Ileana to marry German count

January 27, 1930

The engagement of Princess Ileana of Roumania and Count Alexander von Hochberg, was confirmed today in Romanian court circles.

Count Alexander is one of three sons Prince Hans Heinrich of Pless and his former wife, the former Mary Cornwallis-West, who is better known as Princess Daisy of Pless.

An official announcement will be made next weekend when the "formal betrothal" takes place in the presence of members of the Pless princely family.

Princess Ileana is 21-years-old, and her London-born fiancé is 25. Two days ago, Queen Marie discussed the state obligations of the marriage with Premier Maniu. The Dowager queen said she found "her daughter's suitor an extremely sympathetic person." She was especially pleased because of his English blood, and his mother's family is very wealthy.

She told the premier that from her standpoint "the engagement was satisfactory," and she hoped the young couple would settle in Romania. Premier Maniu assured Queen Marie that "the government was entirely in agreement" in supporting the marriage.

There have been numerous suitors for Princess Ileana's hand, most notably King Boris III of Bulgaria. But that match "fell through" due the "dislike of the Bulgarians for Romania. Another "unsuccessful suitor" was Ileana's first cousin, Hereditary Prince Gottfried of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

Count Alexander's mother, Maria Theresa Cornwallis-West, married the Prince of Pless in London on December 9, 1891. The marriage ended in divorce in 1922.

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