Ladies-in-Waiting, Chamberlains, Nannies & Servants of the Habsburgs

[synnadene]

Ida Ferenczy

[synnadene]

Marie Festetics

[Eric_Lowe]

I like the one of Marie copying the Empress's hairstyle and diamond stars. 

[Twobsbob]

Princess Helene de Tour et Taxis -  1860



Isn't that the Empress' sister?  I didn't realize she was a lady in waiting to her siser.





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[Clelia]

No, that is not the empress' sister. This Helene is a complete different person
I think she later married a count Kinski...

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes. She wrote her memoirs. I think Brigitte quoted it in "Reluctant Empress" and so did "Lonely Empress". Is the book still exist ? In German only ?

[Marc]

What were the relations between them?Were they all in good terms?Maybe some love/hate relationships?

[jalm]

Helene Thurn und Taxis (1836-1901) was married to Wolfgang Graf Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau.
Jan

[Eric_Lowe]

Helene wrote mostly sympathically about her time with the Empress.

[jalm]

Please find below the carte de visite photograph of barones von Welden née de Lamay.
The photograph was taken by Ludwig Angerer, Wien.
The back reads in period handwriting "Mad. la baronne de Welden; née .....(empty space) de Lamay, marié au baron de Welden, feldzeugmeister; veuve depuis ....(empty space =1853); aja des infants de L.L. m: m: l'Empéreur et l'Impératrice.  Autriche 1860."
She was the nanny of Gisela and Rudolf.
I have no idea about the period she was their nanny - at least it was upto 1860 - the year the photo was taken.
All biographical information about her is welcome - also information about the von Welden and de Lamay families.


Jan van der Wal

[Clelia]

I've read that the children called her "Wowo", and that Rudolph mentioned her in one of his farewell letters before his death in Mayerling.
She accompanied the empress, Gisela and Rudolph in their trip to Venice in 1862.


It seems that her illustration here was based on the photograph posted.

[Clelia]

Here, I've found the letter I just mentioned, addressed to Stephanie:

"Dear Stephanie, you are now rid of my presence and annoyance; be happy in your own way. Take care of the poor wee one, she is all that remains of me. To all acquaintances, especially Bombelles, Spindler, Latour, Wowo (nickname for the barones Von Welden, Ruldolf's nanny), Gisela, Leopold, etc., etc., say my last greetings. I go quietly to my death, which alone can save my good name. I embrace you affectionately. Your loving Rudolph."

How touching that he should remember her in his final moments...

[jalm]

Below some photographs of various men and women who served Empress Elisabeth, Emperor Franz Joseph and archdukes and archduchesses of the Hapsburgs house.
For more ladies in waiting to Empress Elisabeth see a seperate "ladies in waiting" topic.

Empress Elisabeth
Comte Alfred de Konigsegg - Aulendorf. "General major, conseiller intime et grand maitre de la cour de S.M. l'Imperatrice Elisabeth."



Archduchess Sophie (1805-1872), mother of Franz Joseph
Comtesse Ludmilla de Zamoiska / Zamoyska. "Dame d'honeur de l'archiduchesse Sophie."


Comte Nicolaus de Szecsen. "Conseiller int. act. et Grand-maitre de la cour de S.A.R. l'archiduchesse Sophie."


Princesse Frederique d'Auersperg. "Dame d'honeur chez S.A.I. l'archiduchesse Sophie."



Archduke Franz Karl (1802-1878) father of Franz Joseph.
Baron Charles de Reischach. "cons. int. et grand-maitre de la cour de S.A.I. l'archiduc Francois Charles."



Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian (1832-1867) later Emperor of Mexico.
Comte Francois de Zichy de Vasonykei. "chambellan, conseiller intime, grand-maitre de la cour chez l'archiduc Ferdinand Maximilian."



Emperor Franz Joseph.
Prince Constantin de Hohenlohe - Schillingsfurst. "Chambellan, amjor et aide-de-camp de l'Empereur." with his wife Princess Marie de Hohenlohe - Schillingsfurst née de Sayn - Wittgenstein - Berlebourg.


Jan van der Wal

[jalm]

"amjor" benhind Prince Hohenlohe (last photo) should be "major".
Jan

[Marc]

Great photos...