All About Royal Families

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...

Princess Charlotte of Belgium  The Solitary Lady of Bouchout Castle Princess Marie Charlotte Amélie Augustine Victoire Clémentine Léopoldine of Belgium (1840 – 1927) was the only daughter of King Leopold I and Queen Louise of Orléans. She grew up charming everyone around her with her intelligence and elegance. In 1857, she married Archduke Maximilian of Austria, younger brother of Emperor Franz Joseph. This made Charlotte the sister-in-law of both Franz Joseph and his world-famous wife, Empress Elisabeth  “Sisi.” Princess Charlotte of Belgium as a child - Exhibition Louise Marie of Orléans in Namur In 1864, the couple sailed to Mexico, where they were crowned Emperor and Empress. For a brief time, life sparkled with ceremony and grandeur. But it all ended tragically: in 1867 Maximilian was executed, and Charlotte, heartbroken, suffered a deep mental collapse. She lived for a while in Italy and at Tervueren, but after a fire destroyed her residence there, she moved in 1879 to B...

Just north of Brussels, Plantentuin Meise unfolds across 92 hectares of breathtaking landscape, surrounding the elegant Bouchout Castle. The castle once served as the secluded residence of Princess Charlotte of Belgium , later Empress of Mexico, sister-in-law of Sisi and sister to King Leopold II . But Plantentuin Meise is not only a place of royal memory. It is also a living archive of botanical science. One of the garden’s remarkable achievements was the relocation of the Balat Greenhouse in the 1930s. Originally designed by royal architect Alphonse Balat , mentor to the great Victor Horta, the structure once stood near the Royal Palace in Brussels. Its careful reconstruction in Meise stands as a tribute to Belgium’s botanical heritage and architectural legacy. The Greenhouse Alphonse Balat Today, the garden is home to over 18,000 plant species, an extensive herbarium with more than 4 million specimens, and the spectacular Plant Palace, where 13 interconnected glasshouses allow visit...

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...