All About Royal Families

A queen with an artist’s soul Some royals walk into history as majesties. And some royals reshape it. Queen Elisabeth of Belgium (1876–1965) certainly belongs to the second category; a sovereign defined by empathy, curiosity and an extraordinary cultural legacy. A childhood shaped by art and compassion Elisabeth Gabriele Valérie Marie was born on 25 July 1876 at Possenhofen Castle on the shores of the Starnberger See. Her father, Duke Karl Theodor in Bavaria, was both a member of the Bavarian royal family , the House of Wittelsbach ,  and an acclaimed ophthalmologist; her mother, Infanta Maria José of Portugal, assisted him as a nurse, a rare role for a princess in the 19th century. This early exposure to caregiving and human vulnerability shaped Elisabeth’s lifelong compassion. Surrounded by music, painting and sculpture, she grew up in an environment that nurtured her artistic sensibilities. It was a childhood that prepared her for a future where culture and duty would become ins...

 A Royal July: celebrations and events across Europe July is a month filled with grandeur and tradition as royal families across Europe partake in an array of prestigious events and personal celebrations. Let's delve into some of the highlight events gracing the royal calendar this July. Hampton Court Garden Festival (UK) – July 1–6 Amidst the historic ambiance of Henry VIII’s former palace, the Hampton Court Garden Festival flourishes with vibrant displays of horticultural excellence. As one of the UK's largest flower shows, it garners royal interest and sometimes even a visit from a royal patron. This festival offers a unique blend of history, nature, and royal charm, making it a must-visit for garden lovers. Monte-Carlo Show Jumping (Monaco) – July 3–5 The glamour of Monaco is on full display at the Monte-Carlo Show Jumping event, held under the patronage of the royal family. Set against the stunning backdrop of Port Hercule near the royal palace, this elite equestrian compe...

On the morning of April 26, 1478, Easter Sunday, Florence Cathedral—Santa Maria del Fiore—was filled with the devout, the curious, and the powerful. Among them were two of the most prominent figures in Florence: Lorenzo de’ Medici, known as Il Magnifico, and his younger brother, Giuliano de’ Medici. The brothers were the de facto rulers of Florence, widely admired but also deeply resented by rival factions.  A plot That day, unbeknownst to the congregation, a meticulously plotted conspiracy was about to unfold—a plan that would shake the Republic of Florence to its core. The plot had been hatched by the Pazzi family, wealthy Florentine bankers with ambitions to unseat the de' Medici. They were backed by  Francesco Salviati, the Archbishop of Pisa, and, more ominously, by Pope Sixtus IV, who opposed the de'  Medici's influence in central Italy. The Pope’s nephew, Girolamo Riario, was also involved, giving the plot the air of both political and ecclesiastical intrigue. Duri...

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...

One of the greatest palace surprises ever was the Residenz in Munich. As the proverb says: don't jugde a book by its cover, it also can apply to  seemingly boring palaces. So don't jugde a palace by its facade.  Some Facts The Residenz is the largest city palace in Germany and is today open to visitors for its architecture, room decorations, and displays from the former royal collections. The complex of buildings contains ten courtyards and displays 130 rooms. own pictures of the Residenz taken in 2014 Some royal history The first buildings at this site were erected in the year 1385 and were financed by the township of Munich as a sanction for a failed uprising against Stephen III (1375–1413) and his younger brothers. The Silver Tower (Silberturm), as the strongest bastion, was significantly situated next to the inner walls protecting the castle against the city.  With the order of William IV (1508–1550) to expand the Neuveste with the s...

The House of Orléans is a noble dynasty with a rich history that dates back several centuries. The House of Orléans takes its name from the city of Orléans, located in north-central France. History The House of Orléans is the name used by various branches of the French royal family, all descended from the legitimate male line of the dynasty's founder, Hugo Capet.  The last branch to bear the ducal title descended from Henry of Bourbon, Duke of Vendôme (Henry IV of France), who became king (nominally) in 1589, and is sometimes known as the House of Bourbon-Orléans.  The eldest of these branches consisted of Gaston of Orléans, the younger son of Henry IV, and the four daughters of his two marriages.  The youngest and last House of Orléans descended from Philip of Orléans, the younger brother of Louis XIV (who, as such, was known at court simply as Monsieur).  From 1709 until the French Revolution, the Orléans dukes were...

In Sint-Niklaas, Belgium there is a small old but beautiful castle calledthe 'Castro Hof'. For years, I wondered where the name Castrohof came from. This question finally was solved in an exhibition  (January 2019) organised by the 'Koninklijke Oudheidkundige Kring Land van Waas'. So, in this blogpost I wanted to dig out more about the noble house de Castro y Toledo. Castro Hof, Sint-Niklaas Belgium own picture taken in 2016 Origin of the noble house Sources mentioned that the family name came from San Cebrián de las Amayelas. This was the old name for the town which has nowadays the name: Cebrián de Campos. It is a place in the region Castilla y Léon in the north west of Spain. Coat of Arms de Castro own picture taken in 2019 @the exhibition in the Library of Sint-Niklaas Some royal history During the rule of  King Philippe II of Spain, the Habsburg Netherlands were ruled by governors as Fernando Alvarez de Toledo ...