The Hesse-Cassel family

[Agneschen]

I am really interested in princess Anna of Prussia, daughter of prince Karl and his wife Marie of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. She was the second wife of Wilhelm of Hesse-Kassel and bore him 5 children (Friedrich-Wilhelm, Elisabeth, Alexander, Friedrich-Karl - Mossy's husband - and Sibylle).
Young Kaiser Franz-Josef met her in Berlin in 1852 and was quite taken with her. He actually wished to propose to her but she was already engaged and, besides, Prussia was opposed to a union with Austria.
That is about all I know - very little indeed - and would welcome any info on her as well as pictures (I have seen her portrait by Winterhalter). Cheers.

[Svetabel]

Picture from Hulton Archive. Anna and her spouse Friedrich (about 1865)

[Agneschen]

Many thanks GDella & Svetabel ! I had never seen the Wilhelm & Anna pic ! I have just found a portrait of her as a child, she looked quite pretty indeed :
http://www.royaltyguide.nl/images-families/hohenzollern/hhzkings2/1836%20M.Anna-02.JPG

[Martyn]

Anna's portrait by Winterhalter dated 1858, and one of my favourites by him.  I have never been able to locate a colour copy of this; according to the book it is located in the Schloss Fasanerie Museum, Fulda.  Can anyone help with this?
She looks absolutely stunning in this painting, just goes to show what a cloud of silk tulle can do!

[Martyn]

Yes, the portrait is at Fasanerie Castle, Eichzell, Germany.
It hangs in her own boudoir - all in pink.

Have you seen it in the flesh, Thomas?

[Agneschen]

Anna was not the sister of the duchess of Connaught but her aunt. Luise-Margarete's father, prince Friedrich-Karl, was Anna's brother.
I love that portrait of her by Winterhalter, thank you for posting it Martyn. I have never seen it in colour either but would like to.

[Martyn]

That is near enough for me!  I would love to see this portrait in colour - it is absolutely one of my favourite Winterhalters and was not included in the famous touring exhibition, hence no colour copy in the accompanying book.
May I ask, what is the video about the Hesses?

[grandduchessella]

Anna was not the sister of the duchess of Connaught but her aunt. Luise-Margarete's father, prince Friedrich-Karl, was Anna's brother.
I love that portrait of her by Winterhalter, thank you for posting it Martyn. I have never seen it in colour either but would like to.

Whoops. Once again a reason for me not to research complicated family trees late at night. Sorry.  

I deleted the post so as not to cause any confusion (and spare myself more embarrassment!)

[Martyn]

Whoops. Once again a reason for me not to research complicated family trees late at night. Sorry.  

I deleted the post so as not to cause any confusion (and spare myself more embarrassment!)

Thanks for that, GDElla.  I'd better modify mine as I quoted you.....

[grandduchessella]

No need--Svetabel has it quoted in all it's misinformed glory.   Sometimes people skim though and I didn't want it just hanging out there when I was so incorrect. Just my bruised ego as I try to keep my reputation intact.  

[Martyn]

Do you know what, your reputation speaks for itself.  Anyone who takes the trouble simply to look at some of your posts will surely realise that you are unbelievably an expert in your field, as much so as any so-called established writers or editors.  Quite how you sustain your commitment to this Board, in addition to your familyand studies, escapes me.
I am sure that your errors are excusable.  And you have the humility to own up to them, an attribute that is both rare and admirable.
I entreat you, keep the pictures and the information coming; you are an inspiration to us all.

[grandduchessella]

Martyn--you are always so kind and such a balm to my ego as well. I think I'm going to print out your comments one day and just post them on my wall for daily affirmations.   Believe me, you won't be able to shut me up. I just enjoy being on here way to much and it's the closest thing I've found to operating in my chosen fields of history & research in a looong time while still being able to be a hands-on mom.

I mostly removed it for the reason I had said earlier, that I didn't want someone skimming through it to read it and somehow absorb the wrong information. I don't mind owning up to my errors--correction of them is one of the best ways to learn.   I'd always rather be corrected than go on spouting misinformation. This was an area that I'm not that familiar with and should've paid more attention though.

[Svetabel]

GDElla,you are an expert,no doubt!  I deleted that  post - my apologies..and never mind.  

[grandduchessella]

GDElla,you are an expert,no doubt!  I deleted that  post - my apologies..and never mind.  

Oh dear, you and Martyn--I was tongue-in-cheek about my reputation. I certainly didn't mean to make you apologize or give me compliments (not that I mind those!) . I just like to clear up my mistakes so that no one inadvertantly thinks its the correct information. I guess no fear of that now!  

[bluetoria]

This was Vicky's opinion of Anna:
"..is very pretty, the most splendid figure youever saw, but I do not like her style quite, her gowns are a good deal fuller than the Empress's [Empress of France] and so low, I cannot bear that; and I do not like to see the Princesses dancing about with everybody." (12 February 1858)

& this is Queen Victoria's view of her husband (Frederick of H-K)
I am not at all surprised at your finding Prince F. of Hesse very disagreeable; we saw him several times in England, and always thought him so; even the Duchess of Cambridge (whose nephew he is) and certainly Cousin Mary disliked him. And yet some years agothe Duchess told me she thought he would be a very good husband for you! [i.e. Vicky] 2 March 1858