All About Royal Families

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...

Each year, around 17 February, the Belgian Royal Family gathered together to remember the deceased relatives. In 2024 this mass took place on February 20th. in the St. Michael and St. Gudula kathedral in Brussels. This was due to the spring holiday. As always Geert Janssens and Bjorn Hoex were present to great the royals and to take amazing pictures. Following members of the Belgian Royal Family were present: - King Philippe of the Belgians; - Queen Mathilde of the Belgians; - King Albert and Queen Paola of Belgium; - Prince Laurent and Princess Claire of Belgium; - Princess Delphine of Belgium and her husband James O’Hare. However there were more royals present in the kathedral: - Princess Lea of Belgium; - Archduchess Marie Astrid of Austria (born Princess of Luxembourg). After the memorial mass the Belgian Royal Family took their time to meet the public. These pictures were taken by Bjorn Hoex and Geert Janssens. 

On 15 December 1960, in the morning, King Bouduin of Belgium married Fabiola de Mora y Aragón in the Throne Room of the Royal Palace of Brussels. Then a ceremony was held at the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral in Brussels.  The witnesses were the groom's father, King Leopold III, his brother-in-law, Jean, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, the bride's brother, The Marqués of Casa Riera, and the pretender to the Spanish throne, the Count of Barcelona. The bride's white silk and tulle gown, trimmed with ermine, had a high neckline, three-quarter length sleeves with a drop waist and a full skirt. It was designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga and had a 22-foot long train.  She wore the Art Deco diamond tiara given to her late mother-in-law at the time of her own marriage in 1926. The groom wore the uniform of a Lieutenant-General of the Armed Forces with the riband and star of the Belgian Order of Leopold and the collar of the Spanish ...

Each year on November 15th. King's Feast is celebrated in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. This year there was a special gala concert on November 14th. in the Bozar in  Brussels, for the occasion of 10 years reign of King Philippe.  Two wonderful photographers - Bjorn Hoex and Geert Janssens - traveled to Brussels to attend all the ceremonies. Geert Janssens even could attend the concert and the plenary session in the Senate. What's going on?  The King's Feast also called in Dutch: Koningsdag and in French: Fête du Roi as in German: Festtag des Königs has been celebrated in Belgium on November 15 since 1866.  Traditionally, a Te Deum is sung as well as a private observance being held. The royals who attedend the Te Deum were: King Albert II of Belgium Queen Paola of Belgium Princess Astrid of Belgium  Prince Laurent of Belgium 💡 Families/ dynasty King Albert II of Belgium is a member of the House of Belgium with the surname Saxe-Coburg & Gotha....