converting to the Russian Orthodox faith in 1894, Alix took the name of Alexandra Feodorovna. Formal title until marriage: H.G.D.H. Princess Alix of Hesse and By Rhine. Married H.I.M. Tsar Nicholas II of Russi
a on 14 November 1894 (o.s.) at the Chapel of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg.
Children:
Olga Nikolaevna (1895–1918), Grand Duchess of Russia
Tatiana Nikolaevna (1897–1918), Grand Duchess of Russia
Marie Nikolaevna (1899–1918), Grand Duchess of Russia
Anastasia Nikolaevna (1901–1918), Grand Duchess of Russia
Alexei Nikolaevitch (1904–1918), Tsarevitch of Russia
Alexandra was brutally murdered along with her family on the night of 16/17 July 1918 at Ekaterinburg. Eighty years later she was buried at the imperial mausoleum in the Fortress of St. Peter and Paul, St. Petersburg. See Nicholas II.
Alfonso XIII (1886-1941)—King of Spain, 1886-1931, third child and only son of King Alfonso XII and his wife, the Archduchess Maria Cristina of Habsburg-Lorraine. As the posthumous son of Alfonso XII, Alfonso XIII was king at birth. Born on 17 May 1886 at Madrid, he married H.R.H. Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg on 31 May 1906 at the Church of San Jerónimo. Alfonso left Spain without abdicating for a life in exile on 14 April 1931, never to return. He died in Rome on 28 February 1941 and is buried at El Escorial in Spain. His grandson, Juan Carlos I, is the present King of Spain. See Victoria Eugenie.
Constantine I (1868-1923)—King of the Hellenes (or of Greece), 1913-17 and again 1920–22. Constantine was born on 2 August 1868 in Athens. He was the eldest son of King George I of the Hellenes and the Grand Duchess Olga Con-stantinovna of Russia. On 27 October 1889, in Athens, he married H.R.H. Princess Sophie of Prussia, daughter of the Emperor Frederick III and Victoria (referred to after her widowhood as the Empress Frederick). Constantine succeeded his assassinated father as king on 6 March 1913. Forced to flee into exile on 11 June 1917, Constantine’s second son, Alexander, became king in his absence. Constantine was recalled to the throne by a plebiscite in 1920. However, a military revolt forced him to flee for a second time in 1922. He was then succeeded by his eldest son, George II. Constantine died on 11 January 1923 at Palermo, Sicily. See Sophie.
Ferdinand I (1865-1927)—King of Romania, 1914-27. The second son of Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen and the Infanta Antonia of Portugal, Ferdinand was born on 24 August 1865 at Sigmaringen, Prussia. In 1889 Ferdinand was adopted by his childless uncle King Carol I of Romania and designated crown prince and heir presumptive. Ferdinand married H.R.H. Princess Marie of Edinburgh on 10 January 1892 at Sigmaringen. He became king 11 October 1914 and died 20 July 1927 at Sinaia. Ferdinand was succeeded by his grandson, the five-year-old Michael I. See Marie.
Haakon VII (1872-1957)—first King of Norway, 1905-57. Born on 3 August 1872 at Charlottenlund, Denmark, H.R.H. Prince Christian Frederik Carl Georg Valdemar Axel was the second son of Frederick VIII of Denmark and his consort, Louise of Sweden-Norway. Known until his accession as Prince Charles of Denmark, he married H.R.H. Princess Maud of Wales on 22 July 1896. Haakon died on 21 September 1957 at Oslo, where he is buried. See Maud.
Marie (1875–1938)—Queen Consort, 1914–27, of King Ferdinand I of Romania. Born at Eastwell Park, Kent, on 29 October 1875 and christened Marie Alexandra Victoria (she was also known as “Missy”), Marie was the eldest daughter and second child of Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, and Grand Duchess Marie of Russia. She married H.R.H. Crown Prince Ferdinand of Romania on 10 January 1892 at Castle Sigmaringen in Germany. Children:
1. Carol II (1893–1953), King of Romania (1930–40); married [1] Joana Marie Valentina Lambrino (1898–1953), annulled in 1919; and [2] Princess Helen of Greece (1896–1982)
2. Elisabeth (1894–1956), Queen Consort of King George II of Greece (1890–1947)
3. Marie (1900–61), Queen Consort of King Alexander I of Yugoslavia (1888–1934)
4. Nicolas (1903–78), Prince of Romania; married [1] Joana Doletti (1902–63); and [2] Thereza de Mello (1913–70)
5. Ileana (1909–91), Princess of Romania; married [1] Archduke Anton of Austria-Tuscany (1901–87), divorced 1954; and [2] Stephen Issarescu (1906–2002), divorced 1965; Ileana took religious vows and became Mother Alexandra of the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Pennsylvania
6. Mircea (1913–16), Prince of Romania
Marie died on 18 July 1938 at Peles Castle, Sinaia, and is buried at Curtea de Arges; her heart was for a time interred at Balcic. See Ferdinand I.
Maud (1869–1938)—Queen Consort, 1905–38, of King Haakon VII of Norway. Born at Marlborough House, London, on 26 November 1869 and christened Maud Charlotte Mary Victoria, Maud was the youngest daughter and last surviving child of Edward VII of Great Britain and Alexandra of Denmark. She married H.R.H. Prince Charles of Denmark (later King Haakon VII of Norway) on 22 July 1896 at the Chapel Royal, Buckingham Palace.
Children:
Olav V (1903–91), King of Norway (1957–91), born Prince Alexander Edward Christian Frederick of Denmark.
Maud died at London on 20 November 1938 and is buried in Norway. See Haakon VII.
Nicholas II (1868-1918)—Tsar of Russia, 1894-1918. Nicholas Alexandrovitch was born on 6 May 1868 (o.s.) at Tsarskoe Selo. Nicholas was the eldest son of the Tsarevitch Alexander (Tsar Alexander III from 1881) and Maria Feodor-ovna, the former Princess Dagmar of Denmark. He succeeded his father as tsar on 20 October 1894 (o.s.). On 14 November 1894 (o.s.) he married Princess Alix of Hesse-Darmstadt at St. Petersburg. See Alexandra.
Sophie (1870-1932)—Queen Consort of Constantine I of the Hellenes, 1913-17, and again in 1920–22. Born at the Neues Palais, Potsdam, on 14 June 1870 to Victoria, Princess Royal of Great Britain and Crown Prince Frederick (later Emperor Frederick III of Germany), she was christened Sophia Dorothea Ulrica Alice. On 27 October 1889, she married Crown Prince Constantine of Greece at the Metropolitan Cathedral, Athens.
Children:
1. George II (1890–1947), King of the Hellenes (1922–24; 1935–47); married Elisabeth of Romania (1894–1956)
2. Alexander I (1893–1920), King of the Hellenes (1917–20); married Aspa-sia Manos (1896–1972)
3. Helen (1896–1982), Crown Princess and later Queen Mother of Romania; married Crown Prince Carol of Romania (1893–1953), later King Carol II; divorced 1928
4. Paul I (1901–64), King of the Hellenes (1947–64); married Frederike of Hanover (1917–81)
5. Irene (1904–74), Duchess of Aosta; married Aimone, Duke of Aosta (1900–48)
6. Katherine (1913– ); married Richard Brandram (1911–94)
Sophie died on 13 January 1932 at Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany, and is buried at Tatoi in Greece. See Constantine I.
Victoria Eugenie (1887-1969)—Queen Consort, 1906-31, of King Alfonso XIII of Spain. Born at Balmoral, Scotland, on 24 October 1887, the second child and only daughter of Princess Beatrice of Great Britain and Prince Henry of Battenberg. Christened Victoria Eugenie Julia Ena, she was known as Ena. Princess Victoria Eugenie was created a royal highness by King Edward VII before her mariage. She married King Alfonso XIII of Spain on 31 May 1906 at the Church of San Jerónimo in Madrid.
Children:
1. Alfonso, Prince of the Asturias (1907–38); married [1] Edelmira Sampe-dro (1906–94), divorced 1938; and [2] Marta Rocafort (1913–93)
2. Jaime, Duke of Segovia (1908–75); married Emanuela de Dampierre (1913– )
3. Beatriz, Princess of Civitella-Cesi (1909–2002); married Alessandro Tor-lonia, Prince of Civitella-Cesi (1911–86)
4. Maria Cristina, Countess Marone (1911–96); married Enrico Cinzano, Count Marone (1895–1968)
5. Juan, Count of Barcelona (1913–93); married Maria de las Mercedes of Bourbon Two-Sicilies (1910–2000)
6. Gonzalo, Infante of Spain (1914–34)
Queen Victoria Eugenie died on 15 April 1969 at Lausanne, Switzerland. She is buried at El Escorial in Spain. See Alfonso XIII.
INTRODUCTION
ON 31 MAY 1906, MADRID WAS IN A FESTIVE MOOD. IT WAS THE wedding day of the King of Spain, Alfonso XIII. His bride was the beautiful eighteen-year-old Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg (“Ena”),
a favorite granddaughter of England’s Queen Victoria. Ena could not know that on the day she became Alfonso’s wife and Queen of Spain, her life would nearly end in spectacular fashion.
Within an hour after the brilliant religious ceremony, as the couple rode in the royal carriage to their reception, someone threw a powerful bomb at them. Pandemonium broke out. Numerous spectators were killed or seriously injured. After regaining her composure, Ena noticed that her white gown was spattered with blood. At first she thought she and Alfonso had been hurt. The blood on her wedding gown, however, was not hers or Alfonso’s but that of a guardsman who was riding close to the carriage. The man was decapitated the instant the bomb exploded. His blood had spilled into the royal carriage, soaking Ena’s magnificent satin wedding gown. In place of anticipated joy, those first few hours as the new Queen of Spain were for Ena moments of unimaginable terror. Without a doubt, it was the most dramatic wedding day for any of Queen Victoria’s granddaughters.
Queen Ena was the last of a unique group of Victoria’s descendants to marry. They consisted of five royal cousins who were all granddaughters of the queen. But what sets them apart from the queen’s seventeen other granddaughters is the illustrious destiny each of these five cousins came to share—for all five became consorts of reigning European monarchs. The royal cousins who are the subject of this book are Queen Maud of Norway (1869–1938); Queen Sophie of Greece (1870–1932); Tsarina Alexandra of Russia (1872–1918) (“Alix”); Queen Marie of Romania (1875–1938) (“Missy”); and Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain (1887–1969) (“Ena”). Some remarkable stories will unfold as we follow their lives from childhoods often spent with their grandmother at her homes in Windsor, Osborne, and Balmoral to married life in the courts of Christiania, Athens, St. Petersburg, Bucharest, and Madrid.
Though these five women shared the same destiny in that all became consorts of a reigning monarch, each was to experience a vastly differing life. Happiness and sadness, triumphs and tragedies of great magnitude awaited them in faraway lands. Born in the Victorian era, these royal women came to experience such tumultuous political events as World War I and the Russian Revolution. Three would come to relish their popularity, whereas two came to be reviled. And although three of the royal cousins would be spared the trauma of living with the dreaded bleeding disease hemophilia, inherited from Queen Victoria, two would not.