Royal News
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume engaged
Cry and weep, marriageable women all over the world who had hoped to catch Europe’s last royal bachelor heir, for he is finally getting hitched. Yesterday morning a Belgian newspaper already reported it, and the Luxembourg Prime Minister confirmed it later that day at a press conference. Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg is engaged to the Belgian Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy.
Prince Friso suffers from massive brain damage
Today, 24 February 2012, Prince Friso’s doctors called a press conference at the Landeskrankenhaus in Innsbruck, Austria, to give more information about his diagnosis and prognosis. They didn’t have good news, however. Prince Friso suffered massive brain damage and is unlikely to ever recover.
Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau in hospital after ski accident
Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau, second son of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, has been buried by an avalanche in Austria. The Prince was found after some 15 to 20 minutes, resuscitated at the scene and then taken to the university hospital in Innsbruck. His condition is critical but stable.
Bhutan King Married
Today the 31-year-old King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, married 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema in a small, traditional ceremony, which was held in an old Buddhist monastery a few miles outside the capital, Thimphu. Thousands lined the streets towards and around the monastery, in order to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.
Crown Princess Victoria Pregnant
The Swedish court announced Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel are expecting their first child. The Crown Princess is expected to give birth in March 2012. The couple and the whole Swedish royal family are delighted to share the news with their country.
Popularity polls and their influence on royalty
In a recent poll of the Dutch magazine “Vorsten Royale”, Princess Maxima of the Netherlands turned out to be the most popular Princess among the readers. Princess Victoria of Sweden and Princess Mary of Denmark came second and third. Of course the bias towards the Dutch Crown Princess is to be expected in a Dutch magazine. Close neighbour Princess Mathilde of Belgium was number four, and Kate Middleton, princess-to-be, entered the list at place 8, a very nice achievement.
Going once, going twice… SOLD!
One report after the other these days about Royal “artefacts” for auction: the legendary jewel collection of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor, Queen Beatrix’ pink Warhol portrait, Queen Elizabeth II’s knickers, several collections of historical letters, and now also an Aston Martin that once belonged to King Baudouin.
The future of Royalty
For as long as I can remember, I have always been interested in royalty. I remember reading the encyclopedia (how’s that for dating myself) on Henry VIII of England and his many wives, the Wars of the Roses and the Battle of Bosworth just to name a few historical events that caught my attention.