All About Royal Families

December has always been a special month in the world of royalty. As the year draws to a close and winter lights begin to sparkle across palaces and capitals, royal families around the globe step into a season filled with tradition, ceremony and moments of connection. From state visits on distant shores to centuries-old constitutional celebrations, from festive concerts to the familiar Christmas broadcasts, December brings together history and present day in a way only monarchies can. Royal diary December 1st till December 3rd.:   King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of The Netherlands will travel to Suriname for an official State Visit.  In early December (often between 3 and 7 December) the Monaco Royal Family traditionally inaugurates the Christmas Village at Port Hercule. In recent years, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène (often with their twins) have taken part in the ceremony. The same period sees major philanthropic events organised under Princess Charlène’s...

Mary Lilian Baels, later known as Princess Lilian of Belgium, Princess of Réthy, was born on November 28, 1916, in Highbury, London. She was one of nine children of Henri Baels, a prominent Belgian politician, and her youth was spent between Belgium and the great finishing schools of France, Switzerland, and Austria. Cultivated, elegant, and multilingual, Lilian had a taste for literature, golf, skiing, and the arts. Her charm and refinement soon brought her into royal circles, where the widowed King Leopold III of Belgium noticed her. The first encounters between Lilian and the king took place at public events and during golf outings, some discreetly arranged by Leopold himself. Lilian Baels is the lady on the right side of the picture Wikipedia When the Second World War broke out and Belgium was invaded, Lilian devoted herself to the Red Cross, transporting wounded Belgian and French soldiers to hospitals. It was against this dramatic backdrop that her life took its most fateful turn...

A queen with an artist’s soul Some royals walk into history as majesties. And some royals reshape it. Queen Elisabeth of Belgium (1876–1965) certainly belongs to the second category; a sovereign defined by empathy, curiosity and an extraordinary cultural legacy. A childhood shaped by art and compassion Elisabeth Gabriele Valérie Marie was born on 25 July 1876 at Possenhofen Castle on the shores of the Starnberger See. Her father, Duke Karl Theodor in Bavaria, was both a member of the Bavarian royal family , the House of Wittelsbach ,  and an acclaimed ophthalmologist; her mother, Infanta Maria José of Portugal, assisted him as a nurse, a rare role for a princess in the 19th century. This early exposure to caregiving and human vulnerability shaped Elisabeth’s lifelong compassion. Surrounded by music, painting and sculpture, she grew up in an environment that nurtured her artistic sensibilities. It was a childhood that prepared her for a future where culture and duty would become ins...

Discover what’s on the royal calendar this month! From state visits and remembrance ceremonies to birthdays and cultural events, November 2025 will be an engaging month for Europe’s royal families and beyond. Here’s a complete look at the royal engagements and birthdays happening this month. This blog will be updated during the month November.  Royal Diary November 1 King Philippe of the Belgians, King of Spain, Queen of Jordan, Queen of Denmark, Prince of Monaco, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Princess Akiko, Princess Sirivannavari, Princess Salma of Jordan, Crown Prince of Oman will attend the opening of the new museum in Cairo, Egypt. All Saint's Day November 6 🇬🇧 The Prince of Wales will represent King Charles III at the #COP30 World Leaders Summit in Belém, Brazil. 🇧🇪 King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians will attend the gala evening of the King Baudouin Foundation’s Antwerp Support Council. November 8 🇬🇧 The National Festival of Remembrance will take place a...

When we think of the French Renaissance court, we often imagine dazzling balls, glittering jewels, and intricate political games. But behind the silks and masks, the court of Catherine de' Medici had a darker, more mystical side and at the heart of it stood one enigmatic figure: Cosimo Ruggeri. Catherine de' Medici and Cosimo Ruggeri From Florence to France Cosimo Ruggeri (sometimes spelled Ruggieri) was born in Florence in the early 1500s, a time when astrology and alchemy were taken quite seriously, especially among Italy’s elite. He was trained in the esoteric arts: astrology, magic, and possibly even poison-making. His talents caught the eye of Catherine de' Medici, the powerful queen consort of France, who herself had grown up in the mystical atmosphere of the Florentine Medici court. By the mid-16th century, Ruggeri had followed Catherine to France and became her trusted astrologer and advisor. Some even whisper he was something more: a magician in her inner circle. T...

Dear royal enthusiasts, I’m delighted to announce the release of the All About Royal Families 2026 Calendar, available now for free as a PDF! This is a special moment: it’s the first royal calendar ever created exclusively by All About Royal Families and I’m thrilled to share it with you. As with all my work, it has been carefully curated (not every royal date is mentioned) for those who cherish royal families, significant dates, and timeless tradition. Each month features key anniversaries from royal houses across Europe, making it the perfect companion for any royal watcher throughout the year. What’s inside the 2026 Royal Calendar? 📅 Birth and death anniversaries of royal figures 💍 Royal weddings and coronation dates 🎨 A stylish, regal design: ideal for digital use or home printing Whether you're a long-time follower of royal families or just beginning to explore the fascinating world of monarchy, this calendar offers a unique journey through royal milestones that continue to...

October promises to be a very busy month in the royal world, filled with historic moments, important ceremonies, birthdays, and anniversaries. The highlight will undoubtedly be the abdication of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and the accession of his son, Grand Duke Guillaume, marking a new chapter for the Grand Duchy. But across Europe and beyond, royal families will also take part in cultural celebrations, parliamentary traditions, and international visits, making this a month to follow closely. Prince Lorenz of Belgium, Queen Mathilde and King Philippe of the Belgians, Princess Astrid of Belgium - Taken in July 2025 by Bjorn Hoex royal diary October 1st - The Prince of Wales, will launch the Global Humanitarian Memorial for aid workers, Gunnersbury Park, London, W5 October 1st  — Queen Máxima and King Willem‑Alexander will embark on a work visit to the Occitanie region (France). King Willem Alexander of The Netherlans Bjorn Hoex October 3rd - Throne Chance in Luxembourg . T...

Back in 1990, I was just eleven years old and already fascinated by royal families. That year was truly special in Belgium’s royal history: King Baudouin celebrated his 40th anniversary on the throne, he and Queen Fabiola marked 30 years of marriage, and in September, the King turned 60. Plenty of reasons to pick up a pen and write my very first royal letter. It was my first attempt at connecting with royalty,  the very first step on what would later become a lifelong passion and eventually this blog. I carefully crafted my message and sent it off to the Belgian Royal Palace. To my absolute delight, I received a royal reply in return! For a young royal enthusiast, it meant the world. However… that precious card went missing not long after. For 35 years, it remained lost and with it, the chance to truly "document the journey" from the very beginning. Fast forward to 2025. My parents are moving and over the past few weeks, they’ve been sorting, selling, and clearing out decades...

Located along the banks of the River Meuse, in the charming Belgian town of Dinant, stands one of the most fascinating natural landmarks of Wallonia: the Rocher Bayard (Bayard Rock). This striking needle-shaped rock formation, reaching about 35 meters in height, has not only inspired legends but also attracted royal attention. We had the chance to visit this special royal destination on a very warm day in May 2025. A rock shaped by history and legend The Bayard Rock is closely tied to the old Ardennes version of the legend of the Four Sons of Aymon (De Vier Heemskinderen). According to the tale, the magical horse Bayard split the rock to allow the four brothers to escape. This mythical association still enchants visitors today. Historically, the rock served as a natural barrier at the southern entrance of Dinant. A first attempt to cut a passage through it failed in the 17th century, but during the Nine Years’ War, the French army of Louis XIV managed to create a three-meter opening s...

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania of the United States will pay a state visit to the United Kingdom from September 17th. till September 19th. 2025 ✨ I wondered how and when the previous state visits of American Presidents to the United Kingdom took place. So, I made a short overview from the most interesting visits.  Early encounters The first official visit of a sitting U.S.A President to the United Kingdom was by Woodrow Wilson in December 1918, just after the end of World War I. Though not a formal state visit hosted by the monarch, Wilson’s trip marked an important moment: the United States had emerged as a global power, and Britain welcomed its wartime ally with enthusiasm. Post-War diplomacy The first true State Visit of an American President to Britain took place in 1959, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II. This visit came at a time when both nations were working closely in NATO and in the Cold War context. The pomp of Buc...