Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-09
The Very --latest Romance
of the Most Proposed to
American Widow, and the
Royal Highness Whose Only
r HE cable brings the stirring news that
Mrs. Nevada Van Valkcnburgh, of
America, is to marry the Duke of

Amcrlcd, is 10 marry the Duke OF
Oporto, a prince Of royal lineage.
Socially, this is very interesting occur
renee. 1t must be remembered that in spite
of the great number Of marriages that have
occurred between American girls and Eu-
ropean noblcmcn, not one Of our country
women has yet achieved the distinction of be-
coming "Royal Highncss"
Mrs Van Valkenburgh, who is rich and beau
tiful, enjoys the reputation Of having received
more proposals than any woman in America,
and that is saying good deal. She has had
three husbands, but thai e a trihing number
compared to her proposals.
AT the time she welded her last husband.
the wealthy New York capitalist, Philip Van
Valkenburgh, she was already noted for recev.
ing proposals by Wholesale In fact, Mr.. Van
Valkenburgh won her after strenuous race
with band of desperate admirers.
In England Lord Fa,coner, son of the Earl
of kintore, high official, was mentioned as
sutton for her hand. In France she was
persistently courted by Count ALBERT de
Sorris by General Spirdovitch, of Russia,
and by Prince Mohammcd Ali Hassan, Of
Turkey.
General Spiridovitch pursued her through.
out Europe. Count dc Sorris followed her
to New York. She began to fear that there
would be procession of nobility following
her to this side and she preferred to meet
them on their native heath. She returned
to Europe with the Russian general still in
her train.
Van Valkenburgh proved too rapid, too
persuasive for the others. They were quietly
and quickly married at Pomfret, Conn, where
Mrs. Van Valkenburgh has a beautiful home.
AS lovers they had agreed wonderfully, but,
alas! as man and wife they found thousand
points Of disagreement Within year Mrs
Van Nalkenburgh was suing her husband for
divorce.
After about year of welded happiness
considerably checkercd they parted The
stream of proposals then began to flow in
once more. Mrs. Van Ealkenburgh is an idol
Of the male element of European society. She
has been familiar figure for years in the
drawing rooms OF Paris and London, and at
the fashionable race courses and other gath.
erings of France and England. Wherever
she appeared, she was surrounded by men Of
title and other distinguished Europeans who
devote their lives to the pursuit of the beau
tful.
All the titles that have previously been
cast at Mrs. Van Va!kcnburghs feet fade into
insigniicance beside that of the Duke of
Oporto, for he is "Royal Hghness' and
cousin of kings.
European authorities seriously question
whether it will be possible for the Duke to
marry Mrs. Van Valkenburgh. His royal rela-
tives will certainly make tremendous fuss
and do their best to prevent the marriage.
There are several objections in addition to
the brides lack of royal blood conspicuous
among them being the fact that she has
divorced husband still living. 1t will be re-
called that on the few previous occasions
when marriage between royal prince and
an American girl was under consideration
there has been endless negotiation.
The Duke is not prize financially, and he
is not strictly handsome. 1t is blood alone
which makes him precious.
In letter published recently he wrote: