Monday, December 21, 2009

Prince Dedo's funeral

The funeral of Prince Dedo of Saxony took place today in Sigmaringen. Dedo, who died on December 6, was 86 years old.
The original plan was for Dedo's burial to take place in the Royal Chapel in Dresden, but the plans were scuppered after it was learned that Dedo's wish was to be cremated.
Instead, Rüdiger Prinz von Sachsen brought the urn carrying his uncle's ashes to the chapel at Schloss Sigmaringen. In 1945, Prince Dedo, after fleeing from his home, Schloss Morizburg, found refuge with the Prince of Hohenzollern and his family.
The prince's urn was placed next to his brother, Prince Gero's urn, in an alcove in the chapel. Prince Gero died in 2003.
The twelve mourners included Rüdiger and his three sons, Daniel, Arne and Nils, who was accompanied by his wife, Jedida, and their young son, Moritz. Hereditary Prince Karl Friedrich of Hohenzollern and his cousin, Prince Ferfied also attended. Karl Friedrich, a jazz musician, played "Lady Be Good," during the funeral service.
The head of the house of Saxony, Prince Maria Emanuel, Margrave of Meissen, did not attend the funeral. The 83-year-old Margrave lives in Switzerland. He called his cousin's cremation "a sin." The Roman Catholic priest, at the end of his homily, also commented on Dedo's decision to be cremated. Referring to the urn, the priest said: "It is a pity that we have so little before us."
Prince Dedo was the eldest of three sons of the late Prince Ernst Heinrich of Saxony and Princess Sophie of Luxembourg. He was the eldest of King Friedrich August III of Saxony's grandchildren.
In the 1950s, Prince Dedo and Prince Gero became Irish nationals and took the name Saxony. They emigrated to Picton, Ontario, where they lived for many years. During the cold winter months, the two brothers would travel to Sebring, Florida.
Prince Dedo never married, nor did he have any children. Several genealogies have listed Maria Christina von Sachsen, born October 16, 1956 as his natural daughter. This is a mistake. Maria Christina is the illegitimate daughter of Dedo's first cousin, Princess Maria Josepha of Saxony, sister of the Margrave of Meissen.

5 comments:

Cabri said...

why is this prist complaining about the cremation? Is he not respecting the teachings of his very own Church? The Vatican lifted the ban on cremation in 1963but the cremains could not be present at a funeral mass. However, in 1997 the Vatican decided that the cremains can be present at mass and are to be treated with the same respect and reverence as in a casket burial.

Sio the remarks of the priest were against the Vatican's teaching and rather without respect. The same must be said about the head of the house.

Do you know wheather his natural daughter was present?

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

Cabri

Dedo did not have ANY children. Several genealogies made a mistake -the child -Maria Christina von Sachsen - is the daughter of Princess Maria Josepha of Saxony.

Cabri said...

yes Marlene
well I have one of those genealogical books... grrrr
and a merry Xmas!

Krista said...

I would also like to confirm that Dedo DID NOT have any children. My family has been very good friends with Dedo and his brother Gero since they moved to Canada. They will both be missed greatly!

Anonymous said...

Dedo and Gero will be both terribly
missed, they conquered all adversities,
life threw at them with the highest
regards and kindness to all.
My Family and I will keep you in our hearts.
God keep you safe.
Teresa Gr. Mailath - Szekheyi