Etiquette Drives Princess Away

Caroline found the rigid Weimar court etiquette intolerable. The court was generally considered to be one of the most stifling and etiquette-driven in Germany. A source recounts: "It envelops royalty there in a species of captivity, and while the grand duke lends thereto and is too conservative to admit of any change, it crushes with its trammels the more spirited members of the family." 

Princess Driven to Flee 

From Grand Duke's Side by Tyranny 

She Leaves the Court of Weimar Without Notice

(Special to The Herald) 

Berlin, Aug. 11, 1903 —

Court tyranny has driven the Grand Duchess of Saxe-Weimar from the side of her young husband. Without a word as to why or where she was going, the Duchess has fled from the palace at Weimar. 

It was only three months ago that Caroline, the daughter of Prince Henry of Reuss XXII, married the Grand Duke William Ernest of Saxe-Weimar. It was looked upon as a pure love match, and continental papers devoted much space to the romance. This sudden turn of affairs has created consternation in court circles. 

The Grand Duke is said to be beside himself with annoyance. For several years a certain clique has predominated in the court at Saxe-Weimar. When the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess returned from their honeymoon, these ladies set out to instruct the young lady, who is just 19 years old, in court etiquette as observed at Saxe-Weimar. 

The Princess, who is quite unconventional, resented this supervision. When she rebelled, this influential clique appears to have made trouble for her, and the Princess, finding she was a slave at her own court, took flight. 

The role played by the Grand Duke is not clear, but it appears that the overbearing courtiers are more than a match for him. One report has it that the Princess fled to Switzerland. It is certain that the Grand Duke has had all trains for Switzerland watched, and reports made to him. He even went so far as to take the train himself in following one of the rumors that his wife had been located. 

The German papers deal with the matter with much reserve, but in a way to leave no doubt regarding the general outlines of the story. The Reichsbote, one of the most conservative journals in Berlin, publishes a brief account. The Lokalanzeiger, a semi-official organ, discusses the affair in its court and society columns. The Tageblatt comments as follows: "The Grand Duchess, like every other woman, wants to be mistress of her own home, and the probable end of the conflict will be changes in the grand ducul household staff." — The Los Angeles Herald,1903

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia