All About Royal Families

October will be a fascinating month for royal watchers, with state visits, royal birthdays, historic commemorations and several exhibitions that bring royal history back to life. From Belgium and the Netherlands to Scandinavia, Spain and the United Kingdom, the royal calendar is once again filled with engagements. October is also an important month for the younger generation of European royals, with the birthdays of Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Crown Prince Christian of Denmark and Princess Leonor of Spain. For me, this month will have an extra touch of royal history. I will be travelling to Paris myself, following in the footsteps of Marie Antoinette and Napoleon and discovering some of the places where their stories unfolded.  So, let us take a look at the royal highlights, birthdays, anniversaries, books and exhibitions to watch in October 2026. Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium and Prince Emmanuel of Belgium Royal diary Breast Cancer Awareness Month. October 1st: BE:...

On 24 August 1838, Prince Philippe, Count of Paris, was born at the Tuileries Palace in Paris. As the eldest son of Ferdinand Philippe, Duke of Orléans, and Duchess Hélène of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, he was born into the heart of the French royal family. His grandfather was King Louis Philippe I of the French, who had been on the throne since 1830. A French prince with Belgian family ties Philippe's father, Ferdinand Philippe, was the eldest son of King Louis Philippe and Queen Marie Amélie. His younger sister Louise Marie of Orléans had married Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians, in 1832. Belgium's first queen was therefore Philippe's aunt. This also made Philippe a first cousin of Louise's children, including the future King Leopold II, Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders, and Princess Charlotte, who would later become Empress of Mexico. The French and Belgian royal families were not simply neighbouring dynasties. They were close family. Philippe's future chang...

In Belgium, trains are such a familiar part of everyday life that we rarely stop to think about the history travelling with us. We take the train to work, to school, for a day out or perhaps to begin a journey abroad. Yet those railway tracks tell a story stretching back almost two centuries. And in 2026, there is an extra reason to look back. The National Railway Company of Belgium,better known as NMBS/SNCB, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. For me, this anniversary has a personal connection too. I am an avid train traveller myself and whenever possible, I love discovering places by rail. But there is another reason why this anniversary deserves a place on All About Royal Families: Belgian railway history also has a fascinating royal side. A century on the rails Belgium has always been a railway pioneer. As early as 1835, the first public railway on the European continent connected Brussels with Mechelen. The NMBS/SNCF itself was established in 1926, taking over the railway lines ...

From the elegant garden parties at Buckingham Palace to meaningful visits and historic commemorations, this month offers a captivating glimpse into the life of modern monarchy. Whether you follow royal engagements closely or simply appreciate their timeless charm, May is filled with moments that beautifully connect past and present. Royal diary May 1st - May 2nd UK:  The King will continue his visit overseas to Bermuda to undertake His Majesty’s first Royal Visit as Monarch to a British Overseas Territory. May 1st - Labor Day May 4th - BE: Start of the Queen Elisabeth Competition (music - Cello) May 4th - ES: 50th anniversary celebration of the newspaper El País in Barcelona May 4th - UK: Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their third child together, due this summer. May 5th: UK: The Prince of Wales will visit North Yorkshire next  to 'spotlight rural communities and sustainability, mee...

On this day, 21 April 2026, we remember the birth of a sovereign whose life came to symbolise continuity, duty, and quiet strength. Born in 1926, Queen Elizabeth II would go on to shape the course of modern monarchy in a way few could ever have imagined. Here are ten carefully chosen facts that reveal the remarkable life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II; facts that, taken together, tell the story of duty, resilience, and history in motion. 1. A record-breaking reign Queen Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years and 214 days, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history and the longest-reigning queen regnant the world has ever known. 2. She was never expected to be queen Born in 1926 in Mayfair, she was not destined for the throne. It was only after the abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII, in 1936 that her father became king and Elizabeth became heir presumptive. 3. “Lilibet” at home Within the family, she was affectionately called Lilibet, a childhood nickname that stayed with ...

On 18 February 1516, at the Palace of Placentia in Greenwich, a daughter was born to Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. She would grow up to become one of the most controversial monarchs in British history: Mary I of England. For royal historians, Mary’s life is a powerful study in legitimacy, faith and female authority in a male-dominated political world. Family Mary was the only surviving child of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Highly educated, fluent in Latin and Spanish, and musically gifted, she was once the pride of her father’s court. When Henry annulled his marriage to Catherine and married Anne Boleyn, Mary was declared illegitimate. She lost her title of Princess and was forced to serve in the household of her half-sister, the future Elizabeth I. The emotional and political trauma of these years shaped her deeply rooted Catholic convictions. The first crowned queen regnant of England After the death of her half-brother Edward VI in 1553, an attempt was made to place Lad...

2026 promises to be a year filled with memorable royal moments, meaningful anniversaries, and stories that connect past and present. From official milestones to personal chapters in royal lifes. In this February 2026 overview brings together the highlights you won’t want to miss. picture of last year Church Service in Brussels Royal diary January 31st. - February 4th: UK: His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will visit the UAE to attend the World Governments Summit 2026 in Dubai.   February 1st: NL: King Willem-Alexander will attend the Men's Cyclocross World Championships in Hulst on Sunday afternoon.  Annette Van Dongen - King Willem Alexander in Hulst February 3rd: UK:  The Princess of Wales will visit textile manufacturers in west Wales, 'to celebrate the heritage, creativity and craftsmanship of Welsh textile manufacturers' February 4th: NL: Princess Beatrix, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien will attend the opening of the Hollan...

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...