“I feel I have a somewhat special relationship with Hungary since I am proud to be one thirty-second Hungarian myself, through my Great Great Great Grandmother, Countess Rhedey,” Prince Charles said at the event in Sandor Palace, the Hungarian president’s office in the Buda Castle.

According to online encyclopedia wikipedia, Countess Claudine Rhedey de Kis-Rhede (Sept 21, 1812 – Oct 1, 1841) was the wife of Duke Alexander of Wurttemberg. Her son, Francis, Duke of Teck was the father of Mary of Teck, Queen consort to England’s King George V.

She was born in Erdoszentgyorgy, Transylvania (then part of Hungary) to Laszlo Count Rhedey de Kis-Rhede and his wife Agnes Baroness Inczedy de Nagy-Varad. At birth, she was styled as Countess Klaudina (Claudine) Rhedey de Kis-Rhede.

In 1835, she married Duke Alexander of Württemberg, the son of Duke Louis of Wurttemberg, younger brother of King Frederick I of Wurttemberg.

Due to the German laws relating to the line of succession, she was viewed as being of non-Royal rank and the marriage was declared morganatic.

She was denied the title of Duchess. However, she was later created Countess von Hohenstein and her entire family were granted German titles and styled as Dukes and Princesses of Teck."

By Tamas S. Kiss, published on XpatLoop.com with the permission of BudapestReport.com

Source of photo: British Embassy Budapest