Memory Monday (Von Bismarck Wedding)

Last week we sort of missed the Memory Monday due to the public holidays but the week turned out to be history in the making. We will keep with the Syldavian Restoration theme and post about the 2010 wedding of the then Count Nikolas von Bismarck to Princess Maxima of Hanoveria. It was already a cold November when the wedding was held in private, in the chapel of the Hanoverian Royal Palace. The event was an official one from the Hanoverian side as that monarchy was never abolished and the nation celebrated the wedding of their monarch’s sister. The Hanoverian family, although celebrating in state was still at the time concerned for their mother the Dowager Grand Duchess, Princess Beatrice, who couldn’t attend the wedding due to being hospitalized at the time for cancer.

The wedding couple join each other at the altar. Princess Maxima's cousin, the Grand Duchess Xenia of Ruskiana was the Maid of honour.

From the Von Bismarck side it was a private affair. The Noble family of Von Bismarck had no official standing in their native country of Syldavia but was recognized only by courtesy in other existing Kingdoms. The Von Bismarcks also suffered the loss of a mother in the same year as the wedding and less than a year earlier the Count had to break his relationship with Gloria van der Bilt. This break-up was due to them both being first in line of succession to separate Kingdoms. In the case of a restoration, the political consequences would be more than just inconvenience. Little did they know that in 2 years both would rule those two mentioned Kingdoms. So the Count had walked a tough road to the altar but on the day, genuine joy and expectancy for the future was felt as Count Nikolas slipped the Syldavian Emerald Ring on his bride’s finger. This, almost prophetic act, was from his heart but he could not know for sure where we all stand today, that he was marrying not just the Queen of his heart but his future Queen who would sit on the throne of Syldavia beside him.

The full wedding party from left; Princess Kirsten of Hanoveria, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Hanoveria, the Grand Duchess Xenenia of Ruskiana, the Bride and Groom, the Dowager Princess of Cataljone, the Duke of Swann, the Crown Prince Imperial and Crown Princess Imperial.

Princess Maxima was supported by her family but the Count Von Bismarck was only joined by his aunt, the Dowager Princess of Cataljone, as his sister was absent in the jungles of Africana on a research expedition. The Dowager Princess of Cataljone was representing the Count’s extended family, the Hispanian Royal Family, who were still living in high security and not attending public events. 

This event, like most others, was documented by the Mine Magazine.

The small intimate affair was enjoyed by everyone and was hailed in Hanoveria as a great national success. Now, almost two years later, the Hanoverian Princess has become a Queen.

The loving couple take to the dance floor at the reception. Princess Maxima chose to wear the very imposing, Von Bismarck Family Tiara, reserved for the use of the wife of the Head of the House of Von Bismarck.