Grand Duchess Marie-Adelaide of Luxembourg

[Prince_Lieven]

Born in 1894 as the eldest of six daughter of Grand Duke William IV of Luxembourg and Princess Maria Anna of Portugal. In 1907, Marie-Adelaide was recognised as heiress to the Grand Duchy, and became Grand Duchess in 1912. She was the first Grand Duchess or Duke of Luxembourg to have been born in the country.

However, Marie-Adelaide liked to interfere in politics, thinking it her right, and when Luxembourg was occupied by Germany in WWI, she had what some deemed a 'too close' relationship  with the German troops.

In 1919, she was forced to abdicate the throne in favour of her sister Charlotte. She became nun, calling herself Sister Marie of the Poor, and died in 1924.

Opinions, anyone?

[Aliss_Kande]

I feel kind of sorry for her actually.  I think she was just trying to do her job and people took it the wrong way.  Also, I would hate it if I was replaced by my little sister.  That would really bug me.

[Prince_Lieven]

She was trying to do her job, but IMO she should have remembered that she was living in the 20th century, not the 15th century . . .

[cimbrio]

On Adelheid/Adélaïde/Adelaide, who abdicated:


Marie-Adélaïde, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, Marie-Adélaïde Thérèse Hilda Wilhelmine (June 14, 1894 – January 24, 1924) was a daughter of Grand Duke William IV of Luxembourg. Eldest of six sisters, she was proclaimed Heir Apparent on July 10, 1907 to solve the succession crisis. Thus, when her father died on February 25, 1912, she became the first reigning Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. She was also the first sovereign of Luxembourg since 1296 to have actually been born within the country.

She was highly interested in politics, and considering herself sovereign by the grace of God she did not refrain from intervening in the political life of the Grand Duchy. During World War I, she enjoyed a rather cordial relationship with the German occupiers, the root of harsh criticism after the liberation. Although not having done anything unconstitutional, voices in Parliament began to demand her abdication in January 1919. After consulting with the Prime Minister, she abdicated on January 14, 1919 and was succeeded by her younger sister Charlotte.

Marie-Adélaïde entered a convent, taking the name "Sister Marie of the Poor", and died at Hohenburg Castle.

[cimbrio]

I too feel sorry slightly but I think I don't know that much about her to have a ready opinion. If she sided with the Germans, well... our opinion of her would be very different had the Germans won, wouldn't it? Here's a thread to see some stamps with her face on them

http://www.luxcentral.com/stamps/stamps/1919.and.earlier/Marie.Adelaide.jpg





Enjoy y'all
Regards
Cimbrio

[Aliss_Kande]

I keep hearing that she interferred with politics.  Exactly how did she interfer?  What did she do?

[TennPat]

Years ago I read a bio of G.D. Marie Adelaide. I was interested in her because in reading about the Grand Duchess Olga Nicolaevna it was mentioned that Olga felt an affinity for her and was concerned when Lux was overrun by the Kaiser's army. Marie-Adelaide was about a year older than the GD Olga N and became the hereditary ruler of Lux shortly before the beginning of the Great War(1914). I'm a bit hazy after 20 years. I 'll get the book and refresh myself. The title is:  Marie Adelaide, grand duchess of Luxemburg published in 1932. Author is Edith O'Shaughnessy. I remember the book as being somewhat sentimental but full of facts. It has a 2 page bibliography according the the library info.I think GD Olga felt close to her because of some similiarity in their situation -- oldest in a family of girls, devout, etc.

[cimbrio]

The share a common physical resemblance I think, but then again, at that time hair styles and dresses couldn't have been all that different, but still... Is the Luxemburg Monarchy Catholic or Protestant?

[Prince_Lieven]

Catholic, I beleive . . . When her sister Charlotte became Grand Duchess, their was a referdum which greatly reduced her power as monarch.

[Marlene]

Edith Saughnessy wrote a bio in English on Marie Adelaide - published decades ago ... you might start with checking the news coverage of the time - you can search the NYTimes and the Washington Post on line, but you would have to pay for the articles.  (However, local libraries might have subscriptions to the historical papers - mine does.)

There a few books in English - but plenty in German.

Books on them, photos, any internet sites you recommend, etc...

I have tried to find stuff on them for months and come up almost empty handed.  I know Marie Adelheid was forced to abdicate and I want to know more about that situation.  Charlotte abdicated I think just because she wanted to retire, but I'm not sure.  On the other four, I only know Antonia married Crown Prince Rupprect of Bavaria.  

Really, any information would be nice, I'm not picky.

Thanks

[Marlene]

Actually, Marie Adelaide never took her final vows as a nun.

On Adelheid/Adélaïde/Adelaide, who abdicated:


Marie-Adélaïde, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, Marie-Adélaïde Thérèse Hilda Wilhelmine (June 14, 1894 – January 24, 1924) was a daughter of Grand Duke William IV of Luxembourg. Eldest of six sisters, she was proclaimed Heir Apparent on July 10, 1907 to solve the succession crisis. Thus, when her father died on February 25, 1912, she became the first reigning Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. She was also the first sovereign of Luxembourg since 1296 to have actually been born within the country.

She was highly interested in politics, and considering herself sovereign by the grace of God she did not refrain from intervening in the political life of the Grand Duchy. During World War I, she enjoyed a rather cordial relationship with the German occupiers, the root of harsh criticism after the liberation. Although not having done anything unconstitutional, voices in Parliament began to demand her abdication in January 1919. After consulting with the Prime Minister, she abdicated on January 14, 1919 and was succeeded by her younger sister Charlotte.

Marie-Adélaïde entered a convent, taking the name "Sister Marie of the Poor", and died at Hohenburg Castle.

[cimbrio]

Really? Did she just retire to a monastery then? i wondered why there weren't pictures of her in Nun's habits...?

[Marlene]

Really? Did she just retire to a monastery then? i wondered why there weren't pictures of her in Nun's habits...?

The intent was there, but Marie Adelaide became rather ill --

[cimbrio]

What did she die of? She was still young...?

[Paul]

A question about the Luxembourg succession.

Luxembourg, of course, was part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands until the death of Willem III. Willem's daughter, Wilhelmina, succeeded in the Netherlands.

Luxembourg passed to the House of Nassau due to the Salic Law. Given that Luxembourg was supposed to have barred women from the crown, how did they justify the succession of Marie Adelaide?

How was this finessed legally- especially with their Dutch relatives?