The Noble Donna Marie
Said Testaferrata (1820-48)

Donna Marie Said-Testaferrata born in Santi, North of Rabat, Malta on the year of 1820 to Principe Salvatore Said and Marie Dimech-Testaferrata. Her life was interesting enough due to her relationships with three very interesting nobleman. 
It all started when Barone Sciberras Trigona who had asked her father, Salvatore, if he could take Marie on as his children’s friend and minder, as they were of similar age. Marie’s brothers and sisters were also invited to the household of Sir Pasquale Sciberras Trigona and for several years. Marie had fallen in love with Alexander Sciberras D’Amico Inguanez, who was Pasquale’s eldest son and they would spend many hours together at the beach or in the fields around Rabat, Malta. Pasquale wanted Alexander to concentrate with his studies and focus on girls at a latter stage, so Pasquale would take Marie away and have long chats to ensure that Alexander got the message. Marie was afraid of Pasquale and did as he said, though Pasquale was attracted to her in such a manner as she was now a lady of 17. This at an age when marriage was highly considered, though Pasquale had other ideas while her father wanted to arrange a marriage contract with another gentleman which meant that her association with the Sciberras Trigona was at an end. Instead Pasquale arranged to have his son Alexander and Marie engaged in a plot to keep her under his wing.  Alexander had fancied the idea and both parties accepted the terms and conditions of the dowry. On the announcement of the engagement, February 1838, Marie was by now three months pregnant. Alexander wanted to marry her on the learning the news from Marie, though Salvatore was in disgrace and wanted out of the engagement. Alexander’s father too was surprised and wanted out, as his reputation in Malta was at stake. Marie now single and with her marriage contract ended, was fast approaching her first child’s birth and under the care of the Nuns in Mdina, where she stayed till the birth of her child. Her conditions was to have the child and leave Malta for Europe as a Mistress to a French Prince which she has approved to rid the shame of both families.

August had come fast and whilst heavily pregnant, the Nuns prepared for the birth of the child which Marie was to leave orphan, only to receive funds from both families to enter priesthood or the nunnery. The secrecy of this was essential and the Nuns were champions at helping out where possible with their noble benefactors. Alexander was not able to see this child till much later in life when his son Carmelo Trigona became a Priest. Birth was without problems (August 1838) and Marie was given a week to recover and to move to a foreign country to begin her new life. Her parents and siblings had all been given access to see Marie and to say their good byes. They were able to contact her via letters or to if possible to visit her in Europe . But Marie was not allowed ever to return to Malta, as both parties had agreed.

She left for Rome, which was a long journey by ship to Calabria then by coach to Rome, where she met up with her new Master, Prince Charles Laurien Bonaparte, Principe di Canino e Musignan. Prince Charles took an instant liking to her and had placed her in his custody at his apartment where she was to be his mistress and lady of the night for his pleasures. Marie slowly sank into life in her new home and the trappings of the Italian aristocratic friends, feelings for home slowly faded and her love of Charles grew fonder. Marie was being paid to live a peaceful and colorful life with Charles. But Charles’s wife had been aware of Marie’s existence and too had taken a liking and invited her to her home from time to time. This more or less kept Charles loyal to his wife and his mistress, no different women at his bedside, one could say a complete life with one’s desires at ease. The Italian Aristocracy had always kept mistresses and it was a way of life in the 19^th century. Her travels were mainly in and out of Rome  to a country plcae, Palace or mansion for the day of tea and activities, though Marie was earning the respect of her new friends as a typical role model. Marie bore four children in the five years of living in Rome, and the year 1845, Charles Laurien wanted no more, her job was done. Though her children had become part of Charles-Laurien family and even registered as born by his wife, not as Marie’s children. Her first son was Napoleon Charles Bonaparte, born 5^th February 1839 , succeeded as the 5^th Principe di Canino e Musignano and Principe by the Pope. He later Died 1899 in Rome, and married Maria Cristina de Principi Ruspoli, and had three children. Marie’s second child was a daughter, Bathilde Bonaparte, born 26 November 1840 and died in Paris in 1861. Married 1856 to Louis, Comte de Cambaceres, with issue. Marie’s third child was a daughter Albertine, but died several months after giving birth in 1842. Her last child with Charles-Laurien was born Charles Albert, born 1843 and died 1847 in his infancy. Marie left behind three children all so very young and not knowing who their real mother was, but was set to go to London in 1845.

That year Marie arrived in London in the spring to meet her new Master, the Lord Ebury and was housed in Holland Park where Lord Ebury was to spend time with Marie and also lived close to London. Marie settled quite well and also invited to the country estate of the Lord Ebury from time to time as a family friend. Though Marie was all alone in a big city without her children she would constantly write to them via her family in Malta and Paris and slowly made friends with those living within her area. Though many suspected her to be the mistress of Lord Ebury, she denied it as a good friendship, but the problem was that his lordship was constantly coming over and spending nights at her place. The neighbors suspected that they were more then good friends.  As a gesture, Marie had invited some of her neighbors round for drinks and had introduced them to Lord Ebury, putting a stop to the problem. It was believed some of the neighbors were paid off to keep quiet.  After six months, Marie become pregnant again and in 1846 bore a son at the cottage which she lived. Lord Ebury was present at the birth and gave him the name of Robert. Though Lord Ebury never acknowledged him as his son, according to Marie’s letters, she was paid handsomely for the upkeep of the household and for her children. This was an arrangement which kept both parties happy and Marie was never in short supply of house expenses, food or clothing.

At this stage of her life, Marie was now aging and slowly finding it difficulty looking after her son. Lord Ebury hired a Maid called Rita Camilleri from Malta who helped Marie, and both became very good friends. This was a relief for Marie as she now relied on Rita more and more as the time progressed. Nearly two years had passed and Robert was growing up fast. Marie still friendly with Lord Ebury was spending less time with her, so she made the most of each visit. At the age of 27, Marie has embarked on an amazing journey and her fifth child was her last. This was her time to really enjoy motherhood, she never spent longer then six months before they were either adopted or sent away. Marie again got pregnant and was experiencing difficulties with carrying a child through childbirth. She spent weeks in bed with Rita attending to mistress and her son.  The pregnancy was taken a toll but the physician advised her to stay in bed and to eat well. Marie saw little of Lord Ebury but was in contact via messages sent from Rita to his London Address.

Now it was her seventh month of pregnancy and was still lying in bed, pains starting to get worse and the Physicians had advised her to try and have the baby or die in the process of delivery. Lord Ebury agreed to start the process of cutting Marie open and to deliver the child and hopefully Marie may regain strength to recover from the birth. This was considered to risky and serious an operation and Marie could develop a high fever and both mother and child could be in danger of dying. The other alternative was to help Marie start natural labor and perhaps look at the effects of that, either way seemed to horrible for Marie. The surgeons took the decision of natural labor and Marie started immediately to give birth. After Several hours in labour her strength weakened and things grew rapidly worse without any progress of birth. The surgeons immediately then cut her open to save the child and then try to save Marie. The birth was a success, and a  girl was born, but Marie bled and died the following morning on July 27^th 1848 in her sleep, her bed was full of blood from the constant bleeding. Lord Ebury now in mourning had immediately sent a message to Malta to fetch her brothers to come to London to mourn and to take her belonging and her two children. Rita had nursed the little girl whom was called Marie-Eleanore and was a healthy little baby.

Marie’s body was taken to the mortuary and was buried the next day privately in a London cemetery with the marking on her tombstone of “Marie”, “1820-48”. Marie died giving birth to her child and her legacy was to be carried on with her children whom she left behind. Lord Ebury gave her a memorial mass, and when her brothers finally arrived three weeks later, Lord Ebury severed all contact with the two illegitimate children and her family. Both Robert and Marie-Eleanore were both taken to Malta to live with their uncles and cousins, six months after their mother’s death.

Lord Ebury had commissioned a painting of Marie which became the only known one done which survives to this day (top of page).

The Genealogy

Principe Salvatore Said, Principe de Sayd e Bibino Magno, married to Marie Dimech Testaferrata, with issue (other issues)

1. Marie Said-Testaferrata, (1820-48)., Mistress firstly to Alexander Sceberras D’Amico Inguanez, Barone di Castel Cicciano e Montagno di Marzo., Mistress secondly to HH. Prince Charles-Laurien Bonaparte, 4^th Principe di Canino e Musignan., Mistress thirdly to Lord Robert Grosvenor, 1^st Baron of Ebury of Ebury Manor., with issue.

1.1. (First Liaison) Carmelo Trigona, (1838-.

1.2. (Second Liaison) HH. Prince Napoleon Charles Bonaparte, 5^th Principe di Canino e Musignan, (1839-99), married Maria Christina dei Principi Ruspoli., with issue.

1.3. HH. Princess Bathilde Bonaparte, (1840-61), married 1856 to Louis, Comte de Cambaceres., with issue.

1.3.1. Zenaide de Cambaceres, who married Raoul-Napoleon, 3e duc d'Albufera., with issue.

1.3.1.1.  Napoléon Louis Raoul (Paris 8 Dec 1875-Paris 25 Jul 1879), d.inf.

1.3.1.2.  LOUIS Joseph Cte Suchet, 4th Duc d'Albufèra (Paris 4 May 1877-Ville d'Avray 13 Jun 1953); m.Paris 10 Oct 1904 Anna Vittoria Massena d'Essling de Rivoli (Paris 21 Mar 1884-Vernon 4 Oct 1967)
1.3.1.2.1. LOUIS Victor André Cte Suchet, 5th Duc d'Albufèra (Paris 2 Aug 1905-Neuilly 7 Mar 1995); m.Paris (civ) 18 May 1931 (rel) 19 May 1931 Simone de Chevigné (b.Paris 31 Mar 1912 )
1.3.1.2.1.1. Isabelle Zénaide Marie Anne Gisèle Thérèse (b.Paris 4 Oct 1932 ); m.(civ) Paris 7 May 1957 (rel) Château de Bizy 11 May 1957 Patrice Vergé (b.Paris 20 Jun 1926 )

1.3.1.2.1.2. Ann-Marie Hélène (b.Paris 26 Jul 1934 ); m.(civ) Paris 10 Sep 1959 (rel) Château de Bizy 12 Sep 1959 Alain Cte du Cheyron du Pavillon (Lude 10 Aug 1931-Neuilly 7 Mar 1995)

1.3.1.2.1.3.  Paule Marie Andrée (b.Paris 8 Apr 1936 ); m.(civ) Paris 3 Sep 1957 (rel) Château de Bizy 7 Sep 1957 François Vcte de Vigneral (Paris 27 Nov 1933-Étampes 10 Dec 1983)

1.3.1.2.1.4.  Hélène Françoise Andrée Marie (b.Abitain 14 Aug 1942 ); m.(civ) Paris 28 Feb 1968 (rel) Château de Bizy 2 Mar 1968 Yves Aubin (b.Poitiers 11 Oct 1931 )

1.3.1.2.1.5.  Geneviève Marie Claude (b.Paris 13 Dec 1944 ); m.Paris (civ) 7 Jun 1968 (rel) 20 Jun 1968 Charles Louis Cte de Maud'Huy (b.Paris 12 Dec 1943 )

1.3.1.2.1.6.  Constance Marie Isabelle (b.Biarritz 16 Sep 1947 ); m.(civ) Paris 24 May 1972 (rel) Vernon 27 May 1972 Alain Fauchier-Delavigne (b.Paris 10 Oct 1940 )

1.3.1.2.2. Paule Rose Zénaide Cécile (Paris 8 Oct 1910-Roquebrune-Cap-Martin 25 Mar 1991); m.Paris (civ) 2 Jul 1934 (rel) 4 Jul 1934 Francois Marquis de Grammont (Paris 22 Apr 1906-d.in transport to Dachau 4 Feb 1945)

1.3.1.2.3.  NAPOLÉON Marie Joseph Cte Suchet Duc d'Albufèra (b.Vernon 5 Dec 1912 ); m.Viels Maisons 21 Aug 1943 Claude de Ladoucette (b.Paris 12 Mar 1923 )
1.3.1.2.3.1.  Emmanuel Louis Jean Marie, Marquis d'Albufèra (b.Viels Maisons 19 Jun 1944); m.Loiré 9 Feb 1974 Elisabeth de Fontanges (b.Vichy 24 Jul 1944 )
1.3.1.2.3.1.1. Pauline Anne Marie (b.Soissons 10 Dec 1974 ); m.Montgobert 29 Aug 1998 Cte Alexandre de Chavagnac (b.Brussels 25 May 1970 )

1.3.1.2.3.1.2.  Armand Louis Napoléon Gérard (b.Soissons 25 Oct 1976 )

1.3.1.2.3.1.3.  Guillaume Alexandre Marie (b.Soissons 14 Mar 1979 )

1.3.1.2.3.1.4.  Marie Zénaîde Laure (b.Soissons 29 Sep 1985 )

1.3.1.2.3.2.  François Paul Jacques (Paris 30 Jul 1945-Montgobert 30 Sep 1945)

1.3.1.2.3.3.  Philippe Raoul Michel (Paris 20 Jun 1947-Suresnes 29 Jul 1994); m.Velizy-Villacoublay 5 May 1971 Pierrette Lacaze (b.Figeac 27 Feb 1936 )
1.3.1.2.3.3.1.  Charlotte Anna Louise (b.Versailles 10 Sep 1973 )

1.3.1.2.3.3.2.  Anna Claude Louise (b.Versailles 9 Feb 1975 )

1.3.1.2.3.4. Anna Henriette Alix (b.Paris 24 Feb 1953 ); m.Montgobert 28 Jun 1979 Gilles Charpentier (b.Neuilly 26 Jun 1946 )

1.3.1.3. Bathilde (Paris 24 Dec 1887-Paris 19 Dec 1920); m.Paris (civ) 6 Oct 1909 (rel) 7 Oct 1909 (div 1925) Léon Dufresne Vcte de Saint-Léon (Château de Champigny 23 Aug 1886-Versailles Nice 25 Apr 1952)

1.3.2. Jeanne de Cambaceres (1858-1909), m. 1879 Charles de Goyon 3 Duc de Feltre (1844-1930), with issue.

1.3.2.1. Auguste de Goyon, 4 Duc de Feltre., (1884-1957), married 1933 Helen Seton with issue.

1.3.2.1.1. Michel de Goyon, 5 Duc de Feltre, (1935-.

1.4. HH. Prince Charles-Laurien Bonaparte, (1843-47), d.inf.

1.5. (Third Liaison) Robert Ebury Said, (1846-79), (dunm?)., adopted after Marie’s death by his Uncle and brought back to Malta .

1.6. Marie-Eleanor Ebury Said, (1848-1927)., adopted after Marie’s death by her Uncle and brought back to Malta . Later traveled in a group to Lebanon where she met Abdul I-Llah, then married  HH. Amir Abdul l-Ilah, Grand Sharif and Amir of Mecca, (r.1881-82, 1908)., with issue.

1.6.1.  Sharif Salim Pasha, married with issue.

1.6.1.1. Sharif Dr Ahmad Hazim Bey, married HRH, Princess Jalila of Hijaz, dsp.

1.6.1.2. Sharif Hashim Bey.

1.6.1.3. Sharif Musbah Khanum.

1.6.2. Sharifa Abdiya Khanum, dunm.

1.6.3. Sharifa Nafissa Khanum, (1886-1958), married 1906 to King Ali ibn Hussein, King of the Hijaz, Grand Sharif of Mecca GBE, with issue.

1.6.3.1. HRH, Prince Abd al-Llah of Hiaz, Crown Prince of Hijaz, GCMG, GCVO, (1913-58 ), Regent of Iraq, (1939-41), Head of the Hashimite House  (1951-58 ), married (1) 1936 to Melek Yehia, married (2) 1948 to Faiza al Tarabulsi, married (3) 1956 to Hiyam al-Habub of the Rabia tribes of Kut.

1.6.3.1.1. HRH, Princess Khadija Abdiya of Hijaz, (1907-58), dunm.

1.6.3.1.2. HRH, Princess Aliya of Hijaz, (1911-50), married 1934 to King Ghazi I of Iraq, with issue.

1.6.3.1.2.1. King Faisal II of Iraq , GCVO, (r1939-58),  (1935-58), dunm.

1.6.3.1.3. HRH, Princess Badia of Hijaz, (1920-98), married Sharif Hussein bin Ali’ Bey, with issue.

1.6.3.1.3.1.  Sharif Muhammad bin Al-Hussein. b. at Baghdad , Iraq , 1950. m. a Persian lady.

1.6.3.1.3.2. Sharif 'Abdu'llah bin Al-Hussein. b. at Baghdad , Iraq , 1952. m. 1988, Antonella Sophia Gabrielle Maria (b. 24^th December 1957), only daughter of The Hon John Wynn Harvey, by his wife, Elena Maria-Theresa [The Hon Mrs John Harvey], younger daughter of The Noble Giambattista, Marquess Curtopassi, of Rome Italy. He has issue, two sons and one daughter:

1.6.3.1.3.2.1. Sharif Abdu'l-illah bin 'Abdu'llah. b. 13^th March 1992 .

1.6.3.1.3.2.2. Sharif  Hassen bin 'Abdu'llah. b.  1^st November 1994 .

1.6.3.1.3.2.3. Sharifa Badia bint 'Abdu'llah. b.  1990.

1.6.3.1.3.3. Sharif 'Ali bin Al-Hussein. b. at Baghdad , Iraq , 1956, educ. Univ. of Essex . (Self-proclaimed Pretender to the Throne of Iraq (not in accordance with the laws of succession). m. Lina, and has issue, one son and three daughters.

1.6.3.1.4. HRH, Princess Jalila of Hijaz, (1923-55), married Sharif Dr Ahmad Hazim Bey, dsp.

Marie Said’s ancestors:

1. Her Father’s descent (Please note that this is an outside link)
2. Her Mother’s descent. (Please note that this is an outside link)

References:

1. (Correspondence) Archives of Comte Charles Said Vassallo Testaferrata

2. The Diary of Donna Marie Said-Testaferrata

3. Burkes Peerage 2005 edition

4. The Royal Family of Jordan for data regarding the Amir’s of Mecca and Hijaz families and descendants

Some other Interesting notes: