All About Royal Families

Last Thursday, I had the chance to visit the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and was utterly enchanted by the Cartier exhibition—an extraordinary journey through the storied evolution of this legendary jewellery house. Cartier at the V&A: A legacy in shine Running until 16 November 2025, this exhibition is the first major Cartier showcase in the UK in over three decades, presenting more than 350 pieces—from dazzling jewels and historic gemstones to decorative watches and clocks—tracing Cartier’s artistry from the early 20th century onward.  Curated by Helen Molesworth and Rachel Garrahan, the show reveals how the founders—Louis, Pierre, and Jacques Cartier—crafted a brand defined by creativity, technical finesse, and global reach.  Royal treasures that took my breath away Two pieces, in particular, left me in awe: The Cartier Bandeau of Queen Elisabeth of the Belgians : This diamond-laden, leaf-motif bandeau-style tiara was originally designed in 1912. Queen Elisabe...

15 August 1950 marks the birth of Anne, Princess Royal. What are 10 interesting facts about her? 1 birth and family Anne, Princess Royal, was born on August 15, 1950, as the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. As a young princess, she was said to be spirited, strong-willed, and deeply independent—traits she has carried throughout her royal life. 2 hobby From an early age, Anne showed a passion for horses. She became an accomplished equestrian and in 1976, made history by becoming the first British royal to compete in the Olympic Games. She rode the Queen’s horse, Goodwill, in the Montreal Olympics, representing the United Kingdom in eventing. 3 title The title of Princess Royal is not automatically given but is traditionally bestowed by the monarch to their eldest daughter. Anne received the title in June 1987, making her the seventh holder of this prestigious designation since its origin in 1642. 4  no-nonsense Though raised i...

Princess Charlotte of Belgium – The Solitary Lady of Bouchout Castle Princess Marie Charlotte Amélie Augustine Victoire Clémentine Léopoldine of Belgium (1840 – 1927) was the only daughter of King Leopold I and Queen Louise of Orléans. She grew up charming everyone around her with her intelligence and elegance. In 1857, she married Archduke Maximilian of Austria, younger brother of Emperor Franz Joseph. This made Charlotte the sister-in-law of both Franz Joseph and his world-famous wife, Empress Elisabeth – “Sisi.” Princess Charlotte of Belgium as a child - Exhibition Louise Marie of Orléans in Namur In 1864, the couple sailed to Mexico, where they were crowned Emperor and Empress. For a brief time, life sparkled with ceremony and grandeur. But it all ended tragically: in 1867 Maximilian was executed, and Charlotte, heartbroken, suffered a deep mental collapse. She lived for a while in Italy and at Tervueren, but after a fire destroyed her residence there, she moved in 1879 to Bouchout...

Just north of Brussels, Plantentuin Meise unfolds across 92 hectares of breathtaking landscape, surrounding the elegant Bouchout Castle. The castle once served as the secluded residence of Princess Charlotte of Belgium , later Empress of Mexico, sister-in-law of Sisi and sister to King Leopold II . But Plantentuin Meise is not only a place of royal memory. It is also a living archive of botanical science. One of the garden’s remarkable achievements was the relocation of the Balat Greenhouse in the 1930s. Originally designed by royal architect Alphonse Balat , mentor to the great Victor Horta, the structure once stood near the Royal Palace in Brussels. Its careful reconstruction in Meise stands as a tribute to Belgium’s botanical heritage and architectural legacy. The Greenhouse Alphonse Balat Today, the garden is home to over 18,000 plant species, an extensive herbarium with more than 4 million specimens, and the spectacular Plant Palace, where 13 interconnected glasshouses allow visit...

As summer reaches its peak, August brings a mix of tradition, elegance, and renewal across Europe's royal households. From serene summer retreats and national celebrations to poignant anniversaries and modern royal engagements, monarchies around the globe continue to capture attention with their enduring presence and evolving roles. In this edition of Royal Highlights, we take you through the most memorable royal moments of August 2025. Prince Gabriel of Belgium and his brother Prince Emmanuel Picture: Bjorn Hoex Sail Amsterdam 20-24 August This year, Amsterdam (The Netherlands) celebrates its 750th. B-day and the 10th. edition of Sail Amsterdam. Reason enough to visit the capital of The Netherlands. More about this event on this link .   Pictures of Amsterdam Sail made by Cat Colnot In the Dutch Magazine Vorsten, this time, there is a very nice Interview with Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau, who is the patron of Sail Amsterdam. Before King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands ...