All About Royal Families

On 11 February 1920, His Sultanic Higness Farouk bin Fuad, the Hereditary Prince of Egypt and Sudan was born at the Abdeen Palace in Cairo, Egypt.  Family His parents were King Fouad I of Egypt and Nazli Sabri. He was a member of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty. King Fouad I gave all of his children names starting with F after an Indian fortune-teller told him names starting with F would bring him good luck.  Early years Farouk was only allowed to see his mother once every day for one hour. He grew up in the very closeted world of the royal palaces and he never visited the Great Pyramids of Giza until he became a King.  Farouk however had a very spoiled upbringing with the servants when meeting him always getting down on their knees to first kiss the ground and then his hand.  Aside from his sisters, Farouk had no friends when growing up as Fuad would not allow any outsiders to meet him.  England In October 1935, Farouk left Egypt to settle at Kenry House in the countryside of Surry to attend

The noise of motors on the black asphalt ... the tension and of course  the competition. Who will win the race? Who will lose?  Car racing certainly is a nice hobby for everyone who likes cars,  technique and especially speed.  But what's the history of Car racing and which royals love(d) the high speed of cars. Read it in the following paragraphs. own picture taken in 2013 in Monaco History The first prearranged match race of two self-powered road vehicles over a prescribed route took place on 30 August 1867.  On 28 April 1887, the first organized contest took place. This was organized by the chief editor of Paris publication Le Vélocipède, Monsieur Fossier. It ran 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Neuilly Bridge to the Bois de Boulogne near Paris. It was won by George Bouton. He used a car constructed by Albert, the Comte de Dion.  On 22 July 1894, the Parisian magazine Le Petit Journal organized the world's first motoring competition from Paris to Rouen in France. 69 cars stared th

On 31 Augustus 12 AD , Gaius Julius Caesar (named in honour of his famous relative) was born in Antium (Anzio).  Family His parents were Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder, who was the daughter of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia the Elder. She was the granddaughter of  Augustus.  Gaius was the nephew of Claudius, Germanicus' younger brother.  Caligula - Source picture: Wikipedia Childhood As a child of just two or three Gaius accompanied his father, Germanicus, on campaigns in the north of Germania. The soldiers were amused that Gaius  was dressed in a miniature soldier's outfit, including boots and armour. He was soon given an affectionate  nickname, Caligula, which meant little soldier boot in Latin. Gaius disliked his nickname. After the death of his father, Caligula lived with his mother until her relations with Tiberius deteriorated. Tiberius would not allow Agrippina to remarry for fear her husband would be a rival. Agrippina and Caligula's  brother Nero, were bani

Tiberius was born in Rome on 16 November 42 BC as the son of  Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla. In 39 BC his mother divorced his biological father. His mother remarried Octavian later named Augustus.  In 29 BC, Tiberius rode in the triumphal chariot along with his adoptive father Octavian after the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra.  In 23 BC, Emperor Augustus became gravely ill and his possible death was a threat to put the Roman world into chaos again. The succession trouble was a main problem for Augustus.  Augustus selected a series of potential heirs. Among them were Tiberius and his brother Drusus. In 24 BC at the age of seventeen! Tiberius entered politics under Augustus' direction. He was granted the right to stand for election as praetor and consul - even five years in advance of the age  required by law.  Source picture: Wikipedia Career Tiberius began appearing in court as an advocate, and probably in this period, his interest in Greek rhetoric started.  Love and M

Augustus: The first Roman Emperor In this second  post about the Roman Empire series , there is a main role for Augustus.  Early Life Augustus was born in the city of Rome, very close to the Roman Forum on 23 September 63 BC.  He was named Gaius Octavius Thurinus.  Due to the crowded places in Rome during that time, Octavius was taken to his father's home at Velletri to be raised. His mother, Atia was the niece of Julius Caesar.  In 59 BC his father died, when he was just four years old. His mother remarried a former governor of Syria, Lucius Marcius Philippus. Then Octavius was raised by his grandmother, Julia, the sister of  Julius Caesar.  Julia died in 52 or 51 BC and Octavius delivered the funeral oration for his grandmother. From this point his mother and stepfather took more interest in Octavius.  In 47 BC Octavius was elected to the College of Pontiffs. A turning point When Julius Caesar was killed on the Ides of March in 44 BC, Octavius was studying and followed a military

Rome and its history always have fascinated me. In 2017, I finally could visit this lovely city near the Tiber. Rome's history spans more than 28 centuries. It is the oldest occupied city in Europe. Rome became the capital of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire and it is the first ever Imperial City and metropolis.  These blog post series will focus on the history of the Roman Empire .  👉 The Roman Emperor was the ruler of the Roman Empire during the imperial period which started in 27 BC.  👉 The legitimacy of an emperor's rule depended on his control of the army and recognition by the Senate.  The first Emperor of the Roman Empire was Augustus. He refused recognition as a monarch. Augustus claimed that his power was republican.  * Who were the Emperors of Rome?  * How was the ordinary life during the Roman Empire?  * Which were the troubles of the Emperors? * More about the rise, decline and fall of the Empire.  So, welcome to this new blog series abou

Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily was born on 6 June 1772 at the Royal Palace in Naples. She was the eldest of 18 children. Family Her parents were Ferdinand IV & III of Naples and Sicily and Maria Carolina of Austria. She was the favourite child from her mother. Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily was inter alia the sister of Maria Amelia Theresa who would marry Louis Philippe, the King of the French. Her paternal grandparents were King Charles III of Spain and Maria Amalia of Saxony. Her maternal grandparents were Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor and Maria Theresa who became Holy Roman Empress. Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily was thus a member of the royal house of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. Maria Theresa was named after her maternal grandmother Maria Theresa of Austria. Love and Marriage On 15 September 1790, she married her double first cousin Francis. In 1792 he would become Holy Roman Emperor Francis II and Emperor Francis I of Austria. The

January 29th. counts many important events such as Birthdays and Deaths. This is the allaboutroyalfmalies calendar for January 29th.: B-Days: Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange (born in 1584 - died on 14 March 1647). His parents were William of Orange and Louise de Coligny. He became stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders and Overijssel (nowadays The Netherlands). Christian VII of Denmark (born in 1749 - died on 13 March 1808). His parents were Frederick V of Denmark and Louise of Great Britain. He married Caroline Matilde of Great Britain. Deaths: King George III of the United Kigndom (born on 4 June 1738 - died on 29 January 1820). He was a son of Frederick, Prince of Wales and Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha. Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany (born on 3 October 1797 - died on 29 January 1870). His parents were Ferdinand III, Grand Duke of Tuscany and Princess Luisa of Two Sicilies. Prince Aimoine, Duke of Aosta (born on 9 March 190

The first World War is over. King Albert I of Belgium & Queen Elisabeth are  back home in Brussels. They have overthrown the army of Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany and they won with the allied forces the war.  On 22 November 1918 there finally was a Joyous Entry in Brussels, capital of Belgium. The procession consisted of: - Prince Albert of the United Kingdom who became later Duke of York (1920) and even King George VI of the United Kingdom & Emperor of India in 1936. He was the father of the current Queen; - King Albert I of Belgium; - Queen Elisabeth of Belgium; - Crown Prince Leopold of Belgium (later King Leopold III); - Prince Charles of Belgium (later regent of Belgium); - Princess Marie José of Belgium (later Queen of Italy); - Marshall Pétain; - Fieldmarshal Haig; and many others. Tapestry Detail Duke of York During the procession the people of Brussels showed its joy for the royals. There were lots of Belgian flags and white handkerchie

From 20 October 2019 till 27 October 2019 it was a beautiful but busy week for the royals and also for the blogs about royalty.  There was a splendid enthronement in Japan and the 18th. B-Day ceremony of Princess Elisabeth of Belgium. I really loved both important royal events but I only managed to read one book over the last few weeks.  More about the royal events on these links: Link 1 Link 2 I chose the book: 'Albert & Elisabeth: Mes Parents', written in French by princess Marie José of Belgium, the last Queen of Italy. Queen Marie José lived from 1906 till 2001 and she was the youngest child of King Albert I of Belgium and Queen Elisabeth. Together with her brothers Prince Charles of Belgium and Leopold (Later King Leopold III) she experienced the war and the turbulent years between the two wars in a small, protected world. It were heavy times on the field of military, politics, social, economical internationally and nationally. In

28 September 1863 marks the birth of Carlos of Portugal. This royal event took place at the Ajunda National Palace in Lisbon. Family Carlos was the son of King Luis I of Portugal and Queen Maria Pia. His paternal grandparents were King Ferdinand II of Portugal (born Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) and Queen Maria II of Portugal. His maternal grandparents were King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy and Adelaide of Austria. Carlos was thus a member of the noble house of Braganza-Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Youth In 1883, Carlos traveled to the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy on his Grand Tour. In 1883, 1886 and 1888 he ruled as regent over Portugal, when his father was abroad. Love and Marriage A son of a King, Carlos was a good match on the royal wedding market. His first bridal candidate was one of the daughters of German Emperor Frederick III and his wife Victoria, Princess Royal (a daughter of Queen Victoria). The pressure of British diplomacy prevent

In September 2019, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a celebrity wedding in Rome, Italy. The wedding was also attended by Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie as well as Ivanka Trump and her husband. This A-lasting event took place at the Hotel De Russie in Rome. In 2017, I visited the lovely capital of Italy and I saw this amazing Hotel near the Spanish Stairs. I was immediately interested in its royal history. Some history The Hotel De Russie was designed by Roman architect Giuseppe Valadier between 1816 and 1818. The Hotel got its name from the many members of the Imperial Family of Russia who chose to stay there during their visit to Rome. During World War II the Hotel De Russie was ordered by the Military Information Services. After 1945, the Hotel was taken over by Count Romolo Vaselli. It became the head office of RAI, the Italian television channel until 1993. On 15 April 2000, the Hotel was re-opened under Sir Rocco Forte. Hotel de Russi

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. 

Victor Amadeus I (in Italian: Vittorio Amedeo I di Savoia) was born on May 8th. 1587 in Turin (now located in Italy). Victor Amadeus I, Duke of Savoy - Source picture: Wikipedia He was the son of Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy and  Catherine Micaela of Spain (daughter of King Philip I of Spain). Victor Amadeus spent much of his childhood at the Spanish Royal Court in Madrid. In 1619 he married Christine Marie of France (sister of King Louis XIII of France). The wedding took place at the Louvre in Paris. They had 7 children. Christine Marie of France - Source picture: Wikipedia Christine Marie of France had much influence at the court of Savoy. She introduced the French lifestyle, culture and art. Christine Marie lived at the Palazzo Madama, but she insisted to rebuild or to renovate the palaces: Castello del Valentino and Royal Palace of Turin too.  Victor Amadeus was also King titular of Cyprus and Jerusalem. Victor Amadeus di

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 statue of Cosim

On November 20th. 1851, Margherita of Savoy was born in Palazzo Chiablese in the (then) Kingdom of Sardinia. Source picture: Wikipedia Take a look at her amazing jewelry!  Family Her parents were Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Genoa and Princess Elisabeth of Saxony. Her maternal grandparents were John, King of Saxony and Amalie Auguste of Bavaria. Her paternal grandparents were Charles Albert, King of Sardinia and Maria Theresa of Austria. Love and Marriage In 1868, Margherita of Savoy married Umberto I of Italy . He was her first cousin. They had 1 child: Victor  Emmanuel III of Italy. Trivia: The name Margherita Pizza is derived from her. Buon Appetito - A very good Margherita Pizza -  Source picture: Wikipedia