All About Royal Families

Pope Benedict XVI died on 31 December 2022 at 9:34 am Central European Time at his residence, Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, in the Vatican. He was 95 years old.   Funeral plans From 2 January 2023, Benedict's body will lie in state in St. Peter's Basilica. His funeral will take place on 5 January 2023 in St. Peter's Square at 9:30 am and will be celebrated by Pope Francis.  Bishop Georg Ganswein, his personal secretary since 2003, and Bishop Diego Ravelli, instructor of liturgical celebrations. will also attend the funeral. This will be the first time a pope will attend a funeral for his predecessor according to the New York Times, described as an "unusual precedent". Royal presence * King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians  (the only reigning monarchs); * Queen Sofia of Spain; * Prince Stefan of Liechtenstein.  * King Letsie III of Lesotho * Clotilde Courau Royal Messages King Charles, who met Pope Benedict in 2009, sent a message of condolence to Po...

While reading in a book about the history of the Belgian Royal family the name d'Oultremont was mentioned often. the coat of arms of Henriette d'Oultremont History The name d'Oultremont was originally from a town Warnant in the principality of Liège in Belgium. A certain Hustin de Warnant  d'Oultremont alderman of Huy and Wanze died on 17 May 1398. This is one of the first traces of the name: d'Oultremont. Due to the right marriages the family d'Oultremont could gain more power in Huy and in the region of Liège. In 1731, Emperor Charles VI, granted the hereditary title: Count to Jean-François d'Oultremont. In 1816, three great-grandsons of François d'Oultremont were included in the hereditary nobility of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands Famous personalities Elisabeth d'Oultremont (1867-1952) was the lady-in-waiting of Queen Elisabeth of Belgium (1876-1965). But there were lots of more traces of connection o...

One of the most beautiful churches in Rome is without no doubt the Santi Michaele e Magno in Rome. Perhaps this name doesn't say anything to you, but it is better known as the Friezen church in Dutch. Frisian Church in Rome, Italy The Church is dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel and Bishop Saint Magnus of Anagni. The Santi Michaele e Magno is located on the northern slope of Palazolo Hill in Rione Borgo near the Vatican in Rome. It is the national church dedicated to The Netherlands. Frisian Church in Rome Outside Some history From the 8th. century Frisian pilgrims regularly visited Rome. At the same time a colony of Frisians was living there. The Scola of Frisians was first mentioned by Pope Leo III's return to Rome in 799. In 845, the Frisians defended the Old St. Peter's Basilica against a Saracen invasion. Its patron was St. Michael the Archangel, who liberated Rome from the Plague and it was a favoured Saint during the Lombard...