Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-05
PRINCE OsCAK's ROMANCE.
HIS Engagements 30 LADY Not OF
ROya. blood.

HIS En9ageineut 10 lacy hOt oh
Royal blood.
Vienna dispatch 10 the London Daily telegraph
In Continental Court circles the ques-
ton of peace or war excites considerably
less interest just now than the royal ro-
nance that has eliminated in the en-
gagement OF Prince Oscar Charles, Sc
cond son of the King of Sweden, to n
young lady Of his own nationality, but
not of royal blood. / am in position
to give You full and authentic partlcu-
lars of this eminently romantic story.
The Crown Princess of Sweden, who
is a daughter OF the Grand Duke OF
Baden and granddaughter of the En-
peror William, had among her maids OF
honor young Swedish lady, Miss
Munck, known for her beauty, grace,
and charming manner. Wherever she
went she was admired, and while with
the Crown Princess in Germany she even
attracted the attention OF Emperor Viii
liam, who has always been a worshipper
of the fair sex, but although OF
noble birth, Miss Munck was poor
aud an orphan. Her father, Colonel
Munck, had left her a long line
OF ancestors-all gallant soldiers-but
very little money. Eventually Miss
Munck, yielding to the pressing advice
of her friends, accepted an offer OF mar
rage from a wealthy young officer be-
longing to q crack cavalry regiment, and
everything was prepared for the wedding.
The day was fixed, the trousseau was
bought, and presents had arrived, when
suddenly Miss Munck broke off her en-
gagement for reasons which convinced
her that she did not possess the exclu-
sive affections of her suitor. She re-
sisted all attempts at a reconcilia-
ton and retired from Court for some
time. When she returned her former
high spirits had gone, and her face bore
an expression of melancholy, which,
however, enhanced her beauty consider
ably. Meanwhile Prince Oscar had been
for a two-years' trip round the world in
the royal Swedish frigate Vanadis.
Shortly after his return his friends
discovered that he was in love, and the
fact likewise became evident to Miss
Munck herself. She could not fail
to be sensible OF the admiration of the
gallant and handsome young sailor
Prince. But what was 10 be done? Ac-
cording to the Swedish Constitution any
prince marrying outside the circle OF
royalty forfeits his rights to the throne
and his privileges as n member OF the
royal family. Miss Munck. listening to
what she believed was the voice of duty,
again left the Swedish court. She an
nounced formally to her relatives her
intention never TO marry, and assumed
the garb of nurse and the charge of
ward in one of the large charity hos
pitfalls OF Stockholm. Prince Oscar at
last succeeded in meeting her, and
finally after long struggle he vr,lng
from her the confession that she loved
him. Still the brave girl refused to
marry him, and it was not until the
Prince could tell her that the Queen had
been moved to give her consent that
finally she yielded but the Kings sane
ton had yet to be obtained. In vain did
Prince Oscar at first plead that as his
brother, tho Crown Prince, had already
two sons. his own chances of ever ascend
ing the throne were practically nil, and
that be therefore ought to be allowed to
abandon the privileges of royalty
and to become a private citizen;
but as time wore on, and the
King saw that his son could
not be influenced in the matter, his
Majesty was induced to yield, prin-
cipally owing to the entreaties of the
Queen. who was on the eve of an opera
ton from which she was not expected to
recover. The King could not resist this
appeal from his beloved wife, whom he
feared he was going to lose, and thus,
for the first time for 800 years, Prince
of Sweden will marry the daughter
OF a private gentleman. In virtue Of
the Swedish Constitution Prince Oscar
will lose, besides his rights to the
throne, his titles of Royal Highness and
Duke Of Gotland, the yearly allowance
granted by the Swedish Diet, and his
palace at Stockholm. He will in future
be called Prince Bernadotte. He Will
retain his position rs commander in the
Swedish navy, which rank he has earned
fairly in the ordinary course of promo
ton. The Prince, it may be added,
seems the happiest of men.
His Royal Highness and his affianced
bride will accompany the Queen of
Sweden to England at the end of Janu-
airy, it being her Majesty's intention to
spend three or four months mt Bourne
mouth. The wedding will take place
either at that watering place or at
the Swedish church in London. After
their return from their honeymoon the
young couple will settle at Carlskrona,
naval establishment in Southern Swe-