New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-01
THE COBURG SUCCESSION.
HOW THE DUKE OF ALBANY BECOMES
THE DUCHIES' RULER

"here he had just become engaged to Car Alex
ander It's only daughter Marie and had broken
MS journey for a few days at Vienna taking up
MS quarters at the British Embassy. Each
night during his stay there was a dinner party
and after each dinner the Duke was asked TO
perform on the violin, his accompanist being in
vaTtaby the lovely little Countess Donhon. who,
\arter sensational eIopement with her husbands
Ncretairie dAmbassade and a divorce is now
married to the aforesaid secretary. at present
Minister Of Foreign Affairs of the German En-
pre- am sorry TO say that The Embassy furni-
ture Old not comprise such a thing as a music
stand, and accordingly Lady Buchanan amiably
suggested that as the youngest member Of the
party I should in that capacity. Accord
lngly q chair was perched on a quantity Of big
follos and footstools, and was established in
the chair TO hold the music book in a slanting
position toward the Duke. Ny face appeared
aooVe the edge Of the book and I was conse-
4uenty compelled to keep staring at the Duke
While every time that he raised his eyes from the
notes ne encountered my gaze. Perhaps he de-
rived inspiration therefrom. At any rate each
evening that he was at the Embassy he played
from the moment that dinner was over until
the party broke UP. and he laid the tired violin
TO rest in the case, covered by the dainty satin
and lace apron worked for him by his Imperial
nancee- IN that way the Duke became as
FAMILIAR with my features as he would with
those OF any other equally artistic piece Of fur
niture. while his handsome face and MAGNIFICENT
eyes became firmly impressed upon my memory.
II is only fair TO add that the Duke before he
left Vienna presented TO me a charming SOU
venir in recognition. so he said, Of my intel
Hgent appreciation Of music" and that this was
the beginning Of acquaintance marked by
many an act of gracious kindness on his part
It IS owing 70 the fact that the Duke Of
Connaught and his only son. Prince Arthur
waived their rights Of succession TO the throne
OF Saxe-Coburg that the young Duke Of Albany,
son Of Prince Leopold. who was the most deli
cate Of all Queen Victoria's children. now sue
ceeds as sovereign duke Of the two German
duchies in question. In order to understand
how an English Prince, who is likewise a Brit
ish peer, comes to succeed 10 the crown Of one
Of the numerous Independent States OF Central
Europe comprised in the federation known as
the German Empire 1t is necessary TO recall the
fact that Queen victoria's husband was the
younger 81 the two sons Of Duke Ernest I Of
saxe-Coburg and Gotha- The elder OF these
two sons, Ernest II, died few years ago with
out issue. his crown therefore devolvtng on sons
Of his younger brother, Albert Consort Of Queen
Victoria, and who had preceded him. The Eng
lish constitution will not permit a foreign crown
TO be held simultaneously with that of Great
Britain, and the constitution Of Saxe-Coburg
and GOtha is likewise opposed TO a foreign ruler
becoming sovereign Of the two duchies The
heir apparent IF the British crown can be
titular sovereign of Saxe-C oburg and Cotha until
he ascends the throne Of Great Britain but
even in that case II is stipulated by the Coburg
constitution that he should appoint a viceroy
or stakeholder TO administer the sovereignty of
the duchy. II being regarded as inadmissable
that the heir apparent 70 a foreign throne should
actually exercise the duties Of rulership Of the
duchy.
In order to avoid all these difficulties the
Prince OF Wales some time before the death Of
his uncle Duke Ernest Of Saxe-Coburg. waived
his own rights and those Of his son and sons
TO the throne Of Saxe-Coburg. His aban-
donment was not absolute, but conditional
True, he renowned his own rights and those Of
his children, but only to his younger brothers
and TO their male descendants. In the event Of
their dying without issue, or without ascending
the throne Of Coburg and Gotha the crown Of
these two duchies does not pass 10 the other
members Of the house Of Coburg, as has been
stated, but reverts 10 the Prince Of Wales, or
rather to his son and grandsons. Thus II by any
misfortune the new Duke Of saxe-Coburg -Ciotha
that IS 10 say. the Prince Of Wales's nephew,
now delicate lad Of sixteen-were TO die before
attaining his majority the Prince Of Wales
would become tpse facto reignlng Duke Of Sake
Coburg and Gotha- but as heir apparent 10 the
English crown would be compelled 10 administer
the sovereignty OF the two duchies through a.
vfceroy. who might be his own son. the Duke Of
York The Duke Of York would, however have
to give up the viceroyaty 10 some other prince
on his becoming the Prince Of Wales himself
while his father, on becoming King OF England
would be obliged to surrender to him the title
Of Duke of saxe-Coburg and Gotha, well as
all the revenues Of the duchy and the vast
estates which go with the crown.
A KINGDOM WITHOUT A COURT
The entire affair is somewhat complicated
but II is necessary TO bear il in mind. fnasmuch
as difficulties in connection with the Saxe-Co-
burg succession have occurred already and are
likely 10 occur again. The Coburgers entertain
a vivid reuen brance Of the fate Of the people
OF Hanover who for more than eighty years
were left without even a glimpse Of their
English ruler, who pocketed his revenues
King OF Hanover, but neither maintained
court in the kingdom nor even visited IT,
Neither George III Of England nor George "
nor William " ever took the trouble to
over to their kingdom Of Hanover while on
the throne Of England and it not until
Victoria became Queen Of Great Britain and her
uncle Ernest by virtue Of the SaIic law IN Han
over, became King Of Hanover that the worthy
Hanoverians knew what il have a full
fedged court
When the Prince OF Wales waived his rights
70 the throne OF Coburg and Gotha he did so in
favor OF a second brother Alfred, the sailor
Duke Of Edinburgh. who on the death OF their
Uncle Ernest succeeded to the throne OF Coburg
and Gotha. Duke Alfred had an only son bear
ing his name, who died few days after the
celebration Of hts parents silver wedding The
necessity Of selecting an heir 10 the ducaI throne
then became apparent, and Duke Alfred's
- ysrt,+