All About Royal Families

On 2 August 1890, Emperor Wilhem II of Germany visited his 'uncle' King Leopold II of Belgium in Oostende (Ostend). Emperor Wilhelm II painting Source picture: Wikipedia   The Emperor travelled with his boat "the Hohenzollern".  own picture of Ostend The city of Ostend and King Leopold II made lot of hoopla about this important royal visit.  They went from the railway station to the royal chalet.  railway station of Ostend - Own picture the royal chalet of Ostend - Own picture Later that day, a concert at the Kursaal was given in honor of the Emperor, a banquet at the Townhall also took place and the day ended with a défilé and fireworks.  the old Kursaal of Ostend (picture taken at the Royal palace of Ostend) Wellingtonrenbaan of Ostend (horses) - own picture Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany liked the sea very much. In fact as a Crown Prince he had once been naked in the sea near Mariakerke in Ostend.  Family ties Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany was throug...

On Sunday 21 July 2024, a splendid National Day took place in Belgium. In Brussels, the capital of Belgium, most of the events happened.The weather was great and there was an amazing atmosphere. History The National day marks the taking of the oath of King Leopold I of Belgium on his arrival in 1831 in Brussels. Events The National Day in Brussels started early with a Te Deum in the St. Michael and the St. Gudula Kathedral. King Philippe, Queen Mathilde of the Belgians and their children, Crown Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel and Princess Eléonore were present. After the mass they took time to meet and greet the public. As always Bjorn Hoex was present where he made some lovely pictures of the Royals. In the afternoon a défilé took place in front of the Royal Palace in Brussels. This was viewed by, King Philippe of the Belgians, Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, Crown Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel and Princess Eléonore. Princess Astrid, Prince Lo...

Bjorn Hoex, royal photographer and friend is in the United Kingdom and especially in London to attend some wonderful royal events such as Trooping the Colour. What is Trooping the Colour? In the United Kingdom, Trooping the Colour is also known as the "King's Birthday Parade" ("Queen's Birthday Parade" when the monarch is female).  First performed during the reign of King Charles II (1660–1685), in 1748 it was decided that the parade of Trooping the Colour should mark the official birthday of the Sovereign.  In 1760, after the accession of King George III, it became an annual event. Seamus, an Irish wolfhound, is the mascot of the Irish Guards.  Some history Edward VII kept Trooping the Colour in May or June, because of the vagaries of British weather (his actual birthday being in November). It coincides with publication of the Birthday Honours List, and usually takes place at Horse Guards Parade by St James's Park, London. It is followed by a 41-gun sal...

On 30 May 1926, a special statue in Sint-Niklaas was inaugurated by Crown Prince Leopold of Belgium (later King Leopold III). The inauguration This day was accompanied by all kinds of festivities. Schoolchildren performed gymnastics exercises and sang patriotic songs. This was followed by a large procession from the main market to the site of the monument.  At the unveiling, a cantata was played by 1,000 musicians, written especially for the occasion by priest artist August Nobels and composed by Florimond Sax. Crown Prince Leopold of Belgium Source picture: Wikipedia The statue Along the front, on the pedestal: a soldier who takes a fallen brother-in-arms in his arms, protects the victim and looks with indignation at the enemy; below, on the steps, the hero's rifle and helmet wreathed with flowers and a crown.  At the back, the image of a man in the prime of his years, stretching desperately, taken away by the Germans and tortured for his rebelliousness and doomed to powerles...