Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Gerhardt Hauptmann's son to marry a Princess


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June 30, 1928

Princess Elisabeth of Schaumburg-Lippe is to marry Benvenuto Hauptmann, the son of the German dramatist, Gerhard Hauptmann, according to the Chicago Daily Tribune and other news sources. Princess Elisabeth Hermine Auguste Viktoria is one of the "few rich princesses in Germany. The white-haired Hauptmann "smiles benignly on his son's newest matrimonial venture."

 Benvenuto is divorced from his "charming English wife," and was "repeatedly engaged to a Russian." He dabbled in the diplomatic service, but "abandoned it to devote himself to his literary aspirations."

The New York Times' reports that the beautiful 20-year-old Princess has "caused annoyance in the old German aristocracy," as she insists on marrying Benvenuto Hauptmann.

After "several months of pleading," the princess finally gained the consent of the head of the house, Prince Adolf.

The news of the engagement, however, has "caused the same amount of criticism as greeted the marriage" of Princess Victoria, sister of the former Kaiser and widow of the late Prince Adolf, to a Russian philander, Alexander Zubkov, who has since been deported from Germany, and is now "roaming about Europe."
Benvenuto Hauptmann "is not following his father's bent for drama," although he "is known for his translations from English to German." He is currently working on a translation of Joseph Conrad's novels.

The marriage is expected to take place in late July or early August. Princess Elisabeth is the daughter of the late Prince Stephan of Schaumburg-Lippe and Princess Marie of Saxe-Altenberg.

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