Pages

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The Prince of Wales and the Rain Forest

The Prince of Wales, who is the heir to the British throne, has taken on many important causes, including saving the rain forests. Earlier this year, the Prince, along with his sons and other famous people, took part in a video to highlight the cause.
British comedian Rory Bremner is an active participant in the Prince's Rain Forest Project, so much so that he is actively impersonating the prince in a video that is being shown at festivals in the UK throughout the summer.

Rory Bremner says: “We already know how badly destroying the rainforests affects climate change. This summer’s campaign by The Prince’s RainforestsProject gives everyone a chance to get involved, and I’m happy to play a part. Especially as that part is Prince Charles!”

The new video can be seen on the website's main page.


http://www.rainforestsos.org/highlights/entry/rory-bremner-becomes-a-prince-for-the-day-at-uk-festivals/

http://www.rainforestsos.org/

Lady Helen and Armani end relationship

When Lady Helen Windsor, the only daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, married art dealer Tim Taylor in July 1992, she wore a a going away outfit designed by Giorgio Armani. Her mother, the Duchess of Kent, also favored the Italian designer. Eventually, Armani sought out Lady Helen as his muse, and, in 1999, she was signed to an exclusive contract to wear only Armani, day and night.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-421064/A-royal-lady-whos-perfectly-Taylor-ed.html

Recently, the designer recently ended the relationship with Lady Helen, 45, citing the recession.

http://www.fashionunited.co.uk/News/Columns/Armani_and_muse_part_ways_200906297379/

At one time, Lady Helen also served as a representative for the Italian jeweler Bulgari.

Princess Mafalda of Hesse and Princess Alexandra of Greece have also served as Armani muses.

Monday, June 29, 2009

How Kelly met Hubertus

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jun/27/former-county-resident-finds-then-marries-real-pri/

So you want to visit the White House

There are some people out there who think that a Congressman has to invite you to visit the White House. How silly. Absolutely ridiculous. There are even Americans who think this.

Prior to 9-11, visiting the White House was easy. You got in line and went in and toured the White House (except on Sundays and Mondays.) One could write one's Congressman to get onto the extra special tour (more rooms), but the regular tour required little effort except to get in line outside the White House and wait. At one time, the White House was the only home of a head of state opened to the public. Both types of tours were free.
But September 11, 2001 changed every thing. After all, the White House was one of the targets. The White House eventually reopened after but to new rules. The tours remain free, but now you contact your congressman or senator to get the ticket. They are not inviting you. However, one must be in a group of ten or more, and you must go through your congressman or senator.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/tours_and_events/

Congressmen and Senators are not inviting you. You are asking for the tickets, plain and simple, and there are certain security procedures to go through as well. There is a catch, however. You can apply for the tickets (with a group or be added to a group), but there is no guarantee that you will be able to get a ticket. Congressmen in the D.C., area get more requests from their constituents to visit the White House, but only a certain number of people can tour the White House each day. Competition is stiff. Since March, my Congress has had eight approvals and 350 denials for tickets. (The White House Visitors' Center makes the final decision.)

International visitor must be wondering how they can see the President's House. Are foreigners banned from visiting? Some perhaps, but if you are planning to visit Washington, D.C., and want to see the White House, you should contact your country's embassy for more information.

A third son for Marie of Yugoslavia

Embed from Getty Images 


 June 29, 1929

A salvo of 101 gun salute and the ringing of church bells proclaimed the birth of a third son to King Alexander and Queen Marie of Yugoslavia, reports the New York Times.

The Queen was at Bled in Slovenia, where she gave birth shortly before 11 p.m, yesterday. Earlier in the evening, the queen had gone for an automobile ride and was at the cinema, when she went into labor, and she had to leave "hurriedly." King Alexander, who was at the family's summer home at Topola, was informed of the news by telephone. He left "hastily" for Bled.

Marie's mother, Queen Marie of Roumania, was with her daughter, when she gave birth.

The baby was baptized today by the Archbishop of Ljubliana, and was given the provisional name of Paul

The king and queen have two other sons, Crown Prince Peter and Prince Tomislav.

Danish prince to study Sausage making in the USA


Embed from Getty Images 

June 29, 1919

Prince Aage of Denmark is in Chicago "to study industrial talents and obtain commercial data for Denmark," reports the Chicago Daily Tribune. The prince, 32, is a cousin of King Christian X. This morning, the Prince, who is six feet tall and uses a walking stick, toured the Armour plant, where he stooped over "the machinery that makes sausage casings."

He told a reporter: "I am here informally and have temporarily dropped all interest in politics." Prince Aage was making a reference to Denmark's interest in the new League of Nations. "I am amusing myself by studying industrial conditions in your country and just now have no other interest."

The prince and his party dined today at the South Shore Country Club, and then were driven around the city. They will leave tonight for Detroit, where the prince will spend several days visiting automobile factories. Afterward, Prince Aage will return to Washington, D.C.

Princess Marie of Denmark - a sculptress

June 29, 1901

A sculpted hippopotamus has caught the attention of visitors to a recent charity bazaar in Copenhagen, reports the Chicago Daily Tribune. The sculpture was created by Princess Marie of Denmark, the wife of Prince Waldemar. The princess has "long since preferred the study of art to social festivities" to attending social functions, and she has "won no little success as a painter." The princess now plans to devote her time to sculpture, "a step that has won universal approbation from the leading art critics of Denmark."
Prince Waldemar is the youngest son of King Christian IX, and is, thus, the younger brother of Queen Alexandra and the Dowager Empress of Russia. His wife is said to be the "most popular woman at the court of Copenhagen." She is also a "remarkable character." Shortly after her marriage, Princess Marie had a anchor tattoo placed on her arm. The tattoo reads: "I am a Danish sailor's wife, and I want to do just as the others do."

Friday, June 26, 2009

Minnie and her Danish relatives


This is a postcard from my collection. Empress Marie of Russia and her Danish relatives including Uncle Hans, who sits next to her. Frederik VIII and Louise are also in the same row. Princess Marie (Valdemar's wife) is next to Hans. Prince Gustaf is in the back row in the middle.

Queen and Eisenhower dedicate Seaway

June 26, 1959

Queen Elizabeth II and American president Dwight D. Eisenhower dedicated the new St. Lawrence Seaway. The dedication ceremony took place at St. Lambert, Quebec. President Eisenhower described the Seaway as a "magnificient symbol" of what two democratic nations could do "for the common good," reports the New York Times.
The Royal yacht, Britannia, with the British Soveriegn and the US president on board was given special precedence through the locks on the Seaway. The new St. Lawrence Seaway will allow large vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. This will be done through a series of canals and locks.

Americans flocking to Canada for royal visit

June 26, 1901

"Americans are taking up all of the available hotel space in Quebec and Montreal," in order to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, reports the New York Times. As soon as the visit was announced, hotel managers began to receive letters from Americans requesting rooms, and nearly all the rooms have been booked by Americans. Because of this, the Windsor Hotel has asked the Canadian Manufacturers Association to move their convention until September.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Lord Nicholas Hamilton to marry Russian-born photographer

The Duke of Abercorn is a "happy man," according to Tim Walker's Mandrake column in the Daily Telegraph. His younger son, Lord Nicholas Hamilton, 29, is engaged to Russian-born Tatiana Kronberg,31. 

Miss Kronberg,31, who has an undergraduate degree from New York University, came to the United States with her parents when she was sixteen. The family settled in New York City. Lord Nicholas and Miss Kronberg met four years ago at the International Center of Photography, as both are "passionate photographers." The Duke of Abercorn is pleased with the match. He describes his future daughter-in-law as "beautiful and highly intelligent and I couldn't be more delighted by his choice." 

The duke added that Nicholas and Tatiana "plan to set up a studio residency programme for photographers at their home at Belle Isle near Lisbellaw in Co. Fermanagh." 

Nicholas and Tatiana, who recently worked for Christie's, will marry in New York City at the end of August. Lord Nicholas is a great-great-grandson of Grand Duke Michael of Russia and Countess Sophie von Merenberg. Their elder daughter Lady Zia married Sir Harald Wernher, BT. 

Lady Zia and her husband were the parents of a son, Alex, and two daughters, Georgina and Marilyn. Georgina married Harold Phillips, and they were the parents of five children: Sasha, who married the Duke of Abercorn, Nicholas, Fiona, Marita, and Natalia, who is the wife of the Duke of Westminster. The Russian connection comes full circle.

 A link to Tatiana's website http://www.tatianakronberg.com/

Princess Alfred of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingsfürst is dead

June 24, 1929

Princess Alfred of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingsfürst died today in Vienna. She "suddenly became ill and died of paralysis of the lungs," according to the Associated Press report, which was published in the New York Times. She underwent surgery in a Vienna hospital in a "vain effort to save her life." Her husband was at her bedside when she died. The Princess was 37 years old.

The Princess was the former Catherine Britton of Washington, D.C., the daughter of the late Alexander Britton, a prominent attorney.

Prince Alfred was in the Austro-Hungarian diplomatic service in Washington, D.C., when he first met Miss Britton. Their marriage on December 14, 1916, "was one of the social events of that Winter in Washington." Shortly before his marriage, he was transferred to Austria's consulate in San Francisco.

The couple was married at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and the wedding was largely attended by "the diplomatic set and representatives of the oldest families in Washington."

Miss Britton had made her debut in Washington several years earlier, and was a "popular and beautiful leader in the younger set."

When the World War broke out in 1914, she went to France as a war nurse, and was "attached to a hospital there for some time. Her marriage to Prince Alfred took place before the United States "entered the war," and she made Europe her home.

The Princess is survived by her husband and three young sons, Alexander, Konrad, and Viktor. She is also survived by her sister, Mrs. H. Wells Rusk Jr.

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2016/12/katherine-britton-weds-austrian-prince.html

Charlotte is 79 today, does not know about the war

Embed from Getty Images

 June 24, 1919

Empress Charlotte of Mexico, the widow of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico, celebrated her 79th birthday on June 23, the Associated Press reported today.
Charlotte is in "good health," and she lives in a chateau near Antwerp, which was not attacked by the Germans. She appears to have not known about the war during the last five years, and only "manifested anxiety when the big guns thundered during the siege of Antwerp."

Charlotte, who was the daughter of King Leopold I, has not been told about the death of her brother, King Leopold II. She was recently visited by her nephew, King Albert, and his wife, Queen Elisabeth, and referred to them as Prince and Princess Albert. The empress does not touch the piano, but "plays cards and listens to the gramophone."

The word death is never used in her presence, and when old friends or servants die, she is told they have gone on a "long journey," although it is impossible to know what she really understands.

Servants testify in ex-archduke's divorce

June 24. 1907

The New York Times reports today about the divorce case of Herr Woelfing, the former Archduke Leopold of Austria, who is in the process of divorcing his wife. The hearing resumed today, but Woelfing is not seeking a divorce in order to regain his archducal titles. He has stated that "he would remain a simple citizen."
The evidence of Woelfing's servants who testified today "showed the miserable existence of the plaintiff as a result of his wife's fads."

Infanta Cristina and family to live in Bethesda

The Washington Post reports today (based on an article in the Spanish newspaper, El Mundo) that Infanta Cristina of Spain and her family will be moving to a home in Bethesda, Maryland. They chose Bethesda over a posh neighborhood because their four children will attend the Lycée Rochambeau. The French international school, which is favored by French-speaking diplomats, is located in upscale Bethesda.
Cristina's husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, has been transferred to Telefonica's Washington, D.C., office. Telfonica is a Spanish communication company.
The family will arrive in August, and is expected to live here for two years.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2009/06/this_just_in_67.html

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Happy BIrthday, Prince of Wales

June 23, 1931

Britain's most eligible bachelor turned 37 today. Messages of congratulations from all over the world "poured into St. James's Palace," as the Prince of Wales, heir to the British throne, celebrates his birthday. Flags fluttered from government and other buildings, and a 21-gun salute was fired in Hyde Park in honor of the Prince.
The Prince of Wales carried out several engagements and had lunch with his parents, King George V and Queen Mary.
The Daily Express opined with "Perhaps before he is 38 he may gives a chance of toasting both the Prince and the Princess of Wales. Meanwhile, hats off to the premier bachelor of the kingdom."

Charles of Belgium visits SF girl

June 23, 1931

Prince Charles of Belgium, younger son of King Albert and Queen Elisabeth, is currently traveling incognito here in the USA, according to the Los Angeles Times. On board the ship, while crossing the Atlantic, the prince danced several times with a pretty American girl, Elizabeth Naylor of San Francisco. The prince was able to keep his identity a secret during the transatlantic crossing.
Elizabeth's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Naylor, "attracted by the Prince's charming personality," invited Charles to visit their home. It was only after the ship had docked in New York City, and the Naylors and the Prince said their goodbyes, did the American family learn the identity of the Belgian man.
Prince Charles arrived last week in San Francisco "to accept the Naylors' invitation." At his request, his identity was not made public, and thus, he was able to spend a week with the Naylors without press intrusion. Prince Charles and Miss Naylor "spent virtually the entire week golfing, boating, motoring and horseback riding." They "apparently were exceedingly fond of each other's company," but the possibility of a romance "is concerned -- that's something to conjecture upon."
The Naylors were able to reveal the information about their royal guest only after Prince Charles departed for an undisclosed revelation."

Princess Maud's wedding

June 23, 1923

The New York Times reports today that Princess Maud, the younger daughter of the Princess Royal and the late Duke of Fife, and Lord Carnegie, heir to the Southesk earldom, will be married at the end of July. Both the bride-to-be and her fiance desire a small and quiet wedding, "simple as possible." The ceremony will probably take place at the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace, and the guest list will be limited to members of the Royal Family and friends of the bride and groom.

Moritz Kock - 1954-2009

Moritz Kock was a German architect in Potsdam. He was described as a "star" architect and worked on numerous projects. He was in Rio to meet with associates of the famed Brazilian architect Oscar Niemayer. Kock wanted their opinion on the construction of an aquatic park in Potsdam, Germany, near Berlin. One of Kock's projects was the VW Design Centre Potsdam. 

On June 20, 1987, Moritz married Countess Fernanda von Oppersdorff, the eldest child of Count Franz von Oppersdorff and Princess Maria Theresia of Thurn und Taxis. 

The couple had two children, Edvarda, 20, and Bernhard. Edvarda rides and trains Icelandic horses. 




 Fernanda's mother, Maria Theresia, who died in 1997, was a first cousin of the late Johannes, Prince of Thurn und Taxis. Fernanda was distantly related to Dom Pedro Luis of Orleans-Braganza, who also died as a result of the Air France crash on June 1. Her maternal grandmother was Infanta Isabel (Elisabeth) of Portugal, the seventh of 11 children of Dom Miguel, Duke of Braganca. (The first three children were by the first wife, Princess Elisabeth of Thurn und Taxis, who died several weeks after the birth of a daughter, Maria Teresa, in 1881. 

Miguel did not remarry until 1893, and his second wife was Princess Marie Therese of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg. They had eight children, including Isabel and Duarte, the Duke of Braganza. Thus, Princess Maria Theresia (Fernanda's mother) and the present Duke of Braganza were first cousins. 

The present duke's mother, Princess Maria Francisca, was a member of the Brazilian royal family, although from the non-dynastic branch. She was a daughter of Dom Pedro de Alcantara, whose marriage to Countess Elisabeth Dobrzensky von Dobrzenicz was considered unequal, and his line ceased to have dynastic rights. Dom Pedro Luis was a grandson of Pedro's younger brother, Luis, who made a grand dynastic marriage to Princess Maria of Bourbon-Two-Sicilies.

New titles for Tessy and sons

Today is Luxembourg's National Day. Grand Duke Henri has decreed that his daughter-in-law, Tessy de Nassau, who is married to Prince Louis, will now be styled as HRH Princess Tessy of Luxembourg. The couple's two children, Noah and Gabriel, are also upgraded to HRH Prince of Nassau. The children do not have dynastic rights, however.

http://news.rtl.lu/news/national/28625.html

Monday, June 22, 2009

The Coburg succession

June 22, 1899

The New York Times reports today that "it has been definitely decided" that the young Duke of Albany, Queen Victoria's grandson, will succeed as the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, following the "expected abdication" of the Duke of Edinburgh, and the renunciation by the Duke of Connaught and his son, Prince Arthur.

Morganatic marriage for Mecklenburg duchess





June 22, 1899 

 The marriage of Duchess Victoria Marie Augusta Louise Antoinette Caroline Leopoldine of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, eldest daughter of the Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and Count Maurice George de Jametel was "solemnized quietly" this morning at the chapel of Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Richmond.

After the Roman Catholic service, the bride and groom were driven to the parish church at Kew, where they were remarried according to the rites of the Church of England. 

Duchess Marie is a granddaughter of Princess Augusta of Cambridge, who, in 1843, married Grand Duke Friedrich Wilhelm of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Augusta continues to maintain close ties to her British family and is said to be close to her niece, the Duchess of York. The New York Times reports that there has been a lot of talk concerning this marriage, due to its "morganatic character." 

 The Court Circular reports that the officiating clergy for the Anglican service included the Rev. Edgar Sheppard, Sub-Dean of the Chapels Royal. The guest list included the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Princess Jutta and Prince Borwin of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the Duchess of Anhalt-Dessau, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke and Duchess of York, and Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, Prince and Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar, Prince and Princess Adolphus of Teck and Princes Francis and Alexander of Teck. 

The Duke of Cambridge, who is the bride's uncle, gave the wedding breakfast at Cambridge House, Kew, after which the newlyweds "left to spend the honeymoon on the Continent."

Duchess Marie received numerous presents, including a "handsomely fitted dressing bag," from Queen Victoria, and from the Princess of Wales "a diamond aigrette for the hair, "together with gifts from all the other members of the German and English Royal Families." 

 Their engagement was announced on May 31.

Margrethe of Bourbon Parma guest of honor

June 22, 1943

Princess Margrethe of Bourbon-Parma and her daughter, Princess Anne, were the guests of honor today at the annual luncheon Danish-American Women's association at the Hotel Pierre, according to the New York Times. Princess Margrethe, who is married to Prince Rene of Bourbon-Parma, was born a princess of Denmark.

Prince Bernhard is now in Canada

June 22, 1943

Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, the husband of Princess Juliana, has arrived in Montreal, and will proceed to Ottawa, where his wife is residing during the war. Queen Wilhelmina has also arrived in Canada from England, where she is living in exile.
Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard's third daughter, Margriet, will be baptised on the 29th.

Boris to seek Ileana's hand

June 22, 1923

The Chicago Daily Tribune reports today that Bulgaria's King Boris plans to seek the hand of Princess Ileana of Roumania in marriage. Ileana, 16, is the youngest daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie of Roumania. The King, 29, will become the brother-in-law of Serbia's King Alexander, who is married to Ileana's sister, Marie.

Archduke Maximilian engaged

June 22, 1917

Emperor Karl's younger brother is getting married, according to the New York Times, Archduke Maximilian is engaged to Princess Franziska of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingsfürst, the second daughter of Prince Konrad, the former governor of Trieste. Archduke Maximilian, 22, serves as a Lieutenant in the First Regiment of the Uhlans. No date has been set for the wedding, but the celebrations are expected to be mute due to the war.

Duke of Aosta's heir "shares hardships"

June 22, 1915

The New York Times reports today on a private letter sent by an artillery officer, which describes the "life led at the front," by the Duke of Aosta's eldest son, who is 17 years old. He is a "simple soldier, following the regiments, sleeping on straw, as and his comrades do, and eating their rations." Prince Amedeo "is treated without any preference.

He "has made himself much beloved" by his high spirits and "his manner toward the soldiers. He has also shown "great courage," and is always the first to volunteer "for dangerous work." And, he is also "ever ready to help a comrade in distress."

His younger brother, Prince Aimone, 15, is in the Italian navy,"but has not yet been under fire." He is said to "being jealous" of his older brother, "who is seeing more active service."

Their mother,the duchess of Aosta, is active in the Red Cross hospitals, and she "spends days and nights, going from one to the other and carrying sympathy wherever she goes."

It's a girl!




June 22, 1909

At 6:25 a.m., today, the Queen of Spain gave birth to a daughter. The newest member of the Spanish royal family will be named Beatriz, after her maternal grandmother, Princess Beatrice, according to the New York Times.

When the queen's accouchement became imminent last night, government officials, including the Premier, "were hastily summoned" to the Palace at La Granja, Dowager Queen Maria Cristina and Princess Beatrice were at Victoria Eugenia's bedside when she delivered her third child.

A fifteen gun salute heralded the birth of the infanta, and there was "the rejoicing thereafter was general."

A half hour after the birth, a very happy and beaming King Alfonso, accompanied by the Mistress of Robes, presented his new daughter to officials who were waiting in an ante-chamber. The infant, "nestled in the basket which was richly adorned with exquisite lace," was said to have blonde hair. She was described as healthy, but smaller than her two brothers, Alfonso, and Jaime, when they were born. Alfonso, 2, is heir to the throne. Jaime will celebrate his first birthday tomorrow.

Yummie custard

President Obama made an excellent choice when he brought his two daughters, Sasha and Malia, to Alexandria, VA, to the bestest most wonderful frozen custard place in the ENTIRE WORLD ...
The Dairy Godmother on Mount Vernon Avenue.

http://www.thedairygodmother.com/


http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/20/obamas-stop-for-custard-bringing-custard-shop-to-a-stop/?hp

Sunday, June 21, 2009

A royal marriage that works

On June 19, the Earl and Countess of Wessex celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary.



http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/108769

Carlos Morales charged with corruption

Carlos Morales Quintana, the son-in-law of King Constantine II of the Hellenes, has been charged with corruption, according to news reports.
Carlos is married to the King's eldest child, Princess Alexia.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iEdzazxExxPWo9bWdRolBFmDqQvQ

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Prince William - we must learn from street gangs

Prince William writes for the Sunday Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/sundaytelegrapharmedforcesday/5586701/Prince-William-we-must-learn-lessons-from-violent-street-gangs.html

Friday, June 19, 2009

Infanta Cristina and family about to move to DC

Infanta Cristina and her family are about to move to Washington, D.C., where her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, will work for the Spanish company, Telefonica.
It is not yet known where the family will live, perhaps Georgetown. The couple's three sons will start school in the fall at the Lycée Rochambeau, a private French school, in suburban Maryland. Most of the students are the children of diplomats and those who work for international organizations in the D.C., area.

Here is a link to the school's website. There are several international schools in the Washington, D.C., area, including the British school, the German school and the Washington International school, all of which follow their country's curriculums and the US high school diploma.

http://www.rochambeau.org/

1st wedding in 500 years at Burg Hohenzollern

June 19, 1949

Princess Cecilie of Prussia's wedding at Burg Hohenzollern will be first wedding at the family's castle in more than 500 years, according to her father, Crown Prince Wilhelm of Prussia. He said in an exclusive interview with the Chicago Daily Tribune, that his future son-in-law, Texan Clyde Harris, "is handsome, well mannered and is an architect in a state that produces plenty of cattle and oil." The Crown Prince added that Harris told him that Texas is larger than Germany. "Is it? " the former heir to the Prussian throne asked.

The Crown Prince, 67, is "tall, lanky and white haired." He was dressed "in gray flannels and a bright blue turtle neck sweater." The prince has "vivid blue eyes," and his staff likes to say he resembles Frederick the Great. He is currently playing host to Harris and other guests at Burg Hohenzollern, where he moved into "for these three days" for the wedding festivities. The prince lives in a small town, Hechingen, about three miles away.

The guests will include the bride's mother, Crown Princess Cecilie, who is coming from Switzerland. After the wedding, she will travel to Denmark to visit her sister, Queen Alexandrine.

Cecilie's three brothers, Louis Ferdinand, Hubertus and Friedrich Georg and their wives, will also be attending the wedding. Her eldest brother, Prince Wilhelm, was killed in the second world war, but his widow, Dorothea, will be present.

Crown Prince Wilhelm said he had never lived in this castle until 1945. He stayed only a few months "because the castle was too cold for comfort in winter."

The princess is looking forward to her new home. "People tell me all sorts of stories about Texas. Many Germans think it is full of cowboys and Indians."

Sienna's pick of the day!

I told Sienna she could pick one story to be posted today, and she selected this one from the Daily Mail.

She thinks the Royal Mail has gone to the dogs over Elly ...but then again, Sienna wonders if all cats named Elly or Ella are such divas and cause problems. But, apart from not having blue eyes, Sienna thinks she and Elly are related.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1194164/Postmen-boycott-deliveries-Royal-Mail-worker-attacked--kitten.html

I'm four today and I am taking over the blog



My name is Sienna Rose Koenig, and I am four years old today. I am not a baby anymore.


In December 2005, I adopted my Mommy. I was in a cage with my brother and sister in Petsmart in Springfield, VA, waiting (and waiting) to be adopted. We lived with a foster mom, who was a volunteer with the Fairfax County Humane Society. My siblings and I were born on June 19, 2005 in a trailer park in Centreville. We were rescued and brought to the foster mom's house. She got us medical care and treated us well. Our cat mom -- we think she was a Siamese cat - was not found. I think she was down on her luck, and she pushed her babies out so the rescuers could find us. I was sick as a kitten, but I eventually got better, and my foster mom decided it was time to put the three of us up for adoption. So there I am in a cage with my two siblings, people watching. I watched, I waited. I told my siblings: This is the Day. Nothing.

And then ... I saw this lady with a shopping cart filled with litter and food. Oh, she must like cats. As she walked past the cage, I stretched my little paw out as far as I could .. and I touched her. Our eyes met. I have very pretty blue eyes. The lady melted. She asked to hold me. Oh, how sweet she smelled .. and she had cat hair on her clothes. She liked cats. I snuggled, I purred, I smiled, I winked. All of it worked. The lady filled out the papers, and gave me a little kiss. I heard her say "You are so cuuute!" I purred contently, knowing that life was going to get even better.

But I could not leave with the lady. She had to be checked out, to see if she was a good cat mommy. I soon learned she was because my foster mom called her vet, who stated that she was a good cat mom. A week later, the lady came back to Petsmart. She wrote a check to pay for me .. and the transfer was made.

I was so excited to be going to a new home. My new mom. I was scared and shaking, though, because I didn't know what my new home would be like. I would miss my brother and sister (they were adopted by other families) and my foster cat siblings. What would my new home be like?

I liked it right away. I was welcomed (sort of) by my brothers Buddy and Edison, but not by my sister, Ella. She's a snotty cat. Mommy calls her a diva. We all have lots of toys, and we sleep with our mom. I like waking her up. I like jumping on her stomach and then start kneading her ... or I like turning on the radio ... now that really does the trick. When mom is on the computer, we all like to be with her. Buddy gets to be on the desk. The rest of us are right on the floor around the desk. I was baptised as Sienna Rose. Mommy says I am a Luther-cat .. and a Demo-cat. Mommy calls me Cee Cee or Sienna or Princess. Or Sienna Rose when I've done something wrong, which is not very often.

I am a good cat though. I love my mom and my siblings (even Ella.) I am cute. I am adorable. I am four today. I am a Lynx Point Siamese. I am very happy because I picked my mom. She's the best.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Rainier and Grace meet the Pope

June 18, 1959

Their Serene Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Monaco today had a private meeting with Pope John XXIII. The Pontiff said he was "overjoyed" to see the couple during their brief visit to the Vatican.
The Princess is the former American actress, Grace Kelly. She married Prince Rainier in 1956, and the couple now have two children, Princess Caroline, and the Hereditary Prince Albert.
The New York Times reported that the Pope "congratulated them on their attachment to the Roman Catholic church, and reminded them of their responsibility to give their people a good example of a Christan family life."
The couple spent twenty-five minutes in a private conversation with the Pope.


http://royalbooknews.blogspot.com/2016/04/princess-grace-of-monaco-selection-of.html

Prussian royal wedding this week




June 18, 1949

Princess Cecilie of Prussia is getting married this week at Burg Hohenzollern, and one of the honored guests is her cocker spaniel Schnapps, who is being brought from Switzerland. The princess is marrying a Texan, Clyde Harris, "who, riding in a jeep, four years ago saved the castle where the princess was living,"
reports the Chicago Daily Tribune.

The castle is Schloss Wolfsgarten, in Langen, near Darmstadt, which is the home of Prince Ludwig of Hesse and By Rhine and his British wife, Margaret. An art expert, Harris, who served in the US Army, was able to protect Wolfsgarten as an historical monument. Several window panes "bear signatures cut with a diamond of emperors, king and princelings of the last hundred years. They include a wobbly signature reading 'Philip, 1931,' scratched there by Britain's Prince Philip, duke of Edinburgh." The prince, then 10-years-old, was visiting the schloss for the first time following the marriage of his sister Cecilie to Prince Ludwig's older brother, Prince Georg Donatus.

In 1937, the prince and princess and their two sons were killed in a plane crash in en route to Prince Ludwig's wedding to the Hon. Margaret Geddes.

Princess Cecilie of Prussia, "small, fair haired and quiet," fled Potsdam with two suitcases and her beloved Schnapps when Russian troops neared the city. She made her way to Wolfsgarten, where she was welcomed by Prince and Princess Ludwig.

The couple will have a brief honeymoon in her Italian Fiat car as Harris has to return to the United States in ten days. Once he arrives in Amarillo, he will begin the process of bring Cecilie to the US.

"We are only sorry that Cecilie can't go directly back with him," Princess Margaret told the Tribune.

The princess first met Clyde Harris in 1946, but did not see each other again until three weeks ago when Harris traveled to Switzerland to meet Cecilie and her parents.

The guests for the wedding will include the French occupational governor as Burg Hohenzollern is located in the French zone, the mayor of Amarillo and other American friends of Harris. Royal guests will include Prince and Princess Ludwig of Hesse and members of Cecilie's family, including her parents, Crown Prince Wilhelm and Crown Princess Cecilie, and her three brothers and their wives. They are Prince Louis Ferdinand, "who is in the automobile business" in Bremen and his wife, the former Grand Duchess Kira of Russia; Prince Hubertus, who works in the wine business near Wiesbaden, and his wife, Magdalene; and Prince Friedrich, who is a farmer on Britain. Friedrich, who calls himself George Mansfield, is coming from England with his wife, Lady Brigid Guinness.

Lady Brigid is bringing with her a wedding veil, which "will be the only non-German portion of Cecilie's wedding gown."

The princess' gown is of "white chiffon velvet with high neck and long sleeves." Her bridal bouquet is of white roses. "For going away with Harris and Schnapps," Cecilie will wear "a marine blue coat and skirt, hand made white blouse and striped red and white turban."

Crown Prince Wilhelm is said to be "as happy as a lark over the wedding."

Another girl for Alexandra



Embed from Getty Images
June 18, 1901

The Empress of Russia gave birth to a fourth daughter today. The birth was announced "to the public by the firing of salutes and the hoisting of flags," according to the Chicago Daily Tribune. "Solemn thanksgiving services" were held at cathedrals and churches throughout St. Petersburg. Although "loyal Russians did not abate their customary rejoicings, there was general disappointment at the sex of the child."

Many expressed sympathy for the Emperor and Empress "because their prayers and hopes for a son were not fulfilled."

The birth of a fourth daughter will have a "direct bearing on the political history of Russia in the near future." Russia is an absolute monarchy, and the Emperor's will "is supposed to be law." But he cannot change the succession, which was set in 1797 by Paul I. Under the Russian system, this law "is so inexorable that nothing but a civil war can change it."

The heir to the throne remains Nicholas II's younger brother, Grand Duke Michael, who is not married.

The new Grand Duchess has been given the name Anastasia. 

The three other daughters are Grand Duchess Olga, Grand Duchess Tatiana, and Grand Duchess Maria.

William and Harry: just want to fly

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/31426535#31426535

Click on the video for the interview with the princes.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Princess Irene wins ovation at debut as a pianist







June 17, 1969


Princess Irene of Greece "won a three-minute ovation" at her first London appearance as a concert pianist.

The princess' brother, the exiled King Constantine, was in the audience at the Royal Festival Hall to hear Irene perform "Bach's Concerto No. 2 with Greek pianist Gina Baucher. Irene's mother, Queen Frederika, and the Prince of Wales and his sister, Princess Anne, were also in the audience.

Only six years ago, Princess Irene, 26, was a "one-finger piano player." The princess and Miss Baucher were accompanied by the Cincinnati Symphony, which is on a tour.

"Princess or not, she's more than adequate player," according to one music review. London's critics "appeared enthusiastic" over Irene's performance. The princess has been a student of Miss Baucher's "since she took up musically seriously."

Princess Maria Gabriella weds

June 18, 1969

The AP reports today that Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy, 29, the daughter of former King Umberto of Italy, was recently married to Robert de Balkany, a divorced Romanian-born Frenchman.

The couple were married in a civil ceremony yesterday at the town hall at Sainte-Mesme, near Paris, according to the New York Times. Robert de Balkany owns a chateau and private polo grounds at Saint-Mesme.
Prince Michael of Greece was the bride's witness. The groom's witnesses were Count Paul de Ganay and Jean-Louis Solai, who is a business associate of Mr. de Balkany.
A religious wedding will take place on Saturday at the Chateau de Balsan in Eze on the Riviera. More than 200 guests have been invited "including monarchs and exiled monarchs."
The groom and his first wife, Genevieve Francois Poncet, were divorced a few months ago. The divorce "was approved by the Vatican."

Princess Miguel reopens Newport home

June 17, 1933

The Chicago Tribune that the American-born Princess Miguel of Braganza has reopened her Newport, Rhode Island, home, Moorings after a year's absence. Princess Miguel is the former Anita Rhinelander Stewart.

Nancy Leishman's blood "not dukely"

June 17, 1929

The German Supreme Court has ruled that the children of the American-born wife of the Duke of Croy are "second class" citizens "incapable of inheriting titles or estates. Carl, the Duke of Croy married Nancy Louise Leishman in 1913. Nancy's father, John Leishman, was the former US ambassador to Germany. The couple, whose marriage ended in divorce after the war, have three children, Carl, 15, and two daughters.
It was the Duke of Croy's brother, Engelbert, who "brought action for a declaration to the reversion of the estates on the grounds" that Carl married an American "whose children are legally incapable of inheriting a dukedom." The court today "upheld his contention."
This decision has stirred "adverse comment" in Germany's liberal press, "which points out that it conflicts with a clause in the German republican constitution which declares all Germans equal before the law."
The court's decision was based on a traditional law that dated back to Emperor Karl VIII in 1743. The law stated that a marriage between a nobleman and a commoner was a misalliance. The court also noted that the republican law does "not abrogate the traditional roles of German nobility." According to the judgment, "the fact that the mother comes from America, a country not recognizing nobility as a legal institution, does not affect her status as lowborn under the code of German nobility."
One of the "amusing features" of this case is that Duke Engelbert has now invoked the help of the German courts after he and most of his family had repudiated their German nationality to protect estates in France and Belgium. He and other family members had taken French and Belgian nationality when the war broke out.

Queen Elena hates hats

June 17, 1909

Queen Elena of Italy "has revolted against the mode of gigantic hats which French milliners have endeavored to impose on Italian women of fashion," according to the New York Times. She nor most of the ladies of her court do not wear hats "of any description, but instead have adopted a sort of light mantilla to wear in public."
This protest movement against "the ridiculous fashions inflicted on us from abroad," is said to be spreading throughout Rome's aristocracy. The New York Times' report is based on a story by the Rome correspondent of the Paris Journal.

Lord Frederick Windsor's wedding

On June 10, the Privy Council met, and one of the items on the agenda was the Sovereign's approval, according to the Royal Marriages Act, of Lord Frederick Windsor's marriage to Miss Sophie Winkleman.

"The Declaration of Consent" was given given, and the "order directing that the Instrument signifying Consent be entered into the Books of the Privy Council."
The couple will marry on September 12 at the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Zita planning coup for Otto

June 16, 1931

The Hungarian Legation in Rome has revealed that former Austrian empress Zita has invited the Legitimist chiefs of Hungary to her villa near Parma next month, according to the Associated Press. According to the report, Zita plans to discuss the negotiations for a marriage between her son, Archduke Otto, and Princess Maria of Italy, the youngest child of King Victor Emmanuel, and "the possibility of placing Otto on the Hungarian throne."

Queen Ena's baby due soon

June 16, 1909

An exclusive dispatch to the Los Angeles Times today states that Queen Ena of Spain, who is expecting a child shortly, "slept soundly last night and this morning walked in the gardens" at La Granja. Her condition remains unchanged, and her physicians expect her to give birth in the morning.
The Queen Mother, the Infantas and government officials are waiting Madrid for the word to come to La Granja. Spain's citizens are "waiting for the hoisting of the red or white lantern at the Ministry of the Interior, which will indicate the sex of the new-born baby."

Prince Wilhelm zu Wied injured

June 15, 1903

The New York Times reports today on Prince Wilhelm zu Wied's injury. The prince, who is an officer in the Prussian Regiment of the Bodyguards, was "was dragged by his stirrup and had his leg dislocated" at the Berlin reviewing ground. His horse eventually ran into the woods, and the prince was "caught between two trees leaning together." Prince Wilhelm, who was born in 1876, and is the second son of the Prince and Princess of Wied. The Princess of Wied is the former Princess Marie of the Netherlands, and is the heiress presumptive to the Dutch throne.
At one time, "it was an assured fact" that Prince Wilhelm "would be selected" to the husband of his second cousin, Queen Wilhelmina.
Prince Wilhelm is also a nephew of Carmen Sylva -- Queen Elisabeth of Romania.

Ernst August back in court

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/5543107/Prince-Ernst-of-Hanover-denies-assault-at-Kenya-disco-retrial.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8100550.stm

Monday, June 15, 2009

Prince Sixtus in talks for Austrian throne




June 16, 1933

The AP reports today on five private cable messages received in New York, which tell "of a move backed by France, Italy and Czechoslovakia to induce King Alexander of Yugoslavia to settle the Croatian question in such a way as to make possible restoration on the Austro-Hungarian monarchy."
The source of the information is a "close adviser of Archduke Otto," who is the heir to the throne. The source has told the AP that Prince Sixtus of Bourbon-Parma, who is the brother of Empress Zita of Austria (Otto's mother) is now in Belgrade "to negotiate with the Yugoslavian ruler as confidential agent of the French government."
According to the information, "Sixtus carries assurances that Italy fully supports in this manoeuvre." He has sold been "charged with informing" King Alexander that Czechoslovakia "favors restoration of the Habsburg dynasty as the best means of preventing the union of Austria with Germany." In the event of a possible "Anschluss," Czechoslovakia "would find her western portion surrounded on three sides by Austro-German territory."

Yolanda of Italy baptised

June 15, 1901

Princess Yolanda of Italy, the infant daughter of King Victor Emanuel and Queen Elena, was baptised today at the Quirinal. The baptism took place in the presence of the King, other members of the Royal family and government officials. Unfortunately,the celebrations were marred by an incident outside in the palace square, according to the New York Times, where dozens of school children were injured in a crush.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Flag Day

Today is Flag Day in the United States ... so get out your Stars and Stripes and Fly it!

http://www.wztv.com/template/inews_wire/wires.national/2aba9bed-www.fox17.com.shtml

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Francis Bellamy wrote the Pledge in 1892. The words "Under God" were added later, and signed into law by President Eisenhower on June 14, 1954 -- the day I was born!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

The Queen and Michelle: firm friends

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/michelle-obama/5523623/The-Queen-and-Michelle-Obama-forge-firm-and-affectionate-friendship.html

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Is the Prince of Wales about to become engaged?




June 11, 1929

The AP reports that "belief is growing in some quarters here that an announcement of the engagement of the prince of Wales to Princess Ingrid, 19-year-old daughter of the Crown Prince of Sweden, may be made within the next two weeks."

There are two possible events where the engagement will be announced: the prince of Wales' 35th birthday on June 23 or the elaborate ball that has been arranged by the Swedish Embassy for Princess Ingrid, which will be held on June 14.

Princess Ingrid and the Prince of Wales are second cousins. Ingrid's mother was Princess Margaret of Connaught.

This is not the first time that there have been rumors of a marriage between the heir to the British throne and the Swedish princess, but "never before has there been the combination of circumstances and events giving background and lending weight to the reports."

Duke and Duchess of Guise to visit NYC

June 11, 1909

The Duke and Duchess of Guise left Naples today on board the steamer Berlin, and are bound for New York, according to the New York Times.

Pope will grant special dispensation for Alfonso's marriage


Embed from Getty Images

June 11, 1905

A special cable from Rome to the Los Angeles Times states that the Pope will grant a special dispensation to the marriage between King Alfonso XIII of Spain and Princess Patricia of Connaught. The dispensation will not require the Princess to renounce her Protestant faith and become a Catholic before the marriage.

Negotiations have been "pending" between the Spanish Court and the Vatican through the papal nuncio at Madrid, and the major obstacle is the objection by the British Royal family to Princess Patricia converting before the marriage. They "made the concession" that Patricia might join the Catholic church "immediately after the marriage," and this has been accepted by the Vatican, as it understands the "importance of alliance by the Spanish monarchy with the British royal family."

Embed from Getty Images 

 Thus, in "view of these positive facts," the engagement between the King of Spain and Princess Patricia of Connaught will be announced shortly.
The King of Spain was recently in England for an official visit, and, it is understood that he met with the Princess, the niece of King Edward VII.

Queen regent opens Cortes for the last time

June 11, 1901

The Associated Press, by Atlantic Cable, reports today on the opening of the Cortes by Queen Maria Cristina, the Queen Regent, who was accompanied by her young son, King Alfonso XIII. This was the queen's final speech to the Cortes, as as the regency will terminate next year.
Foreign relations are said to be "excellent." The new government will "devote itself to cultivating good relations with the Spanish-American countries." There are plans to arrange for economic treaties with Argentina and other Spanish-American countries, according to the AP report.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

It's a girl ... again

June 10, 1897

The New York Times reports today that the Empress of Russia "has just been delivered of a daughter at the Peterhof." This is the second daughter for Alexandra and her husband, Nicholas II. The couple's first child, Grand Duchess Olga, was born November 3, 1895.

Prince of Wales receives the Garter

June 10, 1911

In the first of several ceremonies associated with the Coronation of George V, the Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the throne, was invested today with the Order of the Garter, according to the New York Times. The "elaborate ceremonial" took place in the throne room at Windsor Castle. King George V and Queen Mary and all the Knights of the Garter gathered to witness the investiture. The King himself buckled the blue velvet garter on the left leg of his eldest son. A religious service at St. George's Chapel followed the investiture ceremony, which was private, although the "boys of Eton College," local Windsor officials and other privileged individuals were able to witness the Garter procession.

Prince Gustaf Adolf leaves for London

June 10, 1905

Hereditary Prince Gustaf Adolf Sweden is now en route to London for his wedding to Princess Margaret of Connaught. The prince and his younger brother, Wilhelm, who will be accompanying him, "were cheered by a large crowd," according to the New York Times. Prince Gustaf Adolf is the elder son of the Crown Prince of Sweden, and, is thus, second in line to the Swedish throne. His bride-to-be is the elder daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, and a niece of King Edward VII.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Grand Duke Michael and Brian Johnson rehabilitated!


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1191845/The-faithful-British-servant-murdered-Bolsheviks-stuck-Romanov-master-cleared.html

No wedding for Max and Helen

June 9, 1899

The Los Angeles Times reports today that a dispatch from Berlin confirms that the engagement between Prince Maximilian of Baden and Grand Duchess Helen of Russia "has been definitely broken off."

Coburgers protest succession change



Embed from Getty Images
June 9, 1899

The citizens of the duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha are objecting to "their English cousins using the succession to the Ducal crown as a football is backed by all classes throughout the entire empire," according to the Chicago Daily Tribune.

The Hanover Courier "reaffirms" that the Duke of Connaught and his son, Prince Arthur, are to renounce their claims to the Coburg throne in favor of the Duke's nephew, the Duke of Albany.

Earlier this year, the Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha took his own life, leaving the duchy without a direct male heir. The Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha is the Duke of Connaught's older brother, and is also the Duke of Edinburgh.

Embed from Getty Images 

 According to a family agreement, the Coburg succession passes to the next son and his descendants of Prince Albert, which means the Duke of Connaught. Although he has denied that he and his son will renounce the ducal crown, it is believed, despite the views of Coburg's residents, they will abdicate their rights in favor of the young Duke of Albany.

The Hanover Courier says that the Duke of Albany has a "weak constitution," which is why the Coburg diet may oppose his succession. The Diet hopes that a "settlement would soon be reached."

Duke of Orleans has to move

June 9, 1899

"Owing to unpleasant police attentions at the behest of the government," the Duke of Orleans, who recently arrived at Genoa from Palermo on his yacht, the Maroussia, has to leave Italy, according to the Chicago Daily Tribune. He will now leave Genoa and cruise along the Riviera. The Italian government has order the police to patrol the western borders to make sure that the Duke, who is the heir to the former French throne, cannot re-enter the country.

King's aunt, Princess Christian is dead



Embed from Getty Images

 June 9, 1923

The AP reports today that Princess Christian, the aunt of King George V, died this morning. Princess Helena Augusta Victoria was born May 25, 1846, the fifth child and third daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. She was married on July 5, 1866, at Windsor castle, to Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein.

Embed from Getty Images


Prince Christian, who became a British subject at the time of the marriage, died in 1917.

Princess Christian is survived by her son, Albert, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, who served in the Prussian army during the war, and two daughters, Princess Helena Victoria and Marie Luise.

The death of Princess Christian "will not be permitted by the King to throw more gloom over the London season than is absolutely necessary," according to the New York Times.

Embed from Getty Images 

 The court will go into mourning for a month, but the royal family will continue to carry out their official engagements. King George "realizes that these, even when they are purely of a social nature, generally have a public importance, and to abandon them even on the account of personal bereavement would be unfair and inconvenient to considerable numbers of people."


Today King George and Queen Mary visited one of the poorest neighborhoods in East London, and the Prince of Wales opened a new public golf course in Richmond Park. The Prince of Wales will also be spending three days in the Midlands, carrying out official engagements.

Embed from Getty Images

Arrangements for Ascot will continue, and "court mourning is not to effect what the public wear at courts and at Ascot."

Princess Margaret of Connaught's wedding gifts



Embed from Getty Images
June 9, 1905

Now that King Alfonso XIII of Spain's visit is nearly over, attention will turn to the forthcoming wedding of Princess Margaret of Connaught and Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden, reports the New York Times.

The bride's attendants have been announced. Princess Margaret will have four bridesmaids: Princess Mary of Wales, Princess Beatrice of Edinburgh, Princess Victoria Eugenia of Battenberg, all of whom are first cousins of the bride, and her younger sister, Princess Patricia of Connaught.

The bride-to-be's parents, the Duke and Duchess of Connaught hosted a garden party today at Clarence House to display the wedding gifts, "which formed a dazzling exposition of jewelry,especially rubies," Princess Margaret's favorite gem.

The Duke and Duchess of Connaught's gave their daughter was a diamond tiara and a sable coat. King Edward and Queen Alexandra's gift is a "magnificent tiara of rubies and diamonds", and a "beautiful necklace of rubies and diamonds" is a joint present from the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Louise and the Duke of Fife, Princess Victoria and Prince and Princess Carl of Denmark. The Khédive of Egypt has sent a diamond tiara to Princess Margaret.

Prince Gustaf Adolf, who is the son of the Crown Prince, will leave Stockholm for London today. His father and Prince Eugen will leave on Sunday for the wedding.

Alfonso's last day in England

June 9, 1905

The young King Alfonso XIII of Spain spent his final full day today in England, according to the New York Times. He spent the morning visiting a Fire Brigade drill, toured the National Gallery and the Zoological gardens, where he joined "other youthful visitors in feeding the monkeys with nuts and the elephants with biscuits." Later in the day, Alfonso traveled to Windsor with King Edward VII. Tonight he will be the guest of honor at a state ball at Buckingham Palace.
King Edward presented the Spanish sovereign with the Royal Victorian Chain. Other members of Alfonso's entourage also received royal orders. King Edward accepted a colonelcy-in-chief of a Spanish regiment, and he also accepted Alfonso's invitation to visit Spain. It is understand that King Edward and Queen Alexandra will make an official visit to Spain "sometime next year."
King Alfonso will sail tomorrow afternoon from Dover.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Kate and William: wedding date

On May 30, Prince William and Kate Middleton attended the wedding of his cousin,the Hon. Laura Fellowes, the daughter of Lord Fellowes and Lady Jane Fellowes, according to Richard Kay in the Daily Mail. Laura, 28, married Nick Pettman, 34, who works in the City, at a the parish church at Snettisham, Norfolk, near the family home.
Nick has been with KBC Peel Hunt since 2004. Previously, he worked for Morgan Stanley. Laura does research for a historian, and is currently at work on a novel.

http://www.granta.com/Contributors/Laura-Fellowes

The Wessexes are in Canada

Here is a link to an article from the Edmonton Journal regarding the visit to Canada by the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Life/First+prayers+then+parade/1672989/story.html


Will someone please tell the writer that "Sophie Rhys-Jones" is the Countess of Wessex's maiden name, and not a part of her current title.

Prince Hubertus marries "minor German Princess"

June 8, 1943

The AP reported today about the marriage of Prince Hubertus of Prussia, the third grandson of the late Kaiser, and Princess Feodora of Reuss. The report, which says that the wedding took place at Schloss Cecilienhof in Potsdam, is based on dispatches coming out of Berlin.
The princes' first marriage to Baroness von Humboldt-Dachroeden, whom he married in 1941, was recently dissolved by divorce.

(The marriage took place at Schloss Prillwitz on June 5, 1943, and the Princess' name is Magdalene.)

Huge crowds greet George and Elizabeth



Embed from Getty Images
June 8, 1939

An enthusiastic crowd today "turned out today to watch and take part in the pomp, ceremony, and vivid color with which the national capital greeted King George VI and Queen Elizabeth," reports the New York Times.

"A solid mass of people" stood on the streets, "filled the roofs and windows of buildings, overflowed into grandstands and hung out on statues and every possible vantage point" from Union Station to the White House.

This is the first visit of a British sovereign to the United States, and a "waving mass of American and British flags," was held in thousands of hands.

King George VI rode in the front of the procession with President Roosevelt, smiling and saluting. Queen Elizabeth, "much less formal," was in the second car with the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, waved and smiled. Crowds along the route were curious and cheerful, "shouted and clapped its applause.

The crowds began gathering at 4:00 a.m., along the procession route. "The flags and the applause spread like a rolling wave" along Delaware Avenue to the Capitol and on Constitution and Pennsylvania avenues.

Both cars were open with no roofs. The king wore an admiral's full dress, and the Queen was seen holding a parasol over her head to protect her from the late spring sun. The two cars were followed by "two automobiles bearing Secret Service."

The pace slowed as the cars passed in front of the Capitol. The King smiled and saluted and Mr. Roosevelt "frequently raised his hat and smiled also."
The Queen "seemed to look directly into the faces of massed people as she waved gracefully with her right hand to the onlookers." She "snapped her parasol shut" as she passed the Washington hotel, near the Treasury building.

The king was seen to exchange remarks with the President, and it was evident that King George was moved by the roar of the crowd. The cheers continued even after the procession pulled into the White House grounds.

Ena puts jewels on the market

June 8, 1937

The AP is reporting that Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain is in negotiations with a Fifth Avenue (New York) jeweler to sell some of her personal jewels. The jeweler made the announcement today after meeting with the queen in London. The jewels are valued at about one million dollars. He said that the "sad queen" was selling her jewelery "as I understand she will have use for the money herself."
He added that he did not believe the queen would be giving the money to "Gen. Franco or the Spanish insurgents."

Leopold of Hohenzollern dead

June 8, 1905

The Prince of Hohenzollern, the head of the house of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, died "suddenly tonight of apoplexy," reports the New York Times. Prince Leopold was 69-years-old. He died in Berlin, where he attended the recent wedding of the Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia.

Prince Leopold may be most remembered "in history as the candidate of the Spanish Cortes for the throne of Spain, and as having been unwittingly the cause of the Franco-Prussian war."
In 1861, Leopold married Infanta Antonia of Portugal. He is survived by his wife, and their three sons, Wilhelm, who succeeds as the Prince of Hohenzollern, Ferdinand, the King of Roumania and Prince Karl of Hohenzollern.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Princess Beatrice works at the FO this summer

Princess Beatrice of York is two weeks into a six week internship at Britain's Foreign Office

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1191333/Beatrice-F-O--late-day.html#

Memorial service in Rio for victims of Flight 447

Here are several links in Portuguese regarding the memorial service in Rio for the victims of Flight 447.

http://portal.rpc.com.br/jm/online/conteudo.phtml?tl=1&id=893759&tit=Familiares-de-passageiros-do-voo-447-celebram-missa-no-Rio

http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/cotidiano/ult95u577382.shtml

http://www.clicrbs.com.br/especial/rs/jsc/19,0,2536635,Parentes-de-passageiros-do-voo-447-assistem-a-missa-no-Rio-de-Janeiro.html

Friday, June 5, 2009

Juliana, heir to Dutch throne, baptised.

June 5, 1909

Princess Juliana, the infant daughter of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and Prince Hendrik, was baptised today. The New York Times reports that the Princess was baptised according to the rites of the Lutheran church, "the ceremonial being very simple." The ceremony took place at the Willemskerk at the Hague. Members of the Royal Family and the "visiting Princes and Princesses" sat in the front pews of the church. Other officials and members of the diplomatic corps were also present for the ceremony.
The baptismal font was "of silver, fashioned in the Gothic style." After listening to the "long sermon", the Queen presented her daughter for baptism. The text of the sermon was based on St. Luke. After the ceremony, the "choir chanted the 134th Psalm."
The infant princess was brought to the church in a gilded carriage drawn by six horses. She was held up to the window so that the people could get a glimpse of her.

[Note: Juliana was probably baptised according to the rites of the Dutch Reformed church, which is similar to the Lutheran church.)

Wilhelm and Cecilie receive gifts and greetings

June 5, 1905

Crown Prince Wihelm of Prussia and his fiancee, Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin today receives the representatives from the Prussian provinces and towns who have come to pay their respects. The Crown Prince's wedding will be celebrated tomorrow.

They received the design for a new silver service. a gift from 100 Prussian cities. The gift itself will not be ready for sometime as it will consist of more than 1000 pieces, and will take about three years to complete.

The King of Saxony has given the couple four Meissen vases, and the French government's gift includes two Sevres vases and some Beauvais tapestries, according to the New York Times. The Sultan of Turkey presented the couple with rare rugs and porcelain. Emperor Franz Josef of Austria chose to send a new carriage and two horses, and the Province of Posen's gift is a state carriage.

Tonight, 70 princes and princesses joined the Crown Prince and his fiancee at a gala performance at the Royal Opera House. The "display of jewels was an extraordinary one."

Another royal separation

A royal - sort of - separation. The Spanish media are reporting that Don Beltran Gomez-Acebo and his wife, the model Laura Ponte, are on the verge of an official separation. Don Beltran is the fourth son of Infanta Pilar of Spain, Duchess of Badajoz.
The couple married in September 2004 and have two children, Luis, 4, and Laura, 3. There have been rumors of marital problems for some time now, although the couple recently attended a tennis match in Madrid. Don Beltran is now living with his mother on Madrid.
Don Beltran is a nephew of King Juan Carlos. The king's elder daughter, Infanta Elena and her husband, Jaime de Marichalar, are separated.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

A translated article on the death of Prince Pedro Luis

The following article was published in Estado, a Brazilian newspaper on June 1. I used Babelfish to translate the article. It won't be perfect, but appreciate that I have tried to get the gist of the text for my readers.

" One of the descendants of the Brazilian imperial family and in the line of succession, Pedro Luis was in search of a princess. Pedro Luiz, 26, wanted to marry equally in order to maintain the Orleans-Braganca tradition alive, and restore the monarchy in the tropics. He lived in Luxembourg, a small county nestled between France, Belgium and Germany, which was near to the castles where he attended he marriages and anniversaries, the parties, and where he could meet other nobility, especially a lady of equal rank. He was a monarchist, and his name was worthy of the nobility: Pedro Luiz Maria Jose Miguel Gabriel Rafael Gonzaga de Orleans and Bragança. He was born in 1983, in the Rio, son of the prince dom Antonio and the Belgian princess Cristina de Ligne, who live in Petrópolis. He had one brother and two sisters dom Rafael, Doña Amelia and Doña Maria Gabriela, who lived in Rio. (Marlene's note: the family live in Petropolis.)
The prince,who disappeared in waters of the Atlantic Ocean, had been on Brazil on vacation to visit his family, a representative of the family told the press.
Dom Pedro Luis studied business administration and economics. After graduation from university, Dom Pedro Luiz served as apprentice in a financial institution of Luxembourg. As the first-born, he followed his father in the fight for keeping alive the monarchistic inheritance among the Brazilians. It was thus in 1993, when the family, without success, campaigned for the monarchy's restoration. Brazil had become a Republic in 1889.
When he was a child, Dom Pedro Luis accompanied his father to pro-monarchist rallies.
Pedro Luiz was great-great-great-grandson of King Pedro II and the great-great-grandson Of Princess Isabel, who signed the abolition of the slavery in Brazil. He was was third in the line of the succession because the descendants of the eldest son of Princess Isabel are not eligible due to Pedro de Alcantara's marriage to a Czech Countess in 1906 was considered unequal for succession purposes. All the descendants of Dom Pedro de Alcântara do not have succession rights. [Isabel's second son, Luis, married Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. Their eldest son, Pedro Henrique, who was married to Princess Maria of Bavaria, died in 1981. He was succeeded as head of the family by his eldest son, Dom Luis.] Whenever a member of the family marries a commoner, the right is lost to officially represent the name of the dynasty as of the Orleans and Bragança. [Dom Antonio is the seventh son. Four of his older brothers renounced their rights because of unequal marriages.)
Spain and Portugal had abolished the requirement of equal marriages, but not but the Brazilian imperial family, explained , Alan Morgan of the Brailian Imperial Movement.
Moreover, the young man, who was one of the victims of the air accident, was third in line because his uncles, dom Luiz and dom Bertrand, first and second in the succession line, are single and and do not have children. They are members of a conservative, religious organization, Tradition, Family and Property (TFP), they believed that if the 1993 referendum had been victorious, Dom Pedro Luiz would be optimum candidate to assume the command of the monarchy. His father, dom Antonio, second in the line of succession, was for a time a structural engineer, and he now works in the arts. Since 1999, Dom Pedro Luiz was the president of a Brazilian monarchist youth organization, and he possessed the Order of the Supreme-Cross of Dom Peter and of the Rose.... There is a sad irony to this death.In 1918, in the final days of the first world war, Pedro Luis's great-great uncle, Dom Antonio, was also the victim of an air accident. A pilot in the British Army, Dom Antonio was killed in an airplane accident. His plane fell into a a field in England. Antonio was still alive when he crashed, and he prayed with fervor to be rescued, but he died before medical help could arrive."

This is a rough translation. I have left some things out. Prince Pedro Luis did have good family connections. His mother was a princess of Ligne, whose mother, Princess Alix of Luxembourg, is the youngest sister of Grand Duke Jean. His mother's first cousin is Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg. Thus, he was related to many of Europe's royal and noble families.

According to the family's official website, Dom Pedro Luis "He was an active participant in pro-monarchy events because he believed the restoration of Brazil's monarchy was close at hand."

Kaiser Wilhelm II dead at 82

June 4, 1941

Former German Kaiser Wilhelm II died shortly before noon today at his home in Doorn, the Netherlands. He was 82-years-old. He had lived in the Netherlands since going into exile following Germany's defeat and the collapse of the German empire at the end of World War I. The Kaiser suffered an intestinal ailment more than a week ago, but he "rallied sufficiently" to cause members of his family to return to Germany. During the night, Wilhelm suffered a relapse, "super induced by a pulmonary embolism." He never regained consciousness, and he died at 11:30 a.m. The only members of the family who were with him when he died was his wife, Hermine, his only daughter, the Duchess of Brunswick-Lüneburg, and his grandson, Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia. He will be buried with full military honors at Doorn on Monday.
As The Netherlands is under Germany military control, there is nothing to prevent the military burial, according to the New York Times. After Germany invaded the Netherlands last year, "one of the first marks of recognition accorded to the former Kaiser," was an order from Reichsführer Hitler "to the German forces to observe the privacy of his estate."
Herr Hitler had also ordered an honor guard placed at the entrance to the Doorn estate. A guard had remained on duty up until the Kaiser's death.

Spectactors injured during Cecilie's procession

June 4, 1905

It was reported today in the American press that more than 500 persons were overcome by the heat or suffered injury in the crowds that had gathered to watch Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin's entry into Berlin. At least thirty-six people remain in "serious condition," according to the New York Times.
Tonight, "all the visiting Princes and Princesses" joined members of the German Imperial family and the Mecklenburg-Schwerin's for a formal dinner in honor of the engaged couple. Cecilie has "made a remarkable impression on the guests," according to the report. "She was "animated, cordial and unaffected." The Kaiser escorted the bride-to-be's mother, Grand Duchess Anastasia, to their table, and "by his attention to her set rest the stories of discord between them."
At the end of the dinner, Duchess Cecilie asked for two glasses of champagne, which she handed to the two pages who had carried her train. The evening culminated with a torchlight procession "of students with flags and music" marching down the Unter den Linden. Duchess Cecilie and Crown Prince Wilhelm came out on the balcony to watch the procession. "They stood in a brilliant light, so that the marchers could see them."

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Former Archduke Leopold weds again

June 3, 1933

Former Archduke Leopold of Austria, who now goes by the name of Leopld Woelfing, was married today in Berlin in a civil marriage, which was performed by the Berlin registrar. Leopold, 65, married Klara Pawlowsky, 36. This is the "third romance in the career of the former Archduke," reports the New York Times.
The AP reports, however, that the bride is 39, and her name is Klara Hedwig Pavlovski. They were "married quietly" at the town hall in Neider Schoenweide. Leopold "has been living in strict privacy in Berlin." He renounced his imperial titles in 1904, and, since then, he has worked at a variety of jobs, including a doorkeeper in Vienna. He also ran a grocery store.

Prince Wilhelm of Prussia marries commoner, loses right to throne


June 3, 1933

Prince Wilhelm of Prussia, 27, "followed the call of his heart and married below his royal station in Bonn today," reports the Chicago Daily Tribune. The eldest son of Crown Prince Wilhelm and Crown Princess Cecilie of Prussia, Prince Wilhelm relinquished his rights to the former German throne by marrying a commoner, a "vivacious young woman" of 26, Dorothea von Salviati.

The Crown Prince and Princess "emphasized their disapproval" but not attending the marriage. Kaiser Wilhelm II, in exile in Doorn, sent "only his chamberlain to witness the marriage of his firstborn grandson." The only member of the family to attend was Wilhelm's younger brother, Prince Hubertus.

After the wedding took place, Kaiser Wilhelm released the following statement through his German representative. "Prince Wilhelm of Prussia on reaching his majority renounced all rights derived from primogeniture in the event of his entering upon a marriage that runs counter to the house law of the royal family.

This eventuality became a reality by his marriage to Dorothea von Salviati."
Prince Wilhelm wore the "uniform of a Steel helmet major" at the wedding, and his bride was clad in a "white satin dress."

Despite the lack of family approval, Wilhelm and his bride received support from the bride's hometown. The New York Times reported that one-half of "aristocratic Bonn turned out to give enthusiastic acclaim to the couple. There is obvious sympathy for the young couple's plight. But there was the other half "that took its cue" from the groom's parents and "that attitude was one of the ostentatious and cool reserve."


The ceremony was simple, and only the closest members of the families and friends were admitted to the church. It was the wish of the couple that the wedding "be as simple as possible."

The bridal couple entered the church to the organ playing a Bach prelude. The wedding procession including the bride's mother and her three brothers, one in a Reichswehr uniform, one in a Steel helmet uniform, and the third brother wearing the uniform of a Nazi stormtrooper.

Prince Albrecht of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen represented the Roman Catholic branch of the family. Earlier in the day, Prince Wilhelm and Dorothea were married in a civil ceremony. A reception was hosted by Bonn's Mayor and the municipal government.

In the evening, Steel Helmet (Stahlhelm) groups from the universities of Bonn and Cologne "held a torchlight parade in honor of the couple." Prince Wilhelm accepted the honors "as being intended not for himself but for the entire fighting front of the fatherland."

He told the cheering crowds "We must stand together for home and people."
Prince Wilhelm's younger brother, Prince Louis Ferdinand, who is the second son of the Crown Prince, now moves into the position of the second line to the throne. Prince Louis Ferdinand is shortly to return to the United States where he has "longed worked" for Henry Ford, and he has told friends that "he is not interested in any throne."

Duchess Cecilie arrives in Berlin for wedding



June 3, 1905

Duchess of Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin arrived today in Berlin in great splendor. The Duchess is the fiancee of Crown Prince Wilhelm of Prussia.
It was a great public welcome for the future German Empress and Queen of Prussia, and "hundreds of thousands of her future subjects saw her for the first time," the correspondent for the New York Times reported.

Crown Prince Wilhelm, who was following tradition, "led his company of Foot Guards over the route of the procession an hour before" the Duchess' arrival. He was "splendidly received," and acknowledged the cheering crowd "by constantly saluting with his sword."

Duchess Cecilie arrived at the train station at noon, with her mother, Grand Duchess Anastasia, and her brother, Grand Duke Franz Friedrich, and his wife Alexandra. They were met at the railroad station by Kaiser Wilhelm II, Kaiserin Auguste Viktoria, the Crown Prince and his five brothers, and little Princess Viktoria Luise. All traveled to Schloss Bellevue for breakfast.

In the afternoon, the Crown Prince and Duchess Cecilie took part in a procession of carriages and military escorts through the streets of Berlin. The procession went through the Tiergarten and the Unter den Linen, which was strewn with roses. The Duchess was seen wearing an "evening dress of pink silk muslin cut décolletée and trimmed with lace. The skirt was embroidered with loose roses." Cecilie wore a diamond tiara on her head.

The procession made its way to the palace, where other members of the Imperial family were waiting. Duchess Cecilie joined the Kaiser, the Crown Prince, Prince Henry, and other members of the Imperial family in the Room of the Electors, where she and the Crown Prince signed the marriage contract. In the evening, both families dined together.