Another grandchild for Princess Caroline?

One should be surprised, but one isn't ... really.  I am not surprised about Charlotte Casiraghi, elder daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco.  The very beautiful 26-year-old, who has competed in international show jumping events, and represents Gucci's equestrian clothing line, is apparently with child.  

No official confirmation from Princess Caroline's office, but it does appear that Charlotte, who has been dating French-Moroccan actor-stand up comedian Gad Elmaleh, 41, has an expanding waist line.

http://www.bild.de/unterhaltung/royals/charlotte-casiraghi/huetet-sie-ein-baby-geheimnis-31056710.bild.html

http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/gallery/2013063013285/charlotte-casiraghi-monaco-horse-jumping/5/

Miss Casiraghi has apparently not competed since April.    Getting pregnant before the wedding is a tradition in the Grimaldi family.

Prince Rainier III's mother, Princess Charlotte (for whom Charlotte Casiraghi was named) was the natural daughter of Louis II and an entertainer Marie Juliette Louvet.  They never married.  Albert I legitimate his granddaughter so she could become the heir to the throne.

Rainier's older sister,  Princess Antoinette, bore three children, Elisabeth-Anne, Christian and Christine-Alix, out of wedlock between 1947 and 1951.  The father of the three children was Alexandre Noghés, a Monagesque lawyer and tennis player.  They married in December 1951, several months after the birth of their youngest child.  They divorced three years later, and Antoinette married two more times.

Princess Caroline has been married three times. Her first marriage to Philippe Junot ended in divorce.  No issue.  She was already pregnant with her first child, Andrea, when she married Stefano Casiraghi in December 1983.   Andrea was born in June 1984.

Stefano was killed in a boating accident in October 1990.    In January 1999, Caroline married Prince Ernst August of Hanover.  Their daughter, Princess Alexandra, was born seven months later.

Andrea, who could end up as the Sovereign Prince of Monaco if Uncle Al does not produce a legitimate heir, recently became the father of a son, Sacha, born in London in March.  He lives with the baby mama, Tatiana Santo Domingo.  They have talked about marriage, but so far no wedding bells.

Princess Stephanie, the youngest child of Prince Rainier and his American wife, Grace Kelly,  has two children, Louis (1992) and Pauline (1994) by her former bodyguard, Daniel Ducret.   They married in 1995, and were divorced a year later.   Stephanie also has a daughter, Camille, whose father is said to be Jean Raymond Gottlieb.  Camille was born in 1998. 

Prince Albert has two acknowledged natural children:  Jazmin Grimaldi, born in California, in March 1992, and Alexandre Coste, born in August 2003.

Alexandra: here's why

 

I don't have any inside details on the sex, weight, date, or color of hair for the soon-to-be born royal baby.

In 1982, when I was a news librarian with the Associated Press in New York City, I won the office pool.  I was the only person to get the date of birth, the sex and the name. 

No office pools this time, and I am not offering any bets for date or sex.  Name, perhaps.  George is a really good choice for a boy.  A good solid regnal name.  George VI was much loved.  George V was a solid monarch who reigned through very difficult times.  

William and Catherine are largely traditionalists.  It seems likely that their children will have largely traditional royal names.    I am partial to Victoria, but the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge could name the baby Elizabeth or Charlotte or Eleanor or even Mary.

Punters have decided that Alexandra will be the first name.  No quibbles from me.

The first Alexandra in the Royal Family was Princess Alexandra of Denmark, who married the future Edward VII in 1863.  The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh named their third daughter, Alexandra, born in 1878.  (It is possible that she was named for her maternal grandfather, Alexander II of Russia.)

Queen Alexandra's eldest granddaughter, the first child of Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife, was given the first name Alexandra.  She was styled Lady Alexandra Duff until 1905 when King Edward VII upgraded Alexandra and her sister Maud to princess with the style of Highness.  This was soon after Louise was named as Princess Royal.

In 1912,  Alexandra became the Duchess of Fife in her own right, as HH Duchess of Fife, succeeding her father.  A year later, she married her mother's first cousin, HRH Prince Arthur of Connaught.  The Duchess' new style was HRH Princess Arthur of Connaught.

The Duke and Duchess of York named their first daughter, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, honoring the infant princess' mother, great-grandmother and grandmother.

Alexandra was the name chosen by the Duke and Duchess of Kent, again honoring the late Queen Alexandra.    Princess Alexandra was born on Christmas Day in 1936.

In the late 1950s, the young Princess Alexandra began to take on royal duties, largely due to the dearth of younger princesses.  In 1963, she married the Hon. Angus Ogilvy, younger son of the Earl of Airlie.   They made their home at Thatched House Lodge in Richmond Park, although the Princess also had a small apartment in St. James's Palace, which came in handy for official engagements and other events in London.

Alexandra and Angus had two children,   James, born on February 29, 1964, and Marina, who was born in 1966.   Sir Angus died on Boxing Day in 2004.

Princess Alexandra is able to say that she is a first cousin of the Queen and a first cousin once removed of  the Duke of Edinburgh.  The late Duke of Kent and late George VI were brothers, as were the fathers of Princess Marina and Prince Philip of Greece (Prince Nicholas and Prince Andrew.)

Alexandra is firm favorite of both the Queen and Prince Philip, often invited to private family events.   The Queen is one of James Ogilvy's godparents.

all three photos by Marlene A. Eilers Koenig

Princess Alexandra is one of Prince William's godmothers.  Her son, James, who attended St. Andrew's University, has been a mentor to Prince William.  His home, near Edinburgh, was a bolt hole for Prince William, during his time at university.

Princess Alexandra, now 76, has been sidelined with polymyalgia rheumatic.  All of
her engagements have been cancelled. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2351758/Concern-Queens-cousin-Princess-Alexandra-76-cancels-public-duties-ill-health.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

It is possible that William and Catherine will choose to honor the mother of William's friend, James Ogilvy, by naming their daughter, Alexandra.

It certainly would be a popular choice, as Alexandra is much loved.  The infant Princess would have a lot to live up to as Princess Alexandra epitomizes everything a Princess should be. 

I also won't be surprised if James Ogilvy is named as one of the baby's godparents, whether it is a boy or a girl.

Blame the dog for Carola's illness

June 28, 1899

Queen Carola of Saxony's recent severe illness was "brought by a little dog," writes the Marquise de Fontenoy.  The Queen is "frightfully shortsighted," recently was walking through a badly lit room at Schloss Sybillenort, when she fell over a pet dog lying in the floor.  She was carrying a porcelain vase, which "was dashed to pieces and cut her face severely."

The queen developed erysipelas, and it seemed for a few days that King Albert would be "relieved of the amiable, but homely and childless consort who had been forced upon him by his father."

The Marquise notes that King Albert's first marriage to an actress was morganatic.  She also states that they "a large family of children."   But Albert was apparently forced to abandon his wife, and marry the daughter of (Crown Prince) Gustav Vasa, the last "male scion of the illustrious dynasty" that once reigned in Sweden.

The morganatic wife and their children "were shipped off to Hamburg," where the wife "married a man who squandered her fortune," and caused her to quarrel with King Albert, who eventually cut off her allowance.  It was only after her death four years ago in a London workhouse that her true identity was revealed.

Queen Carola was once "on the eve of becoming the Empress of the French."  Before he married Eugenie,  Napoleon III was sought Carola's hand in marriage, and she "intimated her readiness to accept him," but her father made her break off the engagement, as he would never permit "a parvenu" to marry his daughter, a "member of an illustrious race."

Instead,  Carola was forced to marry a man who did not love her.

It's a girl!

June 28, 1943

Crown Princess Marie José of Italy has given birth to her fourth child, a daughter, according to the Associated Press, which learned of the birth from a radio report in Rome.

The infant princess has been named Maria Beatrice.  The couple have two daughters, Princess Maria Pia, Princess Maria Gabriella and Prince Vittorio Emanuele, who is second in line to the Italian throne.

Bavarian royal marriage annulled

June 28, 1913

The marriage of Archduchess Isabella of Austria and Prince Georg of Bavaria has been annulled by the Pope, according to a cable sent to the Los Angeles Times.

The Archduchess left her marital home only three days after the wedding ceremony.  She is now living in a convent, which is in "compliance with the Vatican's decree that she should do this, otherwise her marriage would not have been annulled."

She plans to study nursing after she leaves the convent.

Distaff heir will not be Duchess of Cornwall

According to Dickie Arbiter, former press secretary to the Queen, and noted Royal Expert,  the heiress apparent will not have the style Duchess of Cornwall, as the eldest child of the Sovereign.

The title will remain for the eldest son of the Sovereign.  The heiress apparent will have access to the duchy's funds through a Sovereign's Grant.

[It has not yet been stated if the heiress apparent will have the title of Princess of Wales and Countess of Chester or, in Scotland, Duchess of Rothesay.]

If baby Cambridge is a boy, the discussion of titles for an heiress apparent will be moot for at least another generation.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2351742/MOS-DIARY-Why-Kates-baby-STILL-face-trace-Royal-sexism.html

Edward & Sophie in Romania

all 4 photos:  copyright Prince Radu of Romania

Two of my favorite British royals visiting two of my absolute favorite people!

The Earl and Countess of Wessex are on an official visit to Romania.  They met with Crown Princess Margarita and Prince Radu of Romania at the Elisabetha Palace in Bucharest.

http://www.princeradublog.ro/jurnal/principele-edward-prima-zi-a-vizitei-oficiale-in-romania/

and video of the arrival

http://stirileprotv.ro/video/vizita-oficiala-din-partea-familiei-regale-britanice-printul-edward-si-contesa-sophia-in-romania/61345012

It's over says Mabel

Mabel Corey

June 24, 1929

Oh dear, the marriage pans of Prince Luis  of Orleans-Borbon and the former Broadway star Mrs. Mabel Gilman Corey "have been abandoned," according to Mrs. Corey, who "broke her long silence" by talking with a United Press reporter.

The former wife of a Pittsburgh steel millionaire decided to break her silence to say that "everything is finished."  But she refused to reveal the reason for the break up of the "20 year romance" with King Alfonso XIII's cousin.

"You can never say anything is final," Mrs. Corey said over a cup of tea.  "Even archaeologists say no one had ever known definitely when the world began or will it end."

The marriage was called off largely to money.  Mrs. Corey admitted that she was "tired of the financial wrangling, involving the marriage contract."    Her offers of a financial settlement were never enough to please Prince Luis.

Mrs. Corey and Prince Luis' mother, Infanta Eulalia, remains strong.  The Infanta is also not happy at the "turn of events."

"Mrs. Corey took such a deep interest in my son, who needs a wife who is devoted but severe."

Prince Luis remains at his home in San Remo as he is barred from entering France.  Mrs. Corey is at her home, Villa Genis, in France.

The saddened Mrs. Corey said:  I met Don Luis on my honeymoon, and we have loved each other for 20 years.  It is hard, but impossible to turn the sacrament of marriage into a bargain counter. I do not know if I ever will love another. For the present, I do not care.

"I have always said American men make ideal husbands, although they lack the polish of many Europeans.  If I had married Don Luis, I would have had to remain in Italy, but now I shall never leave France.  Really, I don't think one man or ten is worth the sacrifice of selling my castle in France."

Although she maintains the interior of the castle, the "sunken gardens and parks are unkempt."

Manoel and Auguste Viktoria go shopping

June 24, 1913

Former King Manoel of Portugal and his fiancée, Princess Auguste Viktoria of Hohenzollern are "two of the happiest people in London," according to the New York Times.

Manoel, "unfettered by the ties of Kingship," is a young man in love, able to spend all of his time with his fiancée, who is staying at London's Claridge's hotel. 

He drives in every morning from Richmond, "bringing beautiful bouquets"  to the princess, and they spend time on "happy shopping excursions," unnoticed by others.

They also take time visiting each other in Richmond and London.

A rare image of young Princess Elizabeth

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/10137555/Unseen-picture-of-young-Princess-Elizabeth-forms-centrepiece-of-new-exhibition.html


I am not convinced that this is a rare and unseen photograph of Princess Elizabeth. 

The second image is from my collection. Princess Elizabeth is wearing the same sweater.  Same publisher,  King & Wilson.   I am sure the two images are from the same photo shoot.

On February 9, 1929, King George V, traveled to Bognor to convalesce at Craigweil, the home of Sir Arthur du Cros, from a serious illness.  He spent three months by the sea.  According to Kenneth Rose's King George V, "he also delighted in the company of his granddaughter, Princess Elizabeth, who was not quite three."

My image was published in Harold Nicholson's King George The Fifth His Life and Times

Baptism of the Prussian twins

The five month old twin sons of Prince Georg Friedrich and Princess Sophie were baptized earlier today at the Christuskapelle at Burg Hohenzollern.

Around 50 close family and friends attended the baptism.

The twins were named Carl Friedrich Franz Alexander and Louis Ferdinand Christian Albrecht. 

The ceremony was private.

http://www.burg-hohenzollern.com/nachricht/items/Taufe.html

The wedding of Princess Lucia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies

Marlene A Eilers Koenig collection

Schloss Nymphenburg, October 28, 1938, the marriage of HRH Prince Eugenio Alfonso Carlo Maria Giuseppe of Savoy, Duke of Ancona, Duke of Genoa (190601996), 6th child of Prince Tommaso of Savoy, Duke of Genoa and Princess Marie Elisabeth of Bavaria, married Princess Lucia Maria Rainiera of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (1908-2001), 5th child of Ferdinando, Duke of Calabria, and Princess Marie of Bavaria.

The Prince and Princess of Fürstenberg

Marlene A. Eilers Koenig collection

Maximilian Egon Christian Carl Aloys Emil Leo Richard Anton,   Prince of Furstenberg and his wife, Irma, born Countess of  Schönborn-Buchheim.  They were married at Vienna on June 19, 1889.  


Heinrich, the present Prince of Furstenberg,  is Max's great-grandson. Max was a close friend of Kaiser Wilhelm II.

The Duchess of Cambridge's family -- and royalty

A rather interesting article about the Duchess of Cambridge' family ties to British royalty

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/kate-middleton/10135251/How-the-family-of-commoner-Kate-Middleton-has-been-rubbing-shoulders-with-royalty-for-a-century.html

and a piece I wrote two years ago on Catherine's possible descent from Henry VIII

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2011/03/kates-royal-descent.html

Queen Elizabeth II Wins Gold Cup at Ascot

Queen Elizabeth II was supposed to present the trophy to the winner of the Gold Cup Race at Ascot today.

This would have been difficult to do as the Queen's filly, Estimate, crossed the finish line first, which meant that the Queen was the winner.  This was the first time that the Sovereign's horse had won this race.

It would have been awkward for the beaming Queen to present the trophy to herself, so her second son, the Duke of York, quickly stepped in.

I bet that trophy has a pride of place, perhaps even on the Queen's nightstand, so it will be the first thing she sees tomorrow morning. 

Want to see pure joy!   Take a look at Mark Stewart's photographs, especially the first photo! 

http://markstewartphotographyltd.tumblr.com/post/53466509311/ladies-day-at-royal-ascot-sees-great-joy-in-the

Prince Albert and Prince Nikola

@ Eric Mathon, Palais Princier 


Prince Albert II and Prince Nikola of Montenegro in the background

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Foundation Petrović Njegoš officially signed today a partnership agreement.

 

"On the occasion of an official visit by H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince to Montenegro, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Foundation Petrović Njegoš created by the Nikola II Petrović-Njegoš, Crown Prince of Montenegro. 

 

The Foundation Petrović Njegoš and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, aware of their complementarities in the fields of research, science and environmental protection, wished to define the bases of their collaboration. Through this partnership, these two entities are committed to acting jointly by:  

 

• co-supporting projects in their common fields and geographical areas of action
• sharing experiences and producing common tools for capitalization and knowledge development. 

This agreement was signed by Ms Tania Turquin Spicanovic, Vice-President of the Foundation Petrović Njegoš and H.E. Mr Bernard Fautrier, Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

 

The first illustration of this partnership will be the cofounding of the “Information Centre for Education and Promotion of Skadar Lake”, a project whose aim is to protect an endangered species: the Dalmatian pelican."

 

http://www.fpa2.com/actualite-417.html#

Queen Victoria has melancholia

June 20, 1883

The Truth, a London magazine, has a report about Queen Victoria's mental state.  "The Queen has for two months been in a state of mild melancholia, which in the course of time, if not relieved, would probably become very difficult to treat.  Her condition has naturally caused great anxiety because of the tendencies of her family.  Her Majesty and Princess Beatrice will, in the Autumn, go to the vicinity of Florence, Italy, where they will remain for two months."

The Truth did not elaborate on the tendencies in Victoria's family.

Royals dance the night away at Cecilie's ball

June 20, 1949

Twenty princes and princess and a "sprinkling of Americans feasted on lobster, venison, caviar and salmon," as they danced the night away to the "gayest tunes" at the pre-wedding ball for Princess Cecilie of Prussia and Clyde Kenneth Harrison,  according to the Chicago Tribune.

The polterabend was held in the Count's Hall at Burg Hohenzollern in Hechingen.

The guests on the "black and white marble floor under a pseudo-gothic ceiling."  The walls seemed to come alive "with the outlines of the Hohenzollern family tree from the year 1000."  Many of the guests made their way outside in the castle's "cobblestone court yard."

Princess Cecilie, 31, elder daughter of former Crown Prince Wilhelm and Crown Princess Cecilie, and Texan, Clyde Harris will be married tomorrow in two ceremonies.  The first ceremony will be the civil ceremony, as required by German law.  This will take place in the castle's library.  The mayor of Hechingen will officiate.

At noon, the couple will be married in the castle's chapel.  The officiant will be the Protestant pastor from the village church in Hechingen.   He has chosen a passage from Ruth: "Thy people shall be my people" as the theme for his sermon.

Harris told reporters that he hoped to have Cecilie's "entry papers for the United States completed in four weeks."  He will fly home to Amarillo Texas, and begin the process after he arrives.   Once Princess Cecilie receives permission, she will travel to the United States by ship.

Most of the royal guests are "Prussian relatives, all refugees in western Germany from the Russian zone," as their homes have been confiscated or destroyed."

Queen Marie off to Yugoslavia

June 20, 1929

Dowager Queen Marie of Romania is planning to leave early next week for Yugoslavia to be with her daughter, Queen Marie, who is "awaiting accouchement at Bled," reports the Associated Press.

She will be out of country for about twenty days, and will visit Zagreb and the Dalmatian coast.

Prussian twins: baptism

The twin sons of Prince Georg Friedrich and Princess Sophie of Prussia will be baptized on Saturday June 22 at the evangelical Christus-Kirche at Burg Hohenzollern.  The two princes will be baptized according to the rites of the Lutheran Church.


The twins,  Prince Carl Friedrich and Prince Louis Ferdinand, were born on January 20 in Bremen. 

The baptismal service will be private.  The castle will not open to the public until 2:00 p.m.


Prince Carl Friedrich has already been added to the family tree painted on the wall at Burg Hohenzollern.  


http://www.swp.de/hechingen/lokales/hechingen/Preussen-Zwillinge-werden-auf-der-Burg-Hohenzollern-getauft;art5612,2067993

Boris to marry Kira: official

Embed from Getty Images

June 19, 1929

The New York Times is reporting that a "formal announcement is expected soon" of King Boris III of Bulgaria and Grand Duchess Kira of Russia, whose father, Kirill, "proclaimed himself head of the House of Romanoff in 1922, and is recognized as such by a considerable section of the former Russian nobility."

"It is quite a love match," according to White Russian circles in Paris. The parents of the 20-year-old Grand Duchess "are actively identified with the Russian monarchist cause," and members of their circle are "openly rejoicing" over the upcoming marriage with the Bulgarian sovereign.
In the last few years, King Boris "has been previously reported engaged to several Greek princesses and at one time it was believed that all arrangements had been made for his marriage to Princess Ileana of Rumania." More recently, the king was said to be engaged to Princess Giovanna of Italy, however, her parents, the king, and queen of Italy objected to their daughter renouncing her Catholic faith for the Bulgarian Orthodox church. (Giovanna's mother, Elena, converted from Orthodoxy to Roman Catholicism when she married Vittorio Emanuele.)

Embed from Getty Images

The religious question is not a bar to a marriage with Kira, who is a member of the Russian Orthodox church.

It is understood that Kira's aunt, Queen Marie of Rumania, has played the matchmaker. It has been said that she had hoped for a marriage between Ileana and the king, but "have had something to do with the romance" between her niece and the king. Kira's mother, Grand Duchess Victoria, is Queen Marie's sister.

Queen Marie is "credited with introducing her tall blond niece to Boris."

Last April, Queen Marie and Princess Ileana were guests of Grand Duke Kirill and Grand Duchess Victoria at their home in St. Briac, and, "according to intimate friends" of Kira's family, Marie "was charged by Boris with a delicate personal mission."

German titles renounced

Embed from Getty Images

June 19, 1917

King George V made the following announcement earlier today:

"The King has deemed it favorable in the conditions brought about by the war that those Princes of his family who are his subjects and bear German names and titles should relinquish these titles and henceforth adopt British surnames.  At the same time and consequent upon this decision the King is pleased to confer peerages of the United Kingdom on the following: The Duke of Teck, Marquis; Prince Alexander of Teck, Earl; Prince Louis of Battenberg, Marquis; Prince Alexander of Battenberg, Marquis."

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

The Court Circular also included an announcement about the "further abolition of German titles" now held by members of the British royal family.

"Their Highnesses Princess Helena Victoria and Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein will henceforth be styled as their Highnesses Princesses Helena Victoria and Princess Marie Louise, respectively."

  Embed from Getty Images

It's a boy!!!!!

June 19, 1913

Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain gave birth to a son earlier tonight, reports the Associated Press.   This is the sixth child for the queen and her husband, King Alfonso XIII.  The couple's fourth child was stillborn.

King Alfonso and the former Princess Ena of Battenberg were married on May 3, 1906.

Four generations!

Embed from Getty Images

This will be the second time in modern royal history with a three generation direct line of succession.  The first occurrence was in 1894 when the Duchess of York gave birth to her first son, Edward, on June 23.  Prince Edward of York became third in line to the throne after the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York.   However,  Edward and his younger brother and sister, Prince Albert and Princess Mary, were not born with the rank of HRH.  This style was limited to the children and grandchildren of the sovereign in the male line.  Prince Edward was a great-grandchild of the sovereign in the male line.  He and his two younger siblings were born with the style of HH, His or Her Highness.

This changed in 1898.

Crown Office, May 31, 1898
The Queen has been pleased by letters patent under the Great Seal, to declare that the children of the eldest son of any Prince of Wales shall have, and at all times hold and enjoy, the style, title, and attribute of "Royal Highness".
The three York children were immediately upgraded to HRH due to the new Letters Patent.

Where and How: Baby Cambridge

The Duchess of Cambridge is expected to give birth in mid-July.  The birth will take place at the Lindo Wing, St. Mary's, Paddington.

The Duke of Cambridge plans to be present for the birth.   The Duchess is not too posh to push, and has opted for natural childbirth.

Baby Cambridge will be the tenth royal baby born at St. Mary's.   The Duchess of Gloucester was the first member of the royal family to give birth at St. Mary's.   All three of her children were born at St. Mary's:  Alexander (the Earl of Ulster, born two months prematurely, on October 24, 1974); Lady Davina (November 19, 1977), and Lady Rose (March 1, 1980).

Four days before the Duchess of Gloucester gave birth to Lady Davina,  Princess Anne checked into the Lindo Wing, where she gave birth to her first child, Peter Phillips on November 15, 1977.   Zara was born at the hospital on May 15, 1981.

Princess Michael of Kent's two children, Lord Frederick (April 6, 1979) and Lady Gabriella (April 23, 1981) were also born at St. Mary's.


Prince William was born at the hospital on June 21, 1982.  Prince Harry is the most recent royal birth at the hospital.  He was born on September 15, 1984.

The first royal birth in a hospital:  July 25, 1970 when the Duchess of Kent gave birth to a son, Nicholas, at King's College Hospital, in London.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/kate-middleton/10129598/Duchess-of-Cambridge-opts-for-natural-childbirth-and-doesnt-know-the-sex-of-her-baby-aides-disclose.html

Heir to Russian throne is engaged

Embed from Getty Images

June 18, 1893

Czarevitch Nicholas Alexandrovitch, heir apparent to the Russian throne, is betrothed to Princess Alix of Hesse and By Rhine, according to a Chicago Tribune Dispatch. 

The Princess recently celebrated her 21st birthday.  She is the youngest daughter of the late Princess Alice, third child of Queen Victoria, and Grand Duke Ludwig IV of Hesse and By Rhine,  who died last year.   The current Grand Duke is the Princess' older brother, Ernst Ludwig.

Nicholas is 25 years old and the son of Alexander III and his wife, Marie Feodorovna, born Princess Dagmar of Denmark.  She is a younger sister of the Princess of Wales.

Will the Duke of Coburg abdicate?

June 19, 1899

According to the Berlin correspondent of London's Daily Mail,  The Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha is making plans to step down as sovereign later this year.

"In the course of a secret session of the Diet of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha yesterday, the Minister of State, Councilor C.F. von Strenge made a confidential communication that Duke Alfred of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the reigning Duke, would probably abdicate this year."

Duke Alfred was born Prince Alfred Ernest Albert, Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen Victoria.  He is married to Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia, daughter of Alexander II.  He succeeded his paternal uncle, Ernst II, in August 1893.

The Duke's only son, Hereditary Prince Alfred, died earlier this year in February.   The heir apparent is the Duke's younger brother, Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, who is married to Princess Louise of Prussia.  They have two daughters, and one son, Prince Arthur.

The Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was born in August 1844.

Royal wedding: Croy-Bavaria

Marlene A. Eilers Koenig collection

June 18, 1953

Hereditary Prince Karl of Croy and Princess Gabriele of Bavaria were married today by Josef Cardinal Wendel, Archbishop of Munich, reports the New York Times.

Prince Karl is the son of the Duke of Croy and his first wife, American Nancy Leishman, who lives in Paris.   Princess Gabriele is the daughter of former Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria and his second wife, Princess Antonia of Luxembourg, a younger sister of Grand Duchess Charlotte.

Ena won't come to son's wedding

June 18, 1933

Former Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain will not be attending the civil and religious weddings of her son, Alfonso, according to an Associated Press dispatch.

Alfonso, the former Prince of Asturias, renounced his rights "as heir to the Spanish throne, will marry a Cuban-born commoner Edelmira Sanpedro in civil and religious ceremonies later this week.  The church wedding will take place in Ouchy, Switzerland.

Both ceremonies "will be public," and members of Spain's "high society" are expected to attend the Roman Catholic service, but Alfonso's parents and siblings will not be present for either ceremony.

Queen Ena has sent her son a letter "detailing complications and expressing disapproval of his marriage to a commoner.
Alfonso, who is now known as the Count of Covadonga, and his bride will sepend several weeks at Evian-les-Bains on Lake Geneva.

Crown Prince Alexander savors the food.

copyright: Royal family of Serbia
 

Exhilarating smell from the Royal kitchen


Kitchen of Princess Katherine and Prince Alexander II Karadjordjevic


Although he admits he prefers the role of a traditional Serbian man who does not like to spend time around a stove, the Crown Prince helps his wife from time to time, because they realised a long time ago they function best as a team
Story: Zaneta Apostolovski
Photo: Nebojsa Babic
The story about menus with stuffed pheasants, quail eggs, lobsters and other delicacies that were once served at glamorous nobility European receptions at Serbian Royal Palace in Dedinje was true for special occasions only. Crown Prince Alexander II, his wife Crown Princess Katherine and sons Princes Peter, Philip and Alexander enjoy much simpler meals. Their favourite is fruit, vegetables, fish, and local specialties. Serbian Crown Prince, who had King George VI and his daughter Princess Elizabeth as his godparents at his baptism, inherited the love for our traditional cuisine from his father, King Peter II.
- My father kept telling me that biggest delicacy were “cevapi” and “sarma”. I realized that he was right, but to prepare both of it, the chef has to be a real master. Not that anybody could prepare it. Besides that, I love “kajmak” also. Although I know it is very bad for good shape, I cannot always resist it - admits Crown Prince Alexander.
Although it was a long time ago since their male lunches and talks about Serbia, Belgrade, Oplenac and life at the Royal Palace, but Prince still has vivid memories about that.
- As the great majority of Serbs do, my father loved bread and hors d’oeuvre, while my mother, Queen Alexandra, took great care about her diet, so she ate only salads. Dad loved very much wines from Oplenac produced in the Royal vineyards, that were served during official visits of European rulers, as well as in many foreign Royal Palaces.
At the foothill of St. George Church, in which finally the remains of all members of Karadjordjevic Family were put to rest following wish of his great grandfather King Peter I, there is a Royal winery, founded in 1931, and Royal vineyard, where the first vine was planted back in 1914. The vineyard was renewed by King Alexander with French sorts of grape Pinot noir, Traminer, Chardonnay and Gamay.
Part of the winery is turned into Museum, where the first barrels for Royal wines are still kept. Different bottles from the same period are part of the exhibition. Unfortunately, the vineyards were destroyed to a great extent after the World War II, but the scent of grape is once again present in Oplenac, and the Royal winery has modern production equipment.
- I am very happy that these wines are getting better each year. We were very successful wine producers in the past, and I am glad that we have continued with this tradition. Rose, red and white wines were produced in the winery. We reactivated the tradition to serve our wines to guests at the Palace.
The Foundation in Oplenac is a non-profit one, but Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine attend grape picking in Topola each October, and do their best to present wine produced there not just to guests in their country, but all around Europe. They brought it to Russia as well, where Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev had an opportunity to enjoy it.
Crown Princess Katherine realized that he was a man who enjoys good food during their first meeting in Virginia in 1984. They met over lunch in a Greek restaurant.
- It was love at first sight. I remember that Greek dishes were on the menu: Saganaki, fried cheese, cucumbers and Tzatziki Sauce. Afterwards, I wanted to take her out to taste some Serbian specialties. Unfortunately, there are not so many our restaurants abroad, but I managed somehow. Besides that, friends always brought us food from Serbia. I remember that we used to drink “Knjaz Milos” mineral water in America.
Life in the Palace, the beauty of Oplenac and the history of Serbian Dynasty that his father told him in exile, all of that Crown Prince Alexander fully understood only after he got permission to move to the land of his ancestors.
- We returned to the Royal Compound in July 2001. I was overwhelmed by emotion, after I finally saw where my father, my grandfather and grandmother used to live.
Many visitors had a chance to see menus of the Royal Palace in the past at an exhibition organized in Dedinje. The exhibits show that even then great care was taken about everything: food, silverware, china, table arrangement.
Obviously my ancestors took great care to present our country in the field of gastronomy in best light to the world, and they did their best to be good hosts. Therefore my wife and I try for years to restore the good image of Serbia. Everyone knows that our country went through difficult times, but we want to show them that our country has very rich tradition, world famous artists and their works, good athletes, scientists. Our goal is to improve the image of Serbia and to promote it in different fields, from gastronomy to art. I am very happy that people are interested in our history, the Royal Palace and the art collection that we have, because the National Museum is still closed.
- Our people say that a country without King is no good, and I extended that motto to the Royal Kitchen, because it is also not good without him, jokes Princess Katherine who has been engaged in humanitarian work for 20 years. Her Foundation has offices in New York, Chicago, Toronto, London, Athens, and Belgrade, of course, and is helping people regardless of their origin or belief.
- My husband and I are very devoted to humanitarian activities. We work hard, try to help everyone, and that is much easier since we live in Serbia, because we can see what is needed and when. Serbs are proud people, never ask for anything, and therefore I have even greater desire to help them. Their love and affection is all I need, and there is nothing that two of us would not do for Serbia. I am grateful to my parents who taught me that greatest joy is in giving, and who prepared me, without knowing, for the role I acquired by marrying a Serbian Prince.
Marriage with Alexander brought many obligations, and she learned along the way how to find balance between wishes and possibilities, but she also realized that many dreams come true.
We celebrated Alexander’s fiftieth birthday at Claridge’s Hotel, the place where he was born. The British Queen Elizabeth, her husband Prince Philip, and many other European Royals came. My husband made a wish then, and that wish came true. We celebrated his sixtieth birthday in Serbia.
The celebration lasted for three days, and members of many Royal Families came to the reception at the Royal Palace, among them King Gustav XVI and Queen Silvia of Sweden, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Prince Philipp Erasmus and Princess Isabelle of Liechtenstein…
And Princess Katherine organized the great celebration impeccably, as same as Queens from Karadjordjevic Dynasty once have done.

 

 

[NOTE:  Serbian wines ... and the food ... delicious!]

Delphine seeks official recognition from Albert

Will the King answer the summons?

http://www.expatica.com/be/news/belgian-news/sculptor-seeks-recognition-as-belgian-king-s-daughter_267584.html

Royal Guests for Prince Andreas's 70th birthday

On Saturday King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden were in Germany for a private visit.  Victoria arrived before her parents, with both flights arriving at Erfurt-Weimar airport. 

They were among 140 guests who attended the private party at Schloss Callenberg  in honor of Prince Andreas of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha's 70th birthday.   Other guests included Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium, Prince Laurent and Princess Claire of Belgium, Prince Michael and Princess Dagmar of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, the Prince and Princess of Hohenzollern, and Albert Darboven and his wife, Princess Edda of Anhalt.

The King and Queen received a police escort to their four star hotel in Coburg.  On Sunday, they flew to Oslo, Norway, as they began an official visit to Norway today.
Prince Andreas and his family have not released any official details about the party.  Photographers were outside taking photos of the arrivals.


http://www.infranken.de/regional/coburg/Koenigin-Silvia-Coburg-Schwedenschanze-Schwedisches-Koenigspaar-zu-Besuch-in-Coburg;art214,460079

http://www.welt.de/newsticker/leute/stars/article117183546/Schwedens-Koenigsfamilie-besucht-Feier-in-Deutschland.html

http://www.insuedthueringen.de/regional/thueringen/thuefwthuedeu/Koenigliche-Geburtstagsgaeste-landen-in-Thueringen;art83467,2637334

A lovely Princess Jolanda of Savoy

Unlike her younger sisters who married foreign royals, Princess Jolanda married for love  - the Italian count Calvi di Bergolo, thus allowing her to live a far more quiet life amid the tumult of the 1930s, the rise of fascism, and the end of Italian monarchy.

The State Funeral - a Souvenir

Princess Editha of Bavaria's death notice

Young Grand Duke Wladimir

Grand Duke Wladimir of Russia, only son of Grand Duke Kirill and Grand Duchess Victoria Feodorovna of Russia, getting ready to slay a few dragons!

Alfonso signs renounciation

June 13, 1933

The Prince of Asturias, eldest son of the former King Alfonso XIII of Spain, today renounced his "royal rights" in favor of his brother, Don Jaime, the Associated Press reports.

The AP learned of the renunciation from a highly placed Spanish source. 

The younger Alfonso will soon marry Cuban commoner Edelmira Sampedro.  King Alfonso had asked the Duke of Miranda to go to Lausanne to "make a final effort to induce"  Infante Alfonso to "abandon the marriage."

The Prince refused to be swayed, but agreed to renounce his rights to the throne. 

Don Jaime now becomes the Prince of Asturias "and any rights pertaining to the title."

The marriage between Alfonso and Eldemira will take place in Lausanne after all the "technicalities are smoothed out."

Prince Peter: another statement regarding interest in throne

June 13, 1903

Before leaving his home in Geneva for the country, Prince Peter Karageorgevitch, who was proclaimed King of Serbia by Army officers following the assassinations of King Alexander and Queen Draga, spoke exclusively to the Los Angeles Times.

It now seems more likely that the Prince will be formally elected king by Serbia's Parliament.

Before leaving for the country, the Prince said:  "I am deeply gratified at the interest taken in American in my affairs, as little Serbia is so far removed from America, with no political interests in common.

"But my enemies would be quick to take advantage of any indiscreet utterance I might make, I can say little at present.   I consider myself at this moment simply a foreigner living in Geneva.

"I expect to secrete myself in the country away from my friends, as well as other people, until Tuesday, after the decision of the Skuptschina.  The I shall make a proclamation.

"I have telegraphed to my brother-in-law, the King of Italy, asking him to counsel me in deciding whether it is best to renounce my rights in favor of my son, George.  I have had no communication with the Czar.  The only reason why it might be best to make my son King is that he could start fresh and without enemies it would be impossible for me not to make.  But in that case I should expect to be appointed regent during his minority.  I desire only what is best for my unhappy country."

Madeleine and Chris: the honeymoon

Swedish newspaper, Aftonbladet, is reporting that Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neill have left the country.

The reception continued well into the wee hours of the morning -- and the music did not stop until 5 am.   The Princess and her husband were smuggled out of Drottningholm on Sunday, slipping out of the palace unnoticed on Sunday, and were driven to the airport in an unmarked car. 

Their trip to the airport was carried out in great secrecy.  The first stop was the United Kingdom, but where the couple flew after this is not known.  The palace won't even confirm or deny that the couple have left Sweden.   "The honeymoon is private.  So it is not something we will comment on," said palace spokesman Bertil Ternert.

Noted Swedish royal expert Roger Lundgren believes the couple are in the Caribbean.  "My guess is that the destination will be swimming and sunbathing, maybe in the Caribbean in a place where they can be alone.  Chris has wealthy friends so it is conceivable that they may have been lent a house in warmer climes," according to Aftonbladet.

  Update:  the newlyweds are in the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean.

http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/har-firar-madde-och-chris-smekmanad/

He also spoke to several members of the Royal Family, who, according to Lundgren, are very fond of Madeleine's new husband.

During the reception, Chris O'Neill spoke eloquently and emotionally about is late father, Paul, who died in 2004.  "If he were here now, he would love Madeleine almost as much as I love her." 

King Carl XVI Gustaf, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Carl Philip also gave speeches during the reception.

Princess Madeleine's wedding: Bunte

 

 

 

I want this magazine.  Really.   My local bookstore, Borders, carried Bunte and other foreign publications, but Borders died nearly two years ago.  The Barnes & Noble in my area does not carry any foreign magazines ....

 

So excited ... thank you ...

 

 

Vielen dank!

Prince Peter eager for throne

Embed from Getty Images

June 11, 1903

From his home in Geneva, where he has lived since 1895, Prince Peter Karageorgevich spoke with a reporter from the Chicago Daily Tribune.

"Let the world know that I had no hand in this plot for assassination, which is a detestable crime.

"Why could they have not arrested the couple and sent them across the frontier?  It would have answered the purpose just as well.  This is not the fifteenth century."

He was asked if he would accept the throne.  Prince Peter responded:  "Nothing has yet been offered to me.  How can I accept?  Supposing I answered yes, what figure should I cut in Europe if the throne were offered to another or a pretender appeared."

Prince Peter maintains close relations with Austrian emperor Franz Joseph and Nicholas II of Russia.  He did not think that either of them would oppose the return of the 'true dynasty.'

He has no plans to return to Serbia, and will remain in Geneva until he receives "definite news," although he acknowledged that he is troubled by the delay.

"I have many friends in Serbia.  Some of their names appear in the list of the new government."

The Russian consul in Geneva issued a statement: "Prince Karageorgevitch declares himself innocent of the tragedy at Belgrade.  He said that through his grandfather he undoubtedly had the best right to the Serbian throne and intended on taking it if possible for the sake of his son but he expected to meet with great difficulties and hoped for assistance from Austria."

Prince Peter is 53 years old and a widower.  He has three children,  Prince George, 16, Alexander, 14, and 19-year-old Helene.  The family lives in an "extremely simple manner and occupies a whole house, an unusual thing in Geneva."   They live on the Rue de la Bellotte in an "elegantly furnished" house. 

The Prince is not wealthy and has only a "woman servant and a valet."  He has no "entourage."  His late wife, Zorka, was a daughter of Prince Nicholas of Montenegro.

Assassination at the Palace

Embed from Getty Images

June 11, 1903

King Alexander and Queen Draga of Serbia were assassinated early this morning in Belgrade, reports the New York Times.  This "military conspiracy, which subsequent events had the sympathy of the majority of the Serbian people,"  took place early this morning.

Queen Draga's two brothers and several Government officials were also murdered.

The Serbian army has proclaimed Prince Peter Karageorgevich as King, and it is expected that "this decision will be confirmed by the Serbian Parliament" later this month.

The revolution took place without "any opposition on the part of the people of Belgrade."

The country and the capital remain "tranquil" with no incidents.  Although details of events are "conflicting," owing to the "extraordinary secrecy" in which the plots were carried out.

The "chief conspirators were all men of high rank," and had the support of the Serbian army.

The Obrenovic dynasty had ruled Serbia for nearly a century, but the coup and assassinations were due to King Alexandra and Queen Draga's attitude toward the army, which they "always treated with scant courtesy."

One of the final straws was the King's decision to move the War School from Belgrade to Shebatz.  This caused great offense to army officers.

Today is also the 35th anniversary of the assassination of King Alexander's grand uncle, Michael, who was killed by the agents of Alexander Karageorgevich, the then "leading member of house, which has long disputed the throne of Serbia" against the Obrenovic dynasty.

Embed from Getty Images 

 The assassinations were carried out with "consummate skill."   The King and Queen "passed the eve of their death quality."  They had supper in the Konak.  Meanwhile, the conspirators were meeting at the Kalemegdan Park. The Sixth Infantry was chosen to carry out the coup d'état.

At about 1 a.m., members of the sixth and seventh regiments "were called to arms" and marched toward the royal palace, which they soon surround.   Approximately, thirty officers forced their way into the palace, "shooting all who attempted to bar their passage."

They were aided by "treason within," as the aide-de-camp on duty, Colonel Naumovics, had already pledged his support, and was involved with the plan.  Dynamite was used to force open the doors leading to the royal apartments.  Col. Naumovic burst into the royal bed chamber with a bomb. 

Officers had asked the King to open his door, but he refused.  As the officers ran into the bedroom, King Alexander ran to a window and "appealed for assistance," but none came.

Embed from Getty Images 

 He soon realized the situation.  He returned to Queen Draga, and held her tightly, as Col. Naumovics and other officers entered the room.  The King was presented with a paper demanding his abdication.  The document included a statement "that by marrying Draga the King had degraded Serbia," and he needed to abdicate.

King Alexander drew his revolver and killed Naumovics.  Colonel Mischics picked up the document and made the same demands.  Alexander grabbed the paper and refused to sign it.

This was the final action from King Alexander.  Within seconds other officers fired "a hail of bullets," and the king and queen fell to the ground.  The King "lingered" until about 4 a.m.

There had been some resistance as the "occupants had tried to escape into the garden."

A "single cannon announced the execution of the plot."   Prince Peter was proclaimed king.  More military filled the streets of Belgrade.

Embed from Getty Images 

One could hear cries of "Long live Karageorgevitch!" and "Long live the Army."  One of the biggest cheers was for Queen Draga's brother-in-law, Col Maschin, who had taken part in the regicide.

The time of the assassination was given as 2 a.m.  The victims included King Alexander, Queen Draga, the Queen's two brothers, Premier Markovitch. the Minister of War, two aides-de-camp, and two other officers." 

The Queen's two sisters and other government officials may have been killed as well."

Reports outside Belgrade indicate that Serbia accepts the end of the Obrenovic dynasty "without regret."

A better future for Serbia is being forecast by the local newspapers.

One newspaper reports that the bodies of the late king and queen "were placed in shrouds and lowered from a window of the palace to the gardens," and then taken away in a "baggage wagon."

If you liked this article, perhaps you can buy me a flat white.

A superb intervew with Crown Prince Alexander

Crown Prince Alexander was recently interview by the Daily Telegraph


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/serbia/10103708/Crown-Prince-Alexander-II-the-man-who-would-be-king-of-Serbia.html

He'd get my vote!

Updated list: British representatives to royal events

For those who like to keep track of such things, here is a list of European royal events (Marriages, funerals) with the British representation.

The invitation is sent to the Sovereign, and it is the Sovereign who makes the ultimate decision on who represents him or her.   Straws are not drawn. 

Belgium

1909 King Leopold II funeral Duke of Connaught
1927 Crown Prince Leopold wedding: Prince Henry
1934 King Albert I funeral: The Prince of Wales
1935 Queen Astrid funeral: Duke of York
1953 Princess Josephine Charlotte wedding: Princess Margaret (but due to Queen Mary's death, was unable to attend. Geoffrey Allchin, the British Minister attended instead.)
1959 Prince Albert wedding: none
1960 King Baudouin wedding: Princess Margaret and Mr. Antony Armstrong-Jones
1983 King Leopold III funeral: the British Ambassador
1993 King Baudouin funeral: Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh
1999 Crown Prince Philippe wedding: the Prince of Wales

DENMARK

1878 Princess Thyra wedding to Duke of Cumberland: Sir Charles represented Queen Victoria, Lord Colville represented the Prince of Wales, Colonel Teesdale represented the Princess of Wales, & Captain Mildmay represented the Duke of Cambridge. (The Royal Family was in mourning for Princess Alice, who died a week earlier.)
1898 Queen Louise Funeral: the Princess of Wales (her daughter)
1906 Christian IX Funeral: Queen Alexandra
1912 Frederik VIII Funeral: Queen Alexandra (sister) and Prince Arthur of Connaught
1926 Queen Louise Funeral: Prince Arthur of Connaught
1935 Crown Prince Frederik Wedding: Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught and Lady Patricia Ramsay. Prince Arthur was the official representative. He was the bride's uncle.
1947 Christian X Funeral: Duke of Beaufort
1950 Queen Alexandrine funeral: no one (Alexandrine's request was for a very simple funeral)
1967 Crown Princess Margrethe wedding: Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent
1968 Princess Benedikte wedding: Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (godmother)
1972 Frederik IX funeral: Duke of Edinburgh
2000 Queen Ingrid funeral: Prince of Wales.  The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra and Lady Saltoun attended privately
2004 Crown Prince Frederik wedding: The Earl and Countess of Wessex

Germany

1878 Princess Charlotte wedding: Duke of Connaught
1881 Crown Prince Wilhelm wedding: The Prince of Wales, Duke of Edinburgh
1892 Princess Margarete wedding: Duke of York; Duke and Duchess of Connaught
1905 Crown Prince Wilhelm wedding: Prince Arthur of Connaught. Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein attended
1913 Wedding of Princess Victoria Luise King George V and Queen Mary

Greece

1889 King Constantine I wedding: Prince of Wales (with Princess and 4 children)
1912 Funeral of George I Prince Alexander of Teck
1938 Wedding of Prince Paul: Duke and Duchess of Kent
1947 Funeral of George II: Duke of Beaufort
1964 Funeral of King Paul: Duke of Edinburgh, who represented the Queen, and Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent
1964 Marriage of King Constantine. Duke of Edinburgh. The Prince of Wales and Prince Michael of Kent were two of the crown bearers. Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent also attended, as did Princess Anne.

Hanover

1900 Princess Marie Wedding to Max of Baden: Sir Horace Rumbold, British Ambassador in Vienna represented Queen Victoria
1904 Princess Alexandra wedding: Duke and Duchess of Teck
1923 Duke of Cumberland funeral: no one
1933 Duchess of Cumberland funeral: Sir Eric Phipps, British Ambassador in Vienna
1987 Prince Ernst August funeral: Prince Edward

Hesse and By Rhine

1878 Princess Alice funeral: The Prince of Wales, accompanied by Prince Leopold & Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein
1884 Princess Victoria wedding: Queen Victoria, Prince & Princess of Wales
1892 Grand Duke Ludwig IV funeral: Duke of Edinburgh

Italy

1930 Crown Prince Umberto wedding: the Duke of York

Liechtenstein

1967 Prince Hans Adam wedding: Duke of Edinburgh declined due to a previously scheduled polo match
1989 Princess Gina funeral: Prince Edward
1989 Prince Franz Josef funeral: Princess of Wales

Luxembourg

1981 Hereditary Grand Duke Henri wedding: The Duke of Edinburgh
1982 Princess Marie Astrid's wedding: Prince Andrew, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
1985 Grand Duchess Charlotte funeral: Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester
2005 Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte's funeral Prince Andrew, Duke of York
2012 Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume's wedding: the Earl and Countess of Wessex

Monaco

1956 Prince Rainier wedding: none
1982 Princess Grace Funeral: The Princess of Wales
2005 Prince Rainier funeral: Duke of York
2011 Prince Albert wedding: the Earl and Countess of Wessex. Prince and Princess Michael of Kent also attended but did not represent the Queen.

Netherlands

1890 Willem III Funeral: Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, representing Victoria
1934 Queen Emma funeral: no official representation, although Lady May Abel Smith attended.
1934 Prince Hendrik Funeral: British Ambassador
1937 Princess Juliana wedding: Duke of Kent and Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone
1948:  Queen Juliana's installation:  Princess Margaret, accompanied by the Earl of Athlone and Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone.
1962 Princess Wilhelmina funeral: Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone
1966 Crown Princess Beatrix's wedding: Princess Alexandra (a witness). Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent also attended
1980: Queen Beatrix installation:  the Prince of Wales
2002 Crown Prince Willem-Alexander wedding: Prince of Wales and the Earl and Countess of Wessex
2002 Prince Claus funeral: the Prince of Wales
2004 Princess Juliana funeral: Duke of Edinburgh
2004 Prince Bernhard funeral: Duke of Edinburgh
2013  King Willem-Alexander's installation: the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall.

Norway

1929 Crown Prince Olav wedding: Duke (best man) and Duchess of York
1938 Queen Maud Funeral: Duke of Kent
1953 Princess Ragnhild wedding: Princess Margaret
1954 Crown Princess Martha funeral: the Duke of Gloucester
1957 King Haakon VII funeral: The Duke of Gloucester
1961 Princess Astrid: Princess Margaret
1968 Crown Prince Harald wedding: Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (but did not go due to Princess Marina's funeral
1991 King Olav funeral: The Prince of Wales
2001 Crown Prince Haakon wedding: The Prince of Wales, The Earl and Countess of Wessex

Portugal

1908 King Carlos & Crown Prince Luiz funeral: Prince Arthur of Connaught
1913 King Manoel wedding: the Prince of Wales

Romania

1921 Prince Carol and Princess Helen wedding: None
1921 Princess Elisabeth and King George of the Hellenes wedding: None
1922: Coronation of Ferdinand and Marie:  the Duke of York
1927 King Ferdinand: None although the Duke of York represented the King at the Memorial Service at the Greek Cathedral of St. Sophia in London, which was held on the same day as the funeral.
1938 Queen Marie Funeral: Duke of Kent
1948 King Michael Wedding in Athens: None

Russia

1866 Tsarevitch Alexander to Dagmar of Denmark: Prince of Wales (brother-in-law of bride)
1884 Grand Duke Serge wedding to Elisabeth of Hesse: Duchess of Edinburgh
1894 Alexander III funeral: The Prince of Wales
1894 Nicholas II & Alix of Hesse: The Prince of Wales (with the Princess)
1928 Empress Marie funeral: Duke of York

Spain

1902 King Alfonso XIII Proclamation: Duke of Connaught
1906 King Alfonso XIII wedding: the Prince and Princess of Wales
1962 Juan Carlos and Sophia of Greece wedding: Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, Princess Alexandra (bridesmaid) and Prince Michael of Kent, and Lord Mountbatten
1969 Queen Victoria Eugenia funeral: the Duke of Kent (for the Queen)and Lord Mountbatten (for the Queen Mother)
1975 King Juan Carlos I Accession ceremonies: Duke of Edinburgh
1993 Count of Barcelona funeral: Prince of Wales
1995 Infanta Elena wedding: Prince of Wales
1997 Infanta Cristina wedding: Prince Edward
2000 Countess of Barcelona funeral: Prince of Wales
2004 Wedding of the Prince of Asturias: Prince of Wales

Sweden

1907 King Oscar II Funeral: none
1920 Crown Princess Margaret funeral: the Earl of Onslow (most members of the Royal, including the king and Queen and Prince Albert and Princess Mary, attended a memorial service at the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace on the same day.)
1932  Hereditary Prince Gustaf Adolf wedding:  the earl of Athlone
1950 King Gustav V Funeral: Duke of Gloucester
1965 Queen Louise Funeral: Princess Royal, representing the Queen and Lady Pamela Hicks, representing Lord Mountbatten. The Duke of Edinburgh, who was Louise's nephew, was on an official trip and did not return for her funeral
1973 King Gustaf VI Adolf funeral: The Duke of Edinburgh. He was joined by Lord Mountbatten and the Princess of Hesse. Lord Windlesham represented Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone.
1976 King Carl XVI Gustaf wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
2010 Crown Princess Victoria wedding: the Earl and Countess of Wessex
2013 Princess Madeleine wedding: the Earl and Countess of Wessex

Yugoslavia

1922 King Alexander and Princess Marie of Roumania wedding: The Duke and Duchess of York
1934 King Alexander funeral the Duke of Kent
1944 King Peter II wedding: King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Duke of Gloucester, and Duchess of Kent
1972 Crown Prince Alexander wedding: Princess Anne

Crown Prince Alexander pays respect to slain monarchs

Both photos:  @HRH Crown Prince Alexander

Belgrade, 11 June 2013 – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II laid a wreath on the tomb of Their Majesties King Alexander and Queen Draga Obrenovic. His Royal Highness was accompanied by Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine.

 King Alexander and Queen Draga Obrenovic were assassinated in a coup d’etat on this date 110 years ago. The last King of the Obrenovic Dynasty was buried with his wife in the Crypt of St. Mark's Church in Belgrade.

 Prince Peter Karadjordjevic, the great grandfather of HRH Crown Prince Alexander II, was appointed King of Serbia by a Constitutional Assembly of the Serbian Parliament and Senate two weeks later. He was crowned King of Serbia on 21 September 1904 in St. Michael's Cathedral Church in Belgrade. The reign of HM King Peter I the Liberator was a period of great prosperity and stability for Serbia.

Princess Maud to marry

June 10, 1923

The engagement of Princess Maud to Lord Carnegie was "officially announced tonight," reports the New York Times.

Princess Maud is the younger daughter of the Princess Royal and the late Duke of Fife.  Lord Carnegie is the eldest son and heir of the Earl of Southesk.

Princess Maud, who was born in 1893, has spent "most of her life quietly with her mother," the widow of the Duke of Fife whose death was the consequence of a shipwreck in the fall of 1911.  Although the family was rescued and made it to shore, the Duke never fully recovered from the "effects of the immersion" and died in January 1912 from "congestion of the lungs."

Princess Maud is said to be an "expert angler," and has spent "many happy hours" with her uncle, King George V, on the River Dee.  She holds the "record of having caught the biggest salmon ever taken on the Dee."

She also enjoys swimming and "delights in the open-air life."  She is an "extremely good linguist," and is fluent in German and Italian.

The King announced the marriage with "great pleasure" and "gladly gave his consent" to the marriage.

Princess Maud's sister, Alexandra, Duchess of Fife in her own right, has been married since October 1913 to Prince Arthur of Connaught.