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| India Hicks Instragram |
Friday, June 5, 2026
Crown Princess Mette-Marit placed on lung transplant list
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| Photo: Dusan Reljin / The Royal Court |
June 5, 2026
As a result of her life-threatening chronic lung disease, and following extensive medical examinations, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant in Norway.
- The progression of The Crown Princess’s lung disease is serious. Following a comprehensive medical assessment, she has now been placed on the waiting list for patients who will undergo a lung transplant as soon as a suitable donor becomes available, says Are Holm, Professor of Medicine at the University of Oslo and Senior Consultant and respiratory specialist at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet.
Pending the operation, it will not be possible for The Crown Princess to work or to carry out official engagements as normal. The Crown Princess’s health situation will also have implications for the programme and activities of His Royal Highness The Crown Prince, Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra and His Highness Prince Sverre Magnus.
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess have postponed the celebration of their silver wedding anniversary, originally planned for August 2026, and The Crown Princess will not take part in the county visit scheduled for September. The Crown Prince will adjust his programme in the period ahead to spend more time with The Crown Princess. Among other measures, he will limit longer journeys both within Norway and abroad before and after the operation. The Crown Prince will therefore not attend the celebration of the golden wedding anniversary of Their Majesties The King and Queen of Sweden in Stockholm on 13 June, as previously planned.
To be closer to her family, Princess Ingrid Alexandra has returned to Norway and will spend the autumn semester of 2026 as an exchange student at the University of Oslo, as part of her studies at the University of Sydney. Prince Sverre Magnus plans to begin studies in Europe this autumn and will return to Norway whenever the situation requires.
Thursday, June 4, 2026
TOURIST SEASON 2026 AT THE ROYAL COMPOUND OFFICIALLY OPENED
PRESS RELEASE
Belgrade, 4 June 2026 – The Royal Family of Serbia and the Tourist Organisation of Belgrade officially opened today another tourist season at the Royal Compound in Belgrade. The first visitors of the 2026 Season were, as always, media representatives, who, accompanied by professional tour guides from the Royal Palace, had the opportunity to learn about the rich history and traditions of the home of the Royal Family of Serbia.
TRH Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine, Hereditary Prince Philip, and Princess Danica greeted the journalists and welcomed them on the first tour of the season. The Crown Prince, in his address, expressed his great pleasure that the Palace is again open for visitors.
The Karadjordjevics are a people’s dynasty – we came from our people, and even in times of exile, it was always important for us to maintain our connection with them. It is an unbreakable bond that ties us to our roots. It is one of the reasons why we, each year, so gladly open the doors of our home to all people of goodwill who wish to learn more about the history and traditions of our Homeland, the people of Serbia, and our family, as an inseparable part of it.
The legacy that my grandfather, King Alexander I, and father, King Peter II, left here, the history and memories of the Royal Compound, are magnificent. It is very important that they are conveyed, especially to our younger generation and to our foreign friends. So that they all can see how great a historical treasure the Royal Complex is, and that Serbia and its people can be proud of it. We are happy to welcome you to our home”, said HRH Crown Prince Alexander.
Media representatives who found themselves in the role of tourists today got to know the home of the Royal Family of Serbia better and visited everything a standard tour includes: the Royal Palace, the White Palace, the Palace Chapel of St. Andrew the First-Called, and the Royal Park. The tour is a pleasant walk lasting approximately one and a half hours, in order to get in touch with the history, rich heritage and cultural legacy of our country and the Karađorđević dynasty. When available, tourists are also greeted by members of the Royal family, making the visit even more special.
HRH Hereditary Prince Philip also addressed the guests on behalf of the Royal family, saying, among other things: “This is not just a historical complex; this is the home of the Karađorđević family. It was built by my great-grandfather, King Alexander I. My grandfather, King Peter II, lived in it, then my father, Crown Prince Alexander, came to live here, and today my family and I live in it as well. For the first time in the history of our dynasty, three generations of Karadjordjevics live in this place: father, son, and grandson. And we all share the same desire, that the Royal Compound is open to the people and that everyone who comes here feels welcome. This is our obligation to our ancestors who served this country and people, but also the responsibility we have today.
The Palace Complex in Dedinje is not only a testament to a time, but also a place that preserves memories, traditions, and values that we want to bring closer to the citizens of Serbia and to guests from all over the world.
There was a period when the Royal Compound was practically a “forbidden city”, closed to the citizens of Serbia. Today, we want the exact opposite: for the doors to be open, for people to come, visit, and feel that this heritage belongs to all of us. It is important that places like this live, that they are not just a part of history, but a space for meeting, conversation, and getting to know our own heritage better”.
Ms. Jelena Stankovic, PR of the Tourist Organization of Belgrade, addressed the media on behalf of this institution, thanked Their Royal Highnesses for their cooperation, and once again emphasized that the Royal Complex is one of Belgrade's biggest tourist attractions and that there is always enormous interest in these tours. “Visits to the Royal Complex are much more than just a tourist tour. They are a way for our fellow citizens to be reminded and for foreigners to be introduced to the rich history and culture of our country, and the fact that visitors to this building may be greeted by members of the Royal family who live there makes the tours an unforgettable experience.”
The Tourist Organization of Belgrade (TOB) organizes visits to the Royal Complex at 9:30 am and 12:30 pm on dates previously arranged with the Royal Palace office. The first available dates in June are Thursday, 18 June, and Saturday, 27 June. Information on the following terms will be available directly from TOB.
Tickets purchased from the Tourist Organization of Belgrade include organized bus transportation from the designated tourist bus stop on Nikola Pasic Square, in front of the City Assembly of Belgrade, to the Royal Complex. Departure times are at 9:30 am and 12:30 pm. The ticket price is 2,000 RSD. The number of people in a group is limited to 30.
For information and reservations, tourists should visit the Tourist Information Centre in Belgrade, Knez Mihailova 56, phone: +38111 26 35 622, e-mail: bginfo.knezmihailova@tob.rs, website www.tob.rs
Schools, students, and pensioner associations can visit the Royal Palaces in Dedinje in announced group visits every working day from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm with the mandatory notification to the Office of HRH Crown Prince Alexander at least 7 to 10 days ahead, over the phone +381 11 306 4014 or via e-mail: kancelarija@dvor.rs. Each group must consist of at least 10 and no more than 40 visitors. Website: www.dvor.rs.
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
The Duke of Calabria issues statement on titles used by Prince Carlos & family
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| The Duke of Noto and the Duke of Calabria @The Constantinian |
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The Duke of Calabria's heir, Prince Jaime, Duke of Noto, is married to Lady Charlotte Lindesey-Bethune, daughter of the 16th Earl of Lindsay. The couple has two daughters, Princess Francesca and Princess Inés.
Royal Musings broke the news of the reconciliation between the two branches of the Bourbon-Two-Sicilies families.
Monday, June 1, 2026
Princess Ingrid Alexandra to return home
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway is currently in Japan on an official visit, where he held a press conference. He told the press that his daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who is a student at the University of Sydney, in Australia, has "plans to come home soon. It has to do with the family situation. She wants to be with her mother."
The 22-year-old Princess is in the middle of a three-year bachelor's degree program, where she is studying international relations and political economics." The Crown Prince added that he did not know how long his daughter would remain at home.
Several days ago, the Crown Prince announced that he would cut short his visit to Japan due to Crown Princess Mette Marit's declining health. She suffers from an incurable and progressive lung disease, chronic pulmonary fibrosis.
Haakon's mother, Queen Sonja, 88, was recently admitted to Oslo's Rikshospitalet for "atrial fibrillation and heart failure." In January 2025, she had a pacemaker installed. She is now back home at the Royal Palace and will be on sick leave due to an adjustment to her medication.
Princess Nicholas Romanoff (1930-2026)
Princess Nicholas Romanoff died on May 31st at her villa in Bolgheri, Livorno. She was 96 years old. The death was announced on Instagram by her granddaughter, Nicoletta Consolo Romanoff.
"Grandma Sveva, you have returned to the Father's house. The heavens opened for you tonight. God only knows how much love you have given and how much you have received in return. Spread all this love on your large family because today a different life begins for all of us.
I love you, Grandma, now you are with your beloved ones... your twin brother Manfredi, your mother Nicoletta, our Enzo-Manfredi, and grandfather Nicola."
The princess was the widow of Prince Nicholas Romanoff (1922-2014), the elder of two sons of Prince Roman Petrovich of Russia and his morganatic wife, Countess Praskovia Dmitrievna Sheremeteva.
She was born in Florence on July 15, 1930, as Countess Svera della Gherardesca, daughter of Count Walfredo della Gherardesca and Nicoletta, Marquise de Piccolelis.
The couple's civil wedding took place on December 31, 1951, in Florence, which was followed by a Russian Orthodox service at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Cannes, France, on January 21, 1952.
The couple lived in Tuscany. After Svera's brother's death, Nicholas took over running her family's estate. They had three children: Natalia Consolo (1952), Elisabetta Bonacini (1956), and Tatiana Tirotti (1961).
Sveva is survived by her three daughters, three grandchildren, Nicoletta Consolo, Niccolò Bonacini, Sofia Bonacini Satolli, and Allegra Tirotti Bizzarri, and 10 great-grandchildren. One grandson, Enzo-Manfredi Consolo, died in 1997.
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| @Allegra Tirotti Romanoff (Instagram) |
In 2022, when Allegra married Stefano Bizzarri, she asked her grandmother to be her best man. Svera "wore an elegant embroidered green and gold caftan and classic beige trousers," according to Vogue Italia.
The late Prince Nicholas was a non-dynastic descendant of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia.
The Hola magazine obituary claims Sveva was a descendant of Martin van Buren, the 8th President of the United States of America. This is incorrect. She was the descendant of Beekman van Beuren (1732-1812). He was a prominent colonial doctor who served in the American Revolution. Different families.
This is the line of descent from Beekman van Beuren - Rachel van Beuren - Sara Ann Limberger - Sara Ann Randall - Alice Fabbri - Nicoletta Piccolelis - Sveva della Gheradesca
Friday, May 29, 2026
The Duchess of Brabant receives her degree
Elisabeth de Saxe-Cobourg accepted her diploma, a Master's in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University, on May 28. As her name was called, the young Belgian royal smiled and walked confidently across the stage as she was handed the diploma. Her proud parents, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, were in the audience for the ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The princess, whose official title is the Duchess of Brabant, is the heir to the Belgian throne.
Shortly before the commencement events began, Princess Elisabeth spoke with several Belgian journalists.
She spoke about her own position as heir to the Belgian throne and explained to her fellow American students about the monarchy in Europe. But she did not use her title at Harvard.
"My goal was simply to be Elisabeth, because that's important to me. Everyone knew, but it was possible to live like any other student. Even if people know, they get used to it."
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Theodora Greece returns to The Bold & the Beautiful
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| @CBS/Bold and the Beautiful |
After eight years, Theodora Greece has returned to the role of Alison Montgomery for a two-day stint on the CBS soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful. She joined the cast in 2011 as Bill Spencer's "faithful assistant at Spencer Publications, and remained in the recurring role until 2018.
The actress's appearances were on May 27 and May 28, 2026.
Theodora Greece is the stage name of HRH Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark, who will celebrate her 43rd birthday on June 9. She is the fourth of five children of the late King Constantine II of the Hellenes and his wife, Queen Anne Marie, born a princess of Denmark.
In September 2024, Theodora married Matthew Kumar, an American lawyer, who is currently unable to practice law in California.
https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2024/11/matthew-kumars-law-license-suspended.html
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Queen Sonja is hospital
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| @Royal House of Norway |
Update May 28: King Harald has confirmed that his wife is back home.
The Norwegian royal palace's press office released updated information on Queen Sonja.
"Her Majesty the Queen was admitted to the National Hospital today due to heart problems. The Queen has heart fibrillation and heart failure, and will be hospitalized for a few days for examinations and observation."
The Palace has not issued a new statement on Princess Astrid, who was first hospitalized on March 29th.
https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2026/05/update-on-princess-astrid.html
Yesterday, Crown Prince Haakon discussed his wife's health with Norwegian Broadcaster, NRK: “The Crown Princess is seriously ill, and I think she has gotten a bit worse lately. So I am worried about her health.
"These six months have gone pretty well, I think. But there are different phases. So we just have to try to solve it as best we can."
Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been photographed wearing an oxygen breathing tube. In 2018, she was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and now requires daily oxygen support.
Crown Prince Haakson was also asked about Mette-Marit getting on the lung transplant list. He acknowledged that it was "up to the doctors."
"It's a medical question. So they’re the ones who decide when it should happen, when it’s right," he said. "But I think she’s gotten a lot worse lately, unfortunately.”
Crown Princess Elisabeth is a Harvard grad
The Duchess of Brabant is now a Harvard graduate, having earned a Master's in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. The 24-year-old heir to the throne will receive her diploma on May 28 in the presence of her parents, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. In July 2024, she received a bachelor's degree in History & Politics from Lincoln College, a college of the University of Oxford.
Comedian and talk show host Conan O'Brien will be the keynote speaker. He is a Harvard alumnus who served as president of the Harvard Lampoon.
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Queen Margrethe back in the Hospital
"Her Majesty Queen Margrethe has been admitted to Rigshospitalet and has been treated after a CT scan showed a large blood clot in the hip region as a result of a previous fall.
It is expected that Queen Margrethe will now be hospitalized for several days.
Her Majesty is doing well under the circumstances."
Margrethe was admitted into the hospital on May 25th.
https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2026/05/hm-queen-margrethe-admitted-to.html
Queen Margrethe returned to the hospital
Sunday, May 24, 2026
Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style extended until April 2027
From the Royal Collection:
We are delighted to announce that the landmark exhibition, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style at The King's Gallery in London, will be extended by six months due to unprecedented demand. This is a new opportunity to enjoy the largest exhibition of the late Queen's fashion ever staged.
The exhibition is now open until 18 April 2027 and we encourage visitors to book tickets well in advance. Visit the Royal Collection Trust website for more information and to book your ticket.
To order the catalog and other books about Queen Elizabeth II's fashions.
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Princesss Theresa of Bavaria celebrates a monumental birthday
On January 9th, Princess Theresa of Bavaria turned 95th. The family waited until spring to have a proper celebration, which took place in Munich on May 20. The Princess and members of her family attended a mass at the Theatinerkirche, followed by a dinner at Schloss Nymphenburg.
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| Princess Theresa with her son Prince Wolfgang |
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| Valerie, Dowager Markgräfin of Baden |
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| The Princess of Isenburg-Birstein |
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| Prince and Princess Leopold of Bavaria |
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| The birthday girl - Princess Theresa of Austria |
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| Franz, Duke of Bavaria, and his partner, Thomas Greinwald |
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| Prince Manual of Bavaria |
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| Franz, Duke of Bavaria, and Thomas Greinwald |
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| Duke Max in Bavaria |
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| Princess Auguste of Bavaria and her husband, Prince Prince Ferdinand zur Lippe-Weissenfeld ( |
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| Archduke Markus Salvator and his son, Archduke Maximilian |
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| Prince and Princess Wolfgang with their daughter, Princess Flavia |
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| Erich, Prince of Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchberg |
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| Princess Elisabeth of Bavaria and her husband, Count Andrea von Kuefstein. |
HI RH Archduchess Theresa Monika Valerie Elisabeth Ludovika Walburga Anna of Austria was born on January 9, 1931, at Schloss Wallsee in Austria. She was the second of four children of HI &RH Archduke Theodor Salvator of Austria and Countess Maria Theresa of Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchberg.
She is a great-granddaughter of Emperor Franz Josef and Duchess Elisabeth (Sisi) in Bavaria. Their youngest daughter, Archduchess Marie Valerie, was the wife of Archduke Franz Salvator of Austria, Prince of Tuscany.
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| @Haus Bayern |
It was at Schloss Wallsee on October 17, 1955, when Archduchess Theresa married HRH Prince Rasso of Bavaria (1926-2011).
The couple had seven children: Princess Maria-Theresa, Countess Thomas Kornis von Göncz-Ruszka(1956), Prince Franz-Josef (Father Florian) (1957-2022), Princess Elisabeth, Countess Andreas zu Kuefstein(1959), Prince Wolfgang (1960), Princess Benedikta, Baroness Rudolf von Freyberg-Eisenberg-Allmendingen (1961), Prince Christoph (1962), and Princess Gisela (Princess Alexander von Sachsen-Gessaphe (1964).
The guest list Princess Marie Therese of Bavaria, Countess Kornis Göncz-Ruszka, and Princess Elisabeth pf Bavaria with her husband, Count Andreas von Kuefstein, and their son; Prince and Princess Wolfgang of Bavaria with their daughter, Prince and Princess Christoph of Bavaria, and their son, Prince Marcello, Duke Franz of Bavaria and Thomas Greinwald, Duke Max in Bayern, Princess Auguste of Bavaria and her husband, Prince Ferdinand, Herzog Franz von Bayern with partner Thomas Greinwald, his brother, Herzog Max in Bayern,, Princess Auguste von Bayern with husband, Prince Ferdinand zur Lippe Weissenfeld, Prince and Princess Leopold of Bavaria with their children, Princess Filippa and Prince Manual, the Princess of Isenburg-Birstein, Prince and Princess Fritz of Thurn und Taxis, the Prince of Waldburg zu Zeil, Count and Countess zu Toerring-Seefeld, Archduchess Valerie of Austria (Dowager Markgräfin of Baden, Archduke Markus Salvator of Austria, and his son, Maximilian, Countess Lidwine von Preysing, Count and Countess Hans-Caspar of Toerring-Jettenbach.
These photos are protected by copyright. They were taken by a friend of mine, and I am very thankful to this person for allowing me to use them. Grateful as well.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
A new Bavarian princess
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| @Jule von Wrede |
Haus Bayern announced the birth of Princess Sophia of Bavaria. She is the first child of Prince Corbinian and Princess Magdalena of Bavaria.
The little Princess was born at the end of March and was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church this past weekend.
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Prince Corbinian and Magdalena von Kessel were married on August 12, 2023.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
The Duchess of Edinburgh at Hyde Park
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| @Ken Stone |
The Duchess of Edinburgh, as Royal Colonel of the Queen's Own Yeomanry, was present at the 102nd Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Parade and Memorial Service. The event took place at Hyde Park on May 10th.
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| @Ken Stone |
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| @Ken Stone |
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As always, my thanks to Ken for allowing me to use his photos.
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