The Year of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz – Princess Marie of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach – “None of that love for intrigue” (Part two)

Read part one here.

Victoria had a point about Charles’s wicked expression. During the Revolution of 1848, he had tried to manoeuvre his older brothers out of the succession to establish himself as regent for the then-16-year-old Frederick. Augusta had already disliked her brother-in-law, but this had now turned into full-blown hatred. The relationship between Marie and Augusta had also suffered over the years.

Anna was the first of Marie’s children to marry. She married the future Frederick William II, Landgrave of Hesse, on 26 May 1853, which was also her parents’ wedding anniversary. Her first grandchild, the future Frederick William III, Landgrave of Hesse, was born the following year. On 27 June 1854, Louise married Alexis, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, but this marriage ended in divorce six years later. On 29 November 1854, her son married Princess Maria Anna of Anhalt-Dessau and their daughter, who was born the following year, was named Marie.

Princess Catherine Radziwill, who had been presented to Marie, wrote, “Princess Charles is a very different person from the Empress. Just as affected in her way, she was yet far more sympathetic and certainly a great deal more liked. Had she not, like her sister, persisted in trying to appear young, she would have been quite charming. One thing is certain, she had none of that love for intrigue which was one of the principal characteristics of the Empress, and she had an amount of tact the latter never possessed. The two ladies were not supposed to be inordinately fond of each other. People said that Princess Charles did not quite relish having to give up precedence to her younger sister, and that she secretly envied her the Imperial Crown which had descended upon her head. I do not know, of course, how far this assertion was true, but it did not require a very astute observer to notice that relations between the two sisters were more formal than tender.”¹

As Marie lay dying in early 1877, Victoria wrote to her mother, Queen Victoria, “God knows I have no reason to entertain one kindly feeling towards Prince Charles, for he has always done me all the harm he could, but now his grief is so great that I cannot help feeling for him, he cries all day long and sobs like a child and will not be comforted; he is really a pitiable object – as he had grown very old and broken of late – and wonderful to say, he and aunt Charles always got on so very well together and were very happy and harmonious in their way. I cannot saw how sorry I am for her, she was always pleasant and amiable to me – and I think really liked me, after her own fashion, as I fancy that did not prevent her from talking very differently of one behind one’s back, still she was always very kind when we met, and very kind to the children. And I feel quite upset – and unstrung by the thought of her sufferings and all the sad scenes which are in store for us!”²

Queen Victoria wrote back, “I can’t tell you how grieved I am at the sad accounts of poor dear Princess Charles. The Empress is too good and kind – in spite of the harm Prince Charles tried always to do her – not to be deeply grieved at her poor sister’s sufferings. But I will say nothing unless she mentions it – of the nature of her illness. Pray, say something kind on my part to both the Princess and the Prince.”³

On 13 January, Queen Victoria wrote in response to a letter that has not been preserved, “I am much touched at poor Princess Charles being so pleased at my enquiry. Pray do so whenever you go and see her. I told the Empress also to do so. Alas! There was never any harmony between them, and I think it is not desirable to have two sisters married into the same royal family. Poor Princess Charles was most particularly kind to me always, and always sent me such kind messages.”⁴

Marie died on 18 January 1877 at the age of 68.

Queen Victoria wrote two days later, “It must have been a very sad scene, and one to make a deep impression. How I wish it might bring all together! Oh! Do think how short life is and how sad it is if comparative trifles cause heartburnings! I know the many trials and difficulties there are around you, but try and bear them, and above let there be a kindly feeling towards the poor Empress who has never had a happy life! Especially Fritz should be loving and forgiving to her. He owes her so much! Papa knew that, and she never complains (as you both perhaps think she does), and I do so wish there could be a little more harmony in the family. I think it is very dreadful that everyone was there. That I shall insist is never the case if I am dying. It is awful! Poor dear Princess Charles, she was very kind to me and Papa when we were at Potsdam and breakfasted at Glienicke. Pray do not forget to say something kind and feeling to poor Prince Charles, I know they were really in a manner happy together.”⁵

Victoria responded to her mother, “Here we can think of little else than poor Princess Charles’s death! It is strange that the Empress will only wear a black silk gown, such as one does when one is not in mourning occasionally, and no crape or merine and for 4 weeks!! Here, people in private life wear much deeper and longer mourning for a brother or sister.”⁶ Queen Victoria reported back that Augusta had written to her “kindly and sadly of her poor sister but strangely with no affection.”⁷

1. My  recollections by Princess Catherine Radziwill p.73
2. Darling Child edited by Roger Fulford p.235-236
3. Darling Child edited by Roger Fulford p.236
4. Darling Child edited by Roger Fulford p.236-237
5. Darling Child edited by Roger Fulford p.237-238
6. Darling Child edited by Roger Fulford p.238
7. The first German Empress by John Van der Kiste p.109