Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Concern for Empress Friedrich

October 13, 1900

There appears to be concern for the health of the Dowager Empress Friedrich of Germany, according to the New York Times.  Empress Friedrich's brother, the Duke of Connaught and his wife, "started unexpectedly for Kronberg, Prussia, this morning."  The "secrecy of their movements leads to the belief" that the empress' condition "is more serious than admitted."
Her health is "causing great anxiety in England, not only on her account," but also through "fear of the effect of her death on Queen Victoria."  The deaths of Victoria's son, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, and her cousin, Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck, "and the terrible death roll in South Africa, have tried her Majesty sorely."
It is feared that another death "might wrench to the breaking point the wonderful constitution and fortitude of Great Britain's ruler."
Queen Victoria is said to strongly desire a visit to Kronberg, where she can go to her eldest daughter's bedside, but her physicians "are endeavoring to dissuade her from doing so."

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