All About Royal Families

Westin Hotel in Paris, taken in 2017 The Westin Paris is located at the Rue de Castiglione on the corner of the Tuileries and the Rue de Rivoli, near the Place Vendôme in Paris, France. Nowadays the building still is an important landmark but it really has an interesting and even a royal history. Some history * The Westin Hotel was opened on June 1st. 1878 as the Hôtel Continental . Share of the Hotel Continental - Source: Wikipedia * It was designed by Henri Blondel, who was the son-in-law of Charles Garnier, one of the best known French architects. * During that time, the Westin Hotel was one of the most luxurious hotels in Paris. * During the first World War, the hotel was used as an hospital. Royal guests * The Grand Dukes of Russia ussually stayed here inter alia Duchess Marie of Mecklenburg - Schwerin and her son Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich of Russia * Empress Egénie, wife of Napoléon III of France, visited regularly the hotel. * Queen M

On February 22nd. 1550 Charles de Ligne, duke of Aarschot, baron of Zevenbergen was born as the eldest son of Jean de Ligne and Margaretha von der Mark, Countess of Arenberg. Family His mother was the sister and sole heiress of Robert III von der Marck-Arenberg. The marriage contract of his parents stipulated that their heirs would bear the title, name and arms of Arenberg. On 5 March 1576, Emperor Maximilian II raised Charles' mother and her heirs to the rank of Princely Counts, he also promoted them to the Council of Princes of the Imperial Diet. The Somerset House Conference - Charles was the 3rd. on the left Interesting knowledge One of the godparents of Charles de Ligne was Emperor Charles V. Duty At the age of 10, Charles de Ligne was sent to the court of King Albert V of Bavaria, where he stayed for 3 years. In 1556 he began to travel around Europe on his 'Grand Tour'. He visited inter alia: Paris, Lyon, Rome, Venice, Malta, Florence

Oostende is a city near the North Sea in Western Flanders, Belgium. It has not only a lot of royal history, it also has a beautiful symbolic Coat of Arms. Coat of Arms of Oostende near the Royal Villa - own picture Some history The current Coat of Arms of the City Oostende was granted in 1819. Then it was a part of the United Kingdom of The Netherlands. Although according to some sources Oostende had received their Coat of Arms from Margaret II, Countess of Flanders in 1267. Countess Margaret II of Flanders Source picture: Wikipedia The keys on the Coat of Arms are the symbol of the patron saint of Oostende: St. Peter. St. Peter with the Keys Source picture: Wikipedia The three keys on the Coat of Arms are possibly a reference to the city gates.  From 1951 unwards the Coat of Arms of Oostende was allowed to wear the War Cross of Belgium. Now Walking through this wonderful city, gives the opportunity to see lots of the city'

Prince Henrik of Denmark passed away on 13 February 2018 at 23h18 in Fredensborg Palace.  Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik with Laura and George W Bush in 2005 Source picture: Wikipedia Youth Henri Marie Jean André de Laborde de Monpezat was born in Talence, Gironde in France on 11 June 1934.  His parents were André de Laborde de Montpezat and Renée Doursenot. He was raised in the Catholic Faith. Love and Marriage On 10 June 1967, Henrik married Queen Margrethe of Denmark (then Princess  and heir to the throne) at the Naval Church of Copenhagen. For this marriage Prince Henrik had to give up his Catholic Faith and he converted to Lutheranism. This royal couple had two sons and 8 grandchildren. He was inter alia the father-in-law of Crown Princess Mary (born Mary Donaldson). Duty Prince Henrik always had difficulties with his role. He often said he was the number two for many years.  On 1 January 2016, Prince Henrik retired. H