Today, the European royal family celebrates a remarkable milestone as Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar marks her 100th birthday. Born on March 31, 1920, at Potsdam, the princess is not only the oldest living member of the European Gotha but also the newest royal centenarian. Her remarkable longevity is a testament to her strong family ties and the enduring legacy of the Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach dynasty.
Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar has lived through a century of significant historical events, witnessing the rise and fall of empires and the evolution of royal families. Her life has been marked by numerous milestones, including the marriage of her grandson Prince Georg-Constantin of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach to Olivia Page in 2015. Despite the challenges faced by the Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach dynasty, Princess Felicitas remains a symbol of resilience and continuity, inspiring generations to come[1].
what are some other notable achievements of Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar
what were Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar’s contributions to her family’s legacy
how did Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar’s marriage to Prince Bernhard impact her family’s legacy
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| Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar and Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach on their wedding day. Photograph (c) Eurohistory Photo Collections. |
On 31 March 1920, HSH Princess Felicitas Sophie Katharine Margarethe Hermine Irene zu Salm-Horstmar was born at Potsdam. Today, the princess celebrates her 100th birthday. Felicitas is the oldest living member of the European Gotha.
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| The paternal grandmother of Felicitas: Fürstin Emilie zu Salm-Horstmar (1841-1892). |
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| The mother of Felicitas: Princess Sabine von Schoenaich-Carolath (1893-1965). © Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels / photo: J. Geleyns / Ro scan |
The princess was the third daughter of Prince Emich zu Salm-Horstmar (1883-1959) and Princess Sabine von Schoenaich-Carolath (1893-1965). Emich and Sabine married in 1914; the couple had three children: Princess Sieglinde (1915-2006; who married Franz Bussmann), Princess Rosmarie (1918-2005; who married Conrad Kirchmeyer), and Princess Felicitas. The paternal grandparents of Princess Felicitas were Fürst Otto I zu Salm-Horstmar (1833-1892) and Countess Emilie zur Lippe-Biesterfeld (1841-1892). The maternal grandparents of Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar were Fürst Karl zu Carolath-Beuthen (1845-1912) and his second wife Countess Katharina von Reichenbach-Goschütz (1861-1941).
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| Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach with his son Bernhard. |
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| Grand Duchess Feodora of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach with her son Bernhard. |
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| Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. |
Princess Felicitas married Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (1917-1986) on 12 March 1943 at Heinrichau. Bernhard was the third child and second son of Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (1876-1923) and his second wife Princess Feodore of Saxe-Meiningen (1890-1972). Felicitas and Bernhard had three children: Princess Katharina (b.1944), Prince Alexander (1945-1945), and Prince Wilhelm Ernst (b.1946). Felicitas and Bernhard divorced in 1956 after thirteen years of marriage.
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| Princess Katharina of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach marries Prince Emanuel of Hohenzollern. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger. |
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| Princess Katharina of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach with her daughter Eugenia and granddaughter Angelina. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger. |
In May 1968, Princess Katharina of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, the only daughter of Felicitas, married Prince Emanuel of Hohenzollern (1929-1999). Emanuel was the son of Prince Franz Joseph of Hohenzollern (1891-1964) and Princess Maria Alix of Saxony (1901-1990). Katharina and Emanuel had two children, Princess Eugenia (b.1969) and Prince Carl Alexander (b.1970), before divorcing in 1985.
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| Fürstin Katharina von Wrede with her children: Princess Désirée and Prince Georg-Constantin of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach.
Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger. |
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| Prince Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and his children: Prince Georg-Constantin and Princess Désirée. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger. |
In May 1973, Prince Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, the only surviving son of Felicitas, married Eva Katalin [Katharina] Kovarcz de Kovarczfalva (b.1945). Eva was the daughter of Dezsö Kovarcz de Kovarczfalva and Eva-Maria Fiala-Vogelsang. Wilhelm Ernst and Eva had two children, Princess Désirée (b.1974) and Prince Georg-Constantin (1977-2018), before divorcing in 1985. Eva married Fürst Karl von Wrede (b.1942) in 1991.
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| Princess Désirée of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and Count Florian von und zu Hoensbroech on their wedding day. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger. |
From her four grandchildren, Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar has seven great-grandchildren. In 1991, her granddaughter Princess Eugenia of Hohenzollern married Alexander Sautter: the couple have two daughters. In 2000, her granddaughter Princess Désirée of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach married Count Florian von und zu Hoensbroech (b.1969): the couple have five sons.
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| The ill-fated heir: Prince Georg-Constantin of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger. |
In August 2015, the ninety-five year-old Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar attended the marriage of her grandson Prince Georg-Constantin of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach to Olivia Page (b.1979). Given that the Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach dynasty was short of male dynasts, Georg-Constantin would have eventually become the Head of the Grand Ducal House after his cousin Michael Benedikt and his father Wilhelm Ernst. Sadly, the prince died as the result of an equestrian accident in 2018.
Princess Felicitas is a first cousin once removed of Fürst Philipp Otto zu Salm-Horstmar, the head of the family.
We wish the Princess many happy returns of the day!
what are the main themes of Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar’s life
As we conclude this article, we are reminded of the remarkable life and legacy of Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar, the newest royal centenarian. Born on March 31, 1920, she has lived through a century of significant historical events, witnessing the rise and fall of empires and the evolution of royal families. Her remarkable longevity is a testament to her strong family ties and the enduring legacy of the Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach dynasty. Princess Felicitas’s life has been marked by numerous milestones, including the marriage of her grandson Prince Georg-Constantin of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach to Olivia Page in 2015. Despite the challenges faced by the Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach dynasty, Princess Felicitas remains a symbol of resilience and continuity, inspiring generations to come.
Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar’s remarkable life is a testament to the enduring power of royal families and their ability to adapt to changing times. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations, and her remarkable longevity will be remembered as a symbol of the strength and resilience of the Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach dynasty. As we bid farewell to this remarkable princess, we are reminded of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage and honoring the lives of those who have shaped our history. Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar’s remarkable life serves as a reminder of the enduring power of royal families and their ability to adapt to changing times. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations, and her remarkable longevity will be remembered as a symbol of the strength and resilience of the Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach dynasty[1].
what are some notable achievements of Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar
- Marriage to Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach: Princess Felicitas married Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach on March 12, 1943, solidifying her family’s connections with the Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach dynasty.
- Children and Grandchildren: Princess Felicitas had three children: Princess Katharina, Prince Alexander, and Prince Wilhelm Ernst. Her grandchildren include Princess Désirée and Prince Georg-Constantin, who married Olivia Page in 2015.
- Family Legacy: Princess Felicitas’s family has continued to play important roles in their respective royal families. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren have married into other European royal families, strengthening ties between the Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and other dynasties.
- Celebrating Milestones: Princess Felicitas has attended significant events in her family’s history, including the marriage of her grandson Prince Georg-Constantin of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach to Olivia Page in 2015.
- Enduring Legacy: Princess Felicitas’s remarkable longevity and family ties have ensured the continued prominence of the Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach dynasty, inspiring future generations.
These achievements demonstrate Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar’s significant contributions to her family’s legacy and her enduring influence on European royal families.
