All About Royal Families

Henry was born on March 31st. 1519 near Paris in France. Henry II of France - Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Francis I of France and Claude, Duchess of Brittany. In 1533 he married Catherine de' Medici. They were both 14 years old. Henry of France & Catherine de' Medici Source picture: Wikipedia The marriage wasn't a great success because Henry became romanticly  involved with his mistress Diane de Poitiers. Diane de Poitiers Source picture: Wikipedia Despite the bad marriage, Henry of France and Catherine de'Medici had  10 children together. On June 1559 there was a tournament. Henry of France became mortally  wounded by the lace of Gabriel, compte de Montgomery. Tournament between Henry of France and Montomery Source picture: Wikipedia Henry II of France died on July 10th. 1559. 

Duchess Therese Petrovna of Oldenburg was born on March 30th. 1852 in Saint Petersburg (Russia). Therese Petrovna of Oldenburg Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Duke Peter Georgievich of Oldenburg and Princess Therese of Nassau-Weilburg. In 1879 Therese Petrovna of Oldenburg married  George Maximilianovich, also known as Prince Georgii Romanovsky or Georges de Beauharnais. Both parnters where descendants of Tsar Paul I of Russia. They had German titles but they grew up in Russia.  George Maximilianovich Source picture: Wikipedia On April 19th. 1883, Duchess Therese Petrovna of Oldenburg died.

After the great exhibition of 1851, Prince Albert (husband of Queen Victoria) wanted some permanent Houses for Art & Culture. Own picture of the Royal Albert Hall in London Finally the Royal Albert Hall was opened on March 29th. 1871.  On the opening ceremony, Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) gave a speech. Old image of the Royal Albert Hall Source picture: Wikipedia Now the Royal Albert Hall is very famous for the annual summer proms. 

Hotel Bellevue Palace in Bern (Switzerland) is a five star luxury Hotel. It is owned by the Swiss Confederation and the state's guest house for visiting Heads of States and Governments. View @ Bern - own picture Hotel Bellevue Palace was built by financier Friedrich Osswald in 1865. It hosted many important and Royal guests like: Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom; Emperor Akihito of Japan. Bern on a market day (Saturday) - own picture The establishment is now listed as one of the Leading Hotels of the World. Hotel Bellevue Source picture: Wikipedia

Ivan Vasilyevich was born on August 25th. 1530 in Kolomenskoye (Russia). Ivan the Terrible Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Vasili III ( see my Today in History of March 25th. ) and Elena Glinskaya. Timeline 1533: he became Grand Prince of Moscow (after his fathers death). 1547: he was crowned as Tsar of all Russias. Ivan married several times and had some children.  In 1581, Ivan hit his second son, who called Ivan too, to death.  Tsar Ivan would grieve this incident till his own death. He died on March 28th. 1584 in Moscow.

From Sunday 16th. till Thursday 21th. Princess Astrid of Belgium had a busy economical mission in Saudi Arabia and Oman.  There she visited several Belgian Business Plants. She opened inter alia a branch of the Katoen Natie. On Wednesday March 19th. 2014, Princess Astrid arrived in Oman. Oman located on the Map Source picture: Wikipedia There she visited  inter alia the Royal Opera House in Muscat. Royal Opera House in Muscat Source picture: Wikipedia Princess Astrid returned to Belgium on March 21st. 2014. Princess Astrid of Belgium Screenshot On Twitter, King Philippe congratulated his sister, Princess Astrid for the success  of her economical mission (in French and in Dutch).

Prince Waldemar (in German: Joachim Friedrich Ernst Waldemar)  was born on February 10th. 1868 in the Crown Prince's Palace in Berlin. Prince Waldemar of Prussia Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Crown Prince Friedrich (later German Emperor) and  Victoria, Princess Royal (daughter of Queen Victoria). Prince Waldemar was the favorite child of his parents. He had a fun, loving character and a great sense of humour. Prince Waldemar died on March 27th. 1879 after an serious illness of diphtheria. He was buried in the Friedrichskirche in Potsdam.

Sophia Dorothea of Hanover was born on March 26th. 1687. She was the sister of George II of Great Britain and the mother of inter alia Frederick II of Prussia. Sophia Dorothea of Hanover Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were George Louis of Hanover (the later George I of England) and Sophia Dorothea of Celle. In 1706 she married Crown Prince Frederick William of Prussia. They had seen each other when they were kids. Since then, they disliked each other. In 1713 she became Queen consort of Prussia.  Sophie Dorothea died on June 28th. 1757.

Vasili III Ivanovich was born on March 25th. 1479. Vasili III of Russia Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Ivan III and Sophia Paleologue.  From 1505 till 1533, Vasili III was Grand Prince of Moscow.  Marriages :  Grand Prince Vasili III married first Solomonia Saburova but the two couldn't produce an heir of the throne. Vasili III divorced and later he married a  Serbian Princess: Elena Glinskaya. In 1530, she gave birth to a son called  Ivan (later Ivan IV the terrible). In 1532 Yuri was born. Dynasty : Vasili III was a member of the Rurik Dynasty . They were one of  Europe's oldest Royal Houses with many cadet branches. Vasili III died on December 3rd. 1533.  He was buried in the Cathedral of the Archangel in Moscow (Russia). Old image of Moscow Source picture: Wikipedia

Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg was born on March 24th. 1628 in Herzberg Castle, Saxony (now Germany). Sophie Amalie - Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were George, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and  Anne Eleonore of Hesse-Darmstadt. In 1643, Sophie Amalie married Prince Frederick.  In 1648 she became Queen consort of Denmark and Norway. King Frederick III of Denmark and Norway & his wife Sophie Amalie  Souce picture: Wikipedia Sophie Amalie held a luxurious court life in spite of the bad financial situation of the Kingdom. She enjoyed fashion, parties and theater.  The waste of money wasn't well received by the public. The palace Sophie Amalienborg in Denmark was built on her orders. Now there is the Amalienborg palace located. Old picture of Sophie Amalienborg Palace in Denmark Source picture: Wikipedia Sophie Amalie and her husband had 8 children. 2 of them died in infancy. She was inter alia...

Princess Sophie of The Netherlands was born on April 8th. 1824 @ the Paleis (Palace) Lange Voorhout in The Hague. Princess Sophie of The Netherlands Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were King William II (in Dutch: Willem) of The Netherlands  and Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna of Russia. Sophie grew up in different places like The Hague, Het Loo Palace and Brussels (now capital of Belgium). Paleis Lange Voorhout in The Hague The Netherlands (own picture) On October 8th. 1842, Princess Sophie married her first cousin, Charles Alexander Hereditary Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. Their mothers were sisters, daughters of Tsar Paul I of Russia. Princess Sophie and her husband had 4 children. Princess Sophie wasn't the most beautiful woman of her time, but she always was dressed with extremely chique clothes and fine jewelry. In 1853, she became Grand Duchess of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. At the court, culture played an important role...

Hedvig or Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp was born on March 22nd. 1759 in Eutin (Germany). Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Frederick August I, Duke of Oldenburg and Ulrike Friederike Wilhelmine of Hesse-Kassel. In 1774, she married her nephew: Prince Charles who became later King of Sweden and Norway. The marriage wasn't a great succes. The Royals lived seperated and King Charles was known for his harem with a lot of mistresses. But Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp also had extramarital affairs. In 1809, Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp became Queen consort of Sweden (in 1814 she also became Queen consort of Norway).  Her official Queen name was Charlotte.  Queen Charlotte Source picture: Wikipedia Queen Charlotte became very famous for her diary which was written between 1775 and 1815. She died on June 20th. 1818 in Stock...

Each year I have to go to Germany. I like the country's history, the culture, the food, the language etc.... This year I will visit Munich and Bavaria. Old image from Munich Source picture: Wikipedia. So, I have chosen a Hotel in Munich for my blogpost Historical Hotel (It's a beautiful place but I won't stay in this establishment) but I really wanted to know more about the Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Its history fascinates me. On next link you can see a picture of the Hotel: Link . Hotel Bayerischer Hof was opened in 1841 on the wishes of King Ludwig I of Bavaria. King Ludwig I of Bavaria Source picture: Wikipedia Some facts: Since 1897, Hotel Bayerischer Hof was owned by the Volkhardt Family. In 1924 it was the largest hotel of Europe. In 1969 the Palais Montgelas was added to the hotel. Palais Montgelas Source picture: Wikipedia Now it is on the list of Leading Hotels of the World.  Own picture taken in Munich - ...

Richeza of Lotharingia was born between 995 and 1000. Richeza of Lotharingia Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Ezzo, Count Palatine of Lotharingia and Mathilde (daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Otto II). Richeza married Mieszko II Lambert of Poland. Later she became Queen Consort of Poland. But the reign of Mieszko II was short-lived. He was taken captive and Richeza fled with the children to her family in Germany. Mieszko II of Poland Source picture: Wikipedia In 1034, Mieszko II of Poland died suddenly, he probably was murdered.  During the years 1040-1047, Richeza lived in Klotten (Moselle Region). In 1047, her brother Otto II, Duke of Swabia died.  He was the last male representative of Ezzonen Dynasty. Richeza donated many possessions to monasteries while she reserved the lifelong use of the lands and houses. Richeza died on March 21st. 1063. She was buried in the Church of St. Maria ad Gradus in Cologne....

Princess Astrid (sister of King Philippe of Belgium) is visiting Saudi Arabia and later Oman. The Royal is accompanied by the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, some Regional Ministers and a lot of Businessmen. Coat of Arms - Saudi Arabia Source picture: Wikipedia National Emblem of Oman Source picture: Wikipedia Later I will tell you more about the visit and about the two countries. On next link you can see a picture of Princess Astrid meeting Crown Prince Salman of Saudi Arabia. Link

Princess Adelgunde of Bavaria (in German: von Bayern) was born on March 19th. 1823 in Würtzburg. Princess Adelgunde of Bavaria Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were King Ludwig I of Bavaria and  Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. In 1842, Princess Adelgunde married Francis V of Austria-Este. Francis V of Austria-Este Source picture: Wikipedia He became duke of Modena in 1846.  In 1859 Modena was invaded by armies of France and Piedmont. Princess Adelgunde and Francis V fled to Austria. They lived in Vienna. The Modena Palace was occupied by this Couple.   Now the complex Houses the Federal Ministry for the interior . In 1860, the Duchy of Modena was incorporated into the new Kingdom of Italy. In 1876, Francis V of Austria-Este died in Vienna. On October 28th. 1914, Princess Adelgunde died in Munich.  The Princess never remarried and was buried in Vienna.

Mary Tudor was born on March 18th. 1496 in Richmond Palace (England). Mary Tudor - Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Henry VII of England and Elizabeth of York. In 1514, Mary Tudor married King Louis XII of France  (he already was 52 years old) . He died one year later. In 1515 she married for the second time.  Her second husband was Charles Brandon, first Duke of Suffolk. They had 4 children. Mary Tudor & Charles Brandon Source picture: Wikipedia Mary Tudor always agreed with her brother Henry VIII, but the relations were strained in the 1520's. She opposed the King's attempt to obtain the annulment of his marriage with Catherine of Aragon.  Mary disliked Anne Boleyn. On June 25th. 1533, Mary died in Westhorpe.

Giuliano de'Medici was born on March 12th. 1479 in Florence. Giuliano de'Medici Source picture: Wikipedia In 1494, The Medici's were driven out of Florence by Republican Forces,  but they restored their power. In 1515, Giuliano de'Medici married Filiberta of Savoy. She was the daughter of Philip II, Duke of Savoy. Giuliano de'Medici had one illegitimate son called Ippolito de'Medici who became cardinal. Ippolito de'Medici Source picture: Wikipedia Giuliano de'Medici died on March 17th. 1516 in Florence.  He only became 37 years old. He was buried in the Medici Chapel in Florence. His tomb was ornated with statues (Night & Day) of Michelangelo. Michelangelo's Night and Day sculptures @ the tomb of Giuliano de'Medici Source picture: Wikipedia

Everybody knows the famous shopping street in Amsterdam called the P.C. Hooftstraat. Only a few people are familiar with the meaning of the letters P.C. This is derived from Pieter Corneliszoon. P.C. Hooft  Source picture: Wikipedia P.C. Hooft was born on March 16th. 1581. He was the son of  Cornelis Hooft,  who became even Major of Amsterdam.  P.C. Hooft had many relatives. He was inter alia family of Johan De Witt.  He also had some important friends like Jacob Cats, Bredero and  Joost van den Vondel.  P.C. Hooft became famous as writer of poems, letters and plays. Later he wrote more about the history of The Netherlands. He lived in a remarkable castle called the Muiderslot. Muiderslot - old postcard Source picture: Wikipedia He really was an important Renaissance Writer.  P.C. Hooft died on May 21st. 1647 in The Hague.

Christian August, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst was born on November 29th. 1690 in Dornburg (now located in Germany). Christian August, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were John Louis I, Prince of Anhalt-Dornburg and Christine Eleonore of Zeutsch. In 1727 Christian August married Johanna Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp (sister of King Adolf Frederick of Sweden). They had five children.  The eldest was called Sophie Auguste Fredericka. Later she became Catherina II the Great, Empress of Russia. Empress Chaterina the Great of Russia. Source picture: Wikipedia In 1729, Christian August, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst became  Commander of Stettin. In 1742, King Frederick II of Prussia offered him the highest military rank: Generalfeldmarshall. Christian August, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst died on March 16th. 1747 in Zerbst.

Margaret of England was born on March 15th. 1275 @ Windsor Castle. Margaret of England Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were King Edward I of England and Eleanor of Castile. In 1290, Margaret married John II, Duke of Brabant. John II, Duke of Brabant Source picture: Wikipedia Margaret became unhappy at the Brabant Court (now located in Belgium). Her husband had several mistresses. His illegitimate children were raised together with her son John III.  Margaret died in 1333 (the exact date is unknown). She was buried besides her husband in the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels. Unfortunately their graves are destroyed. Cathedral of St. Michael and St.Gudula in Brussels Own picture