HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS BEATRIX OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CAMILLA THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL
PRINCESS LILY OF SAYN-WITTGENSTEIN-BERLEBURG
31 March 2017
30 March 2017
Royal Ladies of March 30, 2017
HER MAJESTY QUEEN LETIZIA OF SPAIN
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MAXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS BEATRIX OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CROWN PRINCESS MARGARITA OF ROMANIA
MLLE JAZMIN GRACE GRIMALDI
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MAXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS BEATRIX OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CROWN PRINCESS MARGARITA OF ROMANIA
MLLE JAZMIN GRACE GRIMALDI
In Memoriam: HM Queen Elizabeth
Today marks the 2002 anniversary of the death of Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon Windsor, better known to history as The Queen Mother. Born August 4, 1900 as The Honorable Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, she became Lady Elizabeth a scant three years later when her father became the 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. The ninth of his ten children by the former Lady Cecilia Cavendish-Bentick, Elizabeth was adored by her family. Although she spent much of her time in the family's various English homes, she considered their Scottish castle at Glamis (of Macbeth fame) as her true home and always identified herself as Scottish.
During World War I, four of her older brothers saw military service and one died, while the young Elizabeth stayed home and helped her mother turn Glamis into a hospital and convalescent home for wounded soldiers and sailors. Always popular for her winning smile and genuinely caring demeanor, Elizabeth earned great admiration and even inadvertently broke some hearts. Just 18 when the war ended, she entered the social whirlwind of her class and garnered several marriage proposals, including three from the King's youngest son, Prince Albert The Duke of York. Bright and confident, Elizabeth did not relish the idea of living a public life, but Bertie's quiet persistence eventually won her over and they were married in 1923. She was a great favourite of her gruff old father-in-law King George V and her reserved mother-in-law Queen Mary, quickly adapting to calling them Papa and Mama. She and Bertie soon became reliable designates of the king, representing him throughout the kingdom and in the worldwide empire. Adventurous and full of fun, she even went an extensive African holiday with Bertie before returning home to start a family.
Their first child, Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, was born at her parents' London home in 1926 and Princess Margaret Rose arrived at their Scottish castle in 1930. The family of four enjoyed a rather ordinary life for their class. Mummy and Daddy did their work representing the King, while their little darlings based in their affection, moving steadily among their own home in Picadilly Square and the various royal and noble homes of their family in a pattern that continues in the royal family to this day with summers in Scotland and Christmases in Norfolk.
Their idyllic life was thrown into disarray in 1936 when King George V passed away and Bertie's older brother became the bachelor King Edward VIII. The new king was less interested in his royal duties than in marrying a woman deemed unacceptable. By the end of the year, he had abdicated, and the heavy burden of kingship fell to Bertie, who took the regnal name King George VI in honor of his father. Now, the Scottish lass who hadn't want to be a duchess was suddenly a Queen. She was an able mate for her more reticent and sometimes temperamental husband, and she always had a sunny smile that could melt the heart of the most determined Republican. Before they could even get used to their crowns, the couple and the nation were thrust into World War II and through this conflict they emerged as true leaders. Together with Prime Minister Winston Churchill, they helped guide the country through near disaster to victory.
The stress of kingship and the war took its toll on Bertie, who had never been very healthy and who was a heavy smoker. He emerged visibly aged and terribly ill. Within seven years, he had succumbed to long cancer and was succeeded by their 25-year-old daughter Elizabeth. The older Elizabeth was now a grandmother and a widow with no defined role to play. It took her some time to recover sufficiently, but she eventually found new purpose in her grandchildren, in renovating an old Scottish castle she purchased for herself (the Castle of Mey) and in supporting her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II.
For the 50 years of her widowhood, Elizabeth grew increasingly popular and beloved. She was truly adored as the nation's favorite Granny. When she passed away 15 years ago today, at the age of 101, it still felt like she had left us too soon.
During World War I, four of her older brothers saw military service and one died, while the young Elizabeth stayed home and helped her mother turn Glamis into a hospital and convalescent home for wounded soldiers and sailors. Always popular for her winning smile and genuinely caring demeanor, Elizabeth earned great admiration and even inadvertently broke some hearts. Just 18 when the war ended, she entered the social whirlwind of her class and garnered several marriage proposals, including three from the King's youngest son, Prince Albert The Duke of York. Bright and confident, Elizabeth did not relish the idea of living a public life, but Bertie's quiet persistence eventually won her over and they were married in 1923. She was a great favourite of her gruff old father-in-law King George V and her reserved mother-in-law Queen Mary, quickly adapting to calling them Papa and Mama. She and Bertie soon became reliable designates of the king, representing him throughout the kingdom and in the worldwide empire. Adventurous and full of fun, she even went an extensive African holiday with Bertie before returning home to start a family.
Their first child, Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, was born at her parents' London home in 1926 and Princess Margaret Rose arrived at their Scottish castle in 1930. The family of four enjoyed a rather ordinary life for their class. Mummy and Daddy did their work representing the King, while their little darlings based in their affection, moving steadily among their own home in Picadilly Square and the various royal and noble homes of their family in a pattern that continues in the royal family to this day with summers in Scotland and Christmases in Norfolk.
Their idyllic life was thrown into disarray in 1936 when King George V passed away and Bertie's older brother became the bachelor King Edward VIII. The new king was less interested in his royal duties than in marrying a woman deemed unacceptable. By the end of the year, he had abdicated, and the heavy burden of kingship fell to Bertie, who took the regnal name King George VI in honor of his father. Now, the Scottish lass who hadn't want to be a duchess was suddenly a Queen. She was an able mate for her more reticent and sometimes temperamental husband, and she always had a sunny smile that could melt the heart of the most determined Republican. Before they could even get used to their crowns, the couple and the nation were thrust into World War II and through this conflict they emerged as true leaders. Together with Prime Minister Winston Churchill, they helped guide the country through near disaster to victory.
The stress of kingship and the war took its toll on Bertie, who had never been very healthy and who was a heavy smoker. He emerged visibly aged and terribly ill. Within seven years, he had succumbed to long cancer and was succeeded by their 25-year-old daughter Elizabeth. The older Elizabeth was now a grandmother and a widow with no defined role to play. It took her some time to recover sufficiently, but she eventually found new purpose in her grandchildren, in renovating an old Scottish castle she purchased for herself (the Castle of Mey) and in supporting her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II.
For the 50 years of her widowhood, Elizabeth grew increasingly popular and beloved. She was truly adored as the nation's favorite Granny. When she passed away 15 years ago today, at the age of 101, it still felt like she had left us too soon.
29 March 2017
Royal Ladies of March 29, 2017
THE FUNERAL OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS ALICIA THE DOWAGER DUCHESS OF CALABRIA, INFANTA OF SPAIN:
Her Majesty Queen Emerita Sofia of Spain, Her Royal Highness Infanta Elena The Duchess of Lugo, HRH Infanta Pilar The Duchess of Badajoz, HRH Infanta Margarita 2nd Duchess of Hernani, Her Royal and Imperial Highness Maria Paloma Princess Imperial of Austria, HRH Ana The Duchess of Calabria, HRH Sofia Duchess of Calabria, HRH Princess Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, HRH Princess Teresa of Boubon-Two Sicilies, HRH Princess Tessa de Baviera, Her Excellency Doña Victoria Federica de Marichalar y de Borbón, Srta. Victoria López-Quesada y de Borbón-Dos Sicilias,
BELGIAN STATE VISIT TO DENMARK:
Her Majesty Margrethe II The Queen of Denmark, HM Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, HRH Princess Marie of Denmark
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MAXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS & HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS BEATRIX
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CATHERINE THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE KAREN THE COUNTESS SPENCER
Her Majesty Queen Emerita Sofia of Spain, Her Royal Highness Infanta Elena The Duchess of Lugo, HRH Infanta Pilar The Duchess of Badajoz, HRH Infanta Margarita 2nd Duchess of Hernani, Her Royal and Imperial Highness Maria Paloma Princess Imperial of Austria, HRH Ana The Duchess of Calabria, HRH Sofia Duchess of Calabria, HRH Princess Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, HRH Princess Teresa of Boubon-Two Sicilies, HRH Princess Tessa de Baviera, Her Excellency Doña Victoria Federica de Marichalar y de Borbón, Srta. Victoria López-Quesada y de Borbón-Dos Sicilias,
BELGIAN STATE VISIT TO DENMARK:
Her Majesty Margrethe II The Queen of Denmark, HM Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, HRH Princess Marie of Denmark
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MAXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS & HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS BEATRIX
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CATHERINE THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE KAREN THE COUNTESS SPENCER
28 March 2017
Royal Ladies of March 28, 2017
HER MAJESTY MARGRETHE II THE QUEEN OF DENMARK, HER MAJESTY QUEEN MATHILDE OF THE BELGIANS, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CROWN PRINCESS MARY OF DENMARK & HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MARIE OF DENMARK
HER MAJESTY QUEEN LETIZIA OF SPAIN
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MAXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS BEATRIX OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER MAJESTY QUEEN LETIZIA OF SPAIN
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MAXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS BEATRIX OF THE NETHERLANDS
27 March 2017
Royal Ladies of March 27, 2017
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MAXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS BEATRIX OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CROWN PRINCESS METTE-MARIT OF NORWAY
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS SOPHIE THE COUNTESS OF WESSEX
MRS AUTUMN PHILLIPS, MRS ZARA PHILLIPS TINDALL, MISS SAVANNAH PHILLIPS, MISS ISLA PHILLIPS & MISS MIA TINDALL
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS BEATRIX OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CROWN PRINCESS METTE-MARIT OF NORWAY
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS SOPHIE THE COUNTESS OF WESSEX
MRS AUTUMN PHILLIPS, MRS ZARA PHILLIPS TINDALL, MISS SAVANNAH PHILLIPS, MISS ISLA PHILLIPS & MISS MIA TINDALL
26 March 2017
Royal Ladies of March 26, 2017
More fun at Gatcombe Park with...
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS ANNE THE PRINCESS ROYAL, MRS AUTUMN PHILLIPS, MRS ZARA PHILLIPS TINDALL, MISS SAVANNAH PHILLIPS, MISS ISLA PHILLIPS & MISS MIA TINDALL
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS ANNE THE PRINCESS ROYAL, MRS AUTUMN PHILLIPS, MRS ZARA PHILLIPS TINDALL, MISS SAVANNAH PHILLIPS, MISS ISLA PHILLIPS & MISS MIA TINDALL
25 March 2017
Royal Ladies of March 24-25, 2017
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS ANNE THE PRINCESS ROYAL, MRS AUTUMN PHILLIPS, MISS SAVANNAH PHILLIPS, MISS ISLA PHILLIPS, MRS ZARA PHILLIPS TINDALL, MISS MIA TINDALL
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MARIA OLYMPIA OF GREECE
MLLE JAZMIN GRACE GRIMALDI
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MARIA OLYMPIA OF GREECE
MLLE JAZMIN GRACE GRIMALDI
23 March 2017
Royal Ladies of March 23, 2017
HER MAJESTY QUEEN LETIZIA OF SPAIN
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MAXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CAMILLA THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS INFANTA ELENA OF SPAIN
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS LALLA MERYEM OF MORROCO
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS SOPHIE THE COUNTESS OF WESSEX
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CATHERINE THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE
MLLE JAZMIN GRACE GRIMALDI
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MAXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CAMILLA THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS INFANTA ELENA OF SPAIN
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS LALLA MERYEM OF MORROCO
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS SOPHIE THE COUNTESS OF WESSEX
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CATHERINE THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE
MLLE JAZMIN GRACE GRIMALDI
The Reverse Fairytale of Louise of Austria
A kind of personal war had erupted between the former Archduchess Louise of Austria, daughter of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and her German in-laws. They didn't care for her lax manners and she didn't like their overbearing attitudes. Although she regularly fulfilled her royal obligation of delivering heirs to the throne, rumors began to circulate that her behavior was looser than mere manners. Her name was linked to other men, including her children's French tutor, a man named Andre Giron. When her father-in-law King George threatened to send her to an asylum, Louise turned to Giron for help and it soon became clear that the rumors were well-founded. The pair escaped to Switzerland with the help of her self-exiled brother. However, Louise was carrying more than just her luggage when she arrived; she was also carrying her seventh child.
The king, per his royal prerogative declared her divorced from his son, Crown Prince Frederick Augustus. The divorce was already completed by the time Louise's daughter, Anna Monika Pia, was born. With all of the accusations, the royal family might have believed she was the daughter of almost anyone--so, they sent a doctor to determine whether the baby was a princess or not. Using his expert opinion, the doctor determined that she looked more German than French and the Saxon royal family demanded the baby's return. Louise refused, using the child to leverage better financial compensation. Even after she broke off the affair with Giron and married Italian musician Enrico Toselli.
Princess Anna Monika was not returned permanently to the Saxon court until she was nearly five years old.
Louise, who had a son by Toselli (whom she later divorced) lived a rather peripatetic life, bouncing from relative to relative and country to country. After the Saxon monarchy collapsed in World War I, she moved to Belgium and was there when the Germans overran the country in World War II. A modern days Eliza Doolittle, she was forced to piece together a living by selling flowers in Brussels. She died destitute there 70 years ago today on March 23, 1947 but her body was returned to Saxony to buried near some of her royal children.
For more about Louise:
Archduchess Louise of Austria, Crown Princess of Saxony on Maria's Royal Collection
Crown Prince of Saxony to Reconcile with His Wife on Royal Musings
Crown Princess Louise blog
Louise of Saxony in Geneva with Her Lover on Royal Musings
Secret Memoirs of Royal Saxony on The Esoterica Curiosa
For more about Anna Monica Pia:
The Princess Monica in The Sydney Morning Herald
22 March 2017
Royal Ladies of March 22, 2017
HER MAJESTY ELIZABETH II THE QUEEN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MATHILDE OF THE BELGIANS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS BEATRIX OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER IMPERIAL HIGHNESS CROWN PRINCESS MASAKO OF JAPAN & HER IMPERIAL HIGHNESS AIKO THE PRINCESS TOSHI
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CAMILLA THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL
SOPHIE LADY FREDERICK WINDSOR
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MATHILDE OF THE BELGIANS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS BEATRIX OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER IMPERIAL HIGHNESS CROWN PRINCESS MASAKO OF JAPAN & HER IMPERIAL HIGHNESS AIKO THE PRINCESS TOSHI
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CAMILLA THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL
SOPHIE LADY FREDERICK WINDSOR
21 March 2017
Royal Ladies of March 21, 2017
THE FUNERAL OF PRINCE RICHARD OF SAYN-WITTGENSTEIN-BERLEBURG:
Her Majesty Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte of Denmark, HM Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, HM Queen Silvia of Sweden, HRH Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Her Highness Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein, HH Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein, Countess Ingrid von Pfeuil und Klein-Ellguth, HRH Princess Marie of Denmark, HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, HRH Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Fraulein Carina Axelsson, HH Princess Martha Louise of Norway, and HM Queen Anne Marie of the Hellenes
HER MAJESTY QUEEN LETIZIA OF SPAIN
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MATHILDE OF THE BELGIANS
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MAXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER MAJESTY QUEEN SONJA OF NORWAY, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CROWN PRINCESS METTE-MARIT & HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ASTRID
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ANNE DE BOURBON
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS TANIA DE BOUBON-PARMA
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS CHANTAL OF FRANCE
Her Majesty Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte of Denmark, HM Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, HM Queen Silvia of Sweden, HRH Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Her Highness Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein, HH Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein, Countess Ingrid von Pfeuil und Klein-Ellguth, HRH Princess Marie of Denmark, HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, HRH Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Fraulein Carina Axelsson, HH Princess Martha Louise of Norway, and HM Queen Anne Marie of the Hellenes
HER MAJESTY QUEEN LETIZIA OF SPAIN
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MATHILDE OF THE BELGIANS
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MAXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS
HER MAJESTY QUEEN SONJA OF NORWAY, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CROWN PRINCESS METTE-MARIT & HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ASTRID
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ANNE DE BOURBON
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS TANIA DE BOUBON-PARMA
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS CHANTAL OF FRANCE
20 March 2017
Royal Ladies of March 20, 2017
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MATHILDE OF THE BELGIANS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ADELAIDE OF ORLEANS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ADELAIDE OF ORLEANS
19 March 2017
Royal Ladies of March 19, 2017
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CHARLENE THE PRINCESS OF MONACO
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CAROLINE THE PRINCESS OF HANOVER
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CAMILLA THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ANNE OF BOURBON-TWO SILICIES
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CAMILLA DUCHESS OF CASTRO
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ELEONORA OF YUGOSLAVIA
MME BEATRICE BORROMEO CASIRAGHI
MLLE CHARLOTTE CASIRAGHI
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CAROLINE THE PRINCESS OF HANOVER
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CAMILLA THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ANNE OF BOURBON-TWO SILICIES
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CAMILLA DUCHESS OF CASTRO
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ELEONORA OF YUGOSLAVIA
MME BEATRICE BORROMEO CASIRAGHI
MLLE CHARLOTTE CASIRAGHI
18 March 2017
Royal Ladies of March 18, 2017
HER MAJESTY MARGRETHE II THE QUEEN OF DENMARK
HER SERENE HIGHNESS CHARLENE THE PRINCESS OF MONACO & HER SERENE HIGHNESS PRINCESS GABRIELLA
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CATHERINE THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE