A marriage based on love - Crown Prince Harald and Sonja Haraldsen

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King Olav V of Norway expected his only son and heir, Crown Prince Harald, to marry for dynastic purposes.   Harald's two older sisters, Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid, married Norwegian commoners and lost their title, Princess of Norway, and the style of Royal Highness.

If Harald did not marry another royal, he too would lose his title and his right to the throne.  Until 1990, succession to the Norwegian throne was limited to males only, and Harald was the only male in line.  

During the early 1960s, numerous princesses were rumored to be Harald's choice, including Princess Sophie and Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark, Princess Tatiana Radziwill, and Princess Alexandra of Kent.  You can be sure Alexandra's mother, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, pushed hard for a romance.

Crown Prince Harald and Sonja Haraldsen were met through mutual friends at a party in 1959.  They dated in secret for nine years.   King Olav was not originally pleased with Harald's girlfriend, but the young Crown Prince held his ground, determined to marry the woman he loved.  He told his father if he did not have his permission to marry Sonja, he would marry no one, leaving the Norwegian throne without future heirs.

The King sought advice from the Norwegian government, a majority of which sided with Crown Prince Harald.  Only after hearing what government officials had to say did King Olav V consent to Harald's marriage.

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 The couple's engagement was announced on March 19, 1968, and their wedding took place on August 29th at Oslo Cathedral.   

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 And with every fairy tale,  Harald and Sonja lived happily ever after.  A true partnership at home and on the throne.

Crown Princess Martha and family arrive in NYC as exiles

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 August 28, 1940

After a perilous Atlantic crossing,  Crown Princess Martha of Norway and her three children, Princess Ragnhild, 10, Princess Astrid, 8, and 3-year-old Prince Harald, arrived in New York City as refugees.  During a press conference at the Waldorf Astoria, Martha, the wife of Crown Prince  Olav, specifically requested that no fanfare and politics "be eliminated from the reception accorded to her " by the United States, according to the New York Times.  

The Princess was adamant that the primary reason for accepting President Franklin D. Roosevelt's invitation to live in the United States for the "duration of the war was the one of personal safety of her children."

Princess Martha and her three children were among 870 passengers aboard the United States Army Transport American Eagle, which survived a "stormy twelve-day voyage" from Finland.  Most of the passengers  did not "fully realize the perils they passed through the mine-clogged  waters of Europe."

After retiring to her suite, the first thing the Crown Princess did was call her husband, Crown Prince Olav, in London.  She had not spoken to him since April 10 when she and the children fled Norway.  He was in "fine spirits," she said.   

She did state, however, that no "pressure of any kind" was put upon her to "declare a regency for Norway" with her young son as king.  There were reports that Germany, "either directly, or through the King of Sweden, had urged her to declare a regency."   This was based on the "theory that King Haakon and Crown Prince Olav had deserted the throne by fleeing to England."

Martha was adamant, stating: "The fight for Norway continues through London. I am sure the end will be all right.  I am sure Norway will be independent and free again."  She added that she thought the reports of treason in Norway were "greatly exaggerated."

The only treason in Norway, she said, was from Quisling.

While their mother met the press,  the two young princesses were out shopping, and Prince Harald was resting "under the care of his nursemaid."

The family planned to stay overnight in the hotel before traveling to Hyde Park by car.  Princess Martha said they would remain for about a week at President Roosevelt's private residence, but she admitted she did not know where the family would settle.   She was also asked if she thought her husband would join her.   "I don't know, but I wish I did."

Not too long afterward,  Martha and her three children moved to Bethesda, Maryland, settling into Pook's Hill.  President Roosevelt persuaded the owner, Merle Thorpe, to rent the house to Princess Martha.   The family enjoyed the property, which led the President to prevail on "Thorpe to sell the entire Pook’s Hill estate to the Norwegians."    

The Norwegian government purchased the 140-acre property in August 1941.   

They remained at Pook's Hill until after Norway's liberation in 1945, and the family returned home.  The estate was put up for sale, and the "new owners tore down the house and subdivided the estate almost immediately."

King Harald's bier has arrived at the Palace

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His Majesty King Haakon, Her Majesty Queen Mette-Marit, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Queen Sonja, Prince Sverre Magnus and Princess Märtha Louise accompanied King Harald's bier from the National Hospital to the Royal Palace this evening. 

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King Harald V - an American connection

 

Prince Harald of Norway plays with FDR's beloved Scot

Soon after Crown Princess Märtha and her three children, Princess Ragnhild, Princess Astrid and Prince Harald, arrived in Washington,. D.C, as exiles from the Nazi invasion of Norway.    In 1945, they attended the President's fourth inauguration.

Franklin D Roosevelt Presidential Library, Hyde Park

Crown Princess Märtha and her children spent nearly five years in the United States before Norway's liberation. 

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Messages from other Sovereigns on the death of King Harald V

 United Kingdom

Victoria - Edward VII - George V - George VI - Elizabeth II - Charles II

Victoria - Edward VII - Maud - Olav V - Harald V - 

Christian IX - Alexandra - George V - George VI - Elizabeth II - Charles II

Christian IX -Frederik VIII - Carl (Haakon VII) - Olav V - Harald V 

Christian IX - Frederik VIII - Ingeborg - Märtha - Harald V - 

SWEDEN

Victoria - Arthur - Margaret - Gustaf Adolf - Carl XVI Gustaf 

Victoria  - Edward VII - Maud - Olav V - Harald V

Victoria - Charles Edward - Sibylla - Gustaf Adolf - Carl XVI Gustaf.

THE NETHERLANDS

Willem I - Frederik -Louise - Louise - Christian X - Frederik IX - Margrethe II - Frederik IX

Willem I - Frederik -Louise -Louise - Carl (Haakon VII) - Harald V

Willem I - Frederik - Louise - Louise - Ingborg - Märtha - Harald V

DENMARK

King Frederik X's personal letter to King Haakon VIII does not have an English translation

Victoria - Arthur - Margaret - Ingrid - Margrethe II - Frederik IX

Victoria -  Edward VII - Maud - Olav V - Harald V

Oscar I  - Carl XV - Louise - Carl (Haakon VII) - Harald

Oscar I - Oscar II - Gustav V - Gustaf VI Adolf - Ingrid - Margrethe II - Frederik IX

Oscar I - Oscar II - Carl - Märtha - Olav V - Harald V 

LUXEMBOURG

“The death of His Majesty King Harald V of Norway leaves the Grand Duchess and me in deep sorrow.

The weight of years and the responsibilities he assumed during his 35-year reign seemed to have no impact on the exceptional strength, will, and endurance that accompanied him throughout his life.” World sailing champion (1987), then European champion (2005), and a three-time Olympic Competitor (Tokyo 1964, Mexico City 1968, and Munich 1972), he was still competing in an international regatta in 2022, at the age of 85.

Until his last day, he remained true to his motto: "All for Norway." In these delicate times for international relations, he still wished to put his extensive experience in multilateral relations at the service of peace and the international community, notably by working on the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prizes.

The people of Luxembourg, the Grand Duchess, and I, along with Grand Duke Henri and

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, extend our deepest condolences to you, your family, and all Norwegians.

Guillaume

Christian IX - Frederik VII - Carl (Haakon VII) - Olav V - Harald V

Christian IX - Frederik VII - Ingeborg - Märtha - Harald V

BELGIUM

Christian IX - Frederik VII - Ingeborg - Astrid - Albert II - Philippe

Christian IX - Frederik VII - Ingeborg - Märtha  - Harald V - Haakon VIII

MONACO

Through Hesse-Darmstadt:

Ludwig IX - Amalie - Karl (Grand Duke of Baden) - Marie (Duchess of Hamilton) - Mary Victoria - Louis II - Charlotte - Rainier III - Albert

Ludwig IX  - Friederike Luise -  Wilhelmina (Prussia) - Frederik (Netherlands) - Louise  - Louise - Haakon VII - Harald

Ludwig IX  - Friederike Luise -  Wilhelmina (Prussia) - Frederik (Netherlands) - Louise  - Louise - Ingeborg - Märtha - Harald 

SPAIN

With our respect and admiration for his person, and with deep sadness, we express our condolences on the loss of H.M. King Harald V, an example of responsibility, dignity, simplicity, and tireless dedication to the service of Norway and its people, before and during his 35 years of reign.

Our condolences, with fraternal affection, to the Norwegian Royal Family.

Victoria - Beatrice - Ena - Juan - Juan Carlos - Felipe

Victoria - Victoria - Wilhelm II - Viktoria Luise - Friederike - Sophie - Felipe

Victoria - Edward VII - Maud - Olav V - Harald

Christian IX - Alexandra - Maud - Olav V - Harald

Christian IX - Wilhelm (George)  - Constantine I - Paul - Sophie - Felipe

His Majesty the King's announcement in extraordinary cabinet meeting on August 28, 2026.

 

@Ola Vatn, The Royal Court

Prime Minister and ministers:

It is my duty to inform the Council of State that my dear father, His Majesty King Harald V, died today, 28 August 2026, at 06:35, and that in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, I have assumed the government as King of Norway.

I will take the name Haakon VIII and will continue the same motto that my father, grandfather and great-grandfather chose: "Everything for Norway."

HM The King thanked the members of the government and the Norwegian people for their support and compassion for the Royal Family during this time.

Prince Georg of Liechtenstein to marry

 

Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein are thrilled to announce that their second son, Prince Georg, is engaged to Princess Maria-Nives von der Leyen. The wedding is expected to take place in Germany in late summer 2027.

From the Vaterland:  "Princess Maria-Nives is the youngest daughter of Prince Philipp von der Leyen and Princess Elisabeth von der Leyen (Baroness von Gagern) and was born on February 13, 2001, in Landsberg am Lech, Germany. After attending the International School Augsburg, she completed her secondary education at the Klessheim Tourism School near Salzburg. She then studied at the University of West London, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. After working for two years in Berlin, she has worked for a marketing agency in Vienna since the end of 2024.

Prince George was born on April 20, 1999, the third child of the Hereditary Prince and Princess, at Grabs Hospital in Switzerland. After attending Ebenholz Primary School in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, and the International School Rheintal in Switzerland, he completed his secondary education at Malvern College in England. He then studied at the University of St. Gallen and at ESCP Business School in Turin and Berlin, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Management in 2023. He currently works in business development in the technology sector in New York."

The couple has been dating for several years.

King Harald V (1937-2026)

 

@Norwegian Royal Palace

From the Norwegian Royal Palace:  King Harald V has died.

It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today.

28. august 2026

King Harald fell asleep quietly at the National Hospital on Friday, August 28, at 6:35 a.m.

The King's only son, Haakon, has succeeded to the throne.  He will be known as King Haakon VIII.   He and Queen Mette-Marit's elder child, Ingrid Alexandra, is now the Crown Princess of Norway.

Norwwegians told to "to prepare for the worst"

 

Queen Somja and Crown Prince Haakon have canceled all of their engagements.  The Crown Prince has been Regent since his father entered the Oslo University Hospital.  The Queen and her son are now at the King's bedside.

The King's grandchildren, including Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, and his daughter, Princess Martha Louise,  have also been at the hospital, as well as his older sister, Princess Astrid.   

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Princess Martha Louise's husband, Durek Verrett, recently underwent a kidney transplant and is recovering in the same hospital 

King Harald V is 89 years old.  He is the son of the late King Olav V of Norway and Princess Märtha of Sweden.   He succeeded his father as king on January 17, 1991.   

The King is suffering from hemolytic anemia, a blood disease.

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 Norwegians have been gathering at Palace Square in front of the Royal Palace, many of whom are leaving flowers to honor their king.

Norwegian state broadcaster NRK has told Norwegian citizens to "prepare for the worst," as they have already stopped regular programming to keep Norwegians informed about their beloved king.

At 4:10 pm (Oslo time), NRK reported that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess have left the hospital, as have their two children, Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus,  the Crown Princess' son, Marius Borg Høiby and 94-year-old Princess Astrid.

HSH Charlotte Reichsfreifrau von Twickel - Princess of Croy (1938-2026)

 

HSH Princess Charlotte Alexandra Clotilde of Croy was born in London on December 31, 1938, the daughter of HSH Prince Alexander of Croy and Anne Elspeth Campbell.  

HSH Princess Alexander of Croy with her elder daughter, Princess Charlotte

On June 5, 1965, Princess Charlotte married HSH Kraft Alexander Ernst Ludwig Georg Emich, 9th Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (1935-2004), the son of HSH Gottfried, 8th Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, and HRH Princess Margarita of Greece and Denmark. The late Prince was a nephew of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and one of King Charles III's paternal first cousins.

Prince Kraft's home, Schloss Langenburg, suffered a great fire in 1963.  The new Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg was "instrumental" in the castle's renovation. She was an art historian and worked for many years for Christie's in Germany.

Charlotte and Prince Kraft had three children: Princess Cecile (1967), Philipp, 10th Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (1970), and Princess Xenia (1972).

Princess Charlotte with Princess Cecile (1967)

The Prince and Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg  (Marlene A Eilers Koenig Collection)

Her marriage to Kraft ended in divorce in 1990. Three years later -- June 23, 1993 -- she married for a second time to Johann Freiherr von Twickel (1940-2014).   Johann, known as John, was previously married to HSH Princess Victoria Benigna Ina-Marie Cecile Friedericke-Luise Helene Biron von Curland, daughter of HSH Karl, Prince Biron von Curland, and HRH Princess Herzeleide of Prussia, a granddaughter of Kaiser Wilhelm II.  

Princess Charlotte and her second husband share a common heritage: half-German-half British, as Johann's mother was born Ann Barbara Throckmorton.  

Princess Charlotte was 87 years old. She is survived by her three children, Cecile, Philipp and Xenia, five grandchildren, and two stepsons, Nikolaus and Tassilo von Twickel and their families, and her sister, HSH Princess Emma (Countess Ferdinand Waldburg zu Wolfegg und Waldsee) and brother HSH Prince Maximilian of Croy and their families.

Update on King Harald

 

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Crown Prince Haakon is acting as regent while his father is in the hospital.

A Waldeck-Pyrmont wedding

 

@Joana Cavalleri (Instagram)

On August 22, Prince Johannes of Waldeck-Pyrmont and Victoria Scheder-Bieschin were married in the Evangelische Stadtkirche Arolsen.  The couple married civilly before their son, Prince Wittekind Vincent Josias Luis, was born on July 31, 2025.   

The groom is the third and youngest son of the late Wittekind, Prince of Waldeck und Pyrmont, and Countess Cecilie von Goess-Saurau.  His eldest brother, Carl Anton, succeeded as Prince and head of the House.  Neither he nor Johannes's elder twin brother,  Prince Josias, are married.  

Carl-Anton is confined to a wheelchair with permanent paralysis of his legs. In 2013, he fractured several vertebrae during a swim in the Main River after he hit his head on a rock in the river.  

 

The couple met several years ago through a family friend in Kitzbühel, Austria, where Prince Johannes has worked as a real estate developer.  

Princess Victoria was born in Portugal, but moved to Germany for her university education.  Her mother is Brazilian.  She wore the Waldeck Diamond Floral tiara.

According to the Waldeckische Zeitung, a "privacy screen of palm trees and birch trees" was placed in front of the flower roundel of Schloss Arolsen to avoid prying eyes. A weekend of celebrations culminated in a Lutheran service and a Brazilian-themed reception.   

The guests included friends and family, including the groom's mother and brothers, the couple's year-old son, Prince Wittekind, Duchess Katharina of Oldenburg, the Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, and the Hereditary Prince of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg.

Prince Johannes, 33,  and Princess Victoria, 31, are embarking "on a new chapter in their lives," according to the newspaper.  They are moving to Vienna. 

"With our wedding, we are not only celebrating our love, but also the beginning of a new chapter as a family."

 

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2025/03/prince-johannes-of-waldeck-und-pyrmont.html

HRH Anastasia Princess of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg

The Prince and Princess of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg  in Washington, D.C., for the wedding of Archduke Imre and Kathleen Walker in September 2012 @Marlene Eilers Koenig

A great-granddaughter of Kaiser Wilhelm II, HRH Anastasia, Princess of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg, died on August 16 2026, at Schloss Löwenstein in Kleinheubach.    The death was sudden and unexpected. 

The princess was 82. The Princess lived with her husband, HSH Aloys-Konstantin,  9th Prince of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg, at Schloss Löwenstein in Kleinheubach, Germany.

The Meine-News noted that the region "has lost a woman whose quiet presence was felt for generations."   Before her marriage, the Princess worked as a kindergarten teacher, always putting people first.  She also viewed her life as a princess with gratitude.  Her life was "not a privilege, but a duty." 

She was also involved for many years with the Bavarian Red Cross in Miltenberg.

The wedding of Princess Magdalene Reuss and Prince Hubertus of Prussia in 1943   Marlene A. Eilers Koenig Collection

She was born Princess Anastasia Viktoria Cecilie Hermine of Prussia on February 14, 1944, at Brieg, Silesia (now Brzeg, Poland).  The princess was the elder daughter of the late HRH Prince Hubertus Karl Wilhelm of Prussia (1909-1950) and his second wife, HSH Princess Magdalene Pauline Reuss (1920-2009).  A younger sister, Princess Marie Christine (1947-1966), was killed in a car crash. She was returning from the funeral of their uncle Prince Friedrich of Prussia, who had died a week earlier.

Anastasia was only six years old when her father died from appendicitis while on a visit to Windhoek, Southwest Africa (now Namibia). The 40-year-old Prince, third son of Crown Prince Wilhelm, was planning to manage a farm in Windhoek when he was taken ill.  The ranch was previously owned by Hubertus's grandfather, Kaiser Wilhelm II, and was inherited by Hubertus' British-based younger brother, Prince Friedrich.

She and her younger sister were raised by their mother, who never remarried.

As Russian troops advanced in the final days of the Second World War, Princess Magadelene and her young daughter fled to what would become West Germany.

Both wedding photos: Marlene A Eilers Koenig Collection

In 1965, the 21-year-old Princess Anastaisa married HSH Hereditary Prince Aloys-Konstantin Karl Eduard Joseph Johann Konrad Antonius Gerhard Georg Benediktus Pius Eusebius Maria of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg, the only son of seven children of HSH Karl, 8th Prince of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg and his wife, Carolina dei Conti Rignon.  In 1990, Prince Karl died, and Aloys-Konstantin succeeded as the 9th Prince.

Their civil ceremony took place on October 8 in Bronnbach-an-der-Tauber.  The Roman Catholic ceremony was celebrated one month later on November 8 at the Pfarrkirche St Markus in Erbach.  A pre-wedding ball was held at Schloss Löwenstein

The princess, who was raised Lutheran, converted to Roman Catholicism at the time of the marriage.  

The couple had four children: Hereditary Prince Carl Friedrich (1966-2010),  Prince Hubertus (1969), Princess Christina, Frau von Rohr (1974), and Prince Dominik (1983).

The late Princess was a devoted mother who provided a family life filled with "warmth and reliability”. Her children "were her compass." The tragic death of her eldest son, Carl Friedrich, in a racing car accident at Nüburgring, "hit her hard." She bore the pain of his death with "quiet dignity that was so characteristic of her."  

The Princess rarely spoke about his death, but the "pain didn't harden her, but made her even gentler."

Her grandchildren were a "new source of light," and she enjoyed having them at the schloss. She was a devout Christian, attending services in Miltenberg, and she saw her faith not as a weekly ritual, but a "moment of reflection."

One of her cousins told me: " She was a lovely, generous, gracious hostess with a warm heart, a great sense of humor, an infectious laugh and a strong will, very devoted to her family, her community, her church, highly intelligent, greatly opinionated about certain things, yet open-minded about others and an unwavering faith and magnanimous spirit."

The Prince and Princess  2017  Marlene Eilers Koenig Collection

Princess Anastasia is survived by her husband, Prince Aloys-Konstantin, three children, Prince Hubertus (and Princess Iris), Princess Christina (and Guido von Rohr)  and Prince Dominik (and Princess Olga) and Princess Stephanie (Carl Friedrich's widow), and eleven grandchildren: Princess Augustina, Hereditary Prince Nicodemus, Prince Laurentius, Princess Kiliana of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg,  Antonius, Konstantin, Sylvia and Cecilia von Rohr and Prince Casimir, Prince August and Prince Leopold of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg.

Victoria - Victoria - Wilhelm II - Wilhelm - Hubertus - Anastasia

https://www.loewenstein.de/

 

Harry and Meghan returning to the UK for "an extended period"

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 Okay, I spent most of the afternoon at the pool, relaxing on my floatie, and then spending time standing at the side of the pool reading a book.  And then, I got out of the pool, gathered all my stuff, and walked home.  

Changed clothes, made a cup of tea, and turned on the TV.  I have a Samsung TV, so the first thing I see is BBC World News, which has breaking news.   Harry and Meghan are returning to the United Kingdom, bringing their children, Prince Archie, 7, and 5-year-old Princess Lilibet.

I checked my bingo card: Sussexes heading back to UK was not on it!

The Telegraph's Victoria Ward broke the embargoed story at 5 p.m. ET, blindsiding everyone.  No one saw this coming.   Ward writes that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's plans "go beyond a mere bolthole for flying visits."    

What do we know: Not Much

The Sussex family will arrive by the end of the month, as the two children are already enrolled in British private schools.  They are planning to live outside London for an "extended period."

King Charles was informed on Sunday about Harry's plans.  The move was not discussed when Harry, Meghan, and the children visited the king and queen at Highgrove last month.   King Charles is said to be "naturally pleased" that he will be able to spend more time with Harry and his family.   But there will be "no alteration" to the Sussexes' position within the Royal Family.

The Duke and Duchess's position as non-working royals means they will not have any official duties. 

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 Harry will continue to support his private charities, including the Invictus Games, WellChild and Scotty's Little Soldiers.

Meghan will run As Ever from the new home in England

The couple will retain their properties in Montecito and Portugal.  

The family will arrive shortly before a judge issues a costs judgment against the Duke of Sussex and others, all of whom lost their suit against the Daily Mail.

I have tried to focus on what is known:

Who:  the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

What: The Sussexes are moving back to England, six years after moving to California, where they wanted to escape media intrusion.

Where: a private, non-royal residence outside London. The town has not been identified for privacy reasons.  

How:  A British Airways flight from Los Angeles to London

Why: We do not know, except that they wanted their children to attend British schools.  The question has also not been answered.  Will they be bringing their security from the US, for example?  

I refuse to speculate.  Some on social media say the Sussexes are broke.  If that were the case,  their homes would be up for sale.  It is also unlikely that they will appear at official royal events, including Trooping and Christmas at Sandringham.  It is more likely that the family will head to warmer climes for the Christmas break, most likely in Montecito.

 Shortly after the wedding, Meghan applied for a Spousal Visa, which would allow her to live in the UK for two years.  She would then apply for another two-year renewal and, after five years, apply for Leave to remain, which would provide permanent residence.  The original visa became void because she moved to the United States in March 2020.     The Duchess travels on a U.S. passport, and with the ETA, she can stay in the UK up to six months, but cannot merely leave the country for a short period and then return for another six months.

Being married to a British citizen does not automatically give a spouse the right to live in the United Kingdom, even if one is married to a member of the Royal Family. 

My final comment:

A New Prince for Belgium

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Belgian media reports that Prince Laurent of Belgium has officially acknowledged his illegitimate son, Clément Vandenkerckhove.  This recognition took place in February before a civil registrar.  Soir magazine was the first to publish the news.

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 For several years, Laurent was in a relationship with Iris Vandenkerckhove, who gave birth to their son on August 16. 2000. A popular singer, Iris is better known as Wendy van Wanten.

Three years later, he married British-born Claire Combs, the mother of his three younger children.  

Clément, 26, is now legally HRH Prince Clément, but the title will give him no royal obligations, nor will he represent the Belgian royal house. He will not receive an appanage or public funds.  In 2013, the Belgian parliament passed a law limiting an allowance to the Sovereign and the heir apparent.  

With official recognition by Prince Laurent, the youngest of King Albert and Queen Paola's children, Clément is now a legal heir to his father's estate.  When Prince Laurent dies,  Clément will "inherit equally" with his half-siblings, Princess Louise, Prince Aymeric, and Prince Nicolas. 

Unlike his younger half-siblings, Clément will not be added to the line of succession as he was born out of wedlock.  

The royal title is from a Royal decree on November 12, 2016, stating that "children and grandchildren born in the direct line of descent from His Majesty King Albert II" are Princes and Princesses of Belgium.

The decree did not limit the title to legitimately born children.  The precedent is Albert's youngest daughter, Delphine, whose mother was his mistress.  She fought a long court battle that eventually ended in her favor, after Albert provided a DNA test that proved conclusively that he was her father.

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-new-princess-in-belgium.html

Clément can legally change his surname to de Saxe-Cobourg if he chooses. Earlier this month, Thomas Siffer, a journalist with Het Nieuwsblad, interviewed him and asked about a possible name change. 

 "I might want to, but I am proud of the name Vandenkerckhove," Clément said.  "Sacrificing that family name would be a betrayal of everything my mother has done for me."  He might consider a double surname: Vandenkerckhove-de Saxe-Cobourg.

The young man was sixteen when his mother told him that he was  Prince Laurent's son.  Four years later,  Laurent spoke to his son for the first time.

Clément told Siffer that he and his father now have a "good relationship.  He gives me lots of support.  If  I need him, he is there. That makes me happy."  Siffer pressed the young man for more details.  According to the journalist, Clément shifted "uncomfortably in his chair."

The young man added: "When I call my father and ask, 'Are we going to do something tomorrow?' he always makes time for me. Then we go to a restaurant in  Brussels, for example. Just like four days ago. We are pasta lovers. That way, we have already done so many wonderful things together. Really, my life couldn't be better right now."

He described his father as a "beautiful person.  The hardship he had to live with is terrible.   I can tell you a lot of things, emotional things.  But the most important thing is that he has put his hand on my shoulder.  You wouldn't believe how many hours we have already chatted."

Clément acknowledged that he struggled with the question: 'Who is my father?'   After his mother told him the truth, he said "the secrecy weighed heavily" on him as he could not tell anyone that Prince Laurent was his father.

For the past six years, Clément has been involved in a relationship with Venezuelan-born Guadalupe Borrero Ferreira.  They met online after Lupe and her family fled Venezuela, settling first in Portugal and then Belgium.

Siffer asked Lupe if she was with Clément because "he is a scion of our royal house."

She said: When we fell in love, I didn't even know that his mother was a popular.  Let alone that Clément was the son of a prince.  I fell in love with a handsome Flemish boy with a beautiful personality."

The journalist added: "But the blood of three Leopolds flows through his veins ...Jesus, that whole royal house is in his DNA."

Lupe's response: "Yes. And at home he has to do the dishes."

[The link below is to the complete interview and photos of Prince Clément and his girlfriend.  You can use click translate with your mouse.]

https://www.nieuwsblad.be/binnenland/clement-zoon-van-prins-laurent-praat-bij-siffer-in-puglia-openlijk-over-zijn-nieuwe-leven-ik-was-verlost/159630078.html

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2025/09/prince-laurent-of-belgium-admits-he-has.html