All About Royal Families

The Amstel Hotel is located in Amsterdam and it certainly deserves the title: Historical Hotel. Maybe it can be called a Royal Destination. Old postcard of the Amstel Hotel around 1923  Source picture: Wikipedia The Amstel Hotel was built in 1863. The architect was Cornelis Outshoorn. In 1867, the Amstel Hotel opened. In the beginning, it wasn't a great succes. Dr. Johann Georg Mezger rescued the Amstel Hotel. From 1870 till 1888 he took up his practice as physiotherapist. He treated a lot of Royal and Aristocratic Clients.  Dr. Johann Georg Mezger Source picture: Wikipedia He treated inter alia: King Gustaf V of Sweden Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sissi) Empress Eugénie (wife of Napoleon III of France) & Queen Elisabeth su Wied of Romania. Now the Amstel Hotel is a luxurious 5 star hotel with a lot of important guests. During the wedding of King Willem-Alexander (then Prince) and Queen Máxima a lot of Royals stayed in this

Chinese New Year, also called Spring Festival is one of the most important traditional Chinese Holidays. It is celebrated by the Chinses people around the world. Chinatown in London - Own picture Chinese New Year is a very traditional Celebration. People try to stay as much as possible with their family.  There also are a lot of symbolic dances with 'Lion and Dragon costumes' in  the celebration. Finally I want to wish all Chinese People a happy New Year!

Discovering a city, seeing some nice things ... That's what I like about traveling. A few years ago, I discovered  Vienna. I saw the Riesenrad at the Prater Park and I liked it very much.  But I didn't know that the Riesenrad had some Royal History.  So much history, that it deserves a blogpost as Historical Place.  Some History ... It was built in 1897 by an English engineer called lieutenant Walter Bassett. He had his own construction firm.  He died in 1907, almost bankrupt. Lieutenant Walter Bassett Source picture: Wikipedia The Riesenrad was constructed for the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria. Emperor Franz Josef of Austria Source picture: Wikipedia There was a permit for its demolition in 1916 but the Riesenrad survived. Now it is one of the touristical highlights in Vienna.

The Peace of Münster was a treaty between the Dutch Republic and Spain. This was one of the key events in Dutch history. The United Netherlands became independent of the Spanish Crown. Swearing the of the oath - Source painting: Wikipedia The Original painting is in the 'Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam' The original copy of the treaty is held in 'National Archives' in The Hague. Map of The Netherlands after the Treaty of Münster - Source picture: Wikipedia The red line is the border between the Independent  United Netherlands &  Southern Netherlands  (now Belgium & Luxembourg)

Ernst Anton Karl Ludwig was born on January 2nd. 1784 in Coburg (Germany). Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Francis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Saalfeld and Countess Augusta of Reuss-Ebersdorf (see my today in history of January 19th.) on this link His younger brother Leopold, became the first king of Belgium. In 1817 he married Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg.  Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg Source picture: Wikipedia They had 2 children: - Ernst (in English Ernest) II - Albert. He married Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Ernst I divorced from Princess Louise in 1826. In 1832 Ernst married for the second time. He chose his niece Duchess Marie of Württemberg. They had no children. Marie of Württemberg Source picture: Wikipedia Ernst I died on January 29th. 1844 in Gotha. 

On January 28th. 1768, Frederick VI of Denmark was born in Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen (Denmark). Frederick VI of Denmark Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Christian VII of Denmark and Carolina Matilda of Great Britain.  He married his first cousin Marie of Hesse-Kassel. This princess came from a German family but had royal family links with both Denmark and Great Britain. Marie of Hesse-Kassel Source picture: Wikipedia They married in Gottorp and had 8 children. Only two daughters survived  their childhood. In 1808  Frederick became King of Denmark and Norway. In 1814 he lost the throne of Norway. Frederick VI Source picture: Wikipedia Frederick VI was patron of astronomy. In 1832 he offered prizes for anyone who discovered a comet by using a telescope. Frederick VI died on December 3rd. 1839 @ Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen (Denmark).

January 27th. is the feast day of Saint Devota (in French Sainte Dévote), patron of Corsica and Monaco. The legend ... Devota was a woman born around 283 in Mariana, Corsica.  A young virgin, she decided to devote herself fully to the service of God. She was taken captive by the order of Barbarus. She was tortured for her faith.  Devota died around 303. The governor ordered to burn her body although  fishermen could prevent that.  They put the body on a boat to Africa. However the storm overtook the boot. A dove flew out of the month of the saint. The dove led the boat to Les Gaumates (now part of Monaco). On this place there was already a chapel dedicated to Saint George. Saint Devote Church in Monaco - own picture Sainte Dévote Chapel in Monaco The Sainte Dévote chapel first was mentioned around 1070. In 1536 it was  acquired by Honoré I, Lord of Monaco. Louis II of Monaco introduced the tradition of setting fire on a fishing boa

On January 27th. 1708, Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna of Russia was born in Moscow (Russia). Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna of Russia Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Peter I of Russia and Catherine I of Russia. Her sister,  Elizabeth ruled as empress from 1741 till 1762. Family of Peter I of Russia Source picture: Wikipedia On May 21st. 1725, Grand Duchess Anne Petrovna of Russia married Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp. He was a nephew of the childless King Charles XII of Sweden. Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp Source picture: Wikipedia They had one child together: Peter Feodorovich of Holstein-Gottorp. He was an heir of both thrones (Russia and Sweden). Finally he ruled over Russia as Peter III. Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna of Russia died on March 4th. 1728 in  Kiel (Germany). She only became 20 years old. 

On January 26th. 1495, Emperor Go-Nara of Japan was born. Emperor Go-Nara of Japan Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Emperor Go-Kashiwabara and Fujuwara Fujiko. He became Emperor from June 9th. 1526 till his death. During his reign, the Imperial Court was very poor.  He died on September 27th. 1557. Emperor Go-Nara was buried at the imperial tomb called Fukakusa no kita no misasagi in Kyoto (Japan).

Royal Palace of Brussels (capital of Belgium) - Own picture The first 'Handsome Prince' in my Weekend Special is Prince Amedeo of Belgium. Unfortunately I have no own pictures of him. So you all have to check the links in this blogpost. Prince Amedeo is the son of Princess Astrid (sister of King Philippe of Belgium) and Prinz Lorenz, Archduke of Austria-Este. Coat of Arms of the family of  Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz. Prince Amedeo also is member of the House of Austria-Este. This is a cadet branch from the House of Habsburg - Lorraine. Prince Amedeo is godfather of Princess Elisabeth of Belgium (Duchess of Brabant). Link (text in English) Prince Amedeo has one brother, Prince Joachim, and three sisters: Maria Laura; Luisa Maria and Laetitia Maria. Link (text in English) Prince Amedeo studied at the Sevenoak School in Kent (England).  He also studied at the London School of Economics and the Royal Military Academy of

Christian was born on July 1st. 1481 @ Nyborg Castle. Christian II of Denmark Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were King John of Denmark and Christina of Saxony. They were members of the House of Oldenburg. In 1515, Christian married Anna of Austria. She was the granddaughter of Holy Emperor Maximilian I. Anne of Austria Source picture: Wikipedia Christian had a mistress called Dyveke Sigbritsdatter. She was a commoner. Dyveke was the daughter of a Dutch merchant. Painting of Christian with his mistress Source: Wikipedia Dyveke died in 1517. She would have been poisoned by cherries.  From 1513 - 1523, Christian II became King of Denmark and Norway. From 1520 - 1521, Christian became King of Sweden too. After 1523, the Danish Royal family moved to Lier (now Belgium). In 1532 he tried to recover his Kingdoms. This never succeeded. He was taken captive for more than 27 years. King Christian II of Denmark and Norway

One hotel that certainly can be listed as Historical Hotel is the Hotel Nacional in Havana Cuba. Hotel Nacional de Cuba Havana made by Isabelle Dumon Hotel Nacional is located in Havana. It offers a view to the sea, the harbor and the city as well. It is listed as World Heritage Site and as a National Monument. Isabelle Dumon - Havana Cuba Hotel Nacional was designed by McKim, Mead gb and White. It is a wonderful mix of styles. Guests: Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, Marlene Dietrich, Gary Cooper, Marlon Brando, Ernest Hemingway but also some Royalty like the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and King Leopold III and Baudouin of Belgium were the important guests of Hotel Nacional.  Sir Winston Churchill also visited the Hotel. Hotel Nacional Cuba Havana picture made by Isabelle Dumon From 2003 till 2012, Hotel Nacional received the World Travel Award. picture made by Isabelle Dumon History and luxury are both preserved very well.  That'

Frederick II (in German: Friedrich) was born on January 24th. 1712 in Berlin (Germany). He was a member of the House of Hohenzollern. Frederick the great - own picture of a portrait - taken in 2013 His parents were Frederick William I of Prussia and Sophie Dorothea of Hanover. On June 12th. 1733 he married Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel- Bevern. They had not much in common.  From 1740, Elisabeth lived separated from Frederick the Great. Frederick the Great is well known for his passion for castles. He gave the order to rebuild Charlottenburg Castle in Berlin. Charlottenburg Castle - Berlin - own picture taken in 2013 He also gave the order to build a lot of castles in Potsdam, inter alia Sanssouci.  Sanssouci Castle Potsdam - own picture taken in 2013 Frederick the Great liked music, science and art. Frederick II @ his court Source picture: Wikipedia Frederick the Great died on August 17th. 1786 in Potsdam (near

Ferdinand II of Aragon Source picture: Wikipedia Ferdinand II of Aragon was born on March 10th. 1452.  He married Isabella of Castile. Ferdinand II and Isabella. Source picture: Wikipedia Ferdinand II was the grandfather of Holy Emperor Charles V.  He also was the father-in-law of King Henry VIII of England. Ferdinand II died on January 23rd. 1516 in Madrigalejo (Extremadura).

Frederick Christian Charles Augustus was born on January 22nd. 1831 in Augustenborg (Denmark). Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Christian August, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein and Countess Louise of of Danneskjold-Samsøe. In 1865, Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein was in Coburg (Germany). Princess Helena, daughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Prince Albert, met the Danish Prince. Queen Victoria gave the permission for their marriage on one condition: they should live in Great Britain. Princess Helena of the United Kingdom Source picture: Wikipedia Prince Christian and Princess Helena were devoted to each other.  They made their home at Frogmore House and later at Cumberland Lodge  in Windsor Great Park. Prince Christian and Princess Helena Source picture: Wikipedia Prince Christian died in 1917 at Schomberg House, Pall Mall (London). He is buried at the Royal Burial Grou

On January 21st. 1855, Princess Maria Immacolata Luisa of Bourbon-Two Sicilies was born in Naples. Maria Immacolata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Ferdinand II of the Two-Sicilies and Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria. In 1873, she married Prince Henri of Bourbon-Parma. Prince Henri of Bourbon-Parma Source picture: Wikipedia They went on honeymoon to Egypt. She became ill and got a fever. She died on February 23rd. 1874.

President François Hollande of France  visits King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands in The Hague. He also  meets the Dutch Prime Minister Rutte. Noordeinde Palace - The Hague  President Hollande of France Source picture: Wikipedia The visit will focus on strengthening the ties between The Netherlands and France. There is special attention on economical matters.  On next link you can see a picture of the visit (text in Dutch): http://nos.nl/artikel/599729-president-hollande-in-nederland.html

On January 20th. 1973, Mathilde d'Udecem d'Acoz was born in Uccle (Belgium). Her parents were Count Patrick d'Udecem d'Acoz and Countess Anna Maria Komorowska. Her grandmother was the Polish Princess Zofia Sapieha.  She married Count Leon Michael Komorowski. On December 4th. 1999, Mathilde married , then, Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium. She received the title Princess by her marriage. King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde Screenshot They have 4 children. In 2013, King Albert II of Belgium abdicated in favour of his son. Philippe became King on July 21st. 2013. Mathilde now is the Queen Consort of the Belgians. Own picture: Screenshot of Queen Mathilde

On January 20th. 1936, George V of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, Emperor of India,  died in Sandringham House Norfolk. George V of the United Kingdom Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark. George V was a grandchild of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. George V was born on June 3rd 1865 in London. He married Mary of Teck.  George V and Mary of Teck Source picture: Wikipedia They had 6 children together. George V was succeeded by his eldest son Edward VII.

On January 19th. 1757, Countess Augusta Reuss of Ebersdorf was born in Saalburg-Ebersdorf (Germany). She was important for many European Royal Families. Countess Augusta Reuss of Ebersdorf Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Heinrich XXIV, Count Reuss of Ebersdorf and Karoline Ernestine of Erbach-Schönberg. She was one of the most beautiful women of her time. Countess Augusta Reuss of Ebersdorf married in 1777 Francis,  Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.  Francis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld Source picture: Wikipedia They had 10 children. 7 of them survived to adulthood. Some of them played an important role in history.  - Juliane married Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich of Russia (younger brother of Tsar Alexander I of Russia). - Ernst I  was the father of Albert (he married Queen Victoria of the  United Kingdom). - Ferdinand was the father of Ferdinand II of Portugal and the grandfather of Ferdinand I of Bulgaria.

On January 18th. 1701, Frederick I crowned himself as King in Prussia in Königsberg (Germany). His title was King in Prussia instead of King of Prussia. Frederick I of Prussia Source picture: Wikipedia On July 11th. 1657, Frederick I of Prussia was born in Königsberg. His parents were Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg and  Louise Henriette of Orange-Nassau. Frederick I married three times. 1/ Elizabeth Henrietta of Hesse-Kassel  2/ Sophia Charlotte of Hanover 3/ Sophia Louise of Mecklenburg - Schwerin Coronation Frederick crowned himself on 18 January 1701 in Königsberg. Although he did so with the Emperor's consent, and also with formal acknowledgement from Augustus II the Strong, Elector of Saxony, who held the title of King of Poland, the Polish-Lithuanian Diet (Sejm) raised objections, and viewed the coronation as illegal.  In fact, according to the terms of the Treaty of Wehlau and Bromberg, the House of Hohenzollern's sovereignty o