ITALY'S QUEEN: A CHARACTER SKETCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2528, 27 August 1902, Page 66

ITALY'S QUEEN : A CHARACTER SKETCH.

(Margaret Sherringtox, in fhe Lreds

Mercury.)

The tragic death of King Humbert of Italy brought the present King Victor Emmanuel 111 abruptly to the throne on July 30, 1900, under very painful circumstances. At the time, the chief impression that the

delicate ; very little was known to the yublic of his real character, and consequently his first remarkable Speech from the Throne had an electrifying effect, and was the talk of the world. "Brought up," he said, in conclusion, "in the love of religion and the Fatherland, I call God to witness my promise that from this day forth and for ever I shall labour with all my heart for the greatness and prosperity of our country."'

GIRLHOOD.

Queen Helene is the daughter of Prince Nicholas I of Montenegro, who succeeded hi? uncle, Prince Danilo I. She is one of a large family of brothers and sisters, and was born at Cettinje, on December 27, 1872.

Although the House from which she comes cannot by any means be considered a-s one of the most important of reigning houses, yet Prince Nicholas's daughters have always been very highly thought of, and he himself was singled out for the special friendship of the late Czar Alexander 711, who took *n active interest in the education of the young Montenegrin Princesse*. So much so, in fact, that he not only urged Prince Nicholas to send them to St. Petersburg to be educated, but he contributed largely, if not wholly, to their school expanses. Their education was earned on at a school which was under the patronage of the Empre.vs Dagmar, and which was dedicated to girls of the nobility.

While in Russia the Montenegrin Princesses became intimately associated with the Imperial Family at St. Petersburg, and shared on many an occasion the inner life of the Court. Princess Helene was the favourite friend of the Grand Duchess Xenia, the present Czar's sister, and was brought much into the company of Nicholas II — then^ Czarewitch. of course. Her eldest sister, Princess Militza, married' the Russian Grand Duke Pierre Nikolaievitch ; and her second sister, Princess Anastasia, became the wife of Duke George of Leuchtenberg; while she herself was such a favourite with the Czar Alexander that he set his heart upon her as a bride for his heir. It would seem, therefore, as though Princess Helene was destined to be a Queen. For a time it appeared not unlikely that she would one day become Empress of Russia. Everything seemed, from an outs;de view, favourable to the match, the fact that she had been educated in Russia being in itself a point that weighed heavily in her favour. But the present Czar, it is well known, was all along in love with Princess Alix of Hesse, and Princess Helene remained heart-whole in spite of her intimacy with the Imperial Court. When her education was finished she returned to her mountain home, where, in company with her brothers, she used to spend the days in sports and outdoor pastimes, being enthusiastic over the chase — a whim which led her husband later on to make a gift to her of the island of Monte Christo, where she and the King occasionally spend a few clays in his Majesty's shooting-box.

BETROTHAL AND 3HERKGE

It is hardly exaggeration to say that Queen Helene is, of all the Queens of Europe, the most highly accomplished, since her education was conducted on a wider scale than that of most princesses, and she was given intellectual opportunities that fall to the lot of few girls. In addition to being educated at St. Petersburg, she used to pay visits to her grandmother, the Prince of Montenegro's mother, in Venice, where the latter frequently stayed, and there Princess Helene's taste for art 1 was fostered and encouraged.

It was in Venice that she fiist met her future husband — during the run of the exhibition of 1895, which brought among other visitors to Venice the Princess of Montenegro and her daughter Helene, and King Humbert and the Queen of Italy and their son, the Prince of Naples. With the Prince it was a case- of love at first sight.

He first saw Princess Helene at a gala performance at the theatre in Venice, and was struck by her Oriental loveliness and grace. The next occasion of the meeting was at the coronation of the Czar in the following year. Better acquaintance only confirmed the impression she had made months before, with the result that on his return to Rome the Prince of Naples asked King Humbert's permission to woo the beautiful Princess Helene for his wife. Ihe King willingly consented, but it was an open secret that he would have preferred a more important alliance for his son. o

The course of true love, says the adage, n^ T er did run smooth, and Princess Helene was to find a formidable opponent in Crispi. King Humbert's Minister, who was strongly against the match, and urged opposition on the grounds of the possibility of such a marriage interfering with the Triple Alliance and upsetting Germany, on account of the Czar's extremely friendly lelations towards the Prince of Monte-

King Humbert, however, refused to be influenced, 'and merely remarked to Crispi that "the Princess whom my son has chosen is the scion of a brave race- that has fought fevr liberty." The marriage also had some opposition among a certain section of the public, who did not regard a Montenegrin Princess of sufficient importance to share the throne of Italy. The wedding was celebrated at Rome, in the Church o? Santa Maiia Deglo Angli. on October 24, 1896, Queen Helene having previously been received into the Roman Catholic Church. She was in her twentyfourth year at the time, and the Prince of Naples was nearly 27. After the wedding 400 pigeons were let loose to signal the happy event to the people of Italy and Montenegro.

A CTCLIXG ADVES'IURE.

King Humbert and Queen Morgherita soon found in Prince&s Helene the most companionable of daughters. Her gentle, charming manners, coupled with her beauty and highly-developed intellect, hpr feailess nature and devotion to the Crown Prince, end ea led her to them more and more, and after King Humbert's cruel death at Monza hex tend&r solicitude and lave were of the

greatest comfort to tb.e widowed Margherita. Nothing could persuade the new Queen for the first few days or so to usurp Queen Margherita's place ; she gently insisted on her mother-in-law preceding her as usual and taking her customary place at table. It can easily be guessed, therefore, that with a nature full of such gentle courtesies she should have made for herself friends everywhere, and is quickly taking her place in the hearts of the people.

Both Queen Helene and the King delight in yachting, and her Majesty is also passionately fond of cycling — a pastime in which Queen Margherita, before her widowhood, freely indulged, finding it extremely beneficial to her health. She presented Queen Helene, shortly after her irarriajre, with a bicj r cie fitted with gold and silver, and together the two royal ladies used to cycle in the park daily.

A week or two before the birth of the little Princess Yolande, who came to gladden the hearts of the King and Queen in the summer of 1901, Queen Helene slipped out of the palace one day unseen by the King, and with her lady-in-waiting went for a cycle ride round the private park. King VictoT'had urged her to give up cycling for a time, and she had obeyed until on this occasion the temptation was too strong for her. Unfortunately, as she neared home she met with a slight accident and fell from her machine. She limped into the palace by a side entrance, ?nd came face to face with the King! He gave her a little scolding, which she, feeling very much ashamed of herself, took in a humble spirit, promising to be more obedient for the future.

I'RIVVTE LIFE,

The King and Queen of Italy are at l.cart very unconventional, and thoroughly enjoy throwing aside the formalities of royalty for a time and indulging in peasant life. Not long ago they made an excursion of 220 miles in their automobile, completing the distance in 14 hours. They were wide-awake enough to start at 4 o'clock in the morning, simple enough in their tastes to dine in the open fields at Oneglia, and sufficiently kind-hearted to invite some peasant onlookers to join them in the meal. When passing some forts during their excursion, their Majesties conversed for a considerable time with the commandant, remaining all the while unknown.

When staying at their favourite country seat. Racconigi, the King and Queen usually begin the day with a drive, the Queen taking the reins. Occasionally the royal couple have extraordinary little adventures, which keep them amused for the rest of the drive. Thus, one day they stopped at an out-of-the-way farmhouse, and the King asked a peasant who was at work near the door, "Is there no master, peasant, to this place?" "The master i 9 at Rome; it is the King; dost thou not know as much?" replied the peasant, not recognising their Majesties, and without removing his hat.

Anothei morning the King and Queen watched a fisherman lifting his nets from one of the canals. His Majesty called out, "Well, mv good fellow, have you done well?"

The man recognised the King, and, dropping his net in confusion, snatched at the shirt of which he had divested himself in order to manage his fishing gear the better, and shouted with all his strength : ''Ewiva. el Rev !"'

Then, quickly recovering his self-posses-sion, he threw the fish just caught into a basket and otfered them, with truly Italian grace, to his visitors.

"No, thank you, my good man," said the King, with a smile ; "keep your fish for yourself, and this with it." And, throwing a gold piece among the fish, the King, with the Queen, disappeared, smiling at the fisherman.

I'KN rORIKAITP,

Queen Helene is a brunette of the richest type, with deep luminous eyes — gentle in expression, — jet-bLick hair, and a clear complexion. She plays both the piano and the violin, afid speaks four languages fluently. The King of Italy could have chosen no cleverer or more charming wife. The Queen is wise in her judgment, and has great tact and, like the King, high ideals and a strict sense of duty. Her early home at Montenegro was not one to foster .ideas of extravagance, and consequently when she came to Italy she wjks rather shocked at the waste that goes on in big Courts, and, on becoming Queen, made several economical reforms. She is specially interested in educational establishments for women, where they can obtain practical training to fit them for their daily life. Queen Helene is never the one to offend willingly, but she can be outspoken when she likes, and never gives in to anything that does not appeal to her as being right. Bright, clever, and amiable, her influence is all for the good of the people and her husband.

King Victor Emmanuel has a firmness of character and quickness of decision that stand him well. He has outgrown his delicacy, and h;ys "untiring zeal. His clearcut features and closely-cropped hair give Lim an appearance of alertness that does not belie his character. The story of his early life is one of Spartan training, hard study, and struggles against physical weakness. He is an enthusiastic soldier, yachtsman, and electrician, and he has been s{ oken of as ''the only real electrician among all the Princes of Europe." To the disgust of the Royal Family, he turned his apartments in the Quirinal into gomething like a chemical laboratory soon after the discovery of the X-rays, and he quickly became a successful experimenter. Another hobby of his Majesty's is collecting coins. Of these he has m his collection over 20,000. The King and Queen are welt matched, Queen Helene's coolness tempering the somewhat hasty nature of the King. Their Majesties lead an ideally happy domestic life, and all Italy has cause to lejoice that King Victor Emmanuel 111 ohose for his Consort the beautiful, high-spirited girl \sh.o is now Queea of the reajjru