Marie-Claude of Autelia
| Marie-Claude | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen of Autelia | |||||
| Reign | 20 June 1979 - 20 June 2013 | ||||
| Predecessor | Marie-Claude | ||||
| Successor | Marie-Agathe | ||||
| Born | January 26, 1943 Santerre, Autelia | ||||
| Spouse | Princess Marina of Schaumburg-Lippe (m. 1986) | ||||
| Issue | Marie-Agathe of Autelia Princess Désirée of Sweden Princess Amélie | ||||
| |||||
| House | Cambron (dynastic) Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (by marriage) | ||||
| Father | Alexander III of Autelia | ||||
| Mother | Princess Maria Agata of Savoy | ||||
Marie-Claude (Marie-Claude Louise Henriette Alexandra; born 26 January 1943) is an Autelian royal, who reigned as Queen of Autelia from 20 June 1979 until her abdication 34 years later in 2013.
The only daughter of King Alexander III of Autelia and his first wife Princess Maria Agata of Savoy, Marie-Claude became his heiress in 1958 on his accession. In 1966, she married Prince Henry of Cambridge, a grandson of King William IV of the United Kingdom. They had three children- Alexander, William, and Arthur.
Her reign over three decades saw much change in Autelia. Some of these changes included the succession reforms in 1985, which made the move to absolute primogeniture.
After some health scares in the late 2000s, Marie-Claude decided to abdicate the throne in favour of her eldest son, who became King Alexander IV. Alexander's reign was unexpectedly short-lived after he died of lung cancer in less than two years following his accession. He was succeeded by Marie-Claude's granddaughter, Marie-Agathe, whom Marie-Claude has served for as a mentor during the early years of her reign.
Following her abdication, she has largely retired from public life, although she sometimes makes appearances at large family gatherings and state events. She lives on a private farm in the Autelian countryside.
Early life and education
Princess Marie-Claude was born on 26 January 1943 in Santerre, Autelia. Her father was Crown Prince Alexander of Autelia, the eldest son and heir of King Charles VI of Autelia. Her mother, Crown Princess Marie-Agathe was a daughter of Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and Princess Elena of Montenegro.
Marie-Claude's mother died when she was three years old,