A ROYAL ROMANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11825, 30 November 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

A ROYAL ROMANCE.

AUSTRIAN PRINCESS WHO MARRIES

FOR LOVE. The Emperor Francis Joseph announced lately at a family dinner at Schonbrunn the betrothal of his granddaughter, Archduchess Elizabeth Marie, only child of the late Crown. Prince Rudolph and Princess Stephanie, to Prince Otto von Windischgratz. Prince Otto is a first lieutenant in the Ist Uhlan Regiment, and is at present studying at Kriegsschule, with a view to an appointment on the. General Staff. The news of the engagement was allowed to become publicly known in advance, and it has excited the liveliest interest throughout the Monarchy, it being regarded as yet another illustration of the aged Sovereign's kindness of heart that the young Princess is allowed' to marry as her heart dictates— that is, outside the circle of Royal personages, and below her own rank. It will not. indeed, be a morganatic marriage. The family of Windischgratz is among the fiftyfive enumerated in the second part of " Almanach de Gotha," to which, though they are no longer independent, the right of Edenburtigkeit with the reigning families has been accorded by the defunct German Confederacy, a right which is still recognised. On the other hand, the Princess is certainly ma- ying beneath her. and she might well hf.ve aspired to one of the first Thrones in Europe. The tact that she thought she would be happier in not sharing a Throne ; that she asked her Imperial grandfather to be allowed to many the man of her choice, and that the Monarch almost immediately consented —saying only, a Vienna paper states, "It is God's will"— all this wives just that touch of romance to the engagement, which is. nowadays, even more appreciated than in former times. The Archduchess Elizabeth has received a most careful education, speaks English, French, and Italian perfectly, and sings and paints. But driving, riding, cycling, skating, tennis, and, above all, dancing are her favourite pastimes; and it was at her iirst bail that she first met. the man who is to be her husband. It was on the occasion of her being introduced into society at a Court ball, iu March, 1900; and Prince Otto von Windischgratz, a scion of the younger branch of the princely family of Windischgratz, was commanded, according to the custom of the Vienna Court, to waltz with the fcinpevors daughter. He is a tall, well, set-up man, with blue eves, and a heavy, blonde moustache. Amongst his brother officers he is known as a keen soldier, an excellent rider, and a lively companion. Last winter Prince Otto often met the Archduchess at the aitistocratic houses she was allowed to visit ; and nearly always he was her partner. In the summer he'played tennis with her in LRXenburg, and in the end the young couple fell in love with each other. It would have been contrary to etiquette for Prince Otto to have proposed marriage, but the young Archduchess is said to have made known her choice with a frankness that befits her fathers child- There was no hitch after that, for there is no truth in the rumour that she had to fight for her choice ; though there is enough energy in her character to make it probable that she would, have done so had it been necessary. Prince Otto's father, Prince Ernst von Windischgratz, is a retired colonel, a member 01 Parliament, and a Privy Councillor. His mother, who died thirteen years ago, was a Princess von Ottingen-Ottingen. His elder brother is a lieutenant in the Windischgratz Dragoons ; while his sister, Princess Elconore, is married to the hereditary Count Alphonse Paar. Prince Otto is just turned twenty-eight, and his bride-elect was eighteen six weeks ago. The Archduchess Elizabeth Marie will probably be married in a few months, and till then" her mother will reside at Castle Austcilitz. in Bohemia, which Count and Countess Lonyay have rented for six months. After the marriage the Count and Countess may and probably will take up their residence in England.