The Mail on Sunday is reporting that Queen Elizabeth personally intervened to allow for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to move into Princess Margaret's Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2058109/1m-refit-Kensington-Palace-Duke-Duchess-Cambridge-Princess-Margarets-apartment.htm
After Princess Margaret's death, the apartment was briefly opened to the public. I was very lucky to be in England when the apartment was open for tours. The Annigoni portrait of Margaret was still hanging on the wall. This was before Margaret's children, Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto, sold many of the Princess' possessions and jewels at auction.
The apartment has since been used for several exhibitions at Kensington Palace, including the current Enchanted Princesses exhibit, which closes in January 2012.
For more information, about upcoming exhibits, please visit Kensington Palace's website.
http://www.hrp.org.uk/KensingtonPalace/Historyandstories/Building/ThefutureofKensingtonPalace/Newstoryzones
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
A girl for the Snows
A little late ...
Lady Edwina Snow gave birth to a daughter, Zia, at the Portland Hospital in London in mid-October. The former Lady Edwina Grosvenor, younger daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster, married TV reporter Dan Snow last November.
The baby is named for her great-great-grandmother, Lady Zia Wernher (nee Countess Zia Torby), whose Christian name was Anastasia.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2051587/Dame-Veras-surprising-engagement.html
Lady Edwina Snow gave birth to a daughter, Zia, at the Portland Hospital in London in mid-October. The former Lady Edwina Grosvenor, younger daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster, married TV reporter Dan Snow last November.
The baby is named for her great-great-grandmother, Lady Zia Wernher (nee Countess Zia Torby), whose Christian name was Anastasia.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2051587/Dame-Veras-surprising-engagement.html
Lady Alice names her attendants
November 4, 1935
The names of Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott's bridesmaids were released today, reports the Associated Press. Lady Alice will marry Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, tomorrow at Buckingham Palace.
One "little Princess who might some day bear the weight of the British Empire upon her shoulders," is at the top of the list of the eight bridesmaids. Nine-year-old Princess Elizabeth, and her younger sister, Princess Margaret Rose, 5, are two of the bridesmaids. The two princesses are the daughters of the Duke and Duchess of York and are third and fourth in line to the British throne, ranking ahead of the Duke of Gloucester.
The other bridesmaids are Lady Mary Cambridge, 11, a grandniece of Queen Mary; Lady Elizabeth Scott, 13, the daughter of the bride's brother, the Earl of Dalkeith; Miss Ann Hawkins,7, and Miss Claire Phipps, 14, each a daughter of Lady Alice's sisters. The final two bridesmaids are Lady Angela Scott, the bride's sister, and Miss Moyra Scott, a cousin.
Lady Alice and Lady Angela are "inseparable companions," and when they were children, they made a pact "that whoever married first should have the other as a bridesmaid."
Lady Alice's bouquet will include a sprig of myrtle from a tree in the Frogmore gardens at Windsor.
The Duke of Gloucester, third son of King George V and Queen Mary, and Lady Alice, were scheduled to marry at Westminster Abbey, but following the death of the bride's father, the Duke of Buccleuch, the wedding arrangements were scaled down, and now the marriage will take place at Buckingham Palace.
Elisabeth: I won't go back
November 4, 1935
Former Queen Elisabeth of Greece has made it clear that she has no intention of returning to the Greek throne, according to an Associated Press dispatch. Now divorced from King George II, Elisabeth, the sister of King Carol II, says she has no regrets. She prefers running a farm in Romania "instead of again becoming Queen of Greece."
Former Queen Elisabeth of Greece has made it clear that she has no intention of returning to the Greek throne, according to an Associated Press dispatch. Now divorced from King George II, Elisabeth, the sister of King Carol II, says she has no regrets. She prefers running a farm in Romania "instead of again becoming Queen of Greece."
Juan robbed of jewels
November 4, 1935
Infante Don Juan of Spain and his new bride, Marie de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies were victims of a jewel heist today in Toronto, where jewels valued at $8000 were stolen from the couple's hotel suite, reports the Associated Press.
Don Juan, the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne, and Princess Marie de las Mercedes, were married three ago in Italy.
Infante Don Juan of Spain and his new bride, Marie de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies were victims of a jewel heist today in Toronto, where jewels valued at $8000 were stolen from the couple's hotel suite, reports the Associated Press.
Don Juan, the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne, and Princess Marie de las Mercedes, were married three ago in Italy.
Karl sent into exile
November 4, 1921
Former Austrian Emperor Karl is now on a British ship, "an exile from his country to an island in the Atlantic," reports the New York Times. The Portuguese government has told the Allies that Karl can live "under guard" on the island of Madeira. The "conditions of his guardianship" are now being arranged.
Karl is accompanied by his wife, Zita, who is pregnant with another child, to the Riverside station at Baia. They arrived late. Some "peasants had waited all night to offer flowers," which Zita was allowed to accept. Zita entered the boat first, followed by her husband, dressed in a fur coat "against the cold of the early morning. The chauffeur, who drove the couple to the station, paid tribute to the former emperor: "Whatever people say, he's a very pleasant gentleman."
Archbishop Scioppa spent a few minutes alone with Karl on board the ship, and made "a last attempt to persuade the King to abdicate." But Karl said: "I see no reason why I should abdicate as I am being exiled. As for my country, there is no reason, either, in such action on my part, as it is being ordered to proclaim not only my deposition but the proscription of my family."
As the Glowworm pulled out of the harbor, Karl came out one last time to take have a final look at the country and "to say farewell to those who had come to see him leave it." Before they left, both Karl and Zita asked the French officers, who were guarding them, "whether it was true that the great powers had demanded their deposition." Zita "wept with disappointment" when she was told it was true.
"What is to become of my children?" she asked.
The family will have little money to live on, even in "comparatively cheap" Madeira. Karl has left "enormous debts in Switzerland," and has already sold "most of the family jewels in his possession."
The children and a small staff remain in Switzerland, but arrangements are being made for "their removal to Luxembourg" until they can "join the exiles in Madeira."
As the former imperial couple was being taken into exile, the Hungarian National Assembly passed "two readings of the bill" that calls for the dethroning of former Emperor Karl. A third reading takes place on Sunday, which will be followed by the expected passage of the legislation.
In the limelight: the Queen's younger brother
November 4, 1911
Queen Mary's handsome younger brother, Prince Alexander of Teck is about to step into the limelight, as he has been asked to represent King George V at the coronation of the King of Siam, reports the Los Angeles Times.
He has "come into pre-eminence" only since his brother-in-law came to the throne. Before this, he was "merely a distant cousin," as King Edward VII asked his brother, the Duke of Connaught, and the latter's son, Prince Arthur of Connaught to "represent him in foreign lands." Prince Alexander's stock has gone up since George's succession, for he and Prince Arthur "are the only male royalties available" to represent the king in foreign countries until the Prince of Wales and his brothers "are old enough to do so."
[Marlene's note: Alexander was hardly a distant relative. His mother, Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, was Queen Victoria's first cousin. She was very popular, and known as the People's Princess.]
Known to his family as Algy, Prince Alexander "is a splendid person for the job. He "has an imposing height and carriage and a fine handsome face which is bound to attract attention." He is one "of those cheery souls who finds life anything but a bore." Alexander is also "a true son of his mother, one of the happiest and kindest women that ever stepped."
There was not "a merrier family party than that at White Lodge," in Richmond Park, where the late Duke and Duchess of Teck, raised their children, May, now Queen Mary, and her three younger brothers.
The duke and duchess were often "hard up," and although they were royal, the "children were brought up on strict and sensible lines." Prince Alexander attended Eton, and then passed out at Sandhurst, near the top of his class. He served with the Seventh Hussars and "distinguished himself" in South Africa. He also served in the Boer War.
After the death of his brother, Prince Francis of Teck, Prince Alexander came into public view. His brother was "deeply interested in Middlesex Hospital," and was involved in a project to raise money for the hospital. After Francis became ill and died, Alexander "completed his brother's tasks." And "he worked really hard." He would frequently visit the hospital, and take attend meetings. At the children's war, he would linger. Alexander "would stand by a cot to let some baby fingers curl around his own, and a romp with the little convalescents was not infrequent.
Alexander has been married since 1904 to Princess Alice of Albany, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, and King George V's first cousin. She is a "sweet and charming girl with no money to speak of and there is no happier or handsome couple to be found anywhere." They have two children, Princess May and Prince Rupert. A third child, a son, died when he was only a few months old. If you liked this,
Meeting Diana Mandache
and her sweet husband, Valentin, for dinner at Pizza Hut in Bucharest. Valentin took the photo. Diana is the foremost expert on the Romanian royal house - and her latest book, Dearest Missy, is a treasure!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
More photos from Bucharest
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| Marlene and Nelly Mirciou |
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| Princess Anne de Ligne and her husband, Charles |
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| Queen Sofia taking a picture of King Michael on tv |
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| The Prince of Löwenstein-Rosenberg-Wertheim on Monday |
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| Dr. John Fruchaud, Princess Tatiana Radziwill and Queen Sofia |
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| Prince and Princess Wilhelm of Schaumburg-Lippe |
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| Archduchess Maria Magdalene of Austria and her husband, Baron von Holzhausen |
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| Marlene with Queen Sofia and Prince Vladimir |
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| Princess Irina of Romania and her husband, John Walker |
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| Prince and Princess Ludwig of Baden |
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| Crown Princess Katherine and Crown Prince Alexander |
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| Prince Vladimir and Princess Birgitte |
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| Archduchess Katharina and Archduke Martin |
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| Princess Sophie, Marlene, Prince Georg Friedrich |
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| Princess Helen |
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| Princess Stephanie and Prince Bernhard of Baden |
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| Archduke Georg and Archduchess Eilika |
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| Grand Duchess Marie and Grand Duke George |
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| The Margrave and Margravine of Baden A random selection of photos of guests at the 90th birthday celebrations of King Michael. The guests included European royalty, and members of the King's family, including four of his daughters, Crown Princess Margarita and her husband, Prince Radu, Princess Helen and her two children, Prince Nicholas and Karina, Princess Irina and her husband, John Walker, and Princess Marie. Princess Sophie was unable to attend. |
ALL PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHTED BY MARLENE KOENIG. DO NOT COPY OR REPRODUCE WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!
It's a boy!
November 3, 1961
Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, gave birth to a son this morning. The child is fifth in line to the throne. He will bear the courtesy title Viscount Linley
The infant was born at 10:45 this morning in a "white-walled bedroom at Clarence House, overlooking the Mall," reports the New York Times.
Crowds of Britons had gathered outside Buckingham Palace hours before, "standing in the pale, chilly sunlight." They surged to the palace gate when an official "marched out at 11:40 to post the royal announcement." Typed on Clarence House note paper, "it was couched in the terms demanded by tradition: "Her Royal Highness the Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, was safely delivered of a son at 10:45 A.M. Both mother and baby are well."
Lord Linley weighted six pounds four ounces. He has "fair hair and blue eyes."
The baby's father, Lord Snowdon, was "waiting anxiously outside the delivery room and was the first to be told." Princess Margaret's older sister, Queen Elizabeth II, was holding an investiture at Buckingham Palace when she received a telephone call announcing the news of her first nephew.
Two hours later, "hatless and bundled in a fur coat," Queen Elizabeth was "driven through the jubiliant throngs at Clarence House to make the first royal call on her sister and the baby."
This is the first child for Princess Margaret and the former Antony Armstrong-Jones who were married on May 6, 1960.
The baby follows the Prince of Wales, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Princess Margaret in the line of succession. The last royal birth at Clarence House was in August 1950 when the Queen, as Princess Elizabeth was living there, gave birth to Princess Anne. Prince Charles and Prince Andrew were born at Buckingham Palace.
Princess Margaret and her husband live at Kensington Palace. They drove to to Clarence House last night to join the Queen Mother.
After his birth, the baby, whose names have not been announced, "was placed in a basketwork cradle, wrapped in white organza and tied with a blue ribbon, which had been given to the Princess by a blind craftsman who recently made it in Dublin."
Shortly after noon, the Queen Mother "drew aside the curtains of a second-story drawing room," where she was joined by Lord Snowdon, and both waved as the "crowd cheered."
Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, gave birth to a son this morning. The child is fifth in line to the throne. He will bear the courtesy title Viscount Linley
The infant was born at 10:45 this morning in a "white-walled bedroom at Clarence House, overlooking the Mall," reports the New York Times.
Crowds of Britons had gathered outside Buckingham Palace hours before, "standing in the pale, chilly sunlight." They surged to the palace gate when an official "marched out at 11:40 to post the royal announcement." Typed on Clarence House note paper, "it was couched in the terms demanded by tradition: "Her Royal Highness the Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, was safely delivered of a son at 10:45 A.M. Both mother and baby are well."
Lord Linley weighted six pounds four ounces. He has "fair hair and blue eyes."
The baby's father, Lord Snowdon, was "waiting anxiously outside the delivery room and was the first to be told." Princess Margaret's older sister, Queen Elizabeth II, was holding an investiture at Buckingham Palace when she received a telephone call announcing the news of her first nephew.
Two hours later, "hatless and bundled in a fur coat," Queen Elizabeth was "driven through the jubiliant throngs at Clarence House to make the first royal call on her sister and the baby."
This is the first child for Princess Margaret and the former Antony Armstrong-Jones who were married on May 6, 1960.
The baby follows the Prince of Wales, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Princess Margaret in the line of succession. The last royal birth at Clarence House was in August 1950 when the Queen, as Princess Elizabeth was living there, gave birth to Princess Anne. Prince Charles and Prince Andrew were born at Buckingham Palace.
Princess Margaret and her husband live at Kensington Palace. They drove to to Clarence House last night to join the Queen Mother.
After his birth, the baby, whose names have not been announced, "was placed in a basketwork cradle, wrapped in white organza and tied with a blue ribbon, which had been given to the Princess by a blind craftsman who recently made it in Dublin."
Shortly after noon, the Queen Mother "drew aside the curtains of a second-story drawing room," where she was joined by Lord Snowdon, and both waved as the "crowd cheered."
Saxon king to become Lutheran
King Friedrich August of Saxony is preparing to leave the Roman Catholic church and become a member of the Lutheran church, writes the Marquise de Fontenoy. The king's decision has been "prompted by the refusal of the Vatican to grant a dissolution of his marriage" from the former Archduchess Luisa of Austria.
The King received a divorce from the "civil courts of his kingdom." Most of his subjects are Lutheran, and in their eyes, his marriage "has ceased to exist." But in the eyes of the Roman Catholic church, Luise "remains not only the full-fledged wife of the king but is moreover entitled as such to the rank and status of queen of Saxony."
This has become an extremely awkward situation in Saxony in which Friedrich August, his advisers and many of his subjects "wish to see terminated in one way or another." The Pope, however, has refused to budge, and grant an annulment of the marriage, "preferring even the loss of a reigning house to the church than the injury to its prestige and authority which would result from any compromise in the affair."
The king's brother, Prince Maximilian, a priest, and a professor of theology at Freiburg University in Switzerland, has been in Rome, where he has been trying to bring pressure "upon the court of Dresden without avail." He has not been able to convince his older brother to remain in the Church. It is now considered a foregone conclusion that Friedrich August will abjure his Catholic faith and become a Lutheran.
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Shortly after the king's conversion, he will marry Princess Feodore of Schleswig-Holstein, a younger sister of the German Empress, and a "particular favorite of the emperor." The princess is about 31 years old, "handsome, accomplished, and popular at court and among the people at Dresden," where she has lived for most of her life. Her mother, Duchess Adelheid of Schleswig-Holstein, moved to Dresden shortly after the death of her husband twenty-five years ago.
Princess Feodore has been the subject of several "projects of matrimonial alliances" with the present king of Italy, Nicholas II of Russia, Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria, and the late King Alexander of Serbia. But the princess refused to "abjure the tenets of the Lutheran faith, in which she has been reared, proving an insurmountable obstacle in each case."
Soon Feodore will be the queen consort of Friedrich August, who will be able to join her in worship in the Lutheran church.
A son for Prince Albert
November 3, 1901
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, the wife of Prince Albert, heir presumptive, gave birth today to a son, according to the New York Times.
The infant prince has been given the name Leopold. This afternoon, King Leopold II, visited Prince Albert "to congratulate him upon" the birth of his son, "expressed his joy, and promised to act, as godfather."
Prince Leopold is the first child for Prince Albert and the former Duchess Elisabeth in Bavaria.
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, the wife of Prince Albert, heir presumptive, gave birth today to a son, according to the New York Times.
The infant prince has been given the name Leopold. This afternoon, King Leopold II, visited Prince Albert "to congratulate him upon" the birth of his son, "expressed his joy, and promised to act, as godfather."
Prince Leopold is the first child for Prince Albert and the former Duchess Elisabeth in Bavaria.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Paul Lambrino: pig of the month award
or the Prick of the month award. Lambrino was not invited to any of the birthday celebrations, although I was told that he crashed a reception last week that was attended by several of King Michael's cousins, one of whom told Lambrino off.
http://www.romania-insider.com/prince-paul-of-romania-to-his-uncle-king-michael-you-did-nothing-for-our-people-during-50-years-of-communism/38635/
http://www.romania-insider.com/prince-paul-of-romania-to-his-uncle-king-michael-you-did-nothing-for-our-people-during-50-years-of-communism/38635/
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