Catherine Radziwill

Secrets of Dethroned Royalty Catherine Radziwill

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1920. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... II THE BERLIN COURT UNDER WILLIAM I The Prussian Court under the grandfather of the ex-Kaiser was quite different from what it became during his grandson's reign. For one thing it was not so stiff, though perhaps far less dull. The evening parties given in the Royal Palace (of which there was a multitude during the winter season) were more like family gatherings than state receptions. Everybody knew everybody else, and of course gossip flourished, especially with regard to newcomers. The old Empress Augusta was a martinet and did not permit the least infraction of those laws of etiquette she had herself laid down, and she could be extremely disagreeable to the unfortunate people who either through ignorance or forgetfulness transgressed them. I remember one evening, when suffering from a severe cold, I could not find my handkerchief or reach my pocket (one still had pockets in those days) and was struggling so painfully in my efforts to do so that it attracted the attention of Prince Henry VII of Reuss, at that time German Ambassador in St. Petersburg (and a personal friend of mine) who happened to be on leave in Berlin. He was sitting behind me and some very dull music was being performed which had sent nearly everyone to sleep. The Prince guessed what had happened and politely offered to help me to extract from its retreat in the back of my dress the square of muslin I was frantically seeking, a proposal which I accepted with deep gratitude. ~No sooner said than done, and my saviour --for such he appeared to me in my predicament, sneezing being strictly prohibited at Court--very quickly dived into my pocket and produced the much-longed-for handkerchief, to my silent joy and relief. We never for a moment thought that anyone could see our little pantomime, far less ...