Princess Geraldine of Albania, the newest member of the Albanian royal family, has a fascinating American ancestry that dates back to the 19th century. Born on October 22, 2020, to Crown Prince Leka and Crown Princess Elia, Princess Geraldine is the great-granddaughter of Queen Geraldine of Albania, who was born Countess Géraldine Margit Virginia Olga Mária Apponyi de Nagy-Appony on August 6, 1915.
Queen Geraldine’s American roots can be traced back to her mother, Gladys Virginia Stewart, who was the daughter of John H. Stewart, the United States Consul to Antwerp, Belgium. Gladys married Count Gyula Apponyi de Nagy-Appony, and their daughter, Queen Geraldine, inherited this American heritage. This American ancestry is a significant part of Princess Geraldine’s family history, highlighting the international connections that have shaped the royal family’s past and present.
how did Queen Geraldine of Albania’s American ancestry influence her life and reign
what role did Queen Geraldine’s American heritage play in her cultural identity
how did Queen Geraldine’s American heritage shape her political views
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| Princess Geraldine of Albania, held by her father Crown Prince Leka, in front of a picture of her great-grandmother Queen Geraldine of Albania. Photograph (c) Alamy/David Niviere. |
Crown Prince Leka of Albania and his wife Crown Princess Elia welcomed the birth of their first child Princess Geraldine on 22 October 2020. The infant princess is the great-granddaughter of Queen Geraldine of Albania, who was born Countess Géraldine Margit Virginia Olga Mária Apponyi de Nagy-Appony on 6 August 1915, and who passed away on 22 October 2002 at Tirana.
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| Gladys Virginia Stewart. |
It is through Princess Geraldine’s great-grandmother and namesake that American blood courses through the veins of the newest member of the Albanian royal family. Queen Geraldine of Albania was the daughter of Count Gyula Apponyi de Nagy-Appony (1873–1924) and his wife Gladys Virginia Stewart (1891–1947), who married on 29 July 1914. The count and countess had three children: Countess Geraldine (later Queen of Albania), Countess Virginia (1916-2002; married in 1937 to András Baghy; married in 1947 to Joseph Blackburn; married in 1971 to József Máriássy), and Count Gyula (1923-1946). Following the death of her first husband in 1924, his widow Gladys married French soldier Gontran Girault (1882-1964) on 14 May 1926. The couple had three children: Sylviane Girault (b.Mehun-sur-Yèvre, Centre-Val de Loire, France 3 August 1927; married in 1955 to Maurice Muselier [1907-1989]), Guy Girault (b.1930), and Patricia Girault (b.1932). Aged fifty-six, Gladys Stewart Girault died on 19 November 1947 at Aix-en-Provence.
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| Mary Virginia Ramsay Harding and her granddaughter Geraldine, the future Albanian queen. |
Gladys Virginia Stewart, Princess Geraldine of Albania’s great-great grandmother, had been born on 18 July 1891 as the only child of John Henry Stewart (1831-1892), the son of David Stewart and Margaret Heighe, and his wife Mary Virginia Ramsay Harding (1871-1946). John Stewart and Mary Virginia Harding were married on 29 June 1890 at New York. In 1889, at the age of eighteen, Mary Virginia Harding authored a novel, The Soul of Lady Agnes. At the time of his marriage, John H. Stewart was the United States Consul to Antwerp, Belgium. After the death of Mr. Stewart, in July 1893 his widow became the guardian of their daughter Gladys. On 10 July 1902, Mary Virginia Ramsay Harding (widow Stewart) married Gustaf Victor Theodor Stråle af Ekna (1864-1935) at St. Helier’s, Isle of Jersey. Gustaf/Gustave de Straele (Stråle af Ekna) was reportedly a chamberlain to the King of Sweden. Mary Virginia Harding Stråle af Ekna died before 1955, when she was buried in New York.
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| The wedding notice of Edward Learned Harding and Lucy Booker Ramsey.
From the Spirit of the Age of Raleigh, NC (30 July 1856). |
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| The obituary of Lucy Ramsey Harding. From The News and Observer of Raleigh, NC (26 December 1906). |
Mary Virginia Harding, the great-great-great grandmother of Princess Geraldine, was the daughter of Edward Learned Harding (1822-1885) and Lucy Booker Ramsey (1839-1906), the daughter of Walter J. Ramsey (d.1856). Edward L. Harding, a clothing merchant, and Lucy B. Ramsey were married on 22 July 1856 at Raleigh, North Carolina, by the Reverend N. F. Reid. After the death of her husband, Lucy Ramsey Harding moved to France, where she died in 1906.
what were Queen Geraldine’s main contributions to Albania
As we conclude our exploration of the American ancestry of Princess Geraldine of Albania, it is clear that her heritage has played a significant role in shaping her cultural identity and the history of her royal family. The story of Queen Geraldine, Princess Geraldine’s great-grandmother, is a testament to the power of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Born Countess Géraldine Margit Virginia Olga Mária Apponyi de Nagy-Appony, Queen Geraldine was a true embodiment of the royal legacy that has been passed down through generations of the Albanian royal family.
Throughout her life, Queen Geraldine faced numerous challenges, from her early years as a Hungarian countess to her later years as the queen consort of Albania. Despite these challenges, she remained committed to her royal duties and continued to support her family and her country. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and the impact that one person can have on the world. As we reflect on the life and legacy of Queen Geraldine, we are reminded of the enduring power of the royal legacy that continues to inspire and guide the Albanian royal family to this day.
