All About Royal Families

As I told you in my previous post there are a lot of celebrations in The Hague for 200 years Kingdom of The Netherlands. Lights and Crowns in The Hague - Own picture In 1830, after the Belgian revolution Amsterdam stayed the capital of The Netherlands. But the government of The Netherlands, the foreign embassies and more than 150 international organizations (including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court) are seated in The Hague. The Hague - Own picture Personally I liked The Hague more than Amsterdam due to its Royal Connection. King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands is planned to live in Palace Ten Bosch and to work in Palace Noordeinde. Both are located in The Hague.

On November 30th. 1870, Princess Henriette of Belgium was born in Brussels (capital of Belgium). source picture: Wikipedia Princess Henriette was the daughter of Prince Philippe,  Count of Flanders (brother of King Leopold II) and  Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. In 1896, Princess Henriette married Prince Emmanuel of Orléans ,  (8th. Duke of Vendôme). He was a great-grandson of  King Louis-Philippe of France. They had 4 children. A current view of Brussels - Own picture Duty Henriette was a great sportswoman, and was often considered the best shot among royal women.  On one occasion, she killed a stag that had already killed another, making her very popular in Belgian sporting circles. She even earned the sobriquet the "Sporting Duchess". In 1908, she accompanied her husband to the Rocky Mountains in the United States to shoot grizzly bears. She often did royal visits for her brother King Albert. In 1914 for...

This weekend somewhere in Europe, there is a very special event which I like to tell about in my next Weekend Special. Own picture Due to family visits, the Special will be split in Saturday and Monday. I hope you'll have a great splendid Weekend!

On November 29th. 561, Chlothar I of the Franks died. Chlothar I of Franks - Painting - Source: Wikipedia Chlothar I was one of the sons of Clovis I. He was a member of the Merovingian Dynasty. After the death of Chlothar I, his kingdom was  seperated between his 4 sons. Division of the Frankish Kingdom in 561 -  Source map: Wikipedia

For all the American Readers of this blog and those who celebrate Thanksgiving today ... Have a happy and wonderful THANKSGIVING with a lot of parties and dinners! Own picture of our own Dining Table 

On November 28th. 1962, Queen Wilhelmina of The Netherlands died. Queen Wilhelmina was born on 31 August 1880 in The Hague as the only daughter of King William III and his wife Queen Emma (born Princess of Waldeck and Pyrmont). On November 23rd. 1890, King William III died, Wilhelmina became Queen. Although she was too young for reigning. Her mother was then regent. In 1895, Queen Wilhelmina of The Netherlands visited the United Kingdom. Queen Victoria wrote in her diary: The young queen... Still has her hair hanging loose. She is slender and graceful and makes an impression as a very intelligent and cute girl. She speaks good English and knows how to behave with charming manners. In 1901, Queen Wilhelmina of The Netherlands married Duke Henry of Mecklenburg -Schwerin. In The Netherlands he was called: Hendrik. Duke Henry of Mecklenburg - Schwerin Due to his marriage he became a Prince. They had 1 child together: Juliana. Later she ...

César Ritz was born in 1850 in Niederwald (Switzerland). César Ritz - Source picture: Wikipedia He was the youngest of 13 children in a poor family.  When César Ritz was twelve years old, he was sent to a Jesuit college at Sion. In 1872, César Ritz became floor waiter of the Hôtel Splendide in Paris. There he met many rich selfmade American guests. In 1873, he was a waiter in Vienna at the time of the International Exhibition. During the winter of 1873, César Ritz was member of the management of the Grand Hôtel in Nice (France). Beach of Nice in France From 1878 till 1888, César Ritz became manager of the Grand Hôtel National in Lucerne and the Grand Hôtel in Monaco. In 1888, César Ritz and Auguste Escoffier opened a restaurant in Baden-Baden.  Later the two were invited to London to become the first manager and chef of the Savoy Hotel. But in 1898, César Ritz and Auguste Escoffier were both dismissed at the Savoy Hotel. In 189...

Near the beach in Ostende there is a striking equestrian statue from King Leopold II of Belgium. Ostend Leopold II statue Some History ...  After World War I the city wanted to create a statue for King Leopold II of Belgium. He did a lot for Ostend and with his presence the beach town became the place to be in the beginning of the twentieth century. It wasn't a secret that the administration of Ostend wanted to gain back the presence of the Royal Family. The statue shows a King Leopold seated on a horse, while he watched over the North Sea. On the left side the people of Congo wanted to thank their King (although history proved that King Leopold II had no good intentions at all. He just wanted to earn as much money as possible). On the right side the people of Ostend wanted to thank their King too. Some Facts... * The cost of the statue was in that time 800.000 BEF ! * The architect of this statue was Antoine Courtens. He came from Brussels. *...

On November 27th. 1635, Madame de Maintenon was born. Madame de Maintenon - Source picture: Wikipedia Madame de Maintenon married King Louis XIV of France during a private ceremony blessed by Archbishop of Paris. Her marriage with the French King was never officially announced or admitted. She had influence on King Louis XIV not in politics but in the intrigues on the Royal court. Due to Madame de Maintenon, King Louis XIV granted a high nobility title to his natural children. After the death of King Louis XIV of France Madame de Maintenon withdrew her from court. She founded a school for young girls coming from impoverished noble families (like she did). Madame de Maintenon died in 1719. She became 83 years old.

On November 26th. 1869, Maud of Wales was born in Marlborough House in London. Maud of Wales - Source picture-Wikipedia Her parents were Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (Later King Edward VII) and Alexandra of Denmark. She was (like my Today in History' yesterday, Princess Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) a grandchild of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Maud of Wales and her sisters - Source picture: Wikipedia She married Hakon VII and became Queen of Norway. Source picture: Wikipedia See also on top of my blog the page: descendants of Queen Victoria: http://allaboutroyalfamilies.blogspot.com/p/descendants-of-queen-victoria.html

Last Weekend Special on my blog was about President John F. Kennedy, 35th. President of The United States. Today I want to talk about his elegant wife Jacqueline Kennedy. She was one of the most gracious woman of her generation.  On the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated she wore a  Pink Chanel suit which became iconic. It is stored in the National Archives, but people can't see the original suit before 2103.  Source picture: Wikipedia During the 1950's and 1960's the Chanel suit was one of the strongest symbols of  female chic. Chanel had the image of strong, independent, classy and modern women. A typical Chanel Suit from the 1960's - source picture: Wikipedia

On November 25th. 1975, Surname became independent from the Kingdom of The Netherlands. Flag of Suriname Suriname is located on the northeastern Atlantic Coast of South America. It is bordered by French Guiana, Guyana and Brazil. Map of Suriname - Source picture: Wikipedia In 1667 Suriname was captured by the Dutch. They called the country Dutch Guiana. In 1954 Suriname became an constituent country within the kingdom of The Netherlands as the Dutch Antilles are. In 1975 Suriname became independent. The main language is Dutch. That makes it very easy for me to visit Suriname once :-)  My mother tongue   also is Dutch . Dutch in Suriname - Source picture: Wikipedia In my Royal Destination outside Europe, I'll tell you more about the capital of Suriname: Paramaribo. On next link you'll see a picture of Queen Juliana of The Netherlands signing the act of independence of Suriname in 1975 (text in Dutch): Link...

On November 25th. 1876 Princess Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was born in San Anton Palace (Malta). Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha - Source picture: Wikipedia Princess Victoria was the third child and second daughter of Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha & Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia. Parents of Princess Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha -  Source picture: Wikipedia She was a grandchild of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Tsar Alexander II of Russia as well. See also on top of my blog on the page Descendants of Queen Victoria: http://allaboutroyalfamilies.blogspot.com/p/descendants-of-queen-victoria.html Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg married twice. In 1894, she married Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse. Their marriage was a huge event. Most of the European Royals attended the wedding like: - Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom; - Kaiser Wilhelm II; & the Prince o...

On November 24th. 1394, Charles; Duke of Orléans was born in Paris (capital of France). Charles, Duke of Orléans - Source picture: Wikipedia In 1415, Charles was one of the noblemen who attended the Battle of Agincourt during the war with the Kingdom of England. Battle of Agincourt - Source picture: Wikipedia This became a huge victory for the English. They took Charles, Duke of Orléans to England as prisoner for 24 years. Charles appears in Shakespeare's play, Henry V as the Duke of Orléans.  Charles, Duke of Orléans married three times. His last marriage was with Marie of Cleves. They had 3 children inter alia Louis XII of France.

Yesterday it was exactly 50 years ago that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. Source picture - Wikipedia Dallas - Source picture: Wikipedia Yesterday I had no time to make a Special Today in History. That's why I want to make an exception today for my Weekend Special. John F. Kennedy was the 35th. president of the United States of America. He and his wife Jacqueline Lee 'Jackie' Bouvier were the American Royals. I don't want to talk about his complete work as President. He was a father, son and brother of The Kennedy's. I'm very interested in his family. In 1963 he visited Berlin (Germany) and gave the famous speech 'Ich bin ein Berliner'. His state funeral in 1963 was attended by a lot of (European) Royals. So, it really will be an interesting Weekend Special. Meanwhile I like to wish you all a very nice Saturday!

Bulgari is a an Italian luxury good company. Since 2011 it is owned by the French, although the headquarters are located in Rome (Capital of Italy). A Bulgari Shop in Baku (Azerbaijan) - Source: Wikipedia The Trademark is usually written like   BVLGARI . In Latin alphabet the V is the same as an English U. Bulgari was founded in 1884 by a Greek: Sotirios Voulgaris. So it really is an international company :-) Sotirios Voulgaris moved first to Corfu and later to Naples. In 1905 the shop in the Via Condotti in Rome was opened. The Via Condotti is a famous and busy fashion street in Rome. Bulgari is known for its beautiful jewelry and watches. The largest Bulgari store is located in Tokyo (Japan). A big fan of Bvlgari jewels was Elizabeth Taylor. According to one of her husbands, Richard Burton, Bulgari was the only Italian word she knew.

On November 21st. 1916, Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria died at the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna (capital of Austria). Own picture of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna Franz Joseph I was born on August 18th. 1830. Picture: Wikipedia His parents were Archduke Franz Karl of Austria and Princess Sophie of Bavaria. Pictures: Wikipedia On April 24th. 1854, Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria married Elisabeth in Bavaria (Sisi). Franz Joseph I of Austria died on November 21st. 1916 during World War I. He reigned for 68 years.

In many countries, November 20th. is known as Universal Children's Day. Own picture of Children in Boa Vista (Cape Verde) This Day is to pay attention for the Children's welfare and their Rights. Own picture of children @ school in Boa Vista (Cape Verde). Own picture of Children @ school in the Dominican Republic Queen Mathilde of Belgium attends every year on November 20th. an event organized for the rights of children. 

On November 20th. 1851, Margherita of Savoy was born in Palazzo Chiablese in the (then) Kingdom of Sardinia. Source picture: Wikipedia Take a look at her amazing jewelry!  Family Her parents were Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Genoa and Princess Elisabeth of Saxony. Her maternal grandparents were John, King of Saxony and Amalie Auguste of Bavaria. Her paternal grandparents were Charles Albert, King of Sardinia and Maria Theresa of Austria. Love and Marriage In 1868, Margherita of Savoy married Umberto I of Italy . He was her first cousin. They had 1 child: Victor  Emmanuel III of Italy. Trivia: The name Margherita Pizza is derived from her. Buon Appetito - A very good Margherita Pizza -  Source picture: Wikipedia

Monaco is a little sovereign city-state located on the French Riviera in Western Europe. It is borderd by France on three sides and on the Mediterranean Sea. Monaco is the place where the rich and famous people live. It also is a tax paradise.  Monaco At the beginning of 2013, I had the chance to visit Monaco.  It is a beautiful state  with a lot of sunshine, ports, apartments,  yachts and a clear blue sea. Monaco For the tourists, Monaco is interesting because of  Monte Carlo with his casino and the Prince's Palace. Casino Monte Carlo Monaco Prince's Palace Monaco Monaco really is a Royal Destination because Prince Albert II, the current ruler of the state. Prince Albert II and his wife Princess Charlène @  their Wedding Day Monaco became famous by Prince Albert's mother,  the popular American Actress, Grace Kelly, who died in a car crash. Prince Rainier and Princess Gr...