Betrothal and Marriage.
On the 2nd of January 1869 we read in the Journal of Princess
Elizabeth: “A song of thanksgiving only for the past warm and happy
year. I have no wish for the coming one but that the work of my hands
may be blessed. It is nine years since I wrote the first words in my
book. I have noted the days of my youth in it, sometimes with a heart
full of sacred feelings, sometimes in bright happiness, often in
sadness and sorrow. My early years have been rich--rich in love, in
sunshine, and many trials. I have always been saved from one thing, and
that is, to be bereft of all joy. This weight has never fallen on my
heart, and so I am still young and strong, and look forward to middle
age with joy and pleasure. If only Heaven will continue to grant me the
power of writing poetry, I will guard and keep it as a sacred shrine.
I do nothing to cultivate the gift, in order not to become vain. I only
beg that it may live on for me and in me, and pray for the freshness of
youth, which is necessary for writing a poem from one’s heart. Adieu
you beautiful year, and may the New Year look in kindly upon my room
and my heart. ‘Tout ou rien’ shall be my motto.”
Prince William of Wied had meanwhile served his year at Coblentz in
the regiment of Queen Augusta, and studied at the University of Bonn
for a year and a half. On the 30th of March 1869 the coming of age of
the young Prince was celebrated at Neuwied with great festivities.
In August of the same year he was betrothed to Princess Marie of
the Netherlands, daughter of His Royal Highness Prince Frederick
of the Netherlands and Princess Louise of Prussia, a sister of the
German Emperor. Still Princess Elizabeth would hear of no proposal of
marriage. Her highest ambition was her wish to be a schoolmistress; she
thought of founding a school, and giving up her time and strength to
teaching. Her mother had let her have her way, and had already secretly
planned and arranged everything. The Princess of Wied insisted on one
point, however, which was, that Princess Elizabeth should follow a
strict course of study and pass her examination as a teacher before her
plan could be practically carried out. Princess Elizabeth’s restless
spirit had calmed down in this prospect. Her mother remarked to
Fräulein Lavater: “You will see that she will marry now; it would have
been too soon before.” As the Princess of Wied was spending a few weeks
at Bonn with her daughter in the spring of this year, she received an
invitation from the Prince of Hohenzollern to visit him at Düsseldorf.
She guessed at the deep meaning of this amiable invitation, but
Princess Elizabeth was quite unconscious of it, and was only looking
forward to seeing her beloved Princess of Hohenzollern, and Princess
Marie, with whom she had corresponded intimately since she had been so
much with them at Berlin. The princely parents now wished to become
better acquainted with the young Princess of Wied, for their son, the
Prince of Roumania, was thinking of uniting himself to her in marriage.
Prince Charles I. of Roumania, the second son of Prince Anthony of
Hohenzollern and the Princess of Baden, was born on the 20th of April
1839, and educated in Dresden at the Blochmann Institute. He wished to
follow a military career, and entered the Prussian army, with which he
went through the Danish campaign of 1864. In the year 1866 the young
lieutenant of Dragoon Guards, who was then only seven and twenty, was
called to the throne of Roumania by the unanimous voice of the nation.
The King of Prussia, as head of the family, not objecting, and sure of
the concurrence of Napoleon III., whose influence was then predominant
in the lands of the Danube, Prince Charles became the reigning Prince
of Roumania. The country entrusted to him had already visibly improved
as well in spiritual as in temporal matters during his short reign.
But the low state of social conditions required reform. A Princess was
wanted to help in this great work whose life and example would do much
to ensure success.
The Prince’s choice fell on the Princess Elizabeth, whose acquaintance
he had made at Berlin, and whom he had learnt to know more intimately
through her letters to his sister. From the time of the Prince’s
nomination to the Roumanian throne Princess Elizabeth had displayed
a great interest in him. Her active nature was sympathetic to the
thorough seriousness and energy with which Prince Charles had
undertaken and carried through his arduous task. The affairs of
Roumania were not strange to her either, for one of her French
governesses had lived there for some time, and told her a great deal
about it. Once, long before the betrothal, when Elizabeth’s friends
had besieged her with all sorts of plans, and wished to see her on a
throne, she had answered in fun: “The only throne which could attract
me is the Roumanian, for there would be much for me to do.”
A short time after the visit to Düsseldorf, the Princess of Wied
was asked to arrange a personal meeting between her daughter and
Prince Charles. To have such a meeting in Monrepos seemed too public,
and consequently it suited Her Serene Highness’s view exactly when
Princess Elizabeth expressed a great wish to attend a concert which
Clara Schumann and Stockhausen were to give at Cologne in October. The
Princess of Wied consequently arranged to go to Cologne, and there
receive Prince Charles, who was then at Paris. They alighted at the
Hotel du Nord. The hours passed, and the Prince had not appeared. So
the two ladies drove with their suite to the Botanical Gardens to
dine. The meal was over, and Princess Elizabeth had not noticed that
they had for some time been closely observed by a group of gentlemen.
Two of these then advanced to the Princess of Wied, and the Prince of
Roumania was introduced to her. Elizabeth, who knew nothing of his
intentions, or of the previous arrangement, reached out both hands
to him with undisguised satisfaction, saying: “How glad I am that we
should thus meet here by chance.” They remained together many hours
in the Botanical and Zoological Gardens, engaged in deep conversation.
Returned to the hotel, Princess Elizabeth exclaimed enthusiastically:
“What a delightful man the Prince has become!”
Whilst she was dressing for the concert, the Prince had an interview
with her mother, and asked for her sanction to the marriage. Princess
Elizabeth meanwhile was only thinking of the musical treat which was
awaiting her, and was much vexed at the Prince remaining so long. When
he at last left, she rushed from her room to the salon, saying in a
reproachful tone: “But, mamma.” But the young girl remained transfixed
on the doorstep, for she saw the earnest and deeply moved expression
of her mother’s countenance, who advanced towards her, embracing her
tenderly, and said: “The Prince of Roumania has made you an offer of
marriage, my child.”
The surprise of her daughter was great, but after these few words it
became clear to her that the Prince had, unconsciously to herself, won
her whole heart. When her mother repeated the question, if she did not
wish to have time to consider, she answered simply and decidedly: “No;
he had better come at once--I know I shall love him much.” And when
the Prince came and greeted her as his bride, she said to him with her
soft and sympathetic voice: “It makes me both proud and humble at
the same time.” The same night the Prince had to return to Paris. But
Princess Elizabeth wrote in her Journal of the 12th of October: “I am
betrothed and a blissfully happy bride.”
Four days later, on the 16th of October, Prince Charles arrived at
Neuwied, accompanied by five Roumanian gentlemen, to celebrate his
betrothal publicly. Everything had been so suddenly and unexpectedly
settled that none of the many members of the family of Wied could be
present on the occasion. The Princess of Wied, Prince William, and some
intimate friends of their family, were the only guests, excepting the
Roumanian suite.
Simply, and without any particular ceremony, the betrothal was
celebrated by an exchange of rings. There was a state dinner in the
evening. Towards the close of it, the Princess of Wied arose, and
though struggling with repressed emotion, spoke the following words in
a clear and firm voice: “Let us drink to the health of the future pair,
who are to-day the object of our united best wishes! Every betrothal
is certainly a day of rejoicing. But the betrothal of to-day is more.
A Prince, called to the accomplishment of a high and arduous mission,
has chosen a bride who, whilst remaining faithfully at his side, will
take part in the fulfilment of this great duty. They have made a holy
covenant between themselves, in which they have promised to devote
their strength and love to the happiness of a people which, if rightly
and wisely led, is called to a great and happy future. And we will
herewith also express our warmest and most sincere good wishes for the
fulfilment of this our hope.”
After Prince William had brought out a toast to the union of the two
princely houses, and the Prince of Roumania had expressed his thanks
for the good wishes of all present, he added: “This day is the happiest
of my life, for it has allowed me to find a bride who will stand by
me in loving devotion during the fulfilment of the high mission which
a whole nation has entrusted to me.” On the day of his betrothal the
Prince had said to his bride: “You will have a noble duty in life. You
can comfort when I am too severe, and can gently pray for all.” One of
the relations wrote to the Princess of Wied: “We can congratulate the
bridegroom on taking home a bride who will be a help and a blessing for
his country. It would be difficult to find such another: I rejoice that
Elizabeth’s sphere is not to be contracted into the small household
circle of the woman. Her character will enlarge and expand in the large
circle of interest which awaits her.”
The Princess of Wied now travelled with the bride to Baden-Baden, to
introduce her to the King and Queen of Prussia, as head of the house
of Hohenzollern, then to the Weinburg by Siegmaringen, whither Prince
Charles had preceded her, and conducted their future daughter-in-law
to the Prince and Princess of Hohenzollern. Prince Charles gave to his
bride, amongst other things, an album for her Journal of Poems, and
wrote on the first page: “Weinburg, 26th October 1869. Love is returned
by love. Meet your people with the same love and confidence that you
have shown to me, and then it will not be one heart alone which beats
for you, but millions of hearts will unite with that one, and I shall
deem myself happy, for you will not belong to me alone. A whole nation
has a right to you. An entire people looks up to you with confidence,
and will return your love by its devotion.”
Prince Charles announced his engagement in the following words to
the Roumanian nation: “When I accepted a throne which the love and
confidence of a whole nation entrusted to me, I understood that the
uppermost thought in the unanimous election of a foreign Prince must be
to establish a lasting dynasty in Roumania. To-day I have the happiness
to announce to my people a guarantee for law and order, of which it
stands in such need, whilst I inform the nation that I am betrothed to
Princess Elizabeth of Wied, who was born on the 29th of December 1843.”
This very important event called out much enthusiasm in the whole
country. Bucharest and Jassy were illuminated, and a _Te Deum_ held in
the cathedrals. Addresses of congratulations poured in from all sides.
From the plains of the Danube to the vine-clad banks of the Rhine the
electric wire endlessly repeated the winged words--“God save Carol
I., ruler of the Roumanians.” “God save the Princess Elizabeth his
bride.” A month later, on the 15th of November, the wedding was to be
celebrated with much pomp and etiquette.
The Queen of Prussia had announced herself. A few days previously we
read in the Journal--
“_Monrepos, 12th November 1869._--My lines have fallen on pleasant
places--a fair inheritance is mine.”
On the 13th of November Prince Charles arrived in Neuwied, and
was received with great enthusiasm. Guests streamed in from
all sides. On the 14th of November the family of the Prince
of Hohenzollern-Siegmaringen arrived, also the Count and
Countess of Flanders, the reigning Prince of Waldeck, the Grand
Duchess of Baden, Princess William of Baden, Prince Waldemar of
Schleswig-Holstein-Augustenburg, the Princess and Counts of
Solms-Braunfels, Laubach, and Rödelheim, with their consorts. The Queen
of Prussia arrived on the wedding day. The Emperors of France and
Germany were represented by their ambassadors, M. d’Oubril and Count
Moosburg. The princely party were attended by numerous suites of German
and Roumanian ladies and gentlemen.
On the 15th of November the sun arose in great splendour over Neuwied.
It shone upon an animated picture. The palace and every single house
in the town was decorated with flags and garlands. The neighbourhood
of the palace, the garden, and the extensive park had been filled with
groups of people since daybreak. They had come to see the bride once
more. It is a peculiarity in the nature of the German people that
they share the joys and sorrows of their Princes, and regard their
concerns as their own. This hereditary affection between the Princess
of Wied and the inhabitants of Neuwied has not disappeared, but has
been faithfully preserved, and remained mutual. Consequently they felt
that day as if a great family event were being celebrated in their
midst. They were all heartily interested on this occasion. Was it not
in honour of their beloved Princess Elizabeth, who was as well known
in the houses of the poor and distressed as in those whom God had
blessed with earthly treasures? Forty young ladies of Neuwied presented
Princess Elizabeth with a beautiful carpet which they had worked.
The local newspaper conveyed the congratulations of the citizens in
expressive verses. All the members of the community rejoiced.
At half-past five the marriage procession started, and proceeded to
a saloon which had been arranged as a Catholic chapel. The priest
delivered a short address, rings were exchanged, and the young pair
received the blessing of the Church upon their knees. After this the
stately procession proceeded down the grand staircase in the same order
as it came to a hall below, which Prince William had tastefully and
richly arranged as a Protestant chapel. The vast hall swam in a sea
of light. On the right and left of it galleries had been arranged,
which had already for some time been filled by the officials and
inhabitants of Neuwied and the neighbourhood, who had been invited to
the ceremony. In the depth of the chapel a small wing had been built
out to contain the altar on this occasion, upon which a simple cross
was placed. Music sounded at the entrance of the young pair. Thereupon
Pfarrer Lohmann turned to the betrothed and spoke touching words to
them, which deeply moved all present. He had chosen his text from Ruth
i. 16, 17: “Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I
will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Where
thou diest, I will die, and there will I be buried.” The important
“Yes” was spoken by the Princess in unfaltering tone. Her experience
in the home of her parents had taught her that a family becomes more
closely bound together by sorrow and trial. But she had sealed her
promise with a happy heart. “I am wholly thine, wherever thy way may
lead me.” “Only they who have experienced such a thrilling moment can
understand how overpowering and how blessed it is, and how joyfully the
sacrifice is made.” (From the Wedding Discourse.) The august young pair
made the sacred promise on their knees, exchanged rings, and received
a blessing. The thunder of cannons announced that the marriage of the
Princess of Wied and the Prince of Roumania was concluded.
After the sacred ceremony a reception was held at the palace to receive
the congratulations of all, and a state dinner was served at six. The
Queen of Prussia had brought out the first toast to the newly married
pair, and salutes from the cannons, German and Roumanian National
Hymns, and speeches, &c., animated the banquet. Meanwhile a general
illumination lighted up the streets of Neuwied. To the most distant
suburbs the houses were decked with flags and garlands, draperies and
transparencies.
The youthful pair then drove through the town, amidst the hearty cheers
of the people, and accompanied by their august guests. The cheers that
welcomed them were not official. They sounded like greetings of joy and
blessing. And not only the town of Neuwied, but the whole principality,
shared in the enthusiasm of that festive day. Hearty cheers for the
princely pair resounded from all sides, and seventy-four places in the
principality of Wied had sent in addresses of congratulations on that
day.
The Prince of Roumania and his bride were afterwards conducted to
Monrepos, where they spent the remaining time, which the Princess was
to pass in her old home. The following day the young pair gave a family
dinner party. The municipality and the leading citizens had arranged
a brilliant ball for that evening in their honour. On the second day
the princely family gave a concert in the new concert hall, where Otto
von Konigslaw performed with the famous Quartette of Cologne, and the
band of the Queen of Prussia’s Regiment assisted. After the concert a
magnificent display of fireworks took place in front of the castle.
And so the people of Neuwied saw the Princess whom they had so fondly
named “Our Elizabeth” for the last time in her own home. And she has
remained “Our Elizabeth” to them till the present day, and is received
in the same enthusiastic manner when she returns amongst them.
The young pair had started on their journey to Roumania on the 18th
of November. With happy confidence Princess Elizabeth followed the
husband of her choice. No political reasons, but a true union of their
hearts, had united them. Stern duties awaited them in the unknown land.
But they encountered them unflinchingly and zealously. A poem which
was published five years after in her first work, styled “Roumanian
Poetry,” shows that in her new home she thought of her own country with
unaltered affection.
With the words of this song we will close the history of the life of
Princess Elizabeth in the home of her parents.
“Thou Land of Vines! thou leafy shore!
Thou rippling, silver river!
Thy glitter’s gone, thy song is o’er,
Parted we are for ever!
Oft, oft my tearful eyes I close,
And hear thee warbling, welling;
On thy bright breast the vessel goes,
The breeze its sails is swelling.
That I the loveliest German home
Once had my happy lot in,
Constrains that, till to death I come,
It ne’er can be forgotten!”
--_Translated by Sir Edwin Arnold._
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