Royal visits and court intrigues sweep through Europe
In Petersburg the royal family laid the first stone of a fort, visited Stettin, and celebrated a historic siege anniversary as minor nobles and courtiers gathered. Stockholm reports the Duke of Holstein’s bid for Royal Highness and Sweden’s delicate succession debate, while Hamburg notes theories of a pro Helfein outcome and Portugal’s allies discuss secrecy. Antwerp and Hague dispatch hopeful dispatches on trade, stock and political alliances with Sweden, Russia, and the Netherlands.