On this Day in German Royal/Imperial History


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February 15, 1852 birth of Princess Marie of Battenberg, a great aunt of Prince Philip.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princ..._Battenberg,_Countess_of_Erbach-Schonberg.jpg

Marie was born in Strasbourg, France. She was the eldest child of Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine. Her father was the son of Louis II, Grand Duke of Hesse (he was the 4th of 5 children).Alexander's younger sister was Maria Alexandrovna, wife of Alexander II of Russia and mother of Alexander III. Her mother was Countess Julia von Hauke who had been a lady in waiting to her Aunt Maria. Her mother had grown up at the Russian court, an orphan she had been a ward of the emperor. At the time of her birth her mother was simply Countess of Battenberg.

Though born in France she spent much of her childhood at Heiligenberg Castle in Hesse. She was the oldest of five children and the only daughter. Her nieces included Queen Louise of Sweden (through her brother Louis) and Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain (through her brother Henry). She was godmother to her niece Alice, Philip's mother.

In 1858 she was raised to the rank of Princess of Battenberg when her uncle Ludwig raised her mother to a Princess.

In 1868 Marie would attend the opening of the Luther monument in worms. The 16 year old Marie would first meet the 28 year old Count Gustav Ernst of Erbach-Schönberg. The couple became engaged in 1870 and were married April 1871 when she was 19 and her groom was 31, in Darmstadt. In 1903 her husband would be raised to the rank of Prince and Marie became Princess of Erbach-Schönberg.

Marie was an author. She published two sets of memoirs, one about her relationship with her son Maximilian and the other on her visit to her brother Alexander during his short time as Prince of Bulgaria. She also translated a number of other works.

Her husband died in 1908. Marie would die 1923 in Schonberg Hesse, and was buried at St Mary's church.

A picture of her joint tomb with her husband is found here.

https://www.lordmountbattenofburma.com/princess-marie-of-erbach-schonberg

Her and her husband had four children:


-Alexander: succeeded his father as Prince of Erbach-Schönberg. He married Princess Elisabeth of Waldeck and Pyrmont. Elisabeth was the sister of Queen Emma of the Netherlands and Princess Helena, Duchess of Albany. They had four children, four grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and now 7 great-great grandchildren.

-Maximilian: sadly was mentally unstable and died at the age of 14. He died before his father was elevated to the rank of prince, so unlike his siblings he only ever held the status of Count.

-Victor: married Countess Elisabeth Széchényi de Sarvar et Felsö-Vidé.

-Marie Elisabeth: She married Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Stolberg-Wernigerode. They were the parents of two children.
 
Her mother Julia von Hauke was from a Polish and German Noble and was raised Roman Catholic but converted to Lutheranism in 1875.
 
February 18, 1947 death of Joachim Ernst, Duke of Anhalt. He died in the former Buchenwald concentration camp which was under Soviet control, and tossed in a mass grave.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joach...#/media/File:Joachim_Ernst_duke_of_Anhalt.jpg

He was born Jan 11, 1901 in Ballenstedt. His father was Duke Eduard of Anhalt. His mother was Princess Louise Charlotte of Saxe-Altenburg. He was the 4th of six children of his parents, and 2nd son but his elder brother died at age one. He had three siblings who reached adulthood. His only older sibling to was Marie-Auguste who married Prince Joachim of Prussia (son of Wilhelm II).

He succeeded as Duke at the age of 17 in 1918. He was a minor so his Uncle Prince Aribert of Anhalt served as his regent. It was a short reign, as in November of the same year his Uncle abdicated in his name, due to the German Revolution. Anhalt became the Free State of Anhalf November 12.

He spent his post abdication life at Ballenstedt castle. He was trained in forestry and was a farmer.

Joachim was at odds with the Nazis and was imprisoned at Dachau concentration camp in 1944. In 1945 he was arrested again but this time by the soviets and placed this time in NKVD special camp Nr. 2 which was the site of the former Buchenwald concentration camp.

Sadly this time he would not be released. He died almost 2 years later in 1947. His body ended up as many in a mass grave. In 2007 on the 60th anniversary of his death a memorial service was held at the camp. An urn of earth was removed and was buried with his memorial tombstone at the family's hunting lodge. When the hunting lodge was sold in 2011, the urn and his memorial were moved to outside Ballenstedt castle.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/131404867/joachim-ernst-von_anhalt#view-photo=179287042

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/131404867/joachim-ernst-von_anhalt#view-photo=179287012

Joachim was married twice. His first marriage was a morgantic marriage to opera singer Elisabeth Strickrodt who was created Countess of Askanien. They were married from 1927-1929 and had no children before divorcing. She would die in 1971.

His second marriage was in October 1929 to Edda-Charlotte von Stephani-Marwitz. He and Edda had five children.

-Marie Antoinette: Married twice. First to Karl-Heinz Guttmann and second to Max Riederer. She had a son Joachim with her first husband and has a grandson.

-Anna Luise: married Thomas Birch.She had one son with Thomas before they were divorced, James Christian.

-Friedrich: when his father died his uncle Eugene contested his claim to head of the house. He died in a car accident in 1963 without having married,and was succeeded as head of the house by his younger brother.

-Edda: She married Albert Darboven. She doesnt seem to have had kids (person peerage page) with him but she does have a stepson from her husband's first marriage.

-Eduard: is the current Prince of Anhalt, having succeeded his elder brother in 1963. He was six when his father died. He is married to Corinne Krönlein with whom he has three daughters. In 2012 he abolished the salic house laws of his family making his eldest daughter the heir to the house.

His wife died February 22, 1986 at the age of 80.

https://www.geni.com/photo/view/600...ype=photos_of_me&photo_id=6000000124263205831



To anyone who is familiar with Zsa Zsa Gabor and her 'prince' husband Frédéric Prinz von Anhalt, it was Joachim's sister Marie-Auguste who 'adopted' him among others.
 
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On this day, February 18, 1790 - Demise of Elisabeth of Wurttemberg, Archduchess of Austria, first spouse of the future Emperor Franz I of Austria
 
On this day, February 24, 1500 - Birth of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor in Ghent, Flanders.
He also reigned as King Charles (Carlos) I of Spain.
 
March 5, 1527 birth of Ulrich, Duke of Mecklenburg.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulrich,_Duke_of_Mecklenburg#/media/File:Ulrich3mecklenburg.jpg

He was born in Schwerin. His father was Albrecht VII, Duke of Mecklenburg and his mother Anna of Brandenburg. His maternal grandparents were Joachim I Nestor, Elector of Brandenburg and Elizabeth of Denmark (a daughter of John of Denmark).His parents had 10 children, 6 of whom reached adulthood. He was the third son, though the eldest died in infancy.

Ulrich was educated at the court in Bavaria before studying theology and law at Ingolstadt. In 1550 he would succeed as Prince-Bishopric of Schwerin after the death of his cousin Prince-Bishopric of Schwerin.

After the death of his Uncle Henry V he started participating in the national government.

In February 1555 he became the reigning Duke of the new territory of Mecklenburg-Güstrow. It had been partitioned off by his elder brother John Albrecht who had succeeded their father. The brothers maintained a shared state government though. John kept residence in Schwerin while Ulrich took up residence in Gustrow. When his brother died in 1576 he was named guardian of his brother's children including his eventual heir, his nephew John Albert II.

He was the modern educated prince, and a devout lutheran. He became one of the leading princes of Mecklenburg. He was known to communicate with scholars including humanists.

He continued to serve as Prince bishop of Schwerin, a title he would eventually be succeeded in by one of his grandsons. He acted as a mediator between his brother in law John Adolf, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp and Frederick II of Denmark as he was on good terms with both men.


In 1598 James VI of Scotland approached him among other princes for his support for the English throne and possibly Spanish. He was seeking military support if needed. James had sought help from his wife Anne's family, and Ulrich was her grandfather. He gave general support and counselling but he was reluctant to offer any military support.

He died in 1603 in Gustrow at the age of 76 on March 14.

Ulrich had no son so he was succeeded by his nephew John Albert II though his brother Charles served as regent for years.


Ulrich was married twice:

His first wife Elizabeth of Denmark was his first cousin twice removed (she was a cousin of his grandmother), a daughter of Frederick I of Denmark. Elizabeth had first been married to his cousin Magnus, who he had succeeded as the Prince bishop of Schwerin from. She was the mother of his only child. She died in 1586.

their child:

-Sophie: married Frederick II of Denmark. The couple had 7 children. Her daughter Anne would marry James VI of Scotland (future James I of England). Her son Ulrik succeeded his grandfather as Prince bishop of Schwerin. Her son Christian became Christian IV of Denmark.


After the death of Elizabeth he would marry Anna of Pomerania. Anna was the daughter of Philip I, Duke of Pomerania. The couple had no children.
 
On this day, March 7, 1933 - Demise of Thyra of Denmark, Crown Princess of Hanover
 
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March 11, 1922 death of Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia, wife of Friedrich Franz III of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

She was born July 28, 1860 in Peterhof palace in St Petersberg Russia. She was the granddaughter of Tsar Nicholas I. Her father Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia was the 4th son and youngest of 7 children of the Tsar. Her mother Grand Duchess Olga was born Princess Cecilie of Baden. Her maternal grandparents were Grand Duke Leopold of Baden and Sophie of Sweden (daughter of Gustaf IV Adolph). She was the niece of Alexander II on her father's side. She was the second of seven children of her parents and their only daughter. 3 brothers were killed during the Russian Revolution.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67412554/anastasia-mikhailovna#view-photo=193706383

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67412554/anastasia-mikhailovna#view-photo=193706458

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67412554/anastasia-mikhailovna#view-photo=193159119

She was two years old when her family moved to Georgia, as her father was appointed viceroy of the Caucases. As the only daughter she was her father's favorite and she was doted on by her brothers. She was educated and developed a love for languages. She was fluent in French, German and English as well as Russian from an early age. She was considered to be very strong willed and intelligent.

On May 4, 1878 her engagement was announced. The husband chosen was Frederick Francis of Mecklenberg-Schwerin. He was the eldest son of Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. One of Frederick's sisters would marry Grand Duke Vladimir, Anastasia's cousin. His mother was his father's first wife Princess Augusta Reuss of Köstritz. They were married January 1879 at the Winter palace. The wedding was performed both in the Russian and protestant services. Her groom was 27 and she was 18.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67412554/anastasia-mikhailovna#view-photo=193706530

The couple would live in Neustädtisches Palais in Schwerin. Her husband succeeded his father as Grand Duke in 1883.

Her husband suffered from ill health. The couple spent much of their time traveling to warmer climates.


When his father died they had been in Italy. Though they agreed it was needed that the new Grand Duke be in his duchy at times, for his health reasons it could not be permanent. They agreed to spend at least five months a year in the duchy. They lived at Gelbensande Hunting lodge when there. Their main home was Villa Wenden in Cannes where they spent six months a year. An avid tennis player she had courts built at the villa. She was often in Monte Carlo where she would gamble at the casino.


https://www.do-tours.com/en//guide/1493-villa-wenden.html


Her husband died April 10, 1897 in Cannes. He was 46. His death was a bit shrouded. There was some suggestion he committed suicide. But he seemed to have suffered breathing problems and stumbling, fell over a low wall. He was succeeded by their son as Grand Duke.


Though her son succeeded, Anastasia inherited most of her husband's private possessions. That included both the villa, and their hunting lodge in Baden. She spent most of her time at her two homes, or traveling home to Russia or in London. She spent little time in Schwerin after the death of her husband.

She caused scandal when the widowed Grand Duchess became pregnant in 1902. The father was her secretary Vladimir Alexandrovich Paltov. She was ostracized by many courts including the Prussians. When her daughter married into the Prussian royal family she was permitted only to attend the wedding and to come for the birth of her first Prussian grandchild. Christian IX of Denmark granted her son a title and name though (his grandson was Anastasia's son in law).

During WWI her loyalties were split. Her son was a German Grand duke, and her daughter married to the Prussian crown prince. Anastasia though sided with her Russian relatives who were on the other side. She was unable to remain in France but not welcome in Germany due to her Russian allegiances. She settled in Lusanne. Sadly she saw the death of three brothers and her son lose his Grand Duchy during the war. After the war she had to sneak back into France using her Russian passport as she was not welcome as a German. She would settle in Villa Fantasia, in Eze France.


She died in Eze from a stroke at the age of 61 almost 25 years after her husband. She was buried back in Schwerin at the Helenen-Paulownen-Mausoleum. Her funeral was the first time her three children with her husband were all together since WWI.


https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen...elenen-Paulownen-Mausoleum_2014-10-12_001.jpg


She and her husband had three children:

-Alexandra: married Christian X of Denmark. They were the parenrts of Frederick IX and Knud. She is the grandmother of Queen Margrethe II, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece and Princess Benedikte (as well as Knud's three).

-Frederick: succeeded his father as Frederick Francis IV. He lost his duchy in 1918. Following the war he spent a year living in Denmark before he was permitted to return home. He did regain some of his properties. He married Princess Alexandra of Hanover and Cumberland. They had five children.

-Cecilie: she was married to Wilhelm, German Crown Prince. The couple had six children.


Her son with her secretary:

-Alexis: was named Count Alexis Louis de Wenden, the last name and count title given to him by Alexandr'a grandfather in law. He married Paulette Seux with whom he had two daughters.
 
On this day, March 18, 1722 - Birth of Heinrich XI, 1st Prince Reuss of Greiz in Greiz, County of Reuss-Obergreiz
 
would anyone have a copy of the marriage certificate of Kaiser Wilhelm II? that I can download? I need it for my geanological records as I am related to the Royal family
 
On this day, April 1, 1825 - Birth of Augusta of Austria, Princess of Bavaria, wife of Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria, born in Florence, Kingdom of Tuscany
 
The Archduchess was baptized Auguste Ferdinande I think that's the first time I've come across the feminine version of the name Ferdinand being used.
 
On this day, April 5, 1674 - Birth of Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen, second wife of Ernest Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen
 
CyrilVladisla said:
On this day, April 5, 1674 - Birth of Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen, second wife of Ernest Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen
Click to expand...
Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg lived a long life she outlived her husband a surviving son .

Her daughter in law was the future Empress Anna of Russia.
 
On this day, April 8, 1783 - Demise of Karoline Luise of Hesse-Darmstadt, Margravine of Baden, wife of Margrave Karl Friedrich of Baden-Durlach

On this day, April 13, 1807 - Demise of Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily, Empress of Austria, wife of Emperor Francis I of Austria

On this day, April 17, 1838 - Birth of Antoinette of Saxe-Altenberg, Duchess of Anhalt, wife of Friedrich I, Duke of Anhalt
 
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17th of April 1539 : Death of George, Duke of Saxony


George was the last Roman Catholic Duke of Saxony and strongly opposed the Reformation. He married the Polish Princess Barbara Jagiellon in 1496 but sadly his sons predeceased him. The duke is buried beside him wife at Meissen Cathedral.

George was succeeded by his younger brother Henry.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George,_Duke_of_Saxony

397px-Lucas_Cranach_d.%C3%84._-_Bildnis_des_Herzogs_Georg_von_Sachsen_%28Gem%C3%A4ldegalerie%2C_Berlin%29.jpg
 
On this day, April 18, 1861 - Birth of Eduard, Duke of Anhalt in Dessau, Duchy of Anhalt
 
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On this day, May 5, 1747 ~ Birth of Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor in Vienna, Austria
 
On this day, May 9, 1892 - Birth of Zita of Bourbon-Parma, Empress of Austria, wife of Emperor Charles I of Austria
 
On this day, May 20, 1802 - Birth of Emma of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym, Princess Consort of Prince Georg II of Waldeck and Pyrmont

On this day, May 24, 1913 - The Wedding of Ernst August II of Hanover, Duke of Brunswick and Princess Viktoria Luise of Prussia in Berlin

On this day, May 28, 1872 - Demise of Sophie of Bavaria, Archduchess of Bavaria, wife of Archduke Franz Charles of Austria
 
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CyrilVladisla said:
On this day, May 28, 1872 - Demise of Sophie of Bavaria, Archduchess of Bavaria, wife of Archduke Franz Charles of Austria
Click to expand...

Sophie was never Archduchess of Bavaria her style was Sophie of Bavaria later Archduchess of Austria as the wife Archduke Franz Karl Joseph of Austria.

Sophie and Franz Charles were the parents of 2 Emperors.
Franz Joseph I of Austria
Maximilian I of Mexico

The Archduchess in 1858
372px-Sophie_of_Bavaria_mother_of_Franz_Joseph_I_of_Austria.jpg
 
On this day, May 30, 1871 - Birth of Leopold IV, Prince of Lippe in Oberkassel, Kingdom of Prussia. Leopold was the last reigning Prince of Lippe.
 
On this day, June 5, 1554 - Birth of Elisabeth of Austria, Queen Consort of King Charles IX of France
 
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On this day, June 6, 1772 - Birth of Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily, Empress of Austria, second wife of Emperor Francis I of Austria

On this day, June 12, 1878 - Demise of King George V of Hanover in Paris, France

On this day, June 15, 1888 - Demise of Friedrich III, Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia

On this day, June 28, 1914 - Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenburg

On this day, June 29, 1841 - Demise of Frederica of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen of Hanover, wife of Ernst August, Duke of Cumberland, King of Hanover

On this day, July 2, 1849 - Birth of Maria Theresia of Austria-Este, Queen of Bavaria, wife of King Ludwig III of Bavaria

On this day, July 7, 1883 - Birth of Prince Eitel Friedrich of Prussia, son of Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany
 
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7th of July 1528 : Birth of The Archduchess Anna of Austria

Anna was born in Prague the daughter of Ferdinand I and Anna of Hungary.In 1550 Anna was married to Albert V ,the future Duke of Bavaria.
The Archduchess was noted for her piety and freverent Catholicism.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archduchess_Anna_of_Austria

235px-Jakob_Seisenegger_002.jpg
 
On this day, July 11, 1657 - Birth of Friedrich I, King in Prussia in Konigsberg, Duchy of Prussia

On this day, July 15, 1750 - Birth of Franz Friedrich Anton, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. He was the grandfather of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

On this day, July 19, 1810 - Demise of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen of Prussia, wife of Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia
 
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