Paul von Hatzfeldt

2.1. Early Diplomatic Service

Hatzfeldt's diplomatic journey began early in his career. In 1862, he served as Bismarck's secretary when Bismarck was the Ambassador to Paris. This early exposure to high-level diplomacy under such a formidable statesman provided him with invaluable experience. Following this, he received ministerial appointments in various key locations. From 1874 to 1878, he served as the German Minister to Spain in Madrid. Subsequently, he was appointed Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in Constantinople, a position he held from 1878 to 1881.

2.2. Key Positions and Achievements

In 1881, Count von Hatzfeldt was recalled from Constantinople to assume the significant role of Foreign Secretary and head of the Foreign Office. He held this pivotal position until 1885. His tenure as Foreign Secretary underscored his growing influence and expertise in German foreign policy.

In 1885, he succeeded Count Georg Herbert Münster as the German Ambassador to the United Kingdom, a post he held for 16 years until 1901. During this period, he played a crucial role in managing relations between the two European powers. One of his most notable achievements in this role was the signing of the Yangtze Agreement in 1900. This agreement, concluded amidst the Boxer Rebellion in China, aimed to preserve China's territorial integrity and ensure open trade, reflecting Germany's commitment to international stability.

Reports of his resignation due to ill-health began as early as 1897 and continued in the years leading up to his actual retirement in November 1901, just weeks before his death. Upon his retirement, he was succeeded by Count Paul Wolff Metternich. Emperor Wilhelm II expressed profound appreciation for Hatzfeldt's dedicated service, writing in his acceptance letter: "I feel impelled to express my imperial thanks for the excellent services which, during the forty-four years of your official life, you have rendered to my predecessors on the throne, to myself, and to the whole Fatherland." As a token of the Emperor's goodwill and recognition, he was bestowed with the Order of Merit of the Prussian Crown upon his retirement.

3.1. Family and Relationships

On 24 November 1863, in Paris, he married Helene Moulton (3 September 1846 - 9 April 1918). Helene was the daughter of Charles Frederick Moulton, a New York real estate speculator, and Cesarinne Jeanne (- Metz) Moulton. The couple initially divorced in 1886 but remarried two years later. This remarriage was reportedly facilitated to enable their daughter to marry Prince Max of Hohenlohe-Öhringen.

Together, Melchior and Helene were the parents of three children:

• Helene Nelly Susanne Pauline Hubertine Luise (3 March 1865 - 21 May 1901), who married Prince Max Anthon Karl zu Hohenlohe-Öhringen (1860-1922). Max was a son of Prince Hugo zu Hohenlohe-Öhringen and a grandson of August, Prince of Hohenlohe-Öhringen.
• Paul Hermann Karl Hubert (30 June 1867 - 10 June 1941), who also pursued a diplomatic career. He married Baroness Maria von Stumm (1882-1954), daughter of the diplomat Baron Ferdinand Eduard von Stumm. In 1910, Paul Hermann inherited the title and properties from his cousin, Prince Franz von Hatzfeldt-Wildenburg.
• Marie Augusta Cesarinne Melanie (10 January 1871 - 15 April 1932), who married Prince Friedrich Karl zu Hohenlohe-Öhringen (1855-1910), who was the brother of her sister Nelly's husband.

5.1. German Honours

• Kingdom of Prussia:
  • Iron Cross (1870), 2nd Class on White Band with Black Edge
  • Order of the Red Eagle, Knight 1st Class (5 June 1881); Grand Cross (18 January 1888)
  • Grand Commander's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern (28 October 1885)
  • Order of the Black Eagle, Knight (18 June 1890); with Collar (17 January 1891)
  • Knight of Merit of the Prussian Crown (8 November 1901), bestowed upon his resignation as German Ambassador to London.
• Baden: Knight of the Order of Berthold the First
• Kingdom of Bavaria:
  • Grand Cross of the Merit Order of St. Michael (1877)
  • Grand Cross of Merit of the Bavarian Crown (1883)
• Brunswick: Grand Cross of the Order of Henry the Lion
• Mecklenburg: Grand Cross of the Wendish Crown, with Golden Crown
• Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach: Grand Cross of the White Falcon
• Kingdom of Saxony: Grand Cross of the Albert Order, with Golden Star (1887)
• Württemberg: Grand Cross of the Württemberg Crown

5.2. Foreign Honours

• Austria-Hungary: Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of Leopold (1881)
• Belgium: Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold
• Kingdom of Greece: Grand Cross of the Redeemer
• Kingdom of Italy:
  • Grand Cross of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
  • Grand Officer of the Crown of Italy
• Sovereign Military Order of Malta: Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion
• Netherlands: Knight of the Netherlands Lion
• Ottoman Empire: Order of Osmanieh, 1st Class in Diamonds
• Kingdom of Romania: Grand Cross of the Star of Romania
• Russian Empire: Knight of the White Eagle
• Spain: Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III, with Collar (28 May 1877)
• Kingdom of Serbia: Grand Cross of the Cross of Takovo
• Siam (now Thailand): Grand Cross of the Crown of Siam
• Two Sicilian Royal Family: Knight of St. Ferdinand and Merit

6.1. Official Recognition

His career was consistently met with high regard and official commendation. Upon his retirement, Emperor Wilhelm II formally acknowledged his profound contributions. The Emperor's letter of appreciation highlighted Hatzfeldt's "excellent services" rendered over "forty-four years of your official life" to the German throne and the entire Fatherland. The bestowal of the Order of Merit of the Prussian Crown at this juncture served as a tangible symbol of the Emperor's "good-will" and the nation's gratitude for his unwavering dedication and diplomatic prowess.