Naser al-Din Shah’s European Travel Diaries: “The King of Germany Is a Genie!”

According to Saednews historical reports, Naser al-Din Shah's third trip to Europe began in April 1889 (1268 in the Iranian solar calendar). He first visited Russia before continuing to Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, England, and France.

The following account comes from Monday, August 19, 1889 (28 Mordad 1268), while the Qajar monarch was traveling through the German region of Württemberg on his return journey from Europe.

In this passage from his travel diary, the Shah describes hearing about a mysterious figure known as Madame Blanche, whose portrait hung on the wall of one of the royal palaces. In Western European folklore, Blanche, or the White Lady, is a legendary supernatural spirit believed to appear in forests, castles, and open countryside. According to tradition, she sometimes revealed herself to travelers and, in some stories, brought misfortune or warned of impending tragedy.

After arriving at the palace, the Shah wrote:

"When we dismounted at the entrance, the Minister of the Royal Household and our hosts were waiting to receive us and guided us inside. The palace was magnificent, especially its splendid furnishings, including marble statues and exceptional paintings. There were numerous portraits and fine miniature artworks. As we reached the end of one of the rooms, I noticed a small painting depicting a holy-looking woman dressed like a nun. I asked who she was. They replied, 'This is Madame Blanche,' and everyone laughed."

Curious, the Shah asked what they meant.

His hosts explained that whenever a member of the royal family was about to die or when the dynasty suffered a bereavement, the spirit represented by the painting would supposedly leave the palace on its own, visit the residence of the Minister of the Royal Household, and offer condolences. Palace guards and attendants, they claimed, had reported witnessing the apparition on several occasions.

The Shah noted that the reigning monarch strongly believed in supernatural beings, magic, and spirit-related traditions. Because of this belief, he accepted the story of Madame Blanche as genuine and kept her portrait in a private room. When the Shah asked the Minister of the Royal Household whether he had personally seen the apparition, the minister neither confirmed nor denied it.

According to the local belief, whenever a disaster or tragedy was destined to affect the royal family, the White Lady would appear in an older palace located opposite the newer royal residence. Guards and palace workers were said to see her briefly before she vanished. The Marshal of the Royal Household, who lived in that building, was described as having complete faith in the spirit's existence, suggesting that he believed he had encountered her many times.