Friday, February 13, 2009

Crowds cheer Victoria Luise and Ernst August

February 13, 1913

Kaiser Wilhelm II was smiling today when his only daughter, Princess Victoria Luise and her husband, Prince Ernst August of Cumberland, made a "picturesque state entry" in Berlin. All of the details for this entry were made by the Kaiser for his favorite child.

The young couple, who were accompanied by the Kaiserin, arrived from Karlsruhe this morning at 8:30. Thousands of Berliners were outside the Potsdamer station to greet the newly engaged couple. The Kaiser commanded that four squadrons of the Red Hussars, "the regiment to which Prince Ernst has just been assigned, were drawn up with the Guards for escort duty."
Wilhelm II's face was "wreathed with smiles" when he greeted his wife and daughter after they alight from the train. He handed Auguste Victoria a bouquet of red and his daughter one of yellow carnations. Prince Ernst August was the last to come off the train. He is a "tall, slender figure and has a black, closely cut moustache." Victoria Luise blushed when the mayor presented her with a bouquet of orchids.
The Kaiser, the Kaiserin, Princess Victoria Luise and Prince Ernst, got into a four-horse carriage and and were driven to the palace. Large crowds that had gathered in the Tiergarten and Unter den Linden cheered loudly when the royal procession passed by.

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