MARIA CAROLINA (1752-1814). Queen of Naples and Sicily. Sister of Marie Antoinette.
Autograph Letter Signed ('Charlotte') in French to a baroness who is returning to Austria after serving in her household, 1 page 4to with decorative border, no place, no date. Expressing her profound gratitude, of which she provides a tangible reminder by presenting her with family portraits.

'... je vous prie d'accepter nos portraits a nous tous avec les assurances de nos coeurs reconnoissants, l'une de nous n'est plus dans ce monde mais elle priera dieu pour vous. ...'

Urging the baroness never to forget her, and promising that as the only [surviving] daughter of the 'immortal' Maria Theresa she shares in the rejoicing at the victories and triumphs of her native country.
 Maria Carolina, also known as Charlotte at the Austrian court, married Ferdinand IV of Naples and Sicily, and was a confidante of Lady Hamilton. The family portraits which she presents to her correspondent would probably be of herself, her husband and children (one of her daughters died in 1802, another in 1806). For her to refer to herself as 'unique fille de l'imortelle Marie Therese', the letter must date from after September 1808, when her last surviving sister, Maria Elisabeth, died. Given the fate of her favourite sister, Marie Antoinette, she would naturally rejoice at any ascendancy of her native land over France.
Provenance: from a collection formed by A.M. Broadley in 1903.
[No: 24941]