All About Royal Families

In the night of August 30th. and August 31st. 1997, a tragic car accident took place in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris, France. Dodi Fayed and the driver, Henri Paul died immediately. Diana, Princess of Wales was fatally injured.  The sudden and unexpected death of a very popular royal woman, brought many tributes in the world.  On September 1st. 1997 the newspapers around the world only had one topic: the sudden death of Diana, Princess of Wales. The next pictures are original front pages of some of the Belgian Newspapers and magazines during that period. 'Het Nieuwsblad' with Diana's favorite picture.  'Het Laatste Nieuws' : She had everything except happiness 'Dag Allemaal'

Arenberg Castle near Louvain, Belgium The Arenberg Castle really is a must see near Louvain in Belgium. It has everything: beauty and a rich, royal history. Arenberg Castle Entry - own picture taken in 2017 Some royal history Since the 12th. century, at the site of the castle there already was a domain of the Lords of Heverlee. However this family became poorer and in 1445 it was bought by the mighty  Croÿ family . The Croÿ family came into power under the reign of the Dukes of Burgundy. The most well known member of this powerful family was William of Croÿ. He was the chief tutor and first chamberlain of emperor Charles V. William of Croÿ painted by Quenten Matsys  Source picture: Wikipedia Under this William of Croÿ, the works of the castle were completed. Arenberg Castle buildings near Louvain, Belgium - own picture taken in 2017 Charles III of Croÿ was the last duke of the Croÿ family and after his death in 1612, the Arenberg family inheri

Ludwig I of Bavaria, also called Louis I in English, was born on 25 August 1786 in Strasbourg, France. King Ludwig I - statue - own picture taken in 2014 Family He was the son of Count Palatine Maximilian Joseph of Zweibrücken, who later became King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria, and his wife Augusta Wilhelmine of Hesse-Darmstadt. King Ludwig I of Bavaria was the godson and namesake of King Louis XVI of France. On 1 January 1806 his father became King of Bavaria. Education Ludwig studied in Landshut, where he was educated by Johann Michael Sailer. Love & Marriage Ludwig married Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on 12 October 1810. This wedding was the occasion of the first ever Oktoberfest. The couple would have 9 children. He also had extramarital affairs and was one of the lovers of Lady Jane Digby, Marianna Marquesa Florenzi. His famous affair with Lola Montez caused a huge scandal in Bavaria. Reign On 13 October 1825 Ludwig became King of Bavaria.

On August 22nd. 1787, Christian Friedrich Stockmar was born in Coburg. Duty He became the personal physician of Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in 1816. That year the German Prince married Princess Charlotte of the United Kingdom, the only child of King George IV. Princess Charlotte died, when she gave birth to a stillborn son about a year later. Stockmar stayed in service of Prince Leopold as a private secretary, comptroller of the household and political adviser. King Leopold I of Belgium - painting in the Royal Palace of Brussels own picture In 1828, one of his cousins, Caroline "Lina" Bauer, an actress, became the mistress of his master. She was brought to England together with her mother but the affair ended and she returned to Germany to the theater. Later she claimed that she had a morganatic marriage with Leopold but there was never an evidence for such a marriage. In 1831, Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha became King of the Belgians