Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal (NSW : 1851 - 1904)(about) |
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Tuesday 25 August 1891
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1 correction by allanraymond - Show corrections
Between Love and Duty.
'Court circles in St. Peterstburg are discussing an exciting social scandal of a more; than usually interesting and ro- mantic character. The chief figure is Prince Albert of Saxe Altenburg, who, as as a young man, entered the Prussian armv. When about 3o years of age, he
quitted the German 'service and went to Russia, where he rose to the rank of general in the Russian army. Four years ago, he quitted Russia, and re-entered the German service, rising apidly to the command, of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade. He then married the beautiful young widow of Prince Henry of the Nether- lands, daughter of the late Prince Friedrich Karl. She, however, died in presenting him with a second child, and soon afterwards Prince Albert was sent to St. Petersburg to represent the Em- peror at a funeral. During his visit he appears to have fallen in love with the Grand Duchess Helene Michailowna, daughter of the late Duke of Mecklen-
burg -Strelitz. The Prince was 48 and lady 35, and she consented to marry him on the condition that he re-entered the Russian service, as she declined to leave St. Petersburg. The Prince agreed to this, and after some' difficulty raised by the lady's mother had been disposed of, he asked the Czar to reinstate him in the Russian army. The Czar made some sarcastic remarks about the readiness with which soldiers of fortune would change their swords from one side to another, and expressed a preference him- self for those having a high patriotic feel ing. Stung into fury, the Prince left St. Petersburg that very day without taking a personal farewell of his fiancee, and he is not likely to return to the Russian capital. To add to the Prince's discomfi- ture, the Emperor Wilhelm received him very coolly on his return, showing his decided displeasure at an officer seeking a second time to leave the German service.