Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig (Ernie), Grand Duchess Eleanor (Onor) & family

[LisaDavidson]

When the Hesse-Darmstadts became extinct in the male line, there was already a plan in place for the Hesse-Cassel line heir to succeed to the Hesse-Darmstadt assets.

[Marlene]

Landgraf Moritz of Hesse was originally a prince of Hesse Kassel as far as I know.
His mother died in a KZ and so Ludwig and Margaret of Hesse and the Rhine adopted him and his younger brother.

Moritz was styled as Prince of Hesse from birth (not Hesse-Cassel.)  In 1960, he was adopted by Prince Ludwig (in order to protect the estates, etc).  Ludwig did not adopt Heinrich.

[QueenEna1887]

Does anyone think the Grand Ducal Family of Hesse-Darmstadt will be restored to their royal status let alone their homes?

Since Ernie's family died out in the 1930's I think the descendants of his sister Princess Victoria of Battenburg should take the throne. The descendants of her oldest son George Mountbatten, Marquess of Milford Haven. Since his son descendants are carrying on his titles. I think his daughter Lady Tatiana Mountbatten's descendants should assume the throne of Hesse- Darmstadt.

[grandduchessella]

I don't think there's a throne to claim at this point. There's still a head of the family--it passed to Prince Mortiz of the Hesse-Cassel branch (Margaret of Prussia's side of the family) when the male line of the Hesse-Darmstadt died out. They still have their home, I believe--Marlene probably knows more about this. The Schloss is now a school, I think, so I doubt that there would be any return of that.

[Marlene]

Does anyone think the Grand Ducal Family of Hesse-Darmstadt will be restored to their royal status let alone their homes?

The Grand Ducal Family became extinct when Prince Ludwig died in 1968.  In 1960, he adopted his kinsman  Prince Moritz of Hesse (now the Landgraf of Hesse) in order to pass on the estates and other financial  concerns.  In theory,  Moritz is now the Grand Duke of Hesse and BY Rhine.  

However, Germany is a republic, and unlikely to re-establish the monarchy.  The Battenbergs were excluded from the succession due to their morganatic status.  Prince Ludwig chose Prince Moritz to be his heir for several reasons. Moritz was the heir to the main Hesse Cassel line, and he was German.  The Battenbergs/Mountbattens were now British, and no real ties to Hesse.    Women did not have rights in Darmstadt.

Schloss Wolfsgarten remains in private hands - Prince Moritz is the owner now - a part of the house is a school - but the private apartments remain for the family's use.

Since Ernie's family died out in the 1930's I think the descendants of his sister Princess Victoria of Battenburg should take the throne. The descendants of her oldest son George Mountbatten, Marquess of Milford Haven. Since his son descendants are carrying on his titles. I think his daughter Lady Tatiana Mountbatten's descendants should assume the throne of Hesse- Darmstadt.

[Marlene]

I don't think there's a throne to claim at this point. There's still a head of the family--it passed to Prince Mortiz of the Hesse-Cassel branch (Margaret of Prussia's side of the family) when the male line of the Hesse-Darmstadt died out. They still have their home, I believe--Marlene probably knows more about this. The Schloss is now a school, I think, so I doubt that there would be any return of that.

The adoption was done for financial purposes to protect what was left of the estate.  Schloss Wolfsgarten is partially a school, but also still a private residence,

[Ilana]

That's interesting, Marlene.  I wasn't aware that Wolfsgarten was a school these days.  When I was there, it looked exclusively a private residence.  Do you know what sort of school is there?

[Marlene]

That's interesting, Marlene.  I wasn't aware that Wolfsgarten was a school these days.  When I was there, it looked exclusively a private residence.  Do you know what sort of school is there?

Only a part of the Wolfsgarten is a school .... the rest is a private residence. Unless Moritz closed it down.  

[grandduchessella]

[Marlene]

You say that the Hessian Tapestry covers the birth of Princess Alice to the Death of Princess Victoria of Battenberg. Can you tell me whether it covers the birth of Princess Alice's youngest daughter Alexandra? I've yet to find any mention anywhere.

Alice's youngest daughter was May, not Alexandra.  Alice did not have a daughter named Alexandra.  You are referring to Alix who took the name Alexandra when she converted to Orthodoxy and married Nicholas II.

[Ilana]

Well, Thomas, I've never looked closely enough to see their teeth!!!!!!

[bluetoria]

They never show their teeth on photographs, do they? Perhaps Thomas has the reason why they don't.  :-/
(How do YOU know about their teeth, Thomas? Clearly Ilana only notices their 'manliness'! - it being spring, of course! )

[princessalice]

i have quite a few of the postcards shown in this post, i collect royalty postcards and have been trying to get as many of the Hessian royal family as possibly, when they are listed on Ebay they generally go very high and i've spent some pretty good amounts on them the last few years!  but, they are very precious.  i am trying always to get one of Princess Alice, but am always outbid and can't really afford to go up that high anyway...thank you for posting the pictures though, they are very sweet...

[Prince_Christopher]

I would like to start a thread on Grand Duchess Eleonore of Hesse, second wife of Ernie and mother of Don and Lu.  What was she like as a person, why did she marry Ernie, what was her life in Hesse like, and what about her own family(parents, brothers and sisters), where did she come from?
There seems to be very little information on her.  Even in the major biographies, she is barely mentioned.

[Mia]

Here is something that I found on Sotheby's site. I think that the brooch has quite unusual design. I wonder if this is a sign of a good relationship between Alix and Onor or just one of those presents the Imperial family "had to"  scatter around?:

"A Fabergé moonstone and diamond pin
workmaster August Hollming, St.Petersburg, circa 1900.
Set with two cabochon moonstones with a diamond-set flowerspray in the centre, marked with initials of workmaster and 56 standard This lot contains 1 item(s).

Provenance:
A gift from Empress Alexandra Feodorovna née Princess von Hessen-Darmstadt to Grand Duchess Eleonore von Hessen-Darmstadt und bei Rein née Princess von Solms-Hohensolms-Lich, 1871-1937.

Estimated price 1,000—1,500 GBP
Lot Sold.  Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium:   9,400 GBP"

(The brooch was auctioned in May 2002)