All About Royal Families

Prince Philippe swore allegiance to the constitution in the Belgian Senate. He became the 7th. King of Belgium. Belgian Senate in Brussels - Pictures - Wikipedia I took some snapshops of the television screen. So, enjoy this historic day. Children of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde  Queen Mathilde  Queen Mathilde & Queen Fabiola  The Belgian Royal Family

Just a few minutes ago, King Albert II has signed the abdication document. Belgium has for 1,50h no King. King Albert II gave a moving speech. He adressed Prince Philippe directly. What an historical event! I could take some screenshots from television:   The Belgian Royal Family Princess Astrid - Prince Lorenz - Princess Claire - Prince Laurent Queen Fabiola Princess Mathilde - Prince Philippe The Beautiful location A tender moment between father and son Almost The Three Queens  Princess Mathilde and Queen Paola Princess Claire - Prince Lorenz Father & son - Prince Philippe and King Albert II The Beautiful Princess Mathilde

Readers of this blog know that I like travelling. My trips have mostly a Royal Connection. So, what about Bern in Switzerland? Well, according to a local legend Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen , founded Bern. He named the city after the first animal that he met on a hunt. That was a bear. A second important thing for me was the historic old town, that is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bern Switzerland Was Bern worth a Visit? Definitely! What are the famous landmarks of Bern? 1/ Zytglogge Zytglogge Bern Switzerland 2/ Bern Minster Bern Minster - Bern - Switzerland inside the Bern Minster - Bern - Switzerland 3/ Bundeshaus (Federal Palace of Switzerland) Federal Palace Bern Switzerland During our visit (at Saturday) there was a market in Bern Of course, Bern has a lot more to see and to do than these pictures and landmarks. Did you know that Albert Einstein was born in Bern?

Trier is located in Germany within the Mosel Wine Region, near Luxembourg. The City was very important in History. The Archbishop of Trier was an important Prince of the Church. The Most Famous Landmarks of Trier are : 1/ Porta Negra Porta Negra Trier Germany Porta Negra Trier Germany 2/ Constantine Basilica 3/ Palace of Trier & Garden Palace of Trier Germany There were Renovation Works @ the Palace of Trier -  So I can't show the beauty of the Palace. 4/ Cathedral (Dom) of Trier Cathedral of Trier Germany   inside view   inside view

During a Speech on 6 p.m (local time), King Albert II of Belgium announced his abdication. Screenshot of the last speech of King Albert in 2013 Albert became King of the Belgians on 9 August 1993, after the death and the burial of his brother King Baudouin of Belgium.  Queen Fabiola, Queen Paola and King Albert on the first Day of Kingship Source: Gazet Van Antwerpen - 1993 This is the first time in Belgian History that a ruling King will abdicate. Except King Leopold III,in 1951 he was forced to abdicate in favour of his son King Baudouin.   King Leopold III and his wife Queen Astrid of Belgium   King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola of Belgium - picture from a stamp On 21 July 2013, Albert's eldest son Philippe, became King of the Belgians.

Today's Royal Destination is Dinant in Belgium. Dinant is located in the beautiful province Namur (this is in the French Speaking Part of Belgium). Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the Saxophone, was born here. The City's landmark is the Colligiate Church of Notre-Dame The 13th. century Gothic cathedral is located on the banks of the River Meuse. It replaced another Romanesque Church, which collapse in 1228. The most special is the bell tower from the 16th. century Collegiate Church of Notre Dame Dinant Belgium Collegiate Church of Notre Dame Dinant Belgium Above the church rises the vertical flank of the rock with on top the citadel. The current fort was built in 1815 but it replaced a site founded in 1051, when the region was under the rule of the Prince Bishop of Liège. The citadel overlooks the city and the Meuse Citadel of Dinant - Belgium Citadel Dinant Belgium The history for Dinant wasn't always that good. In 1466, Charl...

Belgium is known for its amazing 'old' cities. One of them is Antwerp, located in Flanders, the Dutch speaking part of the Country. Some history After the decline of Bruges (end of the 15th century), Antwerp became more important. Foreign trading Houses moved from Bruges to Antwerp and the city even became the sugar capital of Europe! This sugar was imported via Spanish and Portuguese plantations. Moneylenders and financiers also established businesses here. The most famous landmarks of Antwerp are: 1/ The Town Hall Town Hall Antwerp Belgium Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp Belgium Grand Place Antwerp Belgium Het Steen - The stone The Scheldt Of course there are a lot more famous landmarks of Antwerp,  but this blogpost is to small to  list them all. Antwerp has hidden treasures like the Vlaeykensgang. Vlaeykensgang Did you know: Peter I of Russia  (Peter the Great) visited Antwerp.  He wa...