All About Royal Families

Just outside Brussels, in the village of Groot-Bijgaarden (Dilbeek), stands the beautiful Castle of Groot -Bijgaarden, a historic estate surrounded by water and gardens. Royal history The origins of the castle date back to the early 12th century. The domain was granted by the Abbey of Saint Bavo to the Lords of Bijgaarden, with the first known lord, Amelricus, appearing in records in 1110. A later lord likely built the first fortified motte castle to protect the surrounding lands. Over the centuries the estate passed through several noble families. In the 17th century Ferdinand of Booischot transformed the castle into the elegant residence we see today, built in Flemish Renaissance style with brick walls and slate roofs. In the 18th century, after the marriage of Helena of Booischot to Count Charles Ferdinand of Königsegg Rothenfels, Empress Maria Theresa elevated the lordship to a marquisate. Royal garden The castle is surrounded by a moat and reached by a bridge with five arches. It...

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 ...

On February 24th. 2026, I had the chance to go to Laken (near Brussels). On that day the annual Eucharistic celebration in memory of deceased members of the Belgian Royal Family took place. It is always a deeply reflective moment in the royal calendar, marked by dignity, silence, and remembrance. These members of the Royal Family attended the service: * King Philippe of the Belgians * Queen Mathilde of the Belgians * Prince Laurent of Belgium * Princess Claire of Belgium * Princess Léa of Belgium * Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg and her husband Prince Nicolaus of Liechtenstein * Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg and Princess Sibylla of Luxembourg * Prince Paul-Louis of Nassau. Following the service, I experienced something I will never forget: a brief but heartfelt encounter with Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, King Philippe of the Belgians, Princess Delphine of Belgium, and her husband Jim O'Hare. Princess Delphine is the daughter of King Albert II of Belgium and a  half sist...

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...

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...

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...