Description
This patriotic pin commemorates the 1913 wedding of Braunschweig’s Duke Ernst August (1887-1953) to Prussia’s Princess Viktoria Luise (1892-1980). “Vikki Lu,” as she was known in Germany, was Kaiser Wilhelm II’s only daughter. The marriage resolved some long-standing resentment that hailed back to when Prussia “absorbed” Hannover and Braunschweig after the latter’s defeat during the 1866 Austro-Prussian War. After the young couple’s marriage, control of Braunschweig was returned to Ernst August. He and his young bride then repaired to Braunschweig, where she was much beloved by the people. According to all accounts, theirs was a happy marriage, and far more successful for the young princess than many of her brothers marriages.
The pin, which measures 1 1/4″ in diameter, is silver-toned. The obverse shows the royal couple in high-relief. He appears in his Husaren-Regiment Nr 17 uniform. Their names are listed on the obverse. The reverse displays a crown with rays of light emanating from it, shining down on “Zum Andenken An Die Thronbesteigung Des Herzogpaares 1913” (To commemorate the accession of the Duke and Duchess 1913). A pin and catch also are attached to the reverse. The patriotic pin is in excellent condition for being nearly one-hundred-years old.
