All About Royal Families

March is a month of quiet transformation. Winter slowly loosens its grip, the first blossoms appear in palace gardens, and royal calendars begin to fill with spring engagements, state visits, and meaningful anniversaries. It is also a reflective month in royal history. From historic accessions and important birthdays to moments of remembrance that shaped European monarchies, March reminds us how closely tradition and renewal are intertwined. As always on All About Royal Families, we will explore the stories behind the dates: royal milestones, lesser-known historical connections, and the places where history still whispers through palace corridors and city streets. Let March 2026 be a month of discovery, elegance, and historical depth. Follow along for carefully curated royal highlights throughout the month. Royal diary March 1st.: St. David's Day, the patron saint of Wales March 5 - 6th: LUX: At the invitation of King Felipe VI & Queen Letizia of Spain, Grand Duke Guillaume ...

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...

September brings with it a rich tapestry of royal engagements, birthdays, and historic milestones across Europe and beyond.The royal calendar is filled with traditions, celebrations and meaningful events. This month also offers moments of remembrance and reflection, with anniversaries marking the lives and legacies of monarchs who shaped history. Royal diary On September 2nd.: Queen Mathilde of Belgium will visit the "De Vijvers residential care centre as part of the ‘Te Gek!?’ campaign." On September 4th. and 5th. : Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde will be in Switzerland (Bad Ragaz, St. Gallen) on Thursday and Friday. On September 4th. : The Prince and Princess of Wales will visit the Natural History Museum in London.  Own picture of the Natural History Museum in London taken in 2016 September 4th - Passing of the Duchess of Kent. The funeral will take place at Westminster Cathedral on September 16. at 2pm.  On September 6th.: Queen Sonja of Norway will unv...

I want to wish our friends from The Netherlands a very Happy King's day! Yes on April 26th. this year! Here is a small video about King's Day and about King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands. Enjoy your day!  pictures: Ilse Bongers, Bjorn Hoex, Cat Colnot, Canva and me

The fourth palace visit of this year also took place in The Hague. However, we could only see the Huis ten Bosch palace from the outside, because King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and his family live here. The walk from the center of The Hague through the forest was very beautiful and a stark contrast to get away from the hustle and bustle of the royal city. In front of the Palace Huis ten Bosch own picture Some royal history Construction of Huis ten Bosch began on 2 September 1645, under the direction of Bartholomeus Drijffhout, based on a design by Pieter Post and Jacob van Campen.  It was commissioned by Amalia of Solms-Braunfels , the wife of stadtholder Frederick Henry, on a parcel of land granted to her by the States General (Loonstra 1983, Slothouwer 1945).  Portrait of Amalia of Solms-Braunfels Source picture: Wikipedia The first stone was laid by Elizabeth of Bohemia . Elizabeth of Bohemia Source picture: Wikipedia Over t...

Our 2nd castle visit of  2024 took place on January 6th. On a rather grey Saturday we visited Slot Zeist in The Netherlands. Slot Zeist is a castle built in the 17th. century in Zeist, near Utrecht in The Netherlands. We travelled from The Hague to Utrecht by train and then we took the bus to the castle. Some history It all started with Willem Adriaan van Nassau, lord of Odijk, Kortgene, Zeist and Driebergen, a natural grandson of Maurice of Orange and thus a natural great grandson of Willem of Orange, also known as the Silent. Willem Adriaan van Nassau  bought the manor of the States of Utrecht in 1677 and had the current castle built. The architect of the house was Jacobus Roman, who also designed Paleis Het Loo.  The interior was mainly designed by the Huguenot Daniel Marot. Its largely preserved wall and ceiling paintings are reminiscent of the French Baroque.  Construction lasted from 1677 to 1686. In 1745, Slot...

Today, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark will abdicate after 52 years on the throne. In the afternoon Frederik will become the new King and Mary the new Queen. Foto: Hasse Nielsen In Europe this is the 6th. change of throne within 11 years.  It all started with Pope Benedict XVI. He was Pope from 19 April 2005 untill his resignation on 28 February 2013. He was succeeded by Pope Francis. Beeld: ©RVD - Gemmy Woud-Binnendijk Meanwhile in a broadcast on national media on 28 January 2013, Beatrix announced her intention to abdicate on 30 April (Queen's Day), when she would have been on the throne for exactly 33 years. Beatrix stated that it was time to "place the responsibility for the country in the hands of a new generation". The official program for the abdication and inauguration took place on 30 April 2013. Beatrix signed the instrument of abdication in the Vroedschapkamer (also known as Mozeszaal) in the Royal Palace, Amsterdam at 10:0...