New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-29
Only Ruler with Moreanatic Wife.

The octogenarian Duke George II OF
es1e-Neiningen enjoys the distinction of
,sing the only reigning sovereign to-day
who has a morganatic consort. Things
were different in the nineteenth century.
srhan many of his brother rulers were NOR
esnatjcsllv allied 10 women who were de-
barred by the inferiority of their birth
from sharing their husbands throne or
honors Thus. there were Emperor Alex
srder II Of Russia. whose widow, Cath
crime Dolgorouka. now Princess Yourieff-
ska is still alive; King Frederick William
III Of Prussia, whose left-handed consort,
Countess Hsrrach. had been created by
him Princess Liegnitz; King Victor En-
manuel II Of Italy, who was married TO a
piednontese peasant woman, Rosina YER
cellana, whom he created Countess Mira
fori: King Frederick VII of Denmark.
whose ex-modiste wife. Louise Rasmussen,
died as Countess Danner. and King Will
lam Of the Netherlands. who married
automatically Countess Henriette d'Oul-
fremont, belonging 10 one Of the greatest
houses Of the Belgian aristocracy.
The Duke Of Saxe-Meningen, now eighty
five years old, has been three times mar
red. His first wife was Princess Charlotte
a Prussia, by whom he had a son, Prince
Bernard. field marshal of the Prussian
army. and married TO the Kaiser's eldest
sister. His second wife. whom he married
in iSsS was Princess Feodor Of Hohenlohe.
Iavorite niece of Queen Victoria, being a
daughter of the latter's half-sist&. Thir-
teen months after her death he married
automatically an actress of the celebrated
oil
whom he created, on the occasion of his
Wedding. Baroness Heldburg.
The ceremony took place in the little
village church of Schweina, and on receiv-
inc The notification thereof all the mesoers
a. the aristocrscy holding office at the
court Of Saxe-Meiningen resigned. while
The Leading members of society in the little
o-a-horse capital of Meiningen ostenta-
tiously "cut" the baroness when they met
her in the street, and even went so far as
90 turn their backs upon her.
stiI more ridiculous was the attitude of
the stout colonel Of the Prussian regiment
az infantry stationed at Meiningen. For
in order TO escape having 10 salute her
even by touching his cap. as he had been
accustomed to do while she was still on the
stage, he on one memorable occasion
sought TO hide himself behind a tree; ana
g. the latter was spare and he hlmseil
was fat. he presented a singularly comical
snrearance. On the following day the
duke sent his A. D. c. to Berlin to COM
plain to old Emperor William, who al
once gave directions that all officers shouid
salute the baroness with the hand TO the
cap. and punished the colonel by placing
him on the retired list of the army
The baroness has been accorded by her
husband official precedence before all
women at the court of Meiningen who are
not Of princely rank. and as such has the
'pss" of countesses, no matter how blue
hlooded their ancestry. The duke, more
over. insists that every one visiting MS
court should accord 10 the baroness the
respect and courtesy due to his wlre' re-
fardless Of the question whether she Is OF
is not Of royal birth. II is owing TO TINS
that so few Of the reigning houses visit
-Neiningen and that it is the only sovereign
state Of the German Empire which the
rresent Kaiser has never visited since his
a cession 70 the throne.
Princess Charlotte of Prussia, the wife OF
TIE Crown Prince of SAKE Meiningen,
sirsularly witty. sensible and charming
woman. gets on capitally, however, with
her father-in-law's morganatic wife and
IS frequently at Meiningen. l may ado that
the marriage o. the old duke has peen
very happy one. ana that although ne mas
teen welded 70 Baroness Heldburg TOT
close upon forty years. they are still
very united couple.