Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Imbroglio for de Broglies




December 2, 1908.


The American-born Princess Estelle de Broglie is seeking a divorce from her husband, Prince Robert, on the grounds of desertion. A cablegram reports the news that the princess is "in straightened circumstances" and is supporting herself and her children by singing in "boulevard cafés, the round of which she makes every night."

Prince Robert deserted his wife in September, and claimed she had been unfaithful to him. Princess Estelle denied being unfaithful, and "incidentally stated that she supported her husband in splendid idleness by her singing."

Princess Estelle is the daughter of Lyman Alexander, a wealthy California landowner. She grew up in San Francisco, and "was noted for her beauty and voice." When she was barely out of her teens, she married S.B. Veit, a merchant and importer. The Veits divided their time between the USA and Europe.
It was in Paris when Mrs. Veit met and fell in love with Prince Robert. She left her husband and ran off with the Prince, and was divorced from Veit.

The Prince's first marriage also ended in divorce.

Unable to get permission from the Duke de Broglie to marry, Prince Robert and Estelle Veit were married secretly in Milan by a Roman Catholic priest. A second marriage, performed by a justice of the peace, took place in Chicago in August 1906. The Prince continued on to San Francisco to look after his wife's property after the earthquake, and Princess Estelle headed to New York. After Prince Robert joined his wife in New York City, he sought "parental forgiveness and a substantial allowance," but the Duke de Broglie said no, and tried to have the marriage annulled, even after the princess gave birth to a daughter, Jassemonde.

The couple were forced to support themselves. Singing engagements were arranged for the princess, and sometimes, Prince Robert conducted the orchestra.

They eventually returned to Paris, where Estelle continued to support the family by her singing until her husband left her.

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