The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-18
Duchess Cecilia Is Not
Pretty, But of Spright-
ly Demeanor.
Emperor William Called
for HurrahS When He
Heard News.
Frederick Will Not Now
ForSWear His Royal
DignitieS.
nee more the youthful crown

prince or Germany mas Deen
- reported engaged. ana this time
official announcement confirms the ru-
NOR OF an approaching royal marriage,
as no parental objections have been
raised to the heir apparent's latest
choice Of a partner for the imperial
throne.
The future Empress of Germany is
Duchess Cecilia. of Mecklenburg-Schw
in. tall, slight eighteen-year-old girl.
light haired, and brown eyed, scarcely
TO be called pretty" but of sprightlty
demeanor- she is q daughter OF Freder-
lex Francis III, and sister of tie Grand
Duke Of Mecklenburg- Schwerin. who
married this June the Princess Alexan-
drs. second daughter OF the Duke Of
Cumberland. a sister OF the futusS|
queen Of Denmark. The Duchess Cecil
liza is also a niece by marriage of the
prince consort OF Holland The best
loved OF Prussian queens, Louise. was
Of the same family, but OF the Strelitz
branch
Through her mother. Anastasia Mich
aelowna. Cecilia is cousin OF Emperor
Nicholas. of Russia
Love and politics have finally ceased
to run In divergent channels so far as
Prince Frederick is concerned. and IL is
said that he made his own proposal
while visiting Duchess Cecilia and her
mother at Mueritz. on the Baltic. while
the family and their distinguished visi-
tor were slipping tea. Consent of &c.
elias mother was naturally readily
granted and the crown prince. a duti-
full son. despite all his impuIsiveness.
straightway asked for telegraph blanks
and sent the intelligence of his latest
matrimonial decision to his father. who
was dining with notable people OF
Schleswig- HOlstein. The Emperor dis
played his pleasure al the result Of the
news by proposing a three-fold hurrah.
Love at First Sight.
1t is said that the only time the
duchess and the crown prince had been
together in public was a few evenings
previous to the engagement OF tf9young
couple. The crown prince had called on
her and her mother at the Kalserhof
Hotel just before they left for home.
After talking with them for an hour.
the crown prince took them to the sta
ton in an automobile, and found that
the train did not start for an hour. He
then asked them TO drive around tbs,
city, and with them went through the
principal streets, which started the first
talk Of an engagement II was evident
-fS n case of love at first sight.
The>political ends served by the match
Will be the bringing OF the Cumberland.
Danish and ss-..lerlands courts into
closer union with the German court
Only once during the last century. in
the case Of Frederick III. has Prus-
sian King taken wife EXCEPT from a
German princeIy house. This policy
tends 20 strengthen the bond Of the
empire. or which the King Of Prussia
IS the ruling head. Fortunately the
number of German princely houses is
large enough not to inconveniently re-
strict the choice OF Prussia's royal suit
ors.
Eldest of Six Sons.
Prince Frederick is now I'm the twenty
second year OF his age. He attained his
majority on May g. His full name Is
Frederick Wilhelm Victor Auguste Err
nest. and he Is the eldest Of six sons.
His only sister is Princess Victoria Lou
sse- a little girl eight years old.
He has been thoroughly educated.
speaks German. English and French
fiuently, and has an excellent military
training. He is a field officer of the
Imperial Saxon Grenadiers. and half
dozen other regiments, and he wears
the order Of the Black Eagle.
The prince. who had been well drilled
by sergeant major. Joined at the age
OF ten the foot guards. and while a
mere boy he was looked upon by the
veterans az a born soldier He had moth
Ing more 70 do with nurses or govern
esses after his tenth birthday and dealt
only with male attendants. including a
military governor. a civilian governor.
a German tutor. a Swiss tutor. a French
tutor. a drill instructor. and a riding
master. He became very proficient al
drill and was soon accounted one Of the
most daring horsemen in the empire
His absolute fearIessness was shown
when in boyish prank he rode up the
great fight Of 200 steps at the Sau
Souci Palace. 20 the delight Of a squad
OF raw recruits. but not 20 the delight
or his relatives
Prince Frederick spent four years al
the military school at Plauen. where he
showed a fondness for athletics and
he tramned. as did also his younger
brothers. on tours through the empire
with knapsacks on their backs and as
unattended and unknown as II they were
sons Of mechanics.
A Student at Bonn.
From Plauen Frederick went 70 the
University OF Bonn. where he vas
placed under the care OF Franz Won
Rottenberg. the husband Of Marian
Phelps. daughter OF William Walter
Phelps. He had villa fitted for his use
at Bonn. but he otherwise conforn1ed tc
al customs as an ordinary student The
prince has Travelled a great deal and
has been all over England incOgnito. TIs
has also been 10 the East with his bro
theirs
on his twenty-irst birthday n CORE
spOndent described him as "A handsome
young fellow. with light tawny mus
tache. taller than his father and re.
sembling him not so much al his grand.
father. Emperor Frederick The Kaiser
and the crown prince are cnums fond OF
each others cOmpanionship. and the
Kaiser never tires OF discussing with
his son all matters. not only OF state
but OF varied interest. political theoIog-
fcsi or scientific
Gossip has had the crown prince en-
gagged To be married several times and
baQ liked IN alliances for him NOT only