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Duchess Helena's marriage to the Erbfurst von Thurn und Taxis was considered a terrible mesalliance by her family - quite amusing to think how standards have changed. Previous Message
What part of the family ?
The Royal Family or the Ducal family ? Duke Max was considered a liberal man, if not politically, at least socially.
In 1858, the king was Maximilian II.
Or was it Sisi's mother-in-law ADss Sophie ?
Whichever, Hélène went along with the wedding.
Was it a love match or did Helene marry out of spite, after her younger sister had "stolen" her fiancé ?
After all, Hélène took FOUR years to marry after Sisi.
Only 5 months after her marriage, her sister Maria Sophia married the crown-prince of the Two Sicilies and became Queen the same year.
She might have become engaged before Hélène's wedding...
Were there any suitors to Hélène before Maximilian ? Was theirs a long engagement ?
As to mésalliances, the family had been tainted the year before Hélène's wedding by the elder son's wedding to Henriette Mendel, who could not be compared to the T&T socially.