New-York tribune., 1907-04-29
PRINCE LEOPOLD HERE
Though Cobmg, He Is Grandson
of the Belgian King.

Prince Leopold OF Saxe-Coburg Gotha who has
been FOR some weeks past in this country. and who
Is now here In New York. does not IN any sense
represent King Leopold and must have been con-
sderably entertained by the statements which have
been published to the effect that he was at James,
Town as the delegate OF the Belgian monarch. True,
the prince is the old Kings only grandson; but he
Is not on speaking terms with his grandfather. has
held no intercourse with him FOR several years past
ana Whlle IN this country IS likely to avoid rather
than seek Belgium's diplomatic and consular rep
resentatives and to apply for whatever diplomatic
or consular assistance he may need 20 the rep
resentatives OF Austria-Hungary. He regards
himself as an Austrian born in Vienna.
Hussars Let me add that he is twenty-nne years
OLD, unmarried and a Roman Catholic.
The princess mother is that Princess Louise OF
Belgium whose differences with her father. Kins
Leopold, and Nith her former husband. Prince
Philip OF Saxe-Coburg Gotha. have occupied a con-
siderable amount Ot popular attention in recent
years The marriage between Princess Louise and
Prince Philip OF Coburg was sundered by divorce
little more than year ago Young Prince Leo
pold sided with his father. and Is likewise stated
share the atters oft and publicly proclaimed
opinion that King Leopold behaved abOminably
in the unhappy affair. for which his singular
lack OF any sense OF parental affection and his
cynical indifference &c public opinion and TO the
obligations Of his name and rank were largely re-
sponsIbe.
Prince Leopold has an only sister. Dorothea by
name. and married to the German Empresss only
brother, Duke Ernest Gunther Of Schleswg- HOl
stein. lie is a nephew OF Prince Ferdinand OF Bull
garia. grandson OF old Princess Clementine. who
died about three months ago. and through her.
therefore. a great grandson OF King Louis Phil
ippe OF France. On terms OF cousinship with most
OF the reigning houses OF Europe and himself the
scion OF the sovereign family OF Saxe-Coburg GOtha.
he is treated in Austria with all the honors due to
royal parsonage. and IN fact OF the princes
OF the blood. being subject IN civil matters like
the archdukes and archduchesses of the Hapsburg
dynasty. TO the MISUNDERSTANDING" or the depart
ment OF the marshal of the imperial cou...
At the time OF the death of the late Duks Alfred
OF Saxe-Coburg Gotha. seven years ago strong
movement was started in che duchies OF saxe-Co-
burg and Gotha, and likewise elsewhere in Ger
many, in favor of excluding the present duke from
the succession TO the throne the ground OF his
being By birth and early education Englishman
and a member of the English royal family. The
party in question selected Prince Leopold its
candidate, and next in line of succession after
the English princes. the ground that he at any
may b described having acted as a second
father TO the present duke until he attained his
ma jority championed his cause with such vigor
that the movement in favor OF Prince Leopoid's
proclamation as sovereign Of the duchies came TO
naught OF course. Prince Leopold still remains
I'm the line Of succession TO the throne OF Saxe-CO-
burg and Gotha- But between him and the crown
there the lives of the present duke, who is
but twenty-three: OF MS little boy, Prince John.
only a few months old. and OF the sons OF the
Prince OF Wales though they. like Prince Arthur
OF Connaught and his father. the Duke Of Con-
naught may waive their rights and prefer life IN
England as members of its royal family 20 the
somewhat circumscribed existence of OF the
petty soverelgns OF the German Empire.