Posted by Henri M
on 3/10/2009, 13:48:13
85.145.85.203
There are different versions on how Princess Juliana met her later spouse Prince Bernhard. In his book on the marriage 1936-1956, professor C. Fasseur makes a reconstruction based on letters and documents in various archives.
The assumption by other authors as Wim Klinkenberg and Philip Dröge as would the two have met each other in Berlin, in the end of 1934 is declared 'nonsense' by professor C. Fasseur. On base of agenda's and documents he found out that Princess Juliana was, in the named period, staying at Het Loo and in The Hague. The Princess also visited family in London and also visited Waldeck-Pyrmont relatives at Schloss Steinfurt in Bentheim.
On base of the material Fasseur states that the Prince has tried to contact the Court in the end of 1935 and the beginning of 1936. Various channels were used. Fasseur can only make guesses for the Prince's motives. After all he was having a fairly good life, working for a multinational in Paris. He led the carefree life of a bonvivant and a charmeur. It is agreeable to think that the Prince saw a 'good match' for a marriage. In German royal and noble circles the steinreiche (very rich) royal daughter in the Netherlands must have been discussed.
Prince Bernhard's family was not very fortuned. From the available capital both the expensive studies of the Prince (Lausanne, Munich, Berlin) and his brother Prince Aschwin must be paid. In 1923 Germany almost went bankrupt due to a hyperinflation. Who was fortuned in 1923 saw his capital becoming worthless. This would not have been different for a countryside nobleman as Prince Bernhard's father. Despite the fact that Prince Bernhard -as a student- drove around in an expensive Maybach, the family's estate Reckenwalde could only be maintained with lots of efforts. This does not mean that Prince Bernhard had nothing. After his father's death 240.000 Reichsmark was reserved for the Prince besides the (not divided) estate (which went to Princess Armgard).
To be presented at the Court in The Hague, Prince Bernhard needed an invitation. He requested a lunch with the Netherlands Envoy in Paris, Jonkheer John Loudon. He asked him for the person he should make contact with at the Court. The Envoy have him the name of one of the Queen's Aide-de-Camps. The Prince could send a letter to him.
At the same time one of the Queen's Hofdames, Albertine Baroness van Heeckeren van Kell, wrote a letter of introduction to Princess Juliana. In that letter the Hofdame gave a positive recommendation of Prince Bernhard.
Baroness van Heeckeren van Kell was requested to do so by the family Von der Goltz in Arnhem. These were friends and far relatives of Prince Bernhard's parents. During the lunch at the Netherlands Embassy in Paris, the Prince was accompagnied by Alwine Countess von der Goltz-Baroness Brantsen. Her spouse was a General-Major of the German Army and an Aide-de-Camp to the German Emperor, who was in exile at Doorn House.
Also the Prince himself was no stranger to the Emperor. On July 1935 the Prince visited the Emperor, together with his mother Princess Armgard and Prince Aschwin. It is possible that the Emperor and his second spouse Princess Hermine Reuss-Von Schönaich-Carolath were aware of Prince Bernhard's plans and encouraged him. The Emperor was on non-speaking-terms with Queen Wilhelmina since 1918, but his spouse for sure could do a good word for him. And she did.
It is clear that Princess Hermine Reuss-Von Schönaich-Carolath and Princess Armgard zur Lippe-Biesterfeld born Baroness von Sierstorpff-Cramm knew each other. Both ladies had estates in the same area in Germany. Already in 1933 Princess Hermine received a correcting letter by Queen Wilhelmina because she was 'unrequested' interfering with the choice of a partner for Princess Juliana.
Princess Hermine requested Queen Wilhelmina's sister-in-law Grand Duchess Elizabeth of Mecklenburg-Schwerin born Princess zu Stolberg-Rossla, to recommend Prince Bernhard to the Queen and the Princess. By the way: Prince Bernhard barely needed this recommendation. His arrival in Igls, his charming appearance and his excellent manners totally won the Queen and her Hofdames and -we may assume- also Princess Juliana.
According to the diary of C.M. 'Cox' Baroness van Asbeck, Hofdame to Queen Wilhelmina, the wintersport vacation in Igls was 'boring'. Aside from trips so now and then to the Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the Hofdames had to accompany the Queen and the Princess with playing games in suites which were reserved for the Queen and her escorte.
The atmosphere became sunny when suddenly at February 11th 1936 a certain Comte de Biesterfeld arrived at one of the snowed pistes. Everyone spoke French with this unknown Count "despite he could understand German very well". Back in the hotel the excited Hofdames immediately picked the Almanach de Gotha and found that 'Biesterfeld' gave four possible candidates. In the evening, 'the Count' was seated next to the Queen. After the Queen has left, there was a dancing.
The next day the Prince did not appear at the breakfast table. Not strange: he did not stay in the hotel in Igls but in a hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. At 10.15 o'clock the Prince was present again and accompagnied the Princess. The Prince seemed an excellent skier, was most friendly and acquiered the "complete approval" of the Hofdames. The Prince also advised the Hofdames on the purchase of Tiroler hats. In the evening the Prince again joined the diner. This time his identity was found by the Hofdames. On February 13th the Princess met the Prince in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. According the diary of Baroness van Asbeck she was full of joy and 'sang all the way in the train back to Igls'. The Princess showed a jewel which was a cadeau from the Prince. After all it turned out into "an unforgettable holiday".
Page 27-30 of Juliana & Bernhard, the story of a marriage, the years 1936-1956.
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