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Saturday, February 29, 2020

James Ogilvy celebrates his 14th birthday (sort of)

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 James Ogilvy, the first of two children of Princess Alexandra and the late Hon. Sir Angus Ogilvy, was born on February 29, 1964.  The Sunday Times headline for his birth said it all:  "A 9lb 6 oz Leap Year son for Alexandra."

Princess Alexandra gave birth at her home, Thatched House Lodge in Richmond Park, Surrey.   After visiting her that evening, her doctors said that the Princess had a restful afternoon and mother and son "are very well."

James Ogilvy was the first of four royal babies born in the spring of 1964.  Queen Elizabeth's fourth child, Prince Edward, was born on March 10.  Alexandra's sister-in-law, the Duchess of Kent, gave birth to her second child, Lady Helen, on April 28.  Three days later, on May 2,  Princess Margaret's second child, Lady Sarah, was born.

Alexandra's mother, Princess Marina, who lived in Kensington Palace, arrived at Thatched House Lodge at breakfast.    After Alexandra gave birth,  her husband, the Hon. Angus Ogilvy presented her with a bouquet of flowers before going into another room to inform members of both families.  The first member of the family to be told was the Queen, followed by a call to the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret at Royal Lodge.  Cables were sent to Angus' parents, the Earl and Countess of Airlie, who were en route from Capetown to England, and to the Princess' two brothers, the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent, both of whom were stationed with the military in Germany.

The new father also called for champagne.  He and the doctors and household staff members celebrated with a toast to the newborn.

James Ogilvy was born 13th in line to the throne.  Following the birth of Lady Sarah, he was in 17th  place.   He takes his rank from his father, the younger son of the Earl of Airlie.   Angus had turned down the offer of an earldom from the Queen at the time of his marriage.

Prayers of Thanksgiving were offered for the Princess and her son in many churches.  Angus Ogilvy attended a service at Westminster Abbey, where he and Princess Alexandra were married on April 28, 1963.

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The baptism took place in the Private Chapel at Buckingham Palace on May 11, 1964.  The Archbishop of Canterbury officiated and was assisted by Maurice Foxell, Sub-dean of Her Majesty's chapels and Domestic Chaplain to The Queen.

The two-month-old baby, who was dressed in the Honiton Lace christening gown first worn in 1840 by Princess Victoria, eldest child of Queen Victoria, was given the names James Robert Bruce.

His sponsors were the Queen, the Duchess of Kent (Princess Marina stood proxy), Prince Michael of Kent (the Duke of Gloucester stood proxy), the Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Menzies (the Earl of Airlie stood proxy), Lord Ogilvy, the Hon. Peregrine Fairfax and Hon. Lady Rowley.

James and his three 1964 cousins were all confirmed on April 5, 1978, at St. George's Chapel. The Rite of Confirmation was performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was assisted by the Dean of Windsor.

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The first years of James' education where he joined Prince Edward and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones.  He and Prince Edward, who remain, close friends, then attended Gibb's pre-preparatory school in Kensington and Heatherdown Preparatory school.  James then attended Eton and St. Andrew's University in Scotland, where he received a Master of Art in the History of Art.  He also has an MBA in 1991 from Cranfield.

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Before attending St. Andrew's,  James joined the Scots Guards, serving in Malaysia where he was found "digging trenches."  This was a short service commission as James wanted to leave his options open for a military career.  His father and his uncle, the Earl of Airlie, had been captains in the regiment.  He also spent time in Hong Kong with his then-girlfriend, Henrietta Newman, whose father was the director of an engineering firm.

James left Eton a year early as he wanted to study in London for a "crammer" course to improve his A-Levels.

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It was at St. Andrews where James met his future wife, Julia Rawlinson, the eldest of three daughters.  Julia's father was the vice-chairman of Morgan Grenfell.

The couple dated for five years before announcing their engagement on February 2, 1988.   Their marriage took place at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Saffron Walden in the presence of the Queen, Prince Edward, the Princess of Wales, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, Viscount Linley, Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, the Duke and Duchess of Kent,  Lady Helen Taylor, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Lord Frederick Windsor, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Marina Ogilvy.


One of the bridesmaids was James' first cousin, Lady Gabriella Windsor, the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

The reception was held at Audley End, which went for the occasion by English Heritage.

At the time of the marriage, James was working as a trainee in the pension department at Barclays de Zoete Wedd.

The newlyweds settled into a house in Fulham.  Julia became the public relations manager at Garrard, the Crown Jewelers.  But after four years in London, they sold their home and moved to Coates House in Fife. They lived in Edinburgh during the week where James was hired by a shipping firm and Julia was appointed as managing director of Hamilton & Inches, a leading Edinburgh Jeweler.

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In an interview with Hello in December 1992,  Julia said "At the moment I am concentrating on my career, but I would like to have a family eventually.  We love being married and I don't want to change all that too fast. We like each other's company and we often take little trips away."

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James and Julia preferred the anonymity of Scotland to life in London.  "We love the country. We were always determined to return to Scotland as James has Scottish roots.  We don't have an estate, just a nice garden, and we walk and fish a lot.  We really don't miss London a lot," Julia said.

The couple's first child, Flora Alexandra, was born at Eastern General Hospital in Edinburgh, on December 15, 1994.

James, who called himself a "Scottish meanie," launched Luxury Briefings, a magazine aimed at the well-heeled, in the fall of 1996.   [James sold the magazine several years ago to FMS Global Media, which now runs the publication.]

Luxury Briefing contained no ads.  "This is a serious business-to-business publication for the people at the top of the industry," James told the Daily Telegraph's, Robert Hardman.

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In another interview with the Telegraph in October 1996, he spoke about his life on the royal fringe.  "When you are born into a situation it's not like being landed with a job. You slowly become acclimatized."

When he joined Edward and Lady Sarah for lessons at the palace, he said there was "no pecking order or sense of being special."    He added: "At that age, you do not understand that your situation is different.  We were always totally equal.  Edward was just a normal friend; he wasn't --- and isn't -- grand.  People imagine that our lives have been much more structured but within The Family, things are very relaxed."

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James knew from an early age that he would have to earn a living.  His father, the second son of the Earl of Airlie,  inherited very little and "struggled to make a living in business."  After Angus was declared negligent as a director of Lonrho, he had to resign from his 50 directorships.

"There was no luxury.  I was kept on a healthily short budget string.  I used to love making things so I would spend my pocket money on paper and paint.  I was always aware of the value of money."

Princess Alexandra was a full-time working royal, who carried out engagements for her patronages and charities in the United Kingdom and abroad.

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"It was no different from any other child being told mummy has to go work.  Some weeks she would work non-stop, but she would make an effort to keep weekends and holidays free."

James's younger sister, Marina, caused controversy in the family when she got pregnant before her marriage to Paul Mowett.  She also publicly accused her mother "of being cold and putting duty before the needs of her children."

Unlike his sister, James would not criticize his parents. "My mother's sense of duty was purely the result of being born into an unusual situation, something you don't have much chance to question.  She feels strongly that it was the role she was given in life.  She comes here and runs off with Flora, our daughter, to the beach. There's a time and place for dignity."

A second child, Alexander Charles, was born on November 12, 1996, at Eastern General Hospital.

Luxury Briefing was produced in James' office, an L-Shaped space in the back of his home.  The magazine was according to CEO Leonard Lauder an "indispensable publication for anyone interested in the prestige and travel markets."

"Working at home and getting to see so much of the children at this stage of their lives is a wonderful thing.  I love it, and my advice to anyone who can do it -- do it," he said in a Town & Country cover story in August 1997.   He had given up his job in Edinburgh to run Luxury Briefing. 

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He was asked if they were living a life of luxury.  "If you define it in terms of gold taps and marble baths, then probably not.  But if it's a luxury to have created a wonderful bit of space for our children and ourselves and to have a bit of time to enjoy it, then yes. If you asked me two years ago to describe my dream life, I honestly believe I'm living it now."

James caught the attention of the British press in November 1997, when he was bitten by a shark while swimming in Florida.  He and his family were "relaxing at a private club during a break on a business trip."   Although he had a "hole in his leg," the injury was not serious and he was expected to make a full recovery.

James and Julia served as mentors for Prince William when he was a student at St. Andrews. "Although William will want his own independence, the Ogilvys will be around to provide a bolthole and a safety net if and when the Prince needs it," said a source close to William.

James also provided support to his wife, when she decided in April 2003 to step down from Hamilton &  Inches to work with several of Scotland's poorest communities.   After spending time visiting "deprived Scottish council estates," Julia said: "It's a disgrace that in 2003 one in four children live in poverty."

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Julia joined Sarah Brown, wife of then Chancellor Gordon Brown, and designer Stella McCartney as patrons of Big Brothers and Big Sisters UK, a charity that provided adult mentors to disadvantaged young children." 

A year later, Julia launched Project Scotland, which helps assist young people to get involved in voluntary work.  She remained with the charity until 2011, although she remains the Honorary President.

https://www.projectscotland.co.uk/about-us/our-board/honorary-president/

James resigned as director of Luxury Briefing in March 2010.  The company was dissolved and sold to FMS Global Media and began a new career in Landscape Design and Photography.

It was the death of two children from Tay-Sachs disease, the children of twin brothers, who were friends of James and Julia that led Julia to question everything in her life.  She left her managing director position and went on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje in Bosnia.  She told Humans of HDS that she did not have a "particularly strong faith at that point, but when I was there, I did discover God in some form, and I found it a very moving and special experience."

Both James and Julia were raised in the Church of England, but Julia found it "quite dull."  After moving to Scotland, they joined the Church of Scotland.  "We did it for the community and because we wanted to bring up our children in the faith."    Julia became an Elder in the Church of Scotland.   The experience in Bosnia was life-changing as, after her return to Scotland,  Julia founded a new church in St. Andrews with several other people.  The church was named Cornerstone.  "You'd probably say I lean towards being Evangelical, but it's much more about a contemporary style of worship that's welcoming to people who are unchurched."

Julia Ogilvy has written several books on faith including Women in Waiting: Prejudice at the Heart of the Church.  She interviewed Professor Sarah Coakley, who was at the Harvard Divinity School for several years.  The professor recommended that Julia meet Professor Stephanie Paulsell, who convinced Julia to come to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to apply for a one-year special student program.  Julia was accepted.

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The family decided to come to America for a year.   Alexander was accepted at Brown University and Flora was graduating from Bristol University with a degree in art history.

Julia loved "HDS so much" that she decided to come back for the school's Master of Divinity program.  She received a Master's in Religion, Ethics, and Politics in 2018. She also has a Diploma in Clinical Pastoral Education.

James' father, the Hon. Sir Angus Ogilvy died on December 26, 2004.

James and Julia divide their time between their home in Scotland and Nantucket Island, where they have owned a summer home for more than 20 years.  James runs Ogilvy Landscape out of his home in Fife but has a client base on both sides of the Atlantic.  He did a landscaping course in 2014 at the Incbald School of Design. “I already had loads of practical experience, of course, but the course (which I did part-time and remotely) taught me techniques such as technical drawing,” he told Homes and Interiors Scotland.

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Flora is based in London. She is the founder of Artviste, where she focuses on "engaging those industries on the periphery of the art market such as finance, fashion, technology, and jewellery, she offers art consultancy, leads tours, and writes for various publications including Artnet and GQ."  She is engaged to marry Swedish-born Tim Vesterberg.

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2019/11/flora-ogilvy-to-marry-tim-vesterberg.html


http://www.arteviste.com/

Alexander attended Merchiston, a private boys' school in Edinburgh, before heading to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where he will graduate in May with a double major in computer science and economics.  His father's first cousin, Lady Gabriella Kingston, also graduated from Brown.

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James remains close to his royal relatives.  In 1990, the Duke of York asked him to be a godfather to the Duke's younger daughter, Princess Eugenie.

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2017/10/julia-ogilvy-masters-student-at-harvard.html

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2018/10/james-and-julia-ogilvy-eugenies-wedding.html If you liked this article I love a vanilla latte

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Margaret to wed commoner


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February 27, 1960


Clarence House has released the following announcement:  "It is with the greatest pleasure that Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother announces the betrothal of her beloved daughter the Princess Margaret to Mr. Antony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, son of Mr. R.O.L. Armstrong-Jones, Q.C., and the Countess of Rosse, to which union the Queen has gladly given her consent."

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Mr. Armstrong-Jones is a professional photograph, according to the New York Times.   Princess Margaret's engagement to "a commoner ends a decade of speculation on her eventual marital choice."

It was just over four years ago, in October 1955, that the Princess ended her relationship with Group Captain Peter Townsend because he had been divorced.

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The date of the wedding has not been announced.

Queen Elizabeth's private secretary, Commander Richard Colville, tells reporters that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh "are delighted because this is such an obviously happy match."

The Queen has asked Mr. Armstrong-Jones to stay at Buckingham Palace "so that he can be in close touch with all the people making the arrangements for the wedding."
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The Princess and Mr. Armstrong-Jones met two years ago at a party in London.  They have spent time together at Balmoral Castle and at Sandringham, both of which are owned by the queen.   They will be spending the weekend at Royal Lodge with the Queen Mother.

Mr. Armstrong-Jones will celebrate his 30th birthday on March 7.  He attended Eton College and Jesus College, Cambridge.  His parents are divorced. His father, Ronald, was married for the third time on February 11 to Jennifer Unite, who is only a year older than Princess Margaret.   His first two marriages to the the present Countess of Rosse and Carol Coombe were ended in divorce.


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Ronald Armstrong-Jones, who served in both world wars, is said to be a "convivial and popular lawyer."

Princess Margaret will be the first member of the royal family to "marry outside royalty or higher ranks of the peerage" since 1919 when Princess Patricia of Connaught, married the Hon. Alexander Ramsay, third son of the 13th Earl of Dalhousie.

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The Queen has informed the Prime Minster Harold Macmillan of the engagement.



Prince Stefan turns 2

Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine with their grandson, Prince Stefan @Crown Prince Alexander.




PRINCE STEFAN TURNS TWO YEARS OLD

Belgrade, 25 February 2020 - His Royal Highness Prince Stefan is celebrating his second birthday with his family.

His Royal Highness Prince Stefan, the son of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philip and Princess Danica, was born in Belgrade, Serbia on 25 February 2018. With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, the bells of Belgrade’s St. Sava Temple tolled heralding the birth of the newborn member of the Serbian Royal Family. That was the first time that the 49 bells of the biggest orthodox temple in the Balkans announced such a birth. The bells of St. George church in Oplenac and Zica monastery tolled heralding the birth, too. This birth of a male child was the first one in the Royal Family in Serbia after 90 years when HRH Prince Tomislav was born in Belgrade, who was the brother of HM King Peter II, the grandfather of HRH Prince Philip.

His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia christened young Prince Stefan at the Royal Chapel of St. Andrew the First-Called in the Royal Compound in Dedinje, Belgrade, Serbia on 15 December 2018. Prince Stefan’s godparents are HRH Prince Alexander (twin brother of HRH Prince Philip), Mrs. Petra Lazarevic and Mr. Dusan Antunovic, long-standing family friends of the Royal Couple Prince Philip and Princess Danica. Joining the Patriarch in officiating the christening was His Grace Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac who married TRH Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine in 1985, and also christened Princes Philip and Alexander. Prince Stefan wore the Christening gown that His Majesty King Peter II wore on the day of his christening officiated by His Holiness Patriarch Dimitrije of Serbia in 1923 in Belgrade, and his godfather was King George V.

Who will return to their thrones?

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February 24, 1945


As the war in Europe moves toward an Allied victor, six exiled monarchs, four kings, a queen, and grand duchesses, watch and wait every political move, each hoping they will be able to "reascend their long-vacated thrones," according to an INS dispatch.

In what is being called the European Monarchical Stakes,  three "will prove to be winners, two may fade before they can reach the winning post, while the sixth is being spoken of in informed quarters as an eventual nonstarter."

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, King Haakon of Norway, and Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg are all expected to regain their thrones when the war is over.  Neither King Peter II of Yugoslavia nor King George II of the Hellenes will return to their countries anytime soon.

King Zog of Albania is not expected to even "leave the starting gate."

Watching from the sidelines from the secure monarchies, including King George VI and the Kings of Denmark, Sweden, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, and Ethiopia.  Less secure are the thrones of the young King Michael of Romania and King Simeon of Bulgaria, who is a child monarch, under the protection of a regency.  No one expects King Umberto to regain his throne, as the monarchy was voted out in a referendum last May.   Also waiting in the wings in exile is Don Juan, the Count of Barcelona, son of the late King  Alfonso XIII, who went into exile in 1931 after Spain was declared a republic.  There is no sign that Generalissimo Franco will restore the monarchy.

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 Grand Duchess Charlotte has the shortest odds as political commentators believe that there is no doubt that the Luxembourg monarchy will return.  The only matter is the actual date of restoration.

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King Haakon VII of Norway is also expected to return although some believe he will abdicate in favor of his son, Crown Prince Olav.  Haakon is 72 years old.  His son has been "closely identified with the Norwegian resistance movement."

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Queen Wilhelmina has been queen for 54 years.  She is an "institution" in the Netherlands. Only a "major constitutional upheaval" could prevent her return.  This seems unlikely, however.


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King Peter II, according to political observers has done "his personal cause incalculable harm" by his objection to the Tito-Subasich agreement. His cause, and, indeed, his throne,  may have been weakened by the frequent squabbles with his British advisors.
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King George II has proved to be "tractable" in accepting the Greek regency, but whether this can translate into a restoration remains to be seen.  The Greek monarchy has not known stability in this century.   There are worries that free elections will lead not to restoration but to a republic.


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No one believes that Zog, who went into exile with his wife, Queen Geraldine, and newborn son, Leka, in 1939, after Italy invaded Albania, will return to his country.  If Albanians decide to restore the monarchy,  Zog is unlikely to get their support.


If you liked this article, perhaps you could treat me to a peppermint latte




Monday, February 24, 2020

Mail call


Finally putting away all the cards that I have received since before Christmas.  I will post more in the next few days. 



















Italian King frees thousands

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 February 24, 1940


King Vittorio Emanuele of Italy today granted amnesty to thousands of Italian prisoners in Italy, Africa and the Dodecanese islands in celebration of the birth of  his newest granddaughter., reports the Associated Press.

Crown Princess Marie Jose gave birth to Princess Maria Gabriella earlier today in Naples.  The infant is the third child for Crown Prince Umberto and his wife.

The new princess weighed eight pounds and ten ounces.  Mother and daughter are said to be "doing well."

The couple's two older children are Princess Maria Pia, age 5, and Prince Vittorio Emanuele, 3, who is second in line to the Italian throne.

Monaco's army mobilized over separation of Princely couple

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 February 24, 1930

The eighty strong Monegasque army has been mobilized following "the stir caused by the marital differences" between Princess Charlotte, heir to the princely throne and her husband, Prince Pierre, reports the Associated Press.

Prince Pierre is said to be a favorite with Monaco's citizens, who instructed the mayor to convey their regrets at his departure from the country and "to express the real sentiments of the population in this crisis the dynasty is traversing."

Princess Charlotte and her husband have filed suits for separation.  Most of the members of Monaco's council have resigned as they do not want to rule on this case.

As the Prince and Princess are Roman Catholic, there are no plans to seek a divorce,  but they will ask for an annulment after courts rule on the separation.


Princess Charlotte and Count Pierre de Polignac were married in 1920.  They have two children, Princess Antoinette ,9,  and six-year-old Prince Rainier.

Princess Charlotte is the only child of Prince Louis II.  Her official titles are Hereditary Princess and Duchess of Valentinois.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Ileana's betrothal will be canceled





February 20, 1930

It now seems likely that the engagement between Princess Ileana of Romania and Count Alexander von Hochberg will now be "accepted as definitely dissolved," although no formal announcement has been made, reports the New York Times.

The Dowager Queen Marie spoke to her daughter yesterday about "all the developments in the affair" and Princess Ileana said she was in favor of ending her engagement.


Earlier today, the Queen and her daughter left Bucharest for Constanza, where they will board a ship to travel to Alexandria, Egypt, on a "voyage of indefinite length."

The Princess has taken "great pains to hide her feelings" as she said good bye to members of her family.  Her mother, however, looked "deeply depressed."

It is expected that the official announcement will be made within the next few days, when the Princess and the Queen will be on their way to Egypt.

The Princess's adjutant, Colonel Manulescu, who was responsible for the announcement of the engagement at a ball at the Predeal Sporting Club last month, has been relieved of his duties.  He has been made "the scapegoat" for making the original announcement "in the most unsuitable circumstances" and without the queen's approval.

Friends of Ileana's older brother, Crown Prince Carol, have suggested that this incident is "proof of the necessity" for Carol's return.  As head of the royal house he would have been "able to protect his sister's name."

But is is Ileana who is suffering greatly as her "feelings have been treated with scant delicacy by those who launched attacks against her prospective bridegroom."

It is understood that inquiries into Count Alexander's past have been "extended into his financial circumstances."   His father, the Prince of Pless, is  wealthy man with large estates, but this does not mean that his second son will benefit from the family's wealth.

Bucharest newspapers have ceased to report about the aborted engagement, although it is a topic of conversation in Bucharest.  There is "unqualified sympathy" for Princess Ileana.

Monday, February 17, 2020

Earl and Countess of Snowdon announce they are divorcing


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"The Earl and Countess of Snowdon have amicably agreed that their marriage has come to an end and that they shall be divorced.

They ask that the press respect their privacy and that of their family.


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Their divorce is expected to be finalised later this year, making 2020 an already equally difficult year for the Royal Family after its woes in 2019.

David and Serena have agreed that their marriage has broken down, they have in effect been living separate lives for some time.

But they are determined to handle their separation in a civilised manner. There is no blame or acrimony on either side.


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They have simply reached a point at which they both feel they have to move on."

The Earl of Snowdon is one of two children of the late Princess Margaret and the late 1st Earl of Snowdon (ne Antony Armstrong-Jones).   He was born at Clarence House on November 3, 1961.  He has a younger sister, Lady Sarah who is married to Daniel Chatto.


@Marlene A Eilers Koenig   I did not own a zoom lens in 1993

As Viscount Linley (the courtesy title for the heir apparent to the earldom),  David married the Hon. Serena Stanhope on October 8, 1993 at St. Margaret's Westminster.   She is the daughter of Charles Stanhope, the 12th Earl of Harrington (who was Viscount Petersham at the time of his daughter's wedding) and his first wife, Virginia Freeman-Jackson.

@Marlene A Eilers Koenig


Lord and Lady Snowdon have two children:  Charles Patrick Inigo Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley (July 1, 1999) and  Lady Margarita Elizabeth Rose Alleyne Armstrong-Jones (May 14, 2002) /

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Lord Snowdon's interview with Vanity Fair in 2017 gave a big clue (at least to me) that the couple were living apart.



Sunday, February 16, 2020

Prince Alexander von Preussen weds Jenny von Rumohr

Prince Alexander von Preussen, the eldest son of Prince Adalbert of Prussia and his wife, Eva Maria Kudicke, was married in a civil ceremony in Munich on Valentine's Day.

Alexander Friedrich Wilhelm-Viktor Marcus Prinz von Preussen was born on October 3, 1984 at Munich.  He has two younger brothers, twins, Prince Christian and Prince Philipp.

He attended the Hockerill Anglo-European College, a boarding school in Bishop Stortford, England.  He has degrees in international economics and international business, from Universita Commerciale 'Luigi Bocconi,' and Maastricht University.

Since August 2019, Prince Alexander has been employed as a Senior Director Digital and Investments at Holtzbrinck Digital in Munich.

Jenny von Rumhor is the elder daughter of Joachim von Rumhor and  Baroness Amélie von Holzing-Berstett.  She was born on December 15, 1985 at Nuremberg.   Jenny has a younger sister, Elena.


She has a Bachelor's degree in European Studies from Maastricht University and a Master's of Art in International Peace and Security from King's College in London.

The new princess is the Head of the Migration Office for Bavaria and Thuringia at MW Malteser Werke.

A date and place for the religious wedding has not been announced.

Prince Alexander is a descendant of Queen Victoria. 

Victoria - Victoria - Wilhelm II - Adalbert - Wilhelm Viktor - Adalbert - Alexander.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-von-preussen-793442110/?originalSubdomain=de

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-von-rumohr-58644047/?originalSubdomain=de

Thursday, February 13, 2020

White Lodge for the Prince and Princess of Wales


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February 14, 1900


Queen Victoria is planning to give White Lodge in Richmond Park to the Prince and Princess of Wales as a "suburban residence," reports the Washington Post.  The Prince and Princess have "frequently expressed" the desire for a "quiet retreat" not too far from London for use during the summer season when the "temperature at Marlborough House, as elsewhere in the metropolis, is sufficiently tropical."

For a number of years, the Prince and Princess have rented Chiswick House, near the Thames and Richmond but have had to give it up as the owners are selling.



Only a few years ago, many had believed that the Duke of York would take over the house following the death of his mother-in-law, Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck who died in 1897.   White Lodge had been the home of the Duchess of York until her marriage, but the Duke "pointed out" that he could not afford to maintain the house.  It is now vacant due to the recent death of the "poor demented Duke of Teck.

The Duchess of York's father died on January 21.

So now, White Lodge, a "stately pile, consisting of a center block, with two side wings connected by corridors of so defined a curve that the ground plan of the building constitutes the segment of a circle." 

The mansion has an imposing look and is "surrounded by exquisite grounds, and a commanding magnificent view of the royal park of Richmond."

The grounds will be "especially convenient" for the Prince and Princess of Wales' annual garden party.

The Duke and Duchess of York's first child, Prince Edward of York, was born at White Lodge in June 1894.  His baptism took place there on July 16, 1894.