Marie-Astrid, Princess of Wales?

Gareth Russell comments on the rumors that Princess Marie-Astrid of Luxembourg, grand-daughter of King Leopold III of the Belgians, might once have been considered a possible bride for the Prince of Wales. (Given the treatment of the Belgian monarch by Winston Churchill during World War II, it might have been an interesting historical revenge for Leopold).

That the government considered it possible that Prince Charles might one day want to marry Princess Marie-Astrid is shown by the fact that there were several committees set-up to see if it was constitutionally possible to repeal the ban on British royals marrying Catholics. There was soft opposition, from the beginning, including from Charles's beloved grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who was not only a devout Protestant but was also naturally opposed to change. Concerns about how such a marriage would affect the already-volatile situation in Northern Ireland were also voiced. Early in 1980, the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, set up a small committee to discuss the issue. According to her future biographer, Hugo Young, the Prime Minister herself was strongly opposed to changing the law or to encouraging the Prince's marriage to Marie-Astrid. And her objections rested squarely on the idea that the princess's religion was problematic and undesirable. Some of the committees other members later told Young that they had been shocked by "the extreme anti-Catholicism" of the Prime Minister.

Eventually the rumours about Charles and Marie-Astrid faded away. Maybe that's all they ever were. Neither Charles, nor Marie-Astrid, ever went firmly on the record about how much truth there had been in the idea that they could quite married. Evidently, Mrs. Thatcher considered it a possibility, but we don't know how sold on the idea Charles himself ever was. Charles soon announced his forthcoming marriage to the beautiful Diana Spencer - young, virginal, British, aristocrat and Protestant. And Marie-Astrid married a member of the deposed Austrian royal family, Archduke Carl-Christian, in 1982. (Read entire post)

Grand Duke Henri's 10-Year Jubilee

The Royal Universe reminds us that today is the tenth anniversary of the accession of Grand Duke Henri to the Luxembourg throne. Henri is the son of Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium and the nephew of Belgian kings Baudouin I and Albert II. I gave a brief overview of his life, HERE. 

Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg

Prince Guillaume is the youngest child of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte of Luxembourg. Born in 1963, he attended secondary school in Luxembourg and Switzerland. He continued his studies at the University of Grenoble (where he earned his baccalaureate in 1982), at Oxford, and at Georgetown (where he received his degree in International Relations in 1987). He has worked for the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C. and the European Commission in Brussels. In 1994, he married Sybille Weiller, a lovely young Frenchwoman. Sybille's mother is an Italian aristocrat of Spanish royal descent, Donna Olimpia Torlonia di Civitella-Cesi. The couple have four children.

In 2007, Connecticut's Sacred Heart University awarded Prince Guillaume an honorary doctorate. Dr. Edmond Israel, chairman of Cedel International and former chair of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, delivered the laudatio:

Sacred Heart University is a blessing for those who are studying here and know how to listen also...with the ears of their heart. Prince Guillaume who is honoured today, is one of those human beings who listen with the ears of their heart, and that is why he is a source of inspiration for those who prepare their future.

While conferring the degree, Dr. Anthony Cernera, President of Sacred Heart University, spoke in similar glowing terms:

Your Royal Highness, (with) your life of strong social leadership and generous compassion, you’re witness to the values that we espouse for our students and the University community inspires all of us, and we are grateful for your presence among us. Sacred Heart University brings great honor on itself today by honoring you.

Apparently, Guillaume and Sybille are keenly interested in youth, education and inter-faith dialogue. I am rather wary of the latter, I have to admit. I am not opposed to open discussion of religious differences, and, if possible, reconciliation, but union must be based on the truth and there is a danger that truths of faith may be gravely compromised in all the effort to reach a consensus. Nonetheless, I have no idea what approach the princely couple take to these issues, so I will not launch into criticisms.

Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein

Unfortunately, I have not been able to unearth much information on Princess Margaretha, second daughter of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and his Belgian-born consort, Josephine-Charlotte. I gather she lives a discreet, private life with her family. What I have discovered, however, seems very positive.

As I mentioned previously, Margaretha is the twin sister of Prince Jean of Luxembourg. She is the younger sister of Princess Marie-Astrid and Grand Duke Henri. As a young woman, she studied in Belgium, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In 1982, she married Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein. The couple have been blessed with four children: Leopold (b. 1984), Maria-Anunciata (b. 1985), Marie-Astrid (b. 1987) and Josef-Emanuel (b. 1989). Sadly, little Leopold was born prematurely and died the same day.

Nikolaus and Margaretha live in Brussels, where the Prince is serving as resident Ambassador of Liechtenstein to Belgium and the EU (and, also, as non-resident Ambassador to the Vatican). Apparently, Margaretha is the author of a book, Family Values, described by the Association of Catholic Women as "a moving account of the joys and stresses of being a parent in the modern world."

Prince Jean of Luxembourg

Continuing with the series on the Belgian royals' Luxembourg cousins (please read my previous posts on Princess Marie-Astrid and Grand Duke Henri), we come to Prince Jean. He and his twin sister, Princess Margaretha, were born May 15, 1957. Jean has achieved distinction in public life. In 2009, the Geneva School of Diplomacy awarded him an honorary doctorate:

Jean de Nassau studied at Sandhurst and in Geneva and has worked in real estate, in structural finance and in international developments in central Asia, China, the Middle East and Africa. In 2006 he took over WSSA (Water & Sanitation South Africa) and created MEA AQUA, a company specialised in water services and management solutions for Africa and the Middle East. WSSA today employs over 2000 people and is active in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia. In 2008 the Prince created MEA ENERGIA, dealing mainly with renewable energies; and MEA POWER for more traditional energies. MEA ENERGIA also works with large forest entities such as the Congo Basin. Prince Jean de Luxembourg has earned high regard for his work in environmental protection and in the amelioration of climate change.

Unfortunately, Prince Jean's private life has been troubled. In 1986, upon the birth (out of wedlock) of his daughter, Marie-Gabrielle, he renounced his succession rights. Shortly afterwards, he morganatically married Marie-Gabrielle's mother, a French lawyer named Helene Vestur. The couple had three more children, Constantin, Wenceslas, and Carl-Johan, but, sadly, divorced in 2004. Only six months ago, in Roermond, the Netherlands, Jean re-married (see HERE and HERE). His new spouse is Diane de Guerre, daughter of Claude Gaston de Guerre and his second wife, Countess Eugenie Wolff-Metternich. I have to admit I am not thrilled by this whole story.

Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg

Above, we see HRH Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, with his wife, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, and eldest son and heir, Prince Guillaume. Born April 16, 1955, Henri is the eldest son of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte (originally a Princess of Belgium). He is the nephew of Belgian kings Baudouin I and Albert II. Upon his father's abdication, Henri succeeded to the throne of Luxembourg on October 7, 2000. Internationally, he is probably best known for the constitutional crisis sparked by his courageous refusal, on conscientious grounds, to sign a euthanasia bill passed by Parliament in 2008. 

During his youth, Henri studied in Luxembourg and France, where he obtained his baccalaureate in 1974. After military training at Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom, he attended the University of Geneva, specializing in economics and political science. He graduated in 1980. Meanwhile, he traveled extensively, and, over the next 20 years, would head a number of economic missions throughout the world. From 1980-1988, he served on Luxembourg's Council of State.

In 1981, Henri married Miss Maria Teresa Mestre, a Cuban-born, fellow political science student at the University of Geneva. The couple have five children: Guillaume (b. 1981), Felix (b. 1984), Louis (b. 1986), Alexandra (b. 1991), and Sebastien (b. 1992). Sadly, although Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte had originally favored the match, she would later clash with her daughter-in-law. In 2002, (after Jean's abdication, but while Josephine-Charlotte was still alive) Maria Teresa, the new Grand Duchess, hosted a press conference, portraying her mother-in-law as harsh and authoritarian.

Personally, I find this episode extremely unfortunate. In my opinion, the dignity and prestige of the royal family require mutual respect and (at least) outward harmony, and personal conflicts ought to be kept behind closed doors, not broadcast for all to hear. Furthermore, nobody is perfect, but Josephine-Charlotte was a dutiful wife, mother, and royal consort, who overcame many tragedies and traumas to fulfill her role with dignity and grace. Especially in her old age, I think she deserved more consideration.

To return to the Grand Duke- he is the patron of many public ventures, in a wide variety of cultural, scientific, athletic, economic and humanitarian fields. Notably, he is a member of the Mentor Foundation, established by the World Health Organization, and aiming at combating drug abuse among youth. With his keen interest in nature conservation, he is also a Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands. Since 1998, he has served on the International Olympic Committee. In his spare time, Henri is fond of literature, classical music, swimming, sailing, water-skiing, tennis, hunting and fishing. In addition to the native language of Luxembourg, the Grand Duke speaks French, English, and German. He is certainly an intriguing figure from a tiny, sadly often forgotten country.

The Perils of a Modern Monarch

Hardly breaking news at this point, but, as we are discussing the Belgian royals' Luxembourg cousins, I wanted to revisit Grand Duke Henri's role in last year's euthanasia crisis. When a society has departed so far from its religious and moral traditions, what is a Catholic monarch to do? Resist? Abdicate?

Marie-Astrid-Liliane

At the request of our loyal reader Jorge, I will be posting a series on the Belgian royals' Luxembourg cousins, the children of Grand Duke Jean and Princess Josephine-Charlotte. Their eldest is HIRH Marie Astrid Liliane Charlotte Léopoldine Wilhelmine Ingeborg Antoinette Élisabeth Anne Alberte, Archduchess of Austria. She was born February 17, 1954, exactly 20 years after the strange and tragic death of her great-grandfather, Albert I, King of the Belgians. It seems somehow consoling, to have a joyful anniversary to offset the sorrowful one on the same day.

I also find it very touching that Josephine-Charlotte gave her daughter the names of both her mother, Queen Astrid, and her step-mother, Princess Lilian. These two women, tragic in their different ways, were so often pitted against one another in political propaganda, but Josephine-Charlotte had loved both. Of course, it is traditional to call children after multiple members of the family, but here, the combination of names might have a special significance...

During her youth, rumors circulated of an impending marriage between the lovely Marie-Astrid and Charles, Prince of Wales. Religious differences, however, would have made such a match impossible. Catholics marrying non-Catholics are required to raise their children in the Catholic faith, but obviously Marie-Astrid would not have been allowed to do so, as the future heirs to the British monarchy would have to be Anglican. Instead, after training as a nurse, Marie-Astrid married Archduke Carl Christian of Austria, in 1982. The couple have been blessed with five children and lead a generally quiet, family life, appearing from time to time at official functions.

Josephine-Charlotte, Princess of Belgium, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

Princess Josephine-Charlotte was the eldest child and only daughter of King Leopold III and Queen Astrid of Belgium. She was the sister of Belgian kings Baudouin I and Albert II. While expecting her daughter, Astrid had been reading a biography of the Empress Josephine, the consort of Napoleon Bonaparte. She must have found Josephine very appealing, as she decided to name the little Princess, born October 11, 1927, after this distinguished lady. Josephine was also the name of one of the child's great-aunts, the dearest sister of King Albert I. Astrid was a devoted mother to her "little Jo."

This love was one of the reasons for Astrid's conversion to Catholicism. As a Swedish-born Princess, she had been raised as a Lutheran, but, upon marrying Leopold, had agreed to educate their children as Catholics. As little Josephine-Charlotte began to ask religious questions, it seemed increasingly wrong to her mother that they should not share the same Faith. Astrid pondered the issue deeply, seeking instruction in Catholicism, partly to enable her to better instruct her daughter, partly to satisfy her own need to find the true religion. In 1930, Astrid became a convinced Catholic, confiding to a close friend, the Swedish noblewoman Anna Sparre: "My soul has found peace."

Josephine-Charlotte would lose her mother tragically in a car accident in 1935. Only ten days earlier, Astrid, filled with strange premonitions, had asked Anna to "look after" her 8-year-old daughter, if she herself should die prematurely. At Astrid's funeral, Anna remembered these words and tenderly embraced the little Princess, a small, bewildered figure in white amidst a sea of black. Despite her distress, however, Josephine-Charlotte responded courageously to the situation, trying to take care of her younger brothers, Baudouin and Albert.

More tragedies would follow: the Second World War, the Nazi occupation of Belgium, the royal family's deportation to Germany, the post-war Royal Question. During the family's imprisonment in Germany (and later, Austria), conditions were harsh and food was scanty; the Princess was driven to gnawing wild dandelions. After the war, King Leopold III was falsely accused of collaboration with the Nazis, and prevented, in consequence, from returning to Belgium. A commission of inquiry exonerated him of all charges, but political agitation continued to delay his return. A cruel and vulgar campaign of calumny was launched against the King and his second wife, Princess Lilian (married in 1941). It must have been a very painful period for Josephine-Charlotte, deeply attached to her father and step-mother.

During the Royal Question, the King and his family lived in Prégny, Switzerland. Josephine-Charlotte studied at the Ecole Supérieure des Jeunes Filles, in Geneva, and later took courses in child psychology with the world-renowned Professor Piaget. In 1949, she returned to Belgium, to raise support for her father. She also voted in the plebiscite held in 1950 to end the Royal Question. On both occasions, her arrival sparked an outpouring of royalist fervor; the King's supporters welcomed her with cries of "Vive la princesse!"  and "Léopold!" The King won a majority in the popular consultation, and was able to return to Belgium. Continued agitation, however, would finally force his abdication in 1951. He was succeeded by his son, the 21-year-old Prince Baudouin.

In 1953, Josephine-Charlotte married Prince Jean, heir to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Although politically motivated, it was a happy match. The couple had five children: Princess Marie-Astrid, Prince Henri (currently the reigning Grand Duke of Luxembourg), Prince Jean, Princess Margaretha, and Prince Guillaume. In 1964, Prince Jean and his wife succeeded to the throne of Luxembourg. Josephine-Charlotte was a conscientious and popular Grand Duchess, particularly interested in youth, family, and health issues. From 1959 to 1970, she was President of the Red Cross of the Luxembourg Youth. In 1964, she became President of the Luxembourg Red Cross. In her spare time, she enjoyed the arts, gardening, hunting, fishing, skiing, and water-sports. A very accomplished and athletic lady!

On January 10, 2005, after a long battle with lung cancer, Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte died at Fischbach Castle. She is survived by her husband, children, and grandchildren.

May she rest in peace.