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1 October 1908 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Thursday. 1st October [1908]. At 12 oclock I went off in gondola to the station to meet the Crown Princess of Greece (Princess Sophie) who was coming from Munich to join the yacht “Amphitrite” on her way back to Athens with her younger children. After waiting about a long time on the arrival platform for the train which was a little late it arrived without the Princess. The Greek Consul, the Captain of the yacht, & a lady & gentleman who turned out to be Prince & Princess Thurn & Taxis were waiting for her besides myself. We were told that the next train would arrive at 2.35 so we dispersed & I went home to lunch. I had invited Olga (Andée) Mocenigo to meet the Princess at lunch so she & the Canon & I partook of the feast prepared—& afterwards I went with Olga back to the station as she wanted to see her sister Princess Adini off by a 2.25 train to Vienna. Adini arrived at the last moment with Valentine Robilant also to speed her on her way– The left the family together & went to the other platform to look for the Verona train. After being sent about to different places in search of the arriving train I found it at last & the Princess arrived. She had missed the 1st train & was very tired. After greetings I carried her off in my gondola straight here & sat her down to her food– Olga & the Thurn & Taxis came also & we all sat with her while she lunched. Prince Thurn & Taxis is the only son of the lady who comes so often to stay with me & he married a daughter of Pss Melanie Metternick. She is very plain—but is said to be clever, plays the violin well & speaks all languages. She had flirtation with the P. of Orleans which caused much gossip & she married happily this Taxis a short time ago. They are going with Princess Sophie to Athens to stay with her. The Robilants came to see Pss Sophie after her lunch & then I took her & the Taxis off to Piccoli in search of old furniture & also to Della Torres’. She is looking for ball room adornments for her Palace at Athens. Abt 6 I deposited her on board the “Amphitrite” & then returned home. At 8 she came to dine with me & with the Canon we made a quiet trio. She talked with enthusiasm of her holiday in the North & kept bemoaning having to return to Greece. She has been with her children at Eastbourne & had also stayed in London & then with her sisters in Germany & ended with “Happy the people who live in the North—those who are born there ought never to leave it.” She was so tired after dinner that I carried her back to the yacht very early the Canon accompanying us. | |
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