A girl for Lady Davina and Gary Lewis

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 Gary Lewis and the ... play dates! 

 Lady Davina Lewis and her Maori husband, Gary Lewis, are the parents of a daughter. It is the first child for the couple. 

Lady Davina is the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Her sister-in-law, the Countess of Ulster, gave birth to a daughter, Lady Cosima, on May 20, and her sister, Lady Rose Gilman, is pregnant with her first child. 

 The name and the date and place were not announced in Tim Walker's column. Tim told me he was unaware of the recent birth of Lady Cosima, which is why the article says "First granddaughter." The Ulster birth was announced in the Telegraph!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/7862027/Duke-and-Duchess-of-Gloucester-celebrate-birth-of-their-first-granddaughter.html 

Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig settles financial claims

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 June 30, 1928

Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig IV of Hesse and by the Rhine once ruled "over a territory about one-third the size of New Jersey, until he lost his throne in the revolution that followed the end of the world war in November 1918.

According to the AP's dispatch, "lawyers have grown fat in the ten years it has taken to settle the financial details connected with the grand duke's abdication." Ernst Ludwig has "finally relinquished all claims on land and other property estimated worth $6,000,000," which is now owned by the free state of Hesse. In return for this renunciation, the former Grand Duke, a grandson of Queen Victoria, will receive $250,000 in cash, and a total of $8,000,000 "spread over a period of 20 years." This means Ernst Ludwig will have an annual allowance of about $400,000.

His mother, Alice, was the second daughter and third child of Queen Victoria. His eldest sister, Victoria, is married to the former Prince Louis of Battenberg, who, in 1917, was created Marquess of Milford Haven. Another sister, Irene, married Prince Henry of Prussia, the younger brother of the Kaiser. Two sisters, Elisabeth and Alix, married into the Russian Imperial family. Elisabeth, known as Ella, was the wife of Grand Duke Serge, and Alix was the consort of Nicholas II. Both sisters were killed by the Bolsheviks in July 1918.

Ernst Ludwig and his second wife, Eleonore, have two sons, Georg Donatus, and Ludwig.

Gerhardt Hauptmann's son to marry a Princess

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June 30, 1928

Princess Elisabeth of Schaumburg-Lippe is to marry Benvenuto Hauptmann, the son of the German dramatist, Gerhard Hauptmann, according to the Chicago Daily Tribune and other news sources. Princess Elisabeth Hermine Auguste Viktoria is one of the "few rich princesses in Germany. The white-haired Hauptmann "smiles benignly on his son's newest matrimonial venture."

 Benvenuto is divorced from his "charming English wife," and was "repeatedly engaged to a Russian." He dabbled in the diplomatic service, but "abandoned it to devote himself to his literary aspirations."

The New York Times' reports that the beautiful 20-year-old Princess has "caused annoyance in the old German aristocracy," as she insists on marrying Benvenuto Hauptmann.

After "several months of pleading," the princess finally gained the consent of the head of the house, Prince Adolf.

The news of the engagement, however, has "caused the same amount of criticism as greeted the marriage" of Princess Victoria, sister of the former Kaiser and widow of the late Prince Adolf, to a Russian philander, Alexander Zubkov, who has since been deported from Germany, and is now "roaming about Europe."

Benvenuto Hauptmann "is not following his father's bent for drama," although he "is known for his translations from English to German." He is currently working on a translation of Joseph Conrad's novels.

The marriage is expected to take place in late July or early August. Princess Elisabeth is the daughter of the late Prince Stephan of Schaumburg-Lippe and Princess Marie of Saxe-Altenberg.

Frederick Cunliffe-Owen dies in NYC

June 30, 1926

Frederick Cunliffe-Owen, CBE, died tonight at his home, 248 Central Park West, after a long illness, following a bout with pneumonia which prostrated him in the late Spring," according to the New York Times. He was 72 years old.

Cunliffe-Owen was "perhaps the best-known Englishman resident in the United States." He was an authority on international affairs, and his "intimate friendships included men of the highest station in many countries.

He was born in London, the elder son of the late Sir Philip Cunliffe-Owen, KCB, KCMG, the head of an older Cheshire county family. His mother was born a Baroness von Reitzenstein. Educated at Lancing School and the Universtiy of Lausanne, Cunliffe-Owen entered the British Diplomatic Service. He served in different parts of the world, and "in Egypt particularly."

In the 1880s, Mr. Cunliffe-Owen left the Diplomatic Service and "began to devote his attention to literary pursuits. He came to the United States, where he "soon became nown as the author of informative and authoritative articles on European affairs and personages."

He spent time as a member of the New York Tribune's editorial staff, and more recently, "his articles were a feature of the Sunday issues of the New York Times."

Earlier in his career, he wrote under several pseudonymns, including "Ex-Attache, "Veteran Diplomat" and "Marquise de Fontenoy."

He is survived by his wife, Marguerite Countess du Planty. Their son, Algernon, died in 1910 at the age of 22.

Prince of Wales to wed Spanish princess

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 June 30, 1926

The Spanish newspaper, La Voz de Gulpuzcoa, has a front-page story today "claiming the visit of King Alfonso of Spain to London seems to confirm reports" that the Prince of Wales will marry Alfonso's elder daughter, Infanta Beatriz.

Beatriz, 17, and the Prince of Wales are second cousins, as Beatriz's mother, Queen Victoria Eugenia, and the Prince's father, King George V, are first cousins.
The United News report notes that religion is a barrier to marriage. Infanta Beatriz would have to renounce her Roman Catholic faith and become a Protestant as the Prince of Wales cannot marry a Roman Catholic without losing his right of succession.

King Alfonso XIII and Queen Ena arrived today in London from Paris for a visit to the United Kingdom. They were attended by the duke of Miranda, the Marquis de Benbana, and the Prince of San Carlos.

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 According to the New York Times, a "crowd largely composed of his Spanish subjects gave a rousing welcome" to King Alfonso and Queen Victoria tonight. They had traveled to London from Paris via Calais and Dover.

At Victoria Station. the king and queen were welcomed by Queen Mary, the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of York and Princess Beatrice, who is Queen Ena's mother.

Although this is a state visit, the King has "intimated that he and Queen Victoria wish to be regarded as private visitors during their stay." They expect to remain in England for two weeks.

just another day at the Palace

June 29, 1860

Their Serene Highnesses Prince Julius and Prince Johann of Schleswig-Holstein-Glucksburg visited Queen Victoria today at Buckingham Palace. The two princes are the younger brothers of Prince Christian of Denmark. who is the heir to the Danish throne.
In the afternoon, the Queen, accompanied by the Princess Alice and Prince Arthur, and "attended by the Hon. Caroline Cavendish, took a drive in a carriage and four in the afternoon," according to the Court Circular. The Prince Consort, the Prince of Wales and the Count of Flanders rode on horseback, and all were attended by the Equerries in waiting.
In the evening, Her Majesty held a dinner party at Buckingham Palace. The dinner guests included His Majesty the King of the Belgians, their Royal Highnesses the Princess Alice, the Prince of Wales, the Count of Flanders and the Duke of Saxe-Coburg.

Crisis in Dutch royal marriage

June 29, 1956


Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands "denounced today gossip about them abroad and ordered an inquiry into the origin of reports of tension in the royal family," according to a front page story in the New York Times.
The Queen and her husband issued a statement saying they had been "disappointed and grieved" by the way it was "considered permissible abroad to describe our family life and relations of our close surroundings."
"We think it desirable to constitute an inquiry into the circumstances which have caused this."
By coincidence, today is Prince Bernhard's 49th birthday. The Dutch government is understood to be "embarrassed by the statement," and had indicated that the Palace would remain silent on the matter.
The premier, Willem Dreez, offered the Dutch government's official attitude: "There is no constitutional crises and no thought of abdication or divorce. This is a purely private matter between the Queen and the Prince and nothing further can be said about."
Reports of marital difficulties between Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard "gained international prominence on June 11, when the West German weekly news magazine, Der Spiegel, published an article about a rift between the Queen and her husband "over the Queen's association with a 'faith healer.'"
The faith healer is a 61-year-old woman named Greet Hoffmans, "who had been introduced to the palace in 1948," after the birth of Queen's youngest daughter, Princess Christina. The princess was born with a serious eye ailment.
Prince Bernhard "eventually grew impatient with Miss Hoffman' presence and influence on the Queen." In 1950, he ordered Hoffmans to leave the palace. But it was the "continuation of her relationship with Queen Juliana that was alleged to have provoked estrangement between the Queen and her consort."
Although it was regarded as "a confidential matter," the situation has been known "for years to leading Netherlanders and press circles."

A girl for Anita Stewart

June 29, 1910

The Duchess of Vizeu, formerly Miss Anita Stewart, gave birth yesterday to a daughter at the home of her mother, Mrs. James Henry Smith, in Grosvenor Square, London.
The Duchess and her husband, the Duke of Vizeu, have been living with Mrs. Smith "for some weeks," according to the Los Angeles Times.
The name of the baby was not released to the media.

Death of the Duke d' Alencon

June 29, 1910

The Duke d'Alencon, grandson of King Louis Philippe, who lost his throne in the revoution in 1848, died today.

Prince Ferdinand Philippe Marie was the second son of Prince Louis Duke de Nemours. He was born in July 1844, and and was a member of the Tertiary Order of St. Francius, a "lay order of the Franciscan monks." He was "well known for his charities."
The Duke "was one of the few men in the terrible fire at the Charity Bazaar in Paris, May 4, 1897, who kept their heads and did heroic rescue work," according to the New York Times.

Goals in life

As many of my readers know, I am a passionate baseball fan. I love my baseball. I grew up as a New York Mets fan. Still love my Mets, even though I have not lived in the new York metropolitan region since 1989. I became a Baltimore Orioles fan, thanks my my husband -- our first date was the very first game at Camden Yards in 1991 between the Os and the Mets, an exhibition game. My late husband was a baseball writer, and we went to many games at the Yard. He had a season ticket, which I sat in -- a 13 game Sunday plan -- and he sat in the press box. I took over the seat after he died.
I am also a fan of the Washington Nationals as D.C. got a team in 2005. The Montreal Expos moved to the Nation's Capital. I have a 20 game Season ticket plan for the Nats. Yes, it is a little weird to cheer for more than one team, but I do, and I understand why.
This past weekend was interleague play - the Nats vs the Os in Baltimore. At every home game (80 games), the Orioles select the Fan of the Game. The camera scans the crowd looking for the most spirited fan. I have been trying to win for years! Yesterday, I shook, I wiggled, I cheered (it was 100+ degrees) and I WON! My entire row won a large pretzel (as did I) and I also got a nice prize pack!

Get to be the Oriole fan of the game .. check!

Prince Harry throws out first ball

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Not the first pitch ... it's called the first ball, British press!

Prince Harry of Wales was at Citi Field stadium today, the home of the New York Mets, and threw out the first ball ... to great acclaim and cheers from the crowd of nearly 40,000.

He looks positively adorable in his New York Mets cap.  Sadly, the Mets lost to the Minnesota Twins.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/7856878/Prince-Harry-throws-first-ball-in-New-York-Mets-baseball-game.html

At the same time, I was sweltering at Camden Yards in Baltimore to see the Orioles beat the Washington Nationals. I love the Orioles and the Nats! This is interleague play ... and for me when the Nats play the Os, it doesn't matter who wins!

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At least Prince Harry wore the hat of a classy team. He could have been wearing a Yankees cap ... yuck.

no Japan trip for Prince Henry

June 25, 1898

The New York Times reports on a dispatch from Shanghai that was received in its Berlin office. Prince Henry of Prussia, younger brother of Kaiser Wilhelm II, will not be traveling to Japan, "in view of the fact that the Japanese government has expressed doubts of its ability to protect the Prince against the possible attacks of fanatics."

Helen denies marriage plans

June 25, 1938

Princess Helen, the mother of the young King Michael of Roumania, released an official denial that she intends to remarry. The Princess is divorced from Prince Carol.
The denial, according to the AP dispatch, "states that all names connected with hers are absolute inventions."

Victoria Luise as Princess of Wales?

June 25, 1910

The Chicago Daily Tribune reports on the "interesting rumors in circulation in military circles in Potsdam" regarding a marriage between the Prince of Wales and Kaiser Wilhelm II's only daughter, Victoria Luise.

The Princess, who turns 18 in September, is nearly two years older than the heir to the British throne, but "that would not be regarded as a handicap from the parents' standpoint." The Empress is several months older than her husband, and their second son, Prince Eitel Friedrich, is married to a princess who is nearly "three years his senior."

Potsdam circles hope that when King George V and Queen Mary make an official visit to Germany, they will be accompanied by their eldest son, which would allow for the Prince of Wales to "form an acquaintance" with his pretty second cousin, "which may some day ripen into affection.

The Kaiser and Kaiserin note that there are only a limited number of European eligible princes for their daughter to marry. The most eligible are Roman Catholic and include King Manoel of Portugal and several Austrian archdukes. The Princess, however, is like her parents, "an uncompromising Protestant." The Empress would prefer to see Victoria Luise married to "the most obscure Prince than share a throne with a Roman Catholic king."

A marriage between Victoria Luise and the Prince of Wales "would suggest political advantages of far reaching proportions."

Although the Kaiser's mother, Victoria, was a British princess, the "close dynastic ties between England and Germany have, of course mot been able to prevent strained relations." A marriage between the Kaiser's daughter and the heir to the British throne would mean that the "danger of Anglo-American hostilities would become remote to the vanishing point."

King George V, however, ranks as a "first class Germanophobe." There is "grave doubt" whether he could be persuaded to allow a marriage between his son and Kaiser Wilhelm II's only daughter.

Franz Ferdinand to marry countess

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June 25, 1900

It was officially announced today that Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir to the throne, "will formally renounce the rights of the succession to the imperial throne," next Thursday, reports the New York Times.

On the following day, he will marry Countess Sophie Chotek. This morganatic marriage is the reason for Franz Ferdinand's renouncement.

The archduke was born in 1863, the son of Archduke Karl Ludwig, the second brother of Emperor Franz Joseph, When he was twenty-two years old a "marriage was arranged for him by the Austrian Cabinet," but Franz Ferdinand's refusal to the proposition "was so uncompromising that the matter was promptly dropped." At the time, Franz Josef upheld his nephew's "right to choose his own wife."

Countess Sophie is thirty one years old and a member of the Bohemian aristocracy, where her father owns large estates. It has been "generally known" that the Archduke and the Countess "were much in love with each other."

The countess was the governess to the daughters of Archduke Friedrich and Archduchess Isabella. As Archduke Franz Ferdinand often visited Friedrich's home, many assumed that he would marry one of the Archduke's eight daughters.
"Great surprise was occasioned when it became evident that he had chosen, not one of the pupils, but the governess."

Countess Sophie was forced to leave Archduke Friedrich's home. Despite the imperial laws that forbid such an alliance, Franz Ferdinand has "moved heaven and earth to maker his wife."

Franz Ferdinand had considered marrying Sophie in Hungary, where "he is not restricted in his choice of a life partner.

The forfeiture to the succession "does not mean that the Archduke releases his personal rights to the throne," but only that his children will not have succession rights.

Hungary, Sophie could become Queen, which, according to Austrian law, the Queen of Hungary and the Empress of Austria, are the same. Thus, Franz Ferdinand was seeking a way to circumvent the imperial laws.

Franz Ferdinand enlisted the support of Hungary's prime minister and several Austrian officials. Eventually, they were able to get Franz Joseph's consent for the marriage, although he insisted "it must be a morganatic marriage."

Prince Harry in NYC

Prince Harry of Wales begins a three-day visit to New York City today. The focus of the trip is to show support for British and American veterans. According to the Daily Telegraph, the 25-year-old Prince "will use the visit as a fact-finding mission to see if charities on both sides of the Atlantic that help returning wounded servicemen might be able to work together.
During the next few days, Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan for ten weeks in late 2007. will meet wounded solders, army cadets and "supporters of America's injured servicemen."
Later today, Prince Harry will visit the U.S. military academy at West Point. He is accompanied on this trip by two British officers were were wounded in battle, and now work to "improve conditions for fellow injured servicemen and women in the U.K."
Prince Harry will also visit the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, where he will be the best of honor at a reception to support American and British veterans.
The Prince's private secretary Jamie Lowether-Pinkerton released a statement to the media: "As Prince Harry knows very well for himself, US and British soldiers, sailors and airmen fight together daily on the front line in Afghanistan.
"Tragically, all too often, they are also wounded together, and their immediate treatment in theatre is very often undertaken using shared resources.
"But their contact with one another normally ceases when they get back to their respective countries for the long months and years of rehabilitation.
"Prince Harry wants to explore what, if anything, can be done to strengthen and widen the transatlantic peer group, to help, through the exchange of ideas and techniques, and basic camaraderie, the wounded servicemen and women of both countries to regain confidence and set themselves on the path to recovery and a full and satisfying future."
The final public event will be on Sunday when the Prince takes part in the Veuve Cliquot Polo Classic, which will benefit the American Friends of Sentabale, the US branch of the charity he co-founded. The polo match will take place on Governor's Island.

Did someone not tell Prince Harry that the place to meet wounded servicemen and women is in Washington, D.C, at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.


http://www.sentebale.org/home/index.html

Remember all that snow!

Now a distant memory. It hit 100 F today here, with a heat index of 105. I prefer this heat!

No blonde jokes, please

http://www.timeslive.co.za/opinion/article518671.ece/SA-Blondie-laughs-last

An insight into Monaco's future Princess

Crown Princess Louise gives first Chicago interview

June 24, 1926

While her husband, Crown Prince Gustav Adolf was delivering an address at the new Augustana Hospital, Crown Princess Louise sat down for her first Chicago interview, which took place in the drawing-room at the Swedish club.
She "hazarded the suggestion that women have as many brains as men, and then, all inadvertently, proceeded to prove it."

"Women? Why, really there is no fundamental difference between the women of Sweden and the women of America. Oh you American women are known all over the world for your feet, so small and well-shod. But, there is no really
significant difference it seems to me, between the sisters of the two countries.
"As for women entering the fields of industry, business professions. They are beginning to do it all over Europe. There is no reason why they shouldn't. I mean, a woman really has as many brains as a man. Of course, she makes herself weak when she shouts too loudly that she can do anything a man can do. There are some things she can do better; somethings she can't do nearly as well.
"But then," said Sweden's future queen, with a smile, "perhaps that's because her freedom is so new a thing."

The princes, "not a dodging kind," did not dodge the age-old question about women, jobs, and marriage.

"Of course, if a woman is lucky enough to find the right man to love and marry, then there is nothing better for her to do than to care for her home. In rare instances, perhaps, if she is a great doctor, or is doing something big for the world, then she should continue her profession. Or secondarily, a married woman can do much for her country, and for her own interests.

"Now in England, where the women outnumber the men by two to one, I believe, marriage is not possible for all."

She also spoke of America's press: "It is evidence of your people's friendly interest in personalities, rather than in abstractions. And don't think for a moment that Swedish newspaper folk aren't learning from you. They are."

When asked if she had any hobbies, she shook her head and said she could not really decide what was hers. She did not play golf, but she enjoyed skiing in the winter.

The Crown Princess, who was Lady Louise Mountbatten before her marriage, wore an "ecru chiffon afternoon gown, trimmed with ecru lace and a large picture hat, fashioned of the same material." She also "wore a jewel or two, but they were so inconspicuous that one doesn't recall just what."

Archduke Joseph Ferdinand "twice near death"

June 24, 1910

By cable to the Chicago Tribune.

Archduke Joseph Ferdinand of Austria "had an exciting time today." He made a "balloon ascent" with several engineers. A storm came up while the balloon was in the air, and twice, the balloon was "driven into the Danube. The second time the balloon went into the water, the "occupants of the car were the water up to their necks before the balloon was sufficiently lightened to permit to cross the river."

Don Jaime's baptism set

June 24, 1908

Infante Don Jaime, the newborn son of the King and Queen of Spain, will be baptised on June 29, according to the New York Times. His godparents will be Bavaria's Prince Regent, Luitpold, and Infanta Isabel of Spain.
The Associated Press is reporting that the little Prince "came before he was expected, and as a result many of the personages, including the bishop of Segovia, whose duty it was to be present on the occasion, did not reach the palace in time."
King Alfonso formally presented his second son to the courtiers "who had gathered in the throne room" earlier this morning. A 21-gun salute was fired outside the La Granja palace, where the infant was born.

Wittstock's family "thrilled"

Lynette Wittstock, whose daughter, Charlene, is engaged to the Prince of Monaco, spoke briefly yesterday with the South African newspaper, the Citizen. She said the family was "thrilled" about the announcement. "I am ecstatic, my daughter is finally getting hitched, we like him very much."
She said the family had been "advised not to disclose any details to the press regarding the engagement and wedding plans."
In an interview with a French newspaper, Prince Albert said the wedding will take place in the Summer of 2011.
Mrs. Woodstock said her husband, Mike, was also pleased with the news, but was a "bit stressed out" because of the expected media onslaught. Even Charlene's younger brother, Sean, said he was happy for his sister. "Everyone is happy about the news.
Prince Albert called Charlene's father, Michael, just before 4 p.m., on Tuesday to ask, formally, for Charlene's hand in marriage. Michael told a local reporter: "He called me so I could give him the blessing to put the ring on her finger. He called me just before kick-off [before South Africa's final World Cup match] and I wanted to get the whole over done with [so I could watch the competition."]
Charlene's family live in Benoni, South Africa. Michael Wittstock describes his future son-in-law as a "nice chap."

Charlene did not qualify for South Africa's 2008 swim team. She was already living full time in Monaco.

Despite reports to the contrary, Charlene Wittstock was not a school teacher before she moved to Monaco. The English translation of the official engagement announcement said she worked with youth. She left school at 16 to concentrate on swimming. Backstroke was her preferred stroke. She did not attend university, and she never taught school.
Charlene was a member of South Africa's 4x100 medley team at the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney. A shoulder injury kept Charlene out of the pool for 18 months. She returned to competitive swimming in April 2007, where she finished third in 50m backstroke final at the Telkom SA National Aquatic Championships with a time of 30.16 seconds. Swimmers from Australia and Brazil finished ahead of Charlene, but her position as the first South African in the race allowed her to regain her position as South Africa;s 50m backstroke champion.
At the time, Charlene, then 29, wanted to continue to swim, and compete at the 2008 Olymouc games in China, which would "be her swansong."
She had held the backstroke record three years earlier. "I can't believe it. I had no idea," she said, after she emerged from the pool, and learned the results.
Charlene and Prince Albert first met in 2000 at the Monaco International Swim Meet, where she won the 200m backstroke, but did not begin dating until several years later. By 2006, there were rumors of an impending engagement after they appeared together at the Opening ceremonies at the Winter Games in Turin.
Protocol would not allow Charlene to discuss her romance, but she did believe the media were being respectful. "I feel now that they respect the fact that I have a career, and I need my space. At first it was different (dealing with media questions) but everything has settled now."
At the time, Wittstock said she would continue to swim in Europe, "hoping to better her times."
"I have a year left of competitive swimming, and I just want to be the best I can be in that time. After that I want to get involved in charity work, and development work with athlete's commissions."
Charlene was raised Protestant, but she has since converted to the Roman Catholic faith. She has also had French lessons as well as history lessons about Monaco. The couple's civil ceremony will take place at the palace, and will be followed by church service at Monaco's Cathedral.
In his interview with Nice-Matin, Prince Albert said of his future wife:
Sports built her values, and she has a strong personality. Her interest in humanitarian causes, especially those touching children, is an expression of her great sensitivity and openness to others."
She "loves Monaco, has a good understanding of it" and "will become involved in its life."

An interview with an American friend of Albert's

Warren Tolman attended Amherst with Prince Albert.

http://www.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view.bg?articleid=1263636&srvc=rss

The British royal family is a bargain ...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/7850335/The-Royal-family-is-a-bargain-for-Britain.html

A very good article!

A future princess

Nice profile in a South African newspaper

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=1154226

Charlene left school when she was 16 to pursue her passion for swimming. She did not attending university. Before moving to Monaco -- she met the Prince at a swimming meet there in 2000 but did not become involved with Albert until 2004 -she worked as a youth leader.

rumors of a romance for Margaret

June 23, 1950

Is romance in the air for Princess Margaret. The latest gossip from London revolves about a carriage ride at Ascot today. Princess Margaret at opposite the Earl of Dalkeith, 26, in the carriage procession during Royal Ascot. The princess' aunt, the Princess Royal sat next to Margaret.
According to the latest rumor, the Princess' engagement to Lord Dalkeith, heir to the Duke of Buccleuch, will be announced shortly after her 20th birthday on August 21.
The Duke of Buccleuch's sister is HRH The Duchess of Gloucester.
Princess Margaret is the younger daughter of King George VI.

engagement for Victoria and George

June 23, 1900

Diplomats and notables who "usually reside in London," and are now in Paris for the exposition, are discussing "the presence in Paris of the gent of a secret engagement between Princess Victoria of Wales and Prince George of Greece, Governor of Crete," reports the Marquise de Fontenoy.
All present "seemed to regard an early public announcement of the engagement as certain."
One diplomat, present for the meeting, gave the entire "whole heart history" of Princess Victoria. He told "how she fell madly in love years ago with a brilliant young Lieutenant in the English army," but their love was thwarted by Queen Victoria, who "one day summoned and reprimanded and harshly ordered" the young man to India, "with a substantial promotion." The "amiable Princess" later wished to marry a "wealthy and refined London banker, many years her senior." When this romance was also denied, the Princess begged to be allowed to "abandon court and country."
The diplomat, who is a friend of Victoria's parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, said that Victoria "has never loved George much, yet she finds him congenial."
On the other hand, Prince George, a younger son of King George and Queen Olga, "has always desired the marriage." King George is younger brother of the Princess of Wales.
For the past fifteen years, the Greek and Wales cousins have spent their vacations in Denmark with their Danish relatives. Every year, the undaunted George has proposed to Victoria, and she has finally said yes.
The Princess will celebrated her 32nd birthday in July. Prince George turns 31 tomorrow.

The wedding of the year April 1956

The wedding between Prince Rainier III of Monaco and the Oscar-winning Grace Kelly took place in Monaco on April 19, 1956. Grace's father paid a $2,000,000 dowry to Rainier. It is unlikely that Charlotte's father, Mike, will be required to provide a dowry.

Here is a link to the BBC coverage of the wedding - the footage is grainy.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/19/newsid_2720000/2720723.stm

The marriage of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly was a state occasion. Suffice to say, the interest in the United States was paramount, but, at the time, the wedding was not a major royal event. There were no representatives from the reigning royal houses. The major foreign guests included former King Farouk of Egypt, Ava Gardener, W. Somerset Maugham, and the Aga Khan and his wife, the Begum. Somerset Maugham described the Riviera as a "sunny place for the shady," an apt description not only for Monaco, but for Maugham himself.

Princess Grace put Monaco on the map. She gave the principality a touch of class. It is unlikely that many sovereign heads of state will be present for the wedding, but there certainly will be royal representation.

On Saturday ... I wrote

"It was very interesting to see a rather portly looking Prince of Monaco who was accompanied by his companion, the former South African swimmer, Charlene Wittstock. Miss Wittstock may be the Prince's official girlfriend, but she's not a fiancee ... yet. About a year ago, I read an article about Charlene's future as the Princess of Monaco. Albert wanted to wait until Charlene learned French, as she would need to be fluent in the language as the wife of the Prince of Monaco. The King and Queen of Sweden may know something we don't about Miss Wittstock's future, which would explain Charlene's inclusion, although she sat behind Albert in the church, and was not seated at the head table.

Now that Charlene has been introduced to members of European royal families, I do see an engagement ring in her not-so-distant future. Perhaps, Victoria and Daniel's vows will inspire the Prince to get on one knee, propose and produce the diamond ring."

Four days ago. Today is the not-so-distant future!

Charlene Lynette Wittstock

The future Princess of Monaco was born on January 25, 1978 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. She has South African nationality, and was a member of the South Africa's Olympic team. At the 2000 Summer Olympics, she was a member of the 4x10 medley team (breaststroke), which finished fifth.
The Wittstocks moved to Benoni, South Africa, when Charlene was 10 years old. She attened the Tom Newby primary school in Benoni, where the headmistress told a reporters: "We could see the talent and the signs that she was always destined for greater things." (Actress Charlize Theron was born in Benoni in 1975.)


http://www.monaco.mc/Pages/Accueil/monaco_actualites/toute_l_actu/Societe/le_prince_albert_ii_annonce_ses_fiancailles_avec_charlene_wittstock

The Associated Press asked the palace's press officer if Charlene might be pregnant. "Honestly, I do not think so," was the response from the press officer.
[Prince Albert, the son of the late Prince Rainier III and the much loved, Princess Grace, the American-born former film star, Grace Kelly, has two illegitimate children, Jazmin Grimaldi, 18, and Alexandre Coste, 6.
Jazmin lives with her mother, Tamara Rotolo, in California. Earlier this month, Jazmin graduated from JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano. An honor student, Jazmin will be attending Fordham University in New York in the fall. Jazmin maintains a limited relationship with her father. It will be interesting to see if Charlene asks her to be in the wedding party!
Alexandre lives with his mother, Nicole, a native of Togo, on an estate in France, paid for by Prince Albert.

No date for the wedding has been set. The palace's press officer said in an interview that the protocol is for the wedding to take place at least six months after the engagement announcement.



http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gxNLVj9hne35K-7cZRLUjoEaXHAwD9GH1M482

There certainly will be comparisons between Charlene Wittstock and Albert's mother, the late Princess Grace. Big shoes to fill, but Charlene should be advised to shop for her own shoes.

It's official - Charlene said yes

I wrote on Monday:

"So ... what will be the next grand royal occasion? Perhaps an announcement from Monaco, now that Charlene Wittstock accompanied the Prince of Monaco to Crown Princess Victoria's engagement."


Today, June 23, The Prince of Monaco officially announced his engagement to Charlene Wittstock. For real, not a figment of Point de Vue's imagination.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gxNLVj9hne35K-7cZRLUjoEaXHAwD9GGVJT80

Photo credit: Amedeo M.Turello, Palais Princier, Monaco

Lack of interest?

The whining keeps on coming about the supposed lack of interest by British royals in attending foreign royal events. I suppose they having nothing better to do but whine.

British representation is not based on interest, but on discussions and advisement from the Foreign Office. European royal houses are aware of how the British do it because the British have been doing it for more than 100 years. It appears to be a policy where one member of the family is designated as the representative. The Sovereign, in consultation with the Foreign Office, is not going to send more than one representative, which may include the spouse of the royal. In the case of Crown Princess Victoria's wedding, the Queen's representative was HRH the Earl of Wessex, who was accompanied by his wife.

The other royal houses do not see this as a snub. They know the drill, they know the British will send a representative. Those who are not involved may grumble, but consider the cost. Hotel rooms and air fares are not covered by the host. Every member of the Royal family has a personal protection officer, and security also needs a place to sleep. As a royal wedding is an official overseas engagement, the Foreign Office may be the on responsible for picking up the tab.

Here is a link to an article about royal clothes budgets and overseas tours. Royal wardrobes for overseas tours are paid out of the Foreign Office budget. Thus, it makes sense to have a minimalist approach to foreign royal weddings and funerals. One hopes Edward and Sophie did not buy anything new for the trip to Stockholm.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/the-royal-cost-of-keeping-up-appearances-1311641.html

Although the Queen did not actually attend the wedding, I bet she sent Victoria and Daniel a very nice gift.

Face facts, folks. Prince William and Princess Madeleine are not going to get married. Madeleine may be single, but William is not. He is also not unlikely to seek a foreign bride. His circle of friends is largely upper class British. King George V and Queen Mary encouraged marriages between their children and the British aristocracy.
It should be noted since the end of the second world war, there have been only five marriages between two reigning royal houses. The five couples: Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh (ne Greece); Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and Princess Josephine-Charlotte of Belgium; Juan Carlos, Prince of Spain, and Princess Sophie of Greece; King Constantine II of the Hellenes and Queen Anne Marie; and Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein and Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg. The first four marriages were made by the heir or the Sovereign. Prince Nikolaus is the second son of the late Prince Franz Joseph II.
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg has great family connections on his father's side, but, he, too, may follow his father, and marry a commoner.

Princess Madeleine is also unlikely to marry a foreigner. She moves in a largely Swedish circle. Although the tabloid newspapers wanted us to believe the King desired a royal marriage for his daughter, when, in fact, his own wife is a German commoner, whom he met at the Olympics.
The Swedish sovereigns never went out of their way to encourage Victoria to find a nice eligible German prince, or even the only eligible Greek prince (before Nicholas got involved with Tatiana Blatnik.) Victoria's circle of friends included members of Sweden's aristocratic families and school chums.

There are two nice and eligible German princes for Madeleine: Prince Carl-Albrecht and Prince August of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, who were born in 1976 and 1981, respectively. They are the sons of Prince and Princess Ludwig-Ferdinand of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. Princess Ludwig-Ferdinand is the former Countess Yvonne Wachmeister af Johannhus, whose mother, father, is a first cousin of Countess Gunilla Wachtmeister, the wife of Count Carl-Johan Bernadotte af Wisborg, who is Madeleine's great uncle.
Prince and Princess Ludwig-Ferdinand's daughter, Princess Anna, is married to Prince Manuel of Bavaria.
Ludwig-Ferdinand and Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, who is the head of the house, are first cousins.
As this branch of the Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg family resides in Sweden, Princess Madeleine would not need to reside outside Sweden. A win-win situation.
In all seriousness, however, Princess Madeleine has been through a rough patch lately, and, it will take time to get over her engagement, and her love for Jonas. He treated her badly.
The Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg princes were not on the official guest list. Too bad - the wedding would have allowed each of the brothers to ask Madeleine to dance!

Victoria and Daniel - the honeymooners

At some point during the wee hours of Sunday morning, the newly married Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden, slipped out of the palace and left for their honeymoon. The palace has not announced where the couple are now, but the Swedish newspaper, Expressen, reports the newlyweds are somewhere sunning themselves in French Polynesia.
According to the newspaper, Victoria and Daniel left Stockholm aboard a private plane owned by a family friend, Bertil Hult, and flew to Tahiti via Iceland and Vancouver. They landed in Papeete, Tahiti's capital, and then traveled to one of French Polynesia's smaller islands.
"When they landed a luxury yacht was waiting for them," reported the Expressen. The final destination was unspecified.

http://www.thelocal.se/27380/20100622/

Princess Victoria to marry Lord Revelstoke

Embed from Getty Images

June 11, 1898

By special cable to the New York World and Chicago Tribune.

There is "renewed vitality" to rumors of an engagement between Princess Victoria and John Baring, Lord Revelstoke, the present head of Baring's Bank, "by the circumstance that Queen Victoria has just appointed his sister, Miss Baring, an extra maid of honor."

Princess Victoria's "unhappy passion for Revelstoke," is said to be the reason why she withdrew from society. But now her grandmother, Queen Victoria, is looking "favorably on Revelstoke's suit.'

He is a "highly respected, hard working, good-looking fellow," and it is understand Princess Victoria's "special interest in his was first awakened by the misfortunes of his family."

Lord Revelstoke never misses a day at the bank, according to the newspaper.
Princess Victoria "has some animation," and is not like her younger sister, Princess Maud, "who is extremely quiet and of a retiring disposition." Princess Victoria's determination, "freely expressed," is to marry the man of "her own choice.

Her father, the Prince of Wales "is not yet reconciled" to the idea of his daughter marrying "bearer of a new title." His opposition "will soon be overborne if the Queen is favorable to Revelstoke."

Lord Revelstoke is the second of that title, as his father, Edward Charles Baring, was elevated to the peerage as Baron Revelstoke in 1885. The present Lord Revelstoke succeeded to the title and to the head of the family's banking house in 1897. He is 34 years old, and maintains a London residence at 37 Charles Street, Berkeley Square. His seat is Membland, Plymouth, in Devon.

Prince of Monaco achieves a goal

Duchess Sophie in Bavaria

June 22, 1898

The Prince of Monaco has at "length maintained one of the ambitions of his life," arranging a matrimonial alliance between his family and "one of the sovereign houses of Europe. The Marquise de Fontenoy reports the Prince of Monaco has negotiated a marriage between his son and heir, Prince Louis, 28, and Duchess Sophie in Bavaria, the second daughter of Duke Karl Theodor of Bavaria, the brother of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, and who is "celebrated throughout the civilized world as an oculist."

Members of Europe's royal houses have not been keen to associate with the Princely family of Monaco. This is a major accomplishment for Prince Albert, as the "rulers of the old world" have "displayed a marked reluctance to even admit" the Monegasque princely family to their courts.

When the Prince and Princess of Monaco announce their intention to visit St. Petersburg, they received word "in the most curt manner" that the Emperor "did not propose to receive them," and it "was unnecessary that they should take the trouble to come so far." Nicholas II also forbade his Ambassadors to provide a visa to their passports "without which they would not be permitted to cross the Russian frontier."

It is said the Emperor of Russia "regards" the Princely couple "with such undisguised contempt."

The present Princess of Monaco is the American-born Alice Heine. Although her father has Jewish ancestry, Alice was raised in the Roman Catholic faith.
The Prince's first marriage was to the sister of the Duke of Hamilton.

Prince Louis of Monaco "occupies a most peculiar position." Although his parents' marriage was annulled, the Prince himself was "declared to be legitimate," by the Vatican. A special clause regarding Louis' status was included in the annulment decree.

Prince Louis was raised by his mother, Lady Mary Hamilton, who had fled from Monaco with her son, due to her husband's "shameful conduct." Italian police tried to wrest the boy by force from his mother and return him to Monaco, but they were thwarted by Grand Duchess Helen of Russia, "who took mother and child under her protection and escorted them to Germany."

Prince Louis "is a rather fat-faced and stout-looking youth," who resembles his uncle, the Duke of Hamilton, but without the red hair and "almost purple complexion." He serves in a French regiment.

Prince Albert provides a small annual allowance - several thousand dollars a year --to his son, "a preposterously small amount" when one considers the income that the Prince receives each year from the gambling tables at Monte Carlo.

Prince Louis' financial position is likely to change now that he is to marry Duchess Sophie. Duke Karl Theodor would never permit his daughter to "make so extremely questionable an alliance were not the settlements on a most liberal scale."

The Duke and his wife, a sister of Dom Miguel de Braganza, and their three daughters are now visiting Monaco with the Prince and Princess. They are "quiet, sensible people," and "cannot but be offended and mortified by the vulgarity of the court of Monaco, the dignitaries of which are composed for the most part of noblemen whose lineage is as questionable as their antecedents."

Infanta Beatriz turns 21

June 22, 1930


Infanta Beatriz, the elder daughter of King Alfonso XIII, celebrates her 21st birthday today. According to the AP, the Infanta began the day by attending a mass at the royal palace at Madrid, and she "put in the collection box twenty-two gold coins, one more than her age."

Crown Prince Gustaf visits Ford plant

June 22, 1926

Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden and Crown Princess Louise visited the Ford motor plant in Detroit today, according to the Associated Press. The Crown prince said he had "long looked forward" to his trip, where he "met the automobile manufacturers and inspected a portion of the Ford industries here." The royal couple visited the Ford's plant in Highland Park, Michigan. They marveled at "the efficiency and speed with which motor cars were manufactured."
"I had heard much of Mr. Ford in Sweden," said the Crown Prince,"and I looked forward to this meeting with him, and this visit to his factories with, as much pleasure as any one thing on my tour.
"In Sweden, we make a few trucks; but we import many automobiles. There, we encourage more the industry in the home than the great factories such as you have in America."
This evening, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were the guests of honor at a dinner and dance at the Lake St. Clair home of Charles Beecher Warren. Henry Ford's own "old-time" orchestra provided the music.
The Crown Prince Couple took part in the stately lancers dance. They said they "felt more at home dancing the older, more sedate dances."
Henry and Edsel Ford and their wives were also guests.
Tomorrow the Crown Prince and Crown Princess leave for Chicago.

A new Prince of Wales

June 22, 1910


King George V today created his eldest son, Duke of Cornwall, as Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester. The new Prince of Wales will celebrate his 16th birthday tomorrow.

Haakon & Maud "crowned and hailed"

Embed from Getty Images 

 June 22, 1906

King Haakon VII and Queen Maud were "invested with the crowns of Norway today" at the cathedral at Trondheim.

The New York Times reported "quiet reigned for the first time since the coronation festivities began," and merged into a cold, sunless day, and scarcely a sound save the tramp of soldiers, the roll of carriage wheels and occasional shouts broke the silence, until all the city's bells announced" that the royal family had left the palace and were en route to the cathedral.

The cathedral was lit with "festoons of electric globes that shone with a dim uncertainty in the pale daylight."

"Grouped around the King's throne" were members of his family, Crown Prince Christian and Crown Princess Alexandrine of Denmark, Prince Harold of Denmark and Prince Henry of Prussia, while about the Queen's throne were the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Victoria, and Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia.

At 11 a.m, members of Norway's Cabinet "in company with leading clergymen from all parts of Norway, with the officiating Bishops, marched down the aisle to await the arrival of the King and Queen."

The sovereigns took their place at the dais, and after a hymn had been sung, the Bishop of Trondheim "delivered an impressive sermon through which ran a clear note of courage and happiness."

King Haakon, "grave and dignified," walked to the throne. His "long and purple robe" was carried by five young naval officers. He "presented an appearance kingly enough to satisfy any people."

The congregation was silent, and the only music played during the investiture was soft music from the organ. After the anointment and the prayer, the crown was placed upon the King's head by Premier Michelsen. The King walked down the aisle to the dais, "wearing the crown and carrying the sceptre orb."

Women "wept and men looked strangely moved."

The orchestra and the chorus "broke into music," and Queen Maud, accompanied by one lady-in-waiting and three maids of honor, "advanced with slightly hesitating steps toward the throne." She "looked regal in a robe of gold moiré embroidered with silver and pearls. Apart from a collar of diamonds, the Queen wore no other jewels. Once the crowning ceremony was repeated, Queen Maud returned to her seat, "bowing to the people on either side."

On returning to the Palace, the King and Queen received congratulations from members of the Norwegian parliament and other officials. Still wearing their coronation robes, the King and Queen appeared on the balcony "in response to the roars of the cheers from the vast throne assembled outside."

At the State dinner, which was held this evening in the palace, more than 350 guests attended incldung "all the visiting Princes and Princesses." Outside crowds continued to cheer the arrival of the members of different royal families and others.

Prince Harry and Chelsy

The British newspapers were in full gossip mode this weekend, reporting the end of the relationship between Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/7841793/Prince-Harry-and-Chelsy-Davy-the-ball-that-was-the-final-straw.html

a very different version in the Mail on Sunday:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1288191/Chelsy-Davy-tells-Prince-Harry-pines-home.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Chelsy was at Royal Ascot this week with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, while Prince Harry remained in South Africa on an official trip.

A "source" tells US magazine that there is no split ... and Clarence House never discusses Prince Harry's private life.

http://www.usmagazine.com/healthylifestyle/news/source-prince-harry-chelsy-davy-havent-split-2010216

Not exactly the most observant fashion writer!

http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/06/swedish_princess_victorias_wed.html

Actually, the Crown Princess' train was detachable, and removed before the dinner. She is holding a part of her dress and her veil while she is dancing.

The next grand occasion...

So ... what will be the next grand royal occasion? Perhaps an announcement from Monaco, now that Charlene Wittstock accompanied the Prince of Monaco to Crown Princess Victoria's engagement.

The Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg remains the only eligible adult heir to a throne. He will have a grand wedding, but nothing in comparison to the recent royal weddings.

Prince William is second in line to the throne. His wedding will be newsworthy, but, as he is second in line, his marriage is unlikely to be a state occasion.

What about other events, including Jubilees and anniversaries. In September, Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary with a weekend of gala events ...

news coverage in the USA

Don't be surprised if you don't read about the wedding in Sunday's papers in the United States. Due to restrictions on the live broadcast, which were established by SVT, , the Associated Press, the world's largest news gathering organization, and Reuters boycotted the wedding, and not did offer provide photos or text articles on the wedding.

KIng Carl XVI Gustaf's speech

2010-06-19
H.M. the King's speech to the married couple, June 19, 2010
(The spoken version shall take precedence)
Your Majesties,
Your Imperial Highness,
Your Royal Highnesses,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Her Majesty the Queen and I wish to greet you all with a most heartily welcome to the Royal Palace and to this wedding gala dinner. It is wonderful to see you all here! On behalf of my family — and especially on behalf of my oldest daughter and my son-in-law — I wish to thank you for coming and for participating in our joy! You will always be a part of this unforgettable and memorable day!

Your Royal Highnesses Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel!
Dear newly-weds!

The Queen and I would like to wish you — The Crown Princess of Sweden and Prince Daniel — all the best for the life ahead together!

It is a major step in life to enter into marriage. Not only for the bride and groom, but also for their parents. The promise you have given to each other today on mutual support and loyalty ties the two of you further together. It is, however, an unavoidable consequence of your decision that the ties to your parents thus will be changed. From now on, your first loyalty will be to one another.

We as parents take joy in the affection by which you look at each other. But — as so many parents before us have experienced — the joy of seeing one's children standing on their own to build their families, is also spiced with a touch of grief. I wish that you also one day will be able to experience such happiness that we feel today.

Dear Victoria!
You are the successor to the throne of Sweden. It is a mission that comes with duties and responsibilities. And it is with pride and gratitude I have seen you grow into this role.

One day you will — because so it is stated in our constitution — succeed me as the head of state of Sweden. My mind is put at ease when I see the wisdom and determination by which you prepare yourself for this task.

I know that I share this confidence with a large number of the Swedish people. You could, perhaps, with a reference to our ancestor Karl XIV Johan, say "The love of the people is my reward."

Our relation is, however, deeper than that between a monarch and his successor. I am your father. You are my beloved daughter.

No one should believe anything else than that my highest wish has always been — and is — to see you happy. It has therefore always been self-evident to your mother the Queen and me, that you — as any person in our country — should have the freedom to choose your life´s companion as your heart desires. I have today seeked to make this point clear by accompanying you to your future husband, and thereby confirming the decision to approve of your marriage according to our constitution.

Dear Daniel!
On behalf of the Queen and myself I would like to welcome you most warmly into our family. We would also like to congratulate our daughter on her choice of husband. And we — your parents-in-law — congratulate you on your choice of wife.

We have got to know you as a very ambitious and skilful entrepreneur. I have often been impressed by the purposefulness and the go-ahead spirit which you have shown. And we have with approval noticed the energy and determination by which you have been preparing yourself for your mission as Prince Consort. That is: to give your wife, the Crown Princess, support and confidence.

We are also delighted to have made the acquaintance with your parents Eva and Olle Westling as well as your large and lovely family.

Dear Victoria and Daniel!
The Queen and I, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine would like to congratulate you and wish you all the best. On your walk through life together, you can always count on our support and affection. And we pray that God Almighty always will be merciful to you.

Finally, I would like to propose a toast to — and that we all raise a cheer for — the Crown Princess and Prince Daniel, our beloved and beautiful bridal couple.

Four cheers for them!

What a beautiful wedding

As I am a Lutheran, I am partial to the simplicity of a Lutheran wedding service, which will usually be top loaded with music. Why? A Lutheran wedding without music or readings would be over in less than 15 minutes! The music at today's wedding was a brilliant mixture of classical and modern!

It was very interesting to see a rather portly looking Prince of Monaco who was accompanied by his companion, the former South African swimmer, Charlene Wittstock. Miss Wittstock may be the Prince's official girlfriend, but she's not a fiancee ... yet. About a year ago, I read an article about Charlene's future as the Princess of Monaco. Albert wanted to wait until Charlene learned French, as she would need to be fluent in the language as the wife of the Prince of Monaco. The King and Queen of Sweden may know something we don't about Miss Wittstock's future, which would explain Charlene's inclusion, although she sat behind Albert in the church, and was not seated at the head table.

Now that Charlene has been introduced to members of European royal families, I do see an engagement ring in her not-so-distant future. Perhaps, Victoria and Daniel's vows will inspire the Prince to get on one knee, propose and produce the diamond ring.

Only one heir apparent to the throne remains unmarried: HRH Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg. The young prince is 28, but is not linked with anyone.
Royal weddings will be in short supply in the next few years. I expect Prince William's engagement to Kate Middleton to be announced toward the end of this year, but certainly no later than early spring 2011. Prince William is second in line to the throne, and his wedding may not be a state occasion. It will be grand, but not nearly as grand as the wedding of an heir to throne.

Nice selection of video images

The second one is rather sweet - the first dance. I bet Victoria and Daniel practiced the waltz before the wedding, and near the end pay attention to the king and queen .. also really sweet. Today is their 34th anniversary.


http://svt.se/svt/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=132586

The first official photos released to the media

here are the first official photos released to the media. These photos were taken after the wedding. The photo credit is: JONAS EKSTRÖMER / SCANPIX

the menu

Wedding banquet at the Royal Palace of Stockholm, 19 June 2010

MENU

Norway lobster from the west coast, served with summer truffles and truffle caviar, citrus marinated farmed cod on a bed of flowers with cucumber jelly and chilled green pea soup with Kalix whitefish roe

Landö char with herb coating, poached quail egg, green asparagus and beetroot from Gotland, served with a nettle and ramsons sauce

Sirloin of veal from Stenhammar with roasted shallot crisps, potato gratin with Allerum cheese, tomato terrine, carrots cooked with thyme in a white cabbage and tarragon gravy

Strawberry mousse with rhubarb centre and vanilla ice cream in white chocolate


WINE

Champagne Pommery 2000 Grand Cru

Sancerre Les Pierris 2008 Domaine Roger Champault

Pommard 1:er Cru Epenots 2002 Louis Jadot

Château Simon 2007 Sauternes

What the Archbishop said

The official English translation:

The speech of the Archbishop
(The spoken version shall take precedence)
To live a good life, you must be allowed to take responsibility, to have an influence.

We wish each of us the possibility of making our way through life successfully and of having control over our lives.
Your situation, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel (we can now use this title for the first time), is both shared and unique. You'll be taking on tasks that you won't be able to turn down — but that you can influence. One of you has had many years to prepare for and live this life — and one of you only a few. You won't have complete control over your lives — but you will successfully make your way through life if you keep your focus on people other than yourselves, on wider contexts, on society, on family and on the future. "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

We wish each of us the possibility of being needed and useful.
There are several stages of usefulness. Each individual needs to think several steps ahead. What will be the consequences of this choice or that choice? What am I capable of — and what should I do even though I wonder whether I can actually do it? None of us is indispensable, not even a crown princess or a prince. But we are still needed. We can all be called into question, not least if we are public figures. Criticism costs nothing, not even when it's spiteful. But we all still need to try to make a positive contribution using our talents.

Your usefulness in major contexts will perhaps be clearest when you can stand up for important values that are under threat, such as gratitude, a sense of belonging during crises and losses, hopefulness in troubled times, and indignation about and commitment to combating breaches of human rights. Your significance to loyalty and fellowship in society, with free scope for true, vital democracy and debate, may be great.

At the same time, you can easily be reduced to people who add sparkle to an event, or to lowest common denominators. A great deal may be expected of you that fundamentally does not seem that important to you. May you in such cases be able to maintain your curiosity and enthusiasm!

So, you are now husband and wife. Privately, you have set up a 'refuge' that has now been confirmed as publicly as is possible. Through marriage, a bridge is forged between the most personal side of your lives and the public side. "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." We who all over world are following your wedding are responsible for helping you with this. We have prayed for you, we will carry on praying for you and thinking of you, and will help you to stay together — in the same way as we have done at all other weddings we have been to, and will attend in the future!

Within the family, space can be made for openness and reciprocity that could never be accommodated in public life, with its pressure to perform. Within the family you have each other, because you love each other and want this sense of belonging together to form a reliable and steadfast foundation for your lives. You do not need to prove anything to each other — but you do need to focus on each other. "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

We wish each of us the possibility of being carried and of accepting help.
Independence, self-determination and freedom are important concepts. Nobody should need to crawl; nobody should need to be subservient. Feeling that you´re in someone's debt is difficult.

Being the underdog means being on shaky ground if you cannot trust the other person. In society at large and in public life, this is often the reality. In a close relationship, when everything works out as we wish, things are different. Mutual, secure, loving dependence on the other person gives us a sense of well-being. This is what the two of you are experiencing. May your refuge remain free and protected, but still welcoming for those you hold dearest!

And a lifetime can be long. A strong person can become weak, and a person born weak can become strong. This is something you will have to deal with in your family. A person who feels secure has the courage to be carried!

In a close and trusting relationship, you can pray together and individually. Use this power!

"... love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." God manifests Himself through love. And, according to our faith, he also manifests Himself to those who do not believe they know God!

We wish each of us the possibility of getting a second chance when we fall short.
I do not believe that anyone lives up to what he or she would ideally like to live up to. We all have our shortcomings. The excellent ethical principles of loving your neighbour as yourself and doing to others what you would have them do to you are beautiful, but they´re difficult. Sometimes, when you look at all your shortcomings, the self-contempt becomes overwhelming.

You are now married. You have come so close to each other that you know that your love is mutual and that you have the capacity to forgive each other. This means that your love for each other can also accommodate failure and weakness!

You have not done anything to deserve life. Nobody has. It is given to us. The air, the existence of the universe and relative equilibrium, memories and hopes. It is given to us by God, who wants good things for us. The God of Love. Through what Jesus did for us, we know that God forgives and believes that we deserve to live and get another chance, even though we fall short!

We wish each of us the possibility of making our way through life successfully and of having control over our lives. We wish each of us the possibility of being needed and useful. We wish each of us the possibility of being carried and of accepting help. We wish each of us the possibility of getting a second chance when we fall short. We wish the two of you all this!

"I pray that [the Father] out of his glorious riches ... may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Stand firm and be constantly rooted in him."

What Victoria's family wore

From the official press release:

2010-06-19
The Royal Family's Attire
The King's attire
The King is wearing mess dress model 1878. This mess uniform for the navy (The King is an admiral in the Swedish Navy) is the military equivalent of formal evening dress and can be worn on festive occasions, when a tail coat is worn according to civil custom.
The mess dress comprises a navy blue mess jacket, white waistcoat, navy blue trousers with gold stripes, dress shirt and black bow tie.



The King's orders and decorations
The King is wearing the Order of the Seraphim and Order of Vasa on chains.
Around his neck The King wears the Order of the Sword, the Swedish military order.

The King is wearing two grand stars; the Swedish Order of the Seraphim's grand star at the top and the grand star of the Order of Vasa underneath.



On the chest (from inside outwards) The King will be wearing decorations in miniature: The Order of the Seraphim, Gustav V's Jubilee Order, Gustav VI Adolf's Commemorative Medal, the Order of the Sword, the Order of the Polar Star and the Order of Vasa.

The Queen's attire
The Queen is wearing a pink tulle dress with pearl and gemstone embroidery.

The Queen's jewellery
The Queen will be wearing the Brazilian Tiara at The Crown Princess Couple's wedding. This tiara is chiefly a French 18th century piece that was modernised around 1820 to give it its current form.

It is called the Brazilian Tiara because it belonged to the Brazilian Empress Amelie. Empress Amelie was the younger sister of our Swedish Queen Josefina. This magnificent tiara was one of the items that were inherited by Queen Josefina on the death of the Empress in 1873.
The Queen will be wearing a necklace, earrings and brooch of diamonds and pink topaz to match the Brazilian Tiara. These items of jewellery were ordered by the Russian Tsar Paul I ahead of his daughter Maria Pavlona's marriage to the Grand Duke of Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach in 1804. The jewellery was then passed down from daughter to daughter and the necklace was eventually inherited by Queen Victoria of Sweden, King Gustaf V's consort.



Prince Carl Philip's attire
Prince Carl Philip is wearing mess dress model 1878. This mess uniform for the navy (The Prince is a captain in the Swedish Amphibious Corps) is the military equivalent of formal evening dress and can be worn on festive occasions, when a tail coat is worn according to civil custom.
The mess dress comprises a navy blue mess jacket, white waistcoat, navy blue trousers with gold stripes, dress shirt and black bow tie.


Prince Carl Philip's orders and decorations
The Prince is wearing the Order of the Seraphim's chain and grand star.
On his chest (from inside outwards) The Prince is wearing H.M.K. Commemorative Medal, the National Service Medal and a training medal from Karlberg.


Princess Madeleine's attire
Princess Madeleine is wearing a forget-me-not-blue chiffon dress with a crystal-embroidered bodice.

Princess Madeleine's jewellery
Princess Madeleine is wearing her own tiara and as a necklace she is wearing what is known as the processional jewels (intågssmycket). The piece was given to the newly named Swedish Crown Princess Victoria for her procession into Stockholm following her wedding in Karlsruhe in 1881. Victoria was given the necklace by her husband, Crown Prince Gustaf (V). The necklace is made of Ceylon sapphires, baroque pearls and diamonds.

What the attendants wore

The official press release:

2010-06-19
The attendants´ attire
The bridesmaids are wearing full-length pearl white dresses in silk organza with short sleeves and roll collars. They are also wearing white ballet slippers.

The page boys are wearing sailor suits, which is a Bernadotte family tradition.
Their bouquets are lilies of the valley.

The wedding ceremony

The official press release:

Wedding Ceremony
Music playing whilst the guests assemble:
Herald trumpeters from the Armed Forces Music Centre
playing from the tower of Cathedral

Adolf Fredrik's Girls Choir
Conductor Bo Johansson
•"Äppelbo March"
•"Husby bridal march"
•"In this sweet summertime", by A. Öhrwall
•"The flowers that bloom on the ground", by E. von Koch

The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor Gustaf Sjökvist
•From Drottningholm Music, by J. H. Roman
•Allegro — Allegro — Vivace

National Folk Musicians Hugo and Tomas Westling with accordionist Britt-Marie Jonsson
•"Spring ice", by Britt-Marie Jonsson, "Tribute", by Hugo Westling (First performance)
•Wedding March for Victoria and Daniel, by Hugo Westling (First performance)

The ceremony
will be conducted by Archbishop Anders Wejryd assisted by Royal Court Chief Chaplain Lars-Göran Lönnermark, Bishop Antje Jackelén and Dean of the Cathedral Åke Bonnier

Crown Princess Victoria's Fanfare
by Ingvar Lidholm (1921-), originally performed at the Opening of Parliament 1995

Processional Music
The Duke of Gloucester's/Gloster's March, by Jeremiah Clarke (1674-1707); arr Mattias Wager

Hymn
by Karin Rehnqvist (1957-) (First performance)
A gift to the Bridal Couple from The Royal Academy of Music.
Psalm 57:8-11
Awake, my soul!
Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn.
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens;
Your faithfulness extends to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
Let your glory be over all the earth.
Song of Songs 8:6
Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your arm.


Hymn 201
by C.D. af Wirsén (1842-1912); music: W. Åhlén (1894-1982); translation: Carolyn and Kenneth Jennings
The earth adorned in verdant robe
Sends praises upward surging,
While soft winds breathe on fragrant flowers
From winter now emerging.
The sun shines bright
Gives warmth and light
To budding blossoms tender,
Proclaiming summer's splendour.
From out the wood, the birds now sing
And each its song now raises,
To join with all the Universe
In voicing thankful praises.
With hope and joy
Their songs employ
A rapturous exultation
In praise of God's creation.
O God, amid these joys of life,
Creation's glory beaming,
Grant us the grace to keep your word
And live in love redeeming.
All flesh is grass,
The flowers fade,
And time is fleeting ever;
God's word remains forever.


Act of Praise
Marvellous and wonderful is your creation oh Lord.
You have created man and woman
to live in your love.
We give thanks and praise you Lord
for the unceasing renewal of life.

Words of Introduction

Bible Reading
Matthew 19:4-6
The Creator who made them at the beginning made them
male and female and said, "For this reason a man shall leave
his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two
shall become one flesh." Therefore what God has joined
together, let no one separate.
Romans 12:9-10, 15
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is
good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one
another in showing honour. Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.

First letter of John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God;
everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Galatians 6:2
Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfil
the law of Christ.

Ephesians 3:16-17
I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, God may
grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being
with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell
in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and
grounded in love.


* The Questions

* Blessing of the Rings

* The Exchange of Vows and Rings

* The Announcement
In the presence of God and before this congregation
you have made your vows to one another.
I therefore proclaim that you are husband and wife.
May the Lord be with you and lead you
in his truth now and always.

"Resting blissfully in your arms"
Music Benny Andersson (1946-); text: Kristina Lugn (1948-) (First performance)
Original text:
Sjön vilar tätt mot stranden.
Himlen oändligt blå.
Jag står med dig i handen.
Mörkret faller. Och du lyser så.

Vinden vill famna skogen.
Havet ger vågen ro.
Vännen vill vara trogen.
Där du vandrar vill min längtan bo.

Det är kärleken som bär
min förtröstan genom livet.
Så jag söker dig, jag ropar överallt ditt namn
tills jag är i din famn; vilar glad i din famn.
Vilar glad. I din famn.

Nära vill jag vara.
Lugn vid din varma själ.
Jag är en barnsång bara.
Den är enkel och menar så väl.

Det är kärleken som bär
min förtröstan genom livet
Så jag söker dig, jag ropar överallt ditt namn
tills jag är i din famn;
Vilar glad. I din famn.


Intercession

The Lord's Prayer
To be prayed in one's own language
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.


The Blessing

Hymn 84b
by E. A. Welch (1860-1932); adapted by A. Frostenson (1906-2006); music: M. Teschner (1584-1635)
We lift our hearts, O Father, in mingled prayer and praise.
Praise for the priceless blessing of love's response to love.
Praise for the joy of loving, all other joys above,
that each be one with other, and both be one in You.

We praise you and we pray for home and future life. Your love
has made them one, now keep them ever close. Our prayer
that you'll accomplish the promise of today, and crown their
years with blessings as time will pass away.


The Address to the Bridal Couple by the Archbishop

When You Tell the World You´re Mine
by Jörgen Elofsson (1962-); music: Jörgen Elofsson, John Lundvik (1983-) (First performance)
I'm standing by an angel
tears well up inside
feelings of belonging
Of gratitude and pride

I'm blinded by your presence
In this moment that we're in
If God was to describe you
Where would he begin
Your colours blend together
And you become the light
If only you could see the way you shine
Darling, when you tell the world you're mine

You're the future I believe in
I know you, through and through
Your each and every heartbeat, every breath
Eveytime I look at you

I'm blinded by your presence
In this moment that we're in
If God was to describe you
Where would he begin
Your colours blend together
And you become the light
If only you could see the way you shine
Darling, when you tell the world you're mine

You're mine, against all odds my love
What we have, it is unbreakable

If God was to describe you
Where would he begin...

I'm blinded by your presence
In this moment that we´re in
If God was to describe you
Where would he begin
Your colours blend together
And you become the light
If only you could see the way you shine
Darling, when you tell the world you're mine

I'm standing by an angel...


Bridal Recession to: Praise the Lord with Drums and Cymbals
by Siegfried Karg-Elert (1877-1933); arr Thomas Brantigan
Officiant:
The Most Reverend Anders Wejryd, Archbishop of Uppsala

Liturgists:
The Right Reverend Lars-Göran Lönnermark,
Bishop Emeritus, Royal Court Chief Chaplain
The Right Reverend, Dr Antje Jackelén, Bishop of Lund
The Very Reverend Åke Bonnier, Dean of the Cathedral,
Royal Court Chaplain

Assistant Cathedral Organist Mattias Wager
Concert Singer Jeanette Köhn
Singer Björn Skifs
Singer Agnes Carlsson
Brass Ensemble from the Swedish Armed Forces Music Centre
The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
Concert Leader: Joakim Svenheden

Orsa Spelmän

Gustaf Sjökvist's Chamber Choir
Stockholm Cathedral Choir

Conductor: Royal Court Organist Professor Gustaf Sjökvist

The King's sisters' jewels

The official press release:

The King's sisters' jewellery
The King's sisters – Princesses Margaretha, Birgitta, Désirée and Christina – are wearing the following jewellery:
Princess Margareta, Mrs Ambler is wearing Queen Victoria's Baden fringe tiara. The tiara was a gift from the Grand Duke and Duchess of Baden to their daughter Victoria on her marriage to the Swedish Crown Prince Gustaf in 1881. The Russian-inspired tiara was worn at the Crown Prince Couple's wedding as a necklace.
Princess Birgitta of Hohenzollern Sigmaringen wears the tiara which, in accordance with Bernadotte family tradition, is known as Queen Sofia's tiara. This was probably made for Queen Sofia around 1860.

Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld wears jewellery featuring amethysts and diamonds. This set of jewellery belonged to Queen Josefina (the consort of King Oscar I).

Princess Christina, Mrs Magnuson is wearing the six-button tiara. King Karl XIV Johan had these diamond rosettes affixed to the crown ring of King Erik XIV's royal crown from 1560 in preparation for his coronation at Stockholm Cathedral in 1818. During the reign of King Gustaf V, the old royal crown was restored and the diamond rosettes were removed. These have since been shaped into the six-button tiara.

Crown Princess Victoria's gown

This is the official press release:
The Bride
The Wedding Dress
Crown Princess Victoria's wedding dress was designed by Pär Engsheden.
It is made of cream-coloured duchess silk satin, with short sleeves and a turned-out collar, which follows the rounded neckline. The dress has a v-shaped back with covered buttons. The sash at the waist is buttoned up at the back.

The train is edged with a border, fastened at the waist, and has the same shape as the veil. The train is almost five metres long.

The Crown Princess's shoes are made up in the same fabric as her dress.


The cameo tiara
The word "cameo" means a precious stone decorated in raised relief. The tiara is made of gold, pearls and cameos. The central cameo depicts Cupid and Psyche from Greek mythology.
The seven cameos were not originally carved for the tiara, as can be seen in their different shapes and colours.

The cameo tiara was also worn by Queen Silvia at the royal wedding on 19 June 1976.

The Crown Princess is therefore continuing a tradition started by Princess Birgitta. She was the first Haga Princes to marry, and chose the cameo tiara for her wedding in 1961 to Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern.

Princess Désirée also chose the same tiara as her bridal crown when she married Baron Niclas Silfverschiöld in 1964.



Queen Josefina's legacy
The tiara was probably a gift from Napoleon to his wife, Empress Josephine, in 1809. It was made at the Nitot studio in Paris.
The empress bequeathed the tiara to her granddaughter Josefina who, on 19 June 1823, became the Crown Princess of Sweden when she married Crown Prince Oscar (the future King Oscar I).

With the next generation of the Bernadotte dynasty, the tiara was owned by Queen Josefina's daughter Princess Eugénie, who in turn left the tiara to her nephew Prince Eugen.

The prince gave the tiara to Princess Sibylla on her marriage to Prince Gustaf Adolf in 1932. The King was left the tiara by his mother.


The Bridal Veil
The Crown Princess is wearing Queen Sofia's lace veil. It is the same veil that was worn by Crown Princess Victoria's mother, Queen Silvia, at her marriage to King Carl Gustaf in 1976.
This veil was given by Queen Sofia to her youngest son, Prince Eugen. Prince Eugen then passed the veil on to Princess Sibylla, who wore it under a garland of myrtle at her marriage to Prince Gustaf Adolf in Koburg in 1932.

Queen Sofia's veil was also worn by the Princesses Désirée in 1964, Margaretha in 1964 and Christina in 1974.


The bridal bouquet
The Crown Princess´s bridal bouquet consists of a mixture of traditional Swedish summer flowers and more exotic flowers. All the flowers are white, and the bouquet is tied into a free teardrop shape.

The Crown Princess´s bridal bouquet includes the following flowers: lily of the valley, rose, phalaenopsis orchid, peony, clematis, cosmos, wax flower, sweet pea, dicentra formosa, Mårbacka pelargonium, Amazon lily, gardenia, azalea, bleeding heart and the traditional myrtle from Sofiero