An early and illustrious contender for this years Royal Jewels at Auction, this Diamond Bow Brooch is going be be auctioned at the Christie’s “Magnificent Jewels” sale on April 26th in New York. It belonged to Queen Marie-Jose, the last Queen of Italy, the Belgian Princess who became the last Queen of Italy, who possessed the vast jewellery collection of the House of Savoy!
Happy Wedding Anniversary to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan, who got married in traditional and western ceremonies on this day in 1959. The Crown Prince of Japan and the daughter of a Japanese Industrialist, the couple received a lot of opposition from the Imperial Household Agency but won the love and support of the Japanese people. They have three children and acceded to the Throne in 1989. Despite the continued pressures of the Imperial Household Agency, Empress Michiko is very popular among the people of Japan, and is said to be the embodiment of traditional values such as modesty and purity. Take a look below at some scenes from the wedding- Continue reading
The Prince of Wales, attending on behalf of the Queen, was accompanied by the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry at the commemorations for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France on April 9th. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General David Johnston were also present, as was President Hollande of France. The Battle took place between 9th – 12th April 1917, and was part of the opening phase of the Battle of Arras. The four divisions of the Canadian Corps, as well as other Allies, faced off against three divisions of the German Sixth Army. It is seen as Canada’s most notable military victory and a symbol of the birth of Canadian National pride. The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is the largest Canadian Memorial to the First World War in Europe.
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Today marks the Wedding Anniversary of Hereditary Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and Princess Josephine Charlotte of Belgium, who got married on this day in 1953! A match arranged by the bride’s grandmother, Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, and the groom’s mother, Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg, both were reportedly in love with other people, but eventually the marriage was very happy. The couple had five children and succeeded to the Grand Duchy in 1964. Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte reigned until 2000, when he abdicated in favour of their son, and the couple had a 52-year marriage. Continue reading
Happy Wedding Anniversary to King Charles III and Queen Camilla! Two Kings, Two Queens, and the Heirs of Norway, Romania and Serbia led Royal Guests and Relatives at the Wedding Blessing of the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker-Bowles at Windsor Castle on this day in 2005, 20 years ago, after being delayed for a day so the Prince could attend the Funeral of Pope John II.
It is with a heavy heart that I write this post so soon after the last one. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Royals from around the world have been sending messages of condolence to Stockholm following the despicable terrorist attack in Westminster on April 7th. Here are some of the messages; Continue reading
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands attended the opening of the ‘Forbidden Porcelain Exclusive for the Emperor’ exhibition at the Prinsenhof Museum in Delft in The Netherlands on April 7th. Continue reading
Members of the British Royal Family attended the Service Of Thanksgiving for Antony Armstrong-Jones, Lord Snowdon, ex-husband of the Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret, who died in January, at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey in London on April 7th. Continue reading
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain are on a State Visit to Japan from April 4th-7th with the aim of strengthening friendly relations between Japan and Spain. They are based in Tokyo, and on April 7th, traveled by train to Shizuoka City with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. The royal couples also visited the Fugetsuro Complex. Continue reading
Given as a wedding present from Queen Victoria to her eldest daughter, who eventually became Empress of Germany, in 1858, this magnificent Diamond Tiara was later given to her third daughter, eventually the Queen of Greece, who left it to her second daughter, the Duchess of Aosta, being sold at auction after her death. Continue reading
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall completed their two-day visit to Austria on April 6th. On the final day of their tour of Europe, they visited the Jewish museum in Vienna, enjoyed a rehearsal of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, visited a vineyard and ‘Buschenschank’, saw a demonstration at the Spanish riding school, and . Click HERE for Day 1. Continue reading
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain are on a State Visit to Japan from April 4th-7th with the aim of strengthening friendly relations between Japan and Spain. They are based in Tokyo and will also visit Shizuoka. On the morning and throughout most of the afternoon of April 6th, the King and Queen had separate engagements. The joined for bilateral mettings at the Akasaka Palace, and attended a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister of Japan. Continue reading
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall started their two-day visit to Austria on April 5th, after completing a 6-day visit to Italy. On Day 1, they were welcomed at the airport, visited a cafe, and toured the Hofburg Palace. In the evening the Prince and Duchess attended a State dinner. Continue reading
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were visiting Italy from March 31st to April 5th on advice from the British Government. They were based in Florence, and visited Vicenza, Naples, Amatrice, and Rome. On the final day, the Prince and Duchess met with the Italian President and the Prince visited the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation before departing for Austria. Continue reading
The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry attended the National Service of Hope following the Terror Attacks in Westminster on April 5th at Westminster Abbey in London. The Duke gave a readings and all three royals met members of the congregation. Continue reading
Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the Duke of York, presented a Guidon to The Royal Lancers at Windsor Castle on April 5th. A Guidon is a heraldic banner carried by cavalry regiments, the equivalent of the Colours borne by regiments of line infantry. Continue reading
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain are on a State Visit to Japan from April 4th-7th with the aim of strengthening friendly relations between Japan and Spain. They are based in Tokyo and will also visit Shizuoka. On Day 1, the King and Queen were welcomed at the Imperial Palace, visited the National Museum of Science and Innovation, met Spanish citizens living in Japan, and attended a State Banquet held in their honour by Emperor Akihito. Continue reading
