All About Royal Families

On July 31st. 1737 a princess was born at St. James's Palace in London. She received the name: Augusta Frederica. Princess Augusta Frederica - Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Frederick, Prince of Wales (eldest son of King George II) and Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha. Princess Augusta Frederica had a younger brother who later became King George III. On her third birthday, the first public performance of Rule, Britannia! took place @ Cliveden in Buckinghamshire. As princess, Augusta Frederica received the best education. Her marriage also was an important topic. On January 16th. 1764 she married Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick. The couple wasn't really happy with each other. He even had some love affairs, which Princess Augusta Frederica didn't care but she  found the residence in Brunswick too simple and returned to London already in  1764, where she gave birth to her first child.  When Charles became reg...

On July 30th. 1872 a girl was born in the Palace in Laeken (near Brussels in Belgium). She was called Princess Clémentine. Her parents, King Leopold II, and Queen Consort Marie Henriette of Austria had hoped that this child was a boy, so they really were disappointed and initially they didn't care about her. Princess Clémentine of Belgium -  Source picture: Wikipedia The young princess had strong family ties. She was a second cousin of  Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and a sister-in-law of Rudolf,  Crown Prince of Austria, as well. As princess in Laeken she had a tragic childhood because her mother was very difficult.  When Queen Marie Henriette died in 1902, Princess Clémentine became First Lady of the country. She accompanied her father very often to  events in Belgium and in Europe. Then Princess Clémentine fell in love with Victor,  Prince Napoléon. She askedher father his permission to marry but the King...

On March 14th. 1844 a boy was born in Turin (Sardinia). He was called Umberto. Umberto I of Italy - Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Victor Emmanuel II and Archduchess Adelaide of Austria. Umberto's education was entrusted to some very wise men. In 1858 Umberto entered the army en he became a captain. He took part during the wars of the Italian independence and distinguished himself therefor the prince received a medal. On April 21st. 1868 Umberto married his first cousin Margherita of Savoy. They had 1 son together. On January 9th. 1878 Umberto adopted the name 'King of Italy'. He accepted the conditions of the constitution. Umberto visited often Vienna and Berlin.  On July 29th. 1900 Umberto was assassinated by Gaetano Bresci in Monza. The King was buried in the Pantheon in Rome. 

Assassination in Sarajevo - Source picture: Wikipedia When Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were assassinated in Sarajevo on June 28th. 1914, this would cause a huge conflict. See also my blogpost: Remembrance Weekend - Start World War I  Initially the people in Vienna were indifferent to what had happened but Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria wanted a complete investigation of this tragic event. A lot of diplomats tried to find a solution. Meanwhile War Coalitions were made. Franz Joseph of Austria - Source picture: Wikipedia  After Serbia rejected the conditions of the ultimatum (the text of it was drafted in very hurtful terms), Austria declared war to Serbia on July 28th. 1914.

Germany had many Royal and Notable families with a lot of ties in the  European  aristocracy. I really find those links very interesting and important.  Reading  about these families, I found my Today in History topic... On July 27th. 1765 a girl was born in Treptow an der Rega (now located in Poland). She was called Duchess Frederica of Württemberg. Duchess Frederica of Württemberg -  Source picture: Wikipedia Family ties Her parents were Frederick II Eugene, Duke of Württemberg and  Friederike Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt . Her paternal grandparents were Karl Alexander, Duke of Württemberg and Maria Augustus of Thurn and Taxis . Her maternal grandparents were Markgrave Frederick William  of Brandenburg-  Schwedt and Princess Sophia Dorothea of Prussia   (sister of King Frederick the Great). Her siblings also had great matches they were inter alia: - Sophia Dorothea, Empress of Russia  ...

Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia was born on June 25th. 1860 at the Marmorpalais in Potsdam (near Berlin in Germany). Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia - Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia and Princess Maria Anna of Anhalt-Dessau. On March 13th. 1879, Princess Louise Margaret married Prince Arthur,  Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. He was the 7th. child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The wedding took place at the St. George's chapel in  Windsor. The couple received many expensive wedding gifts like a diamond tiara, a pearl and diamond pendant and other things ... In 1911 Princes Louise Margaret accompanied her husband to Canada, where he became Governor-General. When his term was finished, he returned with his family back to England. On March 14th. 1914 Princess Louise Margaret died at Clarence House in London due to influenza and bronchitis. She was the first member of the Br...

On July 24th. 1759 a boy was born in the Royal Palace of Turin at the magnificent isle Sardinia. He received the name: Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia .  A portrait of the young Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia  Source picture: Wikipedia Victor Emmanuel was the second son of King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia and Maria Antoinetta of Spain (daughter of King Philip V of Spain and Elisabeth Farnese). On April 25th. 1789 he married Maria Theresa of Austria-Este. They had a happy marriage. The couple had six daughters and one son, who died young. From his birth, Victor Emmanuel was formerly known as the Duke of Aosta.  Between 1792 and 1797 he served in the army as supreme commander.  His elder brother, who ruled as Charles Emmanuel VI took little interest in his  task as king. Victor Emanul I of Sardinia - Source picture: Wikipedia In 1802 Charles Emmanuel abdicated in favor of Victor Emmanuel but the King  and hi...

When Maria Cayetana de Silva married in 1776 José Maria Alvarez de Toledo y Gonzaga, she became the 13th. Duchess of Alba. The two also were the wealthiest couple of Spain. 13th. Duchess of Alba - Source picture: Wikipedia In 1776 her husband died. There were rumors that the Duchess had a relationship with the famous painter Francisco Goya. He accompanied the widowed Duchess many times and made several paintings of her. On July 23rd. 1802, the Duchess of Alba died under mysterious  circumstances. A lot of speculations came although it was proven that she died of tuberculosis and fever. But a strong theory that she was  poisoned remained. This was dramatized in the film: The Naked Maja with Ava Gardner as the Duchess. 

This week's treetuesdaypicture is taken in september 2011 in the Volksgarten in Wien (Vienna). Volksgarten Wien Vienna Austria Some History .... Originally on the site of the Volksgarten in Vienna, there were  fortifications but in 1809 these buildings were destroyed by Napoleon's French troops. On March 1st. 1823 the park was officially opened. Since 1825 the name Volksgarten was used.

de' Medici's always were an important, but interesting family who ruled in Florence (Italy). On July 22nd. 1510 a boy was born, he received the name: Alessandro. Alessandro de' Medici - Source picture: Wikipedia There were a lot of speculations about his birth.  Many people believed that he was the son of Giulio de' Medici  (later pope Clement VII) . Other people believed that he was the son of a servant from African descent who was working at the de' Medici household. His nickname became 'il Moro' or 'The Moor'. But he was recognized by Lorenzo de' Medici (grandson of Lorenzo the Magnificent). In 1532 Alessandro became Duke of Florence. His many enemies declared that his rule was corrupt and incompetent. Later this was discussed by historians. In 1536, Alessandro married Margaret of Austria (natural daughter of  Emperor Charles V) but the Duke of Florence stayed faithful to  one mistress: Taddea M...

There will be no normal Today in History due to the National Day in Belgium. Belgian Flag On July 21st. 1831, King Leopold I of Belgium swore allegiance to the laws of the Constitution. King Leopold I in the National Bank of Belgium in Brussels A lot of festivities will take place in the capital of Belgium: Brussels. There is inter alia a Te Deum in the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, in presence of King Philipe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula In the afternoon there is a military and civil parade also in presence of members of the Belgian Royal Family. screenshot of King Philippe of Belgium - before the parade King Albert & Queen Poala of Belgium are having a holiday at the moment. They won't be present at the festivities of the National Day ...

Sanssouci is the beautiful former summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. It is located in Potsdam (near Berlin). The Schloss was built and designed by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff between 1745 and 1747 in Rococo style. Sanssouci - Potsdam - Germany My husband and I visited this wonderful palac and it was all very good organized. We could take pictures inside the Schloss without flash. These are some results: Sanssouci Germany Sanssouci Germany As you can see on the pictures, all the rooms where ornated well. I like the style of these kind of palaces very much, what do you think?

July 20th. 1835 marks the birth of a remarkable woman. She was called Princes Adelheid of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. Princess Adelheid of Hohenlohe-Sigmaringen with her mother Source picture: Wikipedia Princess Adelheid's parents were Ernst I, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and Princess Feodora of Leiningen (half sister of Queen Victoria). Her future husband became an important topic in Europe. First Emperor Napoleon III wanted to make a closer alliance between France and Britain and Princess Adelaide seemed the perfect candidate. He asked for her hand, although he never met Princess Adelaide. The proposal horrified Queen Victoria. Later the parents of Princess Adelaide didn't agree with Napoleon III (he married Eugénie de Montijo). On September 11th. 1856, Princess Adelaide married Frederick VIII, Duke of Schleswig - Holstein. They had 7 children. One of them, Princess Augusta married Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany and became the last Germ...

Augusta Caroline Charlotte Elizabeth Mary Sophia Louise was born on 19 July 1822 in Hanover. Princess Augusta of Cambridge - Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge (7th. son of King  George III of the United Kingdom) and Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel. Family ties She had one brother, Prince George (later Duke of Cambridge) and one sister who was Princess Marie Adelaide (later Duchess of Teck).  Princess Augusta of Cambridge was a niece of Queen Victoria and the aunt of Mary of Teck, who  married the later George V. Marriage Princess Augusta of Cambridge was one of the possible brides of the later King William (Willem) III of The Netherlands, but he didn't like her appearance. Finally she married her first cousin Frederick William of Mecklenburg- Strelitz @ Buckingham Palace in London on June 28th. 1843. They had two sons, one survived childhood. About her Princess Augusta...

On July 2nd. 1574 a girl was born in Dessau (Germany). She received the name Sophie Dorothea Maria of Anhalt. Dorothea Maria of Anhalt - Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Joachim Ernest, Prince of Anhalt and Eleonore of Württemberg. On January 7th. 1593 Dorothea Maria of Anhalt married John II, Duke of Saxe-Weimar in Altenburg. In their 12 years of marriage they had 12 children together. Dorothea Maria of Anhalt died on July 18th. 1617 of injuries sustained while riding a horse. Her funeral took place on August 24th. 1617. However, according to local legends, some people didn't believe that she died. the Stories believed that the spirit of Dorothea Maria of Anhalt lived on.  When a disaster or death came in the castle, sometimes her spirit was seen. She came then from the crypt under the castle church and was walking through the rooms. The legend was called in German the Weisse Frau auf dem Friedenstein  (White woman of Frie...

W hen I read more about the Belgian Royal History, I 'discovered' this interesting  woman,  who showed again, the strong dynastic ties through European Royalty. 15 July 1837 marks the birth of Stephanie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. Source picture: Wikipedia Her parents were Karl Anton, Prince of Hohenzollern (head of the House Hohenzollern -Sigmaringen) and Princess Josephine of Baden. Princess Stephanie had some siblings who played an important role in European History: - Carol (Karl) , future King of Romania; - Marie, mother of King Albert I of Belgium. On May 18th. 1858 she married King Pedro V of Portugal in the church of St. Dominic in Lisbon. This marriage was very happy until Queen Stephanie died on July 17th. 1859 because of diphtheria. In the short time she was Queen, Stephanie founded some hospital and she made herself a good name. Pedro never married again, he died in 1861 of cholera and was succeeded by his brother Luis. Source p...

Members of the House of Habsburg always are a welcome subject for my Today in History. On July 16th. 1611, Cecilia Renata of Austria was born in Graz as a daughter of Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor and Maria of Bavaria. Cecilia Renata of Austria - official portrait located in Warsaw  Source picture: Wikipedia In 1637 she married King Wladyslaw IV of Poland and on September 12th. the same year, Cecilia Renata was crowned @ the St. John's Cathedral in  Warsaw. She became a very popular queen, especially known for her politeness. Cecilia Renata kept contact with her brothers and became friends with her sister-in-law.  During her marriage she became pregnant for 3 times but all the children died very young. Cecilia Renata also died a day after when she gave birth  to her last child (March 24th. 1644). She was mourned by Wladyslaw and left a good impression by the public. Cecilia Renata of Austria - Source picture: Wikip...

My treetuesdaypicture of this week is taken in Kinheim during a day-trip in 2011. Kinheim Germany Kinheim is a municipality in the Bernkastel-Wittlich district in  Rhineland-Palatine (Germany). At the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815), it was as the rest of the Rhein-Mosel Department, assigned to the Kingdom of Prussia. So, this was the treetuesday picture of this week, have a wonderful tuesday and stay in touch with this blog!

Franz Frederick Anton was born on 15 July 1750 in Coburg. Francis, as 'Erbprinz' - Source picture: Wikipedia On March 6th. 1776 he married Princess Sophie of Saxe-Hildburghausen, she died only seven months after her wedding. They had no children. On June 13th. 1777 Francis married Augusta Reuss of Ebersdorf und  Lobenstein.  Augusta was considered as one of the most beautiful women  of her time.  They had ten children, seven of them survived childhood and some of them played a very important role in European History. They were the parents of inter alia: Juliane Henriette Ulrike who married Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich of Russia (younger brother of Tsar Alexander I). Upon her wedding she took the orthodox name: Anna Feodorovna. Ernst I Anton Karl Ludwig , who was the father of Prince Albert (husband of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom). Ferdinand George August  became the father of Ferdinand II of Portugal, the Duchess of N...

Ferdinando de' Medici was born on July 14th. 1610 in Florence as the eldest son of Cosimo II de' Medici and Maria Magdalena of Austria. Ferdinando II de' Medici-  Source picture: Wikipedia Cosimo II de' Medici died when Ferdinando only was 10 years old. Due to his minority, his paternal grandmother Christina of Lorraine acted as joint regent. At the age of 17, Ferdinando traveled around Europe during his Grand Tour. One year later he became ruler of Tuscany but Christina of Lorraine stayed the power behind the throne till her death in 1636. On September 26th. 1633 Ferdinando married Vittoria della Rovere, who was his first cousin. They had 2 children together: Cosimo and Francesco Maria de' Medici. Grand Duke Ferdinando had an obsession with new technologies like hygrometers, barometers, thermometers and telescopes.  Ferdinando died on May 23rd. 1670 of Apoplexy and dropsy. He was buried in the Basilica of San Lorenzo.

On November 13th. 1559, the fifth son of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor and Maria of Spain was born in Vienna. They called the boy Albert. Albert VII, Archduke of Austria- Source picture: Wikipedia At the age of seven, Albert was sent to the Spanish court, where his uncle, King Philip II looked after his education. In 1577 he was appointed as cardinal. Philip II had plans to make him the archbishop of Toledo but his plans turned out a bit different. On April 18th. 1599, Albert married Isabella Clara Eugenia, infanta of Spain and infanta of Portugal and daughter of King Philip II (after Albert asked  permission to the pope). As wedding gift they recieved the government ship of the Habsburg Netherlands. There were strict conditions attached to the marriage.  1/ When the couple remained childless, The Netherlands would be returned under Spanish government. 2/ Any children of the couple would only marry sons or daughters from the...

Mikhail Fyodorovich Romanov was born on 12 July 1596 in Moscow as the son of Feodor Nikitich Romanov and Kseniya Shestova. Michael I of Russia - Source picture: Wikipedia When Michael was young he lived with his mother and family in the Ipatiev Monastery near Kostroma.  On February 21st. 1613, Michael was elected as Tsar by the Zemsky Sobor, the Russian feudal Parliament Council. A delegation brought Michael the news and his mother protested against the coronation because she tought her son was too young and inexperienced for such a difficult task in such difficult times. On July 22nd. 1613, Michael was  crowned as Tsar at the age of 16! In 1624, Tsar Michael I married for the first time.  His bride was Maria Vladimirovna Dolgorukova.  Four months after the wedding, she died while giving birth. Michael I of Russia - Source picture: Wikipedia On February 5th. 1626 Tsar Michael married for the second time. Eudoxia...

July 11th. 1662 marks the birth of Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria. This 'event' took place in Munich. His parents were Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria and Henriette Adelaide of Savoy. Maxmilian II Emanuel Statue in Munich - Germany - Own Picture His paternal grandparents played an important role in European History.  They were Victor Amadeus I of Savoy and Christine Marie of France,  daughter of King Henry IV. Already at a young age, Maximilian II moved to Vienna (Austria).  He took up a place in the army of the Habsburgs. His first task was to protect Vienna against the attempt of the Ottoman Empire. In Vienna he married Maria Antonia of Austria, daughter of Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor and Margaret Theresa of Spain. This marriage was unhappy, since the couple disliked each other, but they managed to produce heirs for Bavaria and for Spain. In 1688 Maximilian II Emanuel led the capture of Belgrade from the Turks, ...

Maximilian Alexander Friedrich Wilhelm, Prince of Baden was born on July 10th. 1867 in the spa town Baden-Baden (located in southwestern Germany). His parents were Prince Wilhelm Max of Baden and Princess Maria Maximilianovna of Leuchtenberg (granddaughter of Eugène de Beauharnais and niece of Tsar Alexander II of Russia). Prince Maximilian studied at the Gymnasium secondary school and he followed law and cameralism (science of Administration) at the Leipzig University. After finishing his studies he trained as an officer in the Prussian Army. Prince Maximilian of Baden and his family-  Source picture: Wikipedia On July 10th. 1900, Prince Maximilian married Princess Marie Louise of Hanover in Gmunden. The couple had one daughter and one son. Upon the outbreak of World War I, Prince Maximilian served as general staff in the German Army. However, shortly afterwards he retired from his position as he was dissatisfied with his role in the army and he suff...