All About Royal Families

The Ponte Vecchio, one of Florence’s most iconic landmarks, holds a fascinating royal history that is deeply intertwined with the powerful de' Medici family, who ruled Florence for centuries. This medieval bridge, spanning the Arno River, is not just a testament to architectural ingenuity but also to the grandeur and influence of Florence’s rulers. A Bridge with Ancient Origins The Ponte Vecchio, which means “Old Bridge,” was built in 1345 to replace a series of earlier wooden bridges that had been repeatedly destroyed by floods. Unlike its predecessors, this iteration was constructed in stone, ensuring greater durability. However, its significance goes beyond its longevity—its royal connections transformed it into a symbol of power and prestige. The de' Medici Family and the Vasari Corridor During the Renaissance, the de' Medici family solidified their control over Florence, and under the rule of  Cosimo I de’ Medic i, Grand Duke of Tuscany ,  the Ponte Vecchio took on an ...

Readers of this blog know that I love writing to royal families across Europe and beyond. From time to time, I receive amazing royal replies. One of my favorites in 2024 was, without a doubt, the portrait I received from Queen Letizia of Spain. Queen Letizia celebrates her birthday on September 15. She was born in 1972 in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. I sent a card on September 2, 2024, along with several others. To be honest, I only received a reply from her and Queen Paola of Belgium. Along with the card, I also received a very nice letter from a Spanish courtier. Of course, this is one of my most treasured royal replies of 2024! I hope you enjoyed this short blog post. I love sharing my royal collection with you online! Which is your favourite royal card of 2024? 

Florence and the de’ Medici family share a rich and complex history. This week, we take a closer look at Alessandro de’ Medici (1510–1537), known as "Il Moro," the first Duke of Florence and a key figure in the Medici family's transition from republican rulers to hereditary monarchs. About Him On 22 July 1510, Alessandro de' Medici was born in Florence. He was officially recognized as the son of Lorenzo II de’ Medici, though some accounts suggest he may have been the illegitimate son of Pope Clement VII, his uncle. His mother is believed to have been a woman of African descent, possibly a servant or enslaved woman in the Medici household, making him one of the first known rulers of European descent with African ancestry. Childhood Alessandro spent his early childhood in Rome, receiving a humanist education under the scholar Pierio Valeriano Bolzani, supervised by Pope Leo X and Cardinal Giulio de’ Medici. During these years, a series of unexpected deaths in the Medici...