martedì 4 luglio 2017

Marie Louise von Wallersee and her beloved Aunts: Aunt Sisi (Tante Kaiserin) and Aunt Maria Sophie Queen of the Two Sicilies (Tante Königin).



Denk daran, Marie, Schweigen ist Gold.

Kaiserin Elisabeth von Österreich Ungarn






Ricorda, Marie, il silenzio e d'oro

Imperatrice Elisabetta d'Austria Ungheria




Quella del Duca Max Joseph in Baviera e della Principessa Ludovika di Baviera fu una prole non solo numerosa ( ebbero dieci figli di cui però solo otto sopravvissero, il secondogenito Wilhelm Karl non sopravvisse neppure un mese, il settimo nato, Maximilian, nacque già in fin di vita ), ma anche molto affiatata da che tutti i figli, una volta divenuti adulti ed accasatisi, conservarono vivo e forte il legame che li univa ... la principessa era stata una madre davvero esemplare, forse dava il massimo di sé ai propri figlioli pur accumulando continue delusioni di conseguenza alla vita da libertino che il marito conduceva e che la costringeva ad accettare.
Soprattutto Sisi, al secolo Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie, anche se divenuta imperatrice e residente a Vienna, non mancava di perdere un'occasione per ritrovarsi con i fratelli in Baviera, e spesso anche in altre parti d'Europa ... Maria Sophie Amalie, per esempio, ex regina di Napoli e delle Due Sicilie, una volta perso il regno ed esiliata a Parigi, sovente le sarà compagna nel suo incessante peregrinare ... e proprio di queste due incantevoli protagoniste della storia del XIX secolo mi piace parlarvi oggi, di loro e del loro legame con la nipote Marie Louise von Wallersee.

Era costrei nata da una relazione che legava il primogenito del Duca in Baviera e della sua consorte, Ludwig Wilhelm con una donna che non aveva nulla a che spartire con il mondo dell'aristocrazia, Auguste Henriette Mendel


ma che egli amava profondamente e che la sua famiglia, per ovvii motivi, non voleva accettare; una volta messi di fronte al fatto compiuto i coniugi Wittelsbach lo obbligarono a sposare la donna che stava per divenire la madre della sua figliola: costui avrebbe così dovuto rassegnarsi ad assentire alla rinuncia dei diritti legati alla primogenitura ed acconsentire ad un matrimonio morganatico, ovvero non in grado di trasmettere per eredità alcun titolo nobiliare alla prole; il re di Baviera provvedette a procurare alla sua sposa un nome che si addicesse alla sua nuova posizione sociale ed Auguste Henriette Mendel divenne Henriette Baroness von Wallerseema di fatto mai Henriette, come era chiamata in famiglia, venne vista amorevolmente.


Henriette von Wallersee e Ludwig Wilhelm Wittelsbach il giorno del loro matrimonio



L'imperatrice d'Austria, non solo un modello in quanto a Grazia, ma anche forte del suo buon cuore che guardava prima di tutto alla bontà d'animo altrui, ebbe per lei già da subito una profonda stima e simpatia, e questa sua prima figliola, Marie Louise, divenne la sua nipote preferita.
Numerose sono infatti le fotografie che ritraggono Marie Louise con Marie Valerie, l'ultima figlia prediletta della coppia imperiale, per la quale divenne una sorta di sorella (Gisela era già non solo sposata, ma madre e viveva in Germania): 



Marie Valerie con Marie Louise



era facile trovare Marie a Vienna a corte o accanto all'imperatrice in Ungheria, presso il castello di Gödöllo o ancora in Inghilterra a cavalcare al suo fianco per le battute di caccia che animavano la stagione primaverile ed autunnale inglese; Marie amava questa sua zia che si prodigava per lei, che le donava suoi abiti, gioielli e che le aveva trasmesso l'amore per i cavalli e per le cavalcate spericolate:


La prima volta che ricordo di aver cavalcato con l'Imperatrice ero una bambina. I miei capelli biondi volavano selvaggiamente mentre camminavo con la mia Zia adorata attraverso il Prater, il Parco Centrale di Vienna. La gente si fermava, sollevava i cappelli in segno di saluto o si inchinava enfaticamente. I loro occhi seguivano me e la mia chioma fluttuante. Quando tornammo alla Hofburg - il palazzo imperiale - quel giorno, Zia Sissy diede disposizioni affinchè io portassi in futuro i miei capelli acconciati à l'impératrice. Non ho mai cambiato il mio stile di acconciatura fino ad oggi. 1

La sua 'Tante Kaiserin' (zia imperatrice) era per lei di una bellezza straordinaria, dirompente, ed, ogni qualvolta si trovava in sua compagnia, non mancava di affascinarla


Ai miei occhi Zia Sissy sembrava possedere la bellezza di una regina delle fate, soprattutto quando era di buon umore. A volte i suoi bei occhi bruni s'illuminavano di una gioconda malizia e poi, di nuovo, riappariva un'angosciata disapprovazione. Aveva un sorriso incantevole e la sua voce era delicata e melodica. Ero completamente affascinata da lei, e la mia felicità non conosceva limiti ogni volta che mi veniva detto che avrei incontrato la "Zia Imperatrice". 

Ma nelle sue memorie ella confessa che nonostante l'ammirazione e l'affetto nutriti per l'imperatrice, il suo cuore apparteneva all'altra zia, Marie Sophie, più simile a lei per temperamento, la quale, anche se visse più nell'ombra, fu per lei una seconda madre, come ella stessa ci racconta: 

Non appena si disfece il loro ultimo progetto ( N.d.A. per trovarle marito ), Tante Königin - Zia Maria, già Regina di Napoli e delle Due Sicilie, mi invitò ad andarla a trovare a Parigi per rimanere alcune settimane. Ne fui felicissima. Sapevo che lei aveva un debole per me, forse perché le somigliavo molto. Mi chiamava sempre "bambina", e lo farà anche negli anni successivi quando avrò dei figli a mia volta. La sua voce, ogni volta che mi parlava, sembrava prendere una nota speciale che non mancava mai di toccarmi profondamente. Da bambina avvertivo istintivamente l'attaccamento di Tante Königin per me. Di tutte le zie coronate e non mi sentivo più attratta da Zia Maria, ancor più che da Zia Sissy. Amavo Zia Maria tanto caramente quanto amavo mia madre. Per me era la quiete personificata. Contrariamente a sua sorella Elisabetta, che era molto più vivace, sarcastica e spiritosa, la Regina Maria era sempre tranquilla. I suoi occhi scuri ed espressivi non sono mai riusciti a non fare una profonda impressione su di me, soprattutto dopo aver udito la storia responsabile della loro triste espressione. Non solo la Regina Maria era stata costretta a vestire i panni dell'eroina di Gaeta durante le giornate ardenti quando il marito perse il suo trono a causa dell'unità d'Italia; il destino decretò, inoltre, che lei giocasse un ruolo di primo piano in una tragedia d'amore. Mentre la prima parte del dramma era stata scritta nelle pagine della storia, la seconda parte è rimasta celata fino ad ora. 3 pag. 59


Marie Sophie, nata il 4 di ottobre del 1841 presso il Castello di Possenhofen, data in isposa per procura nel 1859 a Francesco, Duca di Calabria e Principe Ereditario del Regno di Napoli e delle Due Sicilie, figlio di Re Ferdinando II di Borbone, visse una vita coniugale decisamente infelice: appena giunta a Napoli godette della simpatia di tutta la corte, ma il marito spesso evitava di avere contatti con lei e già a partire dai primi anni della sua vita nel meridione d'Italia, animati dal malcontento del regno - l'Italia meridionale con l'approssimarsi della fine degli anni '60 del XIX secolo si trovava in subbuglio perché rifiutava l'annessione al resto del Regno d'Italia - dovette spesso fare da protagonista anche in politica, divenendo per la popolazione locale una sorta di eroina.


Fu però l'imperatrice a trovarle un marito quando decise che fosse sopraggiunto il momento, per lei, di trovarsi un compagno se voleva continuare a seguirla e a viverle accanto, voleva che diventasse una delle sue PALASTDAMEN, ossia una dama di compagnia coniugata, per poterla avere sempre vicina e continuare a potersi confidare con lei, ed allora quale miglior partito se non un nobile ed aristocratico ungherese, l'unione con il quale avrebbe altresì rafforzato il flebile legame tra Austria ed Ungheria, di cui la coppia imperiale vestiva anche la corona, legame che Sisi aveva voluto con tutta sé stessa e con lo stesso ardore cercava di tenere vivo, anche se la storia precedente giocava a suo svantaggio ?
La scelta cadde sul casato dei Larisch, che Marie ancora non conosceva, mentre, a 17 anni, aveva già provato le proprie simpatie ... i viaggi compiuti al fianco dell'imperatrice non mancarono certo di farle conoscere molte persone, più o meno aristocratiche, per le quali provare attrazione ... dal Count Heine ad Elemér Batthyány 


(qui l'attrazione era reciproca e fino all'ultimo Marie credette di aver trovato in lui l'anima gemella, ma era la futura suocera che non voleva che suo figlio sposasse la nipote del Kaiser per motivi che datavano il periodo in cui l'Ungheria era in conflitto con l'Impero Austriaco) ... persino il Capitano Bay Middleton, compagno di caccia in Inghilterra ed affiatato amico dell'imperatrice, godeva delle simpatie della povera Marie che si dovette rassegnare ad un matrimonio di pura convenienza nel quale si trovò letteralmente catapultata.

Purtroppo quella con George von Larisch-Moennig, Barone di Ellgoth e Karwin del 1877 non fu un'unione felice, come poterlo pretendere, George era decisamente poco fedele e non di certo fatto per matrimonio (tanto che Marie si sposerà nuovamente, questa volta con una persona da lei scelta per amore).


Marie con il primo marito George von Larisch



Sappiamo che, ritenuta responsabile degli incontri tenuti scrupolosamente celati tra Marie Vetsera ed il Principe Ereditario Rudolph, che si conclusero drammaticamente il 30 gennaio 1889 con la tragedia di Mayerling, la stessa zia che tanto l'aveva amata, da allora altrettanto profondamente la ripudierà per giungere ad allontanarla, anche se con estremo dolore, non solo da sé, la vorrà lontano da Vienna e non vorrà mai più vederla, motivo per cui Marie si recherà in America per cominciare una nuova vita, ma questa è un'altra storia ...
Ma pensate che scherzo del destino, proprio la zia che le aveva insegnato l'importanza di mantenere un segreto le farà provare il sapore tanto amaro che il farlo a volte comporta !


"Sai, Marie", zia Sissy si sfogò pensierosa "avresti dovuto sposare Bay. Ah, allora vi avrei potuto avere sempre con me entrambi, miei adorati". 



Vi raggiunga il mio più sentito ringraziamento, carissimi lettori ed amici,
ed augurandovi ogni bene vi do appuntamento

a presto 💕










BIBLIOGRAFIA:

Maria Valeria d'Asburgo, La prediletta - Il diario della figlia di Sissi, a cura di Martha e Horst Schad, traduzione di Flavia Floradini, MGS PRESS, 2001;

Conte Egon Cesar Corti, L'imperatrice Elisabetta, Mondadori, Milano, 1937;

Brigitte Hamann, Elisabeth. Kaiserin wieder Willen, Amalthea Verlag, Wien, München, 1982;

Brigitte Hamann, (a cura di), ELISABETH Bilder einer Kaiserin, Amalthea Verlag, 1998;

Marie Louise, Countess Larisch von Wallersee-Wittelsbach with Paul Maerker Branden and Elsa Brander, HER MAJESTY Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary, The Beautiful, Tragic Empress of Europe's Most Brilliant Court, DOUBLEDAY, DORAN & COMPANY Inc. GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK, 1934;

Gabriele Praschl – Bichler, L'Imperatrice Elisabetta, Longanesi & C., Milano, 1997;

Gabriele Praschl-Bichler, Josef Cachée, "...von dem müden Haupte nehm' die Krone ich herab": Kaiserin Elisabeth Privat, Amalthea Signum Verlag, Wien, 1981; 




CITAZIONI:

1 e 2 - Marie Louise, Countess Larisch von Wallersee-Wittelsbach with Paul Maerker Branden and Elsa Brander, HER MAJESTY Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary, The Beautiful, Tragic Empress of Europe's Most Brilliant CourtDOUBLEDAY, DORAN & COMPANY Inc. GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK, 1934, pag.8;

3 - Marie Louise, Countess Larisch von Wallersee-Wittelsbach with Paul Maerker Branden and Elsa Brander, op.cit., pag.59;

4 - Ibidem, pag.127.









Remember, Marie, silence is golden.

Empress Elisabeth of Austria Hungary





- picture 1 - Marie Louise von Wallersee as a girl




That of the Duke Max Joseph in Bavaria and Princess Ludovika of Bavaria was not only a numerous offspring (they had ten children, but only eight survived, the second born, Wilhelm Karl, did not survive even for a month, the seventh born, Maximilian, was born died), but also very united, all the children, once grown and accosted, kept alive and strong the bond that joined them .... the princess had been a truly exemplary mother, perhaps giving the best to her children while accumulating continued disappointments as a result of the libertine life that her husband led and forced her to accept.
Above all Sisi, that was Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie, even though she became Empress and resident in Vienna, didn't miss an opportunity to meet her brothers and sisters in Bavaria, and often also in other parts of Europe ... Marie Sophie Amalie, for example, former Queen of Naples and the Two Sicilies, once lost the kingdom and exiled to Paris, will often be her companion in her unceasing peregrination ... and just of these two enchanting protagonists of the History of the XIXth century I like to talk to you today, about them and their connection with their niece Marie Louise von Wallersee.

She was born from a relationship that linked Ludwig Wilhelm, the first son of the Duke in Bavaria and his consort, with a woman who had nothing to do with the aristocracy, Auguste Henriette Mendel,




- picture 2 - Auguste Henriette Mendel




but whom he loved deeply and whom his family, for obvious reasons, didn't want to accept; when confronted with the 'fact', the Wittelsbachs forced him to marry the woman who was about to become the mother of his child; thus he would have to resign himself to renunce of the rights connected the birthright and to consent to a morganatic marriage, that is not able to convey by way of inheritance any noble title to the offspring; the King of Bavaria Maximilian II will arrange to get her a noble title apted to her new social position and Auguste Henriette Mendel became Henriette Baroness von Wallersee, but Henriette, as she was called in the family, will be never seen lovingly.




- picture 3 - Henriette Baroness von Wallersee with Ludwig Wilhelm just married



The Empress of Austria, not only a model of grace but also so good-hearted, looking first of all to the goodness of the others, had for her since ever a profound esteem and sympathy, and her first daughter, Marie Louise, became her favorite niece.
Several are the photographs depicting Marie Louise with Marie Valerie, the last favorite daughter of the imperial couple, for which she became a kind of sister (Gisela was not only already married but mother and living in Germany):




- picture 4 - Marie Valerie with Marie Louise




It was easy to find Marie in Vienna at Court or together with the Empress in Hungary, at the Royal Palace of Gödöllo, or even in England, riding side by side with her for shooting parties that animated the English Spring and Autumn; Marie loved her Aunt who was so prodigal with her, who gave her Her dresses and jewels and who had transmitted her Her love for horses and daring rides:




- picture 5 - Marie Loiuse with one of her beloved thoroughbred




The first time I remember riding horseback with the Empress was a little girl. My blonde hair flew wildly as I cantered with my adored aunt through the Prater, Vienna's Central Park. People stopped, lifted their hats or bowed deeply. Their eyes followed me and my fluttering mane. When we returned to the Hofburg - the imperial palace - that day, Aunt Sissy issued the order that I was to wear my hair à l'impératrice in future. I have never changed my style of hairdress to this very day1 pag 8

Her 'Tante Kaiserin' (Aunt Empress) was for her an extraordinary, disruptive beauty, and whenever she was in her company she didn't fail to fascinate her




- picture 6 - Aunt Sissy




In my eyes Aunt Sissy seemed to possess the beauty of a fairy queen, especially when she was in good humor. At times her lovely brown eyes flashed gay mischief and then, again, angry disapproval. She had en enchanting smile, and her voice was soft and melodious. I was completely fascinated by her, and my happiness knew no bounds whenever I was told that I would meet "Aunt Empress." 2 pag.8

But in her memories, she confesses that despite her admiration and affection for the Empress, her heart belonged to her other Aunt, Marie Sophie, more like her as for temperament, who, though she lived more in the shadows, she was for her a like second mother, as she tells us:

No sooner had their latest scheme fallen through than tante Tante Königin - Aunt Maria - erstwhile Queen of Naples and the Two Sicilies, invited me to visit her in Paris for a few weeks. I was overjoyed. I knew that she had a very tender spot for me, perhaps because I looked very much like her. Always she called me "little girl", even in later years when I had children of my own. Her voice, whenever she spoke to me, seemed to take on a special note that never failed to touch me deeply. As a child, I instinctively felt Tante Königin's attachment for me. Of all my crowned and uncrowned aunts, I felt the most strongly drawn to Aunt Maria, even more so than to Aunt Sissy. I loved Aunt Maria as dearly as I loved my mother. For me she was restfulness personified. Contrary to her sister Elisabeth, who was much more vivacious, sarcastic and witty, Queen Maria was invariably even-tempered. Her dark, soulful eyes never failed to make a deep impression upon me, especially after I heard the story responsible of their sorrowful expression. Not only had Queen Maria been forced to enact the part of Heroine of Gaëta during the harrowing days when her husband lost his throne to the newly united Italy; destiny decreed, also, that she play a leading rôle in a love tragedy. While the first part of the drama had been written in the pages of history, the secon part has remained untold until now. 3 pag. 59




- picture 7 - Aunt Maria



Marie Sophie, born on October 4th,1841 at the Possenhofen Castle, got married by proxy in 1859 with Francesco, Duke of Calabria and the apparent heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Naples and of the Two Sicilies, son of King Ferdinand II of Bourbon, lived a very unhappy conjugal life: when she arrived in Naples, she enjoyed the sympathy of the whole Court, but her husband often avoided any kind of contact with her and even from the early years of her life in the south of Italy, animated by the discontent of the people, which, with the approach of the late 1860s, was in rebellion because refused to be annexed to the rest of the Kingdom of Italy - she often had to act as a protagonist in politics, becoming a kind of heroin for the local population.




- picture 8 - Aunt Maria dressed with the traditional costumes of Southern Italy 



But it was the Empress to find her a husband when She decided that the time had come for her to find a companion if she wanted to continue to follow Her and living next to Her: She wanted her to become one of her PALASTDAMEN, a married lady-in-waiting, to be able to be always close to Her and to continue to be Her confidant, and then what better groom than a noble and aristocratic Hungarian, the union with whom would also have strengthen the weak link that there was between Austria and Hungary, of which the imperial couple also dressed the crown, bond that Sisi loved and with deep ardor was trying to keep alive, even though the previous story was at her disadvantage?
The choice fell on the Larisches's house, which Marie still did not know, while at 17 she had already felt her own sympathies ... travellingside by side with the Empress she had more than one chanche to know more or less aristocratic people for whom to experience attraction ... from Count Heine to Elemér Batthyány




- picture 9 - Elemér Batthyány



(in this case the attraction was mutual and to the point that Marie herself believed she had found her twin soul, but it was her future mother - in - law who did not want his son to marry the Kaiser's niece for reasons dating back to the period when Hungary was in conflict with the Austrian Empire ... even Captain Bay Middleton, hunting companion and a close friend of the Empress, enjoyed the sympathy of the poor Marie who had to accept a marriage of pure convenience in which she found herself literally catapulted.

Unfortunately, the one with George von Larisch-Moennig, Baron of Ellgoth and Karwin of 1877 was not a happy union, he wasn't definitely faithful and certainly not a man suited for marriage (that's why Marie will marry once again, this time with a man she will chose for love).




- picture 10 - Marie Louise together with her firts George von Larisch




We know that, being considered responsible for the meetings held scrupulously hidden between Marie Vetsera and the heir to the throne Prince Rudolph, which ended dramatically on January 30, 1889 with Mayerling's tragedy which saw the assasination of them both, the same aunt who loved her so, will then equally profoundly repudiate her to the point to order her to get away, even if with extreme pain: the Empress will want her to leave Vienna and will never want to see her again, thus Marie will travel to America to start a new life, but this is another story...
But think ... what a joke of fate, just the aunt who had taught her the importance of keeping a secret will make her taste how bitter sometimes doing so it is !



"You know, Marie" Aunt Sissy confided thoughtfully " you should have married Bay. Ah, then I could have had you two beloved ones with me always. pag.127


May my most thankful embrace reach you, dear readers and friends,
and wishing you all my best, I do hope to meet you

very soon 💕












BIBLIOGRAPHIC SOURCES:

Maria Valeria d'Asburgo, La prediletta - Il diario della figlia di Sissia cura di Martha e Horst Schad, traduzione di Flavia Floradini, MGS PRESS, 2001;

Conte Egon Cesar Corti, L'imperatrice ElisabettaMondadori, Milano, 1937;

Brigitte Hamann, Elisabeth. Kaiserin wieder Willen, Amalthea Verlag, Wien, München, 1982;

Brigitte Hamann, (a cura di)ELISABETH Bilder einer KaiserinAmalthea Verlag, 1998;

Marie Louise, Countess Larisch von Wallersee-Wittelsbach with Paul Maerker Branden and Elsa Brander, HER MAJESTY Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary, The Beautiful, Tragic Empress of Europe's Most Brilliant CourtDOUBLEDAY, DORAN & COMPANY Inc. GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK, 1934;

Gabriele Praschl – Bichler, L'Imperatrice Elisabetta, Longanesi & C., Milano, 1997;

Gabriele Praschl-Bichler, Josef Cachée, "...von dem müden Haupte nehm' die Krone ich herab": Kaiserin Elisabeth Privat, Amalthea Signum Verlag, Wien, 1981. 




QUOTATIONS:

1 e 2 - Marie Louise, Countess Larisch von Wallersee-Wittelsbach with Paul Maerker Branden and Elsa Brander, HER MAJESTY Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary, The Beautiful, Tragic Empress of Europe's Most Brilliant CourtDOUBLEDAY, DORAN & COMPANY Inc. GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK, 1934, p.8;

3 - Marie Louise, Countess Larisch von Wallersee-Wittelsbach with Paul Maerker Branden and Elsa Brander, op.cit., p.59;

4 - Ibidem, p.127.





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48 commenti:

  1. Piece of history. Your are taking us back to time. Appreciate & love your way of telling story. Daniela.Love Sujatha:)

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Sujatha
      your visits here and your so nice and kind words never fail to bless my heart, I sincerely thank you, precious friend of mine !

      Wishing you a beautiful remainder of your week,
      may it be filled with joy and wonder ♥♡♥

      Elimina
  2. Another lovely post! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Marci
      I'm so overjoyed by reading your words of appreciation, thank you Dearie !

      Sending blessings on your day,
      with utmost gratitude ❥

      Elimina
  3. Hello Dany, another wonderful family story. The photos are beautiful. Thank you for sharing this history and post. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ eileeninmd
      thank you for gracing my blog today, dear, dearest friend of mine, blessed be !

      Trusting you're having the best of weeks,
      I'm sending hugs, love and smiles on your coming days,
      thanks once again ✿⊱╮

      Elimina
  4. A different time, a different era, but the same issues that we face today. Lovely post.

    Have a fabulous day, Dany. ♥♥♥

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Sandee
      I'm so grateful to you for being always so present and supportive, Sweetie, you're like a ray of cheerful sun to me !

      Praying your week is a blessed one,
      I'm sending my dearest love to you ಌ•❤•ಌ

      Elimina
  5. You always find the most fascinating histories, my dearest! I thoroughly enjoyed my time with you today. Blessings!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ June Caedmon
      I so love your comments, Dearest One, with your inner Joy you always seem to make my day a bit brighter, I thank you from the bottom of my heart !

      Sending blessings to you too,
      with heartfelt thankfulness ༺♡❀♡༻

      Elimina
  6. So very interesting, those times were so---going to change after that assassination. The Victorian world or Old World was about to become what we now call, Modern, sadly. Lovely---and very informative. Sandi

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Sandi
      my Dearest, your so beautiful words of interest sounds like a sweet music to my heart, thank you !

      Wishing you a most lovely remainder of your week,
      sending my sweetest hugs to you *•♥♥•*

      Elimina
  7. In the secret chambers of political rule, very little seems to change.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ messymimi
      you're so right, Sweetie, so little has changed since then !

      Have a lovely remainder of your week,
      thanks most sincerly for stopping by ⊰♥⊱

      Elimina
  8. What a fascinating story!
    Despite great privilege they had difficult lives.
    Many hugs are sent your way.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ annie
      I'm so glad you enjoyed it, your words mean so much to me, dearest friend !

      I felt your hugs and hope you'll feel mine too,
      MUCH LOVE ♥∗✿*✿∗♥

      Elimina
  9. I just love spending time here with you, my cherished friend! Your posts are magical, fascinating and so enjoyable. Thank you so much for sharing.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Linda
      and it's always a delight to welcome you here, darling friend of mine, your lovely comment is such a nice way to start my day with, thank you !

      Sending hugs and more hugs across the Ocean,
      always thinking of you with love and gratitude ♡❤♡

      Elimina
  10. Una volta era.... oggi c'è .... le storie si ripetono 😊 Sempre bello leggere le tue ricerche.... buon luglio cara🤗😘💓

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ WOODY
      ed e sempre una tale gratificazione per me leggere il tuo entusiasmo nelle tue parole, mia dolce !

      E che anche il tuo mese di luglio sia prodigo di letizia,
      ti invio un abbraccio forte carissima amica mia ಌ❀ಌ

      Elimina
  11. Wonderful old pictures all filled with elements of wonderful old stories. Thank you!

    https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2017/07/iconic-paris-that-tower.html

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Deb Nance at Readerbuzz
      it is I who heartily thank you, you're so welcome, sweet friend !

      Wishing you a most lovely end of your week,
      sending hugs and love to you ✿⊱╮

      Elimina
  12. What grand ole photos and the stories are wonderful!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Oh My Heartsie Girl
      what a blessing to have you here, dearest Karren, and your so beautiful words touch my heart in the deep, I thank you wholeheartedly !

      Sending blessings on your weekend,
      may it be filled with joy and smiles ❥

      Elimina
  13. Questa è un' altra romantica storia che ti ringrazio di avermi raccontato.Dolce serata, cara amica
    Bacioni Alessandra

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    1. @ Alessandra,
      carissima, sono io ad esserti grata, sempre, anzi, sempre di più, sei un'amica davvero speciale per me !

      Ti abbraccio con tutto il cuore
      augurandoti un sereno weekend d'estate ಌ•❤•ಌ

      Elimina
  14. olá Daniela:
    sempre um passeio pelo passado , conhecendo sempre novos encantos de histórias tão distantes..
    grande abraço e tenha um feliz dia querida..
    :o)
    Eliane

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    1. @ Kr.Eliane
      muito obrigada pela visita tão carinhosa, querida amiga, é sempre uma grande alegria ter você aqui com o seu entusiasmo !

      Bon fim de semana e tudo de bom •♥•*Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ*•♥•

      Elimina
  15. It always fascinates me to hear the stories of the lives of these people and all the things that had to put up with and do in their day to day lives. I too have had a couple of favorite Aunt's that I wanted to spend my time with and was always excited when I could, and thought of them very highly, maybe not the same as my mother but very close, they are now all gone, sad to say. Hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead!!

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    1. @ Conniecrafter
      it is sad to read that you've lost both your beloved aunts, but at least for some years you've enjoyed their love, you were fortunate, Dearest One !
      Both my mother and my father have no siblings, so I have never had the opportunity to experience an aunt's love .. I think it to be very special !

      Always thinking of you with so, so much love,
      ✥ I'm sending blessings on the end of your week ✥ 

      Elimina
  16. quante storie ci fai conoscere...grazie mia dolce Daniela! <un grande abbraccio e buon fine settimana Lory

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    1. @ lory
      grazie a te carissima, è sempre una così grande gioia averti qui !
      Auguro anche a te un felice weekend d'estate,
      con tutto il cuore ♡❤♡

      Elimina
  17. We may not be forced into an arranged marriage any more, but people sure can hold a grudge if they decide not to like you.

    I do hope you are enjoying the start of your week, and may you have a lovely one,
    Andrea

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    1. @ Andrea
      actually I think that most of arranged marriages are such tragedies, once and now, you're right Dearie !

      Thanking you heartily for being so faithful and supportive,
      I'm sending all my love to you ♥∗✿*✿∗♥

      Elimina
  18. Che piacere cara Dany, vedere quanto amore metti nei tuoi studi e come riesci a proporci la Storia, rendendola così avvincente ed interessante.
    Piacevolissimo post, letto con gusto nonostante un'aria bollente e terribilmente sfinente.
    Buona domenica
    Susanna

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    1. @ Susanna
      carissima, che gioia questa tua visita !
      Anche qui è molto afoso, il caldo è davvero avvilente, mi costringe a trascorrere gran parte delle mie giornate in casa,'protetta' dai possenti muri dei nostri edifici che mantengono il fresco internamente ... no, non amo molto l'estate !!!

      Ti ringrazio dal profondo del cuore per le bellissime parole che come sempre alimentano il mio entusiasmo e tanto caramente ti abbraccio per augurarti una piacevole serata, grazie ancora, mia dolce ∗⊱༺♡❀♡༻⊰∗

      Elimina
  19. WOW, what a story! I can't imagine what it must have been like to have lived during those times...especially as a woman. Thank you for sharing such interesting history at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home

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    1. @ Kathleen
      thank you for gracing my blog today, it's always such a delight to welcome you here !

      You're right, to be a woman in the XIX c. wasn't easy at all, you had to accept such impositions we cannot even imagine today, for sure the century ended with the study of hysteria by Sigmund Freud :)

      In the hope you're having the best of weeks,
      I'm sending blessings of joy on your coming days,
      with sincere thankfulness ❥

      Elimina
  20. What a tragedy... So? Because they loved each other but couldn't marry (Rudolph was married to another woman, chosen for him), they committed suicide? Sad...

    The photos are lovely from that era (1850's to 1890's?, roughly). What a shame that royals weren't allowed to marry for love ~ always it was for politics.

    Thanks for a wonderful article,
    Barb :)

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    1. @ Barb
      I so appreciate your visit and your so kind words of appreciation, you truly bless my heart, Sweetie !

      Behind the suicide there was with most probability a political cospiration, but that was the official version of the facts, that they commited suicide becaused they couldn't get married in this life ... and so this tragedy became a romance of love !

      I just love your comments, dearest friend,
      you always seem to make my days a bit brighter,
      and I'm sincerely grateful to you for this !

      Praying your week is a blessed one,
      I'm sending my dearest love to you ⊰✽*♥*✽⊱

      Elimina
  21. Hello Danni,

    It is so wonderful to visit you and see your beautiful posts. These where such beautiful women but too bad that they did not get to choose their own destinies. Women were pretty much used to get alliances and power in those days. I can't imagine having to live that way. Especially when women are so valuable and strong.

    Always love reading your comments dear friend. You are a natural poet.

    Hugs,

    Janet
    rosemary-thyme.blogspot.com

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    1. @ Janet
      adorable friend of mine !
      I'm always looking forward to your comments, they lift my spirits and fill my heart, thank you for such a lovely good morning today !

      Thinking of you and sending wishes for a peaceful and beuty-filled remainder of your week,
      thanks once again, Dearie ✿⊱╮

      Elimina
  22. Another very interesting and romantic view of history, my dear Dani! We might envy the lives of the royals on the surface, but when we realize the true sacrifices they made, we can appreciate so much their dedication and service, especially the women. The photos and paintings are wonderful. Wishing you a happy week full of sweet blessings my friend. Hugs xo Karen

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    1. @ Karen
      thank you for gracing my blog today, Dearest One, both with your so precious presence here and your nice and kind words of appreciation !

      You're right, royals, expecially once, and expecially women, really lived a life filled with renunciations and sacrifices, even if looking at them, everybody envied them, for sure !

      I felt your hugs and hope you'll feel mine, Sweetie,
      sending you blessings of joy too ❀≼♥≽❀

      Elimina
  23. Aah...the rich and famous. Another fascinating look through the tunnel of history, Dany. Such a sad story. Love the first photo. I have always loved the exquisite outfits of feminine horse riding pursuits. I have always wanted to try riding side saddle. LOVE the hat!

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    1. @ Kim
      Lovely Lady, maybe it sounds incredible, but I just love the same things you love !

      You're such a bright light, sweetest friend of mine, and to have you here always blesses my heart with joy, I'm sincerely grateful to you for this !

      Wishing you a most lovely day, today,
      and weekend ahead,
      may it be filled with love and smiles ಌ•❤•ಌ

      Elimina
  24. dany cara
    adoro il mondo delle principesse d austria e baviera.. in particolare sono una fan di sissi, ho visitato i suoi siti a vienna e a budapest e me ne sono innamorata (già sospiravo da bimba a veder i film con romi shneider!) bel post correlato di immagini e informazioni come sempre..
    ti auguro un buongiorno

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    1. @ infuso di riso
      buon pomeriggio carissima Daniela, è sempre un immenso piacere averti qui con le tue parole prodighe di entusiasmo ed ammirazione, grazie !

      Ti invio un abbraccio forte forte per augurarti una lieta serata ... ed anche un bacione ༺♡❀♡༻

      Elimina

I THANK YOU WHOLEHEARTEDLY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND WORDS, SO PRECIOUS TO ME.