Queen Maria of Romania, Part 3

[Maria_Pavlovna]

Adultery is considered a sin. one of the 10 commandments. being smart and pretty isn't an excuse.

[grandduchessella]

I definitely believe her personality would have developed much differently if she'd married George. Not only was he more conventional than even Nando (I don't think George would've had an affair regardless of how his marriage turned out) but the British Court was much more staid than that of Romania. Marie would have had much less opportunit to flourish. Some of her artistic tendencies may have flourished--Louise Argyll had an 'artsty' set and the Court surrounding Edward VII was more flashy than that of the George and Mary. Perhaps George would've pulled an unhappy Marie away from his father's cronies and the Marlborough House Set, perhaps the reverse would've been true. Mary certainly wasn't any more comfortable with that crowd than George was. Marie may have made a glittery, fashionable successor to Alexandra or she may  have had her natural ebullience stifled in her 17 years of marriage before she would've become Queen. It's just too hard to tell and too many variables. Either George or Marie may have fundamentally altered each other's personalities or their natural tendencies may have only entrenched in the face of the other. Her life would have had a more European bent, perhaps with vacations and state visits to France, Italy or Germany (though that didn't work well for Mary) rather than the more Slavic tone her life in Romania afforded her. She would've had much kinder, friendlier 'in-laws' (though Carol and Elizabeth were only de facto) in Edward and Alexandra who would've made her early years much easier when transitioning to her position as wife to the heir. Alexandra could be bossy and smothering, but I doubt she would've tried to big-foot her way into the nursery the way Elizabeth did. Edward also wasn't as dictatorial as Carol was and was certainly in no position to pass judgment on flighty, flirt behaviors.

Marie probably would've had a much happier time as Duchess of York/Princess of Wales than she did as Crown Princess but she wouldn't have had the opportunity to became a power player and real force as Queen of England as she did as Queen of Romania.

[Kalafrana]

I don't think being 'smart' (presumably you mean intelligent), beautiful and romantic excuses affairs, particularly when they produce offspring of dubious paternity which the husband is then obliged to treat as his own (poor Ferdinand!).

In any case, I'm not mad about Marie's looks. She was distinctly chinless (note that no photograph shows her in profile!).

As to whether a marriage to George would have worked, there are indeed too many variables to predict, but I fear it would have turned out rather like Charles and Diana. George was nearly 10 years older than Marie, and distinctly middle-aged in temperament, at a time when Marie was still a teenager. At that point in her life, a steady mature man might well have seemed an ideal marriage partner, but I think she would have got bored with George and then the affairs would have started.

Ann

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes. But Charles was never "in love" with Diana, while George clearly desires Missy even though he had mistresses before.

I agree with Granduchessa. Missy would her more flamboyant personally would be attracted to the "Marlborough House Set". Both Missy & her Uncle Bertie enjoyed a bit of show and she might be guided by him into international politics. Her keen mind may turn to politics instead of having affairs. Most interestingly she would have enjoyed dressing up with her Aunt Alix and become her successor in the London Season. Yes, I agree George may have to change to accommodate his more active wife, which may not be a bad thing. Also with her big dowry, she might have selected a better place to live than Sandringham Cottage. Marie Coburg would have insisted an independent establishment for the couple, and being far richer than the poor Tecks, she could have pushed that forward. 

[Kalafrana]

George clearly like Marie, when she was a teenager, but was he actually in love with her in the proper sense?

Charles seems to have been fond of Diana, to begin with at least, but that wasn't enough to sustain a marriage.

Ann

[Eric_Lowe]

I think so. Missy has a way of attracting the attention of men and George was no exception. Even poor Nando who never fell out of love for her. In truth, Missy was a very fascinating woman even if you don't like her.

Not really...He was already in love with Camilla. Remember on his honeymoon he called her and said "Whatever happens I will always love you (Camilla) !"...

[historyfan]

As to whether a marriage to George would have worked, there are indeed too many variables to predict, but I fear it would have turned out rather like Charles and Diana. George was nearly 10 years older than Marie, and distinctly middle-aged in temperament, at a time when Marie was still a teenager. At that point in her life, a steady mature man might well have seemed an ideal marriage partner, but I think she would have got bored with George and then the affairs would have started.

Ann

Ferdinand was also significantly older, but of course that was hardly uncommon. I think you're right about Marie's temperament and character, and a marriage to George wouldn't have improved things in that way. There just wouldn't have been that element of "strangeness" and unfamiliarity, not to mention culture shock, at the beginning as there was for her time in Romania.

But Marie found her niche in Romania. Whether she had any business in Paris in 1919 or not is a matter of opinion, but the fact is, it helped the cause of Romania greatly, and she was loved for it.

[Kalafrana]

'Not really...He was already in love with Camilla.'

I said that Charles was fond of Diana, not that he was in love with her. By that I'm saying that he had affection for her.

Ann

[Eric_Lowe]

There is a difference. George was in love with her. He knows the difference since he had a mistress in his sailor days. He really wants Missy not "fond of " her. There is a BIG difference that I need to point out.

As for Missy, she always loved England (much to the frustration of her mother Marie Coburg). She once just bent down to the grass while visiting her Aunt Alix and she asked"You loved it ?" and Missy replied yes it hurts so much because she loved it so.  Missy always considered Britain home just like Sophie of Greece and Ena of Spain.

[Kalafrana]

'There is a difference. George was in love with her. He knows the difference since he had a mistress in his sailor days. He really wants Missy not "fond of " her. There is a BIG difference that I need to point out.'

But Marie was no more than 16 then (she was 17 and 4 months when she married Ferdinand). Would George's love have lasted once she was adult and increasingly arty and flamboyant, and he was more and more set in his ways?

I don't know, and we cannot assume it would have worked.

And, of course, both of them married different people. George had a happy marriage to Queen Mary. Marie married Ferdnand, and while they reached an accommodation, it can hardly be called a success.

Ann

[Eric_Lowe]

I would not call the marriage between Mary & George happy. Queen Mary was always in awe of her husband and her son Edward VIII (Duke of Windsor) wrote that when she was with him she was a different person (stiff & edgy). Mary had bend herself according to George's wishes. That is a good arrangement and George was appreciative of her efforts and felt affection for her. But was that love ? I still believe that had Missy married George, he would have been a more engaging king. He would never dare to take Missy for granted the way he did with May. I think the team of Uncle Bertie & Missy would have been an awesome double act as they were both cut from the same cloth.

[historyfan]

No one, royal  or not, knows a marriage better than the two people in it. Including their own children.

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes. But one could see the signs. If George had really loved May, he wouldn't have gang up with his "beloved" sister "Toria" and made their trip to Italy hell for his sensitive wife. Toria, the sharp tongued spinster was jealous of May and constantly make comments on her sister-in-law. King George did not mind that one bit.

[Sweet_Angel]

Happy blessful 137th birthday to Queen Marie of Romania, may she rest in peace and happiness in heaven!

[Eric_Lowe]

Happy Birthday Missy/Maddy...