King Charles in Romania

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 King Charles III arrived in Romania earlier today.  Before heading off to his property in Zalánpatak, which is in Transylvania, he received a military welcome at Cotroceni Palace, the official residence of the Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis. 

He also met with President Iohannis at Cotroceni in May 2022.

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-prince-of-wales-in-romania.html

 The king will be staying in Transylvania.  He will also spend a few hours in Viscri, where he will visit the famous Blue House, which is a center for craft activities and exhibitions.  The Prince of Wales Foundation has its office in the Blue House. 

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Cotroceni Palace was one of the residences of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie.  One part of the palace is open to tourists.  

https://www.muzeulcotroceni.ro/istoric/1_palatul_cotroceni/palatul_cotroceni_eng.html

For more information about his and Count Kalnoky's properties:

https://zalan.transylvaniancastle.com/

70 Years ago today: the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

My parents were on their honeymoon.  My mom watched the Coronation.  The BBC sent copies of the Coronation on film, which were brought to the US & Canada, and other countries.  It would be another decade before television used satellites.   The Coronation was not live in the majority of countries that had television service.

All images from Marlene A. Eilers Koenig

It's a boy for Gustav and Carina

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The Danish Royal Family's press office released this statement earlier today

"On Friday, 26 May 2023, Their Highnesses Prince Gustav zu-Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Princess Carina zu-Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg became parents of a son.

The newborn prince was born in the USA to a surrogate mother. Both Prince Gustav and Princess Carina were present during the birth.

Prince Gustav is the son of Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte and Prince Richard, and the little prince is Princess Benedikte’s fifth grandchild."

A spokesman for the Prince and Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg said "The princely couple has had a son named Gustav Albrecht, which they are very happy about and are very grateful for. Everyone is doing well. After their return to Bad Berleburg, we would like to share further information."

Felix Robert Brandram - the newest QVD

Proud papa.  @Nicholas Brandram

 Congratulations to Nicholas and Sophie Brandram who are the proud parents of Felix Robert Brandram, who was born May 29, 2023, at the Portland Hospital in London.

This is the first child for Nicholas and Sophie who were married at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks on December 17, 2021.

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-w3edding-of-nicholas-brandram-and.html

Nicholas is the son of the late Paul Brandram, the only child of the late Princess Katherine of Greece and Denmark and Richard Brandram.

Victoria - Victoria - Sophie - Katherine - Paul -Nicholas -Felix

Sophie-Alexandra and Ludwig of Bavaria - a selection of photos

 

The bride  HRH Princess Sophie-Alexandra of Bavaria

HRH The Margrave of Baden with his mother HI & RH Valerie, Dowager Margravine of Baden

TRH the Hereditary Prince and Princess of Hannover

HSH the Prince Fugger von Babenhausen

TRH Prince Leopold and Princess Ursula of Bavaria.  The Prince is known as Poldi

HRH Duchess Elizabeth in Bavaria and her husband, Daniel Terberger

HSH the Princess of Quadt and HSH the Prince of Waldburg zu Zeil

The groom - HRH Prince Ludwig of Bavaria with his mother HRH Princess Beatrix of Bavaria

These photos were taken by a friend, who is the copyright holder.  Thank you for sharing the photos with me.

Day 5 - a Rather Posh Day

 Day 5 was another London day.  The plans included a trip to the Lambeth Palace Library for a Coronation exhibition, Tea at the Goring Hotel, and seeing Six for the third time (second in London.)   Turned out my friend Pam and her friends were also seeing Six that night.  We met for drinks at the Nell Gwyn, which is next door to the Vaudeville Theatre on Charing Cross Road

I walked to the St. James's Kitchen on St. James's Street for breakfast.  Bacon and eggs on toast. Yummy.  And of course, a coffee to go.  

https://www.stjameskitchen.co.uk/

Overground to Liverpool Street and then the Circle Line to Westminster.  I planned to walk across Westminster Bridge to Lambeth Palace but decided to walk over to Westminster Abbey to take a few photos

This orange kitty was sleeping outside a house on Coppermill Lane as I walked to the Overground

The floor at Liverpool Street Station.  It took a few minutes before I could get a clear photo. 

To the Circle Line to Westminster as I planned to walk across Westminster Bridge and Lambeth Palace Library.   I was standing on the sidewalk taking photos of Big Ben when I heard the police .... and I saw the royal standard -- right in front of me in a car were the King and Queen.  I waved and Charles waved back.   The King and Queen were heading to a luncheon for a pre-Coronation lunch at the Houses of Parliament.

I decided to walk over to the Abbey first before going to the library and got caught up in a striking teachers protest.  I shouted several times: "I'm an American educator and I support you."

One teacher handed me a sticker, which I wore for the rest of the day.

The site of Coronations since 1066!

Now on the other side of the Thames to see the exhibition, which runs through July 13.

https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/lambeth-palace-library-exhibition-mark-kings-coronation

There was a clergy luncheon when I arrived.  No worries.   The exhibition is small

but interesting.  

Coronation Charter of Henry I (1068-1135)

A small park next to Lambeth Palace.  I wonder if the Archbishop of Canterbury spends time here.  Lambeth Palace is the residence of the archbishop.

Time to walk back across the bridge to Westminster as I had a 3:30 p.m. reservation at the Goring Hotel.

Dogs like the view as well.

I could not wear sneakers in the Veranda, so I slipped into a pair of shoes before going inside. As I was a little early, I was seated in the bar.  Much to my surprise, sitting at the next table was a friend, Bobby Golden.  Bobby writes for Majesty.  I joined him and his friend at his table and chatted for a few minutes before my table was ready.   We did a selfie, of course.

https://www.thegoring.com/food-drink/afternoon-tea/

This was a special Coronation Tea that included one glass of champagne.

The jam was a gift that every guest gets to take home.

All gone!!

In Colonial Virginia, the Pineapple was a sign of welcome.  

https://radfordnewsjournal.com/the-pineapple-as-a-symbol-of-virginia-hospitality/

This is in the lobby.  The Princess of Wales painted a part of the tail

Sneakers back on and I headed back to Victoria to get to Charing Cross.

Pam and her friends arrived a few minutes before me.  We got a table and had a few beers.  Time to catch up.  Pam and her friends had come from afternoon tea as well and we were all stuffed.

After the show Pam and I agreed to meet on the Mall on Wednesday afternoon, when we would make the decision to camp out.   It would be another full day.