3-052-554 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

First meeting of the Crown Prince of Austria and Princess Stéphanie at Laekan, Brussels, 1880. 'The formal engagement and betrothal of the Archduke Rodolph, Crown Prince of the Empire of Austria and Kingdom of Hungary, to Princess Stéphanie...The Archduke Rodolph Francis Charles Joseph is...twenty-one years of age. Princess Stéphanie Clotilde Louise Hermine Marie Charlotte of Belgium, who is also a Saxon Duchess,...has not yet completed her sixteenth year...The Archduke Rodolph 'proposed' in person...at an evening party given in his honour at the Château de Laeken, on the 7th March...Matters had been so arranged that, when the company were conducted from the saloon to the Winter Garden, the Archduke and the Princess were left together tête-à-tête for a few minutes. As soon as they were alone the Crown Prince approached her Royal Highness with a low and formal obeisance, saying, 'Madame, will you take me for a husband?' to which plain question the Princess simply replied, curtseying deeply, "Yes, your Imperial Highness". "Your Royal Highness's answer makes me supremely happy,' observed the Archduke. 'And I,' rejoined Princess Stéphanie, 'promise that I will do my duty towards you under all circumstances'.' From "Illustrated London News", 1880.