Thursday, October 21, 2010

Victoria Eugenia believes Spain will restore the monarchy

Embed from Getty Images 
 October 21, 1936

Former Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain, traveling as the Duchess of Toledo, believes that the "deposed monarchy will be returned to rule the people of Spain."  She also believes that the throne will go to her younger son, Don Juan, Prince of Asturias.

She expressed her confidence for restoration before boarding the Cunard White Star liner Queen Mary.  It was reported last week that the Queen might leave this week for her London home, but the "liner's officials kept the departure secret and her name was not on the passenger list."

When the queen arrived at the West 50th Street pier to board the Queen Mary, she was accompanied by her daughter, Infanta Beatriz, and son-in-law, Prince Alessandro Torlonia, the Prince's two sisters, and the elder Princess Torlonia.  Victoria Eugenia was dressed in a dark dress, and "carried a bouquet of orchids as she went up the gangway."

The royal party arrived by limousine and with a police escort.  A police guard of eight men accompanied the queen to her stateroom.

Victoria Eugenia had come to New York to see her eldest son, Alfonso, Count of Covadonga, who is a patient in the Presbyterian Hospital.  The count is suffering from hemophilia.   Count de Mora, the queen's gentleman in waiting, said that the Count was unable to travel with his mother, but he hoped to join her later at her London home.

Count de Mora, who acted as an official spokesman for the queen, told the New York Times that the Queen expected for her family to be restored to power.  He was asked if the Queen believed she would return to the throne.

"No, it is expected that the Duchess of Toledo would not return, but that Prince Juan, who is now heir to King Alfonso would become king of Spain."  He added that the Queen believed that Americans misunderstood Spain's civil war.  He said it is a misconception for Americans to believe that the war is a "conflict between Communism and Fascism."

"We are perfectly convinced that the trouble in Spain will not last much longer and there is no doubt as to the issue.

"Those whom you call the Rebels will win, but it is wrong to think it is a Fascist movement.  It is an uprising of the people of Spain, who have been oppressed under the so-called republic.  And they are not  Fascists, they are a coalition of many groups, Carlists, Monarchists, Republicans and others."

The Count added: "Her Majesty has charged me to express her gratitude for the kindness with which she was received here."

The former Queen arrived on September 17, and went "immediately to the side of her son, who was gravely ill at the time."  While in New York City, she stayed at 375 Park Avenue, the home of her son-in-law's mother, Princess Torlonia, the former Elsie Moore.   She traveled to Niagara Falls and visited the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., "where she was received as a Princess of the British Empire," the granddaughter of Queen Victoria and a cousin of King Edward VIII.

The Count of Covadonga's condition is said to be "progressing," but it is not known when he will be able to travel.

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