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.

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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?

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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.