The Kaiser's Confidante: Mary Lee, the First American-Born Princess

by Richard Jay Hutto

Overview

New York City native Mary Esther Lee (1837-1914) first married in 1864 the Prince von Noer, brother of the Queen of Denmark, and was created a princess in her own right after his death. An active philanthropist to Protestant causes, she then married Count Alfred von Waldersee whose close ties to the Prussian court made her an intimate friend of Kaiser Wilhelm II and a mentor and valued friend to his young wife. Although she preferred to remain in the background, Mary's influence caused intense jealousy by those at court who resented her friendship with the kaiser and kaiserin. This biography chronicles the remarkable life of an American woman whose wealth and influence enabled her to rise to power in the Prussian royal court.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476665726
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	01/30/2017
Pages:	228
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Richard Jay Hutto served as White House Appointments Secretary to the Jimmy Carter family and was chairman of the Georgia Council for the Arts. He is an internationally recognized speaker and historical consultant often appearing in televised adaptations of his work. He lives in Macon, Georgia, and can be reached at www.poisonedlife.com.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
 1. New Opportunities in the Old World
 2. Married into the Royal Mob
 3. A Princess in Her Own Right
 4. Another Chance at Love
 5. Mentoring a Future Empress
 6. Religion and Philanthropy
 7. A Clear Path to the Throne
 8. Ensconced in Power
 9. Father Figure
10. “The Empress’ American Rival”
11. Distaff Diplomacy
12. Command in the Boxer Rebellion
13. Alfred’s Return from China
14. The ­Long-Delayed Visit to America
15. Death and Solitude
Epilogue
Chapter Notes
Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

Excellent...a book you will want to add to your royal book collection. It is the research that stands out which makes this book fascinating reading”—Royal Book News; “excellently researched...highly entertaining and educational...a great read”—Global Atlanta; “The Kaiser was an intolerable old brute. But Mary Lee had a subtle influence on him which until now has been somewhat overlooked. Hutto gives us much to think about in this impeccably researched book.”—Royal biographer Hugo Vickers, author of Elizabeth, The Queen Mother; Behind Closed Doors: The Tragic, Untold Story of the Duchess of Windsor; Alice: Princess Andrew of Greece; The Private World of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor; “The extraordinary career of the influential American-born Mary Countess von Waldersee at the very heart of Berlin high society...and the political intrigues and sexual scandals prevalent behind the outwardly brilliant facade of the Kaiser’s court.”—John C. G. Röhl, British historian and author, University of Sussex, Wolfson History Prize winner.

From the Publisher