Violet Wegner

Violet Emily Wegner, (1887–1960), was the daughter of an Extradition Department detective of Scotland Yard,[1] William T. Wegner, and Arabella Eliza née Darby, who resided in a district of London called Tulse Hill.[2] Violet made a career in the music halls from the age of 15. She became known as the "Idol of Berlin".[3] In 1912, Violet married her first husband, Sergio Francesco Enrico Maria Brunetta d'Usseaux (born 3 March 1885, Torino, Italy), in London. Sergio's parents were Comte Eugenio Brunetta d'Usseaux and the Russian Countess Zeiffart. Eugenio was Secretary General of the Olympic Committee that administered the 1908 London Olympics. Eugenio died in 1919 in mysterious circumstances. The fate of his son, and Violet's husband, is also unknown although it is suggested he may have been the son Eugenio was trying to reach following the October Revolution.[4] Whilst traveling in Italy during 1918, Violet met the youngest son and royal prince, Pierre Petrović-Njegoš, of the exiled King Nicholas I of Montenegro. After some delay, it is said, at the behest of Violet's mother who advised them to await the award of monies claimed by the prince from the new Yugoslav government for the confiscation of his family's property in Montenegro, Violet married Prince Pierre (Peter) of Montenegro in Paris in April 1924. Violet then became HRH Princess Pierre of Montenegro and thus sister-in-law to Queen Elena of Italy as well as a host of other European princes and kings via her husband's siblings.

Life

Violet enjoyed some success as a music hall artiste and was seen in many productions across England and the European continent. Whilst touring, she met her Prince but did not marry him immediately. Violet was ever chaperoned by her mother Arabella and was thus advised to protect the potential financial settlement due to her betrothed by delaying the wedding. Violet's mother was cautious in permitting the wedding to proceed without the payout as she feared Violet's being a commoner would count against Prince Pierre's case.[5] Nevertheless, the pair married before any settlement was made and they continued to live on the continent, in particular at Monte Carlo where they were regular visitors to the Casino. Once married, Violet gave up her performing career. Violet did not forget her former profession and those who 'trod the boards' however. Notably, the only wreath to be sent by any member of any royal family to the funeral of the celebrated Lillie Langtry in Jersey on 23 February 1929 was sent by the Prince and Princess Pierre of Montenegro.[6] Prince Pierre died in 1932 at a sanatorium in Merano, Italy aged 42.

References

  1. ↑ Zealand, National Library of New. "Papers Past | ROMANTIC STORY. (Dunstan Times, 1929-10-21)". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 2017-09-04. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  2. ↑ "Esoterica: An Esoteric 'Just Because I Thought It Interesting!' The Week Of "Nash's Favorite Things" April 14th - 20th, 2014!". theesotericcuriosa.blogspot.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2017-09-04. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  3. ↑ "Review". The Era. 2 November 1901 – via British Newspaper Archive Accessed 7 Sept 2017.
  4. ↑ "Un tempo contavamo di più, un italiano era segretario del CIO". Sport Senators. 2017-06-10. Retrieved 2017-09-08.
  5. ↑ "HER PRINCE CHARMING". Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930). 1929-08-25. p. 5. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  6. ↑ Aronson, Theo (1988). The King in Love. John Murray. pp. 269–270. ISBN 0719545269.
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