All About Royal Families

Last weekend, my husband and I had the pleasure of visiting Namur, the charming capital of Wallonia, located in the southern, French-speaking part of Belgium. Our journey led us to a true hidden gem for lovers of history and royalty. Currently, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs – Le TreM.a is hosting a lovely exhibition dedicated to Queen Louise d’Orléans, the very first Queen of the Belgians. This elegant and intimate exhibition runs from 21 March 2025 until 17 August 2025, offering a rare glimpse into the life of this remarkable 19th-century royal figure. Louise and Leopold Though small in size, the exhibition is beautifully curated and rich in detail. We had the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour (in French), which was both engaging and enlightening. It truly brought to life the personal story and royal journey of Queen Louise — from her French roots to her role alongside King Leopold I.  If you are in or near Namur this weekend, make sure not to miss the special activities on Satur...

The House of Orléans is a noble dynasty with a rich history that dates back several centuries. The House of Orléans takes its name from the city of Orléans, located in north-central France. History The House of Orléans is the name used by various branches of the French royal family, all descended from the legitimate male line of the dynasty's founder, Hugo Capet.  The last branch to bear the ducal title descended from Henry of Bourbon, Duke of Vendôme (Henry IV of France), who became king (nominally) in 1589, and is sometimes known as the House of Bourbon-Orléans.  The eldest of these branches consisted of Gaston of Orléans, the younger son of Henry IV, and the four daughters of his two marriages.  The youngest and last House of Orléans descended from Philip of Orléans, the younger brother of Louis XIV (who, as such, was known at court simply as Monsieur).  From 1709 until the French Revolution, the Orléans dukes were...

On November 30th. 1870, Princess Henriette of Belgium was born in Brussels (capital of Belgium). source picture: Wikipedia Princess Henriette was the daughter of Prince Philippe,  Count of Flanders (brother of King Leopold II) and  Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. In 1896, Princess Henriette married Prince Emmanuel of Orléans ,  (8th. Duke of Vendôme). He was a great-grandson of  King Louis-Philippe of France. They had 4 children. A current view of Brussels - Own picture Duty Henriette was a great sportswoman, and was often considered the best shot among royal women.  On one occasion, she killed a stag that had already killed another, making her very popular in Belgian sporting circles. She even earned the sobriquet the "Sporting Duchess". In 1908, she accompanied her husband to the Rocky Mountains in the United States to shoot grizzly bears. She often did royal visits for her brother King Albert. In 1914 for...