All About Royal Families

April brings a beautiful blend of tradition, celebration and anticipation across Europe’s royal courts. From Easter reflections and historic anniversaries to state visits and springtime events, this month offers many moments to follow and enjoy. Let’s take a closer look at what April 2026 has in store for royal watchers around the world. Royal diary April 2nd: UK - The King and Queen will attend the Royal Maundy Service at St Asaph Cathedral in St Asaph, north Wales April 5th: Easter - Don't forget to write the Easter Cards - UK : King Charles III, Queen Camilla and other members of the royal family will attend the Easter Service. - DK: King Frederik, Queen Mary and other members of the royal family will attend the Easter Service at Frederik's Church in Copenhagen.  April 13th - April 15th.: NL-USA - King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will visit the United States of America. They will travel to Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. and Florida  April 16th - April 17th: N...

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...

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...

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...

In the series about Florence, I usually talk about the de' Medici family but other royals were quite fascinated by the city as well. One of them was Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. She reigned from 20 June 1837 until 22 January 1901. Since Queen Victoria was one of my main inspirations for starting the All About Royal Families blog, I naturally have to share details about her stays in Florence. Queen Victoria visited Florence multiple times, with her most significant stays occurring in 1888, 1893 and 1894 . These visits were part of her regular spring trips to southern Europe, where she sought both respite from the harsh British winters and engagement with the cultural and political life of Italy. When she travelled, Queen Victoria was accompanied by at least 80 people who occupied 13 carriages of her private train.  Florence in the 19th. Century 1888 Visit to Florence In March 1888, Queen Victoria arrived in Florence and took up residence at Villa Palmieri , a hist...

On 2 August 1890, Emperor Wilhem II of Germany visited his 'uncle' King Leopold II of Belgium in Oostende (Ostend). Emperor Wilhelm II painting Source picture: Wikipedia   The Emperor travelled with his boat "the Hohenzollern".  own picture of Ostend The city of Ostend and King Leopold II made lot of hoopla about this important royal visit. They went from the railway station to the royal chalet.  railway station of Ostend - Own picture the royal chalet of Ostend - Own picture Later that day, a concert at the Kursaal was given in honor of the Emperor, a banquet at the Townhall also took place and the day ended with a défilé and fireworks.  the old Kursaal of Ostend (picture taken at the Royal palace of Ostend) Wellingtonrenbaan of Ostend (horses) - own picture Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany liked the sea very much. In fact as a Crown Prince he had once been naked in the sea near Mariakerke in Ostend.  Family ties Emperor Wilhelm II of...