MARIA ELISABETH (1853-1923, sister of Bernhard III of Saxe-Meiningen)

Autograph letter signed, in English, to 'Dear Nanna', (Mrs Mary Ann Wakelin, b. 1837 or 1838, nanny to the children of the Imperial Crown Prince Friedrich (III) and Victoria), sending her "the two last pair of stockings for my beloved Feo", Princess FEODORA, (1879-1945, the Crown Prince's first grandchild, daughter of Princess Charlotte), she is "so sorry" about Mrs. Wakelin's "going away so soon", asking after Charlotte, and hoping "that we meet again", ending "Your true Mary", crowned 'ME' in silver at head, 1 side 8vo., no place, 15th November

Princess Charlotte had chosen Bernhard for herself; they were married on 18th February 1878. Feo was born on 12th May 1879 and married Prince Heinrich XXX of Reuss-Schleiz-Köstritz.
Recent investigations among German archives, confirmed by DNA tests, have revealed that both Charlotte and Feo suffered grievously from variegate porphyria, apparently inherited from George III through Queen Victoria and her daughter Vicky. Charlotte was noted for her erratic behaviour and for her interference at the court of her brother Kaiser Wilhelm II. See 'Purple Secret', by John C.G. Röhl, Martin Warren & David Hunt, Bantam Press, 1998.

Item Date:  1879

Stock No:  17844      £100

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