27 June 2010

This Week in Princesses

If it wasn't for the major announcement of Prince Albert II of Monaco's engagement to Charlene Wittstock, this week's news would have been devoted entirely to sporting events--World Cup, Wimbledon, polo, show jumping, etc. On the whole, princesses seem to be sports mad.

June 22

In this handout image provided by the Palais Princier Monaco, Prince Albert II of Monaco poses with his fiancee Charlene Wittstock on the announcement of their engagement at the Palais de Monaco. Photo by Amedeo M.Turello/Palais Princier Monaco via ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

Prince Albert III of Monaco announced his engagement to Rhodesian-born South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock just days after taking her with him to Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden’s wedding. The day after the announcement it emerged that he had called her dad permission just minutes before a World Cup match, causing the future father-in-law some frustration. The wedding will take place in the summer of 2011. For more on the engagement, read my post The Next Princess: The Long-Awaited Engagement.

June 23

LUXEMBOURG - JUNE 23: Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg, Prince Louis of Luxembourg, Princess Tessy of Luxembourg and Prince Sebastien of Luxembourg pose for a photo near the cathedral on Luxembourg's National Day on June 23, 2010 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Mark Renders/Getty Images)

The royal family of the grand duchy of Luxembourg celebrated their tiny country’s national day. The young royals lined up in a row from left are Prince Guillaume, Princess Alexandra, Prince Louis and his wife Princess Tessy, and Prince Sebastien. Both princesses look a little severe for their tender ages: Alexandra is 19 and Tessy is 24.

Princess Alexandra of Hanover attending the 'Fete de la St Jean' celebration in Monaco, on June 23, 2010. Photo by Marco Piovanotto/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

Every little princess deserves her own balcony. Ten-year-old Princess Alexandra of Hanover enjoyed some time to herself on the balcony of her uncle’s palace in Monaco. The daughter of Prince Ernest of Hanover and Princess Caroline of Monaco, this Alexandra is the granddaughter of Princess Grace, previously the American screen goddess Grace Kelly.

Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, inspects soldiers from 11 Light Brigade in Winchester, southern England June 23, 2010. The Brigade was formally welcomed home, in the largest event of its kind in Britain, from their tours in Afghanistan. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty (BRITAIN - Tags: ROYALS MILITARY)

Camilla Duchess of Cornwall was present for a large homecoming event honoring service members who have returned home from Afghanistan.

LONDON - JUNE 23: Princess Eugenie arrives for work at Christies on June 23, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/Getty Images)

Princess Eugenie of York started an internship at Christies, the famous auction house this week. On Day 3 of the new job, her outfit is adorable, but the bag seems out of proportion. Was she planning to smuggle some artwork home or did she bring lunch for everyone?

June 24

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - JUNE 24: Princess Caroline of Hanover (L) and Charlotte Casiraghi (R) attend the 15th Monte-Carlo International Jumping on June 24, 2010 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

On Thursday, Princess Caroline of Monaco was on hand to cheer on her older daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi at the 15th Monte Carlo International Jumping Competition. Charlotte’s father, Caroline’s second husband Stefano Casiraghi, was tragically killed in speedboat accident when she was very young.

A combination photograph shows Japan's Princess Hisako Takamado using a camera during a 2010 World Cup Group E soccer match between Japan and Denmark at Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg June 24, 2010. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP ROYALS)

In South Africa, Princess Takamado of Japan attended the World Cup match between Japan and Denmark. Her late husband, Prince Takamado, was a first cousin of Emperor Akihito. Since his death in 2002, this Cambridge graduate has raised three daughters alone and has continued to play an important role in representing Japan, especially abroad. Before her marriage, she was Hisako Tottori.

Jun. 24, 2010 - London - The Queen is visiting the Wimbledon tennis championships for the first time in 33 years...She watched Britain's number one Andy Murray beat Finland's Jarkko Nieminen on Centre Court...Photo Shows; The Queen with the Duke of Kent.

The brightly outfitted Queen of England picked up some pointers from her first cousin, the Duke of Kent, at a Wimbledon match. In this photo, the Duke looks remarkably like the queen’s oldest son, the Prince of Wales. The strong resemblance may be because the Duke, as a son of Princess Marina of Greece, is also second cousins with Prince Philip, a former Greek prince. Perhaps Prince Charles will look exactly like this in another decade.

June 25

Princess Caroline of Monaco with two little Puppies attends the 15th Monte-Carlo International Jumping in Monte-Carlo, Monaco on June 25, 2010. Photo by Marco Piovanotto/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

The next day at the show jumping event, Princess Caroline developed a double case of puppy love.

June 26

NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Princess Beatrice and Dave Clark pose for a photograph as they attend a reception for Prince Harry's charity Sentebale at Greenwich Country Club on June 26, 2010 in New York, New York. Prince Harry is on a three day trip to New York culmulating on Sunday where he will play in a polo match supporting his charity Sentebale. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Princess Beatrice of York and her boyfriend Dave Clark turned out at a reception in New York City to support her cousin Prince Harry of Wales’ African charity, Sentebale. Harry spent the weekend in New York promoting the charity and building connections between the British and American armies. He also threw out the first pitch at a Major League Baseball game.

23 June 2010

Charlene Wittstock, Princess of Monaco

The oldest living playboy prince has at last been put to pasture. After decades of speculation about his sexual orientation, at least two illegitimate children and what seemed like hundreds of supermodel girlfriends, the late Princess Grace's son, Prince Albert has finally announced his engagement to Charlene Wittstock. He is 52; she is 20 years younger.

Charlene Lynette Woodstock was born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and so will be the first African-born woman to marry a major European prince. (Apologies to Prince Harry's Zimbabwe-born girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, but it looks like Charlene will beat you to the altar. Of course, rumors are rampant that Chelsy and Harry have split up again.) The daughter of swim coach, Charlene started young as a competitive swimmer. She earned South Africa's championship in the women's 50-meter backstroke and swam on the country's Olympic team in 2000 in Sydney, where she earned a highly respectable fifth-place finish.

Prince Albert of Monaco poses with Charlene Wittstock in Monaco in this June 23, 2010 handout photo released by the palace. Prince Albert II of Monaco, son of the late Hollywood actress Grace Kelly, is to marry former South African Olympic swimmer and model Wittstock, the prince's office said in a statement on Wednesday. REUTERS/Amedeo M.Turello/Palais Princier/Handout (MONACO - Tags: ROYALS SPORT SWIMMING) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

The couple reportedly met during a swimming event in Monaco and she quickly became his constant companion. Speculation about their relationship first arose when they were seen together at the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Olympic Winter games. (The prince is also an Olympian, having competed in bobsled for his country, and he has served on the International Olympic Committee for 25 years.) In the last four years, they have attended numerous public events together including many casual athletic outings. More importantly, Charlene has accompanied him to official events in Monaco, like the annual Rose Ball and the Princess Grace Awards Gala, and to royal events, like last weekend's royal wedding in Sweden, where she was seated behind him.

Charlene will be the first princess consort of Monaco since Princess Grace's tragic death in 1982. Any children she has with Albert will supplant her sister-in-law, Princess Caroline, in the line of succession. Albert's father, Prince Rainier III, changed the laws of succession in 2002--because of concerns that Albert would never have a legitimate child--making it possible for siblings, not just children, to succeed the reigning prince. Therefore, Caroline has been Hereditary Princess of Monaco since Albert succeeded in 2005. She will lose this title the moment he has a legitimate child. She briefly held the title as an infant and lost it when Albert was born and he became the Hereditary Prince.

Despite the possible change in her position, Caroline seems not to mind. Both she and her sister Princess Stephanie have reportedly coached Charlene for her new role.

No wedding date has been announced, but protocol reportedly calls for at least six months of engagement. A winter wedding perhaps? In the meantime, she can use those breaststroke muscles to support the weight of her massive engagement ring.

21 June 2010

This Week in Princesses

Midsummer has arrived and the number of high-profile royal events was unbelievable. Here’s just a tasting of the princesses who popped out of their palaces this week.

June 14

MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 14: Prince Felipe of Spain and Princess Letizia of Spain attend 'Plastic Arts Velazquez Award' at El Prado Museum on June 14, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

What a way to start the week! Felipe and Letizia of Spain attended an event at El Prado Museum and were seated in front of the incredible painting, “Las Meninas,” by Velazquéz, who painted himself into the scene. The central figure is Infanta Margarita Teresa, daughter of King Felipe IV and future wife of Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I. I wouldn’t have behaved well at this event—I would have felt compelled to run my chair around!

MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 14: Princess Elena of Spain meet children's painting competition winners at El Pardo Palace on June 14, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

At an art event of another sort, Infanta Elena of Spain showed she is not afraid of a little sartorial splendor; she often choosing colorful ensembles. Check out the stripes on those high heels—her legs look super long at this event for children who won a painting competition.

June 15

MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 15: Prince Felipe of Spain and Princess Letizia of Spain (R) attend 'Toison de Oro' ceremony at the Zarzuela Palace on June 15, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

Felipe and Letizia of Spain looked serious and already tired at this ceremony in Spain. Maybe they had a bit of pre-travel jet lag considering that in the next two days, they would fly to South Africa and then to Sweden. How do you pack for that?

June 16

June 16, 2010 - Durban, South Africa - epa02205008 Spanish Prince Felipe de Bourbon and Spanish Princess Letizia applaud prior the FIFA World Cup 2010 group H preliminary round match between Spain and Switzerland at the Durban stadium in Durban, South Africa, 16 June 2010.

Felipe and Letizia of Spain made a quick trip to South Africa to attend the World Cup match between Spain and Switzerland. (Is it just me, or did Americans go World Cup Crazy for the first time EVER this year?)

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When she’s not riding horse, Princess Haya of Jordan can still be found at equestrian events. On Wednesday, she presented one of the trophies at Royal Ascot in England.

Princess Madeleine, Queen Silvia, Prince Carl Philip, Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling on their way to a reception on a historic ship in Stockholm, Sweden, 16 June 2010. The wedding ceremony will take place on 19 June 2010. Photo by David Sica/Stella Pictures/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

The Swedish royal family attended many events in advance of Saturday’s royal wedding. Here, they are arriving for a reception on a historic ship. Queen Silvia’s bright yellow jacket stands out between her more soberly clad daughters, Princess Madeleine and Crown Princess Victoria.

June 17

ASCOT, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 17: Princess Haya Bin Al Hussein and Sophie Countess Of Wessex attend Royal Ascot Ladies Day on June 17, 2010 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)

Princess Haya of Jordan looked summery and delightful throughout the week of Royal Ascot. Her companion on Ladies Day, Prince Edward’s wife Sophie of Wessex, may be patterned and be-feathered, but she still looks dowdy next to her Middle Eastern friend.

Britain's Princesses Anne and Beatrice arrive on the Ladies Day, the third day of horse racing at Royal Ascot in southern England June 17, 2010. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT ROYALS HORSE RACING SOCIETY)

The Princess Royal and her niece, Princess Beatrice of York, arrived from Windsor Castle by carriage at Ascot. It looks like Aunt Anne may be offering Bea some advice.

Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Martha of Norway and husband Ari Behn arriving at a private gala dinner hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden at Drottningholm Palace, in advance of their daughter Crown Princess Victoria's wedding on Saturday. Photo by Tom Hansen/Stella Pictures/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

The Norwegian royal family took their yacht for the short trip from Oslo to Stockholm for the Swedish royal wedding. The entire family came along for the festivities. Here, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, kisses her mommy, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, goodbye as her aunt, Princess Martha Louise, looks on.


June 18

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Mr Daniel Westling looking at the gifts from the municipalities and county councils of Sweden during a reception by the local government in the Stockholm City Hall on occasion of their wedding in Stockholm, Sweden, June 18, 2010. The wedding ceremony will take place on June 19, 2010. Photo by David Sica/Stella Pictures/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling opened gifts at a reception in their honor hosted by the city of Stockholm. Just what do you get a future queen for a wedding present? Apparently, apple trees and wine.

Princess Caroline of Hanover attending the International day of the refugee 2010 in Monaco on June 18, 2010. Photo by Marco Piovanotto/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

With her marriage to Prince Ernst of Hanover reportedly on the rocks, Princess Caroline of Monaco might be expected to look a little world-weary. Of course, this wasn’t a cheerful occasion either; she was attending the International Day of the Refugee.

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa arriving at the Swedish government dinner in honour of H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria and Mr Daniel Westling held at the Eric Ericson hall in Stockholm, Sweden on June 18, 2010. Photo by Mousse-Nebinger-Orban/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

Rarely seen in American coverage, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg is actually from the Western hemisphere—she is Cuban. She has five children with Grand Duke Henri, here arriving for the Swedish government’s dinner in honor of Crown Princess Victoria’s wedding.

Princess Alexia Morales and husband Carlos Morales, Prince Philipo, Ms Tatiana Blatnik and Prince Nikolaos of Greece, Queen Anne-Marie and King Constantine of Greece arriving for the goverment dinner at the Eric Ericson Hall in Skeppsholmen, one of the islands of Stockholm, on the occasion of the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling, Stockholm, Sweden, June 18, 2010. The wedding ceremony will take place on June 19, 2010. Photo by Marius Gulliksrud/Stella Pictures/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

Most of the Greek royal family arrived together. Did Princess Alexia and her mom, Queen Anne-Marie, coordinate their beautiful red gowns? If so, it looks like Prince Nikolaos’ fiancée, Tatiana Blatnik, did not get the memo.

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - JUNE 18: Princess Victoria is helped with her dress by fiance Daniel Westling during the Government Pre-Wedding Dinner for Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling at The Eric Ericson Hall on June 18, 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

The arrival of the honored couple had a bit more drama, as Daniel Westling cheerfully mucked in to arrange his fiancee’s train so that Crown Princess Victoria would look spectacular in photos. Ironically, this photo is probably the most used one from the event.

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain attending the gala performance at Stockholm Concert Hall in Stockholm, Sweden on June 18, 2010. Photo by Mousse-Nebinger-Orban/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

Here’s another one of those touchy-feely moments between Felipe and Letizia of Spain as they arrived for the gala concert in Stockholm the night before the big wedding.

Princess Madeleine and Prince Carl Philip attending the gala performance at Stockholm Concert Hall in Stockholm, Sweden on June 18, 2010. Photo by Mousse-Nebinger-Orban/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

Princess Madeleine of Sweden looked gorgeous (as usual) as she arrived on the arm of her big brother Prince Carl Philip for the concert in their sister’s honor. Their own weddings will be much less spectacular since they won’t be national occasions.

June 19
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel, Duke of Vastergotland dance after the Wedding Banquet at the Royal Palace on June 19, 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden. Photo by Stella Pictures/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

Of course, the top event of the week was the actual wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her long-time beau (and former fitness trainer) Daniel Westling, now Prince Daniel. Their gorgeous day included a lovely ceremony attended by royalty around the world (see some of the guests), a carriage ride and boat tour through Copenhagen, a grand feast and dancing into the wee hours. Throughout it all, their love for each other was apparent and touching.

Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Princess Maxima of the Netherlands and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway attending Royal Palace during the ceremony of the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling in Stockholm, Sweden on June 19, 2010. Photo by Mousse-Nebinger-Orban/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

One of my favorite images of the day. This one shows three of the world’s most glamorous royal couples, dressed to the hilt, caught in a “just like the rest of us” moment. Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Haakon of Norway look on as Frederick of Denmark uses a point-and-shoot camera to take a snap of their wives, Mary, Maxima and Mette-Marit, all in a row.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Duchess of Vastergotland, her husband Prince Daniel of Sweden, Duke of Vastergotland pose after their wedding ceremony with (L-R first row) President Mrs Tarja Halonen of Finland, Queen Sonja of Norway, King Harald V of Norway, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Ewa Westling, Olle Westling, Queen Silvia of Sweden, King Carl Gustaf of Sweden, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Prince Henrik of Denmark, Queen Sofia of Spain, (L-R second row) Pentti Arajarvi, Dorrit Moussaieff, President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson of Iceland, Queen Paola of Belgium, King Albert, II of Belgium, Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, Anna Westling Blom, Queen Rania of Jordan, King Abdullah of Jordan, The Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, The Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Prince Albert of Monaco, (L-R third row) Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Princess Letizia of Spain, Prince Felipe of Spain, Margaretha Ambler, Greve Carl Johan Bernadotte of Wisborg, Countess Gunnila Bernadotte of Wisborg, Mikael Soderstrom, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan. (L-R Fourth Row) Christina Magnusson, Tord Magnusson, Desiree Silfverschiold, Niclas Silfverschiold, Princess Birgitta of Sweden, Prince Johann Georg av Hohenzollern, Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Prince Richard zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, King Constantine II of Greece, Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Crown Prince Philippe of Guillaume de Luxemburg, (L-R Back), Ingrid Sommerlath, Walter L Sommerlath, Anna-Britta Astrom, Hasse Astrom, Ann-Catrin Westling, Nils Westling, Ralf Toldeo Sommerlath, Anita Henriksson, Olle Henriksson, Birgitta Westling and Erik West on June 19, 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden. Photo by Stella Pictures/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

And, here’s the big picture. The bridal couple surrounded by their families and all of the royals who attended. If you click on this photo, you can actually read some of the names. The photo includes at least 10 current kings and queens and at least 16 future ones. (You’d think they could have found a prettier place to take the picture.)

June 20

All the princesses slept off the busy week.

19 June 2010

Princesses Aplenty: The Swedish Royal Wedding Pics

Today's gorgeous and moving royal wedding between Crown Princess Victoria and her longtime love, Daniel Westling, was beautifully broadcast online by SVT (http://svt.se). Here's a quick view of some of the stunning princesses (and their tiaras!) at the event.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. She was a single mother with connections to the drug culture when he married her. Now she is the well-respected mother of the future Queen of Norway, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who was one of the bridesmaids.

Haakon's sister, Princess Martha Louise, and her commoner husband, Ari Behn, who, unlike today's groom, did not become a prince when he married his princess. Like Victoria, Martha Louise is the oldest child with a younger brother. When Victoria was a toddler Sweden changed the law so that royal daughters had equal rights with brothers so that the oldest child, whatever its gender, is the heir. Norway didn't change its similar law until Martha Louise and Haakon were already grown, so to prevent depriving Haakon of his expected crown, the law was made to apply only to children born after the law passed.

The Prince and Princess of Orange. Princess Maxima was born in Argentina and she met her prince, the future King of the Netherlands, in Spain. Her own parents, however, weren't invited to her wedding because of her father's ties to an Argentinian junta. Maxima has three beautiful girls; the oldest, Princess Catharina Amalia (center), was a bridesmaid.

Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Fredrik of Denmark. He met his Australian bride in a bar during the Sydney Olympics. Their son, Prince Christian, was in the bridal party.

The Prince and Princess of the Asturias. Felipe had a whirlwind romance with Letizia, a former television journalist. Many people were stunned when they announced their engagement because there had been no hint of a royal romance.

The Duke and Duchess of Brabant, future King and Queen of Belgium. Mathilde was a speech therapist from a noble Belgian family but her engagement was also a bit of a surprise because he was nearly 40 and people had thought he would never marry. They now have four children.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex. For some reason, the higher members of the British royal family doesn't attend these types of events the way the other royal families do. Instead, they dispatched the Prince Edward (#7 in the succession) and his wife, Sophie. These two actually met while he was officially on duty for a charitable event--she was a public relations agent involved in the event.

The bride's mother and sister. Half-Brazilian, half-German Queen Silvia met the king at the Munich Olympics in 1972. Princess Madeleine has been taking a break from the spotlight during the last several weeks following the breakup of her own engagement. (Her fiancee was revealed to be cheating on this gorgeous girl!) Nevertheless, Madeleine's pride and love for her sister were apparent all day.

The little bridal attendants. Prince Christian of Denmark is the smaller boy in the back. In front of him, holding hands with each other, are Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway (darker hair) and Princess Catharina Amalia of the Netherlands.

The royal bridal couple. Upon the marriage, he became His Royal Highness Prince Daniel, the Duke of Vastergotland. He also received his first knighthood, the Royal of Order of the Seraphim. After the newlyweds walked up the aisle but before they left the church, he put on the light blue sash and bejewelled star of the order.

12 June 2010

This Week in Princesses

With so many princesses in the news lately, I've decided to add a new feature to the Princess Palace: a photo round-up of the week that was.

JUNE 5, 2010

Denmark's Crown Princess Mary is assisted by Danish ambassador to the U.S. Friis Arne Petersen (C) after she stepped out of her shoe after visiting the gravesite of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetery as Crown Prince Frederik looks on in Arlington, Virginia June 5, 2010. The royal couple is on an official visit to mark the 50th anniversary of the Danish embassy in Washington. REUTERS/Richard Clement (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ROYALS)

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark replaces her shoe after getting it stuck in a crack during an official visit to Washington, D.C. That's not the Secret Service in the background--behind those dark shades is her husband Crown Prince Frederick.

JUNE 7, 2010

Princess Stephanie of Monaco is interviewed during the 'Radio Monaco' programme part of the 50th Monte-Carlo TV Festival at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on June 7, 2010. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

I haven't seen Princess Stephanie of Monaco wearing headphones like this since she tried to be a pop singer in the 1980s. Does anyone remember "Hurricane"?

Spain's Crown Prince Felipe and his wife Princess Letizia take part in the 'Premis Pimes 2010' business awards at Palau Sant Jordi arena in Barcelona June 7, 2010. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS ROYALS)

"Gee, your hair smells terrific!" Felipe Prince of the Asturias can't seem to get close enough to his wife Letizia. Nearly every public outing includes a snapshot like this.

JUNE 9, 2010

SAN SALVADOR DE LEYRE, SPAIN - JUNE 09: Prince Felipe of Spain and Princess Letizia of Spain visit San Salvador de Leyre Monastery on June 9, 2010 in San Salvador de Leyre, Navarra, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

Trousers in a church? Letizia Princess of the Asturias frequently wears pants, but they are usually paired with stylish high heels and beautiful jackets. This ensemble seems a bit less than divine.

LONDON - JUNE 9: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall presents the Orange Prize For Fiction at the Royal Festival Hall on June 9, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)

Camilla Duchess of Cornwall might want to invest in some spiffier reading glasses when she needs to deliver a speech. These just don't sparkle like her bedazzled tunic does.

JUNE 10, 2010

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - JUNE 10: Crown Prince Charles and Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies arrive at the Closing Ceremony of the 2010 Monte Carlo Television Festival held at Grimaldi Forum on June 10, 2010 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

The a more glamorous, but less well-known Camilla (Princess of the Bourbon Two Sicilies) looks gorgeous in her floral gown next to her husband, Prince Carlo. She is Italian, but she attended NYU.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 10: Princess Beatrice watches the third round match between Dudi Sela of Israel and Andy Roddick of USA on Day 4 of the the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club on June 10, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by John Gichigi/Getty Images)

Princess Beatrice of York seems surprised to see a camera focusing on her as she and her boyfriend Dave Clark watch Andy Roddick play a little tennis.

MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 10: Princess Elena of Spain attends 'Dia de la Caridad' on June 10, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

Infanta Elena of Spain is wrapped up tightly against those cool June breezes. Just what is the temperature in Spain this time of year?

JUNE 11, 2010

MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 11: Princess Letizia of Spain attends 'International Day Against Child Labour' at the Maria Guerrero Theater on June 11, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

Here's a close-up of the super high heels Letizia Princess of the Asturias wore to an anti-child labor event in Madrid. Even with the extra inches she often adds to her shoes, the petite former news reporter is still dwarfed by her NBA-worthy husband.

JUNE 12, 2010

MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 12: Princess Letizia of Spain and Prince Felipe of Spain attend 25th anniversary of EU accession of Spain at The Royal Palace on June 12, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

Letizia Princess of the Asturias shares another private moment with her handsome husband, the future King of Spain, during the celebrations marking Spain's 25th anniversary as a member of the EU.

LONDON - JUNE 12: Princess Anne, Princess Royal rides a horse up the Mall at Trooping The Colour on June 12, 2010 in London, England. Trooping The Colour is the Queen's annual birthday parade and dates back to the time of Charles II in the 17th Century when the colours of a regiment were used as a rallying point in battle. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)

Anne The Princess Royal looking very militant during her mother's official birthday celebration, Trooping the Colour. Although Anne did not serve in the military, she holds several honorary appointments and often wears uniforms on military occasions.

LONDON - JUNE 12: (L-R) Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Prince William, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall watch the fly past from the balcony of Buckingham Palace at Trooping The Colour on June 12, 2010 in London, England. Trooping The Colour is the Queen's annual birthday parade and dates back to the time of Charles II in the 17th Century when the colours of a regiment were used as a rallying point in battle. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)

Other female royals dressed more ladylike for the parade and the afternoon balcony appearance.

STRALSUND, GERMANY - JUNE 12: Princess Mette-Marit of Norway arrives at the main square on June 12, 2010 in Stralsund, Germany. The Norwegian prince and princess are on a one-day visit to northern Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway proved that even princesses have bad hair days during an official one-day visit to Germany with her husband.

05 June 2010

Selecting an Engagement Ring Fit for A Princess

Prince Joachim Of Denmark Announces His Engagement to Marie Cavallier
Hollywood princesses may wear gigantic brilliant white diamond engagement rings, but real princesses tend to take a more colorful approach to their rings. The royal hands are resplendent with sapphires, rubies, emeralds, even colored diamonds. To help you choose an engagement ring that will make you feel like a princess, I've published a handy guide at the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel Blog.

I'll be guest blogging there once a month with my insights on royal weddings and ways to make your special day a royal occasion.