Crownprince Wilhelm and Crownprincess Cecilie,and their descendants

Is it the case that Princess Cecilie, wife of the Crown Prince of Germany, was the early 20th century's "Princess Diana"? I have heard Princess Cecilie was the storybook princess of Europe and was held in high regard and awe by not only the public but the German press and international press as well. The largest and most luxurious trans Atlantic cruise ships of the day was named for her. And, her style and beauty was classic during the pre-war period.

Princess Cecile is another favorite of mine. She was very attractive as a young woman (though she grew matronly quickly) and she and Willy were quite the 'bright young things' of Berlin society. She had lovely large dark eyes and thick hair which lent itself well to the hairstyles of the day. She apparently was a fashion trendsetter in Berlin society with an especial flair for hats. She also seems to have been of above average height. She was also a great favorite of her SIL Victoria Louise for her aide in acting as conduit in VL's 'Romeo & Juliet' romance with Ernst August of Hanover. She matured a lot faster than Willy though as she had children and devoted less time to fast-living. She was ahead of the curve in her dealing with her daughter Alexandrine who had Down's Syndrome. Cecile took care of her rather than sending her off and Alexandrine was always shown in family photos--including ones for the public. She was very active in the Red Cross and other wartime charities and was allowed to remain in Germany after the Revolution. Her sister was Queen Alexandrine of Denmark and they remained close throughout their lives despite the separation of war. Her sister-in-law was Alexandra of Hanover (Ernst August's sister which is probably why she was so involved in facillitating his romance)--daughter of Thyra of Denmark. Her mother was the colorful and controversial GDss Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia.

Thanks Grandduchessella! Your resources are terrific! Cecilie was such a positive looking and acting member of the Hohenzollern family, do you know if the Kaiser used her for international PR so to speak? I have found nothing about the Hohenzollern international travel except after WWI. Her namesake cruise liner was a favorite of the rich and famous, so I have always suspected she must have had a global presence.
Going back earlier, I recall how her soon-to-be sister in law, Victoria Luise, saw her for the first time when Cecilie arrived at the Neues Palais in Potsdam to meet the family. VL wrote that Cecilie's arrival was like a fairy tale princess because of both her beauty and fabulous outfit. Lastly, was Ceciliehof a result of a particular affection between the Kaiser and his daugher in law?

I've seen many postcards of Cecilie holding little Alexandrine (who had Down's Syndrome) and I always thought she looked like such a little sweetie. I don't know much about her life though...would anyone be able to tell me more?

I've seen many postcards of Cecilie holding little Alexandrine (who had Down's Syndrome) and I always thought she looked like such a little sweetie. I don't know much about her life though...would anyone be able to tell me more?

She was apparently much-loved by all her siblings. There's a sweet photo of them all while grown with Louis Ferdinand standing with his arm around her. I don't think there's a lot of published info on her--at least not in English--but she seems to have lived a quiet life with her mother. She never married or had children. Like I said, I think it was very modern that she was as out in front of the public as her other siblings and not hidden away.

Thanks Grandduchessella! It is nice to know that apparently Cecilie tried to make life as normal as possible for Alexandrine, not hiding her away from the public. (KGV and Queen Mary could have taken a que from her) I hope she had a happy life...

[European Royal History Journal]

I visited the Crown Princess Cecilie exhibition earlier this year...it was quite nice and the catalogue is highly recommended.

Arturo Beéche

Hello, everyone,

I have not posted on this particular thread before, so I hope you will forgive me if I ask for confirmation: was Pss Cecilie's mother, Anastasia Mikhailovna, the same AM who was sister to 'Sandro'? The choice of the name Cecilie/Cecilia seems to echo that of the Mikhailovichi's mother, Cecilia of Baden. Just wanted to be sure - thanks!

Katherine Alexandra M. Hines

Hello, everyone,

I have not posted on this particular thread before, so I hope you will forgive me if I ask for confirmation: was Pss Cecilie's mother, Anastasia Mikhailovna, the same AM who was sister to 'Sandro'? The choice of the name Cecilie/Cecilia seems to echo that of the Mikhailovichi's mother, Cecilia of Baden. Just wanted to be sure - thanks!

Katherine Alexandra M. Hines

Yes, it is. I wonder if her other daughter Alexandrine (Queen of Denmark) was named in honor of Sandro?

The moment i saw princess Cecilie i fell completely in love with her and i would like to know more about her if it is possible.  Does anyone have a biography on her and pictures?  

I would really like to know more about her, her life, tragedy, love, family, i am even willing to know if she kept a diary and if it is public?  

Tnaks a lot

She wrote her memoirs and I think they were translated into English. Catherine Radziwill--the author of several less-than-reputable gossipy books on the Romanovs also wrote Disillusionment of a Crown Princess about Cecile. I've never read it and it's hard to find. She also mentioned in various memoirs by people such as Daisy of Pless.

GrandduchessElla provided a wonderful summary earlier in this topic thread.
Princess Cecilie was truly the "fairytale princess" of the early 20th century in Europe. Beautiful, generous, caring, loving, outgoing. The German people loved her as did peoples from other nations.
Given the long life that Wilhelm II had and the fact that Cecilie died relatively young, had she risen to level of Empress, her reign would have been brief and hence possibly without many accomplishments. Nonetheless, as crown princess, she is one of the most memorable, quintessential princess in history.

Yes, it is. I wonder if her other daughter Alexandrine (Queen of Denmark) was named in honor of Sandro?

I think Queen Alexandrine of Denmark was named after Grand Duchess Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1803-92) (nee Princess of Prussia),her great-grandmother

Was this not "the"Cecilie who have met Anna Anderson in the Hospital, when she still was Fraulein Unbekannt?

I think so.  I think her step-mother-in-law, Princess Hermine (Willy II's second wife) also met with Anna Anderson.