All About Royal Families

Recently I bought a royal book from the library in Sint-Niklaas. I received a hint from a wonderful colleague and he discovered a real treasure. It is a book about Princess Marie-José of Belgium, who became the last Queen of Italy and her royal wardrobe.  Source picture: Bookcover Who was Princess Marie-José of Belgium? Princess Marie-José of Belgium was the third child and only daughter of King Albert I of Belgium and Queen Elisabeth (born Duchess in Bavaria). Her brothers were the  later King Leopold III of Belgium and Prince Charles (Regent of Belgium). Princess Marie-José was born on 4 August 1906 in Ostend (Oostende). During the First World War she was evacuated to England and later she attended the College  of Santissima Annunziata in Florence, Italy. On 8 January 1930, Princess Marie-José of Belgium married Crown Prince Umberto of Italy. They would have 4 children. She became president of the Red Cross in Italy. During World War II, Princess Marie-José became a dip...

On 26 May 1946, Jordan - the official name is: the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan - became independent.  Jordan is located in Western Asia and it is bordered by inter alia Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq and the Dead Sea. The capital is Aman.  Jordan has a long history and it was a part from inter alia the Persian Empire,  the Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire.  The current ruler of Jordan is a constitutional monarch: King Abdullah II.  The famous places in Jordan are: Wadi Rum, Petra and the Dead Sea.  The movie Lawrence of Arabia was recorded at Wadi Rum.  Source pictures: Wikipedia + book cover 

Recently (in 2021), the Duchess of Cambridge revealed the newest hobby of her  youngest son, Prince Louis. This is cycling.  Is he the only royal who like(s)d to ride on a bike and what's the history of cycling?  History Bicycling was introduced around the 1800's and it became soon very popular. In 1868, the first bicycling race was held near Paris. In Europe cycling went strong until the 1950's. However it is still a favourite sport.  Belgium King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians are often pictured while riding on a bike and their children: Princess Elisabeth, the Duchess of Brabant, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel and Princess Eleonore as well. During their holidays in France they like to be out and around on bike. However they are pictured in  Belgium as well on their bikes: while they were promoting tourism during covid-19 and on Car Free Sundays.  It is no secret that Queen Fabiola of Belgium liked to ride on a bike as well.  Princ...

In Monte-Carlo, Monaco, the Monte-Carlo Fashion week takes place from 14 till 18 May 2021. It is a festival of fashion and style. Designers from all over the world show their designs for the following seasons. This event is organized by the Fashion Council of Monaco together with the government.  Monte Carlo Monaco - own picture taken in 2013 All the prominent people in the fashion industry as well as stylish icons, including the royals attend the Fashion Week. More about the Mont-Carlo Fashion Week on this link  and on this link as well.  History In 2013 the Monte-Carlo Fashion Week was created by Frederica Nardoni Spinetti, the president and founder of the Chambre Monégasque de la Mode. More about the Chambre Monégasque de la Mode on this link .  Nowadays The Monte-Carlo Fashion Week is Under the High Patronage of  H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco.  own pictures taken in 2013

Vespasian was born on 17 November 9 AD at Falacrine, a village at the north-east of Rome.  Colosseum in Rome own picture taken in 2017 Family Vespasian's paternal grandfather, Titus Flavius Petro, became a centurion and he fought at Pharsalus for Pompey in 48 BC. He also became a debt collector.  Titus Flavius Sabinus, Vespasian's father, worked as a customs official in the province of Asiia and he became a moneylender on a small scale. He married Sabinus. They had three children. The elder boy was Titus Flavius Sabinus.  The younger boy was Vespasian. He seemed far less likely to be successful than his elder brother. He married Flavia Domitilla, the daughter of Flavius Liberalis from Ferentium and formerly the mistress of a roman equestrian. They had two sons. Titus Flavius Vespasianus and Titus Flavius Domitianus and a daughter Domitilla. Both his daughter and his wife died before he became emperor.  His mistress Antonia Caenis became his wife in all but forma...

Some royals do have a fantastic garden around their estates. These always  give fantastic ideas for your own garden or balcony ....  So let's take a closer look to Highgrove, the home of Charles, Prince of Wales. It is no secret at all that Highgrove has a wonderful garden too.  Highgrove is the family residence of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. It lies southwest of Tetbury in Gloucestershire, England. Near Tetbury, in the County of Gloucestershire in South West England, Gatcombe Park, the country residence of Anne, Princess Royal is located between the villages of Minchinhampton and Avening.  History Highgrove  House was built in 1796 to 1798 by John Paul Paul and believed to have designed by architect Anthony Keck.  In 1864 the house was sold to a barrister, William Yatman. Yatman was described as one of the "chief preservers of foxes."  Yatman left Highgrove following a fire in 1893. The house was rebuilt by Arthur Mitchell. T...