1887 Margarete, Landgravine of Hesse; Queen Sophie of Greece (née Princess Sophie of Prussia) by Alexander Bassano
Margarethe was involved in what is probably the worst act of vandalism by American service people during World War II. The Hesse family residence, where the family jewels had been hidden, was used as an officers' club when fighting swept past the estate around Frankfurt. The jewels were discovered by Captain Kathleen Nash who with her future husband, Colonel Jack Durant, and Major David Watson spirited them out of Germany. They were caught and tried by court-martial back in Germany. Half of Margarethe's jewels were lost. The thieves all got off light or fairly light - Watson was paroled in 1947 while Nash and Durant got out in 1952. The Hesse family got what was left of their jewels back, dismounted, in 1951 and the US Army left their castle in 1953.
From alarcowa's photostream on flickr; image cropped and upper left corner patched using Photoshop by gogm.
The Hohenzollern sisters pose in casual dress with jackets over their cuirasse bodices in this 1887 Bassano photo.
Keywords: 1887, Bassano, Margarethe Hohenzollern-Hesse, Queen Sophia of Greece, Princess, Grand Duchess, Queen, Hohenzollern family, Hesse family, Glucksberg family, feathered hat, high enclosing neckline, jacket, collar, long close sleeves, buttons, cuirasse bodice, close skirt, gloves, parasol