Princess Ida of Schaumburg-Lippe
Encyclopedia
Princess Ida Matilda Adelaide of Schaumburg-Lippe (Bückeburg
, 28 July 1852 – Schleiz
, 28 September 1891) was the consort of Heinrich XXII, Prince Reuss of Greiz
from 1872 until her death. She was the mother of Hermine Reuss of Greiz, second wife of Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor.
and his wife Princess Hermine of Waldeck-Pyrmont
. Her siblings included Georg, Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe and Prince Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe
, husband of Princess Viktoria of Prussia
.
Despite their high birth, Ida and her siblings were brought up very simply; one report said they "knew more about the kitchen than many women of lower degree". Ida was also well educated, and was able to hold her own in discussions about philosophy and science with the learned men in her principality.
, the reigning sovereign Prince of Reuss
since he came of age in 1867. Consequently, Ida became his consort as was subsequently referred to as Her Serene Higness The Princess Reuss of Greiz.
They had the following children:
for a number of years. A small diplomatic incident occurred when Ida and her husband were giving a reception and ball at the German Embassy on 12 February 1891. Romanian Minister Theodore de Vacareso attended the gathering, though no invitation had been granted to his son Rudolph, who was an attache to the Romanian Legation. Rudolph attended regardless, and was asked by Ida why he was there without an invitation. When he asked whether her question was a hint to leave the reception, Ida responded that "Yes, that is what is meant". Reports would later claim that the princess rebuked the son because he was responsible for borrowing and pawning off some jewels without the consent of their owner. His father soon heard of the affront and entered into a heated conversation with Heinrich; their discussion ended with Theodore promising to "investigate the matter" and "ask for reparation". Father and son left for Bucharest
soon after, where they brought the affair under the notice of King Carol
; after papers were produced defending Rudolph from stealing the jewels, Theodore demanded reparations from the prince, only to be refused. Heinrich's refusal stemmed from the fact that he believed Ida was correct in rebuking the ambassador's son for appearing at a reception uninvited.
The incident was the talk of diplomatic circles in Vienna for weeks after, as it led to the resignation of Minister Theodore de Vacareso.
. She died well-beloved, one of the few members of a royal family in Germany to enjoy such popularity.
Bückeburg
Bückeburg is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany, on the border with North Rhine Westphalia. It was once the capital of the tiny principality of Schaumburg-Lippe and is today located in the district of Schaumburg close to the northern slopes of the Weserbergland ridge...
, 28 July 1852 – Schleiz
Schleiz
Schleiz is a town in the district of Saale-Orla-Kreis in Thuringia, Germany.- Location :Schleiz is in the Thuringian Vogtland area, an area of wooded hills on the borders of Thuringia, Saxony, Bavaria and the Czech Republic...
, 28 September 1891) was the consort of Heinrich XXII, Prince Reuss of Greiz
Heinrich XXII, Prince Reuss of Greiz
Prince Heinrich XXII Reuss of Greiz was the reigning sovereign of Reuss, a small principality of the German states, from 1859 to his death in 1902.-Reign:...
from 1872 until her death. She was the mother of Hermine Reuss of Greiz, second wife of Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor.
Family and early life
She was a daughter of Adolf I, Prince of Schaumburg-LippeAdolf I, Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe
Adolf I, Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe was a ruler of the Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe.-Biography:He was born in Bückeburg to Georg Wilhelm, Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe and Princess Ida of Waldeck and Pyrmont ....
and his wife Princess Hermine of Waldeck-Pyrmont
Princess Hermine of Waldeck-Pyrmont
Princess Hermine of Waldeck-Pyrmont was a German princess. She was the second daughter of George II, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont and his wife Princess Emma of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym. She was an aunt of the Dutch Queen Emma.- Marriage and issue :On 25 October 1844, she married her...
. Her siblings included Georg, Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe and Prince Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe
Prince Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe
Prince Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe was the regent of the Principality of Lippe from 1895 till 1897.-Early life:He was born in Bückeburg the seventh child of Adolf I, Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe and Princess Hermine of Waldeck-Pyrmont .Following the death of Prince Woldemar on the 20 March 1895 and...
, husband of Princess Viktoria of Prussia
Princess Viktoria of Prussia
Princess Viktoria of Prussia was the second daughter of Frederick III, German Emperor and his wife Victoria, Princess Royal, a daughter of Queen Victoria...
.
Despite their high birth, Ida and her siblings were brought up very simply; one report said they "knew more about the kitchen than many women of lower degree". Ida was also well educated, and was able to hold her own in discussions about philosophy and science with the learned men in her principality.
Marriage and issue
On 8 October 1872, Ida married Heinrich XXIIHeinrich XXII, Prince Reuss of Greiz
Prince Heinrich XXII Reuss of Greiz was the reigning sovereign of Reuss, a small principality of the German states, from 1859 to his death in 1902.-Reign:...
, the reigning sovereign Prince of Reuss
Reuss
Reuss was the name of several historical states located in present-day Thuringia, Germany. Its rulers, the Reuss family, named all of their male children Heinrich after the end of the 12th century in honour of Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor , to whom they owed the estates of Weida and Gera...
since he came of age in 1867. Consequently, Ida became his consort as was subsequently referred to as Her Serene Higness The Princess Reuss of Greiz.
They had the following children:
- Heinrich XXIV, Prince Reuss of GreizHeinrich XXIV, Prince Reuss of GreizHeinrich XXIV, Prince Reuss of Greiz was the last reigning Prince Reuss of Greiz from 1902 to 1918. Then he became Head of the House Reuss of Greiz which became extinct at his death in 1927.-Early life:...
(1878–1927) - Princess Emma (1881–1961) ∞ (1903) Graf Erich von Ehrenburg (1880–1930)
- Princess Marie (1882–1942) ∞ (1904) Freiherr Ferdinand von Gnagnoni (1878–1955)
- Princess CarolinePrincess Caroline Reuss of GreizPrincess Caroline Reuss of Greiz was the first wife of Wilhelm Ernst, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach.-Early life:...
(1884–1905) ∞ (1903) Wilhelm Ernst, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (1876–1923) - Princess Hermine (1887–1947) ∞ I. (1907) Prince Johann Georg of Schoenaich-Carolath (1873–1920); ∞ II. (1922) Ex-Kaiser Wilhelm II (1859–1941)
- Princess Ida (1891–1977) ∞ (1911) Fürst Christoph Martin III. zu Stolberg-Roßla (1888–1949)
A small diplomatic incident
Ida's husband was the German ambassador to ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
for a number of years. A small diplomatic incident occurred when Ida and her husband were giving a reception and ball at the German Embassy on 12 February 1891. Romanian Minister Theodore de Vacareso attended the gathering, though no invitation had been granted to his son Rudolph, who was an attache to the Romanian Legation. Rudolph attended regardless, and was asked by Ida why he was there without an invitation. When he asked whether her question was a hint to leave the reception, Ida responded that "Yes, that is what is meant". Reports would later claim that the princess rebuked the son because he was responsible for borrowing and pawning off some jewels without the consent of their owner. His father soon heard of the affront and entered into a heated conversation with Heinrich; their discussion ended with Theodore promising to "investigate the matter" and "ask for reparation". Father and son left for Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
soon after, where they brought the affair under the notice of King Carol
Carol I of Romania
Carol I , born Prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was reigning prince and then King of Romania from 1866 to 1914. He was elected prince of Romania on 20 April 1866 following the overthrow of Alexandru Ioan Cuza by a palace coup...
; after papers were produced defending Rudolph from stealing the jewels, Theodore demanded reparations from the prince, only to be refused. Heinrich's refusal stemmed from the fact that he believed Ida was correct in rebuking the ambassador's son for appearing at a reception uninvited.
The incident was the talk of diplomatic circles in Vienna for weeks after, as it led to the resignation of Minister Theodore de Vacareso.
Death
Ida died on 28 September 1891, the same year as the Viennese diplomatic incident, at the age of 39 at SchleizSchleiz
Schleiz is a town in the district of Saale-Orla-Kreis in Thuringia, Germany.- Location :Schleiz is in the Thuringian Vogtland area, an area of wooded hills on the borders of Thuringia, Saxony, Bavaria and the Czech Republic...
. She died well-beloved, one of the few members of a royal family in Germany to enjoy such popularity.
Titles and styles
- 28 July 1852 – 8 October 1872: Her Serene Highness Princess Ida of Schaumburg-Lippe
- 8 October 1872 – 28 September 1891: Her Serene Highness The Princess Reuss of Greiz