Today, the European royal family celebrates a significant milestone with the 100th birthday of Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar, Princess of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. Born on March 31, 1920, at Potsdam, Princess Felicitas is not only a royal centenarian but also the oldest living member of the European Gotha, a prestigious list of royal families across Europe.
Princess Felicitas has led a remarkable life, marked by her marriage to Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach in 1942 and the birth of four grandchildren. Her granddaughter, Princess Désirée of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, married Count Florian von und zu Hoensbroech in 2000, and her grandson, Prince Georg-Constantin of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, tragically passed away in an equestrian accident in 2018. Despite these challenges, Princess Felicitas remains a symbol of resilience and dedication to her royal heritage, inspiring generations to come.
what are some other notable achievements of Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar
what were Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar’s contributions to her family’s legacy
how did Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar’s marriage to Prince Bernhard impact her family’s legacy
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| Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar and Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach on their wedding day. Photograph (c) Eurohistory Photo Collections. |
On 31 March 1920, HSH Princess Felicitas Sophie Katharine Margarethe Hermine Irene zu Salm-Horstmar was born at Potsdam. Today, the princess celebrates her 100th birthday. Felicitas is the oldest living member of the European Gotha.
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| The paternal grandmother of Felicitas: Fürstin Emilie zu Salm-Horstmar (1841-1892). |
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| The mother of Felicitas: Princess Sabine von Schoenaich-Carolath (1893-1965). © Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels / photo: J. Geleyns / Ro scan |
The princess was the third daughter of Prince Emich zu Salm-Horstmar (1883-1959) and Princess Sabine von Schoenaich-Carolath (1893-1965). Emich and Sabine married in 1914; the couple had three children: Princess Sieglinde (1915-2006; who married Franz Bussmann), Princess Rosmarie (1918-2005; who married Conrad Kirchmeyer), and Princess Felicitas. The paternal grandparents of Princess Felicitas were Fürst Otto I zu Salm-Horstmar (1833-1892) and Countess Emilie zur Lippe-Biesterfeld (1841-1892). The maternal grandparents of Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar were Fürst Karl zu Carolath-Beuthen (1845-1912) and his second wife Countess Katharina von Reichenbach-Goschütz (1861-1941).
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| Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach with his son Bernhard. |
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| Grand Duchess Feodora of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach with her son Bernhard. |
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| Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. |
Princess Felicitas married Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (1917-1986) on 12 March 1943 at Heinrichau. Bernhard was the third child and second son of Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (1876-1923) and his second wife Princess Feodore of Saxe-Meiningen (1890-1972). Felicitas and Bernhard had three children: Princess Katharina (b.1944), Prince Alexander (1945-1945), and Prince Wilhelm Ernst (b.1946). Felicitas and Bernhard divorced in 1956 after thirteen years of marriage.
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| Princess Katharina of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach marries Prince Emanuel of Hohenzollern. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger. |
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| Princess Katharina of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach with her daughter Eugenia and granddaughter Angelina. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger. |
In May 1968, Princess Katharina of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, the only daughter of Felicitas, married Prince Emanuel of Hohenzollern (1929-1999). Emanuel was the son of Prince Franz Joseph of Hohenzollern (1891-1964) and Princess Maria Alix of Saxony (1901-1990). Katharina and Emanuel had two children, Princess Eugenia (b.1969) and Prince Carl Alexander (b.1970), before divorcing in 1985.
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| Fürstin Katharina von Wrede with her children: Princess Désirée and Prince Georg-Constantin of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach.
Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger. |
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| Prince Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and his children: Prince Georg-Constantin and Princess Désirée. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger. |
In May 1973, Prince Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, the only surviving son of Felicitas, married Eva Katalin [Katharina] Kovarcz de Kovarczfalva (b.1945). Eva was the daughter of Dezsö Kovarcz de Kovarczfalva and Eva-Maria Fiala-Vogelsang. Wilhelm Ernst and Eva had two children, Princess Désirée (b.1974) and Prince Georg-Constantin (1977-2018), before divorcing in 1985. Eva married Fürst Karl von Wrede (b.1942) in 1991.
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| Princess Désirée of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and Count Florian von und zu Hoensbroech on their wedding day. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger. |
From her four grandchildren, Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar has seven great-grandchildren. In 1991, her granddaughter Princess Eugenia of Hohenzollern married Alexander Sautter: the couple have two daughters. In 2000, her granddaughter Princess Désirée of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach married Count Florian von und zu Hoensbroech (b.1969): the couple have five sons.
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| The ill-fated heir: Prince Georg-Constantin of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger. |
In August 2015, the ninety-five year-old Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar attended the marriage of her grandson Prince Georg-Constantin of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach to Olivia Page (b.1979). Given that the Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach dynasty was short of male dynasts, Georg-Constantin would have eventually become the Head of the Grand Ducal House after his cousin Michael Benedikt and his father Wilhelm Ernst. Sadly, the prince died as the result of an equestrian accident in 2018.
Princess Felicitas is a first cousin once removed of Fürst Philipp Otto zu Salm-Horstmar, the head of the family.
We wish the Princess many happy returns of the day!
what are the main themes of Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar’s life
As we conclude our journey through the remarkable life of Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar, we are reminded of the enduring legacy of European royal families. Her remarkable story serves as a testament to the resilience and dedication of these noble dynasties, and we are honored to have shared it with you. Princess Felicitas, the oldest living member of the European Gotha, has lived a life marked by her marriage to Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and the birth of four grandchildren. Her granddaughter, Princess Désirée of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, married Count Florian von und zu Hoensbroech in 2000, and her grandson, Prince Georg-Constantin of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, tragically passed away in an equestrian accident in 2018. Despite these challenges, Princess Felicitas remains a symbol of royal heritage and continues to inspire generations to come.
As we bid farewell to this remarkable princess, we are reminded of the importance of preserving the rich history and traditions of European royal families. Princess Felicitas’ life is a testament to the power of family and the enduring legacy of these noble dynasties. Her story serves as a reminder of the significance of preserving the past and honoring the memories of those who have come before us. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to share her remarkable journey with you and hope that it will continue to inspire and educate future generations. Princess Felicitas’ remarkable life is a royal legacy that will be cherished for years to come.
what are some notable achievements of Princess Felicitas zu Salm-Horstmar
- Longest Living Member of the European Gotha: Princess Felicitas is the oldest living member of the European Gotha, a prestigious list of royal families across Europe.
- Marriage and Children: She married Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach in 1943 and had three children: Princess Katharina, Prince Alexander, and Prince Wilhelm Ernst.
- Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren: Princess Felicitas has four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, ensuring the continuation of the Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach dynasty.
- Family Connections: As a first cousin once removed of Fürst Philipp Otto zu Salm-Horstmar, the head of the family, Princess Felicitas maintains strong family ties within the Salm-Horstmar dynasty.
- Attendance at Family Events: Despite her advanced age, Princess Felicitas attended the marriage of her grandson Prince Georg-Constantin of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach to Olivia Page in 2015.
These achievements demonstrate Princess Felicitas’ enduring legacy within her family and her commitment to preserving the traditions and connections of the European royal families.
