The Weekend Special - Victoria - A Little Princess became a Queen

On June 20th. 1837, King William IV died. He was 71 years old.
Princess Victoria became queen of the United Kingdom.

 Source picture: Wikipedia

The Coronation of Queen Victoria was held on June 28th. 1838

 Source picture: Book Kensington Palace

The Weekend Special - Queen Victoria - Heiress presumptive

Princess Victoria's mother, the Duchess of Kent, was very protective.
So, the young princess was raised largely isolated from other children.

Princess Victoria learned to speak French, German, Italian and Latin.
At home she spoke English.

She learned a lot of lessons but she had a talent for drawing and painting.

Princess Victoria and her mother, The Duchess of Kent

The Young Victoria - Picture from book Kensington Palace

Queen Victoria with her dog: King Charles Spaniel, Dash - Source picture: Wikipedia

The Weekend Special: Queen Victoria - Childhood

On June 24th. 1819, Princess Victoria was baptized privately by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Cupola Room at Kensington Palace.

Her full name was: Alexandrine, Victoria, Georgina, Charlotte, Augusta.
The name Alexandrine was chosen in favor of one of her godparents
Tsar Alexander I of Russia.

 Alexander I of Russia - Source picture: Wikipedia

On this picture you see Princess Victoria when she was 4 years old.

                                    Source picture: Wikipedia

The Weekend Special: Queen Victoria - When a little princess became Queen & Empress

Princess Victoria was born on May 24th. 1819 @ Kensington Palace in London.

 Own picture of a hidden Kensington Palace

 Picture taken from book

Princess Victoria's father was Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn.

 Source picture - Wikipedia

Princess Victoria's mother was (the German) Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.

 Source picture - Wikipedia

 Picture taken from Book

Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld was the sister of Leopold I (the later King of Belgium).

 Source picture: Wikipedia

Leopold I married Princess Charlotte of Wales. 

  Source picture: Wikipedia

She was the only grandchild of King George III.

Princess Charlotte of Wales gave birth to a stillborn son.

She died in1817. 

Her death caused a succession crisis in the United Kingdom.

Fortunately, two years later, Princess Victoria was born. 

The Weekend Special with Queen Victoria

This Weekend, the Special will be really Extraordinary.

She was Queen of the United Kingdom and Ireland and Empress of India
and  ruled for more than 63 years.

 Source map: Wikipedia

She had 9 children and also was called the Grandmother of Europe.

She was the grandmother of inter alia:

- Alexandra Feodorovna, the last Tsarina of Russia,
- Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany,
- Sophie, Queen of Greece,
etc.

Of course I talk about Queen Victoria.

 Source picture: Wikipedia

 Picture taken from book

Queen Victoria, is the reason why I started this blog. 

I had always respect for her age and for her reign and I wanted an interactive place to

numerate all her descendants (I've not yet succeeded in my goal, but it's a work in progress).

I hope you'll enjoy this special as much as I do.

All About Royal Families - The Weekend Special - Who will be the Special topic on my blog?

Hurray!!!! It's Friday! Almost Weekend. Time For the Special.

 Own picture

Who will be my special topic on my blog?

Which King, Queen, Prince or Princess or Royal Family will be put in the picture

during this Special?

I won't tell anything!

Till tomorrow.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Norway 17/5/2013: Happy Constitution (National) Day!

In Norway, people celebrate their Constitution (National) Day.
Following the tradition there is a Children's Parade.

The Norwegian Royal Family appeared on the Balcony of the Royal Palace.



Map of Norway - Source picture: Wikipedia

On this link you can see more pictures:
http://www.royalcourt.no/fotoalbum.html?tid=114519&sek=28410

The Netherlands 17/5/2013: International Day Against Homophobia

Yesterday Queen Máxima of The Netherlands attended a dinner in the 'Ridderzaal'- (Knight's Hall)

in The Hague.

The dinner was organized on the occasion of the two-days congress of the 

International Day Against Homophobia.

 Source picture: Wikipedia Author picture: Ellywa

 Source picture: Koninklijk Huis

What do you think of the color of Queen Máxima's outfit?
She wore a fuchsia pantsuit of Gucci.
I like it.

Luxembourg 17/5/2013: Luxembourg Football

Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa will attend the finals of the
'Coupe de Luxembourg de Football'.

This match will take place in the 'Stade Josy Barthel' in Luxembourg.

 Source picture: Wikipedia

Belgium 17/5/2013: Technopolis

Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde will attend the official opening of the new
buildings of Technopolis in Mechelen. The Royals will discover two new zones:
Xplora and Inspirience.

Technopolis is a Flemish technology and education center near Mechelen.

The Royal Family is supporting Technology. 

A year ago there was an exhibition in the Royal Palace in Brussels.

Own picture: Royal Palace - inside view - Heaven of Delight of Jan Fabre & Technopolis exhibition.

The Netherlands 16/5/2013: 'Appeltjes van Oranje' - (Apples of Orange)

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima presented the award
'Appeltjes van Oranje' (Apples of Orange).

This ceremony took place in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam

 Own picture palace of Amsterdam

Princess Beatrix also attended the ceremony.

United Kingdom 16/5/2013: Devon County Show

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and daughter-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II, attends the
Devon County Show.

 Source map: Wikipedia

The Devon County Show is an annually agricultural show.
It is held over three days in May (this year on 16,17 & 18th. May) at the
Westpoint Arena

 Westpoint Arena - Source picture: Wikipedia

and Showground in Clyst St.Mary near Exeter.

On this link you'll find more information about the Devon County Show:

http://www.devoncountyshow.co.uk/

Belgium 16/5/2013 : Medical Foundation Queen Elisabeth

Princess Astrid, daughter of King Albert II, will attend the ceremony of awards:

'Medical Foundation Queen Elisabeth'

This ceremony takes place in the Royal Palace of Brussels.

 Own picture  - Royal Palace of Brussels.

United Kingdom 16/5/2013: Charles, Prince of Wales in Stoke-on-Trent

Prince Charles will visit Stoke-on-Trent in England.

 Source map: Wikipedia

Prince Charles will visit the:

- Co-Operative Academy;
- Wedgwood Institute;
& Middleport Pottery;



Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent - Source picture: Wikipedia - Author picture: Russ London

On this link you can read more information about the visits:

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Prince-brings-new-hope-jobs-Mother-Town/story-19001139-detail/story.html#axzz2TTICii3Q

The Netherlands 15/5/2013: King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima @ work

This morning Queen Máxima gave a speech at the annual international meeting of the
Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP). The annual international meeting takes place
at the Mövenpick Hotel in Amsterdam.

  Queen Máxima - Source picture: Koninklijk huis (2011)

King Willem-Alexander opened the renovated Ministry of Defense in The Hague (Den Haag).

 Source picture - Koninklijk huis - (2008)

United Kingdom / France 15/5/2013: Sophie, Countess of Wessex in Paris

Sophie, Countess of Wessex and daughter-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II is in Paris (France).

 The Eifel Tower - Own picture taken in 2003

 Paris - Own Picture taken in 2003

She visited the British School of Paris. On this link you can find more information about
the school: http://www.britishschool.fr/Pages/Welcome.aspx

Monaco 15/05/2013: Foyer Sainte-Dévote

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène opened an elderly residence located in  the building of the
Foyer Sainte-Dévote.

 

Sainte-Dévote Chapel in Monaco - Own Picture

Belgium 15/5/2013: European Business Summit

Prince Philippe will attend the 11th. European Business Summit.

This top is organized by the Union of the Belgian Enterprises & Business Europe.

The Theme is: 'Unlocking industrial opportunities'.

The congress takes place in 'Autoworld' in the Jubilee Park in Brussels.



Source picture - Autoworld: Wikipedia
Author picture: UserBen2

United Kingdom 15/5/2013: Gold Awards

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, will present the
Gold Awards (a level of the Duke of Edinburgh Award) in St.James's Palace in London.

 ST.James's Palace - own pictures

United Kingdom / France 14/05/2013 : Sophie, Countess of Wessex in Paris

Sophie, Countess of Wessex & wife of Prince Edward & daughter-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II,
is in Paris.

As patron of the Central School of Ballet, she will attend a performance and dinner in the
British Embassy in Paris (France).

 

Own picture (2003) - Paris taken from Tour Montparnasse

Own picture (2003) - Streetview in Paris 

Monaco 14/05/2013: Dinner

This evening, Prince Albert II and his wife, Princess Charlène, will dinner in restaurant
'Cordon d'Or' (I like the name).

The restaurant is located in the 'Lycée Technique & Hôtelier' in Monte Carlo,
which the Royals inaugurated yesterday.

 Own picture taken in Monte Carlo

On this site you can read more (in French) about the restaurant:

http://www.lycee-technique.mc/index.php/le-cordon-dor

Sweden 14/5/2013: Visit to Slottsängen

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia are in Flen.
They visit Slottsängen, a residential home for the elderly.



Source picture: Wikipedia - Author picture:  Holtzer Motzkau

United Kingdom 14/5/2013: Rory McEwen - The Colors of Reality

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and daughter-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II, visits the
exhibition: Rory McEwen - The Colors of Reality in the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew.

Royal Botanic Gardens - Kew - Source: Wikipedia

On this page you can read more about the exhibition:

http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/whats-on/rory-mcewen/index.htm

United Kingdom 14/5/2013: Church Service & Luncheon

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip will attend a Church Service in
St.James's Palace for the Members of the Order of Merit. Afterwards the Royals will host a
luncheon.

Medal of the Order of Merit - Source picture: Wikipedia - Author picture: Brecht

Monaco 13/5/2013: Inauguration Lycée Technique & Hôtelier

Prince Albert and his wife, Princess Charlène, inaugurated the Lycée Technique & Hôtelier
in Monaco.

Monaco - Own pictures

United Kingdom 13/5/2013: Band Concert & Dinner

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburg and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, will attend a Band Concert
and a Dinner in London.

Prince Philip is colonel of the Regiment of the Grenadier Guards.

 Source picture: Wikipedia

 own picture of a parade

Spain 13/5/2013: International Congress of the Classical Archeology

Queen Sofia of Spain opens the International Congress of the Classical Archeology.
This Congress takes place in the 'Museo Nacional de Arte Romano de Mérida' from
May 13th. 2013 till May 17th. 2013

 Source picture: Wikipedia

This special congress takes place every five years.

On following link you can read more about the event.

http://www.aiegl.org/eventdetails/events/congress_of_roman_archaeology.html

Belgium/Switzerland 13/05/2013: Prince Philippe & Princess Mathilde in Lausanne

Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde visit the headquarters of the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne (Switserland).

 Source picture: Wikipedia

The Belgian Royals visit Count Jacques Rogge, current president of the IOC.

Jacques Rogge, current president of the IOC. 

Source picture: Wikipedia - Author picture: Jim Wallace.

On this link from the Belgian Newspaper 'Het Laatste Nieuws' you can see some pictures of 

the visit:

http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/7996/stars/photoalbum/detail/1631743/1261595/0/Prins-Filip-en-prinses-Mathilde-op-bezoek-bij-Jacques-Rogge.dhtml

Belgium - Queen Elisabeth Music Contest

To come back, once more, on my Weekend Special ...

King Albert I of Belgium and his wife, Queen Elisabeth, were very popular.

 

King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth - Own picture from poststamp

She founded the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Music Contest.
The competition takes place every year during this period.

Now, Queen Fabiola of Belgium is patron of this contest.

 Queen Fabiola - Own picture from book

We didn't see her often in public but for the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition,
she likes to make an exception.

This year it is a Music Contest for Piano.