All About Royal Families

In Belgium, trains are such a familiar part of everyday life that we rarely stop to think about the history travelling with us. We take the train to work, to school, for a day out or perhaps to begin a journey abroad. Yet those railway tracks tell a story stretching back almost two centuries. And in 2026, there is an extra reason to look back. The National Railway Company of Belgium, better known as NMBS/SNCB, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. For me, this anniversary has a personal connection too. I am an avid train traveller myself and whenever possible, I love discovering places by rail. But there is another reason why this anniversary deserves a place on All About Royal Families: Belgian railway history also has a fascinating royal side. A century on the rails Belgium has always been a railway pioneer. As early as 1835, the first public railway on the European continent connected Brussels with Mechelen. The NMBS/SNCF itself was established in 1926, taking over the railway lines...

August has always been a month of contrasts in the royal calendar. While many royal families enjoy a well deserved summer holiday away from the public eye, royal life never comes to a complete standstill. National celebrations, historic anniversaries and royal birthdays continue to offer fascinating moments for royal watchers around the world. This month's Royal Highlights bring together the most notable events and commemorations from across Europe's royal houses and beyond. Duke and Duchess of Gloucester Royal diary August 1st to August 7th: UK: Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight - The Princess Royal will visit some activities of this wonderful Regatta. ⛵ August 5th: UK: The Duchess of Edinburgh Patron, Hallé Concerts Society, will attend a Promenade Concert at The Royal Albert Hall. August 11th: NL: The Princess of Orange will attend the opening of the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen , Zara Tindall, Princess Benedikte of Denmark and Infanta Elena of Spain, will atted this...

June 2026 is shaping up to be another fascinating month in the royal world, filled with grand state visits, historic anniversaries, royal birthdays and celebrations across Europe and beyond. From the Netherlands welcoming both Germany and Japan for important state visits to Sweden’s joyful double celebration for King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, royal watchers certainly have much to look forward to this month. Meanwhile, Trooping the Colour will once again bring royal pageantry to the streets of London, while Belgium prepares to welcome Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako for a highly anticipated visit. Alongside the current events, June also offers beautiful moments to reflect on royal history, remarkable exhibitions and special royal destinations. Royal diary June 1st: MON - Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene will make an official visit to Madrid on 1 and 2 June, marking a double anniversary: 150 years of Monegasque diplomatic representation in Spain, and the 10th annive...

From the elegant garden parties at Buckingham Palace to meaningful visits and historic commemorations, this month offers a captivating glimpse into the life of modern monarchy. Whether you follow royal engagements closely or simply appreciate their timeless charm, May is filled with moments that beautifully connect past and present. Royal diary May 1st - May 2nd UK:  The King will continue his visit overseas to Bermuda to undertake His Majesty’s first Royal Visit as Monarch to a British Overseas Territory. May 1st - Labor Day May 4th - BE: Start of the Queen Elisabeth Competition (music - Cello) May 4th - ES: 50th anniversary celebration of the newspaper El País in Barcelona May 4th - UK: Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their third child together, due this summer. May 5th: UK: The Prince of Wales will visit North Yorkshire next  to 'spotlight rural communities and sustainability, mee...

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...