Wilhelm’s father also realised his interest in Elisa, and they discussed the matter in August 1820.
Wilhelm wrote to his sister, “Just as I was about to speak to Schilden about this on the afternoon of the 6th on Peacock Island, he confronted me, saying he wanted to speak to me alone, and it was about the same subject. Namely, Papa had told him that he believed Ewig [nickname for Elisa] had made an impression on me, and that this worried him, especially because of my journey here and the encounter. Since insurmountable obstacles might stand in the way of any serious thought of a union. How stunned I would have been had I not received your letter beforehand and already written my reply. The greatest sincerity was now required, since my answer was to reach Papa.
“So I explained to him what I had written to you in my last letter: that I could not deny that I had felt affection, but that a serious thought of a union had never taken root because I knew too well the obstacles that would stand in its way. I mentioned your letter on this subject, and how it had actually given me some clarity about myself, and that I had replied to you that I would be very careful in the future so as not to raise hopes through my behaviour that were bound to remain unfulfilled. He encouraged me in this and also believed that such thoughts had not yet taken root in her mind, and even if my aunt, as my mother, might desire a relationship, she, as the princess of the house, would have to oppose it. This last point had not yet come up between us because, in the way my aunt treated me, I always perceived only friendship, without any hint of ulterior motive.
“But of course, since all this has been discussed, I also believe that she knew my feelings and therefore treated me with doubly much love. And this is now the point that truly torments me the most! Through my withdrawn behaviour towards Ewig, I must hurt my mother’s heart, which, I believe, wished to see the considerations of rank and birth disregarded. That I, too, whom she always treated with such love and concern, and who was always so sincere towards me and gave me her complete trust, must now also offend her—this makes me so unhappy that I cannot describe it! And it cannot be otherwise, according to what Schilden told me, regarding the way the king and everyone else thought about it, those who considered this connection possible!
“So I have now made the decision to renounce Ewig completely! A decision made easier by my distance from her, but I cannot describe the feelings that gripped me when I saw her again in Fürstenstein. I am certainly not blind in my judgment of her and recognise many shortcomings in her entire demeanour, despite her many merits and a wonderfully pure heart! Such an innocently childlike spirit!! Where such qualities are present, all admonitions intended for the best find free rein, and it would be easy to eliminate the minor flaws; she would be particularly destined for a higher rank. Alas! I felt fully, upon seeing her again, what I had given up!! –
“In general, the reunion and the one day in magnificent Fürstenstein were for me a mixture of joy and apprehension that overwhelmed me in solitary moments! No one suspected what was going on inside me. Mother and daughter treated me with the same friendly love and openness as usual, and I, well, I could be open-minded too! I had to deceive the objects I loved! Of course, I had to do this with great care and gradually adopt my new behaviour. I had to keep myself firmly in check when Ewig drew my attention to the beauties of nature and was so completely and justifiably delighted that I didn’t stray from the path laid out for me!
“Thus, I conclude my conversations with you about a subject that was dearer to me than I realised since I renounced it! You might laugh at these lines. But I write them with true melancholy. It’s over…”1
Elisa was not considered of equal birth to Wilhelm, and marriage was out of the question.
Nevertheless, Elisa and her siblings remained in court circles. In early 1821, Wilhelm and his brother performed with the Radziwiłł siblings, and Elisa’s performance drew much praise.2 Life went on while hope continued to linger. Wilhelm continued to write to Elisa, although he now used intermediaries, such as his aunt, Princess Maria Anna (born of Hesse-Homburg).3
During the summer of 1821, Elisa was actually happy to be away from Berlin. She wrote to her friend Lulu, “Lulu! I am also indescribably happy, so I only wish for a long time to remain in the same situation in which I live and in which I draw all my joy, my peace, my untroubled tranquillity.”4
When the Radziwiłłs returned to Berlin in January, Wilhelm was tormented. He wrote to his sister, “Schilden believes that Princess Louise would reject any other match for Elisa as long as any hope remains with me, and I must, of course, believe this. Should I then nurture these hopes from afar for perhaps years to come, only to have to abandon mine entirely when Fritz’s [his elder brother] affairs fall apart, without the Radziwiłł family receiving even the slightest communication about me during this entire interim period, because the matter requires such utmost discretion? Thus, I could become, for the second time, the saviour of Elisa’s happiness by stalling her and depriving her of any other prospect, until I have to leave her, when it might be too late for her to find happiness elsewhere! It has become incredibly difficult for me to utter these last words, for the thought that she should belong to someone other than me is heartbreaking!”
He added, “I saw them again! And what did I feel!!! Even though at first joy stifled every other thought, the next moment all the suffering stood before me again like a ghost!! – I felt it seize me, and if anyone had been watching, they would have had to have seen the moment I perceived it, for I had turned to ice. With difficulty, I tore myself apart, and a glance at her, looking so warm, loving, and cheerful, strengthened me again! The cordial way in which she received me gives me hope that she will not reject me and will not consider me guilty of something I don’t even entirely deserve. But the few moments we spent together were quite enough to show me the extent of the happiness I am about to lose forever. And although the separation and distance have never weakened my feelings in the slightest, the necessary renunciation can still be imagined from afar. But in my presence, only a decree of power can shake me!”5
Part three coming soon.
- Prinz Wilhelm von Preussen an Charlotte: Briefe 1817-1860 p.69-71
- Auf der ganzen Welt nur sie die verbotene Liebe zwischen Prinzessin Elisa Radziwiłł und Wilhelm von Preußen by Dagmar von Gersdorff p.55
- Auf der ganzen Welt nur sie die verbotene Liebe zwischen Prinzessin Elisa Radziwiłł und Wilhelm von Preußen by Dagmar von Gersdorff p.63
- Auf der ganzen Welt nur sie die verbotene Liebe zwischen Prinzessin Elisa Radziwiłł und Wilhelm von Preußen by Dagmar von Gersdorff p.64
- Prinz Wilhelm von Preußen an Charlotte: Briefe 1817-1860 p.76-77
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