Imperial Requiem: Four Royal Women and the Fall of the Age of Empires

by Justin C. Vovk

Both Zita and Otto understood that time was of the essence if they hoped to see a Habsburg restoration in Austria. At the same time as the empress was corresponding with King George V, a new German Socialist party was gaining more influence in politics. Officially listed as the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (National Socialist German Workers’ Party)—but more commonly known as the Nazis—and led by the bellicose Adolf Hitler, the party came to national power in 1933 with Hitler’s election as chancellor of Germany. The devastating military and economic reparations that the Allies forced on Germany after the war made Hitler’s rise to power possible. The inter-war period that gave birth to the Nazis had been “a hotbed of radical politics and a cauldron of economic distress. Industrial production faltered, unemployment soared and the currency collapsed. The nation lost its established leaders, the middle classes lost their savings and large sections of the public lost all hope. The vacuum was filled by wild radicals from both the Right and the Left. Fascist and Communist Party gangs battled each other in the streets.”1300 The Nazis were self-determinationists “run wild, perverted by a defeat misunderstood, poisoned by racial mysticism.”1301 In the Netherlands, ex-emperor Wilhelm was greatly alarmed by events in Germany, especially Hitler’s violent treatment of the Jews. For the first time since World War I, Wilhelm wrote directly to Queen Mary. “For the first time I am ashamed to be a German,” he wrote in indelible pencil.1302

  By the mid-1930s, Nazi Germany’s aggression was unmistakable. There was little doubt that Hitler’s ambitions would not be confined solely to his own country. Despite the growing tensions in Germany and Austria created by the Nazis, Empress Zita was eager to present all German peoples with a symbol of hope against Hitler. In September 1934, she announced her plan to return to Austria as quickly as possible in an effort to rally support for a Habsburg restoration to counterbalance Nazism. Her actions were even attracting attention in the United States, where the one newspaper reported, “Zita’s friends in Belgium said that she expects to be living in Austria by Christmas. It was said she would bring with her Archduke Otto, her son, claimant of the throne.” But even after so many years, some of the European governments were still anxious about Zita’s presence in Austria. “It was feared by many political observers here that if her coming is a prelude to re-establishment of the Hapsburg monarchy, Austria, Hungary and the nations of the little entente [sic] will be confronted with new problems which will lead to more bloodshed, involving middle Europe, and possibly the entire continent, in a war.” The countries that were most at risk from Nazi aggression like France “indicated that a restoration would be tolerated … if that restoration would strengthen the Austrian opposition to the Nazis.”1303 In 1935, Hitler introduced military conscription, created a German air force, the Luftwaffe, for the first time since 1918, and massively increased the size and scope of Germany’s army, which had been reduced to a fraction of its prewar size. In London, many perceived that Hitler was determined to see Europe dominated by Germany. Winston Churchill prophetically warned Parliament that Great Britain was entering “a corridor of deepening and darkening danger” in regards to Nazi Germany “along which [the country] should be forced to move, perhaps for months, perhaps for years.”1304

  Now finished his studies at Louvain, Archduke Otto began making regular, secret trips to Berlin to see exactly the extent of Hitler’s control. On more than one occasion, he only narrowly missed being arrested by the Gestapo, who viewed him as a serious threat to growing dreams of Nazi ascendancy in Austria. During his visits to Germany, Otto was unnerved to find that Augusta Victoria’s sons had joined the Nazis. Willy, the former crown prince, published a number of articles in the British media supporting Hitler. Even more unsettling were reports that Dona’s sons Eitel-Fritz and Oscar had joined the Sturmabteilung. More commonly known in English as the Brownshirts, these were Hitler’s elite paramilitary storm troopers. Many Hohenzollerns joined the Nazi ranks throughout the 1930s with the hope that Hitler would restore their dynasty to the throne. Hitler “hoped, by associating himself with the old ruling family, to strengthen his credentials as the legitimate successor to Prussia-Germany’s monarchical tradition.”1305 Auwi was more devoted to the Nazi party than any of his brothers. In 1933, he became a pro-Nazi, Prussian member of the Reichstag. Around the same time, American newspapers announced that Hitler had chosen Auwi’s twenty-one-year-old son, Alexander, to be his eventual successor as head of the Third Reich. By 1939, Auwi had worked his way up to become second in command of one of Hitler’s secret police units, the Obergruppenführer. Otto recalled a particularly pointed meeting with Auwi and the impression he made.

  Prince August Wilhelm was, in my eyes, a convinced Nazi but all the Hohenzollerns shared the illusion that Hitler would reinstate the monarchy once in power. I was certain that Hitler was only using them as a means to attract monarchist voters. I had seen how the Crown Prince had already supported Hitler against President Hindenburg and that fundamentally he wanted to do exactly the same thing with me as regards the Austrian voters. I had the great advantage of having already read Mein Kampf from start to finish and knew what his aims were. All this only reinforced my refusal to meet him … On the other hand, it would have been an interesting experience. In fact, this was the only interesting conversation I ever avoided in my life.1306

  There was royalist attention aimed at Hams Castle from all across Europe in the late 1930s. Many were wondering if Zita’s family would follow the Hohenzollerns and join the Nazis. If there was any doubt, Otto, using his authority as head of the family and with his mother’s support, published a letter making their position clear.

  I absolutely reject [Nazi] fascism for Austria and see the solution only in a constitutional monarchy along democratic lines similar to that in England. I hope the Hapsburg law will soon be revoked by emergency decree, but I consider that the moment for a successful restoration is not yet ripe.… I refuse to be drawn into any adventurous Putsch [restoration] attempts.…

  An un-Austrian movement [Nazism] has lately been created which promises everything to everyone, but really intends the most ruthless subjugation of the Austrian people.…1307

  Perhaps as a way to ensure Habsburg loyalty against Nazism, the Allied forces, led by France and Britain, restored to the Habsburgs a number of wealthy estates that had been seized under the Habsburg Law of 1919. Even the ban on certain members of the imperial family entering Austria was lifted. For the first time in nearly twenty years, the Habsburgs could afford to live comfortably once again.

  Now that her son had come of age, Zita found she was not carrying as much political weight as she had in years gone by. Though she continued to be active, she found that, for the first time in years, she had the opportunity to pursue personal interests. An intelligent woman, she possessed a cultivated mind that could easily match wits with any scholar. Now in her forties, she had also become an avid reader. The shelves at Hams Castle were always being replenished with books the empress had purchased when she had the money. Not surprisingly, Zita’s literary tastes did not gravitate toward popular fiction or mainstream novels. Among her favorite topics were biographies and memoirs. She also occasionally enjoyed reading the classics by Homer, Aristotle, and Dante. This love of reading was something that Zita shared with Alexandra of Russia, who once lamented that she could not spend more time reading: “Alas I have not much free time, but when I find a spare moment I sit down and read. I am so fond of ‘Boehme’ and many of the German & Dutch theosophists of the 15th & 16th cent.”1308 A love of literature was something Alexandra shared with her husband, Nicholas. In the days of the tsarist empire, the imperial librarian would bring in twenty new books each month from around the world for Nicholas and Alexandra to read. But one area where Zita and Alexandra held different views was periodicals. Zita detested them, believing that newspapers were “committed to the task of keeping humanity on edge and in a dyspeptic dither with the constant expectation of disaster.”1309

  The worsenin
g global economic situation that helped give ascendancy to Nazism in Germany was also being felt in Britain. The Great Depression was causing unemployment to skyrocket, forcing the Labour Party government to deal with a crisis of extraordinary proportions. Conditions became so bad that the royal family cut short its summer holiday and returned to London, where King George forged a coalition of three political parties to form a national effort to combat the Depression. This coalition of the Conservative, Labour, and Liberal parties went on to win the 1931 election. George managed to avert a national disaster but at a high price. Exhausted from stress, the king fell ill with severe bronchitis, forcing him back on bed rest.

  One of the last highlights in the denouement of King George’s reign was in May 1935, when celebrations were held in honor of his Silver Jubilee, marking twenty-five years on the throne. Twelve other English monarchs had reigned just as long, but none of them had marked the occasion. According to tradition, only golden anniversaries were celebrated. The special nature of this milestone led to the creation of the Jubilee Trust, set up by the monarchy, to raise money for charity. Within a few weeks, £1 million was raised. Across the British Empire, festivities were held in honor of the last reigning king-emperor and queen-empress in the world. “I had no idea I was so popular,” the king told Australian prime minister Robert Menzies.1310 Contemporaries noted that the occasion was “the biggest money-spending festival since the war.”1311 The celebrations in London brought together one of the last major gatherings in history of Old Europe’s surviving royals. The guest list included Queen Maud and King Haakon VII of Norway, George’s sister and brother-in-law, and his cousin and old flame Queen Marie of Romania.

  On May 6, the royal family and visiting dignitaries attended a service of thanksgiving at Saint Paul’s Cathedral. The British politician Henry (“Chips”) Channon watched the procession of royals depart from Saint James’s Palace. Recalling the scene, Channon was in raptures over Queen Mary: “All eyes were on the Queen in her white and silvery splendour. Never has she looked so serene, so regally majestic, even so attractive. She completely eclipsed the King. Suddenly, she has become the best dressed woman in the world.”1312 The queen did indeed look supremely majestic in her silver-and-white gown covered by a long cape with a high white collar. In place of her usual diamond tiara was a simple white hat with a high aigrette. “For them it was a wonderful experience,” wrote one of the queen’s biographers. “They realized at last they stood where Victoria and Edward and Alexandra had stood before them, high in the estimation of the people. Perhaps it meant more to Mary than it did her husband. Little May of Teck, the poor relation, the morganatic Princess, had made it to the top.”1313 Mary recorded the memorable day in her journal for posterity.

  Our Silver Jubilee. Crowds in the parks & streets quite early—At 10 we went downstairs & saw all the members of our family who were to take part in the various carriage processions. We left at 5 to 11 in the big open carriage with 6 grey horses—We had a marvellous reception from the crowds of people all the way to St Pauls [sic] Cathedral & back—The thanksgiving service at 11.30 was beautiful—Back before 1 & we all went on to the Balcony where the crowds cheered us—After luncheon we had to go on to the Balcony again.… After dinner we had to go out on the balcony again—A wonderful day.1314

  The monarchy in Britain had become so popular that the king and queen appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace every night for a week to greet the patriotic crowds. Even in the streets of London’s East End, which was famous for its socialist and republican views, George and Mary were cheered wildly by the people. Every day, they were driven in an open coach through the streets of London. Even in the poorest suburbs, they were met with excited crowds filled with flag-waving children and smiling faces. On May 9, the royal family assembled at Westminster Hall, where the king received a loyal address. The two thousand people who were gathered there sang the national anthem. Queen Maud, who had always been devoted to her beloved England, was thrilled to be back in London. Upon returning to Norway after the jubilee celebrations, she wrote to Queen Mary,

  I was very sad leaving “Home” and you all, but I was so delighted to have been present at the Jubilee, I loved the enthusiasm and devotion which the people have for dear George and you, it is so touching—and in no other country I am sure it is like that! One is proud to be British. I was glad to have been in London for G[eorge]’s birthday and could see you all once more.—I do hope both you and George are not too tired, with all you have to do. It is wonderful, all you have got through.1315

  The excitement that followed the king and queen’s Silver Jubilee was followed by one encouraging event after another. The birth of Mary’s fourth grandchild, Princess Margaret, to the Duke of York meant the continuation of the British royal family.

  Two family marriages took place between 1930 and 1935. Mary’s son George, Duke of Kent—who became the first member of the royal family to work in the civil service when he took up a post at the Foreign Office—married, as did his brother Harry, Duke of Gloucester. George was the only one of Queen Mary’s children to marry a royal—Princess Marina of Greece. Consequently, she was the last foreign princess to marry into the British royal family. Marina was a granddaughter of the king’s uncle George I of Greece, making her and the Duke of Kent second cousins. They first met in 1923 when Marina came to Buckingham Palace for a visit with her mother, who had been evacuated from Greece in 1922. “She has not a cent,” King George remarked of Marina, but this was quickly forgiven because of her “charm and beauty.”1316 The queen had hoped Marina would hit it off with the Prince of Wales, but she and the Duke of Kent became smitten with one another. The queen wrote to her husband before the wedding, “I am sure we shall like Marina & that she will be a charming addition to the family.”1317 At their wedding reception, the queen had a seemingly innocuous meeting with a young woman who was a friend of David’s named Wallis Simpson. “I want to introduce a great friend of mine,” he told his mother.1318 Mary shook Wallis’s hand graciously, thinking nothing of it. At the time, she could not have fathomed that Wallis would soon threaten to destabilize the entire British monarchy.

  On November 6, 1935, Harry followed in his brother Bertie’s footsteps by marrying a British woman—Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott, daughter of the Seventh Duke of Buccleuch, an old friend of the king’s. The duke died shortly before the wedding, so it was celebrated very quietly in the chapel at Buckingham Palace. The princesses Elizabeth and Margaret were bridesmaids. The queen was greatly pleased by the match, since Alice possessed a suitably grand lineage. She was a descendant of King Charles II through his illegitimate son the Duke of Monmouth; her father had served with King George when he was a cadet in the Royal Navy; her paternal grandmother had been Mistress of the Robes to Queen Alexandra; and her maternal grandmother had been one of Queen Mary’s own ladies-in-waiting during her days as Duchess of York. “Now all the children are married but David,” the king wrote.1319 A few days later, the queen’s sister-in-law Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, wrote to Mary, “This is indeed good news & I congratulate you on settling another son & upon getting what I know to be a really splendid daughter-in-law. If only David would follow suit. He seems to have missed his best chances. But never mind, one must look on the blessings one has & be thankful for them.”1320 Within two months, a new tragedy struck, cutting straight to the heart of the British royal family.

  Never again healthy after his brush with death in 1928, King George V was plagued by failing health in the last decade of his life. In January 1936, the king and queen moved to Sandringham for a brief rest, but Mary was disconcerted to see that her husband was a shadow of his former self. Suffering from emphysema, bronchitis, and congestive lung disease, the king was slowly suffocating. Within a few weeks, it was obvious that he was dying. Mary almost became a prisoner at Sandringham because of the numerous reporters and photographers that had descended on the country estate. Between George’s bouts of consciousness, his childr
en kept their mother occupied. “G. about the same, sat with him from time to time,” she wrote in her diary. “Did not go to Church as the place was surrounded by reporters & photographers, too heartless—Walked with Mary morning & afternoon … Georgie arrived at 7—also Archbishop of Canterbury—David and Bertie left but will return tomorrow—”1321

  These opportunities gave Mary the chance to reflect on her forty-two-year marriage to her beloved George. She thought about everything they had gone through together—their accession to the throne, the outbreak of the First World War, and the numerous political crises they had weathered—and could not bear to think that their life together was over. Queen Mary was not ready to see her husband relinquish the crown to the forty-one-year-old Prince of Wales. Leaving the throne to David at this stage, when he had still failed to prove his worthiness to take on the royal mantle, would surely spell trouble for the nation. The Labour Party, with its socialist ideas on governing, might be tempted to call for abolishing the monarchy once and for all. On January 18, the king’s Privy Counsellors arrived at Sandringham to gain his imprimatur on the formation of a Council of State, comprised of the queen and their four sons. After sitting in the king’s bedroom in silence for about ten minutes, George faintly whispered his approval. Lord Dawson, the king’s doctor, handed him the official document for his signature. Exhausted, George took a pen in his hand and, accompanied by Lord Dawson, marked two little crosses for his signature. As he did this, “[t]ears filled King George’s eyes,” because he “understood that this effort would be his last act as King.”1322 Many of the Privy Counsellors also had tears in their eyes.

  It pleased the queen greatly that her husband was able to spend his last days at Sandringham, the place he loved most. He cherished the estate where he had spent many happy years as a child with his parents and siblings. For a man such as the king, who enjoyed peace, quiet, and simplicity in life, Sandringham was ideal with its rolling hillsides, snow-covered trees, and picturesque waterways. It therefore seemed appropriate that it was here that he died on January 20, 1936, surrounded by his family. Just before the end, according to Lord Wigram, David “became hysterical, cried loudly and kept on embracing the Queen.”1323 To ease the king’s suffering in his final hours, he was given a lethal dose of cocaine and morphine. After the king breathed for the last time, Mary, her face bathed in tears, took David’s hand in hers. Kneeling, she kissed it and hailed him as king in a strong, resolute voice, followed by each of her children. “I could not bring myself to believe that the members of my own family or indeed anyone else, should be expected to humble themselves before me in this way,” David later wrote.1324 In her diary that night, Mary wrote, “Am brokenhearted … at 5 to 12 my darling husband passed peacefully away—my children were angelic.”1325 Later, in a rare outpouring of grief, she admitted about her husband, “The sunset of his death tinged the whole world’s sky.”1326 The death of the man she loved was a feeling that was all too familiar to Mary. King George died in the same bed as his brother Eddy had nearly forty-five years earlier. She admitted in her typical calm fashion, “Such a sad day. It is curious my having been present in this house at the death beds of 2 brothers Eddy & George.”1327