Pages

Monday, January 31, 2011

Wedding Speech of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark!

Enjoy!

Engagement of Prince Ludwig zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn

Prince Ludwig zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn and Countess Philippa Spannocchi became engaged on 26 December 2010.

Countess Philippa is a daughter of Count Hieronymus Spannocchi and Countess Verena von Schönborn-Buchheim. Her aunt Katharina is the widow (and second wife) of Prince Ludwig's grandfather Count Rudolf Erwein von Schönborn-Wiesentheid.


The wedding date has yet to be announced.


©Fürst zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Arrivals at the Danish Royal Wedding

Enjoy!

Video fo the Wedding of Crown prince Frederik of Denmark...

I cannot believe it will be seven years already this May when we went to Copenhagen to witness this great event!

Enjoy!

Princess Chantal of France turns 65!

Princess Jeanne de Chantal, princess of France, was born on 9 January 1946. She is the sixth daughter of the late Count and Countess of Paris. Chantal was baptized on 21 January at Saint Nicholas Church in Pamplona, Spain. Five years later she began school in Lisbon, later continuing her studies at "La Providence", a private school near Eu. In the meantime her father was completing the restoration of the Coeur Volant, the vast residence in Louveciennes that he had purchased upon returning to France after the abolition of the law of exile. 


Later on, and once settled at Louveciennes Chantal was instructed by private tutors, followed by attendance to a private school at rue Saint-Dominique in Paris. she finished her secondary studies at a boarding-school in Gouvieux in the Oise region of France.

In 1965 Princess Chantal acted as godmother to her nephew Prince Jean, Duke de Vendôme and second of the present Count of Paris. Jean's older brother François being mentally handicapped, it is Vendôme who will effectively serve as Head of House France upon the passing of his father. In the meantime, Chantal and her younger brother Thibaut lived in an apartment in Neuilly at the end of the 1960s and while they attended school in Paris. She possessed a talent for painting and the plastic arts, which led to her attending the Estienne School in Paris, a renowned art center in the French capital.


Princess Chantal became engaged to Baron François-Xavier de Sambucy de Sorgue, a member of a noble family originally from Bologna, Italay. The Sambucy de Sorgues established themselves in Rouergue in the XIV century. The family also had contact with the Orléans as François-Xavier's great-uncle, Father Gaston de Sambucy de Sorgue, was the priest who officiated over the burial ceremony, in the Royal Chapel at St Louis de Dreux, for the Duchess d'Orléans, King Louis-Philippe's mother. Anyhow, François-Xavier and Chantal were married at the Royal Chapel at Dreux on 28 July 1972. She wore a splendid wedding gown designed by renowned couturier Balmain, as well as a diadem by Mellerio, a gift from her in-laws.

Upon returning from their honeymoon, the couple settled in an apartment in Neuilly. Chantal gave birth to three children: Axel (b. 1976), Alexandre (b. 1978) and Kildine (b. 1979). In 1981 the Sambucy de Sorgues moved to New York City, where they lived for the next four years, returning to France at the end of 1985. The Baron is an engineer and has had a successful career in the field of information technology.
  
Princess Chantal and her husband are among the luminaries of Parisian social life. In 1994 she published a book titled "Princess and Citizen." Three years later she celebrated her Silver Wedding anniversary on a ship while cruising the River Seine. Many of her family members and friends were invited to this unique party. This celebration was followed by a ball at the Jockey Club to celebrate the 18th birthday of her daughter Kildine. Although distanced from her father for many years, as were most of the late Count of Paris' children, in his later years Princess Chantal rekindled contacts with her very complicated father.

 Today Princess Chantal and her husband spend their time between an apartment in Paris and properties in the Yvelines and at Montnajour. She continues to paint, as do several of her sisters, and has had several exhibitions. She is also the grandmother of four children as both Kildine and Alexandre are married. Axel remains unmarried.
 

The Count of Paris and the Duke de Vendôme at the commemorative mass for Louis XVI

In French...a video of an impromptu interview with the Duke de Vendôme as he accompanied his father tp the yearly mass commemorating King Louis XVI's death.

Friday, January 28, 2011

An interesting tv program on the late Count of Paris's Discord with His Children (Part 1)

Enjoy...

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9kutu_l-heritage-du-comte-de-paris_webcam

An interesting tv program on the late Count of Paris's Discord with His Children

For those of you who understand and speak French...enjoy!

For the rest...enjoy the video images!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9kv7n_l-heritage-du-comte-de-paris-fin_webcam

A Great-granddaughter of Kaiser William Passes Away

In her blog, Royal Musings, Marlene Eilers Koenig shares this sad news:

"Marina Engel died on January 10, 2011 at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Downey, California.  She was 64 years old.
Marina Adelaide Emily Patterson was born on August 21, 1948 in Springfield, Missouri, one of a set of twins, to Princess Victoria Marina of Prussia and her American husband, Kirby William Patterson, a lawyer.   When she was in fourth grade, the family moved to Washington, D.C., where Kirby Patterson worked as a prosecutor for the Department of Justice.   Marina graduated from Western High School in Washington. D.C."

May She Rest in Peace...

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2011/01/qvd-update-death-of-marina-patterson.html

A Lonely Job at the Top

From the Times of London...

A researcher has looked back on the lives of more than 1,500 European kings and queens and found that more than 20 per cent died a violent death.
That is four times more likely than a soldier in a war zone and 200 times more likely than those living in Cuidad Juarez – the Mexican city with the highest murder rate in the world.
Professor Manuel Eisner, a criminologist at Cambridge University, found that the biggest cause of death was rivals taking the throne, followed by battles with neighbouring monarchs and revenge.
A few kings and queens were killed by random members of the public who had a grievance with authority.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8286288/Its-tough-at-the-top-how-being-a-monarch-is-dangerous.html

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Interview with His Imperial Highness Grand Duke George of Russia

Interview of H.I.H., the Heir, Tsarevich, and Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich with the Newspaper “Zavtra” [Tomorrow], 3 February 2010 (published 17 February 2010)


Your Highness, as the heir of the Imperial House, do you think of yourself as a potential monarch?

The status of the Head of the Imperial House, who at present is my mother, Grand Duchess Maria Wladimirovna, and of her heir, naturally enough includes the possibility sometime in the future of being not only the head of the dynasty, but also of our homeland. Of course, this can only happen if the Russian people decide that they want and require the monarchy once again. If the day comes when I am called to this service, I will not turn away from it. But at present, I, following the example of all the heads of our House in exile—my great-grandfather, my grandfather, and my mother—strive to live according to the maxim: “Do your duty now, and let the future take care of itself.” It would be senseless to sit and dream: “What will I do if I ascend the throne.” I strive to be useful to my homeland in the position that I hold now, to help my mother to fulfill her duties, and to accumulate professional experience and knowledge that will be useful under any circumstances I may find myself in the future.

In your opinion, how should the monarchist idea be implemented in our present day circumstances? 

The restoration of the monarchy should happen only by means of a deliberative and free expression of the people’s will. I feel sure that if the people got honest and objective information, they would make the correct conclusions and would make a choice that corresponds best with their genuine national interests. History shows that a formal majority often can make mistakes. But if the people regard themselves not as a “mass” and not as a “population,” but as a collection of individuals united with common values, respectful of their ancestors, and themselves desiring that this respect should be preserved by future generations—then the people will not make a mistake. I’m sure you’ll agree that the reestablishment of the monarchy after the Time of Troubles in the early seventeenth century—the 400-th anniversary of which we will soon be celebrating—dramatically illustrates my point.




http://www.imperialhouse.ru/eng/allnews/news/2010/2285.html

Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark's Wedding Waltz

Enjoy!

Videos from the Swedish Royal Wedding

Enjoy!

Videos from the Swedish Royal Wedding

Enjoy!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

King Simeon May Run for President of Bulgaria!

Hristina Hristova, the new leader of NMSP, the party of former Tsar and Prime Minister, did not exclude the possibility of him running for President. File photo
Bulgaria's former Tsar and Prime Minister, Simeon Saxe-Coburg, may run for presidency in the upcoming 2011 elections.

In an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio, Hristina Hristova, the new leader of NMSP, the party of former Tsar and Prime Minister, commented the recent rumors about Saxe-Coburg's alleged new political aims.

"An experienced politician like him could still be useful for Bulgaria," Hristova said, pointing out that the he has a formidable international reputation.

She described Saxe-Coburg's term as Prime Minister (2001-2005) as "peaceful" in contrast with the current government's work.

Saxe-Coburg himself has not yet stated whether he will run for President, Hristova clarified. However, rumors say that Bulgaria's former EU Commissioner Meglena Kuneva may be chosen as the former Prime Minister's candidate for vice-President, if his reported candidacy is to materialize.

Critics claim that Saxe-Coburg used his position as a Prime Minister, and later as one of the governing coalition leaders to receive ownership of estates that never technically belonged to the Bulgarian royal family before 1944.

NMSP failed to overcome the 4% electoral barrier and enter the Bulgarian Parliament in the 2009 elections.

The European Royal History Journal, Issue LXXVIII off to print!

Very happy to announce that ERHJ Issue LXXVIII (December 2010) will go to print tomorrow!

This puts us back on schedule and both Issues LXXVII and LXXVIII will mail together, along with renewals, to all subscribers.

Inside ERHJ LXXVIII readers will find the following articles:

1. The Triumphs, Tragedies, and Scandals of Kaiser Wilhelm II's Daughters-in-Law

2. Obituary: Princess Irmingard of Bavaria

3. Royal Book Reviews

4. An Invitation to the Coronation of Tsar Nicholas II

5. Karl Friedrich Schinkel – Royal Architect

6. A Polish Habsburg – Princess Marie Christine of Altenburg

7. The Engagement of Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton

8. Collecting Royal Commemorative China

9. Royal News

Video of the Wedding of Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia's Parents (1975)

Enjoy!

Short Vide of the Wedding of Princess Cecilie of Prussia and Clyde Harris

Enjoy!

The Duke of Edinburgh – An Exhibition

As the Queen's Consort for nearly 60 years, the Duke of Edinburgh has spent much of his life championing the work and achievements of the monarch.
But a new exhibition marking the Duke's 90th birthday this year will reveal several of his little-known talents, including his proficiency as a jewellery designer.
Prince Philip: Celebrating Ninety Years, will feature photographs, diaries and other memorabilia from his personal collection.
It includes a gold and gem-studded bracelet designed by the Duke and given to the Queen as a gift on their fifth wedding anniversary in 1952.
The bracelet, on loan from the Queen's personal collection, was made by the jeweller Boucheron and decorated with the letters E and P entwined. It features a crown motif, an anchor set in diamonds representing the Duke's naval badge, York roses and sapphire, diamond, and ruby crosses.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/8275703/New-exhibition-reveals-Duke-of-Edinburghs-hidden-talents.html



Wedding Secrets Revealed – William and Catherine

Kate Middleton leaves post at Party Pieces as 'secrets' of the wedding are revealed

25 JANUARY 2011
 

Princess-to-be Kate Middleton has left her job at her family's online business to prepare for her wedding day.

With less than 100 days to go until she marries Prince William, the 29-year-old has decided to give up her position at Party Pieces in order to oversee all the intricate details of the April 29 ceremony.

Kate is said to be at the helm when it comes to organising the wedding, spending hours with William at their rented farmhouse in Anglesey making plans.

"They've worked really hard, doing it their way, and they're nearly there," a member of the royal household tells HELLO! magazine this week. "They know exactly what they want. In the end it will be a traditional Anglican wedding. Don't, for example, expect a rock band to be performing inside the Abbey."


 http://royalweddings.hellomagazine.com/prince-william-and-kate-middleton/20110125464/kate-middlton/quits-job/wedding-details/1/

A Prince and His Princess Bride – Georg Friedrich and Sophie visit Burg Hohenzollern

Three days after announcing their engagement, Prince georg Friedrich of Prussia traveled to the Black Forest to show Burg Hiohenzollern (a massive mountain-top, fairy-tale abode) which he co-owns with the Fürst of Hohenzollern.


http://www.schwarzwaelder-bote.de/inhalt.hechingen-prinz-fuehrt-braut-auf-zoller-ein.16fdd519-4865-488d-8887-4b2b62f23361.html

The Prince of Wales' Busy Days

Their Royal Highnesses spend a day in the East Midlands

25th January 2011

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall enjoyed sampling British food, making their own pork pies and visiting an artisan bakery in the East Midlands today.

Part of the visit included a tour of a cheese dairy and Dickinson and Morris Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe in Melton Mowbray. The Prince sampled a piece of the Duchy Originals Red Leicester at Long Clawson Dairy, which celebrated its centenary.

Just before The Prince unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion, The Duchess said: “It’s lovely, really, really good.”

His Royal Highness, who visited the dairy in 1985, told the staff and guests that he was pleased to be back in Leicestershire.


 http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/newsandgallery/news/their_royal_highnesses_spend_a_day_in_the_east_midlands_475173630.html

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

"The King's Speech" Leads the Oscars with 12 Nominations!

'The King's Speech' gets 12 Oscar nominations

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — The British monarchy saga "The King's Speech" leads the Academy Awards with 12 nominations, including best picture and acting honors for Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush.

Also nominated for best picture Tuesday were the psychosexual thriller "Black Swan"; the boxing drama "The Fighter"; the sci-fi blockbuster "Inception"; the lesbian-family tale "The Kids Are All Right"; the survival story "127 Hours"; the Facebook chronicle "The Social Network"; the animated smash "Toy Story 3"; the Western "True Grit"; and the Ozarks crime thriller "Winter's Bone."

"True Grit" ran second with 10 nominations, including acting honors for Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/entertainment/20110125/US.Oscar.Nominations/

How They Came to Be – William and Catherine

A Royal Romance : How their love affair unfolded from the moment he first set eyes on her


Like a girl with a wonderful secret, Kate looked radiantly happy.

It must have been a coincidence, but it now seems highly significant. The very first time Kate Middleton was linked with Prince William she was sashaying down a catwalk in a see-through dress. Amazingly, 20 years earlier, Lady Diana Spencer met the media for the first time wearing an eye-popping see-through skirt. The 19-year-old Diana appeared a little more demure than daring Kate in her sheer, lace mini, but the effect was the same – the world sat up and took notice. Yet while Diana married her prince on 29 July 1981, just one year after their first date, Kate and William had known each other for more than nine years before they announced their engagement. It is the longest courtship in recent royal history.

http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=16506

Monday, January 24, 2011

A Reporter's Memoirs of the Queen Mother's Death

From the Daily Mail:


How BBC bosses ordered me to downplay the Queen Mother's death

By Peter Sissons
Peter Sissons was one of the BBC's most distinguished figures, anchoring news programmes for more than 20 years. Now, in his memoirs, he looks back on his long career, from growing up in Liverpool to coping with the Corporation's deep-rooted political bias...
 
When I joined the BBC, I had to take part in an odd ritual. I was told to report to a rather formidable woman, whose precise job title was never relayed to me. I was shown into her presence, to find she was with a gentleman carrying a tape-measure. He was a tailor from Savile Row.

The formidable woman explained that every presenter had to have a specially made sombre suit in which to announce the death of a senior member of the Royal Family, should that need arise.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1349871/Peter-Sissons-BBC-bosses-ordered-downplay-Queen-Mothers-death.html 



Memorial for Prince Alirezah of Iran

A memorial service was celebrated yesterday for the sadly departed AliRezah of Iran. Along with the Empress Farah were her son Crown Prince Rezah and her daughter Princess Farahnaz.

Prince AliRezah's ashes will be spread on the Caspian Sea.

http://www.rezapahlavi.org/details_article.php?english&article=490

A Crown to Wear Over that Bald Spot...Incorrigible!

From the NYT:

OF all the details surrounding Prince William’s April marriage to his longtime girlfriend, Kate Middleton, few seem to have garnered as much attention as his rapidly receding hairline.

“You Can Leave Your Hat On” and “No Hair to the Throne” are among the many headlines that have appeared in the British tabloids. Which poses a question: Is it possible that the 28-year-old prince felt an urge to lock up a commitment from Ms. Middleton because his heart-throb status might be beginning to disappear with the hair? If so, what must the rest of the not-so-princely men in the world feel when youthful looks begin to fade?

In the past, only women were perceived to have a marital sell-by date. But thanks to a convergence of social and economic trends, some men feel the same pressures.

 ©AP

 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/fashion/weddings/23FIELD.html?_r=1

Death Notice for Archduchess Ilona of Austria

The Duke of Mecklenburg kindly sent us the official death notice for his mother.

May She rest in Peace...

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Count of Paris and Duke de Vendôme Attend Memorial Mass for King Louis XVI

TRH The Count of Paris and his second son the Duke de Vendôme were in attendance at the memorial mass for King Louis XVI which was celebrated at Saint-Germain l-Auxerrois on January 21.

http://lafautearousseau.hautetfort.com/archive/2011/01/22/x.html

A nice blog about the Portuguese Royal Family

I found this blog today and have enjoyed it very much. Thankfully I read Portuguese, but I believe it has the option for an English-language translation.

http://realfamiliaportuguesa.blogspot.com/

Grandson of Archduke Otto Becomes Engaged!

Marc Teran d'Antin, a son of Archduchess Michaela, herself one of the five daughters of Archduke Otto of Austria and the late Archduchess Regina (née Saxe-Meiningen). became engaged to Ms. Tricia Johnston.


Norwegian Royal Family Releases New Photos

Enjoy these lovely photos of Their Majesties and the Crown Princely couple!









Saturday, January 22, 2011

Engagement of Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia!

The Head of House Prussia, Prince Georg Friedrich (b. 1976), only son of the late Prince Louis Ferdinand (Jr.) of Prussia and of his wife Donata of Castell-Rudenhausen, announced yesterday his engagement to Princess Sophie of Isenburg (b. 1978).

The lucky young lady is the fourth child of Fürst Franz Alexander  (b. 1943) and of his wife Fürstin Christine, née Countess von Saurma, Baroness von und zu der Jeltsch (b. 1941).

Two of Princess Sophie's siblings have contracted stupendous dynastic marriages: Princess Katharina married in 2004 Archduke Martin of Austria, one of the sons of the late Archduke Robert of Austria-Este and of his wife Archduchess Margherita, née Savoy-Aosta.; and Princess Isabelle who has been married since 1998 to Fürst Wilhelm of Wied.

Princess Sophie has two brothers, Alexander and Viktor, both unmarried.

No date for the wedding ceremony has been given yet!

http://www.preussen.de/de/heute/aktuell/verlobung_im_haus_hohenzollern.html

Friday, January 21, 2011

Reconciliation at Broadlands in the Works?

Richard Kay reports in the daily Mail:

End of the affair for Brabourne?

Landowner Lord Brabourne’s dramatic exit from his 30-year marriage and Hampshire estate shattered one of Britain’s great aristocratic dynasties.

But just five months after the 63-year-old cousin of Prince Charles and heir to the Mountbatten title left his attractive wife Penny to start afresh in the Bahamas, there has been a setback in his new romantic life with exotic local beauty Jeannie McWeeny.

The couple, I learn, are no longer together. Brabourne, better known as Norton Knatchbull, had been with 58-year-old Jeannie, a fashion entrepreneur and widow of tax-exiled baronet Sir Nicholas ­Nuttall, on tiny Windermere island since his abrupt departure from Broadlands, his 60-room ancestral home, where the Queen spent her honeymoon.

Whether this estrangement is temporary or permanent remains to be seen, but friends are saying it is over.


The Middletons Take Over a Hotel near Buckingham Palace...

It was much loved by the Queen Mother, and these days the Queen and Baroness Thatcher are patrons.

And for four days in April, the Goring Hotel, near Buckingham ­Palace, will be taken over by the family and friends of Kate Middleton — together with ­William’s chums — for the royal wedding.

Now, I hear, Kate is thinking of basing ­herself at the same hotel for the night before the ceremony.

Certainly that is the talk among excited staff at the five-star hotel, where double rooms cost £345 a night.

The couple chose the Goring for their guests because it is close to the Palace, where their reception will be held after the Westminster Abbey nuptials.


Ten Years of the Crown Princess Katerine of Yugoslavia Foundation

http://www.youtube.com/RoyalSerbianChannel#p/u/0/JUQ8KYkwQEk

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Royal Wedding Sparks Succession Debate!

LONDON — Lawmakers say it would be the perfect wedding gift – changing Britain's rules of succession so any daughter born to Prince William and wife-to-be Kate Middleton would enjoy an equal right to the throne.

Lawmaker Keith Vaz led a brief House of Commons debate Tuesday calling for an overhaul of the 300-year-old procedures, which many call antiquated and sexist.

"Sex discrimination has been illegal in the UK since 1975 and those who break the law are rightly punished," he told Parliament. "This rule attempts to bring gender equality into our succession rules." He said a series of newspaper polls shows strong support for this change to the rules.

The system currently gives sons an automatic preference over older female siblings to succeed to the British throne. That means if Middleton had a daughter and then a son, the daughter would be passed over and the son would become king when William dies or vacates the throne.

 ©Getty

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/18/royal-wedding-sparks-succ_n_810459.html

Father-in-law of Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia Passes Away

PRESS RELEASE

CROWN PRINCESS KATHERINE’S FATHER SADLY PASSES AWAY

Athens, 20 January 2011 - Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine’s father sadly passed away today in Athens. Mr. Robert Batis had been seriously ill for several weeks.

Mr. Batis lived in Athens. He was very devoted to his family, charity and the care of people. Mr. Batis had a very big heart and was very much loved.  He was one of most prominent Greek philanthropists, and received several awards from Greek Government for his humanitarian work. Mr. Batis was also honorary president of the football club Fostiras for many years.

Mr. Batis is survived by his daughters HRH Crown Princess Katherine and Mrs. Betty Roumeliotis, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The funeral will take place in Athens in the next few days and will be a private one. Crown Princess Katherine and her family are very grateful for the many messages of sympathy and kind words they have received.


Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Full Birth Equality in the Works Perhaps...

LONDON – Lawmakers say it would be the perfect wedding gift — changing Britain's rules of succession so any daughter born to Prince William and wife-to-be Kate Middleton would enjoy an equal right to the throne.

Lawmaker Keith Vaz led a brief House of Commons debate Tuesday calling for an overhaul of the 300-year-old procedures, which many call antiquated and sexist.

"Sex discrimination has been illegal in the UK since 1975 and those who break the law are rightly punished," he told Parliament. "This rule attempts to bring gender equality into our succession rules." He said a series of newspaper polls shows strong support for this change to the rules.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110118/ap_on_re_eu/eu_britain_royal_succession

TLC Plans a Week a Royalty Programs

LOS ANGELES — The TLC channel is giving the wedding of Britain's Prince William the royal treatment.

In the five days leading up to the April 29 nuptials of William and Kate Middleton, the channel will air specials featuring archived and other footage, interviews and a round-table discussion with experts on royalty, TLC said Wednesday.

The U.K.-themed week, in partnership with ITV Studios, also will include a show focusing on British and U.S. hoarders and "extreme" collectors of royal memorabilia.

The channel plans live coverage of the wedding, with a condensed version of the event set to air April 30-May 1.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/19/tlc-plans-week-of-special_n_810807.html

What Happens in the Palace Stays in the Palace...

LONDON — What happens in the palace stays in the palace.

A new British law that took effect Wednesday makes Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Prince William exempt from freedom of information laws, meaning many private details of their lives won't be made public for decades.

Justice Secretary Ken Clarke says the exemption will protect the monarch's private conversations with politicians and officials – but information advocates say it will make it even harder to hold to account a royal family that costs taxpayers millions a year.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/19/royal-freedom-of-information-act_n_810911.html

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A royal baby for Sweden...?

Is she pregnant or is she not..therein lies the question...eventually photos will help us decipher the quandary!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Prince Harry Headed to the North Pole?

LONDON — Prince Harry is hoping to join a group of disabled military veterans as they try to ski to the North Pole.

The team is due to begin a four-week, 200 mile (320 kilometer) trek from Siberia across the polar ice cap in March in aid of the charity Walking with the Wounded.

Harry is patron of the charity, which helps servicemen and women who have been seriously hurt or lost limbs.

Prince Harry's office at St. James' Palace said Wednesday that 26-year-old Harry "would love to join the expedition" for part of the journey.

Harry, who is third in line to the throne, is training to be an Apache helicopter pilot in the army air corps. The palace says a decision on his participation would depend on his training schedule.


 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/15/prince-harry-north-pole-veterans_n_809559.html

No Gifts, but Donations – William and Kate's Wedding News

LONDON — Call it a charity bonanza. Royal aides say Prince William and Kate Middleton are considering asking guests at their April 29 wedding to make donations to charity instead of sending them wedding gifts.

A spokesman who asked not to be identified because of royal family policy told The Associated Press on Sunday this option was being considered but no firm decision had been made.
"It is one thing being studied," the spokesman said, adding that details have not been worked out.

A substantial amount of money could possibly be raised for charity this way.


 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/16/royal-couple-charity-wedding-gifts_n_809720.html

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Download a Family Tree of the Belgian Royal Family!

Here is a treat for our readers!

Enjoy!

https://www.yousendit.com/download/bFlIc0x6aytqY3F4dnc9PQ

Princess Ka'iulani of Hawai'i – Nice Smithsonian Article

2009 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Hawaii’s statehood. It was only through a complicated series of events that this independent island kingdom, thousands of miles away from the west coast of North America, joined the United States. One of the pivotal figures in this history is also surprisingly little known, though the story of Princess Ka’iulani is both tragic and inspiring.

“Princess Ka’iulani is an important person in the history of Hawaii, but not necessarily because of the things she accomplished in her life,” says DeSoto Brown, archivist at Hawaii’s Bishop Museum. “She never got to be a ruler, so you can’t really look at her political career…You could almost say that she is known for what she wasn’t able to do. Circumstances intervened to prevent her going farther with her life.” Jennifer Fahrni, coauthor of the new play Ka’iulani: The Island Rose, explains “The circumstances and sadness surrounding her death have gained more attention than any of the details of her life. It’s unfortunate that Ka’iulani’s heroic stand for her people is not better known.”



Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/americas/Kaiulani-Hawaiis-Island-Rose.html#ixzz1BE1fYdJ8

Television Interview with Crown Prince Alexander (Part 2)

The Second part of the interview!

Television Interview with Crown Prince Alexander

This is an interesting interview with Crown Prince alexander of Yugoslavia.

Enjoy!!

Video of the Danish Crown Princely couple Leaving Hospital

http://www.comcast.net/video/public-debut-for-danish-royal-twins/1744096478/Comcast/1742686133/

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Book Review – Wait for Me (The Duchess of Devonshire)

EVEN the most fervent followers of the saga of six remarkably diverse sisters may be tempted to think “enough already!” when faced with yet another dose of Mitfordiana. But they should have no fear. Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire, “Debo” to her disciples, the youngest of the sextet and its only survivor, has pulled off the feat of writing an autobiography that contains a fair bit of old hat, yet provides new nuggets and vignettes on almost every page. She is an acute anecdotalist, sometimes with a ringside seat as history was being made. And her tale is both funny and sad.

Several of the sisters, in particular Nancy and Jessica (“Decca”), have told their own version of the Mitfords’ upbringing, a rum mixture of the conventional and the eccentric, the rustic and the cosmopolitan, the messy and the ritzy, with their father famously spoofed as “Uncle Matthew” in Nancy’s early comic novels. The duchess adds jovially and sometimes poignantly to the overall Mitford canon.

To continue reading click on the link!

©Guardian

http://www.economist.com/node/17899960?story_id=17899960&fsrc=rss

Video Montage of the Wedding of Hereditary Prince Hubertus of Saxe-Coburg & Gotha

On May 23, 2009, Hereditary Prince Hubertus of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha married Ms Kelly Rondestvedt, an American citizen.

Promotional Video by Coburg Tourism Displays Town's Roayl Connections

This is a nice promotional video sponsored by Coburg Tourismus to promote the town's royal past while attracting tourists to the lovely Thuringian cradle of so many European dynasties!

Lovely Old Footage of the Wedding of The Duke of York in 1923

This is footage of the wedding of Prince George, Duke of York, and lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, which took place in London in 1923.




The Duke of Gloucester Visits the WHEELS PROJECT

His Royal Highness meets youngsters in Bristol being taught about car maintenance and road safety.

An Introduction to The Prince's Youth Business International

VIDEO - An Introduction to The Prince's Youth Business International

The Prince’s Youth Business International (YBI) is an international network of programmes that help disadvantaged young people to become entrepreneurs by providing business mentoring and funds.

This is the first in a series of films about The Prince of Wales' charities.

It is yet another example of the amazing work carried out by the heir to the throne of Great Britain!

http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/newsandgallery/video/video_an_introduction_to_the_prince_s_youth_business_interna_961123844.html

The Prince of Wales Makes a Donation to Australian Flood Victims

The Prince of Wales makes a donation to the flood relief efforts in Queensland

14th January 2011
The Prince of Wales said the floods in Australia were "almost impossible to imagine" as he made a donation to the relief efforts.

He also paid tribute to the work of the Emergency Services and the Armed Forces in Brisbane.

The private donation is to the Queensland Premier's Flood Relief Appeal.

Speaking at his Scottish residence, Birkhall, The Prince told the BBC: "So many of us here in this country wanted to offer our deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in this appalling tragedy. We’ve all been watching with mounting dismay and concern the appalling nature of these floods.

"I realise only too well that so much is dependant on the actions of the state, the emergency services, the armed forces, the Queensland Police, who in so many ways I know have made a fantastic difference to people's lives in these sort of disasters.

"I realise only too well - we all do - that the aftermath, the clean-up, the reconstruction, all this effort is going to be vast and I'm so glad to hear that the Queensland fund has been set up to which I'm only too happy and proud to contribute something."

The donation follows one by the Queen yesterday.

©PoW 

http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/newsandgallery/news/the_prince_of_wales_makes_a_donation_to_the_flood_relief_eff_93479592.html

Friday, January 14, 2011

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and The Twins Leave Hospital

Princess Mary of Denmark showed off her newborn twins at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen on Friday. She gave birth to the babies -- a boy and a girl -- last Saturday morning.

Although her husband, Prince Frederik, joked about calling the little prince Elvis, the twins' names won't be publicly announced until their christening in several months. According to Australia's Daily Telegraph, "An internet poll of more than 13,700 Danes found Harald, Gorm, Sven or Knud were preferred names for the Prince, while Caroline, Sophie, Louise or Charlotte were favorites for the Princess."

 ©Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/14/princess-mary-twins-pictures_n_809129.html?utm_campaign=011411&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Alert-style&utm_content=FullStory#s224194

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Memorial Mass for King Louis XVI of France

As is tradition, members of the French Royal Family are gathering to celebrate a memorial mass to remember the tragic death of King Louis XVI.

A notice received by us this morning invites those interested in paying their respects to the memory of the martyred king by attending a solemn mass at Saint-German-l'Auxerrois (Paris), on January 21, 2010, at 12:15pm.








+ HIRH Archduchess Helene (Ilona) of Austria (1927-2011)

At Bad  Krozingen, Germany, HI & RH Archduchess Ilona of Austria has died. Her passing took place on January 12. The archduchess was in her 84th year.

Born Helene, but known by the more Hungarian-sounding version of her name, Ilona was the second daughter of Archduke Joseph Franz of Austria (1895-1957) and his wife, the former Princess Anna Monica of Saxony (1903-1976). Joseph Franz was the son of Archduke Joseph August (1872-1962) and of his wife Augusta (1875-1964), a granddaughter of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, king of Hungary.

Archduchess Anna Monica was the youngest child of the ill-paired couple formed by King Friedrich August III of Saxony and his former wife Louisa, former Archduchess of Tuscany, whose exploits were the fodder of newspapers and wagging tongues in the first decade of the XX century.

The Joseph branch of the Austrian Imperial family owned vast properties in and around Hungary, all of which were lost after the country fell victim to the Communist yoke in 1945. Ilona of Austria was born while her parents resided at their town palace in Budapest, her birth taking place in Budapest.

As the Josephs of Austria escaped from the oncoming Soviet troops pouring into Hungary, the family took what it could carry and departed for exile. Their frantic meandering brought them to Sigmaringen, where Anna Monica's elder sister lived. Since 1920 Princess Margarete of Saxony had been married to Fürst Friedrich Viktor of Hohenzollern, Head of the princely family between 1927-1965. In fact, it was at Sigmaringen, which served as a refugee center for many dislocated Eastern European royals, that Archduchess Ilona married in 1946. Her choice of husband landed on Duke Georg Alexander of Mecklenburg (1921-1996), eldest son of Duke Georg Alexander (1899-1963) and his first wife, the former Irina Raieskaya (1892-1955). His second wife was Archduchess Charlotte of Austria (1921-1989), next to youngest daughter of Emperor Karl of Austria and his wife Zita, née Princess of Bourbon-Parma.

Archduchess Ilona and Duke Georg Alexander were married for nearly thirty years, their union ending in dissolution in 1974. Irreconcilable interests, as well as a third party, brought an end to their marriage. However, in the nearly three decades during which they were married, Ilona and Georg Alexander had four children:  Duchess Elisabeth (b. 1947), Duchess Marie Catherine (b. 1949),  Duchess Karoline (b. 1952) and Duke Georg Borwin (b. 1956.)

All of Ilona's children married. Duchess Elisabeth married Count Alhard von dem Bussche-Ippenburg, gen.v.Kessell, but they are now divorced. Marie Christine married Wolfgang von Wasielewski. Karoline is married to Constantin Harmsen; while Georg Borwin married Alice Wagner, by whom he has three children: Olga (b.1988), Alexander (b. 1991) and Michael (b. 1994).

Duke Georg Alexander died at Mirow (in Mecklenburg) on January 26, 1996, at which time Duke Georg Borwin succeeded as Head of House Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

Archduchess Ilona's death leaves a large void behind. One of her nieces described her to us as, "A lovely, lovely, humble and prayerful woman. May she rest in Peace and may the Angels meet her to bring her to Paradise ..."

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.





Archduchess Ilona of Austria

(Source: Eurohistory Royal Genealogy Binders: Mecklenburg-Strelitz 2003)

 Left to right: Archduke Joseph Arpad, Archduchess Anna Monica holding Archduke Istvan, Archduchess Margit, Archduke Joseph Franz, Archduchesses Ilona and Anna Theresia (c. 1934). – Eurohistory Royal Archive

  Archduchess Ilona of Austria

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The Last Interview Given by Princess Grace of Monaco

ABC got to interview Princess Grace of Monaci before her tragic death.

Enjoy this look into a lost past!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K_Q8OytB3k&playnext=1&list=PL650B142B88309FAB&index=135

A Documentary of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg

To commemorate the 90th birthday of Grand Duke Jean, Luxembourg television has put together a documentary of his life.

http://news.rtl.lu/news/national//90941.htm?dnl=1

Prince Albert of Monaco in Fort Myers, FL

Prince Albert to join Art of the Olympians in Grand Opening Celebration

LEE COUNTY, FL (U.S.A.), December 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — In recognition of founding of Art of the Olympians’ (AOTO), the organization will host the official grand opening celebration during the first week of March 2011 in the Historic River District of Downtown Fort Myers, in Lee County, FL U.S.A.

AOTO will welcome His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco to Southwest Florida on March 5, 2011 as he shows his support for the acclaimed Art of the Olympians Museum and Galleries at the Al Oerter Center for Excellence. Prince Albert II, a five-time Olympian in the Bobsleigh event, and a member of the International Olympic Committee, and great supporter of both arts and sports initiatives. Prince Albert’s mother; Princess Grace, 1954 Academy Award winning actress and fondly remembered as one of the world’s most renowned patrons of the arts.





For more click on the link:

http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/lee-county/47541/