Sir Sebastian Wood, Bodo Ramelow, Hubertus and Andreas of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Tsar Simeon II of the Bulgars – Image by TSK, Paul-Philipp Braun.
13 October 2019, Gotha, Free State of Thuringia: On the occasion of this double 200th birthday of British Queen Victoria and her German-born consort, Prince Albert, a reception with representatives from politics, royalty and society took place at Friedenstein Castle in Gotha.
Thuringia’s Premier Bodo Ramelow and State Secretary for Culture Dr. Babette Winter partook on behalf of the state government. In his welcoming address, the Premier Ramelow emphasised the importance of the Thuringian aristocratic lines for European history. “It is good when we exchange ideas with each other today and there is no strife between royalty and politics. For it is part of our country, of our society,” said Ramelow.
The dream couple of the XIX century – as Premier Ramelow described Albert and Victoria – still bring together today. He also stressed the presence of the British Ambassador Sir Sebastian Wood and the last Tsar of the Bulgars, Simeon II, who was in Gotha for the ceremony.
“It is about our cultural richness, our cultural diversity and our cultural openness to the world. That is the message that Victoria and Albert are giving us,” Ramelow said. Further in attendance was The Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Andreas and his heir, Hereditary Prince Hubertus.
For further information:
Thuringian State Chancellery: https://www.staatskanzlei-thueringen.de/medienservice/veranstaltungsberichte/detailseite/traumpaar-des-19-jahrhunderts-feiert-doppelgeburtstag-in-gotha/
Queen Victoria’s and Prince Albert’s jubilee: https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2019/02/24/200-years-victoria-albert/
