Carl Edward (Karl Eduard) Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Duke of Albany & family

[HerrKaiser]

I agree he looked good. I have both family members and friends in the military who have participated in formal occasions and did not wear their dress military uniforms.

My only point/question was the appropriateness of donning a foreign mililtary uniform for the occasion. I personally would have done otherwise, as I would prefer a family wedding in the U.S. attended by military members of other nations to avoid wearing their uniforms. Personal preference and a bit of disconnect for me on foreign soil.

[Marlene]

We still have troops in Germany ... and the bride is an American citizen, the wedding was a mixture of German and American traditions - and in German and in English.    If She had been British and her father a Royal Naval officer, you can be sure he would have been in uniform. The US and Germany are allies ... 

I agree he looked good. I have both family members and friends in the military who have participated in formal occasions and did not wear their dress military uniforms.

My only point/question was the appropriateness of donning a foreign mililtary uniform for the occasion. I personally would have done otherwise, as I would prefer a family wedding in the U.S. attended by military members of other nations to avoid wearing their uniforms. Personal preference and a bit of disconnect for me on foreign soil.

[HerrKaiser]

The guest list was filled with members of past european dynasties. would the Windsors have been invited (they did not attend)? Or, is the near 100 year old family divide still at slow boil for such gatherings as this?

[grandduchessella]

Marlene had provided a good write up--actually a couple of them. According to her blog, and the link I had provided, Lord and Lady Nicholas Windsor and their toddler son, Albert were present.

[grandduchessella]

I agree he looked good. I have both family members and friends in the military who have participated in formal occasions and did not wear their dress military uniforms.

My only point/question was the appropriateness of donning a foreign mililtary uniform for the occasion. I personally would have done otherwise, as I would prefer a family wedding in the U.S. attended by military members of other nations to avoid wearing their uniforms. Personal preference and a bit of disconnect for me on foreign soil.

But the family has strong American ties so it perhaps seemed very fitting and natural to them, especially as the bride was American--and brides do rule on these days!    As Marlene wrote on her blog:

"Prince Andreas was raised in the United States as his mother remarried in 1947 to an American, Richard Whitten. The family settled in Covington, Lousiana. Prince Andreas...attended high school and college in the USA. He returned to Germany to learn about his heritage and take on the mantle of running the family business and maintain the family properties...It is not a surprise that Prince Hubertus has married an American. He has lived and worked in New York City for several years, where he is employed in the financial sector. His father, who has a half-sister, Victoria, continues to maintain the ties to his American family."

[Marlene]

An invitation would not have been sent to the queen, but perhaps to the Kent branch as several members have visited Coburg, such  as the opening of Rosenau.  It is possible that Prince Michael was invited, and designated his nephew, Lord NIcholas, to attend  and Lord and Lady Nicholas Windsor attended the gala as well as the wedding (the latter with their toddler son, Master Albert). Lady Nicholas is pregnant with her second child.

The guest list was filled with members of past european dynasties. would the Windsors have been invited (they did not attend)? Or, is the near 100 year old family divide still at slow boil for such gatherings as this?

[HerrKaiser]

Marlene, with your personal exposure to many of the royals of europe, please provide some insights, if you are able.

I've known a few 3rd -5th generation offspring of American captains of industry; names of companies that are big brand names. Most of these families' second generations sold out to the stock market, lived the good life, and squandered the much of their ancestors' power and money. The generations alive today don't spend a lot of time bemoaning the mistakes of their ancestors, but they do on occasion 'wish' and ponder how differently life would be had they been around to be making decisions decades ago.

Do you find the same sorts of chats amongst the likes of those who would have been at this wedding, for example?

[Marlene]

Many of the young royals have to work for a living because not every family was able to retain their fortunes, especially the families in the East.  They have to work to maintain the estates, and so on. Andreas was able to rebuild the portfolio by regaining Callenberg, for example, and other properties.  I sincerely doubt he looks back at the past, considering his grandfather.  I have no idea if the heads and their heirs wish to be true royals -  now the responsibility is toward maintaining what they have and doing good.  Hubertus has been working for a bank in NYC for several years now -- in time, he will take over running the family business.  Coburg did a really nice job with this wedding --more than 3000 people lined the streets, and the family could have had a private wedding, but chose not to -- it seems that Hubertus will have an active interest in his family's heritage.

Marlene, with your personal exposure to many of the royals of europe, please provide some insights, if you are able.

I've known a few 3rd -5th generation offspring of American captains of industry; names of companies that are big brand names. Most of these families' second generations sold out to the stock market, lived the good life, and squandered the much of their ancestors' power and money. The generations alive today don't spend a lot of time bemoaning the mistakes of their ancestors, but they do on occasion 'wish' and ponder how differently life would be had they been around to be making decisions decades ago.

Do you find the same sorts of chats amongst the likes of those who would have been at this wedding, for example?

[HerrKaiser]

Thanks Marlene. I simply cannot find via a few quick searches what actually is the 'family business' of the Saxe-Coburgs. Is it primarily real estate and investments? Hubertus' banking experience would be a good provide a good background for those disciplines.

[Marlene]

They own Schloss Greinberg and Schloss Callenberg, forestry, and may have gotten the Gotha propereries as well.  I believe they also own property in Scotland, or did when Friedrich Josias was alive.  I think there was a form of restitution to Andreas regarding Friedenstein.

Thanks Marlene. I simply cannot find via a few quick searches what actually is the 'family business' of the Saxe-Coburgs. Is it primarily real estate and investments? Hubertus' banking experience would be a good provide a good background for those disciplines.

[Stefan22]

They have the right to use Friedenstein . For example last year a recpetion on the occasion of Prince Andreas 65. birthday took place there.

[grandduchessella]

A link posted on the European royal events message board with many wedding photos

http://picture.belga.be/belgapicture/editorial/all/coverage/961686.html

[Stefan22]

Have now added a Report and more pictures to my Blog

http://royaltravel.blogspot.com/2009/05/ducal-wedding-at-coburg.html

[HerrKaiser]

Thanks Stefan. Great site and pics!

did this thread name change?

[Svetabel]

did this thread name change?

Yes, moderators never  sleep! The thread moved from the Hohenzollerns subforum.