AGED GRAND DUCHESS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18898, 26 June 1923, Page 8

AGED GRAND DUCHESS.

BODYGUARD OF 40 GIANTS. MOTHER OF SWEDISH QUEEN. The Grand Duchess Luise of Baden died recently at Baden-Baden, aged 54. In spite of the revolution, the people of Baden called her “our grand duchess’’ to tlie end. She was taugut her place as a small child by being placed in the middle of a circle of chairs, each of which sire was told, represented a pev.on—a general, a lady of the Court, a servant, a- member of a deputation, and so forth. She then had to address an appropriate gracious remark to each chair. The oldest member of European royalty, the Grand Duchess was also one of tho most, picturesque figures in Germany. She lived after the death of her husband in 1907 alone in the castle of fan-shaped Baden-Baden, whore she was guarded by 40 giant footmen in gorgeous livery. She had her Ministers and her Cowl, and w-as a queen in everything but name. In her carnage she was constantly visiting hospitals and schools. The crowds would gather to see her in her Margravine-shaped bonnet get out of the carriage on the arm of one of tho 40 gigantic footmen, and show their affection and respect. The Prince of Wales visited her just, before the war. and looked surprised, she said afterwards, when she told him that as a child she had romped with his grandfather, King Edward. FZo v-as the daughter of the German Emperor, Wilhelm I, and mother of the queen - f . Sweden.