Princess Victoria of Schaumburg-Lippe (Moretta), 2nd daughter of Kaiser Friedrich III

[grandduchessella]

I don't think she converted, I think that she was just married in the Orthodox rite (much like Sophie originally did).

[Danjel]

Here is another picture of her second marriag to Alexander Zoubkoff in 1927

[bluetoria]

Ah yes, Danjel, she does look quite a bit older than him there. How very sad that it all ended so unfotunately.
Thank you for posting the picture, & thank you grandduchessella for explaining that she didn't convert.

[Eurohistory]

For her it was a nightmare...one can only but wonder what state of loneliness she must have been in to get herself involved with such people.

Arturo Beéche

[grandduchessella]

Unfortunately it's not an unusual scenario. You hear all the time about rich elderly widows who are seduced by a younger man (who always seem so oily and fake I can never understand it) who then swindle them out of most, if not all, of their money. It seems especially prevelant when the woman has no children to protect them or provide companionship.

[Robert_Hall]

And, quite often, it may be her own children doing the swindling.

[jfkhaos]

Given that we have now seen a photo of Moretta on her second way (and thank you Danjel!) does anyone have information abt or pictures from Moretta's first wedding?

[grandduchessella]

Given that we have now seen a photo of Moretta on her second way (and thank you Danjel!) does anyone have information abt or pictures from Moretta's first wedding?

Marlene once wrote that there weren't photos taken of the Hohenzollern weddings. I have some sketches of it but haven't scanned them yet. Those seem to be what was most available back then and, unfortunately, weren't always very accurate.

[bluetoria]

Yes, and Moretta looks something like the bride of Frankenstein! What was she thinking?! Pity her marriage would be brief even if Zoubkoff had not been a scoundrel.

It is a very unfortunate picture & she certainly doesn't look like a happy bride; in fact I think she looks quite ill. It makes you wonder if perhaps she knew he was only marrying her for her money...maybe she did but was past caring. It re-echoes Vicky's much earlier letter, "She knows that happiness is not to be hers."

[grandduchessella]

Moretta in (slightly) happier times...jumpng over her husband's (Adolph's) breakfast table!  
 

I think a copy of this photo can be found in the new Frances Diamond book on Queen Alexandra and photography.

[bluetoria]

When I was looking for more about Johanna Loisinger, I came across a rather bizarre suggestion that she was the basis for the character Irene Adler in a Sherlock Holmes story - one who caused a scandal for the 'King of Bohemia' (a title which no longer existed, but which could have been applied to Sandro??)
The rather bizarre article went on to suggest that Grand Duke Pavel might have been the 'King of Bohemia' - in which case Irene Adler would have been Princess Paley? Is it just a load of rot or does anyone know more about this, please?

[grandduchessella]

Interesting--I'd never heard that. I really like the Irene Adler stories that Carole Nelson Douglas writes.

[bluetoria]

Thanks for the picture of Johanna, Marc. (I can't see the Moretta one  :-/ )  Do you know if the two women ever met? There is no mention of Moretta ever resenting Johanna, is there? It would be intersting to know if, after Sandro's death, they did ever meet.

[grandduchessella]

The one of Moretta was painted by Vicky!  

She painted portraits (we have them somewhere on the Forum) of Henry (in naval uniform) , Charly & Waldemar (in a costume like Moretta) and Mossy as well. I wish I'd ever seen one of Sophie.

[bluetoria]

It's one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.  
There is a line in one of Vicky's letters to QV describing a time when she was staying in Cannes with her children & the Hessians (during Louis & Fritz's absence to the Suez Canal opening). Vicky said she was painting a picture of the little daughter of the Archbishop (of Madras - can't remember, I think it was somewhere in India??). Has anyone ever seen THAT picture?
It would be lovely to see it because, by her description, you can imagine her painting it.