Princess Margaretha celebrates her 90th birthday

 

HRH Princess Margaretha Désirée Victoria of Sweden was born on October 31, 1934, the first of five children of  HRH Hereditary Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden and HH Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Margaretha's parents were great-grandchildren of Queen Victoria.  She was born in the Haga Palace in Haga Park in Stockholm.

Margaretha and her three younger sisters, Princesses Birgitta (1937), Princess Désirée (1938), and Princess Christina (1943) do not have succession rights to the Swedish throne.  They were born when the succession was limited to males.  This is called Salic law.

In 1980, Parliament promulgated a new succession law based on absolute primogeniture.  This means the succession of the eldest child, not the eldest son.  The new law applied to King Carl XVI Gustaf and his descendants.  The law was not retroactive.  The King's four older sisters and their descendants are not in line to the Swedish throne.

The Princess had a relationship with Robin Douglas-Home (1932-1968), a jazz pianist, and a member of the British aristocracy.  He was the son of the Hon. Henry Douglas-Home, younger son of Charles Douglas-Home 13th Earl of Home, and Lady Margaret Spencer.  Robin's uncle, Alec Douglas Home, became Britain's Prime Minister in 1963.   He was a first cousin of John, 8th Earl of Spencer, father of the present Earl

Their relationship and possible marriage were front-page news in Sweden and in England.  According to Margaretha's nanny,  Ingrid Björnberg's memoirs, the princess was reluctant to pursue a relationship that could lead to marriage.

Margaretha with her parents, Sibylla and Gustaf Adolf

Margaretha and Birgitta

Margaretha, Birgitta and Desiree

Princess Margaretha with her grandmother, the Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

the Hereditary Princess with Princess Margaretha and Princess Birgitta

Sibylla with her four daughters: Margaretha, Birgitta, Desiree and Christina

Margaretha and Cark Gustav in 1946

Four sisters

Margaretha and John Amber's engagement photo

The couple met at a dinner in London in 1963.  Amber was a businessman. He was the managing director of Atlas Air Express.

The couple were married on June 3, 1964, at the Gärdslösa Church on Öland, near the Royal Family's summer home, Solliden.  She eschewed family tiaras in favor of the church's bridal crown.   As she married a commoner,  Margaretha lost her HRH and was styled as Princess Margaretha, Mrs. Ambler.  

Of the four sisters, only Princess Birgitta retained her HRH as she married HSH Prince Johan Georg of Hohenzollern.

new parents:  Margaretha and John Ambler with their daughter, Sybilla and Princess Desiree, and Baron Niclas Silfverschiöld with their son, Carl.  1965  Swedish Information Service

January 1972:  Margaretha with her two older children, Sibylla and Edward Ambler with her grandfather, King Gustav VI Adolf (Photo given to me by the Swedish Information Service)

@Desmond O'Neill.   Photo given to me by John Ambler

Princess Margaretha and John Ambler arriving for King Gustav VI Adolf's 90th birthday celebration at the Opera House in Stockholm (11-11-1972  Photo given to me by the Swedish Information Service

June 1976: Margaretha attends the Special Gala performance for King Carl XVI Gustaf and his fiancee Silvia Sommerlath.  Photo given to me by the Swedish Information Service

Princess Margaretha and John Ambler with their three children, Sibylla (1965),  Edward (1966), and James (1969) lived in Chippinghurst Manor in Oxfordshire for many years, until financial issues forced then to move into a small home.  The couple separated in 1994 but never divorced.  John Ambler died in 2008.

She has six grandchildren, Baroness Madeleine von Dincklage Baron Sebastian von Dincklage (from Sibylla's marriage to Baron Cornelius von Dincklage,  Sienna and India Ambler (Edward and Helen) and Lily and Oscar Ambler (James and Ursula.)

The Princess has lived in Chipping Norton for more than 30 years.  She often visits Sweden and remains close to her younger brother. 

Edward Ambler is a landscape designer and owns Ed Ambler Gardens.  https://edamblergardens.com/

James and his wife, Ursula co-founded Moor Consulting, based in Cornwall. 

 https://moorconsulting.com/

Prince Ludwig and Princess Sophie of Bavaria introduce their son

 

Teresa Marenzi / Iconoclash Photography

Earlier today, Haus Bayern issued this statement:

"Prince Ludwig and Princess Sophie have been humbled and delighted by the many warm wishes and kind congratulations received for the birth of their first child.

They would like to express their heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation for the many generous gifts they received from all over the world for the birth of their son Prince Rupprecht: from baby clothes and toys to books and plush animals - some lovingly handmade - they deeply appreciate each thoughtful gesture.

The young family is doing well and looks forward to supporting their son as he grows up."

HRH Prince Rupprecht Theodor Maria was born in Munich on August 6, 2024.

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2024/08/a-son-for-ludwig-and-sophie-alexandra.html

A girl for the Hereditary Prince and Princess of Sweden

Embed from Getty Images 

 October 30, 1934

Hereditary Princess Sibylla of Sweden gave birth to a daughter this morning in Stockholm, reports the New York Times.  Mother and daughter are said to be "doing well.

The Princess is the wife of Hereditary Prince Gustaf Adolf, son of Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf, and the late Princess Margaret of Connaught.  

This is the first child for the Hereditary Prince and Princess who married two years ago in Coburg, Germany.  The princess was born Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

The infant princess's birth was "announced to the public" by a forty-two gun salute.  The birth of a prince would have been "marked by  a salute of eighty-four guns."

A Thanksgiving Service will be held later today in the palace's chapel in honor of the new princess, whose birth makes King Gustaf V the only "great-grandfather among the reigning Kings of Europe."

Princess Sibylla's mother, Duchess Viktoria Adelheid arrived from Coburg several days ago and was one of the first people to visit "her after the birth of the baby girl."

Succession to the Swedish throne is based on Salic law, which means the infant princess does not have dynastic rights.

Michael Graf von Buquoy (1941-2024)

 Michael Carl Maria de Longueval, Count von Buquoy, was the eldest son of Ferdinand de Longueval, Count von Buquoy(1915-1986) and Countess Charlotte von Ledebur-Wicheln (1913-1994).   He died in Starnberg, Bavaria at the age of 84. 

Michael Count von Buquoy

He married Carlotta Hilda Maria Anna Assunta Giulia Brunetti on April 29, 1972 at the Klosterkirche in Andechs, Bavaria.  Carlotta was the second of three daughters of HRH Princess Editha Maria Gabriela Anna Kunigunde of Bavaria (1924-2013) and  Tito Tommaso Maria Brunetti(1905-1054).   They had two children: Nicolo Ferdinand Carl Maria de Longueval, Count of Buquoy (1976), and  Flora-Serena Editha Maria Assunta de Longueval, Countess of Buquoy (1979).

Michael and Carlotta were sixth cousins, descendants of  Leopold II, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and his wife, Infanta Maria Luisa of Spain.   Michael is a descendant of Leopold's eldest son, Emperor Franz, and Carlotta descends from two younger sons, Ferdinando, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary.

Michael and Carlotta (1989)   (All four photos courtesy of Carlotta Brunetti.)

Michael was the head of the Buquoy family, a French noble family from Picardy that "served the Habsburgs in many places."  They settled in Bohemia in 1620.  The Palais Buquoy has housed the French Embassy in Prague since 1919.

In 2003, he retired after a long and distinguished career with Commerzbank. One of his co-workers said: "We will keep a loyal and grateful memory of the aforementioned colleague."

In 2017, Count Michael visited the Bucher church in Austria (@Bucher church)

Michael Count von Buqouy was 83 years old.

A Habsburg engagement: Anna-Carolina of Austria to marry Briton

 

John Constable Straker was born on October 23, 1990, in Northumberland, most likely in Hexham, as his parents, James Andrew John Straker and Rodrica Consuelo Chichester-Constable.  He has three younger siblings, Isabel, Crispin and Beatrice.   

 HI & RH Archduchess Anna-Carolina of Austria is a member of the former ruling family of Austria. She was born in Munich, Germany, on June 11, 1996, the eldest of six children of HI & RH Archduke Eduard Karl Joseph Michael Marcus Antonius Koloman Volkhold Maria of Austria and Baroness Maria Theresia Katharina Elisabeth von Gudenus.  Her younger siblings are Archduchesses Theresa, Sophie, Ladislaja, Rose, and Archduke Paul.

Her paternal grandparents are HI & RH Archduke Michael of Austria and HSH Princess Christina of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg, whose brother, Aloys, is the Prince of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg.   

Archduke Eduard is Hungary's Ambassador to the Holy See and the Sovereign Order of Malta, succeeding his father, Archduke Michael, in the latter position. His son, Archduke Paul, a recent graduate of Thomas Aquinas College in Massachusetts, is an intern with the Order's UN Mission in New York City.

https://rlo.acton.org/archives/126019-an-interview-with-archduke-eduard-habsburg.html

Anna-Carolina also has Habsburg ancestry from her mother, a descendant of Archduke Johann of Austria (1782-1959) and his morganatic wife, Anna Plochl.   Johann was the 13th child of Emperor Leopold II of Austria and Infanta Maria Luisa of Spain.   

Johann and Anna had one son, Count Franz von Meran, who married Countess Theresia von Lamberg.  Maria Theresia is a descendant of Franz's son Count Johann, Count of Meran (1867-1947), and his wife Countess Ladislaja von Lamberg (1870-1952).

@LinkedIn

 Jack is a graduate of Eton (2009).   He has a Master of Arts from the University of Oxford (foreign languages and literature) and an MBA from the IE Business School.  After several years working in London, he returned home in the summer of 2022 to take over the family business. He is the co-owner of the Burton Constable Holiday Park & Arboretum.   

His mother's family home, Burton Constable, is now owned by the National Heritage Memorial Fund, which purchased the house and estate in 1992 and established the Burton Constable Foundation.  Rodrica and Jack are members of the Foundation.  The family maintains an apartment in one of the Hall's wings.  The Straker estate, Greenshaw House, is in Hexham.

Jack is also a member of the Historic Houses' Next Generation Committee.

Although his father, James Straker, was Anglican,  Jack and his siblings were raised as Roman Catholics, their mother's faith.  He and his brother, Crispin, have been volunteers with the Order of Malta.  For three years, he was the advisor to Fra' Matthew Festing, Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta.  His position ended in September 2017 following Festing's resignation earlier that year.

Due to Archduke Eduard's position in Rome, it is possible that Anna-Carolina and Jack could marry at the Vatican.  Eduard's brother, Archduke Paul, is a priest with the Order of Legionaries of Christ.

The future bride and groom are (if I counted right) 14th cousins once removed as both are descendants of King James V of Scotland (1512-1542).   Anna-Carolina is a descendant of the king's legitimate daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots.  Jack's line of descent is through two of James's illegitimate sons,  James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray (1531-1570), and Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of Orkney (1533-1593). 

According to the French-language blog, https://gothanjou.blog/  Archduchess Anna-Carolina has 66 lines of descent from King James V of Scotland.

King James V's mother was Margaret Tudor, the elder daughter of King Henry VII of England.   

https://burtonconstableholidaypark.co.uk/

https://peeragenews.blogspot.com/2024/10/strakerhabsurg-lothringen-engagement.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc9_uPSjT30

https://www.thebostonpilot.com/article.php?ID=198213

Day 11 - June 18 - Duke's Lane and Runnymede

  

It was another sunny and warm day.     Today was Duke's Lane where the Royals get into the carriages for the procession to Ascot.  Great way to see the King and Queen and other members of the royal family, up close and personal.

The bus stop is across the street from Oyster Wharf.  The bus goes to Clapham Junction - a five-minute ride to the station, where I bought a ticket for Woking.  It was a quick trip.  My friend, Katrina, was waiting for me.   

Katrina had a ticket to park  -- so no need to walk up the hill from Ascot or from Windsor -- we arrived with several hours to spare.    We met up with her friend Val and Val's husband and settled on a spot to sit and wait.  Or take a walk to see the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee statue.

The police told me the walk would take about 20-30 minutes each way, and added I had plenty of time.  With my camera in hand, I set out to walk as fast as I could, but also took the time to appreciate where I was.  

Took a left turn after the three houses (all with lovely gardens).   It was another few minutes walk down its lane when I spotted the statue.  I took several photos before walking back down the lane, making a right turn at the three houses, and heading back down Duke's Lane. 

One police officer said to me -- well done, with time to spare.  It was nice to sit down, and enjoy lunch and a slice of sponge cake that I bought from the Royal School's Bake Sale.

Yummy!!! Victoria Sponge cake

The carriages arrive first and get into place before the cars come from the Castle.

And then the cars arrived. 

The procession sets off at 2 p.m.  It heads down Duke's Lane toward Ascot and the Racecourse.

It is time to pick up chairs, throw stuff in the trash, and return to the car.  Katrina decides to not drive down Duke's Lane but go toward the Castle,  exiting by Royal Lodge.

This is by the entrance to Royal Lodge, home of the Duke of York

We drove to Runnymede, where King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215.  Runnymede is owned by the National Trust.  This was my second visit to Runnymede.  I first visited in the mid-1980s.

these signs were in huts that are a part of a display at Runnymede, emphasizing the the Magna Carta's role in democracy and the freedom of speech.  (It's not free speech.)

Me wanting to stretch after a long day

This exhibit, The Jurors, was created in 2015 by Hew Locke to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta.

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/jun/15/hew-locke-sculpture-jurors-runnymede-magna-carta-against-injustice

Another American connection

The Kennedy Memorial is owned by the American people on an acre of land at Runnymede.

https://www.kennedytrust.org.uk/display.aspx?id=1870&pid=285

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2015/05/kennedy-memorial-at-runnymede- dedicated.html

According to the Cornell Law School,  "the writers of the Bill of Rights and state constitutions were inspired by concepts born in the Magna Carta: that a government should be constitutional, that the law of the land should apply to everyone, and that certain rights and liberties were so fundamental that their violation was an abuse of governmental authority."

The American Bar Association Memorial is on the site where the Magna Carta was signed in 1215.

https://magnacarta800th.com/magna-carta-today/links/runnymede-magna-carta-memorial/

Cute bird, but do not know this bird

Local pigeons enjoying a snack

We had dinner at the White Hart pub in Pirbight, Woking.  It was not my first time here -- good food -- as Katrina knew I would love to see the duck pond.  

Happy Duck

And then it was time to head back to London. Only two full days left.  Katrina dropped me off at the Woking station for Clapham Junction.    

My view when I got back to the AirBnB.