Another royal baby

The official announcement from the palace in Sweden

Princess Madeleine and Mr. Christopher O'Neill are delighted to announce that The Princess is expecting their first child. 

The birth is expected to take place in early March of 2014.

No changes to the schedule of The Princess's engagements or her work for Childhood are planned during the autumn of 2013.

A new dynast for Monaco

At 11:45 a.m., in Monaco, Andrea Casiraghi, eldest son of Princess Caroline, and the New York-born Tatiana Santo Domingo were married in a private civil ceremony by the marina in Monaco.

According to the press reports, between 300 and 450 guests attended the ceremony, which was followed by a reception in the Princely palace gardens.

The civil ceremony legitimizes the couple's son, Sacha, who was born last March in a London hospital.

The couple have been dating for some years, and became engaged last year. 

Although Andrea is second in line to the Monaco throne, he is not a member of the princely family, and his comings and goings are not announced by the Prince of Monaco's office.   Andrea is a nephew of Prince Albert II, but he is not a Grimaldi.

Princess Caroline's office sent out press releases regarding the engagement and the birth of Sacha.  The latter announcement was made jointly with Tatiana's Brazilian mother, Vera Rechulski.

Tatiana is also the daughter of the late Julio Santo  Domingo, a member of one of Colombia's wealthiest families.

So far no details about the actual ceremony have been released to the media, apart from a confirmation that the wedding took place.  Observers could hear applause, however, at the time  the couple said I do (in French), and were pronounced husband and wife. 

It is understood that the family may release several photos to the media later today.  Earlier this week, Tatiana's aunt, Lauren Santo Domingo tweeted a photo taken at Tatiana's bridal party, which took place on a private yacht.

Sacha Casiraghi is now third in line.

King Michael visits American prisoners

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August 29, 1943

King Michael of Romania, accompanied by his mother, Queen Helen,  paid a visit yesterday to 70 United States flyers, who are being held at Sinaia, after the a raid on the Ploesti oil field on August 1.

The report was made by semi-diplomatic sources and released today, by the Associated Press.

The King, who speaks fluent English, offered to write to the prisoners' families "personally."  One of the POWs, in a back row, shouted "Couldn't you cable?'

The Americans are being held at one of the "many fine hotels" in Sinaia, which is the summer resort of the royal family.  The main palace was built by Carol I.   According to the report, they are receiving "special medical care."   The dead were buried with military honors" at a special "heroes" cemetery at Ploesti.

Twenty of "the huge fleet of United States Liberators" which attacked the Ploesti oilfields on August 1 failed to return to base.  The men who are being held at Sinaia, "were among those parachuted or landed crippled craft on enemy soil."

Several Americans told Romanian intelligence officers that they "were manhandled by peasants and oil field worker" before being taken into custody by the army.

The interrogators told the Americans that every effort "would be made to catch the offenders," and they would be shot if found guilty.

Princess Eudoxia may play a role

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August 29, 1943

Princess Eudoxia, the "pro-Fascist spinster sister" of the late King Boris of Bulgaria, "probably will play an increasingly important part in Bulgarian politics," according to United Press. 

King Boris died yesterday.  His death is described as "unexpected and mysterious."

Boris' 6-year-old son, Simeon, is now king, but Balkan observers acknowledge that Eudoxia, known for her "antidemocratic leanings" will have "greater scope to exercise her influence over the government."

The Associated Press is reporting that Adolf Hitler has sent telegrams of sympathy to King Boris' widow, Queen Givoanna, and the Bulgarian premier.

The telegrams were read on Berlin radio.  "I would like to convey to your excellency on the occasion of the death of His Majesty King Boris mine and the German people's most cordial sympathy.  I feel with you deeply the heavy loss which Bulgaria has suffered."

The telegram to Queen Giovanna said:  "The moving news of the death of His Majesty King Boris has given me great sorrow.  Bulgaria loses in King Boris a sovereign who led the history of his people with admirable courage and circumspect wisdom.

"I myself lose in him a faithful friend and ally."

Princess Anastasia dead

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August 29, 1923

The Associated Press is reporting the death of Princess Anastasia, wife of Prince Christopher of Greece.   The Princess, the widow of American tin plate magnate, William B. Leeds, died "peacefully" at Spencer House, her London residence at 11:55 this morning.

She died "without regaining consciousness."  

Prince Christopher, Queen Dowager Olga, William B. Leeds, Jr., and his wife Princess Xenia of Russia and other members of the family were present at the princess' bedside when she died.

The cause of death is cancer "complicated by cirrhosis of the liver."  It is understood that the princess' body will be sent to the United States for internment.  She will be placed in a family mausoleum at the Woodlawn Cemetery in New York, where her parents are interred. 

She received the last sacrament from an English-speaking Russian Orthodox priest.  The princess became a member of the Greek Orthodox church when she married Prince Christopher.   It was "impossible" to find a Greek priest in London, so a Russian priest came in to provide assistance.

Prince Christopher is said to "prostrate" with grief.

Queen Dowager Olga and Princess Anastasia's secretary, Emma Parmentier, "denied themselves food and rest in  order to comfort their parent."

Queen Mother Alexandra called Prince Christopher, who is her nephew, to offer the "sympathy of the British Royal Family.

Prince Regent refuses to receive the Rupprechts

August 29, 1903

Prince and Princess Rupprecht of Bavaria have been home for two weeks since returning from their Far East travels, but, according to a special cable to the New York Times, the Prince Regent has refused to receive them.


The Prince Regent, according to reliable sources, "bitterly opposed" the marriage between Prince Rupprecht and Duchess Marie Gabrielle in Bavaria, and is refusing to meet them.

King Boris dead, 6-year-old son on throne

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 August 28, 1943


King Boris of Bulgaria is dead, according to the New York Times and other sources.  He died shortly after 4 p.m. in Sofia after "four days of suffering following a reported shooting outside a small railway station," outside Sofia.

Boris had been returning to Sofia from a visit to Adolf Hitler's field headquarters.  Hungarian sources state he was "shot in the abdomen" by one of his protection officers.

His wife, Queen Giovanna, was with him when he died.   His 6-year-old son, Simeon, ascends to the throne as King Simeon II.   Simeon has an older sister, 10-year-old Princess Maria Luisa.

Premier Bogdan Philoff has released the following proclamation:

"His Majesty, King, and Czar Boris III, the uniter of Bulgaria, surrounded by his family, died at 4:22  this afternoon after a brief but grave illness. The sorrow of the nation and the Bulgarian people is immeasurable.  We now all have the sacred duty of carrying out his last wishes and continuing united on the path he traced for us."

A second proclamation was released shortly afterward.

"Bulgarians: this twentieth-eighth day of August 1943, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Simeon of Tarnovo, beloved child and hope of Bulgaria, ascended to the throne under the name of Simeon II in accordance with Article 34 of the Constitution.  Under the terms of Article 151 of the same Constitution, the Council on Ministers will assume the direction of the country until such time as the question of the regency will have been settled.

"We call upon all Bulgarians to tighten their ranks behind the King in the conviction of a happy future for Bulgaria and united to continue on the path already entered as we confine ourselves to God. Long Live the King! Long live Bulgaria!"

According to reliable Bulgarian sources, the King had not died, he had "until midnight to answer Hitler on three main demands," which would have meant the end of Bulgaria as an 'independent' Axis ally.

Princess Anastasia near death

August 28, 1923

Princess Anastasia of Greece is "lying near death in her London home," reports the Associated Press.    At times, she is "in a semi-comatose condition, alternating with a lucid state."

The Princess is not in pain, but due to her "greatly weakened condition," she has been unable to take nourishment apart from the "very smallest quantities of liquid nourishment."

Several British and American cancer specialists have been treating the Ohio-born princess, who married Prince Christopher of Greece in 1920.  The offer "scan hope" for her recovery.

Princess Anastasia's family hopes that she may survive until the arrival of her sister, Mrs. Green, who sailed aboard the Mauritania from New York earlier today.

Prince Christopher remains at his wife's bedside, "ministering to and comforting" her.   The Princess is unaware of the severity of her illness.

Her son, William B. Leeds, who married Princess Xenia of Russia, in 1921, is also with his mother.  He is her only child.  Anastasia, the former Nancy Stewart, is the widow of William B Leeds, the American tin plate magnate.

Queen Olga has also been paying visits to her daughter-in-law.

Princess Anastasia first became ill in June, when she "suffered an attack of jaundice.  This developed into an intestinal infection, and she was operated at Athens in June.   Since then she has undergone "no less than for operations,"  all of which "seemingly had only a palliative effect."

Her doctors are trying to make her as comfortable as possible. 

The Princess has been receiving interest from a trust fund set up by her late husband.  After her death, the income will pass to her son, William.   According to the late Mr. Leeds' will, the entire trust fund, now worth about $25 million, will be inherited by the younger William's children.  If he has no offspring, the inheritance will revert to the New York Lying-in Hospital.

It is not known what provisions if any, Princess Anastasia has made for her husband, although it is assumed that he will have a "fair share of her fortune."

The couple is "genuinely devoted" to each other, and their "domestic life has been characterized by exception happiness."


Princess Anastasia and Prince Christopher have been renting Spencer House in London.

King Constantine is not selling his home

The Sunday Times' real estate section recently included a listing for Stanyards, a rather impressive estate in Chobham, Surrey.  A number of "royal watchers" have assumed, albeit incorrectly, that this estate is being sold by the King Constantine II of the Hellenes. 

Silly, silly people.  There is nothing in the Savill's listing that says the King is the owner.  He is not.  

http://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbsurssns130090


  "This beautiful home retains character features and has royal connections with the family of the King of Greece who resided there."

Resided there, not resides there.  King Constantine II bought the property in 1974 after the Greeks voted for a republic.  He paid about £100,000 for the estate.

 The King sold the house two years later, report in The Times, and bought the home in Hampstead. 

Among the silliest of commentaries:  One person noted said he was disappointed after looking at the photos and he expected better of Queen Anne Marie.  The photos in the catalog have no connection to the Greek and Danish royal families.

Well, that's because   King Constantine and Queen Anne Marie have not lived in the house SINCE 1976!!!!!! 

Stanyards was sold most recently in 2000.  It is now on the market for over 5 million pounds sterling.

The royal family's main residence is now in Greece.

Sophie de Roumanie Photography

I think it is time to tout the work of HRH Princess Sophie of Romania, who is an amazingly gifted photographer.  Seriously, she knows how to use a camera, tell a story, and present us with the beauty of Breton ... and elsewhere.


It is easy to order a photograph from Princess Sophie's catalog and website ....


http://www.yafosphotography.com/galerie_-_gallery.ws

Thank you from Madeleine & Christopher

 

 

A rather nice thank you card from Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O'Neill

The Duke of York back with Sarah?

Marlene A Eilers Koenig collection

Marlene A. Eilers Koenig collection

photo by Marlene A. Eilers Koenig.   Sarah has cost Andrew a lot more than peanuts

photo by Marlene A. Eilers Koenig

photo by Marlene A. Eilers Koenig

The Sunday Telegraph has an intriguing front-page story: Duke of York finds love again ... with an old flame, the Duchess of York.

Hmmm!  I consider the Duke of York the great enabler for Sarah, who has never been able to stand on her own two feet following the divorce.

In 1999, Sarah said: "There was no reason for Andrew and me to get divorced; there wasn't another person in our lives to go to.  We got divorced because I had to out to work, and Andrew and I believed it wasn't right for me to be commercial while I was still in the Royal family."

Really?  The reason for the divorce was because Sarah had to find work outside the Royal family?  I thought they got divorced because she committed adultery with Steve Wyatt, and was seen in the company of several men.  

If Sarah had chosen to remain faithful to her husband, while he was away, and threw herself into her royal duties,  she and Andrew may not have divorced.  They could have had a long and happy marriage, perhaps, a third child, a son, to inherit the York dukedom.

But instead,  Sarah has had a series of very public mishaps, usually involving money or the need for money, and Andrew has been right there, to pick her up, wipe away the tears, and pay her debts. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/10264693/Duke-of-York-finds-love-again...with-old-flame-the-Duchess-of-York.html

Princess of Wales attends Americanist conference

August 21, 1883

The Princess of Wales and members of the Danish royal family were among the attendees at the "fifth congress of Americanists," which opened today in Copenhagen.  Americanists, according to the New York Times, are "students of early American history."

Addresses were given by delegates from Denmark, Spain, Belgium and France.

A quiet birthday for Margaret

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August 21, 1953


Princess Margaret celebrated her twenty-third birthday today "with a quiet dinner" with her older sister, Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the royal family at Balmoral Castle, according to an Associated Press report.

Although the court would not release an official guest list, it is understood that Group Captain Peter Townsend was not present.  But after British newspapers began reporting that Margaret wanted to marry "the divorced British war hero," Townsend was shipped off to a "diplomatic post in Brussels."

He previously served as an equerry to Margaret's father, the late King George VI.

Court officials "invoked the tradition that the annual Balmoral get-together" is a time of "easy informality for the royal family."

Local residents consider Lord Carnegie, 23, a likely candidate for an invitation, as he is a "near neighbor" and a childhood playmate of Prince Margaret.

Lord Carnegie, known as Jamie to his friends, has escorted the princess "frequently to nightclubs."

He has all the right qualifications for a royal suitor: "wealth, looks and an ancestral castle in the Scottish wilds."

He is the only son of the Earl of Southesk and the late Princess Maud, younger daughter of Princess Louise, eldest daughter of King Edward VII, and the Duke of Fife.  He is also the heir to the Fife dukedom, currently held by his maternal aunt, Princess Arthur of Connaught.

But Margaret "still favors" 38-year-old Townsend, whose friendship with the princess "set tongues wagging in every British household."

a new bike for birthday girl

Marlene A Eilers Koenig collection

August 21, 1937

Princess Margaret Rose got the "bonnie bike" she wanted for her birthday, reports the Associated Press. 

The princess, younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, celebrated her seventh birthday today with a "special birthday cake" cut in Balmoral Castle at teatime.

Turning seven has not given the little princess more privileges.  She still has to go to bed earlier than her 11-year-old sister, Princess Elizabeth -- "a source of  much gratification" to Elizabeth, but a "particular peeve to Margaret Rose."

The two princesses are in seclusion at Balmoral as Queen Elizabeth has decided "the Princesses have been too much in the public eye."

They are staying at Garden Cottage, one of the "small mansions" on the royal estate.   A "Victorian tradition" rules against having children stay in "majestic Balmoral Castle itself."