Etiquette and a Vivacious Duchess

Duchess Anastasia of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (nee Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna Romanova of Russia) in her costume for the “Ball at the Winter Palace” in 1903 — “Prior to leaving for Cannes the Grand Duchess Anastasia acted as chaperon in Paris for a week for Mrs. Grahamme-White, formerly Dorothy Taylor, and the winsome American wife of the British aviator. The towering “Flatiron” form of the grand duchess, who is six feet two inches tall, and insists upon wearing futurist gowns of glaring colors, was a familiar figure at a smart sans souci tango palace, and Ciros restaurant. The grand duchess prides herself on her extensive American acquaintanceship.” – Photo source Pinterest

Royalty Leaving France for Winter 

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American Society Leaders Have Lost the 

Grand Dukes and Duchesses

PARIS, Dec. 27. —The American society leaders here have lost their Russian Grand Dukes and Grand Duchesses, and with their departure for different parts of Europe the winter’s social whirl has materially slackened. The greatest loss has been caused by the departure of the Grand Duchess Anastasia of Mecklenberg-Schwerin to the Rivera after spending a few brisk months as the chief guest at the tea and supper tango parties. These affairs, which have been given in the majority by Americans, proved the liveliest feature of the season. Prior to leaving for Cannes the Grand Duchess Anastasia acted as chaperon in Paris for a week for Mrs. Grahamme-White, formerly Dorothy Taylor, and the winsome American wife of the British aviator. The towering “Flatiron” form of the Grand Duchess, who is six feet, two inches, tall, and insists upon wearing futurist gowns of glaring colors, was a familiar figure at a smart sans souci tango palace, and Ciros restaurant. The Grand Duchess prides herself on her extensive American acquaintanceship. 

Since the opening of the present season, she has met in ball rooms and at dinner tables Mrs. W. B. Leeds, Anthony Drexel, Duchess De La Rochefocauld, nee Mitchell; Princess Albert Radziwill, Countess Stanislas De Castellane, nee Terry; Mr. and Mrs. Perry Belmont, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lehr, and Mrs. Moncurex Robinson, as well as numerous less prominent members of the American colony. Although 53 years old, the Grand Duchess is still vivacious as a kitten and claims to be the best royal tango dancer in Europe. Her oft recurring desire for a social fling forces her to cling to Paris, because some years ago the Kaiser banned her from the Prussian court, and she rarely sees her daughter, the wife of the Crown Prince. 

She is also ostracized by other European courts and the only people who tolerate her socially are the French and American hostesses, who regard her battering of court etiquette only with amusement. Paris makes full allowance for her effervescent Romanoff spirits. Just as the young Russian Princess, Marie, had to fly to Paris recently, because she could not tolerate the stiff, unbending ceremony forced upon her at Stockholm, after her marriage to Prince Frederick of Sweden, so the Grand Duchess of Mecklenberg-Schwerin, who before her marriage was Anastasia Michailovna, could not help breaking the bonds of German court restraint and flitting to Paris for social freedom. She plans entertaining on a large scale this winter in her villa at Cannes, which is always an open house to American guests.— Morning Press, 1913

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