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Showing posts from February, 2012

The Recap of The Royals You Love:Feb 20-26

Denmark -Queen Margrethe II held public audiences at Christiansborg Slot, Amalienborg in Copenhagen on Monday. Great Britian -Charles, Prince of Wales & Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall visited Uxbridge High School to mark Teach First's 10th anniversary { Source }. -Charles, The Prince of Wales  gave at speech at the BITC Business Summit held at the Roundhouse, Camden, London on Thursday { Video }. -Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge  undertook another solo duty by visiting two schools in the Oxford area that benefit from her patronage,  The Art Room  on Tuesday { Photos }{ Video }. -Princess Beatrice of York attended Wild for WSPA at Under the Bridge at Chelsea Football Club on Thursday { Photos } - Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex & Sophie, Countess of Wessex  began their 16 Day State visit to    St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent, Grenada, Trinidad, Tobago, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Antiqua and Anguilla on Tuesday. Check back here for a full report on March 8th or s

Royal Profile: HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria Ingrid Alice Désirée of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland  was born 14 July 1977, and is the eldest and oldest daughter of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. She has two younger siblings-Prince Carl Phillip (1979), and Princess Madeline (1982). She was baptised at the Palace Church on 27 September 1977 and given the names Victoria Ingrid Alice Désirée. Her godparents are King Harald V of Norway, her maternal uncle, Ralf Sommerlath, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, and her aunt Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld. She was named in honor of various relatives- Her first name comes primarily from her great-great-grandmother, Victoria of Baden, the queen-consort of Sweden as wife of King Gustaf V. The same name also glorifies her (twice-over paternally) great-great-great-grandmother, Victoria of the United Kingdom. Her other names honour her great-aunt Ingrid of Denmark; her maternal grandmother, the Brazilian Alice Sommerlath (née de

Op-Ed: The Pierre Casiraghi Incident

As you may have read over the weekend Pierre Casiraghi, who is presently third in line for the throne of the Principality of Monaco, was involved in a late-night bar brawl that got him sent to a NY area hospital, where he was treated and released for severe facial injuries. As always, there have been numerous different stories from so-called “witnesses” who remain unnamed and it’s caused international attention because of who Pierre is and where it happened (and of course, 98% of them refer to him as Prince Pierre, which he isn’t…..). Think about the moneymaker tabloid headline: “Prince gets into bar fight in NYC”. Real eye catching, isn’t it? Thought so. Sense the sarcasm. Anyway- Two of the many stories that have gone viral now that are out go like this: People Magazine first broke the story on Monday via their website, claiming the following information: Pierre and his friends (among them Stavros Niarchos III, Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld and Diego Marroquim) were approach

Royal Profile: HM King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan was born 21 Februrary 1980, the eldest son of the fourth and previous Dragon King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and his father's third wife, Queen (Ashi) Tshering Yangdon. He has a younger brother, sister, four half-sisters and three half-brothers.  He became king of Bhutan on 14 December 2006, but was not crowned until 6 November 2008. He was crowned King of Bhutan when his father abdicated in his favor. During the time between 14 December 2006 and 6 November 2008, his father's powers were gradually transferred to him.  For his education, he attend schools both in Bhutan and abroad. He completed his higher secondary studies at Yangchenphu Higher Secondary School, Bhutan. Then he attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, Cushing Academy and Wheaton College in Massachusetts, United States, before graduating from Magdalen College, University of Oxford, where he completed the Foreign Service Programme and Internation

Royal Profile: King Harald V of Norway

King Harald V of Norway was born 21 February 1937, just outside of Olso, Norway, the only son and youngest child of Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Märtha. He has two older sisters,  Princess Ragnhild (1930) and Princess Astrid (1932). At the time of his birth, the succession laws in Norway were salic, otherwise known as male-only. As of 1990, the succession laws changed so it gives the oldest child, regardless of gender as heir (for example,  Prince Haakon's oldest daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra will be queen regent). When then Prince Harald was just three years old, he and his family fled to Sweden and then to the United States for the remainder of the war. In May (he,his mother & sisters) and June (his father) 1945, the family returned to Norway, which was widely celebrated by the people of Norway.  After the family's return to Norway, Prince Harald began to attend school at Smestad School, with a security guard stationed in the halls for his protection. Othe

Op-Ed: Royals and Titles

I feel the need to explain Royal Titles. Don’t ask why, just come with me and read this one. British Title Rules: 1.        Letters patent issued in 1917 (and still remaining in force today) assign a princely status and the style of Royal Highness to all male-line children & grandchildren of a monarch. Examples: a.        Prince Charles is the Prince of Wales. Therefore, at birth his sons were also titled Prince of Wales. However, since Prince William was created Duke of Cambridge, William’s children will be Prince/Princess of Cambridge once Prince Charles ascends the throne. Prior to this, Prince William’s children will be given the styles of Duke’s children  (Lady{daughters}/Viscount{eldest son}/Lord {younger sons} {Name} Mountbatten-Windsor). b.       Prince Andrew is Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Because he has a dukedom of somewhere, his daughters are Princesses of York. c.        Princess Anne, The Princess Royal’s children aren’t entitled to any sort of style because their f

The Recap of The Royals You Love:Feb 13-20

Belgium -King Albert II, Queen Paola, Queen Fabiola, Prince Philippe, Princess Mathilde, Prince Lorenz, Princess Astrid, Princess Claire & Prince Laurent  attended Mass at L'église Notre-Dame in Laeken, Belgium to remember the deceased members of the Belgian Royal Family { Photos }. -King Albert II held audiences with the Ambassador of Poland, Mr. Slawomir Czarlewski and with Belgian Prime Minister, Mr. Elio Di Rupo, at Château de Laeken on Monday  { Source }. - Prince Philippe & Princess Mathilde visited Sint Pietersinstituut Zevendonk, a school in the town of Turnhout, Belgium on Monday, where they  participated in the project, Heureux dans Notre École or Blij Op Onze School in Dutch, and attended a meeting with directors of the project along with experts in the field "... of prevention and treatment of harassing behavior in primary and secondary schools..." { Source }. Denmark - Princess Benedikte attended the Ambiente 2012 Consumer Fair

Royal Profile: Prince Friso of The Netherlands

Prince Who? You mean that prince who was nearly killed by an avalanche this week in Austria? Yes. And no. I'm talking about the second son of Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands. Younger brother of Prince Williem-Alexander. Oh. Right. Him. Yeah. Anyway-Since he's been in the news A LOT recently due to his accident, I thought for my own curiosity (since I don't know much about the Dutch Royals) and yours, I'd do a Royal Profile of Prince Friso. So here you go! His Royal Highness Prince Johan Friso Bernhard Christiaan David of Orange-Nassau, Count of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg  was born 25 September 1968, the second son of then Princess Beatrix of The Netherlands and her husband Claus van Amsberg, who was a German diplomat. His godparents are King Harald V of Norway, Johan Christian Baron von Jenisch, J.H. van Roijen, Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and Christina von Amsberg. He has one elder brother,Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange and one younger broth

Royal Profile:Prince Andrew, Duke of York

His Royal Highness Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward , Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, Baron Killyleagh, Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Canadian Forces Decoration, Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty  was born 19 February 1960, the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth & Prince Phillip, Duke of Endinburgh. At his birth, he was second in line for the throne after his older brother, Prince Charles, but after the birth of two nephews, he is presently fourth in line for the throne. He was born at Buckingham Palace, and baptized two months later. His godparents were: : The Duke of Gloucester (his maternal granduncle); Princess Alexandra of Kent (his 1st cousin once removed); the Earl of Euston; the Lord Elphinstone (his 1st cousin once removed); and Mrs Harold Phillips. He was named after his paternal grandfather, Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark. One thing that set him apart from his older sibling

Royal Profile: HRH Princess Christina of the Netherlands

Her Royal Highness Princess Christina of the Netherlands  was born Princess Marijke Christina of the Netherlands, is the youngest child of the late Queen Julianna of The Netherlands, thus the youngest sibling of The Netherlands' current reigning monarch, Queen Beatrix. She was born 18 Februray 1947 in The Netherlands. Due to her mother contracting German measles (Rubella) while pregnant with her, the new young princess was left nearly blind from birth. However, due to advances in modern medicine, and special glasses, the princess was able to lead a relatively normal life. She was a happy, smart child that held a passion for languages-once, while attended a state visit by President of the French Republic René Coty, she was delighted to speak fluently with him in French! She is also talented in music, she recorded several CDs and has a Music Foundation in the Netherlands. She sang at her father's funeral and at her mother's funeral and participated in a tribute concer

Prince Albert Visits Mali & Burkina Faso from 13 to 17 February.

Day 1 (Feb 13) Prince Albert met with Ms Cissé Mariam Kaïdama Sidibé, the Prime Minister, and Dioncounda Traoré, President of the National Assembly of Mali. { Photos } Day 3 (Feb 14) Prince Albert inaugurated the Honorary Consulate in Mali { Photos } During his time in Mali Prince Albert II signed a tax agreement between Mali and Monaco“…validating a principle of no double taxation…” Afterward, the sovereign prince visited the Sickle Cell Disease Research and Control Centre as well as the Charles Mérieux Centre co-funded by the Monégasque Office of International Cooperation. { Video } { Video } Day 4 (Feb 15) Prince Albert met with Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore in Ouagadougou { Photo }. Day 5 (Feb 16) Prince Albert made a visit to the children center "Shalom" in the village of Guie, 60 km of Ouagadaougo { Photos }

Royal Profile: HRH Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg

Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra Joséphine Teresa Charlotte Marie Wilhelmine of Luxembourg was born 16 Februrary 1991 at Maternity Grande-Duchesse Charlotte in Luxembourg, the only daughter of Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg. She has four brothers- Guallieum, Louis, Felix & Sébastien. She attened primary school at Angelsberg, Luxembourg and finished her secondary education at the Lycée Vauban in Luxembourg, where she recieved the French   Baccalauréat with honors in 2009. She presently attends Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, United States, studying history, philosophy and literature. Up until summer 2011, Princess Alexandra was NOT in line for the throne of Luxembourg due to agnatic succession, when absolute primogeniture was adopted starting with the descendants of Grand Duke Henri. Therefore, as of Februrary 2012, she is presently 3rd in line, preceding her younger brother,   Sébastien since her older brother Louis gave up hi

Royal Profile: HSH Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein

Prince Hans-Adam II,   Adam Ferdinand Alois Josef Maria Marko of Liechtenstein was born 14 Februrary 1945, the oldest child and son of Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein and his wife Countess Georgina von Wilczek. He has three brothers (Princes Phillipp, Franz- Joesph &  Nikolaus) and a sister (Nora). The Prince graduated from the University of St. Gallen with a degree in Business and Economic Studies in 1969. He married his second cousin-once removed, Countess Marie Aglaë Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau on 30 July 1967. He has four children-Alois, Maximilian, Constantin, and  Tatjana. He has 15 grandchildren. Prince Hans-Adam owns LGT banking group and has a family fortune of $7.6 billion and a personal fortune of about $4.0 billion, making him one of the world's richest heads of state, and Europe's wealthiest monarch. He owns an extensive art collection, which is displayed for the public at theLiechtenstein Museum in Vienna. The Prince has written the po

The Recap of The Royals You Love:Feb 6-12, 2012

Belgium - King Albert II held an audience with the Minister of Justice, Ms. Annemie Turtelboom, at Château de Laeken on Monday. On Thursday, he held audiences with ambassadors from South Africa, Peru, Mozambique, and Romania. -Prince Philippe & Princess Mathilde  attended the 2012 HUB Brussels: Network of Social Entrepreneurs on Friday { Photos }. -Princess Mathilde attended the inauguration of the new Maison de Sant'Egidio in Brussels on Tuesday Denmark -Queen Margrethe II held audiences at Christiansborg Slot on Monday { Source }. On Tuesday, she participated in the Danish Defense Select of the Queen's 40-Year Government Jubilee in Kastellet. She attended the opening of exhibition "Pearls - Royal Pomp - Modern Design" at Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen on Saturday. On Saturday, she attended the opening of the exhibition, Perler Kongelig Pragt: Moderne Design, at Rosenborg Slot { Photos }. -Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Ch

Royal Profile: HRH Princess Astrid of Norway, Mrs. Astrid Maud Ingeborg Ferner

Her Highness  Princess Astrid of Norway, Mrs. Astrid Maud Ingeborg Ferner  was born 12 Februrary 1932, the middle child of  King Olav V of Norway (1903–1991) and his wife, Princess Märtha of Sweden (1901–1954). She is the older sister of Norway's present king. She has one older sister, Princess  Ragnhild and younger brother King Harrold. After her mother died in April 1954 until her brother married in August 1958, she acted as First Lady of Norway. During this time, she worked along side her father tending to royal duties, including state visits, just as her mother had. She is chair of the board of Crown Princess Märtha’s Memorial Fund which provides financial support to social and humanitarian initiatives carried out by non-governmental organisations. She married divorced commoner Johan Martin Ferner who was an Olympic mediaist sailor, businessman in Asker on 12 January 1961. They would go on to have children-Cathrine (1962), Benedikte (1963),  Alexander (1965),   Elisabeth

Royal Profile: HRH Princess Marie of Denmark

Marie Agathe Odile Cavallier   (aka Princess Marie of Denmark)  was born 6 Februrary 1976 in Paris, France, the only child of Alain Cavallier and Françoise Grassiot. Her parents divorced when she was young, and both remarried and gave Marie four younger half brothers. Upon her parents divorce, she moved to Geneva, Switzerland with her mother, where she attended Collège Alpin International Beau Soleil. After obtaining her Bacclaurate from Collège Alpin International Beau Soleil, she attended Babson College, studying international relations and economics, however she never graduated from Babson. Instead, after a brief sint at Babson, she transfered to a school in Geneva to study Economics, then transferred to Marymount Manhattan College, where she obtained a Bachelors of Arts. After her university years, Marie worked in the field of public relations for Estée Lauder,and ING Numismatic Group SA, and other varying postitions for companies such as DoubleClick Inc, Media Marketing, Re

Royal Profile: HM Queen Elizabeth of The United Kingdom

Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary of York ( today known as Queen Elizabeth II ) was born 21 April 1926 in London, the oldest daughter of Prince Albert, Duke of York and Elizabeth, Duchess of York. She was named after her mother, her paternal great-grandmother, and her paternal grandmother. Princess Lilibet as she was known became a big sister to Princess Margaret of York on 21 August 1930. She and her sister were educated in history, language, literature and music by their mother and governess as children. Princesss Elizabeth received private tuition in constitutional history from Henry Marten, Vice-Provost of Eton College, and learned French from a succession of native-speaking governesses. A Girl Guides company, the 1st Buckingham Palace Company, was formed specifically so she could socialize with girls her own age. Later she was enrolled as a Sea Ranger. At her birth, she was third in line for succession, after her uncle, Prince Edward (later King Edward), and

Recap of The Royals You Love: January 30-February 5

Belgium -King Albert II, Queen Paola,Prince Philippe, Princess Mathilde, Princess Astrid, Prince Lorenz, Princess Claire, Prince Laurent attended a New Year’s reception held at the Palais de Bruxelles { Video }. -King Albert II & Queen Paola host the 2012 Diplomatic Days held at the Palais de Bruxelles on Thursday { Source } Denmark -Queen Margrethe II, Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary,Prince Joachim & Princess Benedikte attended a gala dinner at Christiansborg Slot for members of the Diplomatic Corps on Wednesday evening { Video } { Photos } - Crown Prince Frederik attended   homecoming of  the Danish Handball Team At Copenhagen’s Rådhus on Tuesday { video }. On Wednesday, he attended the presentation of a donation from the Danish Supermarket, A/S, to Team Denmark. -Crown Princess Mary attended the 2012 ECCO Walk in Style Awards held at the Copenhagen Rådhus on Tuesday, where she awarded the top prize to Hadassah de Boer from the N