Showing posts with label Liechtenstein. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Liechtenstein. Show all posts

Monday, December 26, 2011

My royal news preview for 2012


Belgium
What I said about 2011: Well, as much as I really like the Brabants, I do not see nothing new happening in this family. Everybody is more or less well married, full of kids and they have enough political problems to deal with already. Might be a quiet year for Belgian monarchy. 
What really happened: well, nothing special happened this year. Except a very rebel Prince Laurent but we are getting used to it. 
What about 2012: nothing special again yet... I have to confess I am a bit afraid for Queen Fabiola and King Albert II's healths.



Denmark
What I said about 2011Oh yeahhhhhhhhhh! babies, two babies on the way! maybe three (if princess Marie is pregnant sometime during the year?). How excited are we about those twins? will it be a boy and a girl? two boys? two girls? what will be the names? I am very excited. It can happen anytime soon. It can be happening now, as you read this!
What really happened: and we got babies! Two! In January! Josephine and Vincent joined Christian and Isabella for the CP couple tribe. And YES, Princess Marie is very pregnant, so we will have more babies next year. 
What about 2012: I think it will be a boy for Prince Joachim and Princess Marie (a second for her and a fourth for her husband) + big celebration (tiara-like) for Queen Margrethe II's 40th year of reign.

Liechtenstein
What I said about 2011: Well, they are like that side to each family that never call or give news. Therefore, we do not know much about them and they do not know much about us. But we hope they are still alive and well and if we get to get any news, we hope they will be full of joy.
What really happened: Tatjana had a 7th kid. God BLESS HER! Seven children in twelve years of marriage!
What about 2012Nothing.



Luxembourg
What I said about 2011What could possibly happen in Luxembourg in the future?
What really happened: Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume turned 30.
What about 2012An engagement announcement for Guillaume, perhaps?

Monaco
What I said about 2011This will be a big year for Monaco. The eternal-bachelor Prince Albert II is finally getting married to his beautiful South African goddess, Charlene Wittstock. She already looks like a princess, making us, royal watchers, damn proud.
This might also be the year we see Princess Caroline finally getting a divorce after so many public appearances without her husband, Prince Ernst of Hannover. Hope they do not keep that quiet so that is does not cause a turmoil: it already is a turmoil!
I do not see any engagements for now. Caroline's three older kids, the Casiraghi gang, are all dating seriously for years but still young and enjoying life and its bliss.
What really happened: The marriage went on (unfortunately, under a turmoil of rumours...) but we all think Charlene - sorry, Princess Charlene! - already has a bunny in the oven. It would not surprise me.
Oh, and Caroline did not get a divorce (I may think now that she never will), but her husband was seen holidaying in beaches with a 23 yo. Creepy. And the Casiraghi trio is faithful to itself: dating seriously with their 3 long termn partners but not engaged.
What about 2012a babyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

The Netherlands
What I said about 2011Well, I think the same as of the Brabants for the Oranje. They are all set, married and working a lot to make the world a better place. I do not think any new pregnancies will be announced this year. It will be a year of growth, but not in quantity but as of quality for the Dutch.
What really happened: nothing new. Only highlight for me was Maxima's 40th birthday!
What about 2012nothing.

Norway
What I said about 2011I do not see either Mette-Marit or Martha-Louise being pregnant this year. The first is working hard alongside her husband to promote their country, their family (their youtube channel is a success) and Martha-Louise is too busy talking to angels (and defending herself on the matter).
What really happened: nothing special for the royal family. Maybe with the exception of CP Haakon & Mette-Marit 10 year anniversary celebration that was beautiful, specially after a period of deep mourning for Norway this year.
What about 2012nothing.



Spain
What I said about 2011There has been much speculation on whether King Juan Carlos resigns or not and makes his son - Crown Prince Felipe - King. I really don't know about this. I know his health is failing on him but I do not know how ready Felipe (or Spain) is ready to be made King this promptly. Time will tell. As for kids, I don't think Letizia will be pregnant again this year. Or ever again.
And I think it would be nice to see Infanta Elena move on with her love life. But thing is that she is one of the most discreet women in the world. Even if something was going on, she would preserve herself from the hassle of spotlight.
What really happened: King Juan Carlos I did not abdicate - but his (poor) health has been in the spotlight for a long time now. Nothing new for the Prince & Princess of Asturias nor Elena. But Infanta Cristina's husband Iñaki has been in the turmoil of scandal regarding his business activities. A pity, let me tell you.
What about 2012nothing (hoping Iñaki does not go to jail...).

Sweden
What I said about 2011Could Victoria get pregnant this year, pretty please? Oh well, I would understand if she did not, as she seems to be enjoying her marriage like a young teen. And I am happy for her. But I hope a pregnancy comes along in 2011 or early 2012. Wouldn't we be ecstatic?
As for Madeleine, I hope she finds a new true love and can feel better and free to be back to Sweden on a normal basis, as she now "ran away" to New York to overcome her terrible break. I wish nothing but the best to her. Becoming more like her sister (physically) is also happening. Did you notice that?
As for Carl Orlando Bloom Philip, will he try to make his girlfriend, Sofia Hellqvist into a more... royal material? let's see what happens. I am excited!
What really happened: SHE. IS. PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What about 2012as for Princess Marie of Denmark, I also think CP Victoria and Prince Daniel will have a baby boy. Madeleine will continue in NY and, who knows, Carl Philip might introduce us officially to Sofia...

United-Kingdom
What I said about 2011Dear oh dear, this might be better than 1981. 30 years after, we finally have a wedding we are really looking VERY forward to. It will be massive, lavish but not too much and just a festival of happy tears, I feel it already. Let's not "overtalk" about it (at least, I know I won't on RO), just a constant stream of news without overdoing it. We want to be happy about the news and not vomit about William and Kate, do we agree?
I think this year can be Harry's. I mean, he is just THE bachelor, the free spirit, the grounded boy, the humanitarian, the man. The best man. His brother's best man, per se. He can grow a few years older this year. And I am pretty much looking forward to that.
And we also have the queen's Jubilee. But who could really only focus on it while we are longing for such a big wedding?
What really happened: okay, I made a mistake last year, the Jubilee is taking place in 2012. But the wedding went pretty well, watched by 2 billion people - I cried - and so did Zara's wedding to Mike Tindall. Now Prince William is The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, as predicted, is THE man. Plus, Autumn and Peter Phillips are expecting a baby.
What about 2012loads of trips for all the royal members for the Queen's Jubilee, a hopeful recovery for Prince Philip's health (he spent Christmas at the hospital) and MAYBE a pregnancy for Zara (but not for Catherine. Not yet). And Peter and Autumn Phillips might have a baby girl, a little sister to their Savannah. And Prince Harry still since and happy just like that!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Check out what my favorite Royal Watchers have been talking about!


Take a look at what my favorite Royal Watchers have been talking about this week!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Happy Birthday, Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein!


Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg (Joseph Wenzel Maximilian Maria von und zu Liechtenstein), styled His Serene Highness (born 24 May 1995 in London), is the eldest child of Prince Alois of Liechtenstein, the Regent and Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein, and his wife Princess Sophie of Bavaria, Duchess in Bavaria. He is second in the line of succession to the Liechtensteiner throne and third in line in the Jacobite line of succession to the thrones of England, Scotland, Ireland and France. He is the first Jacobite heir born in the British Isles since 1688.
The prince has three younger siblings: Princess Marie-Caroline (b. 1996), Prince Georg-Antonius (b. 1999) and Prince Nikolaus Sebastian (b. 2000).
Joseph Wenzel is named in honour of his ancestor Josef Wenzel, Reigning Prince of Liechtenstein from 1712 to 1718 and from 1748 to 1772. He bears the name Maximilian in honour of his maternal grandfather Prince Max, Duke in Bavaria, and his paternal uncle and godfather, Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein. In accordance with the custom of several Roman Catholic dynasties in Europe, including that of both his parents, he was given the name Maria in honour of the Virgin Mary.


Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Double birthday in Liechtenstein: second (even if first time-wise, but whatever), Prince Alfons turned 10!


Ahhh, this time, I have some pictures, even if he was just a little guy, but already the cutest. 

Prince Alfons Maria Constantin of Liechtenstein was born on May 18th, 2001, in London, just two days after his dad's 32nd birthday.  In fact, he is the son of Prince Max and Princess Angela of Liechtenstein - yes, the one that drinks something we do not know what it is but that is keeping her really young!


Double birthday in Liechtenstein: first, Prince Benedikt (born in 2008)




I just spent a few hours looking but just could not find a picture of little Prince Benedikt, son of Prince Constantin, son of Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein, who turned 3 on May 18th. 

So, to compensate my frustration, I am putting up a few photos of Prince Constantin when he got married to his wife, Marie von Kálnoky von Köröspatak, now styled Princess Marie of Liechtenstein. They married civilly in Vaduz on 14 May 1999 (oh, another wedding anniversary on that date!) and religiously in Cicov, Slovakia, on 18 July 1999.

Hope that next year, I will have a photo of the little guy.


Sunday, May 15, 2011

Happy Birthday, Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein!

Prince Max here pictured with his wife, Princess Angela

Today is Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein's 42nd birthday! Congratulations to him!
(by the way, can you believe his wife is 53? She looks so young!)

He studied Business Economics at the EBS and did an MBA at Harvard Business School. He is currently the CEO of the Liechtenstein Global Trust (LGT). You can check his resume here.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Royal Births and Anniversaries in May

Births


(yes, everybody in Liechtenstein was born in May, apparently...)


May 1st
1964: Lady Sarah Chatto, niece of Queen Elizabeth II
1970: Viscountess Linley, niece-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II
May 2nd
1975: Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, niece of Queen Margrethe of Denmark
May 3rd
1978: Autumn Phillips, daughter-in-law of Anne, Princess Royal
May 4th
2009: Prince Henrik, son of Prince Joachim of Denmark
May 7th
1989: Prince Josef-Emanuel, son of Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein
May 8th
1935: Princess Elisabeth of Denmark
2003: Crown Prince Moulay Hassan of Morocco
May 10th
1978: Lalla Salma of Morocco
May 12th
1985: Princess Maria Anunciata, daughter of Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein
May 13th
1979: Prince Carl Philip of Sweden
2000: Lukas Marie von Lattorff, son of Princess Tatjana of Liechtenstein
May 14th
2002: Margarita Armstrong Jones, grandniece of Queen Elizabeth II
May 15th
1957: Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein, sister of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg
1981: Zara Phillips, daughter of Anne, Princess Royal of the United Kingdom
May 16th
1969: Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein
May 17th
1971: Princess Maxima of the Netherlands
May 18th
2001: Prince Alfons, son of Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein
2008: Prince Benedikt, son of Prince Constantin of Liechtenstein
May 24th
1995: Prince Joseph Wenzel, son of Prince Alois of Liechtenstein
May 25th
1966: Princess Laurentien, wife of Prince Constantijn of Orange-Nassau
May 26th
1968: Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark
May 27th
2003: Prince Moritz, son of Prince Constantin of Liechtenstein


Anniversaries


May 14th
1962: Juan Carlos I of Spain married Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark in Athens
1999: Prince Constantin of Liechtenstein married Marie von Kalnoky in Vaduz (civil)
2004: Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark married Mary Donaldson in Copenhagen
May 17th
2001: Prince Constantijn of Orange married Laurentien Brinkhorst (civil)
2008: Peter Phillips married Autumn Kelly
May 19th
2001: Religious wedding of Prince Constantijn of Orange and Princess Laurentien
May 24th
2008: Prince Joachim of Denmark married Marie Cavallier

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Prince Josef-Emanuel of Liechtenstein turned 22

Today, May 7th, Prince Josef-Emanuel of Liechtenstein - son of Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg and Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein - celebrated his 22th birthday. As I have never really spoken about him here, I am sharing last years' news, when he lead the Trooping the Colour ceremony of 2010.




Changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace under the orders of Lt. Josef von Liechtenstein on the occasion of the Trooping the Colour ceremony for the Queen of the United Kingdom.



Josef had the prestigious honor and responsibility to raise the guard at Buckingham Palace and presented the flag of his regiment to Her Majesty Queen of the United Kingdom, on the occasion of the anniversary parade in his honor, Saturday, June 12 in London.



After the ceremony, Prince Josef was joined by his parents Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg and Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein and his two sisters who attended the event at Wellington Barracks, headquarters of the regiment, to share this memorable day with the Prince.




Josef with his parents and sisters, Marie-Astrid and Maria-Anunciata




As Grand Duke Jean then Hereditary Grand Duke Henri did before him, Prince Josef received military training in preparation for the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK. After just one year of training and despite his young age, he was appointed an Officer before being admitted some time later in the regiment of Irish Guards. 
Promoted to lieutenant at age 21, Prince Josef is perpetuating a tradition that connects the Grand Ducal Court with the Irish Guards and that goes back more than 67 years. In serving the British army during the 2nd World War, his grandfather, Grand Duke Jean has indeed been himself the rank of Lieutenant in the same regiment before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II gives the according to Colonel of the Irish Guards.


Royal Weddings from the Past - Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein & Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg (1982)

Once upon a time, real Princes used to marry real Princesses from far far away. Just 30 years ago, the story was repeated but both families (aka Principalities) weren't that far from each other: Luxembourg and Liechtenstein. Prince Nikolaus Ferdinand Maria Josef Raphael of Liechtenstein married Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg (born Princess Margaretha Antonia Marie Félicité of Luxembourg). 

He was the third son of Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein and his wife Countess Gina von Wilczek. She was the fourth child and second daughter of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte of Luxembourg. As of today, she bears the titles Princess of Luxembourg, Princess of Nassau, Princess of Parma, Princess of Liechtenstein and Countess of Rietberg. 

This marriage means that current sovereigns, Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg share common members in their families. Sweet! And no wonder they are so close!

While doing some research about this wedding, first I stumbled upon some pictures in black & white only, wishing I could see them in color. It was just a matter of time (and seconds) before I found them! They married on March 20th, 1982, at Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg.


Grand Duke Jean walking his daughter to the altar - the kiss on the balcony

Then Hereditary Grand Duke Henri with Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess Joséphine, Grand Duke Henri, bride and groom, Archduchess Marie-Astrid, Archduke Carl Christian, Princess Marie Aglae, Prince Hans-Adam


Princess Margaretha with her mother, Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte and then with her father.


Among the guests, then Princess Paola and Prince Albert, future Queen and King of Belgium.


Paola, Albert and Archduchess Marie-Astrid (the bride's older sister) and her husband, Archduke Carl Christian of Austria. This photo made me wish to see MA's outfit in color!


Queen Fabiola and King Baudouin of The Belgians and his older sister, Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte and Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg.


Henri and Maria Teresa. Look how young! they were just married for one year in this picture and already had a four-month baby - Guillaume - at home!

On the right, Archduchess Marie-Astrid and Archduke Carl Christian. They had just married one month prior to this photo.


Group photo with the Luxembourger and Belgian side of the family.


Ah, color photos! look at all the details of the gown: I read it was designed by Balmain.



(I totally dedicate this photo to Order of Splendor)




No wonder Marie-Astrid was one of the most beautiful women of her time - and even a serious contender as a bride for Prince Charles - because she looks stunning and I could see people wearing something similar to this nowadays and still look dashing.


Hereditary Grand Duchess Maria Teresa looked lovely too but her outfit aged more than Marie-Astrid's.

Second group photo: is it me or we can see Queen Sofia of Spain, her brother King Constantine of Greece and Queen Anne-Marie?


But who is the stunning Princess Maria-Anunciata of Liechtenstein?

Prince Louis, Princess Maria-Anunciata, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa in the Vatican

Last week, I published photos of the royal families attending the Beatification of Pope John Paul II in the Vatican. Since I read on Mad Hattery that Princess Maria Anunciata of Liechtenstein was there, I wanted to know 1/who was she, really? 2/maybe I could find who all these people sitting behind, happily chatting with Prince Louis and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume were.

Princess Maria-Anunciata with sister Princess Marie-Astrid, brother Prince Josef-Emanuel, mother Princess Margaretha and father, Prince Nikolaus.

Here is the family! Princess Maria-Anunciata (first on the left) is the eldest daughter of Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein (do not get him confused with Prince Nikolaos of Greece) and Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg


She was born Princess Maria-Anunciata Astrid Joséphine Veronica of Liechtenstein in Brussels, Belgium, in the very posh neighborhood of Uccle on May 12th, 1985. She will turn 26 next week and has a spot on the "let's get them married soon" category among the royals. 


Her younger sister, Marie-Astrid, is 23 and Josef-Emanuel turned 22 today, May 7th.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Who will be the next pregnant royal lady?


Well, as almost all royal houses have given us 15 years of lavish and emotional weddings, we have less and less people to get married and more and more couples we are waiting to see grow a family. Because this is what we expect from the royal peeps: find the amazing girl, give her the amazing ring, showcase it during an amazing engagement interview, tease us for months with an amazing wait and weight loss until the ceremony, throw an amazing wedding, go on an amazing honeymoon (not all of them, but most of them) and then... in a few months, get us in a frenetic and less amazing baby watching mood.
So here are the young (and not so young) couples we want to see get pregnant and have lovely babies with royal genes before 2015.

Non European Houses
Japan
I do not think "pregnancy" and "Japan" meshes well together. Let's leave Masako alone.
Jordan
With four kids, I have nothing to ask Queen Rania in this field. And I am not that familiar with all the other members of the Hashemite house.
Qatar
Sheikha Mozah has 7 kids (kids... cof cof... they are older than me) and - at least - 11 grandchildren. I think we are good there.
Saudi Arabia
Does that lovely princess I just discovered yesterday have children? Would love to know.

Non-reigning European Houses
Greece
Princess Marie-Chantal gave Crown Prince Pavlos five kids in 12 years and Princess Alexia has had four with Carlos Morales from 2002 to 2007. I think we are done here and God bless their souls. Now, you, Princess Tatiana, welcome to the family, hope you are enjoying it very much, solo with handsome Prince Nikolaos. But clock is ticking and you have at least four or five kids to deliver in the next ten years to keep up with the pace of the Greek Royal family. Do not fail on us. Little suggestion: start soon and you will be done by 2021.

Reigning European Houses
Belgium
Mathilde and Philippe have four children, amazing Astrid and Lorenz have five and younger prince Laurent did a 2 in 1 catch with his twin boys and has three children. I think that with 12 fresh and young grandchildren, King Albert II and Queen Paola can rest assured that their name will continue for several generation, Belgium existing as a united country or not.
Denmark
I do not know why, but I feel Mary and Frederik will have a fifth child. But not now. Maybe in six or seven years.
I am sure Prince Joachim is happy enjoying his three boys but Marie and him just got married three years ago, have a lot to live together and am sure they would love to have more children. So I guess, sooner than later, maybe in two or three years, Marie will make such an announcement and we'll have a fourth boy or a first girl for our beloved Joachim. Beckham style.
Liechtenstein
Hans-Adam is the head of the state but his son Alois is taking care of the house. The Liechtensteiners are a bit like the Greek: they go for the big numbers when we count the children. Hans-Adam himself, has four children. Alois, his first, has four. Maximilian has a 10-year-old boy, Constantin has three kids and Tatjana - let's breathe - has had 6 kids since year 2000. Oh Tatjana, God bless YOU! So... I do not see anyone expecting a new one anytime soon. But you know what they say, 7 is a very good and lucky and biblical number...
Luxembourg
To be pretty honest, the Luxembourgers are serious contenders for the "let's get them married" awards (need to write a POST) more than this post right here. Of course, we have precocious Prince Louis and wife, Princess Tessy who already started having children in their youth, but they are all pretty young and unmarried. Therefore, let's get Guillaume and Felix married quickly and come back to update this thread somewhere before 2015.
Monaco
Well, Charlene, I know you didn't even get married yet, but from July on, you have 15 months to get pregnant before PAII is forced to adopt Andrea as his successor. Ahhh... kidding, no pressure. But please, have babies. So that Albert can prove us he can introduce us to babies once they are born and not when they already walk or are on their way to college.
The Netherlands
Pfffffffffff.... I do not see anyone getting knocked up in here. Maxima, Laurentien and Mabel seem to be FINE just the way they are with their 3-3-2 strategy.
Norway
Mette-Marit and Märtha-Louise are busy. But I would see the first have a fourth one in less than five years. But I am less confident in this bet than on the one that Mary and Fred will go for a fifth.
Spain
Cristina already said no way Jose, she is fine with her quartet. Elena is divorced and Letizia... I do not see Letizia having more children. She lost the race with Mary - as they seemed to be in tremendous synchro in the first five years of their married life - but things changed now and we will have Leonor and Sofia FTW.
Sweden
United Kingdom
CATHERINE CATHERINE CATHERINE.
And Zara.
And Autumn. Bis.