Queen Geraldine: A True Child of History

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Albania's only queen, Geraldine, Dead after long exile
<A HREF="mailto:chronfeedback at sfchronicle.com">Douglas Martin, New York Times</A>   

Geraldine of Albania, who as the wife of King Zog was for one year her 
adopted country's first and only queen and the only member of European 
royalty with American blood, died Tuesday in Tirana, Albania's capital.  She 
was 87.  Her story reads as if it were a Hollywood fantasy [or a pynchon 
novel].  Though she was a countess, her family's fortunes had plunged so far 
that at 20 she was selling postcards in the Budapest National Museum.  Then 
King Zog, who had been desperately seeking a bride, saw her picture.  They 
met on New Year's Day 1938, and 10 days later were engaged.  The wedding was 
triumphant.  Her veil trailed from a high diadem of orange blossoms, and her 
white satin gown was embroidered with pearls.  Fifty thousand children in 
native costumes applauded, and enemy clans shared wine. The wedding gifts 
included a scarlet Mercedes from Hitler. [...]

for the rest of this fascinating story, go to:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/10/28/B

A192141.DTL
    
Queen Geraldine?  I kid you not.
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