Today marks a significant milestone in the lives of two prominent European royal families as Prince Karl Franz Josef of Prussia and Princess Henriette von Schönaich-Carolath tie the knot in a civil ceremony at Huis Doorn, The Netherlands. This union, which has been in the making since August 1940, brings together the grandson of German Emperor Wilhelm II and the youngest child of Kaiserin Hermine, a union that transcends the boundaries of family ties and historical significance.
As the couple exchanges their vows, they are surrounded by the grandeur of their royal heritage, with the groom's grandfather, German Emperor Wilhelm II, and the bride's mother, German Empress Hermine, in attendance. The marriage, which is a testament to the enduring bonds between the Prussian and Schönaich-Carolath families, is a celebration of love, loyalty, and the preservation of a rich cultural heritage. The couple's journey is marked by a deep affection and respect for one another, as they embark on a life filled with the responsibilities and privileges that come with being part of the European royal elite[1].
what was the significance of the marriage between prince karl franz josef of prussia and princess henriette von schönaich-carolath
The marriage between Prince Karl Franz Josef of Prussia and Princess Henriette von Schönaich-Carolath was significant because it united the grandson of German Emperor Wilhelm II with the youngest child of Kaiserin Hermine, a union that transcended family ties and historical significance. This union brought together the Prussian and Schönaich-Carolath royal families, highlighting the enduring bonds between them. The marriage was a testament to the enduring cultural heritage of these European royal families and marked a celebration of love, loyalty, and the preservation of a rich cultural legacy.
what was the reason for the divorce between prince karl franz josef of prussia and princess henriette von schönaich-carolath
The reason for the divorce between Prince Karl Franz Josef of Prussia and Princess Henriette von Schönaich-Carolath was not explicitly stated in the provided sources. However, it is mentioned that the couple divorced in 1946.
when did prince karl franz josef of prussia and princess henriette von schönaich-carolath get married
Prince Karl Franz Josef of Prussia and Princess Henriette von Schönaich-Carolath were married on October 5, 1940.
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| The civil wedding of Prince Karl Franz Josef of Prussia and Princess Henriette von Schönaich-Carolath. |
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| Karl Franz Josef and Henriette. |
On 6 August 1940 at his residence at Doorn, German Emperor Wilhelm II officially announced the engagement of his grandson Prince Karl Franz Joseph to his stepdaughter, Princess Henriette of Schönaich-Carolath. Ever since his remarriage, the Kaiser had generally stayed out of his stepchildren's affairs, with the exception of Henriette, Kaiserin Hermine’s youngest child, who was born on 25 November 1918 at Berlin. Wilhelm possessed a genuine affection for Henriette. She came to be known as “the general.” Of all Hermine’s children, only Henriette had come to live at Haus Doorn, where she “performed the role of resident grandchild, passing the sugar when coffee was served” at the Kaiser’s table.
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| The marriage certificate of Prince Karl Franz Josef of Prussia and Princess Henriette of Schönaich-Carolath.
Document courtesy of Jan Dirk van der Niet. |
On 1 October 1940, Prince Karl Franz Josef of Prussia and Princess Henriette of Schönaich-Carolath were civilly married at Huis Doorn, The Netherlands. The ceremony was performed by the Mayor of Doorn. The family photograph taken on this occasion shows that the couple were joined by the groom's grandfather, German Emperor Wilhelm II, and the bride's mother, German Empress Hermine. The groom's grandfather Wilhelm had married the bride's mother Hermine in 1922.
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| The religious wedding of Prince Karl Franz Josef and Princess Henriette on 5 October 1940.
Photograph courtesy of Jan Dirk van der Niet. |
The religious ceremony followed on 5 October 1940 in Berlin. Empress Hermine and Princess Marie-Auguste, the mothers of the bride and groom, respectively, both appeared in the official wedding photographs with the young couple. The groom’s grandfather and the bride’s stepfather died shortly after their wedding: Wilhelm II passed away at Haus Doorn on 4 June 1941.
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| Princess Henriette, Prince Karl Franz Josef, and their son Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia. |
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| German Empress Hermine with her grandson Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia. |
Prince Karl Franz Joseph and Princess Henriette had three children: Franz Wilhelm, Friedrich Christian, and Franz Friedrich (b.17 October 1944). Princes Franz Wilhelm and Friedrich Christian were twins, both being born at Schloß Saabor on 3 September 1943. Sadly, only Franz Wilhelm survived, as Friedrich Christian died several weeks after birth on 26 September 1943. The union of their parents did not last; Karl Franz Joseph and Henriette’s marriage was dissolved by divorce on 5 September 1946.
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| Prince Karl Franz Josef of Prussia. |
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| Prince Karl Franz Josef, Princess Eva Maria, and Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia. | |
Prince Karl Franz Joseph went on to marry twice more. The prince contracted a morganatic marriage with his second wife, Luise Dora Hartmann (1909—1961), on 9 November 1946 in Hamburg. This marriage ended in divorce in 1959. Karl Franz Joseph remarried in Lima, Peru, on 20 July 1959 to Doña Eva Maria Herrera y Valdeavellano (1922—1987), with whom he had two daughters, Princesses Alexandra (b.1960) and Désirée (b.1961). Prince Karl Franz Joseph, a grandson of the last German Kaiser and a descendant of Queen Victoria, died in Arica, Chile, on 23 January 1975. He was fifty-eight. The prince was eventually buried at Furstenfriedhof Maria-Zell, Hechingen, on 1 June 1981.
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| Empress Hermine, Emperor Wilhelm II, and Princess Henriette. |
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| Princess Henriette. |
Sometime after her divorce, Princess Henriette of Schönaich-Carolath had another son, Udo (b.1956), although she never remarried. The princess died in Neuendettelsau, West Germany, on 16 March 1972. Henriette was fifty-three years-old; she was buried at Haseldorf bei Pinneberg, Holstein.
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| Henriette and Karl Franz Josef with his mother and his grandfather. |
As we conclude our exploration of the marriage between Prince Karl Franz Josef of Prussia and Princess Henriette von Schönaich-Carolath, we are reminded of the significant historical context in which this union took place. The year was 1940, and the world was embroiled in the midst of World War II. Despite the turmoil and uncertainty that surrounded them, the couple's love and commitment to one another shone through, as they exchanged vows in a civil ceremony at Huis Doorn, The Netherlands, followed by a religious ceremony in Berlin. The union of these two royal families, with their deep roots in European history, serves as a testament to the enduring power of love and the preservation of cultural heritage.
As we reflect on the life and legacy of Prince Karl Franz Josef and Princess Henriette, we are struck by the challenges they faced and the resilience they demonstrated in the face of adversity. Their marriage, though marked by tragedy with the loss of the groom's grandfather and the bride's stepfather shortly after the wedding, ultimately produced three children, including the notable Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia. The couple's story serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and nuances of royal life, where personal relationships are often intertwined with the weight of historical responsibility. As we bid farewell to this fascinating chapter in European royal history, we are left with a deeper appreciation for the enduring bonds that unite us across generations and the power of love to transcend even the most trying of circumstances[1][2][3][4].
what was the significance of the wedding between prince karl franz josef of prussia and princess henriette von schönaich-carolath
The wedding between Prince Karl Franz Josef of Prussia and Princess Henriette von Schönaich-Carolath was significant because it united the grandson of German Emperor Wilhelm II with the youngest child of Kaiserin Hermine, a union that transcended family ties and historical significance. This union brought together the Prussian and Schönaich-Carolath royal families, highlighting the enduring bonds between them. The marriage was a testament to the enduring cultural heritage of these European royal families and marked a celebration of love, loyalty, and the preservation of a rich cultural legacy.
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