Duma's president asks Nicholas for better facilities for the press

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November 15, 1907


Nicholas II met with President Khomyaoff in an audience today at Tsarkoe-Selo, reports the New York Times.  The meeting "advanced the relations between the Emperor and the President of the lower house to a considerable effort."

After the "exchange of formal greetings," the Emperor and Empress "expressed their satisfaction with the loyalty of the new Duma.  Nichokas "manifested a wish" to have the Duma President "report freely to the throne the progress made by the new House."

President Khomyaoff took advantage of the opportunity to ask for a larger press gallery, noting that the current size was "inadequate."

This suggestion brought out the "intimation" that Nicholas II approved the "enlarging of the facilities of the press."

Ten million and counting!

Why does this happen when I am sleeping?  During the wee hours this morning,  the ten millionth visitor came to Royal Musings.  It may have been Harper or Sienna or both?   Seriously, thank you to all my readers ...

Innocent or not?

I think I found the poster

Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg joins the Kelley School of Business

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Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg, the former wife of Prince Joachim of Denmark, has joined Indiana University's Kelley School of Business as the Poling Chair of Business and Government.  This position, according to the October 6, 2017, press release will "require facilitating discussion about leadership, business and government relations and ethics in the community."

"My life journey is somewhat unusual and filled with rich experiences, fascinating contrasts and deep transformations," said the Countess in a press release.

She will be making "periodic trips both to the Bloomington and IUPUI campuses during the 2016-2017 academic year.  The first trip was from October 23 to 27.   The countess succeeds former astronaut and engineer, Dr. Mae C. Jemison.

The school's business dean, Idalene Kessner, said that the school "strives to find those who go above and beyond."

A key aspect of the final selection is someone who brings that new perspective and diversity of background,” she said. “We want to find someone who will bring a unique perspective to our students.”

Countess Alexandra's ties to IU business and ethics professor Dr. Timothy L. Fort go back about eight years, when he was teaching at George Washington University.

"I taught her independent study versions of doctoral courses on ethics that I would normally teach,” he said. “We would discuss the lessons one-on-one, mostly through Skype, and she would write papers for me.”

Dr. Fort and the countess are the co-authors of The Sincerity Edge, a compilation of interviews from 20 board members of major corporations, as well as additional research and analysis from Fort and Alexandra, about how to use ethics in the business world as more than just a means to an end.


http://www.idsnews.com/article/2017/10/countess-alexandra-of-denmark-joins-kelley-school-of-business

Nicholas Medforth-Mills' response

Nicholas Medforth-Mills has issued a response to the statement released earlier today from his mother.


"I am very sorry that these press releases of the Royal House are deeply damaging, especially in these difficult moments, the image of what should be the Royal House of Romania: its history, the moral values ​​and the dignity that my grandfather and his forefathers have always tried to live by and keep.

I, Nicholas, just wanted to see my grandfather and say goodbye, in a calm, respectful way, as he is a Christian. I have not been allowed to do so, neither now nor in other times when I wanted to see him. Even during exile, we, grandfather and grandson, were not separated, and we both appreciated this blood link. Knowing him so well, I do not think he is the one who decided not to see me. On the contrary, I know he would have longed for it.

I am disappointed and profoundly saddened by the actions of the members of the Royal House and my mother, of the ease and lack of respect with which they effectively release to the press such aggressive, defamatory and unjustified communiqués, especially now that it would be noble to show respect and pass over who knows what personal ambitions.

For me, my grandfather remains the depository of moral values ​​that I choose to respect and acquire. Out of respect for him and my forebears, for the history they have written, I will not be discredited by these unfortunate and meaningless games. I remind everyone that the love and respect of a people is earned, it is not gained by force.”

Statement from Princess Helen of Romania

Elisabeta Palace, November 9, 2017

The Press Office of His Majesty King Michael I of Romania
has been authorised to release the following statement
of HRH The Princess Helena of Romania, mother of Mr Nicholas Medforth-Mills:

I am deeply saddened and worried about the actions of my son, Nicholas. Through his behaviour, in the last days, Nicholas breached the intimacy, suffering, and dignity of my father, King Michael.

I have told Nicholas, in the past, about the fact that the King does not wish to see him because of his lack of moral principles. Even the King himself, receiving the news of my son's marriage, told Nicholas in a private letter on August 4, 2017, that he is deeply saddened that Nicholas had done nothing to clarify the paternity of his alleged child, a girl of nearly two years old. This shows an unacceptable lack of responsibility.

During my most recent visit to Aubonne last August, my father personally confirmed his decision not to receive Nicholas, something my son knows. King Michael has clarified several times, verbally and in in writing, that the reason for his decision to withdraw the title from Nicholas is that my son does not have the necessary qualities to assume a position in the Royal House of Romania.

Nicholas’ actions of the last two days are profoundly wrong morally and grave mistakes. My son has shown contempt for Romania, her people and the principles of the Royal House. As a mother, this behaviour is devastating.

Leopold may wed Maria of Italy

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November 8, 1937

Rumors are rife in London, especially in the fashionable circles, that Princess Maria of Italy, youngest daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele and Queen Elena, "is connected to the coming visit" to London of King Leopold III, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Their engagement is expected to be announced at a later date.

At a recent luncheon party hosted by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, only two ambassadors were invited.  The Belgian and the Italian ambassadors.

The 22-year-old Princess Maria has been in London for some weeks now, as the guest of the Italian ambassador, Count Dino Grandi and his wife.

King Leopold III's visit to London will be the "most lavish ceremonial and entertaining" since the death of King George V in January 1936.

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There have been frequent reports of a possible engagement between Princess Maria and Archduke Otto of Austria, but Otto has only "the prospect of a throne."  Leopold, 36, has a "steady job."

Leopold's wife, Astrid was killed in a car accident in Switzerland in 1935.  Princess Astrid of Sweden married then Crown Prince Leopold in 1926.  They had three children: Princess Josephine Charlotte , 10 Crown Prince Baudouin, 7, and three-year-old Prince Albert.

The King's sister, Marie José, is married to Crown Prince Umberto of Italy, the older brother of Princess Maria.

Is Princess Marie José betrothed

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November 8, 1927

The Associated Press is reporting from Naples that 21-year-old Princess Marie José of Belgium's engagement to Crown Prince Umberto of Italy is "imminent," but Italian court officials are saying that they do not take the report seriously.

They are also unwilling to comment on the frequent reports of a possible engagement between the Crown Prince, the only son of King Vittorio Emanuele and Queen Elena, and Princess Marie José, the only daughter of King Albert and Queen Elisabeth of the Belgians.

Princess Marie José was in Naples to attend the marriage of Princess Anne of France to her first cousin, the Duke of Apulia, the elder son of the Duke and Duchess of Aosta,

It's a baby -- Maria Galitzine Singh due in February

Houston-based Maria Galitzine, daughter of Prince Peter Galitzine and Archduchess Maria Anna of Austria, and her new husband,  Houston-chef Rishi Singh, are expecting their first child in February.

Maria's  Baby Registry on The Bump was opened on August 25th, nearly a month before her wedding.

The father's name is not listed on the registry for Babies R Us or Target.  The former has the due date of February 8, 2018 in Houston, but the gender is a "surprise."   The Target registry, however, states the due date is February 20.  This registry includes a link that says baby boy Singh.

https://registry.thebump.com/maria-galitzine-february-2018/21940842?lt=RegistryProfile&st=SearchResults&ss=RegistryColumn&sp=TextLink


https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2017/09/galitzine-singh-nuptials.html

Nicholas Medforth-Mills rebuffed in attempt to see his grandfather.

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Nicholas Medforth-Mills traveled to Aubonne, Switzerland, on Tuesday in an attempt to see his critically ill grandfather, King Michael of Romania.   Nicholas, the son of the King's second daughter, Princess Helen, allegedly attempted to enter King Michael's home, where he allegedly forced open the door, and assaulted three people, including Royal House staff.

According to a spokesman for the Royal House,  Nicholas, 32. who had been stripped of his royal title and succession rights in August 2015, allegedly forced open the door of the house.  News reports state that he "physically and verbally assaulted" three people, and one suffered several injuries.

In a statement to the media,  the spokesman said: "His Majesty has made it clear for several months that he refuses to see his grandson, and this has been told to Mr. Medforth-Mills repeatedly."

An hour before the incident, the 96-year-old King, who suffers from chronic leukemia, received religious leaders and was given the sacrament of Holy Communion.

The Royal House has filed a complaint with the Swiss police.

Mr. Medforth-Mills responded with his own statement:

"I'm deeply saddened and do not understand the aggression of CR to do my best to prevent me from seeing my grandfather and discredit my image. I will not go into this dirty game. I will choose to respect my grandfather in these difficult moments because that's right and so is Christian.  I come as the grandson of the King and I just want to see him. If it's the last time I get here if he is in a better condition, then I'd like to see it. If it is not, then I want to say goodbye to him for the last time.  "

Romanian historian Dan Falcan says the Royal House's decision to forbid Nicholas to see the king is "incomprehensible."

The first link is the statement from the Royal House.

http://www.nineoclock.ro/romanias-royal-house-files-complaint-with-the-swiss-police-on-nicholas-medforth-millss-attempted-unlawful-entry-into-king-mihais-residence/


http://www.familiaregala.ro/stiri/articol/comunicat-al-biroului-de-presa-al-majestatii-sale-regelui-8-noiembrie-2017

https://www.dcnews.ro/familia-regala-scandal-nicolae-joc-murdar-ma-impiedica-sa-mi-vad-bunicul_565170.html

http://a1.ro/news/extern/nicolae-medforthmills-tentativa-de-violare-a-domiciliului-regelui-mihai-la-o-ora-dupa-ce-bunicul-sau-primise-impartasania-a-fortat-usa-casei-si-a-agresat-trei-persoane-id705059.html

King Michael's health worsens

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Elisabeta Palace, November 6, 2017



The Press Office of His Majesty King Michael I of Romania
has been authorised to release the following communiqué:

Crown Princess Margareta returns to Switzerland, to be near King Michael

Yesterday afternoon, TRH Crown Princess Margareta and Prince Radu returned to Switzerland, to the private residence of His Majesty.

King Michael’s general state of health has worsened considerably, with a significant decline in his physical strength.

This week, the Royal Family will have a series of meetings with His Majesty’s doctors, in order to discuss the King’s current medical treatment and obtain their advice in the present circumstances.

A Selection of Danish Images

Princess Thyra of Denmark, youngest daughter of King Christian IX and Queen Louise

Midd row (second from left  Princess Marie wife of Waldemar)  Prince Hans of Schleswig-Holstein (brother of Christian IX), Empress Dagmar of Russia, King Frederik VIII & Queen Louise). Back row(second from left: Prince Carl of Denmark,  Prince Gustav of Denmark

Prince Valdemar and Princess Marie with their five children: Princes Aage, Axel, Erik, Viggo and Princess Margareta

Middle row  2nd from left Alexandra, George I, Dagmar,  Frederik VIII,. Grand Duchess Helen. Younger man on right Carl of Denmark

Prince Valdemar & his daughter, Margareta

Prince Harald & Princess Helena & their five children: Feodora, Caroline-Mathilde, Alexandrine, Gorm and Oluf

Christian X

Queen Alexandrine

These images of members of the Danish royal house & their families comes from my personal postcard collection.  Royal postcards are my weakness. 

Wartime Crimes

Tomorrow night - Wednesday, November 1 - the American cable channel, American Heroes (also seen on several Canadian cable companies) will have a new episode of their new series Wartime Crimes.

The episode is about the theft of jewels and other valuables belonging to the Dowager Landgravine of Hesse and other members of her family by several American soldiers in 1945.


https://www.ahctv.com/tv-shows/wartime-crime/videos/us-soldiers-loot-a-german-castles-basement

From my photo collection

Vicky and Fritz

Crown Princess Cecilie of Prussia

Princess Feodora of Saxe-Meiningen and her fiance, Prince Heinrich XXX Reuss

Prince Christoph of Hesse, one of six sons of Princess Margarete of Prussia 

Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Hesse, eldest son of Friedrich Karl, Landgrave of Hesse, and Princess Margarete of Prussia

HRH Princess Christoph of Hesse (Sophie)

Hermann, Prince of Hohenlohe Langenburg

Feodora, Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, born Princess of Leiningen, older half-sister of Queen Victoria

Prince Otto of Hesse, son of Landgrave Philip of Hesse and Princess Mafalda of Italy

Philipp, Landgrave of Hesse

Prince Georg Wilhelm of Hannover

Crown Princess Cecilie, Princess Olga of Hannover and Alexandra, Dowager Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Mafalda,  Landgravine of Hesse  with her three eldest children, Moritz, Elisabeth and Otto

Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse and By Rhine with his three grandchildren, Ludwig, Johanna and Alexander (1936)

Princess Mafalda

All of these photos are from my private collection.

If you liked these photos, perhaps you could buy me a cup of coffee