The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-01-25
ROYAL woMeN coLoNeLs.
Regiments That Are Commanded by
Ladies' of the Highest Court Rank.
IN. Y. Sun. J


There are several royal ladies in Europe
who are Colonies, some Of whom are not
only proud Of their titles, but honor their
regiments by giving time and attention to
their welfare and advancement.
The German Empress commands The
"Queen's'' Fusiliers, the Eighty
Schleswig- Holsteiners, and she is not IN
frequently seen riding at their head as
Colonel and saluting the Emperor, then
refining in beside him to see them pass.
Empress Frederick, this kaiser's mother
has the Eightieth Infantry and the Hus-
sar Regiment, "kaserin" No. 2, as her
own, and Queen Victoria, his grand
mother, is priv ileged to ride at the head
OF the "Victoris" Regiment, the Fist
Prussian Dragon Guards. Other women
ehieftaips in the Empero-'s army are
Queen Marguerite CT Italy, whose regi-
ment belongs to the Hessian Chasseurs;
the Empress Dowager of Russia, who Is
Colonel OF ths Second Regiment of ORA
goons; the Hereditary Princess OF Sake
Meiningen, who commands the Eleventh
Greaadiers; the Princess Royal of Greece,
the EJuperor's sister, and Princess Louise
Duchess of Connaught, who commands
the Sixty-fourth Infantry. prince Fred
eric Charles of Prussia's."
The Queen of Wurtemberg is Colonel of
the Uhlan Regiment "Konig Wilhelm
Ii" the Princess Vera of Wuriemberg,
Who was a Russian Grand Duchess, the
Uhlan '"konig Karl" the Grand Duches
Victoria Melita of Hesse has the ll7th
Infantry; the Princess Charles o. Prussia,
the Twelfth Regiment of Dragons, the
Queen Regent of the Netherlands, the
Fifteenth Westphalian Infantry. and the
Grand duchess of Baden, the Fourth
Regiment OF the Grenadier Guards.
EMPRESS Frederick shows herself n very
active commanding officer of the Eighth
eth Infantry, batta lions of which are
stationed at Homber. Soden, Gensdorf
and Wiesbaden, stations within short
railroad ride of her summer residence
She frequently invites the Colonel, staff
and line officers TO dine with her and dis
cuss regimeDtal matters, and at times she
attends the field exercises
Another woman Colonel who considers
herself bound, in more than name, to her
regiment, is the Grand Duchess of Hesse.
She is often noticed on the parade ground
when the regiment is at work, in un-
dress uniform, consisting of "a dark-blue
coat, red collar and cuffs edged with blue,
and heavy black skirt, peak cap with
red band, sword and belt and knotted
epuulets. At parades and reviews she
heads the 1i.th Regiment in all the glory
and pomp of full-dress uniform, the
hslmet topped with plumes ard strapped
under her chin, tasselled belt, and her
breast covered with decorations. the great
Order.of..the He'd Eaglesbeing conspicuous
At rcent Kaiser parade at Hamberg the
Emperor sent his personal Adjutant to
escort her to him and publicly congratu
@aA
of her command.
The Duchess of Connaugbt is known as
one of the most unassuming and UMPIRE
tentious women at the English court.
Educated under the eye of her father.
the "Red Prince" she was brought up
as q soldiers daughter should be, was "a
fearless rider at an early age, and sits her
horse with grace and dignity. When
Prince Arthur, in the natural routine of
events becomes the Comm auder in Chief
OF the British Army, the Duchess will be
one of the most active aud foremost of
the royal women soldiers
In Holland, just now, there Ia the live
Hest satisfaction at the apparent interest
Queen Milhelmlna shows in her army
Recently, while at one of hT country
residences, word was brought that a regi-
,nent was approaching on practice
march, andwould soon pass The residence.
She mounted hurriedly, Ralloped out to
meet the dusty, travel-stained troops,
saiuted the Colonel. and putting herself
at the head of the column. personally led
1t in front of the Queen Regent Emma,
giving the word Of command for the
salute as 1t PASSED her mother.
Queen Wilhelnina held her first review
of the army of the Netherlands, since
asosndinR the throne, at Renkum Heide,
near Arnheim. on September 81, last,
They were about 10000 soldiers of all
arms present. and as their you Ak Queen
rode onto the field she evoked frenzied
enthusiasm among theta and the people.
1t was at first decided that Queen Will
helmina should appear at the review
wearing the uniform Of general of the
Royal Horse Guards, dark blue with
goli facing, epaulets and the other insignia
of rank. Her Majesty. however, vetoed
the proposition and wore a white amazon
riding habit with the regulation tall
black hat She rode her pet pony,
'sBaby."
IL is curious fact that while all the
royal women OF Europe are superb and
picturesque horsewomen, few of the reign
ing sovereigns are even tolerable riders
Emperor William has not a firm seat an /
a 1ic a of Ia