Ottoman Diplomats

Synopsis

Etienne Carathéodory Effendi reports about the celebration of the name day of King Leopold II, on November 15th. The King was always absent at a religious service in his honour. The Te Deum was attended by Queen Marie-Henriette, the Count and Countess of Flanders – Prince Philippe of Belgium (brother of Leopold II) and his wife Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen –, the government, important state officials and the diplomatic corps. Also many MPs were present, despite the decision not to show up officially as a body. In the afternoon, the Belgian Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Frère-Orban, held an official banquet for all mission heads, also attended by the government and important state officials. The dean of the diplomatic corps, the Russian minister Count Bloudoff, proposed a toast to King Leopold II, to which Frère-Orban replied by proposing a toast to the leaders of Belgium’s befriended and allied countries. After the dinner, a reception was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his report, Etienne Carathéodory Effendi notes that he conveyed the felicitations of the Sultan and the Ottoman government. (In attachment is a copy of Frère-Orban’s letter, written in reaction to these felicitations.)

Attachments

Copied letter (21-11-1881, Brussels, Walthère Frère-Orban to Etienne Carathéodory Effendi, Frère-Orban conveyed King Leopold II's gratitude for the felicitations and wishes he received from the Sultan and the Ottoman government, on the occasion of his name day.)

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