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Princess Marie Bonaparte, Princess George of Greece

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

Princess Marie Bonaparte, Princess George of Greece; Credit – Wikipedia

Princess Marie Bonaparte was the wife of Prince George of Greece and Denmark, the second son of King George I of the Hellenes and Grand Duchess Olga Konstantinovna of Russia. She was born on July 2, 1882, in Saint-Cloud, France, the only child of Prince Roland Bonaparte and Marie-Félix Blanc. Her maternal grandfather was François Blanc, the principal developer of Monte Carlo and the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco. On her paternal side, Marie was the great-granddaughter of Prince Lucien Bonaparte, a younger brother of Emperor Napoleon I.

Princess Marie was raised in a life of privilege. Her grandfather François Blanc had amassed a large fortune that passed to his children upon his death in 1877. From this money, Marie inherited a large amount following her mother’s death (just a month after Marie was born). As an only child, she was raised in Saint-Cloud and in Paris, and occasionally joined her father on his geographical and botanical expeditions around the world. Her education, provided by a series of nannies and tutors, was overseen by her domineering paternal grandmother Princess Pierre Bonaparte (née Éléonore-Justine Ruflin). A rather sheltered child, Marie often spent her time alone, in the company of her dolls, reading and writing in her journals. She became fluent in several languages and developed an early interest in the arts – particularly the theatre.

Marie and George at their religious wedding in Athens, December 1907. source: Wikipedia

In 1906, her father met with King George I of the Hellenes to discuss marriage to the King’s son, George. After their fathers had agreed, Marie and George first met in July 1907 in Paris. A brief courtship ensued, and their engagement was announced on August 29, 1907. By this time, Marie was quite wealthy in her own right, receiving an annual income of 800,000 francs from a trust, as well as being the sole heir to her mother’s fortune. Following her father’s death, she inherited over 60 million francs. As part of the agreement, Marie retained sole control over her fortune, with Prince George refusing any financial settlement or allowance. The couple married first in a civil ceremony at the Town Hall in Paris on November 21, 1907, followed by a Greek Orthodox ceremony in Athens on December 12, 1907.

The couple had two children:

Marie with her children, 1912. source: Wikipedia

From the beginning of her marriage, Marie had to contend with the unusually close relationship between her husband and his uncle Prince Valdemar of Denmark. Widely believed to have been lovers, George and Valdemar were happiest in each other’s company and had an intimacy that their wives could provide. It was an unusual situation that Marie and Valdemar’s wife accepted. Marie also found intimacy with others. During one visit to Denmark, she had a brief flirtation with Valdemar’s eldest son Prince Aage, and for several years, carried on a relationship with the French Prime Minister Aristide Briand. Over the years, Marie had other affairs often known to her husband who was never bothered by them.

Despite her affairs, Princess Marie suffered from what she called sexual dysfunction, finding herself unable to achieve sexual fulfillment. This led to the beginning of her research into women’s sexuality. She published the results of her research in 1924 under a pseudonym. During this time, she also began her interest in psychoanalysis. Suffering from depression after her father died in 1924, she became a patient of Sigmund Freud for the next 13 years. A close friendship and professional relationship developed, and she helped him to promote the study of psychoanalysis throughout France.

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Fiercely protective of Dr. Freud, Marie was instrumental in his escape from the Nazi regime in 1938. Not only did she pay the “ransom” to the Nazis, but she also arranged to delay the search of his apartments in Vienna and helped him smuggle some of his savings out of the country using a Greek diplomatic pouch. Marie convinced a Nazi officer to sign the papers that allowed Freud to leave Vienna and had many of his possession sent to London.

In the years that the Greek Royal Family was in exile, Marie used her significant wealth to support many of them. She provided the use of several of her homes in France and paid for education and living expenses. Those who benefited from Marie’s generosity included Prince Andrew and his family, including the young Prince Philip, the future husband of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. Marie and George remained favorites of Prince Philip, and in 1953, they attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in London. Marie, somewhat bored at the ceremony, conversed with the gentleman seated next to her and offered a bit of psychoanalysis. That man was the future French President, François Mitterand.

The Princess continued to practice as a psychoanalyst for the rest of her life. She authored several books and translated many of Freud’s works into French. In addition to having founded the French Institute of Psychoanalysis in 1926, she funded several anthropological expeditions, wrote a biography of Edgar Allan Poe, and an interpretation of his work.

Princess Marie died of leukemia in Saint-Tropez, France on September 21, 1962. Her remains were cremated, and her ashes returned to Greece where they were interred in the Royal Cemetery at Tatoi Palace alongside her husband.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Baron and Baroness, and Lord of Parliament

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Coronet of a Baron. photo: By SodacanThis W3C-unspecified vector image was created with Inkscape. – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10963965

Baron and Baroness
Baron is the 5th rank in the Peerage, following Duke, Marquess, Earl and Viscount. Despite being the lowest rank, it is perhaps the oldest title. The rank was introduced by William I to recognize those who had pledged their loyalty to him under the feudal system. With this came the obligation to provide troops and support for the army, and the right (and often obligation) to attend the King’s Council They were charged with advising and supporting the King, and in return received protection from outside forces. In the mid-1200s, Barons started to be created by writ – personally summoned by the King based on their accomplishments or character, and not merely because of their ownership of land. By 1388, this was done via Letters Patent, and the once feudal claims to the title had fully shifted from territorial to personal. Additional degrees of peerage were soon added and they all become collectively known as the Peerage. The female version of the title is Baroness.

In the Peerage of Ireland, the title of Baron was first created shortly after the Norman Invasion of Ireland in 1169. One of the earliest was Baron Athenry, believed to have been created in 1172 for a member of the de Birmingham family. The title became extinct in 1799.

The Premier Baron in England is the Baron de Ros. In 1264, Robert de Ros was summoned to Parliament, and it was considered that the barony was created by writ that year. It was later deemed to have been granted to his son, William de Ros, in 1288, but with precedence dating back to December 1264. Unlike many titles within the peerage, this barony passes down to heirs-general, meaning it can pass to daughters if there are no living sons. In that case, if there is more than one daughter, all of them hold an equal claim to the title and the title goes into abeyance until such time as there is only one heir (or the Sovereign declares a sole heir). The current holder is Peter Trevor Maxwell, 27th Baron de Ros.

John Granville Morrison, Baron Margadale. source: Wikipedia

The last non-royal hereditary barony created was Baron Margadale, created on January 1, 1965 for the politician John Granville Morrison. Today the title is held by his grandson, Alastair John Morrison, 3rd Baron Margadale. The first Baron was also the father of The Hon. Dame Mary Anne Morrison, who has served as Woman of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II since 1960, and is considered to be one of The Queen’s closest friends and confidantes.

Since that time, the only hereditary baronies created have been for members of the Royal Family:

  • Prince Andrew – created Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh upon his marriage in 1986
  • Prince William – created Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus upon his marriage in 2011
  • Prince Harry – created Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel upon his marriage in 2018

Ian Fraser, Baron Fraser of Lonsdale. photo: By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47457518

The Life Peerages Act 1958 established the creation of non-hereditary peerages, granted for the holder’s lifetime only. These life peerages have all been baronies. Since that time, only 47 hereditary baronies have been created, while there have been over 1300 life baronies created (as of January 2019). The first of these was created on August 1, 1958, when William Jocelyn Ian Fraser was created Baron Fraser of Lonsdale.

Lord of Parliament
While the title of Baron is the 5th rank in the peerages of England, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, it does not exist in the Peerage of Scotland. Instead, the 5th rank is Lord of Parliament. Dating back to the 1100s, the basis for the title is very similar to the history of the Barons in England. Often landowners who provided support and troops, they became part of the Scottish parliament. Since the Act of Union 1707, which joined England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain (and consolidated the two parliaments into one), no new Lords of Parliament have been created. Instead, they are granted the title of Baron.  Today, there are still nearly 100 Lordships of Parliament still extant, although many of those are subsidiary titles to more-senior peerages.

There have not been any women specifically created with the title, but many women have inherited it. Perhaps the most well-known today would be Flora Fraser, 21st Lady Saltoun and Chief of the Name and Arms of Clan Fraser. She has held the titles since 1979 when she succeeded her father. Lady Saltoun was married to Alexander Ramsay of Mar, the only son of The Hon. Sir Alexander Ramsay and the former Princess Patricia of Connaught, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. (This made him a second cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth II.) Lady Saltoun and The Queen have a close relationship, and she is formally considered a member of the extended Royal Family by Her Majesty. As such, she is often in attendance at major royal family events.

In Scotland, the title of Baron still refers to a feudal, or prescriptive, baron – one who owns an estate or manor. A Scottish barony is the only title that can be sold.

The first Lordship of Parliament – Lord of Abernethy – was established in the 12th century, and was the hereditary holder of the church and lands of the Scottish monastery at Abernethy. The oldest Lordship still extant is Lord Strathnaver, created in 1230 for William de Moravia, who was also created Earl of Sutherland. The Sutherland Earldom is the Premier Earldom in the Peerage of Scotland. The titles are currently held by Elizabeth Sutherland, 24th Countess of Sutherland and Lady Strathnaver, who is also Chief of Clan Sutherland.

James Graham, 1st Duke of Montrose and Lord Aberruthven, Mugdock and Fintrie. source: Wikipedia

The last created Lordship of Parliament was Lord Aberruthven, Mugdock and Fintrie. It was created in 1707 when James Graham, 4th Marquess of Montrose was created 1st Duke of Montrose and Lord Aberruthven, Mugdock and Fintrie, and remains a subsidiary title of the Montrose dukedom. That year, the Act of Union 1707 joined England and Scotland together as the Kingdom of Great Britain. Since that time, any new creations for the 5th rank of the peerage have been Barons. The titles are held today by James Graham, 8th Duke of Montrose.

Titles and Styles

  • A Baron or Lord of Parliament is styled The Right Hon. The Lord XX, and is typically referred to as ‘Lord XX’.
  • A Baroness, in her own right, is styled The Right Hon. The Baroness XX, or The Right Hon. The Lady XX, and is typically referred to as ‘Baroness XX’ or ‘Lady XX’.
  • The wife of a Baron, or a Lady of Parliament (in her own or her husband’s right) is styled The Right Hon. The Lady XX, and is typically referred to as ‘Lady XX’.
  • Children of a Baron or Lord in Parliament are styled ‘The Hon. (firstname) (surname). Example: The Hon. Finbar Maxwell is the son of Peter Maxwell, 28th Baron de Ros.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Prince George of Greece

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

Prince George of Greece; Credit: Wikipedia

Prince George of Greece was the second son and the second child of King George I of the Hellenes and Grand Duchess Olga Konstantinovna of Russia. He was born at Mon Repos, the Greek royal family’s summer residence on the island of Corfu, on June 24, 1869, and had seven siblings:

The King and Queen of Greece with their Children, c1885. Standing L-R: Prince Nicolas, Prince Constantine, Prince George; sitting L-R: Princess Marie, Queen Olga, Prince Andrew, Princess Alexandra, King George I. source: Royal Collection Trust RCIN 2907343

George spent his early years in Greece, living at the Royal Palace and Tatoi Palace, and was raised Greek Orthodox, as required by the Greek constitution. Along with his siblings, he underwent a strict regimen of education and physical activity. They learned several languages including Greek, English, French, Danish, and German. In 1883 George’s mother took him to Denmark to join the Danish Royal Navy. He was placed under the care of his grandfather, King Christian IX of Denmark, and his uncle, Prince Valdemar. The young Prince George, living with Valdemar at Bernsdorff Palace, felt abandoned by his parents and quickly developed a very close relationship with his uncle. Valdemar became the most important person in George’s life and George often professed his love for his uncle. It is widely accepted that they were lovers, and despite both of their marriages, the two maintained their bond and passion for each other until Valdemar died in 1939.

In 1888, a marriage was suggested between George and Princess Marguerite of Orleans (the sister of Prince Valdemar’s wife), however, the negotiations stalled and no engagement took place. Two years later, in 1890, George left Denmark to continue his naval training with the Russian Imperial Navy. The next year, George accompanied his cousin the Tsarevich (later Nicholas II, Emperor of All Russia) on a trip through Asia. While in Japan, one of the guards protecting Nicholas attempted to kill him with his sword. George foiled the assassination attempt by striking the attacker with his cane and saving Nicholas’s life. Although quickly thanked by the Japanese Emperor, George found himself vilified in Russia, accused of placing Nicholas in harm’s way and blamed for the attack. Despite Nicholas’ public statements of appreciation, George was forced to leave Russia and return to Denmark.

Several years later, George and his brothers Constantine and Nicolas helped organize the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, Greece in 1896. Because of his naval background, George was appointed Chairman of the sub-committee for Nautical Sports for the Greek Olympic Committee. Two years later, he was appointed High Commissioner of Crete and served until 1906. At that time, he returned to Europe, living primarily in Denmark and France and making occasional visits back to Greece each year.

Prince George and Princess Marie following their Greek Orthodox ceremony, in December 1907. source: Wikipedia

George first met his wife, Princess Marie Bonaparte, on July 19, 1907 in Paris. The previous year, George’s father and Marie’s father, Prince Roland Bonaparte, a grandson of Lucien Bonaparte, Emperor Napoleon I’s brother, had met and discussed the idea of a marriage between the two families. Following a very short courtship, the couple’s engagement was announced on August 29, 1907. Marie was quite wealthy in her own right, having been left a vast fortune by her mother Marie-Félix Blanc, the daughter of François Blanc, the principal developer of Monte Carlo and the Monte Carlo Casino.

At the time of their marriage, Marie received 800,000 francs per year from a trust, and would later inherit over 60 million francs after her father’s death. As part of the marriage agreement, George agreed to a separation of the couple’s assets and refused any financial settlement from his wife and future father-in-law. Marie retained complete control over her fortune and often helped support other members of the Greek royal family. Once the marriage contract was settled, George and Marie married in a civil ceremony at the Town Hall in Paris on November 21, 1907. The couple’s Greek Orthodox ceremony was held in Athens on December 12, 1907. Despite the arranged marriage and George’s presumed homosexuality, the couple had two children:

In 1911, George represented the Greek Royal Family at the coronation of his first cousin King George V of the United Kingdom. The following year, George and his family returned to Greece where he joined the staff of the naval ministry, as Greece was preparing for war against Turkey. He later served as an aide-de-camp to his father, and following his father’s assassination in March 1913, George returned to Denmark to handle the late King’s financial affairs.

The following years saw Greece remaining neutral initially, but later joining the Central Powers, despite the Prime Minister’s support of the Allies. Under threat of an Allied landing, King Constantine I went into exile in Switzerland on June 12, 1917, without abdicating, and was replaced by his brother King Alexander. Following Alexander’s death in 1920, Constantine I was restored to the throne but was forced to abdicate again in 1922 in favor of another brother, King George II. The new king’s reign lasted 18 months before the family was again sent into exile. Through George and Marie’s wealth, several members of the Greek royal family received financial support, including George’s brothers Andrew and Nicholas who came to Paris with their families and settled for a time in homes owned by Princess Marie.

Group photograph taken on the occasion of the 80th Birthday of Prince Valdemar of Denmark, October 27, 1938. Prince George (center, 8th from the left in the center row) and Prince Valdemar (seated in center). source: Royal Collection Trust RCIN 2927432

After many years of upheaval, Greece once again restored the monarchy in 1935 with King George II returning to the throne. The following year, George and Marie returned to Greece for the first time in 16 years, to attend the reburial ceremonies at Tatoi for the remains of King Constantine I, Queen Sophie, and Queen Olga. Upon returning to France, George learned of his son’s relationship with Irina Ovchinnikova – a twice-divorced Russian commoner. Despite his renouncement of the relationship, Peter and Irina married in 1939 – a fact that George and Marie learned from the newspapers. George was furious and refused any further contact with his son. 1939 also saw the death of George’s beloved uncle, Prince Valdemar.

In 1941, with the advance of German forces, the family was once again forced into exile. After traveling to Crete and Egypt, they settled in South Africa in July 1941. By this time, George’s health was declining. Adrift after the death of Valdemar, George finally found solace in the companionship of his wife – for perhaps the first time in their marriage.

Following World War II, George returned to Paris and often represented his nephew, King Paul, on official visits and functions. In 1947, he attended the funeral of King Christian X of Denmark and the wedding of his nephew, Philip Mountbatten (formerly Prince Philippos of Greece) to the future Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. In September 1948, he attended the enthronement ceremony of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, and in December was named as one of the godparents of Prince Charles, his great-nephew. In 1949, he returned to Denmark, where he was much loved, for a lavish celebration of his 80th birthday. At that time, King Frederik IX of Denmark appointed him Admiral of the Danish Fleet, an honor that was very meaningful to George because his uncle Valdemar had held that position.

Over the next few years, George worked on his memoirs ‘The Cretan Drama: The Memoirs of HRH Prince George of Greece’, published after his death. In one of his last major royal appearances, Prince George and his wife represented the Greek Royal Family at the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, his niece by marriage. The photo above shows Prince George and Princess Marie (center of the photo in his robes of the Order of the Bath), in the procession led by his sister-in-law Princess Alice, her daughters, sons-in-law, and several grandchildren.

In his late 80’s, George’s health began to deteriorate. He underwent surgery for a strangulated hernia and later developed hematuria. Prince George died in Saint-Cloud, near Paris, on November 25, 1957, just four days after he and Marie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Nine days later, George was buried in the Royal Cemetery at Tatoi Palace in Greece. Per George’s wishes and because she respected the relationship between George and Valdemar, Princess Marie placed a photo of Valdemar and a lock of his hair in George’s coffin. Prince George was the last surviving child of King George I and Queen Olga.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Viscount and Viscountess

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Coronet of a Viscount. photo: By SodacanThis W3C-unspecified vector image was created with Inkscape. – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10963963

Viscount is the fourth rank within the Peerage, preceded by Dukes, Marquesses and Earls, in order of creation. There have been nearly 800 Viscountcies created in the various peerages, including 14 Viscountcies created for women in their own right. Over 330 Viscountcies are still extant, however the majority are held as subsidiary titles of Dukes, Marquesses and Earls.

The word Viscount comes from the Old French visconte, which itself comes from the Medieval Latin vicecomitem, and referred to a trusted appointee or courier, and later a count. In Anglo-Norman England, it was used as an honorific, typically referring to a county sheriff. Wives of Viscounts, and women holding a Viscountcy in their own right, use the title Viscountess.

Arms of the Walter Devereux, 1st Viscount Hereford. photo: By Rs-nourse – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30843575

The first Viscountcy was granted in 1432 when John Beaumont, 6th Baron Beaumont was created Viscount Beaumont by King Henry VI. The most-senior Viscount – known as the Premier Viscount of England – is The Viscount of Hereford. The title was created in 1550 for Walter Devereux, 9th Baron Ferrers of Chartley. The current holder is Robin Devereux, 19th Viscount Hereford. This is also the most senior Viscountcy with no more-senior titles.

The last non-Royal Viscountcy was granted in 1984, when former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was created Earl of Stockton and Viscount Macmillan of Ovenden. The last non-Royal Viscountcy, with no more-senior title, was granted in 1983 for Thomas George Thomas, a former Speaker of the House of Commons, who was created Viscount Tonypandy.

The Earl of Wessex. photo: By Northern Ireland Office – https://www.flickr.com/photos/niogovuk/16103288623/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38785243

The last Royal Viscountcy was created in 1999 as a subsidiary title when Prince Edward was created Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn. This was the first time a royal prince was granted a viscountcy since 1726, when the title was given to two of King George II’s sons:

  • Prince Frederick (later Prince of Wales) created Duke of Edinburgh, Marquess of the Isle of Ely, Earl of Eltham, Viscount Launceston and Baron Snowdon. The titles were inherited by his son, the future King George III and merged with the Crown upon his accession in 1760.
  • Prince William was created Duke of Cumberland, Marquess of Berkhamsted, Earl of Kennington, Viscount Trematon and Baron Alderney. He died without issue in 1765 and the titles became extinct.

In 1917, four Viscountcies were granted to relatives of the Royal Family when they relinquished their German titles at the request of King George V:

The Earl Mountbatten of Burma. photo: By Allan warren – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12111584

And in 1946, Lord Louis Mountbatten, the younger son of the Marquess of Milford Haven, was created Viscount Mountbatten of Burma. The following year, he was also created Earl Mountbatten of Burma, which became his senior title. Both grants allowed for the titles to pass to his daughters (as he had no sons), and the Viscountcy became a subsidiary title of the Earldom. The titles are currently held by the 1st Earl’s grandson, Norton Knatchbull, 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma.

Mary Anne Disraeli, Viscountess of Beaconsfield

There have been 14 women created Viscountesses in their own right:

  • Elizabeth Heneage Finch, Countess of Winchilsea (1556-1634) – Elizabeth was created Viscountess Maidstone in 1623 by King James I. She was later created Countess of Winchilsea in 1628 by King Charles I. Both titles were hereditary, and remain extant.
  • Anne Bayning, Viscountess Bayning (1619-1678) – the daughter of the 1st Viscount Bayning, Anne was created Viscountess Bayning, for life only, in 1674.
  • Sarah Monson Corbet, Viscountess Corbet – Sarah was the wife of Sir Vincent Corbet, 1st Baronet, an English politician who fought on the Royalist side in the English Civil War. Long after his death, Sarah was created Viscountess Corbet in her own right – for life only – in 1679.
  • Grace Granville Carteret, Countess Granville (c1667-1744) – Grace was the daughter of the 1st Earl of Bath. Several years after the Bath Earldom became extinct, Grace was created Countess Granville and Viscountess Carteret in her own right in 1715. The titles became extinct following the death of her grandson in 1776.
  • Margaret Coningsby Newton, Countess Coningsby (1709-1761) – Margaret was the daughter of the 1st Earl Coningsby, and was created Viscountess Coningsby and Baroness Coningsby in her own right in 1716. She later inherited her father’s Earldom, becoming 2nd Countess Coningsby. As she died with no male heirs, her titles became extinct upon her death.
  • Elizabeth Villiers Mason, Countess Grandison (d. 1782) – the daughter of the 1st Earl Grandison, Elizabeth was created Viscountess Grandison in her own right in 1746. Later, in 1767 following her father’s death, she was created Countess Grandison and Viscount Villiers. The titles all became extinct upon the death of her son in 1800.
  • Elizabeth Upton Rowley, Viscountess Langford (1713-1791) – Elizabeth was created Viscountess Langford and Baroness of Summerhill in her own right in 1766. The titles became extinct upon the death of her son in 1796.
  • Margaretta Amelia Burgh Foster, Viscountess Ferrard (c1737-1824) – Margaretta was first created Baroness Oriel in her own right in 1790, as a way of honoring her husband, but still allowing him to continue as Speaker of the Irish House of Commons. She was later created Viscountess Ferrard in 1797. The title remains extant.
  • Charlotte Gleadowe-Newcomen, Viscountess Newcomen (d 1817) – Charlotte was first created Baroness Newcomen in 1800, and then Viscountess Newcomen in 1803. The titles became extinct upon the death of her son in 1825.
  • Joan Scott Canning, Viscountess Canning (1777-1837) – Joan was the widow of George Canning who served as Foreign Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister before his death in 1827. Six months later, in January 1828, Joan was created Viscountess Canning in her own right. The title was inherited by her son Charles, who served as Viceroy of India, and was later created Earl Canning. All of the titles became extinct upon the Earl’s death in 1862.
  • Anne Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland, Countess of Cromartie (1828-1892) – Anne was Duchess of Sutherland by marriage. In 1861, she was created Countess of Cromartie and Viscountess Tarbat in her own right, reviving titles which had been held previously by her ancestors. The Cromartie and Tarbat titles were granted with special remainder to her younger sons, as her eldest would inherit his father’s Dukedom. The titles remain extant.
  • Mary Anne Evans Disraeli, Viscountess Beaconsfield (1792-1872) – Mary Anne was the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. In 1868, at the end of his first time as Prime Minister, she was created Viscountess Beaconsfield in her own right. The title went extinct upon her death in 1872. Four years later, her husband was created Earl of Beaconsfield, and later refused the offer of a Dukedom from Queen Victoria.
  • Emily Danvers Smith, Viscountess Hambleden (1828-1913) – Emily was the widow of politician William Henry Smith. Following his death in 1891, Emily was created Viscountess Hambleden. The title remains extant.
  • Muriel Douglas-Pennant FitzRoy, Viscountess Daventry (1869-1962) – Muriel was the widow of Edward FitzRoy who served as Speaker of the House of Commons from 1928 until his death in 1943. Following his death, she was created Viscountess Daventry in her own right by King George VI. The title remains extant.

Styles and Titles
Viscountcies are titled either using a place name, a surname, or a combination of the two, and rarely contain the article ‘of’ when using place names. The exception would be Viscountcies in the Peerage of Scotland, which were typically titled as The Viscount of XX. However, in practice, very few maintain that style, preferring simply to be known as Viscount XX.

  • A Viscount is styled The Right Hon. The Viscount XX, and is referred to as ‘My Lord’, ‘Your Lordship’, or ‘Lord XX’.
  • A Viscountess is styled The Right Hon. The Viscountess XX, and is referred to as ‘My Lady’, ‘Your Ladyship’, or ‘Lady XX’.
  • Unlike eldest sons of Dukes, Marquesses and Earls, the eldest son of a Viscount does not use any subsidiary titles.  All children of a Viscount are styled ‘The Hon (first name) (surname)’. Example: The Hon. Henry Devereux is the eldest son and heir of the Viscount Hereford.

LIST OF EXTANT VISCOUNTCIES, in order of creation:

Wikipedia: List of Viscounts in the Peerages of Britain and Ireland

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Prince Franz Joseph of Battenberg

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

Prince Franz Joseph of Battenberg; Credit – Wikipedia

Prince Franz Joseph of Battenberg was the youngest child of Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine and Countess Julia Hauke, Princess of Battenberg. He was born in Padua, Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, part of the Austrian Empire, now in Italy, on September 24, 1861, joining four older siblings:

Following his schooling, Franz Joseph received a military education in Potsdam, Kingdom of Prussia, now in the German state of Brandenburg. He then served in the Bulgarian Military, while his brother Alexander was the Reigning Prince of Bulgaria from 1879-1886.

Consuelo Vanderbilt. source: Wikipedia

While in London in 1894, Franz Joseph met the American heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt. He was one of several men who proposed, but Consuelo did not like him and refused his marriage offer. She later went on to marry Charles Spencer-Churchill,9th Duke of Marlborough.

Princess Anna of Montenegro. source: Wikipedia

Several years later, while visiting Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom while she was on holiday in Cimiez, France, Franz Joseph met Princess Anna of Montenegro. She was the daughter of King Nikola I of Montenegro and Milena Vukotić, and was in Cimiez visiting her sister and brother-in-law. The two quickly fell in love, and their engagement was announced. They married in Cetinje, Montenegro on May 18, 1897, in both Eastern Orthodox and Protestant ceremonies. The marriage was happy but the couple did not have any children.

In the years leading up to World War I, Franz Joseph and his wife spent much of their time living in Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine, now in the German state of Hesse, but were advised to leave the country when the war broke out and settled in Switzerland. As the war progressed, they found their financial situation more and more precarious, and they sometimes struggled to make ends meet. After 1920, they began to receive some financial support from Edwina Mountbatten, the wife of Franz Joseph’s nephew Louis Mountbatten, the future 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma. Until she died in 1960, Edwina continued to send money to Princess Anna.

Prince Franz Joseph died in Territet, Switzerland on July 31, 1924, having outlived all of his siblings. He is buried in the Schaffhausen Forest Cemetery in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

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Princess Marie of Battenberg, Princess of Erbach-Schönberg

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

Princess Marie of Battenberg, Princess of Erbach-Schönberg; Credit – Wikipedia

Marie Karoline of Battenberg was born in Strasbourg, France on February 15, 1852, the eldest child and only daughter of Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine and Countess Julia Hauke. Because of her parents’ morganatic marriage, her mother did not become a Princess of Hesse and by Rhine, and was instead created Countess of Battenberg in her own right. Marie and her siblings, therefore, took their titles from their mother and were not in the line of succession for the grand-ducal throne of Hesse and by Rhine. For many years, Marie said that her birth date was July 15, 1852, to hide the fact that her mother was already six months pregnant with her at the time they married.

Marie had four younger brothers:

She became Princess Marie of Battenberg in December 1858 when her mother’s title was elevated by Marie’s uncle, Grand Duke Ludwig III of Hesse and by Rhine.

Gustav Ernst, Count of Erbach-Schönberg. source: Wikipedia

In 1868, while attending the inauguration of the Luther Monument in Worms, Marie met Gustaf Ernst, Count of Erbach-Schönberg. He was the son of Ludewig III, Count of Erbach-Schönberg and Countess Caroline von Gronsfeld-Diepenbrock. They became engaged in 1870 and were married in the Darmstadt City Church in Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine, now in Hesse, Germany, on April 29, 1871.

Marie and Gustav had four children:

  • Alexander, Prince of Erbach-Schönberg (1872) – married Princess Elisabeth of Waldeck and Pyrmont, had issue
  • Count Maximilian of Erbach-Schönberg (1878) – died in childhood
  • Prince Victor of Erbach-Schönberg (1880) – married Countess Elisabeth Széchényi de Sarvar et Felsö-Vidék, no issue
  • Princess Marie Elisabeth of Erbach-Schönberg (1883) – married Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Stolberg-Wernigerode, had issue

Princess Marie, Countess of Erbach-Schönberg with her parents Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine and Julia, Princess of Battenberg, at Osborne House, July 23, 1885, for the wedding of her brother Henry to Princess Beatrice of The United Kingdom. source: Royal Collection Trust RCIN 2905692

Marie’s title changed once again in August 1903, when her husband was elevated to the rank of Prince, and Marie became The Princess of Erbach-Schönberg. Five years later, in January 1908, Marie’s husband died, and their eldest son, Alexander, succeeded him as The Prince of Erbach-Schönberg.

An avid writer, Marie published translations of several prominent works and wrote My Trip to Bulgaria, a memoir of her visit to her brother, Alexander, who was Prince of Bulgaria from 1879 to 1886. In her later years, several more memoirs were published, one of which detailed the situation of her son, Maximilian, who was mentally unstable.

The Dowager Princess of Erbach-Schönberg died in Schönberg, Hesse, Germany on June 20, 1923. She is buried in the cemetery of St. Mary’s Church in Schönberg, Hesse, Germany.

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Earl and Countess

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Coronet of an Earl. photo: By SodacanThis W3C-unspecified vector image was created with Inkscape. – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10963962

Earl is the third highest rank within the Peerage, preceded by Dukes and Marquesses, in order of creation. There have been 979 Earldoms created in the various peerages, with over 600 different titles. These include 21 Earldoms created for women in their own right. Of the 324 Earldoms still extant, over a hundred of those are held by higher ranking Dukes and Marquesses as subsidiary titles.

The word Earl comes from the Old English word, eorl, meaning a military leader. This likely came from the Scandinavian form of the word, jarl, which meant chieftain. There is no specific female version of the word, but Countess is used for wives of Earls, and for women holding an Earldom in their own right.

The title of Earl dates back to Canute the Great’s conquest of England in 1016. He divided the kingdom into several regions, which were governed by Earls. Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, William the Conqueror created the first Earldoms in the Peerage of England. These Earldoms still represented large areas of the country. The eldest is considered to be The Earldom of East Anglia, created for Ralph the Staller in 1067, and later renamed to the Earldom of Norfolk in 1070.

The 22nd Earl of Shrewsbury. photo: By Chris McAndrew – https://api.parliament.uk/Live/photo/O2s9PcHf.jpeg?crop=MCU_3:4&quality=80&download=trueGallery: https://beta.parliament.uk/media/O2s9PcHf, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67598607

The most senior earl – The Premier Earl of England – is the Earl of Arundel, whose title dates back to c1138. Since 1660, it has been one of the subsidiary titles of The Duke of Norfolk, who is also the Premier Duke of England. The current holder is Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk.

The most senior Earl with no higher peerage titles is The Earl of Shrewsbury. The title was created in 1442 for John Talbot, Baron Talbot, an English general who served in the Hundred Years’ War. Today, the title is held by Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 22nd Earl of Shrewsbury (who is also 22nd Earl of Waterford, 7th Earl Talbot, 7th Viscount of Ingestre and 7th Baron Dynevor).

Harold Macmillan (later The Earl of Stockton) c1942. source: Wikipedia

The last non-royal Earldom was created in 1984 when former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was created Earl of Stockton and Viscount Macmillan of Ovenden. It was the first Earldom created in over 20 years. The Earl had served as Prime Minister from January 1957 until October 1963.

When a Prince of the Royal Family marries, it has become tradition that he is granted a peerage – usually a Dukedom, and Earldom and a Barony. One notable exception is Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II. Upon his marriage in 1999, he was created Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn. It is understood that he will later be created Duke of Edinburgh when the title becomes available.  Prince Edward is also the recipient of the most recent Earldom created for a member of the Royal Family – The Queen created him Earl of Forfar on March 10, 2019, his 55th birthday.

Mary Beaumont Villiers, Countess of Buckingham. source: Wikipedia

There have been 21 Earldoms granted to women in their own right. The 19 women who received these titles are:

  • Mary Beaumont Villiers, Countess of Buckingham (c1570-1632) – created Countess of Buckingham in 1618, following the death of her first husband, Sir George Villiers. She is probably best known as the mother of Sir George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. The title became extinct upon her death.
  • Elizabeth Darcy Savage, Countess Rivers (1581-1650) – Elizabeth’s father had been created Earl Rivers in 1626. Following his death in 1640, the title passed to Elizabeth’s son. The following year, she was created Countess of Rivers in her own right, in compensation for having been passed over for the hereditary title.
  • Katherine Wotton Stanhope, Countess of Chesterfield (1609-1667) – Katherine was governess to Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange, and later became one of her closest confidantes and advisors. She later served Anne Hyde, Duchess of York, and Queen Catherine (Catherine of Braganza). She was created Countess of Chesterfield in her own right by King Charles II in 1660.
  • Elizabeth Feilding Boyle, Countess of Guilford (d 1667) – a member of the Royal Household of Queen Herietta Maria, Elizabeth was created Countess of Guilford in her own right, for life, in 1660.
  • Louise de Penancoët de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth (1649-1734) – Louise was the mistress of King Charles II. In 1673, she was created Duchess of Portsmouth, Countess of Fareham and Baroness Petersfield. The titles, granted for life only, became extinct upon her death in 1734.
  • Elizabeth Bayning Lennard, Countess of Sheppey – daughter of the 1st Viscount Bayning, Elizabeth was created Countess of Sheppey, for life only, in 1680.
  • Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester (1657-1717) – Catherine was the mistress of KIng James II/VII, having first served as a lady in waiting to his wife, Mary of Modena. The King created her Countess of Dorchester, for life, in 1686.
  • Mary Stafford Howard, Countess of Stafford – Mary was the wife of William Howard, Viscount Stafford, who was stripped of his titles due to his part in the Popish Plot in 1678, and was executed in 1680. Several years later, Mary was created Countess of Stafford for life, in 1688 at the same time her son was granted an hereditary Earldom of Stafford.
  • Ehrengard Melusine von der Schulenburg, Duchess of Kendal and Munster (1667-1743) – a longtime mistress of King George I. In 1716, she was created Duchess of Munster, Marchioness of Dungannon, Countess of Dungannon and Baroness Dundalk in the Peerage of Ireland. Three years later, she was also created Duchess of Kendal, Countess of Feversham and Baroness Glastonbury in the Peerage of Great Britain. All of her titles were for life only, and went extinct upon her death in 1743.
  • Sophia von Kielmansegg, Countess of Darlington and Leinster (1675-1725) – Sophia was a half-sister of King George I. She was created Countess of Leinster in the Peerage of Ireland in 1721, and then Countess of Darlington and Baroness Brentford in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1722. These titles – granted for life only – became extinct upon her death in 1725.
  • Petronilla Melusine von der Schulenburg, Countess of Walsingham (1693-1778) – an illegitimate daughter of King George I with his mistress, Ehrengard Melusine von der Schulenburg, Duchess of Kendal and Munster. She was created Countess of Walsingham and Baroness Aldborough, for life, in 1722. She also became Countess of Chesterfield by marriage in 1733.
  • Amalie von Wendt von Wallmoden, Countess of Yarmouth (1704-1765) – Amalie was the principal mistress of KIng George II. In 1740, she was created Countess of Yarmouth, for life. Amalie holds the distinction of being the last Royal Mistress to be granted a peerage.
  • Ellis (Elizabeth) Agar Bermingham, Countess of Brandon (1708-1789) – Ellis was created Countess of Brandon in the Peerage of Ireland in 1758. The title, granted for life only, became extinct upon her death in 1789.
  • Elizabeth Cuffe Pakenham, Countess of Longford (1719-1794) – descended from the Earls of Longford from the first creation (1677), Elizabeth was created Countess of Longford, in her own right, in 1785. Unlike previous women granted Earldoms, the Earldom of Longford was created as an hereditary peerage. It is currently held by Thomas Pakenham, 8th Earl of Longford.
  • Alice Forward Howard, Countess of Wicklow (d. 1807) – Alice was married to Ralph Howard, Viscount Wicklow and Baron Clonmore. Several years after his death, she was created Countess of Wicklow in her own right in 1793. The title was hereditary, but went extinct in 1978.
  • Henrietta Laura Johnstone Pulteney, Countess of Bath (1766-1808) – a wealthy heiress, Laura was created Baroness of Bath in 1792, a nod to her mother’s ancestors having held the Earldom of Bath until its extinction in 1794. She was later elevated to Countess of Bath, in her own right, in 1803. The title became extinct upon her death in 1808.
  • Annabel Yorke Hume-Campbell, Countess de Grey (1751-1833) – a daughter of the 2nd Earl of Hardwicke, Annabel was created Countess de Grey in her own right in 1816. As she had no children, following her death the title passed to the son of her younger sister. The Earldom de Grey became extinct in 1923.
  • Anne Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Countess of Cromartie (1829-1888) – Anne was descended from the Earls of Cromartie, whose titles and estates were forfeited in 1746. In 1861, she was created Countess of Cromartie, Viscountess Tarbat, Baroness Castlehaven and Baroness MacLeod in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, by Queen Victoria. Unusually, the title was granted with remainder to her younger sons, and daughters (her eldest son would inherit his father’s Dukedom of Sutherland). The Cromartie Earldom is currently held by John Mackenzie, 5th Earl of Cromartie.
  • Anne Mathews Cave, Countess Cave of Richmond – Anne was the wife of George Cave,1st Viscount Cave, who served as Lord Chancellor from 1922-1924 and 1924-1928. It had been announced that he would be elevated to an Earldom after retiring as Lord Chancellor. However, he died on the day his resignation was accepted, so his wife, Anne, was created Countess Cave of Richmond in her own right. The title was hereditary, but as none of her children lived to adulthood, the Earldom went extinct upon her death in 1938.

Styles and Titles

Earldoms are titled one of two different ways. If the Earldom originates from a place, one is created The Earl of XX (example: The Earl of Shrewsbury). If the Earldom originates from a surname, one is created The Earl XX (example: The Earl Spencer).

  • An Earl is styled The Right Hon. The Earl of XX, and is referred to as ‘My Lord’, ‘Your Lordship’, or ‘Lord XX’.
  • A Countess is styled The Right Hon. The Countess of XX, and is referred to as ‘My Lady’, ‘Your Ladyship’, or ‘Lady XX’.
  • The eldest son of an Earl traditionally uses his father’s most senior, but lower-ranking, subsidiary title as a courtesy title. (If the senior subsidiary title is similar to the name of the Earldom, the next senior title is used).  This used without the article ‘The’ preceding it. Example: the eldest son of The Earl Spencer is styled ‘Viscount Althorp’.
    In the Peerage of Scotland, the heir is styled Master of XX if there are no other subsidiary titles.
  • Younger sons of an Earl are styled as ‘The Hon. (first name) (surname)’. Example: The Hon. Edmund Spencer is the younger son of The Earl Spencer.
  • All daughters of an Earl are styled as ‘Lady (first name) (surname)’. Example: Lady Kitty Spencer is a daughter of the Earl Spencer.

LIST OF EXTANT EARLDOMS, in order of creation:

Wikipedia: List of Earls in the Peerages of Britain and Ireland

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Countess Julia Hauke, Princess of Battenberg

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

Julia Hauke, Princess of Battenberg; Credit – Wikipedia

Julia Hauke, Princess of Battenberg was the wife of Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine, and the founder of the Battenberg branch of the Grand Ducal family of Hesse and by Rhine. She was born Julia Therese Salomea Hauke on November 24, 1825, in Warsaw, Poland, the youngest daughter of Count Johann Moritz Hauke and Sophie Lafontaine. Among her ten siblings was a sister Catarina who later became the mistress of Paul Friedrich, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

Julia’s father was a distinguished soldier, serving with Napoleon’s Polish Legions, and then with the armies of Poland and the Duchy of Warsaw. He joined the army of Congress Poland in 1814, reaching the rank of General in 1828. In 1829, Nicholas I, Emperor of All Russia appointed him Deputy Minister of War of Congress Poland. The following year, he was killed during the November Uprising of 1830. While riding beside the carriage carrying his wife and younger children, Hauke encountered a group of rebel cadets who wanted him to lead them in their revolt. He rebuked them and ordered them back to their quarters. Instead, they opened fire on him, killing him almost instantly. His wife, suffering from shock, died soon afterward, and their younger children – including Julia – were made wards of the Russian Emperor.

Empress Maria Alexandrovna of Russia. source: Wikipedia

Raised at the Russian Imperial Court, Julia later became a lady-in-waiting to Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna, the wife of the future Alexander II, Emperor of All Russia. The Grand Duchess was born Princess Marie of Hesse and by Rhine, and was the younger sister of Julia’s future husband Alexander. He had accompanied his sister to Russia for her wedding in 1841, became close to his new brother-in-law, and decided to stay in Russia. Alexander became a prominent member of the Imperial Court and served in the Russian military. The Emperor considered Alexander as a possible husband for one of his nieces, but Alexander had already fallen in love with Julia. The Emperor refused to allow a marriage between them, but the couple was determined to marry. Eloping from St. Petersburg, they made their way to Breslau in Silesia, where they married on October 28, 1851. At the time, Julia was already six months pregnant with their first child.

Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine. source: Wikipedia

As their marriage was morganatic, Julia did not become a Princess of Hesse and by Rhine. Instead, her brother-in-law, Grand Duke Ludwig III of Hesse and by Rhine, created her Countess of Battenberg, with the style Illustrious Highness. Her children took their titles from her, becoming Counts and Countesses of Battenberg. Seven years later, the Grand Duke elevated Julia and her children to the rank of Prince/Princess, with the style Serene Highness. However, they remained ineligible for the Grand Ducal throne.

Julia and Alexander had five children:

Julia (far left) with some of her family, c1864. source: Wikipedia.  (seated L-R: Princess Elisabeth of Prussia, wife of Prince Karl of Hesse and by Rhine; Princess Marie of Hesse and by Rhine, Empress Maria Alexandrovna of Russia; Princess Alice of the United Kingdom, later Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine) (standing L-R: Julia, Princess of Battenberg; Prince Karl of Hesse and by Rhine; Prince Heinrich of Hesse and by Rhine; the future Grand Duke Ludwig IV of Hesse and by Rhine; Gustav, Prince of Vasa; Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine)

Julia and her husband returned to the Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine, where they lived at the Alexander Palace in Darmstadt, and later at Schloss Heiligenberg in nearby Jugenheim. However, Alexander received a commission from the Austrian Army, and they spent many years in Austria and Italy, depending on where he was stationed. For this reason, each of their children was born in a different place.

In the foreground, the graves of Alexander and Julia; Photo Credit – Wikipedia

Julia’s husband died in 1888 and was buried in the Grand Ducal Mausoleum in the Rosenhöhe in Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine, now in the German state of Hesse. However, as Julia was not of equal rank, she would not be permitted to be buried beside him. Therefore, she oversaw the construction of a new mausoleum, built in the grounds of Schloss Heiligenberg. Upon the completion of the new mausoleum, Alexander’s remains were moved there in 1894. The following year, On September 19, 1895, Julia died at Schloss Heiligenberg at the age of 69. She was buried beside her husband in the mausoleum on the grounds of their beloved Heiligenberg. In 1902, the mausoleum was converted to a memorial chapel, and the remains of Julia and Alexander were moved to graves just outside the building.

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Marquess and Marchioness

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Coronet of a Marquess. photo: By SodacanThis W3C-unspecified vector image was created with Inkscape. – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10963961

Marquess is the second-highest title in the British peerage, holding precedence following Dukes, in order of creation. Currently, there are 55 Marquessates, held by 51 people. For 34 of them, Marquess is their senior title, while the others are subsidiary titles of Dukes.

The word Marquess comes from the french marchis, mean ruler of a border area. Marchis was itself derived from marche – “frontier”, coming from the Latin marcha. Women holding a Marquessate in their own right and wives of a Marquess hold the title Marchioness.

The title of Marquess was first used in England in 1385, when Robert de Vere, the 9th Earl of Oxford was created Marquess of Dublin by King Richard II. Less than a year later, the title was revoked, and de Vere was created Duke of Ireland. In 1397, two additional marquessates – Dorset and Somerset – were granted to John Beaufort, the 1st Earl of somerset. These, two, were revoked two years later. It would be 1442 before the title of Marquess was granted again, and continued so until the 1930s. In total, 135 Marquessates have been created, consisting of 125 different titles. These include 1 woman created a Marchioness in her own right (a title which went extinct upon her death).

The Peerage of England (1385-1707)

  • 33 Marquessates created
  • 30 different titles
  • 1 Marchioness in her own right
  • 6 still extant

The Peerage of Scotland (1488-1707)

  • 23 Marquessates created
  • 22 different titles
  • 13 still extant

The Peerage of Great Britain (1707-1801)

  • 22 Marquessates created
  • 22 different titles
  • 8 still extant

The Peerage of Ireland (1642-1801-1825)

  • 24 Marquessates created
  • 19 different titles
  • 10 still extant

The Peerage of the United Kingdom (1801-present)

  • 33 Marquessates created
  • 32 different titles
  • 18 still extant

The most senior Marquess, known as The Premier Marquess of England, is the Marquess of Winchester whose title was created in 1551. He is also the only Marquess in the Peerage of England with no higher ranking Dukedom.

The last non-Royal Marquessate – Marquess of Willingdon – was granted in 1936. However, it became extinct in 1979. The last created, and still extant, is the Marquess of Reading, created in 1926.

Frederick, Prince of Wales. source: Wikipedia

The last Royal Marquessates were granted in 1726 by King George II to two of his sons:

  • Prince Frederick was created Duke of Edinburgh, Marquess of the Isle of Ely, Earl of Eltham, Viscount Launceston and Snowdon. Frederick later became Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay, and was the father of King George III. His titles passed to his son, and reverted to the crown upon his accession in 1760.
  • Prince William was created Duke of Cumberland, Marquess of Berkhamsted, Earl of Kennington, Viscount Trematon and Baron Alderney. These titles became extinct upon his death in 1765.

The Marquess of Milford Haven, formerly Prince Louis of Battenberg. source: Wikipedia

In addition, three Marquessates were created for relatives of the Royal Family in November 1917, when King George V asked his relatives to relinquish their German titles and styles:

Anne Boleyn, Queen of England. source: Wikipedia

There has only been one woman created a Marchioness in her own right:

Anne Boleyn (c1501-1536) – in preparation for her wedding to King Henry VIII, she was created Marchioness of Pembroke in her own right in an investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle on September 1, 1532. The couple married several months later, and Anne was Queen of England until her beheading in 1536. The title was created with remainder to her “heirs male”, making it the first hereditary peerage granted to a woman. However, as she had no sons, the title became extinct upon her death.

Styles and Titles

  • A Marquess is styled The Most Honourable The Marquess of XX, and referred to as ‘My Lord’ or ‘Your Lordship’.
  • A Marchioness is styled The Most Honourable The Marchioness of XX, and referred to as ‘My Lady’ or ‘Your Ladyship’.
  • The eldest son of a Marquess traditionally uses his father’s most senior, but lower-ranking, subsidiary title as a courtesy title. (If the senior subsidiary title is similar to the name of the Marquessate, the next senior title is used). This is used without the article ‘The’ preceding it. For example, the eldest son of the Marquess of Milford Haven is styled ‘Earl of Medina’.
  • Younger sons and all daughters of a Marquess are styled as ‘Lord/Lady (first name) (surname)’. Example: Lady Tatiana Mountbatten is the daughter of The Marquess of Milford Haven.

LIST OF EXTANT DUKEDOMS, in order of creation:

PEERAGE OF ENGLAND
Marquess of Winchester
Marquess of Worcester  – subsidiary title of the Duke of Beaufort
Marquess of Tavistock  – subsidiary title of the Duke of Bedford
Marquess of Hartington – subsidiary title of the Duke of Devonshire
Marquess of Blandford – subsidiary title of the Duke of Marlborough
Marquess of Granby – subsidiary title of the Duke of Rutland

PEERAGE OF SCOTLAND
Marquess of Huntly
Marquess of Douglas – subsidiary title of the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon
Marquess of Clydesdale – subsidiary title of the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon
Marquess of Montrose – subsidiary title of the Duke of Montrose
Marquess of Atholl – subsidiary title of the Duke of Atholl
Marquess of Queensberry
Marquess of Dumfriesshire – subsidiary title of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry
Marquess of Tweeddale
Marquess of Kintyre and Lorne – subsidiary title of the Duke of Argyll
Marquess of Lothian
Marquess of Tullibardine – subsidiary title of the Duke of Atholl
Marquess of Graham and Buchanan – subsidiary title of the Duke of Montrose
Marquess of Bowmont and Cessford – subsidiary title of the Duke of Roxburghe

PEERAGE OF GREAT BRITAIN
Marquess of Lansdowne
Marquess of Stafford – subsidiary title of the Duke of Sutherland
Marquess Townshend
Marquess of Salisbury
Marquess of Bath
Marquess of Abercorn – subsidiary title of the Duke of Abercorn
Marquess of Hertford
Marquess of Bute

PEERAGE OF IRELAND
Marquess of Kildare – subsidiary title of the Duke of Leinster
Marquess of Waterford
Marquess of Downshire
Marquess of Donegall
Marquess of Headfort
Marquess of Sligo
Marquess of Ely
Marquess of Londonderry
Marquess Conyngham
Marquess of Hamilton – subsidiary title of the Duke of Abercorn

PEERAGE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
Marquess of Exeter
Marquess of Northampton
Marquess Camden
Marquess of Wellington – subsidiary title of the Duke of Wellington
Marquess Douro – subsidiary title of the Duke of Wellington
Marquess of Anglesey
Marquess of Cholmondeley
Marquess of Ailesbury
Marquess of Bristol
Marquess of Ailsa
Marquess of Westminster – subsidiary title of the Duke of Westminster
Marquess of Normanby
Marquess of Abergavenny
Marquess of Zetland
Marquess of Linlithgow
Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair
Marquess of Milford Haven
Marquess of Reading

Multiple Marquessate Holders
The Duke of Abercorn holds the Marquessates of Abercorn and Hamilton
The Duke of Atholl holds the Marquessates of Atholl and Tullibardine
The Duke of Hamilton and Brandon holds the Marquessates of Douglas and Clydesdale
The Duke of Wellington holds the Marquessates of Wellington and Douro

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Prince Ludwig of Hesse and by Rhine

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

Prince Ludwig of Hesse and by Rhine; Credit – Wikipedia

Prince Ludwig Hermann Alexander Chlodwig of Hesse and by Rhine (known as Lu) was the younger son of Ernst Ludwig, the last Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine and his second wife Princess Eleonore of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich. He was born in Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine, now in the German state of Hesse, on November 20, 1908. Ludwig was Head of the House of Hesse from 1937 – 1968.

Ludwig had one older brother:

Lu also had a half-sister, Princess Elisabeth of Hesse and by Rhine (1895-1903), from his father’s first marriage to Princess Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Elisabeth had died from typhoid fever several years before Lu’s birth.

Lu was educated privately at home, along with his brother, before attending and graduating from the Realgymnasium in 1926. He then studied archeology and art history at universities in Darmstadt, Lausanne, and Munich. After graduating, Lu served as an attaché at the German Embassy in London. During this time, he met his future wife, The Honorable Margaret Geddes, daughter of British diplomat Auckland Campbell Geddes,1st Baron Geddes and Isabella Gamble Ross, while she was on holiday in Bavaria.

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Lu and Peg became engaged while attending the 1936 Winter Olympic Games in Bavaria. The wedding was planned for Saturday, November 20, 1937 – Lu’s 29th birthday. However, a great tragedy would strike the House of Hesse and by Rhine just days before.

On November 16, 1937, Lu’s family boarded a plane bound for London to attend his wedding. The passengers included Lu’s mother, his brother Hereditary Grand Duke Georg Donatus of Hesse and by Rhine and wife, born Princess Cecilie of Greece and Denmark, and their two sons, as well as the children’s nurse and Baron Joachin Riedesel zu Eisenbach, who was to be Lu’s best man. The plane was scheduled to stop in Brussels, but bad weather forced the pilot to continue on to Ostend instead. While attempting to land, the plane clipped a chimney on a factory near the airport, causing the plane to break apart and crash. All aboard the plane, including the pilot and three crew members, were killed.

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After being notified of the tragedy, Lu and Peg, along with their families, decided that the wedding should take place immediately. They married quietly the following morning, November 17, 1937, at St. Peter’s Church, Eaton Square, London. Both wore black, and were joined by a small group of family and close friends. Guests included The Duke and Duchess of Kent; The Countess of Toerring-Jettenbach; The Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven (Lu’s paternal aunt); and the German Ambassador Joachim von Ribbentrop.

Lu, Peg and Johanna c1938; Credit – Wikipedia

Lu and his new wife traveled to Ostend to identify and accompany the bodies – by train – back to Darmstadt. Waiting for them was the only other surviving member of the Grand Ducal family, Don and Cecilie’s 14-month-old daughter Johanna who had not accompanied her parents on the trip to London. Lu and Peg adopted Johanna, but sadly she contracted meningitis and died shortly before reaching her third birthday.

At just 29 years old, Lu became the Head of the House of Hesse. He inherited Wolfsgarten, which would become his principal residence for the rest of his life. He was drafted for military service during World War II, but along with other members of former ruling houses, he was released due to the belief that they would be “politically unreliable”. He returned to Wolfsgarten where he was carefully watched due to his wife’s English background. Following the war, Lu and Peg devoted themselves to rebuilding Darmstadt. They worked to restore the museums, hospitals, and charitable institutions, and Lu co-founded the Institute for New Technical Form, the Council for Shaping, and the Bauhaus Archive. He also designed the German Pavilion for the 1958 World Expo in Brussels. An avid lover of classical music, he promoted the arts and music, including the Ansbach Festival and Aldeburgh Festival.

Because Lu and Peg never had children, in 1960 Lu adopted his distant cousin Moritz, Landgrave of Hesse. Moritz’s father became Head of the House of Hesse upon Lu’s death and was succeeded by Moritz in 1980, bringing the two branches of the Hesse line together again.

In 1964, he served as godfather for Prince Edward of the United Kingdom, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke’s sister had been married to Lu’s brother and Peg had become a close friend of The Queen.

Prince Ludwig of Hesse and by Rhine died in Frankfurt, Germany on May 30, 1968. Following his funeral on June 6, 1968, in the Darmstadt Stadtkirche in Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany, he was buried near his parents and family in the Park Rosenhöhe (link in German) in Darmstadt where many members of the Hesse family are buried. He was survived by his wife Peg, who passed away in 1997 and is buried beside him.

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