The Daughters of Leopld II of Belgium

Who were other princesses that were considered as future brides for Rudolf?

I really can't stand Sisi or Rudolph or Leopold II so my sympathies are primarily with Stephanie. What a group to have so much control over your life! I'm glad she finally broke away and found some happiness with Elmer Lonyay. Interestingly, all of LII's daughters did, with varying degrees of scandal. Louise with Mattachich (sp), Stephanie & Lonyay and Clementine & Prince Napoleon.

I really can't stand Sisi or Rudolph or Leopold II so my sympathies are primarily with Stephanie.

I totally agree with you as far as Sisi & Rudolf are concerned grandduchessella ! Léopold II I cannot help admiring though. I mean I know he was more or less hateful as a human being but there is no denying that the man was extremely clever and a political genius : 2 qualities I will always find appealing.

I think Clementine was the most clever of the three sisters. I however felt the most sympathy for Louise, who just wanted to love honestly for once in her life.

I'm glad she finally broke away and found some happiness with Elmer Lonyay. Interestingly, all of LII's daughters did, with varying degrees of scandal. Louise with Mattachich (sp), Stephanie & Lonyay and Clementine & Prince Napoleon.

Louise was obviously passionately in love with Mattachich but I am not sure she really found happiness with him. She was sent to an asylum, he was sent to prison. And after they were reunited, their life was marred til the end by financial troubles and poverty. Besides, it seems to me that Mattachich had some kind of love affair with another woman called Maria Stöger.

Who were other princesses that were considered as future brides for Rudolf?

Princess Mathilde of Saxony was considered as a potential bride for Rudolf. So were the Spanish infantas.

Was that the princess Mathilde who was mentioned by Louise of Tuscany, the crownprincess of Saxony, in her book. Louise described her as a  ugly,unpleasant and annoying person. She never married.

By the way folks, great pictures of the Belgian royalty.

Yes this is the Mathilde. She was Louise of Tuscany's sister-in-law.

Princess Mathilde of Saxony was considered as a potential bride for Rudolf. So were the Spanish infantas.

Are you serious ?
Would the proud Habsburgs consider those Infantas who didn't even knew who their father were.
I can imagine Infanta Eulalia in Schonbrunn  
Old ADss Sophie would jump from her grave  

Well a Spanish Infanta is always worthy in rank for an Emperoe of Austria !   I agree that Eulalia is not the model princess by any means though.

Yes Mathilde of Saxony was ugly, her sister Maria Josefa was at least pleasently good looking. I guess Stephanie was the best looking of the bunch I am afraid.  

Stéphanie and Archduchess Dorothée

Is it Archuduchess Dorothee, future Countess of Paris? Were they close friends with Stephanie?

They could be since Stephanie's mother Henriette and Dorothea are from the same Hungary line of the Habsburgs.Just thinking...

Were they ? I thought the only two Archduchess from the Hungarian branch was Marie Henriette and Elisabeth...?  

Stéphanie & Dorothea were first cousins. Dorothea's father Archduke Josef was Queen Marie-Henriette's brother.

Yes...I think she looked a bit like Louise.