25 years ago: Württemberg - Waldburg-Zeil Wedding at Altshausen

25 years ago the Little town Altshausen in Upper Swabia experiecned a big royal Wedding when Duchess Mathuilde of Württemberg married Hereditary Count Erich of Waldburg zu Zeil and Trauchburg. Duhcess Mathilde is the oldest daughter of Duke Carl of Württemberg, the head of the Royal Family of Württemberg and his wife Duchess Diane, née Princess of France. Her groom Hreditary Count Erich is the only son of Georg. 7. Fürst of Waldburg zu Zeil of Trauchburg and his wife Fürstin Marie Gabriele, née Princess of Bavaria a daughter of the late Duke Albrecht of Bavaria.

The Wedding festivites which lasted for 3 days started in the morning of Thursday the 17. Novemberg with the civil Wedding Ceremony which took place at Altshausen Castle and was officiated by the Altshausen Mayor Kurt König. In the evening the big Soiree took place at Altshausen Castle. On Friday then Schools of Altshausen honoured the Young Copuple the Musik Capelle of Altshausen and the vigilante of Saulgau played and danced. Later that day Duke Carl and Duchess Diane hosted a reception.

The highpoint of the festivites was the religious Wedding Ceremony on Saturday the 19. November at the Castle Church. The Wedding Service was conducted by the Bishop of Rottenburg-Stuttgart Bernhard Rieger. After the Wedding Ceremony a reception took place at Altshausen Castle. The bride wore a gown of white silk which had been designed by the Parisian designer Catherine Puget

together with Duchess Mathilde.

Among the guest at the Wedding where:

Archduchess Regina of Austria

Duke Albrecht of Bavaria, maternal grandfather of the groom

Prince Philippe of Belgium

Princess Isabelle of France, Countess of Paris, the maternal grandmother of the bride

Fürst Franz Joseph II. and Fürstin Gina of Liechtenstein

Hereditary Prince Hans Adam and Hereditary Princess Marie of Liechtenstein

Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg

Hereditary Grand Duke Henri and Hereditary Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg

Prince Willem Alexander of teh Netherlands, Prince of Orange

Prince Friso of the Netherlands

Prince Constantin of the Netherlands

After the Wedding Herditary Count Erich and the new Hereditaray Countess Mathilde moved to Rimpach Castle near Leutkirch where they stille life. They have became the parents of five daughters. Countess Marie-Thérèse (1989), Countess Elisabeth (1990), Countess Charlotte (1992), Countess Hélène (1993) and Countess Gabrielle (1996).

† Fürstin Sylvia zu Bentheim and Steinfurt

Fürstin Sylvia zu Bentheim and Steinfurt died at the age of 83 in the night to Saturday 16. November 2013. Since over 60 years she was married to Fürst Christian zu Bentheim and Steinfurt. Three years ago the couple celebrated their Diamond Wedding

On 16 May 1930 she was born as Countes Sylvia of Pückler, Baroness of Groditz at  Burkersdorf in Silesia . The family lived at Gröditzberg Castle  . When World War II began , the father was transferred to Berlin. The family moved to a city apartment. When was the Berlin house destroyed by bombs in 1943 , they went back to the Silesian homeland. And here the in the beginning of 1945 , Russian troops were advancing , the family fled with their four children . Only about one escaped during the train journey to the bombing of Dresden .The Pücklers came under at Arolsen Castle by distant relatives of Fürst Christian's grandmother  After finishing school Countess Sylvia traveled to Sweden with two aunts . She then worked for one year as an au pair girl in an English household . On the way back they stopped off in Steinfurt . Her future husband has picked them up at the train station in Rheine . That was 1949.In August 1950, a fairytale wedding was celebrated on the Steinfurter castle . Their apartment got the young couple on the first Bentheim Castle . Only in 1961 , after the death of Fürst Victor Adolf , the  moved to Burgsteinfurt. With the education of her two adopted daughters , Caroline and Alexa as well as the ceremonial duties of the everyday life of the Fürstin was completed . Sporty woman as she also loved a long time to ride , the sport of tennis and skiing in winter .The funeral service for Fürstin Sylvia zu Bentheim and Steinfurt will  take place on Tuesday 26 November 2013 at 11h00 clock in the Great Church. Afterwards the burial in the family cemetery in Bagno .

Article in Westfälische Nachrichten 

Article in Halterner Zeitung 

Two deaths in the House of Waldburg zu Wolfegg and Waldsee

Recently 2 members of the Princely House of Waldburg zu Wolfegg and Waldsee have passed away. On 08. November Count Hubertus died at the age of 56. He was born in 1956 as son of Count Heinrich and his wife Maria Antonia, née Princess of Hohenzollern. Count Hubert was unmarried.

And on 14. November Count _Gebhard passed away after a short illness at a Hospital in Munich. hew was born in 1927 as one of the sons of Fürst Freanz Ludwig of Waldburg zu Wolfegg and Waldsee and his wife Adelheid, née Countess of Schönburg-Glauchau. In 1968 he married Birgit Riedesel, Baroness of Eisenbach. Together the had 2 children. Caroline who was first married to Fürswt Philipp zu Stoblerg-Wernigerode and is now married in second with Baron Constantin of Dalwigk zu Lichtenfels and Count Mortiz who is married to Isbabel, nee Baroness of Herman.

Because of his  broad commitment Count Gebhard was deeply rooted in the social life of Bad Waldsee - he carries the title of honor among other guild master of Narrenzunft Waldsee, which was in his heart for a lifetime. He was also honorary chairman of the ADAC Württemberg.

Article in the Schwäbische Zeitung

St Emmeram Castle Regensburg

Recently i spend a few days in Regensburg where i of course visited St. Emmeram Castle the Residence of the Princely Family of Thurn and Taxis. It goes back on the Monastery St. Emmeram which was founded in the year 739. After the Säkularisation in 1803  the monastery went into the ownership of the City of Regensburg. In 1810 the Castle was bought by the Princely Family of Thurn and Taxis who made it their Main Residence. In the 19th Century it was rebuild in an Princely Castle. In the End of the 19th Century the South Wing was build. All in all Castle has 500 rooms and 14 staircases and belong to on the biggest Castles in Europe where still People life.

Of course it can also be visited and Tour one sees among others the Wintergarden, the big Ballroom, the Silver Salon, the yellow Salon, the green Salon who was used as bedroom by Fürstin Therese and the private Castle Chapel where also the Princesses Maria Theresia and Elisabeth, the sisters of the present Fürst Albert where baptized. If one makes the big Tour it cointunues then in the cloister. In the middle of this cloister is the Crypt Chapel of the Princely Family which was build from 1835-1841. There is a small Chapel above and there through an iron Gate in the floor one can look in the Crypt where in 1990 the late Fürst Johannes was buried.

Opposide the Castle there are the former royal stables which  house now the Treasur. There are a among other artworks on Display  but also the coaches of the Family and Paintings and furniture and also the bridal gown of Fürstin Gloria.

   

The Soup Kitchen who was introduced by Fürst Albert I.

 

 

 

In the Inner Court of the Castle

   

A crown on top of one of the Castle Towers

A view from the Park

 

Christening in the House of Fürstenberg

In September the Prince Alexander, the second son of Prince Antonius and his wife Matilda, née Contesa Borromeo was christened at at the Chruch Maria Hof at Donauschingen-Neudingen He had been born on 23.11.2012 in Turin. During the christening which was officiated by Pastor Höhnerfeld the little Prince received the Name Alexander Maria Carlo Egon. His godparents are Principessa Scilla Ruffo di Calabria a cousin of Antonius and Princess Matildas brother Conte Carlo Borromeo.

Article in Schwarzwälder Bote 

Article in the badische Zeitung 

Wedding in the House of Kuefstein

Yesterday on Saturday 13 July 2013 Countess Marie-Eleonor of Kuefstein married Christoph-Joseph Barelli at the parish Church St. Michael at Röhrenbach. The bride is the daughter of Count Andreas of Kuefstein and his wife Elisabeth, née Princess of Bavaria one of the daughters of the late Prince Rasso of Bavaria.

Big picture Gallery

Fürst Carl Philipp zu Salm-Salm celebrated 80th birthday

Soon Fürst Carl Philipp  zu Salm-Salm will celebrate a milestone birthday.  The festivities take place on White Monday. Friends, relatives, employees and representatives of the authorities are invited to a reception in the water castle. Together with the entire population Anholter a thank worship will be celebrated at St. Pancras Church. Also the castle garden is open free of charge. The celebration with the entire district is the foi the Fürst of particular concern. With Anholt and the Water Castle he feels connected. "I was born here and went to school," says Carl Philipp zu Salm-Salm. He graduated in 1954 at a  Jesuit school in Bad Godesberg in 1954  from high school. "After the war there were only a few schools," the 79-year-old says.
The war years were formative time for the boy and frightening at the same time. His older brother died in a bomb attack, his father was a prisoner of war. In addition, the possessions of the family were packaged after Göring "Decree to protect German cultural" in boxes and stored in a tin mine in the Sauerland. At that time, it was a shock to see how the paintings are removed. "Today I am happy that it has come to this," said the Fürst. Namely, the castle was badly hit by bombs and after the war a ruin. The family has lived for years in the cellar. "That was the only place where it has not rained inside." The art collection remained unaffected even after their discovery by the English. Each box was found their way back to Anholt. Unfortunately, many were items that were "not worth protecting" regarded by the Nazis as irretrievably lost. After the Second World War, the Fürst studied business and worked in the field of banking and economic system in Germany, France and Switzerland. In 1969 he found his way back to Anholt and took over the management of the Prince Salm-Salm'schen management in Rhede. Previously, he looked first to his father on the shoulder. The restoration of the water castle at the center. "My father was 'married' to the castle," said the Fürst, the issues faced skeptical as a young man recalls: "Today I am very happy that they were made."Carl Philipp Fürst zu Salm-Salm, like his father, is very involved, the heritage, as buldings  and garden monuments of the family as the sights. In 2009 the Fürst  was honored for his involvement with the Federal Cross of Merit, First Class.

Article in RP  

† Count Albert of Rechberg

Only a few weeks ago at the End of November he celebrated his 100th birthday, and now last Thursday (17.01.2013) Count Albert of Rechberg has passed away. The Head of the House of Rechberg lived out of the spotlight in his hometown Donzdorf. According to Martin Stölze, the Mayor of Donzodrf "He weas a man who lived very reserved and was very low key about his person". Stölzle also metions the passsage of time through which the Count from an ancient nioble Family has lived "He was born as a Count during the Monarchy and later found his palce in live in a secular society, which i always found quiet remarkable. When one spoke with him it was always clear he went through all the social changes during the last Century".

Count Albert sold in 1987 the Castle in Donzdorf to the city Donzdorf where it now serves as Townhall. Already during the 1970's the Family has sold the Castles and ruins Scharfenschloss  Weißenstein, Ramsberg und Rechberg to private persons. In 1986 he gave overt the adiminstration of the family posession to his son Bernhard who succeeds him as head of the Countly Family.

Despite all seclusuion he was also engaged in his hometown, so Albert Count of Rechberg was an honorary member of the Shooting Society Donzdorf whose club flag adorns the coat of arms of the von Rechenberg and Roth lions.

The history of the family from Donzdorf can be traced back to the year 1179, then I. Ulrich von Rechenberg was as Marshal of the Duchy of Swabia in the service of Emperor Friedrich I. Barbarossa. Since 1607 the family belong to the German nobility. In that  year, the family was raised by Emperor Rudolf II.  into the rank of Counts.

Article in Südqwest Presse

Fürst Kraft zu Hohenlohe-Oehringen turns 80

Already yesterday  Fürst Kraft zu Hohenlohe-Oehringen his 80th birthday celebrated into his birthday with his Family and close friends but today there is the big reception for longtime friends at Neuenstein Castle. "Because you're a little nervous if everything fits, nothing was forgotten," says Fürst Kraft zu of Hohenlohe-Oehringen. "And if the weather holds." Finally, some of the guests have to travel long distances.

Asked for his birthday wishes he says  "Everyone always health, of course, but you never know what's coming," he is optimistic about the future. He has much experienced 

On the day of his birth, as was the landscape that shapes his name, so far away from him and his family. In Silesia, he spent his early years. After flight the family came to Öhringen in January 1945. In 1962 three years after their Wedding he and his wife Katharina, née von Siemens moved into Neuensteine Castle which has been their home since then.

In Neuenstein was Fürst Kraft for 32 years a member of the  municipal council for 32 years, many of those years as deputy mayor. In 2002 he was named an honorary citizen of the city.

From 1971 to March 2011, 40 years hence, was also in the Hohenlohe-Oehringen Hohenlohe district council and deputy chief administrative officer. His services where honored with the Grand Gold Medal of Honor. In September 2012 it is another accolade: He is an honorary citizen of Kedzierzyn-Kozle in whose Teilort Sławięcice he spent his childhood.

Count Albert of Rechberg celebrates 100th birthday

Count Albert of Rechberg zu Rothenlowen and Hohenrechberg celebrates his 100th birthday today on 29.11.2012. He was born in 1912 as son of Count Albert and his wife Theresia, nee Freiin von Schorlemer. In 1951 he married Count Monika zu Köngsegg-Aulendorf who died in 2002. They had 5 children together.

In 1967 Count Albert succeeded his unmarried and childless uncle, Count Joseph as head of the countly House. Until 1986he administrated the family posessions but at the End of 1986 he gave the administration over to his son, Hereditary Count Bernhard who is still in charge of it. During they time he adminstrated the Family posessions several of the Family Castles where sold among the the Castles and Ruins Rechberg, Weissenstein, Ramsberg and Scharfenschloss. In 1987 the Family sold their principal Residend the Castle in Donzdorf to the City Donzdorf.It was taken over by the City in 1992 and since 1995 the adminstration of the City has their place there. The Family moved into a new build property in Donzdorf.

http://www.swp.de/goeppingen/lokales/mittleres_filstal/Der-Graf-feiert-100-Geburtstag;art5777,1745399

90th birthday of Fürstin Hildegard zu Stolberg-Roßla

Fürstin Hildegard zu Stolberg-Roßla, née Sauerbier celebrated her 90th birthday on Friday 04.10.2012.  The doctor originally from Hanau to Ortenberg and in that capacity she sat in practice accents. Many have fond memories of the dedicated woman who was always available and took care to their patients. A "country doctor" like in the picture, which even left her nightly round of cards, if "worst comes to worst" and a doctor's visit was inevitable. Mayor's places Ulrike Pfeiffer Pantring stressed in this respect the arc in the present. "Now when discussing physician-shortage in rural areas, I sometimes wonder what our doctor has the time mastered and why others can not do it anymore." That it was at the time, was on the person as not only doctor always put tremendous discipline and immense diligence of the day, combined with solidity and reliability. On one side. On the other are their marked cheerfulness and a desire for companionship. In Sagittarius and she enjoys gymnastics club honorary status. And not only there. Even the hunters they admire "without end". This passion for hunting she went to old age. But Princess Hildegard had of advancing life to pay tribute: "I'm going to drive hunting long gone and my last deer I shot five years ago."

In 1967 Dr. Hildegard Sauerbier then married Fürst Johann Martin zu stolberg-Roßla whio is still in the memory of older Ortenberg people. He died in 1982 as a result of a car accident. In 2007 the Fürstin adopted Count Alexander zu Stolberg-Wernigerode according to the wishes of her late husband. The new young Fürst who is married and has 5 children has the biggestr Respect of Fürstin Hildegard.

http://www.kreis-anzeiger.de/lokales/wetteraukreis/ortenberg/12480136.htm

civil Wedding at Rüdenhausen



Photo and Copyright Gabi P.



On Saturday 22.09.2012 the civil Wedding of Prince Dominik zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg and Countess Olga zu Castell-Rüdenhausen took place at the Townhall of Rüdenhausen. The bridal Couple alked the short distance from the CAstle to the Townhall where the short Ceremony started at 11h00 local time.



Photo and Copyright Gabi P.



 Present where also their parents Fürst Johann Friedrich and Fürstin Maria zu Castell-Rüdenhausen, and Fürst Alois-Konstantin and Fürstin Ansatasia zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg. Also the grooms sister Christina von Rohr, née princess zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg and some of the brides uncles. After the Ceremony they posed for the few onlookers before they wealked back to the Castle where a celebration with more guests took place.

The religious Ceremony will take place on 06.10. at Sintra, Portugal where the Family of the brides mother has an Estate.



Photo and Copyright Gabi P.



Wedding in the House Stolberg-Stolberg

A noble Wedding took place on Saturday 08.09.2012 at the St. Nikolaus Church at Bad Kreuznach when Countess Sophie of Plettenberg married Count Antonius zu Stolberg-Stolberg. The bride wore an 150 year old veil from Brussels lace which is an Family heirloom. The bridal coupld was married by Count Ulrich of Plettenberg, a cousin of the bride.

Before the noble Wedding scoiety could make their way to Namedy castle wher the reception and ball took place a few surprised watied for the bridal Couple. First the hunting horn blowers Bad Kreuznach played because "Sofie is a hunter" and then they married an trip in a open carraige which was drown by four black horses because riding is a hobby of both of them.

The couple had meet each other six years ago in Dresden where both studied. After the Wedding they will live in Munich

http://www.allgemeine-zeitung.de/region/bad-kreuznach-bad-sobernheim-kirn/stadt-bad-kreuznach/12403883.htm

Langenburg Castle

 

This week i visited Langenburg Castle which is the residence of Fürst Philipp and Fürsti n Saskia zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg and ther 3 children.

The name Lanburg was first mentioned in 1225 as Langenberg. From1235 the old Castle was rebuild the 2 old round massiv towers are from that time. Between 1610 and 1616 Count Philipp Ernst the Castle was reconstructed as Princely Residence in the Renaissance Style. Especialla striking from this time is the Inner Court with its galleries, gables and stair towers . From 1657 - 1759 the Castle was again reconstructed this time in the somber Baroque style. In this time the 2 bridges which go overt the 2 depp channels to the Main entrance of the Castle where cionstructed. In the 19th and 20th Century the outside of the Caslte was largely mantained until a big fire in January 1963 where the East and North wing of the Castle  wings burned down to a big part. In the followings spring it was started to rebuild the Castle was begung and finished in  summer 1968. Today the Castle is the residence of Fürst Philipp zu Hohenlohe-Langenbrug and his wife Fürstin Saskia and their 3 children, Hereditary Prince Max Leopold, Prince Gustav and Princess Marita.

In another part of the Caslte a Museum was etablished and the rooms and also the Inner Court are open to Visitoris. Another Museum the "german Car Museum" was opned in 1970 in the former stables of the Castle.

More pics

noble Wedding at Wallhausen

The little town of Wallhausen saw a noble Wedding today on 04.08.2012 when Princess Maria-Anna zu Salm-Salm married Count Dominik of Neipperg at the parish Church St. Laurentius. The bride is one of the the daughters of Prince Michael zu Salm-Salm and his wife Philippa, née Countess zu Castell-Castell and the groom is the youngest son of Hereditary Count Karl Eugen of Neipperg and his wife Andrea, née Archduchess of Asutria, a granddaughter of the last austrian Emperor Karl I.

http://www.rhein-zeitung.de/region/bad-kreuznach_artikel,-Traumhochzeit-in-Wallhausen-Marie-Anna-Prinzessin-zu-Salm-Salm-und-Dominik-Graf-von-Neipperg-geben-_arid,463863.html
http://www.nikos-weinwelten.de/beitrag/was_vereint_die_weingueter_salm_salm_und_von_neipperg/

noble Wedding in Amerdingen

Prince Carl-Albrecht (Charly) zu Sayn-Wittgenstein married Camilla Schenk Countess of Stauffenberg on 28.04.2012 at the St. Vitus Church at Amerdingen. The Service weas lead by Pastor Paulo Habsburg and Pfarrer Daniel Maria Schmidt. 

As Camilly will once take over  the Family posession in Amerdingen from her grandfather Alfred Schenk, count of Stuaffenberg the Couple choose to marry there. But first they will live together at Nairoby where Carl-Albrecht works.

The couple is togetherer since 4 1/2 years and they meet once in Tegernsee. They civil marriage took place on 02.03 in Munich.

http://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/noerdlingen/Traumhochzeit-im-Kesseltal-id19812556.html 

http://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/noerdlingen/Traumhochzeit-im-Schloss-Amerdingen-id19862286.html 

Pictures:

http://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/noerdlingen/Graefliche-Hochzeit-in-Amerdingen-id19812286.html 

† Countess Agathe zu Ortenburg

Countess Agathe zu Ortenburg, née Countess of Schaeberg passed away on Coburg on 20.12.2011. She was born on 14.03.1925 as youngest daugher of Count Joseph of Schaeberg and his wife Ghislaine, née Comtesse de Berlaymont. On 21.10.1954 she married count Alram zu Ortenburg, who died in 2007. Together the couple had 4 children.

† Prince Franz-Karl zu Salm-Salm

Prince Franz-Karl zu Salm-Salm passed away on Saturday 19. November 2011 at the age of 94 at Wallhausen. He was born in 1917 as son of prince Franz zu Salm-Salm and his wife Maria Anna, née Baroness of Dalberg. Until 1944 he leaded the administration of the Family Posessions in Moravia. After he reutned from the War and prison in Russia he took build up the Salm-Dalbergsche administration at Wallhausen as Winegardener and forester. He was also as member of the CDU for sveral Elctions periodes a member of the regional Parliament. 

In 1951 he married Baroness maria of Boeselager. The couple celebrated their diamond Wedding only a few weeks ago. Togetter the Couple had 8 children, 15 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Already in 2001 the Copuple got from the State Rhineland-Palatinate the big Silver Medal for their Social Work. 

http://www.allgemeine-zeitung.de/region/bad-kreuznach-bad-sobernheim-kirn/vg-ruedesheim/wallhausen/11385173.htm

Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg - Castell-Rüdenhausen engagement

According to Marlene König the engagement was confirmed between Prince Dominik zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberbg and Countess Olga zu CastellRüdenhausen. Prince Dominik is the youngest son of Fürst Alois Konstantin zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg and Fürstin Anastasia, née Pricness of Prussia and Coutness Olga is the oldest daughter of Fürst Johann Friedrich zu Castell-Rüdenhausen and Fürstin Maria, née Coutness of Schönborn-Wiesentheid. Countess Oklga is also a cousin ofPprince Georg Friedrich of Prussia as her faterh is one of the brothers of Gergo Friedrich's mother Donata.

A new Prince zu Fürstenberg

The first child of Prince Antonius zu Fürtenberg and his wife Matilda, née Countess Barromeo was born in the afternoon of Thursday 22. September at Turin. The happy coupolke married in June at the Isola Bella  The little boy was named Karl Anton and has a round head and dark hair. The happy new was announced yesterday at Donauscheschingen during the procession of the Riding-Festival in the presence of the happy grandmother, Fürstin Maximiliane.

http://www.schwarzwaelder-bote.de/inhalt.donaueschingen-antonius-und-matilde:-baby-da.0ea56847-c953-4e36-b4e2-448487215cfe.html