Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Prince Erik chickens out!

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April 13, 1928 

 Prince Erik of Denmark has given up on the chicken business in Southern California. According to the Los Angeles Times, the prince has "completed negotiations to sell his palatial home in Arcadia," and will return with his wife and daughter to live in Denmark. 

The Prince, his wife Lois, and their year-old-daughter, Countess Alexandra, will leave Arcadia for Denmark on May 12. 

 For some months now, there have been reports that the prince and his family would return to Denmark, but Prince Erik "previously denied the rumors," stating that he would retain homes in both places, and spend the winter in California and "summers in Denmark." 

Prince Erik admitted last night that he had sold the Arcadia property. He refused to say who was the purchaser.

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 The Prince married the former Lois Booth, daughter of the Canadian lumber king, J.R. Booth, in June 1923. 

They moved to Arcadia on May 22, 1924. The estate is at the southern end of Double Drive. was bought by Lois' parents and "given to them as a wedding present. During their time in Arcadia, Prince and Princess Erik "led a secluded life," and did not take an active role in social activities. 

Prince Erik, who visited Denmark twice since moving to California, devoted most of his time "to raising fine chickens and blue-blooded dogs."

Erik, 37, is the third child of Prince Valdemar and his late wife, Princess Marie of Orléans.  He renounced his right to succession to the Danish throne when he married Canadian commoner, Lois Frances Booth.  They were wed in Ottawa on February 11, 1924.   

Since his marriage, he is styled as Prince Erik, Count of Rosenborg.

1 comment:

Kelly Blair said...

This estate has been the home of Arcadia Congregational United Church of Christ since the early 1950's. A church building was erected in 1961. The original home still stands on the property.