In November 1937 a terrible tragedy shocked the royal families throughout Europe. On 9 October 1937 Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig von Hessen und bei Rhein (of Hesse and by Rhine), who had reigned until 1918, had died at the age of 68. Despite of that the family was to gather in London for the wedding […]
A royal visit to Groningen in 1937
My British royalty-friend Bobby Golden lately sent me a small article about a “royal” visit to my city Groningen in January 1937. A day after the wedding of Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard in The Hague Major and Lady May Abel Smith headed for Groningen on a mission connected to another big event that year. […]
Royal Twins
Sometimes I wonder what’s the thing with (royal) twins nowadays. So many celebrities become the parents of twins, and there are more royal twins than ever before. Almost every time a royal is pregnant, there are rumours it will be twins. Most of the time that is of course rubbish, but once in a while […]
Elisabeth – A Real Christmas Baby
On Christmas Eve 24 December 1837 at 10.43pm the fourth child of Maximilian Joseph, Duke in Bavaria and Princess Ludovika of Bavaria was born in München, Germany. The little girl was christened Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie, but was known by her family by the nickname of Sisi. In August 1853 Elisabeth became engaged to her full […]
The private christenings of the British royals
In contrast to some other monarchies the christenings of the British royals are rather private occasions. They often taken place in royal chapels or even in the palaces and are small, intimate ceremonies with few guests. When possible photographers like to take pictures of the arrival and departure of the parents with their child and […]
Posing for the cameras with a baby is not a royal tradition
Via Buckingham Palace the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Thursday announced (just for the record: no announcement about where and how): The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as they prepare to welcome their baby. Their […]
No more staring at the door of the Lindo Wing
The word is out! The Duke and Duchess of Sussex want the birth of their baby to be private. No big media circus, no appearance on the steps of the hospital. And that means nobody has to watch the door of the hospital for hours to wait for the news of the birth, nor until […]
300 Years Principality of Liechtenstein
On 23 January 1719 a tiny country was born. The state survived and 300 years later is still one of the few monarchies left in the world. Throughout the year (see their anniversary website) there will be a range of events. People are warmly invited to discover Liechtensteins history and natural scenery in person. Early […]
Poor Otto! A Tragic Accident in 1894
In the second half of the 19th century a “Grand Tour” was no longer fashionable. Young upper-class European men who had come of age and had enough money, in the 17th and 18th century and even in the early 19th century loved to undertake a “Grand Tour” in search for art and culture and some […]
30 December 1947 – The End of the Romanian Monarchy
On 5 December 2017, almost 70 years after Romania became a republic, the last King of Romania, Michael (Mihai) died in Switzerland aged 96. He was the last monarch alive, who had actually been reigning his country during World War II, not counting King Simeon II of the Bulgarians, who was just a child at […]