The Duchess of Brabant receives her degree

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Elisabeth de Saxe-Cobourg accepted her diploma, a Master's in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University, on May 28.  As her name was called, the young Belgian royal smiled and walked confidently across the stage as she was handed the diploma.  Her proud parents, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, were in the audience for the ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The princess, whose official title is the Duchess of Brabant, is the heir to the Belgian throne. 

Shortly before the commencement events began,  Princess Elisabeth spoke with several Belgian journalists.

She spoke about her own position as heir to the Belgian throne and explained to her fellow American students about the monarchy in Europe.  But she did not use her title at Harvard.

"My goal was simply to be Elisabeth, because that's important to me. Everyone knew, but it was possible to live like any other student. Even if people know, they get used to it."

 

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Theodora Greece returns to The Bold & the Beautiful

 

@CBS/Bold and the Beautiful

After eight years, Theodora Greece has returned to the role of Alison Montgomery for a two-day stint on the CBS soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful.   She joined the cast in 2011 as Bill Spencer's "faithful assistant at Spencer Publications, and remained in the recurring role until 2018.

The actress's appearances were on May 27 and May 28, 2026.

Theodora Greece is the stage name of HRH Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark, who will celebrate her 43rd birthday on June 9.   She is the fourth of five children of the late King Constantine II of the Hellenes and his wife, Queen Anne Marie, born a princess of Denmark.

In September 2024,  Theodora married Matthew Kumar, an American lawyer, who is currently unable to practice law in California.

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2024/11/matthew-kumars-law-license-suspended.html

https://apps.calbar.ca.gov/attorney/Licensee/Detail/283521

https://discipline.calbar.ca.gov/portal/DocumentViewer/Index/i3jKHi-QR-ele878IFGlvQVpjpbqjcz3EMnwtJCRgkvaD5Bg4E7V_CIl9Ku5Lm_i98lsf5L8Tb2MAOCQwZHfRvR03IHiL8kLCEdIGn_bc0o1?caseNum=SBC-26-O-30122&docType=Initial%20Pleading%2FResponse&docName=Notice%20of%20Disciplinary%20Charges&eventName=Notice%20of%20Disciplinary%20Charges&docTypeId=268&isVersionId=False&p=0

Queen Sonja is hospital

 

@Royal House of Norway

Update May 28:  King Harald has confirmed that his wife is back home.

The Norwegian royal palace's press office released updated information on Queen Sonja.

"Her Majesty the Queen was admitted to the National Hospital today due to heart problems. The Queen has heart fibrillation and heart failure, and will be hospitalized for a few days for examinations and observation."

The Palace has not issued a new statement on Princess Astrid, who was first hospitalized on March 29th.

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2026/05/update-on-princess-astrid.html

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 Yesterday, Crown Prince Haakon discussed his wife's health with Norwegian Broadcaster, NRK: “The Crown Princess is seriously ill, and I think she has gotten a bit worse lately. So I am worried about her health.

"These six months have gone pretty well, I think. But there are different phases. So we just have to try to solve it as best we can."

Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been photographed wearing an oxygen breathing tube.  In 2018, she was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and now requires daily oxygen support.

Crown Prince Haakson was also asked about Mette-Marit getting on the lung transplant list.  He acknowledged that it was "up to the doctors."

"It's a medical question. So they’re the ones who decide when it should happen, when it’s right," he said. "But I think she’s gotten a lot worse lately, unfortunately.”

Crown Princess Elisabeth is a Harvard grad

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The Duchess of Brabant is now a Harvard graduate, having earned a Master's in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.  The 24-year-old heir to the throne will receive her diploma on May 28 in the presence of her parents, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.  In July 2024, she received a bachelor's degree in History & Politics from Lincoln College, a college of the University of Oxford.

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Comedian and talk show host Conan O'Brien will be the keynote speaker.  He is a Harvard alumnus who served as president of the Harvard Lampoon.

Queen Margrethe back in the Hospital

 

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"Her Majesty Queen Margrethe has been admitted to Rigshospitalet and has been treated after a CT scan showed a large blood clot in the hip region as a result of a previous fall.

It is expected that Queen Margrethe will now be hospitalized for several days.

Her Majesty is doing well under the circumstances."

Margrethe was admitted into the hospital on May 25th.

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2026/05/hm-queen-margrethe-admitted-to.html

 Queen Margrethe returned to the hospital

Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style extended until April 2027

 From the Royal Collection:

We are delighted to announce that the landmark exhibition, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style at The King's Gallery in London, will be extended by six months due to unprecedented demand. This is a new opportunity to enjoy the largest exhibition of the late Queen's fashion ever staged.

The exhibition is now open until 18 April 2027 and we encourage visitors to book tickets well in advance. Visit the Royal Collection Trust website for more information and to book your ticket.

https://www.rct.uk/collection/exhibitions/queen-elizabeth-ii-her-life-in-style/the-kings-gallery-buckingham-palace?amp;_linkgroups=Exhibition%7CRCT%20Non%20Retail&&dm_i=2BWF,23MX2,858BV2,7RBMC,1,0,0,0

To order the catalog and other books about Queen Elizabeth II's fashions.

https://royalbooknews.blogspot.com/2026/03/new-forthcoming-books.html

Princesss Theresa of Bavaria celebrates a monumental birthday

 On January 9th, Princess Theresa of Bavaria turned 95th.  The family waited until spring to have a proper celebration, which took place in Munich on May 20.  The Princess and members of her family attended a mass at the Theatinerkirche, followed by a dinner at Schloss Nymphenburg.

Princess Theresa with her son Prince Wolfgang 

Valerie, Dowager Markgräfin of Baden

The Princess of Isenburg-Birstein

Prince and Princess Leopold of Bavaria

The birthday girl - Princess Theresa of Austria

Franz, Duke of Bavaria, and his partner, Thomas Greinwald

Prince Manual of Bavaria

Franz, Duke of Bavaria, and Thomas Greinwald

Duke Max in Bavaria

Princess Auguste of Bavaria and her husband, Prince Prince Ferdinand zur Lippe-Weissenfeld (

Archduke Markus Salvator and his son, Archduke Maximilian

Prince and Princess Wolfgang with their daughter, Princess Flavia

Erich, Prince of Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchberg

Princess Elisabeth of Bavaria and her husband, Count Andrea von Kuefstein.

HI RH Archduchess Theresa Monika Valerie Elisabeth Ludovika Walburga Anna of Austria was born on January 9, 1931, at Schloss Wallsee in Austria.  She was the second of four children of HI &RH Archduke Theodor Salvator of Austria and Countess Maria Theresa of Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchberg.

 

She is a great-granddaughter of Emperor Franz Josef and Duchess Elisabeth (Sisi) in Bavaria.  Their youngest daughter, Archduchess Marie Valerie, was the wife of Archduke Franz Salvator of Austria, Prince of Tuscany.

@Haus Bayern

It was at Schloss Wallsee on October 17, 1955, when Archduchess Theresa married HRH Prince Rasso of Bavaria (1926-2011).

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2015/10/royal-marriage-austria-bavaria.html

The couple had seven children:  Princess Maria-Theresa, Countess Thomas Kornis von Göncz-Ruszka(1956), Prince Franz-Josef (Father Florian) (1957-2022), Princess Elisabeth, Countess Andreas zu Kuefstein(1959), Prince Wolfgang (1960), Princess Benedikta, Baroness Rudolf von Freyberg-Eisenberg-Allmendingen (1961), Prince Christoph (1962), and Princess Gisela (Princess Alexander von Sachsen-Gessaphe (1964).

The guest list  Princess Marie Therese of Bavaria, Countess Kornis Göncz-Ruszka, and Princess  Elisabeth pf Bavaria with her husband, Count Andreas von Kuefstein, and their son;  Prince and Princess Wolfgang of Bavaria with their daughter, Prince and Princess Christoph of Bavaria, and their son, Prince Marcello, Duke Franz of Bavaria and Thomas Greinwald, Duke Max in Bayern, Princess Auguste of Bavaria and her husband, Prince Ferdinand, Herzog Franz von Bayern with partner Thomas Greinwald, his brother, Herzog Max in Bayern,, Princess Auguste von Bayern with husband, Prince Ferdinand zur Lippe Weissenfeld, Prince and Princess Leopold of Bavaria with their children, Princess Filippa and Prince Manual, the Princess of Isenburg-Birstein, Prince and Princess Fritz of Thurn und Taxis, the Prince of  Waldburg zu Zeil, Count and Countess zu Toerring-Seefeld, Archduchess Valerie of Austria (Dowager Markgräfin of Baden,  Archduke Markus Salvator of Austria, and his son, Maximilian, Countess Lidwine von Preysing, Count and Countess Hans-Caspar of Toerring-Jettenbach.

These photos are protected by copyright. They were taken by a friend of mine, and I am very thankful to this person for allowing me to use them. Grateful as well.

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2011/09/death-of-prince.html

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2011/09/prince-rasso-1925-2011.html

A new Bavarian princess

 

@Jule von Wrede

Haus Bayern announced the birth of Princess Sophia of Bavaria.   She is the first child of Prince Corbinian and Princess Magdalena of Bavaria.

The little Princess was born at the end of March and was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church this past weekend.

Prince Corbinian and Magdalena von Kessel were married on August 12, 2023.

The Duchess of Edinburgh at Hyde Park

@Ken Stone

 The Duchess of Edinburgh, as Royal Colonel of the  Queen's Own Yeomanry, was present at the  102nd Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Parade and Memorial Service.  The event took place at Hyde Park on May 10th.

  

@Ken Stone

@Ken Stone

@Ken Stone

@Ken Stone

As always, my thanks to Ken for allowing me to use his photos.  

Update on Princess Astrid

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 The Norwegian Royal Palace has issued a statement on Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner:

Princess Astrid was admitted to Rikshospitalet due to heart failure. She had a temporary pacemaker inserted today. The Princess wishes to convey that she is in the best of hands. 

She will remain at Rikshospitalet for some time to come.

HM Queen Margrethe admitted to Rigshospitalet

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Update: May 15, 2026

Her Majesty Queen Margrethe, who was admitted to Rigshospitalet on Thursday, has undergone a balloon angioplasty of a coronary artery.

As previously announced, Queen Margrethe will remain at Rigshospitalet for a few more days.

Her Majesty is making a good recovery.

 The Press Office for the Danish Royal Family released a statement about Queen Margrethe (May 14, 2026)

" Her Majesty Queen Margrethe has been admitted to Rigshospitalet this afternoon due to an angina pectoris attack. 

Queen Margrethe will be hospitalized over the weekend for observation and further examinations. 

Her Majesty is tired, but in good spirits. 

The Royal House will announce when there is news."

Will the Count of Waldburg-Zeil-Hohenems be forced to sell family properties

 

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 The Austrian business news agency WPA reports that a large share of Count Franz Clemens of Waldburg-Zeil-Hohenems's, assets may be "subject to forced auction."  This is due to debts exceeding 4.7 million Euros ($5,506,755.00).

The Dornbirg District Court in Austria has issued a "legally binding executive order," dated December 12, 2025, with an amendment added on December 17, 2025, in favor of a regional bank in Vorarlberg.  

The order calls for the property to be divided into several parts to be "auctioned off to achieve higher proceeds," according to ORF, an Austrian news agency.    The properties affected by the proposed auction include Schloss Glopper, the forestry estate, woodlands, and the carpentry workshop.  The total land in question is 270 hectares (667 acres), most of which is forestry.

Count Franz Clemens' lawyer, Wilhelm Klagian, spoke with the WPA:  "We are currently in close contact with the bank's legal representatives who are initiating the proceedings, and we are working extensively to sell valuable properties.  This is intended to pay off the debts and avert the forced auction."

As titles are not permitted in Austria, the Prince's legal name is Franz Clemens Waldburg-Zeil.

Hohenems Palace, located in the center of Hohenems, is exempt from the sale.

https://www.palast-hohenems.at/

There are two interested parties seeking to purchase Schloss Glopper.  The castle, owned by the Waldburg-Zeil family since 1843, has been on the market since July 2025.  In 2016, the castle underwent major renovation and was available for rent.

https://www.schloss-glopper.at/en/home

Princess Astrid back in hospital

Princess Astrid at the celebration, several hours before she was admitted to the hospital @detnorskekongehus

 Only hours after taking part in an official engagement on Tuesday, Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner, was taken by ambulance to the Rikshospitalet (National Hospital) in Oslo,  according to the Norwegian magazine, Se og Hor.  The ambulance took the 94-year-old sister of King Harald to the hospital's emergency room.

In March, the Princess was admitted to the same hospital, where she was treated for pneumonia.

Earlier in the day, Princess Astrid attended the 100th anniversary celebration of the Blindern and Vinderen Sanitetsforening (sanitary association).  She has been the organization's patron since 1954. The association "works to improve women's health and living conditions."

The newspaper Dagbladet, which also reported the princess's hospitalization, contacted the Palace for further information, but the Palace has not responded.

HRH The Duke of Gloucester in NYC 1988

Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, and Kip Forbes @Marlene Eilers Koenig

 

I was looking through a photo album, and found this photo.  April 13, 1988, at the Equitable Building in New York City.  This was at a reception following HRH The Duke of Gloucester's speech about English Heritage.  The Duke is the Patron of English Heritage.    He was in New York to launch American Friends of English Heritage.

While covering royal visits to the United States, I attended this event.  I also worked for Associated Press at the time -- as the New York librarian -- and AP did not have a photographer.  I did not have a fancy camera at the time, but this photo was good enough to be wired to the UK.  I shot in color, but most of AP's photos were black and white.  

Now I have to look for my color photos.  

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/american-friends-of-english-heritage/

And now we are six!

 

© Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

May 10, 2026

HRH Prince Charles of Luxembourg celebrated his sixth birthday today.  The elder son of Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg was born on May 10, 2020, at the Maternité Grande-Duchesse Charlotte in Luxembourg-ville.

Prince Charles is the heir apparent to the Luxembourg throne.  He has one sibling, HRH Prince Francois, who celebrated his third birthday on March 27th.

© Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

© Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

© Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

© Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue