Station: [11] Boarded Corridor / Christening Robe

In the old days, a christening was cause for great celebrations. The oldest recorded christening at Langenburg was that of Count Ludwig Kraft in 1613. The company partied for ten days, from June the 23rd to July the 2nd. Around 19 thousand litres of wine – 33 and a half thousand pints – ran down the throats of the christening party. Numerous friends and relatives came to the christening and enjoyed a rousing party.

At such festive christenings, the mothers were often presented with lavish gifts. For instance, take the birth of a daughter to Countess Helene, the wife of Kraft the Sixth of Hohenlohe-Weikersheim. On that occasion, Emperor Frederick the Third gave the mother a necklace of sapphires and enamelled ornaments. Today, it is one of the highlights of the Hohenlohe art collection. 

Over the centuries, the traditions of the court changed, as did the way it operated. The former ruling counts and princes lost some of their power. Court society shrank, and friends and relatives were scattered across Germany and Europe. 

But the House of Hohenlohe-Langenburg was well connected. Since the 19th century, the princes’ and princesses’ godparents have included queens and kings, princes and princesses from all over the world. One of the present Prince Philipp’s godmothers is Anne, the Princess Royal, Queen Elizabeth the Second’s only daughter.