All About Royal Families

Archduke Charles (full name in German: Karl Ludwig Johann Joseph Lorenz) of Austria was born on September 5th. 1771 in Florence (then the Grand Duchy of Tuscany). Archduke Charles of Austria - Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor and Infanta Maria Luisa of Spain. In 1815 he married Princess Henrietta of Nassau-Weilburg.  They had 7 children. Archduke Charles of Austria and his family Source picture: Wikipedia Archduke Charles of Austria began his military service in the wars of the French  Revolution. He commanded a Brigade at the Battle of Jemappes (1792). In 1806 he became a field marshal. Archduke Charles of Austria was noted as one of the best generals of Europe.  Archduke Charles of Austria and the army Source picture: Wikipedia He died in Vienna on April 30th. 1847. 

Frederick William (in German: Friedrich Wilhelm) was born on February 16th. 1620 in Stadtschloss Berlin (Germany). He was a member of the House of Hohenzollern. Frederick William I elector of Brandenburg in Berlin  His parents were Georg William, Elector of Brandenburg and  Elisabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate. On December 7th. 1646 he married Luise Henriette of Nassau  in The Hague. (She was the daughter of Frederick Henry of Orange-Nassau and  Amalia of Solms- Braunfelds).They had 6 children. She died in 1667. Luise Henriette of Nassau - Source picture: Wikipedia In 1668 Frederick William remarried  Sophie Dorothea of Schleswig Holstein-Sonderberg-Glücksburg .  They had 7 children. Sophie Dorothea of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderberg-Glücksburg Source picture: Wikipedia Military Career Frederick William was a famous military commander. His standing army would become later a model for the Prussi...

Magdalena Sibylla of Hesse-Darmstadt was born on April 28th. 1652 in Darmstadt (Germany). Magdalena Sibylla of Hesse-Darmstadt - Source picture: Wikipedia She was the daughter of Louis VI, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt and  Duchess Maria Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp. As a child, Magdalena Sibylla lost her mother and she came into care of her aunt the Queen Dowager Hedvig Eleonora of Sweden. On November 6th. 1673 she married William Louis, Duke of Württemberg. They had 4 children. 6 months after the wedding her husband inherited the throne of Württemberg. In 1677 he died from an heart attack. Magdalena Sibylla became regent for her minor son who took the throne in 1693. She took care of all her decisions and she enjoyed a great popularity.  Magdalena Sibylla also wrote some hymns, a few became a part of the Protestant hymnals. Magdalena Sibylla died on August 11th. 1712 in Kirchheim Castle.   Kirchheim Castle - Source p...

Philip the Bold (in French: Philippe le Hardi, in Dutch: Filips de Stoute) was born on January 17th. 1342 in Pontoise (France). Philip the Bold - Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were John II of France and Bonne of Bohemia. In 1369 he married Margaret of Dampierre, daughter of Louis II, Count of Flanders. She was the heiress of Flanders, Brabant, Artois and the Free County of Burgundy. They had 9 children. Philip the Bold arranged all the marriages of his children. He followed a politic and strategic design which would be followed by his successors. From 1379 till 1382, Philip the Bold helped his father-in-law to put down the revolts in Flanders particularly in Ghent  (against Philip van Artevelde). These revolts ended in 1385. Philip the Bold died on April 27th. 1404 in Halle, County of Hainaut (now located in Belgium).

On April 26th. 1648, Peter II (in Portuguese: Pedro II) was born @ the Ribeira Palace in Lisbon. Pedro II - Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were John IV of Portugal and Luisa of Medina-Sidonia. Initially the Portuguese throne was for his older brother, Alfonso VI. His mother became regent because Alfonso VI was mentally ill. Pedro banished his older brother to the isle Terceira. In 1683, Alfonso died, so Pedro could become King of Portugal. He married his brother's wife Maria Francisca of Savoy. They had one daughter.  After her death Pedro remarried Maria Sophia of Neuburg.  He had several children during this marriage but he also had some illegitimate children.  He died on December 9th. 1706. Pedro was succeeded by his son John V.

Last week Isabelle Dumon visited the city of Chicago. I'm glad that I can use her beautiful pictures. Picture of Chicago Chicago is the third most populous city of the United States (after New York and Los Angeles). It is located in the state of Illinois. In 1830, Chicago was founded. In 1837 it became a city. So far the history. A lot of Royals visited the city too, like: Queen Elizabeth II of The United Kingdom Prince Charles of The United Kingdom; Diana, Princess of Wales; Prince Felix Yusupov of Russia; King Hussein of Jordan; Empress of Japan. They all stayed at the Drake Hotel . Old postcard of the Drake Hotel - Source picture: Wikipedia The Drake Hotel was founded in 1920 and designed in the Italian Renaissance style. Tracy and John Drake became the owners of this hotel. In 1996 it was purchased by the Hilton International. Movies The Drake Hotel was seen in many movies like: My Best Friend's Wedding; What Women Want; Flags...

Carlota Joaquina Teresa Cayetana was born on April 25th. 1775 @ the Royal Palace of Aranjuez in Spain. Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Charles IV of Spain and Maria Luisa of Parma. On May 8th. 1785, Carlota Joaquina of Spain married the future John VI, King of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. Her husband was sometimes described as corpulent, ugly and boring. Their children were all handsome. That's why a rumour was spread that especially the younger children had a different father... In 1807 the couple and their children left Portugal for Brazil because of the invasion of Napoleon. In 1821 the Royals returned to Portugal.  She died on January 7th. 1830 @ the Queluz National Palace.

Archduchess Maria Clementina of Austria was born on April 24th. 1777 in the Villa del Poggio Imperiale in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Archduchess Maria Clementina of Austria Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Leopold I, Grand Duke of Tuscany and Maria Luisa of Spain. On June 26th. 1797 she maried Prince Francis of the Two Sicilies. She died on November 15th. 1801. The causes of her death were perhaps lung disease or tuberculosis. One child (a daughter) survived childhood. After her death,  Prince Francis of the Two Sicilies remarried. 

On April 23rd 1521, the Battle of Villalar took place in Spain. Painting of the Battle of Villalar - Source picture: Wikipedia The Battle The battle was a clash between rebels and royalist supporters of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.  The Royal Supporters took the victory. Afterwards After the battle the three most important leaders of the rebels: Juan de Padilla,  Juan Bravo, Francisco Maldonado, were taken captive and  beheaded at the Plaza of Villalar. Legacy Since 1986, April 23rd is an official holiday in the autonomous community of Castile and León. It is even called the Castile and León Day!

Princess Anna of Montenegro was born on August 18th.1874 in Cetinje. Her parents were Nicholas I of Montenegro and Milena Vukotic. Her sisters were married to a lot of European Royal Houses like those of Russia, Serbia and Italy. They were all educated in Russia. Princess Anna of Montenegro - Source picture: Wikipedia On May 18th. 1897, Princess Anna of Montenegro married Prince  Francis of Battenberg (youngest son of Prince Alexander by Hesse and by Rhine). Prince Francis and Princess Anna were very happy together but they had no children. The Royal Couple also was very popular with their respected families. Anna died on April 22nd. 1971 in Montreux (Switzerland).

Elizabeth was born at 02:40 (GMT) on 21 April 1926, during the reign of her paternal grandfather, King George V. Her father, the Duke of York (later King George VI), was the second son of the King.  Her mother, the Duchess of York (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother), was the youngest daughter of Scottish aristocrat Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne.  In 2022, the Royal Family released this picture & tweet on Twitter and on  social media It's always nice to see such beautiful pictures!  Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022 at Balmoral Castle. 

Cosimo de' Medici was born on June 12th. 1519 in Florence (Italy). Cosimo de'Medici - Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Giovanni dalle Bande Nere and Maria Salviati. Cosimo was a member of the House of Medici although from a different  brand of the family. In June 1537 Cosimo was recognized as head of the Florence State by  Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. In 1539 he married Eleonora di Toledo, daughter of Don Pedro Alvarez  de Toledo  (Spanish Viceroy of Naples). They had 7 children together. In 1570, after the death of Eleonora, Cosimo married Camilla Martelli.  They had 1 child together. Cosimo I de' Medici died on April 21st. 1574. He was succeeded by  his son Francesco I de' Medici. He was buried in the Medici Chapel @ the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence. Legacy Like every de' Medici, Cosimo I was a patron of Art.  He also promoted the Navy of Florence. In Florence there is a big s...

On April 20th. 1808 Louis Bonaparte, the younger brother of Emperor Napoleon I of France, received the city keys of Amsterdam. He declared the city as capital of The Netherlands. Amsterdam view from the Royal Palace to the Dam  Amsterdam was constitutional mentioned as capital of The Netherlands due to a change in constitution in 1983. For me it is always a bit strange because the seat of the government and the parliament are located in The Hague. Amsterdam also isn't the capital of its Province, North Holland, which is Haarlem. But it really is a lovely city to visit with a lot of famous landmarks. Own picture of Amsterdam

Johan Wilhelm II (in German: Jan Wellem) was born on April 19th. 1658 in Düsseldorf. His parents were Philip William of Palatinate - Neuburg and Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt. He was educated by the Jesuits and in 1674, he made a grand tour to Italy. Johann Wilhelm - Source picture: Wikipedia In 1678 Johann Wilhelm married Maria Anna Josepha, Archduchess of Austria. After her death, he married Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici (daughter of Cosmo III, Grand Duke of Tuscany). See my Today in History of February 18th .  He gave work to many artists and painters like Johannes Spilberg. He also had a huge collection of paintings from Rubens. His collection still can be seen in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. Johann Wilhelm died on June 8th. 1716. He was a member of the House of Wittelsbach. 

Prinz Albert Wilhelm Heinrich von Preußen or Prince Henry of Prussia was born on August 14th. 1862 in the Crown Prince's Palace in Berlin. Prince Henry of Prussia and his wife Source picture: Wikipedia Frederick III, German Emperor, and Victoria, Princess, Royal were his parents. Prince Henry also was a grandchild of Queen Victoria. (See the page descendants of Queen Victoria (Children and Grandchildren) on top  of my blog). Prince Henry was a younger brother of Emperor William II of Germany, though the two had very little in common. In 1877 Prince Henry went in the Imperal Navy.  In 1888 he married his first cousin, Princess Irene of Hesse and by Rhine. The sibblings of Princess Irene were inter alia:  Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodorovna of Russia & the last Tsarina: Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia. The marriage displeased Queen Victoria because she had not been told  about the courtship untill they had already de...

Villa Politi was founded in 1862 under the chique name: Grand Hotel Villa Politi. It was created by an Austrian woman called Maria Theresa Laudien who fell in love with  Salvatore Politi  from Siracusa in Sicily (Italy). The hotel hosted many important guests like King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and Sir Winston Churchill with his wife Lady Clementine.  Villa Politi is located near Siracusa . This is a beautiful, historic city in Sicily (Italy). Siracusa became famous for its amphitheatres and architecture. Siracusa - Greek Theatre - taken with a disposable camera Nowadays Siracusa is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. On this link , you can see a beautiful Youtube Movie of the hotel. 

Karl Philipp was born on April 15th. 1771 in Vienna. Nice portrait of Karl Philipp, Prince of Schwarzenberg - Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Johann Nepomuk Anton of Schwarzenberg and Marie Eleonore, Countess of Öttingen-Wallerstein. Timeline: 1788: Karl Philipp entered the Cavalry. 1789: fought under Lacy and Loudon against the Turks and distinguished himself. 1794: received the Commander's Cross of the Military Order of Maria-Theresa. 1804: creation of the title Fürst zu Schwarzenberg 1808: promotion to General of the Cavalry. 1809: was awarded the Order of the Golden Fleece. 1813: Austria took the side of the allies against Napoleon. This resulted in several battles inter alia: 1813: Battle of Dresden 1813: Battle of Leipzig 1814: Battle of Bar-sur-Aube 1814: Battle of Arcis-sur-Aube 1814: Battle of Paris took place (overthrow of Napoleon). Karl Philipp, Prince of Schwarzenberg also recieved many foreign orders. On October 15th....

Maximilian was born on April 17th. 1573 in Munich. Maximilian I - Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were William V, Duke of Bavaria and Renata of Lorraine. He was a member of the House of Wittelsbach . On February 5th. 1595 he married Princess Elisabeth of Lorraine in Nancy. She died in 1635, they had no issue.  Two months after her death Maximilian I married his niece Maria of Austria .  She was the daughter of Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor and  Maria Anna of Bavaria. They had 2 sons together. In 1610 Maximilian ordered to enlarge the Munich Residenz and to upgrade the Hofgarten. own picture taken in 2014 Maximilian I died on September 27th. 1651 in Ingolstadt (Bavaria).

Frederick (in German: Friedrich) was born in 1175 (the exact date is unknown). Frederick, Duke of Austria Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Duke Leopold V of Austria and Helena of Hungary. In the late spring of 1197 he joined the German cruisade led by Emperor Henry VI with Wolfger of Erla, Bishop of Passau.  Frederick died while returning from Palestine on April 16th. 1198. He was sometimes called Frederick 'The Catholic'.

Jozef De Veuster was born on January 3rd. 1840 in Tremelo (Belgium). Father Damien Source picture: Wikipedia He entered the novitiate of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary in Leuven. There he took the name: brother Damianus (latin for Damien). In 1873 Father Damien arrived on Molokai. At the moment of his arrival there were 816 lepers. He reorganized a feral community. His arrival was a turning point for the colony. From then on there were decent houses, villages and even a school. King David Kalakaua of Hawaii bestowed him the honor 'Royal Commander of the Royal Order of the Kalakaua'. In 1886, he was effected with leprosy. He died on April 15th. 1889. On February 12th. 1935, King Leopold III of Belgium wrote a letter to president Franklin D. Roosevelt to ask the return of the remains of Father Damien to Belgium. In 1936, the Sailing Ship 'Mercator' returned with the remains to Antwerp. Later Father Damien was reburi...

Philip III of Spain was born on April 14th. 1578 in Madrid (Spain). Philip III of Spain Source picture: Wikipedia He was the third child of Philip II of Spain and Anna of Austria (daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II). In 1599, Philip married his first cousin, Margaret of Austria. They had 8 children. Their marriage was close and affectionate. Philip III died on March 21st. 1621. Nowadays you still can see a statue of Philip III @ the Plaza Mayor in Madrid (Spain).

Christina of Holstein-Gottorp was born on April 13th. 1573 in Kiel (Germany). Christina of Holstein-Gottorp Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Adolf, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp and Christine of Hesse. On July 8th. 1592, she married Charles, Duke of Södermanland. In 1604 he became King of Sweden. The Royals were crowned in 1607 in the Uppsala Cathedral. Queen Christina sometimes was described as domineering and strong-willed. She was both respected and feared. Some people called her hard, stubborn  and stingy. In 1611, Charles died and she became regent during the minority of her son Gustav II Adolf of Sweden. Christina died on December 8th. 1625 in Gripsholm Castle.

Claude de Laurraine (later Duke of Guise) was born on October 20th. 1496 in the Château de Condé-sur-Moselle. His parents were René II, Duke of Lorraine and Philippa of Guelders. Claude de Laurraine was educated at the French Court of King Francis I. He married Antoinette de Bourbon, daughter of François, Court of Vendôme. They were inter alia the grandparents of Mary of Guise (who became later the Queen of Scots). In 1528, Claude became the first Duke of Guise. Claude de Laurraine, Duke of Guise died on April 12th. 1550 in the Château de Joinville. Source picture: Wikipedia

In 1858, baron W.D.A.M. van Brienen van de Groote Lindt (a personal advisor of King William III of The Netherlands) ordered to build a city palace in The Hague. In the 1860's, hotelier Paulez became owner of this city palace. He offered this to his daughter and her husband Friedrich Wirtz. The couple transformed the city palace to an hotel. In 1881, Prince Frederick of The Netherlands (uncle of King William III) opened the hotel. On the initiative of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia , the first Peace Conference was held in The Hague in 1889. On January 23rd. 1931, Anna Pavlova , a famous Russian ballet dancer, died in  this hotel. A few months later, festivities around the B-Day of Emma, Queen Consort of  The Netherlands were celebrated in Hotel des Indes. Nowadays the hotel is a part of the Starwood Hotels and Resorts. On next link you'll find more about this historical hotel: Link . Own pictures of The Hague

The opening of the Royal Concert Building (in Dutch: Concertgebouw) in Amsterdam took place on April 11th. 1888. Nowadays it is considered as one of the best  Concert halls of the World, because of the acoustics. Source picture: Wikipedia In 1883 the construction began of this beautiful building. The architect was Adolf Leonard van Gendt. On April 11th. 1888, the Hall opened with an inauguration concert. Last year on April 11th. 2013, Beatrix (then Queen of The Netherlands) granted the building the title 'Royal'. Nowadays, Every year some 900 concerts and events take place in this beautiful building. own picture taken in Amsterdam

Philibert II (in Italian: Filiberto) was born on April 10th. 1480 at Pont-d'Ain (nowadays in Eastern France). The Duke sometimes was mentioned as 'the Handsome' or 'the Good'. His parents were Philip the Landless and Marguerite of Bourbon. In 1496 he married Yolande Louise of Savoy. The bride only was 9 years old! The groom was only 16 years old. She died in 1499 at the age of 12. In 1500 he married Margaret of Austria. More about this important woman on this link . Philibert died in 1504 at the age of 24. He had no children.

Countess Albertine Agnes of Nassau was born on April 9th. 1634 in The Hague (The Netherlands). Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange and Amalia of Solms-Braunfels. Countess Albertine Agnes of Nassau (second on the right side) & her parents & her siblings  Source picture: Wikipedia Albertine's paternal grandparents were William the Silent and Louise de Coligny. In 1652 Countess Albertine married William Frederick, Prince of Nassau-Dietz . He was a second cousin of her. They had 3 children. Countess Albertine and her 3 children Source picture: Wikipedia In 1664 she became regent for her son of Friesland, Groningen & Drenthe. Countess Albertine Agnes of Nassau died on May 24th or 26th. 1696.

Francis II Rákóczi was born on March 27th. 1676 in Borsi (now Slovakia). His parents were Francis I Rákóczi and Ilona Zrinyi. In 1694 he married Princess Amalia, a daughter of  Charles, Landgrave of Hesse-Wanfried.  In 1700 he was arrested and taken captive in Wiener Neustadt. Francis II Rákóczi could escape with his wife to Poland. In 1703 he started the uprising against the Habsburgs. This plan failed. Francis II Rákóczi died on April 8th. 1735 in the Ottoman Empire. Legacy Francis II Rákóczi became an Hungarian National Hero whose memory still lives on. There are a lot of memorials to honor him inter alia in Budapest. Many streets and even cities are called after him. His portrait is even on an 500-Forint (Hungarian) note. Source pictures: Wikipedia

Julie Clary was born on December 26th.1771 in Marseille (France). She was the daughter of a wealthy silk merchant called François Clary. Her sister Desirée Clary married Marshal Bernadette and became Queen Consort of Sweden and Norway. Julie Clary married on August 1st. 1794 Joseph Bonaparte, the elder brother of Napoleon. In 1806 her spouse became King of Naples. In 1808 he was made King of Spain. Julie Clary died on April 7th. 1845 in Florence (Italy). Source picture: Wikipedia

Maria Leopoldine of Austria-Tyrol was born on April 6th. 1632 in Innsbruck. Her parents were Leopold V, Archduke of Austria and Claudia de'Medici. In 1648, she married Emperor Ferdinand III (who became a widower). ( See my today in history of April 2nd .) On August 7th. 1649, she gave birth to Archduke Charles Joseph of Austria. But the birth was extremely difficult. She died the same day. Archduchess Maria Leopoldine of Austria only became17 years old.... Source picture: Wikipedia

Isabella of Hainault was born on April 5th. 1170 in Valenciennes. Her parents were Baldwin V, Count of Hainault and  Margaret I, Countess of Flanders. In 1180, Isabella married Philip II of France. She was crowned as Queen on May 28th. 1180 @ Saint Denis. They had a son who became King Louis VIII of France. Isabella died on March 15th.1190 after the birth of a twin. The twins died 3 days later.  Queen Isabella became 19 years old.  Source pictures: Wikipedia

Hotel Imperial is a five-star luxury hotel in Vienna (Austria). The establishment is located on the Kärntner Ring also called the Ringstrasse. Old image - Source picture: Wikipedia Hotel Imperial has a Italian Neo-Renaissance façade. The building was  designed by Arnold Zenetti and built under the direction of Heinrich Adam.  Initially it was planned as the city palace of Duke Philip of Württemberg and his spouse Duchess Marie Therese (born Archduchess of Austria). The original name was Palais Württemberg. However they didn't spend much time in their city palace. They sold the building in 1866. Then it was converted to a Hotel in 1873. Own picture taken in Vienna in 2011 In 1873 Emperor Franz-Joseph (husband of Sisi) opened the Hotel. Since then, Hotel Imperial has hosted many famous guests and Royalty like: Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom; Emperor and Empress of Japan. Museum Quartier also located on the Rin...