All About Royal Families

Welcome to the July edition of the All About Royal Families Royal Diary, your monthly guide to the most important royal engagements, birthdays, exhibitions, and celebrations from royal families around the world. From Scotland's traditional Holyrood Week and Belgium's National Day to royal birthdays, summer palace openings, and international visits, July offers plenty for every royal enthusiast. Royal Diary June 29th - July 12th: UK: Wimbledon 2026 🎾.  June 30th - July 3rd: Holyrood Week in Scotland. July 1st: CAN: Happy Canada Day! July 2nd: NL: His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Máxima will attend the gala of the National Ballet, in honour of the farewell of director Ted Brandsen. July 4th: USA: Happy Independence day ! The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia has written a message to President Donald Trump on the occasion of the United States’ Independence Day. source picture: Wikipedia July 7th - July ...

The past week has been filled with royal celebrations, historic ceremonies and important international visits. From London to Stockholm and from Amsterdam to Brussels, royal watchers had plenty to follow. Trooping the Colour in London On 13 June, members of the British Royal Family gathered for the annual Trooping the Colour parade. Although King Charles III celebrated his actual birthday in November, the traditional birthday parade once again brought together senior working royals on Horse Guards Parade. The highlight for many royal fans was the appearance of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, where they watched the traditional Royal Air Force flypast. The event remains one of the most iconic royal traditions in the world. Sweden celebrates a double Jubilee Also on 13 June, Sweden celebrated two remarkable milestones. The festivities honoured King Carl XVI Gustaf's 80th birthday and the golden wedding anniversary of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. Members...

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...

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...

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...

Since my parents are moving from a house to an apartment, I received some lovely pieces from them for my royal collection of Belgium. These are two special editions of Belgian stamps issued in 1990. In 1990, the Koninklijke Landsbond der Belgische Postzegelkringen celebrated its centenary. In that context, these stamps were created. The roses depicted on them were taken from the work of Pierre-Joseph Redouté, 60 Roses for a Queen, which belongs to the Royal Library Albert I in Brussels . The stamps also feature Queen Louise-Marie, the first Queen of the Belgians. She was the second wife of King Leopold I, from their marriage on August 9, 1832, until her death in 1850. Louise-Marie was the second child and eldest daughter of the French King Louis-Philippe I and his wife, Maria Amalia of the Two Sicilies. Although she rarely participated in public representation, she played a significant role as the political adviser to her husband. Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759–1840) was a renowned flower...

On Sunday 21 July 2024, a splendid National Day took place in Belgium. In Brussels, the capital of Belgium, most of the events happened.The weather was great and there was an amazing atmosphere to meet the royal family of Belgium. History The National day marks the taking of the oath of King Leopold I of Belgium on his arrival in 1831 in Brussels. Events The National Day in Brussels started early with a Te Deum in the St. Michael and the St. Gudula Kathedral. King Philippe, Queen Mathilde of the Belgians and their children, Crown Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel and Princess Eléonore were present. After the mass they took time to meet and greet the public. As always Bjorn Hoex was present where he made some lovely pictures of the Royals. In the afternoon a défilé took place in front of the Royal Palace in Brussels. This was viewed by, King Philippe of the Belgians, Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, Crown Princess El...