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Welcome to my blog,

Here you can find pictures and news of among others births, christenings, engagements, weddings and holidays.

Royal A-Z
Royal Birthdays
HQ Pictures Last update: 7 March 2014
Current Royal Pregnancies Last update: 7 March 2014
Current Royal Engagements Last update: 7 March 2014
Royal Births - 2002 till 2013 Last update: 7 March 2014
Royal Deaths - 2002 till 2013 Last update: 7 March 2014
Royal Weddings - 2002 till 2013 Last update: 7 March 2014
Extended Ruling Royal families of Europe Last update: 7 March 2014
Other extended ruling families WORK IN PROGRESS, Last update: 7 March 2014
Other extended non-ruling families WORK IN PROGRESS, Last update: 7 March 2014

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Josette

My Dutch blog: Gekroonde Hoofden
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2/23/2013

New official pictures of Princess Estelle of Sweden to celebrate Her first birthday

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Source: Kate Gabor, kungahuset.se
HRH Princess Estelle of Sweden, Duchess of Östergötland, the daughter of TRH Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden, Duchess and Duke of Västergötland, celebrates her first birthday today, 23 February 2013. The Swedish Royal Court released 9 new official pictures of the Princess.

The Princess is wearing the same dress her mother wore for her first birthday pictures.

HQ pictures:
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Source: Kate Gabor, kungahuset.se

Interview with Princess Madeleine of Sweden on her upcoming nuptials with Christopher O'Neill

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Source: Ewa-Marie Rudquist; kungehuset.se; photoshop: Current Royal news
The Swedish Royal Court released an interview with HRH Princess Madeleine of Sweden related to her upcoming wedding to Christopher O'Neill.

There are less than four months until the wedding. How is the planning going? 
"Less than four months to go! Time flies when you're having fun. We're busy planning. Even though I'm in New York working for Childhood, the planning is going very well. We're getting a fantastic amount of help from back home, and the support from our families is making things much easier for Chris and me."  

A wedding takes a lot of planning, especially a royal wedding. Who is helping with the planning? 
"There are so many people involved in the planning, who are putting in a great deal of time and energy. We don't want to single out any individuals — it's a team effort, and there are a lot of people involved. We're so grateful for all the help we're getting!"

Christopher O'Neill has both American and British citizenship. Will there be a best man and bridesmaids at the wedding like in the UK and the US? 
"Yes and no. Chris will have a best man by his side, but I won't have bridesmaids. Just like my mum and my sister, I'll have bridal attendants — that's a wedding tradition that I want to continue."

Will the wedding be broadcast on TV? 
"We want to make our wedding as accessible as possible. But there hasn't been a final decision on broadcasting it yet."

Has the guest list been finalised? 
"Yes, I think we can safely say so. The invitations will be sent out by 1 April, so there's not much time left. It's been hard, because we wanted to invite everyone, but unfortunately that wasn't possible."

Has a decision been made on whether it will be a morning or afternoon wedding? 
"We'll be having an afternoon wedding, followed by a dinner."

Where will the wedding dinner be held? 
"The wedding dinner will be held at Drottningholm Palace, which I'm very pleased about. Drottningholm Palace means so much to me — it's where I was born and grew up." 
Source: kungahuset.se

2/19/2013

Photo opportunity with Queen Beatrix and the Crown Princely family of the Netherlands in Lech

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© ANP; foto: Robin Utrecht via RVD
Last Monday, 18 february 2013, a photo opportunity with HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and TRH the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands with their children, HRH Princess Amalia, Princess Alexia and HRH Princess Ariane of the Netherlands, took place in Lech, Austria.

HQ pictures:
imagebam.com imagebam.com

© ANP; foto: Robin Utrecht via RVD

Crown Princely family of the Netherlands leaves for Lech in Royal Train

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Source: RVD
TRH the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands and their children, HRH Princess Amalia, Princess Alexia and HRH Princess Ariane of the Netherlands, left for Lech with the Royal Train (linked to the Alpine Express) on Friday night  (15 February 2013) The last stop of the Alpine Express, Landeck, is less than an hour away from Lech.

HQ picture:
imagebam.com

Source: RVD

An interview with The King on 40 years as Sweden's Head of State

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The Swedish Royal Court released an interview with HM King Carl Gustav of Sweden in honor of His 40th anniversary as King of Sweden.

On a late afternoon towards the end of January, The King sits in his office at the Royal Palace of Stockholm and reflects on his time on the throne. 2013 is the 40th year of The King's reign, and the preparations for the jubilee have been under way for several months.
King Gustaf VI Adolf, The King's grandfather, died on 15 September 1973. Four days later, King Carl XVI Gustaf gave his speech from the throne in the Hall of State at the Royal Palace of Stockholm, and became Sweden's new Head of State. Afterwards, the people paid homage to The King as he stood on the balcony on Lejonbacken.

Have Your Majesty's 40 years as Head of State gone quickly? 
"They've gone incredibly quickly," says The King with great confidence as he contemplates his jubilee year. 

What are Your Majesty's hopes for your jubilee year? 
"One of the best things about significant years is that they provide the opportunity to look forwards as well as backwards. Forty years is a very long time, and so much has happened. I was a relatively young man of 27 when I ascended to the throne, and I saw the world through the eyes of a 27-year-old. Now, 40 years later, I have a certain amount of experience to draw on. And the world around us has changed on many levels and in many different ways; even in terms of the proximity of the immediate family circle, in Sweden and in the world. It is sometimes said in jest that everything was so much better before, but that simply isn't true. In many ways, the world has become a better place in which to live for most people, but there is still a great deal of poverty and need in the world." 

What was the first thing Your Majesty did as king? 
"I was 27 years old, and the organisation of the monarchy had been structured to suit my grandfather, King Gustaf VI Adolf, who was 92 years old. At that time, it was my grandfather and Marshal of the Realm Stig H:son Ericson who led the work here at the palace. In order to encourage more open discussion, I established a cooperation council consisting of a group of skilled and experienced people, women and men with backgrounds in industry, defence and culture. I believe that the Royal Court features greater transparency today. There has been an enormous amount of change, and the change process continues all the time. When it comes to the role of Head of State, that's set out in the constitution." 

Did Your Majesty discuss this with King Gustaf VI Adolf? 
"No, not at all. Once, when I was in my twenties, my grandfather told me to approach life with a certain sense of humour. Of course, I treat people and situations seriously. But you have to be able to bring out the positive and humorous sides of life sometimes. It was his way of saying that the role is not as onerous as he may have feared I would find it." 

How has Your Majesty found it, spending 40 years always having to think about how people will take what Your Majesty says? 
"Well, that's one area where I haven't always entirely succeeded. But joking aside, perhaps that's something we should all think about: What we say, in which situation, to whom, and so on." 

On ascending to the throne, Your Majesty adopted the motto "For Sweden — With the Times". What have been the greatest challenges involved in following this motto? 
"I have tried to live according to my motto by being sensitive to the currents in society, and to the demands, needs and expectations placed on a monarch with the times. For me, it's a matter of living in harmony with developments in Sweden and the whole of the ever-changing world that we are a part of." 

How does Your Majesty look upon the role of acting as a unifying force within the country? 
"In today's globalised world, I feel that my role is even more important. It means that I can show — within the EU and the world, and particularly in Sweden, which today is made up of citizens from many different backgrounds — what Sweden stands for, and act as a unifying force as a neutral and non-partisan Head of State." 

In connection with Your Majesty's 40th jubilee, The King and Queen will be travelling around Sweden and visiting all 21 counties. What are Your Majesty's hopes for these county visits? 
"These visits will be a fantastic opportunity to get an overall impression of developments and the future within each county, over the course of a year. We hope to be able to meet as many people as possible. Women and men, people of all ages, new and old Swedes, all of whom contribute towards shaping our country."

Which important, topical social issues will Your Majesty be addressing during these visits?
"In view of my interest in environmental issues, the environment will be a natural part of the programme. I also hope that we will get an insight into the counties' infrastructures, job markets, industries, culture, healthcare, schools and care services." 

Your Majesty has travelled throughout Sweden during the past 40 years. How does Your Majesty keep abreast of significant events and changes within the counties?  
"We carry out a number of municipal visits every year. Sometime we come back to see how things have gone for a new industry, tourist centre or integration project. I like to be able to show my commitment to their ideas."

Throughout Your Majesty's 40-year reign, Your Majesty has carried out state visits all over the world on behalf of the Government. With a couple of state visits each year, this has resulted in an impressive list of countries visited, involving countless meetings with different people and experiences of different cultures. During these visits, what picture of Sweden does Your Majesty get? 
"As a nation, Sweden enjoys an excellent reputation in the world. This is something that The Queen and I often find during our state visits. Both Sweden and her people are seen in a very positive light. Our services and products are something we should be proud of. Sweden is respected as a nation, and I am both delighted and proud to represent our country. For example, the Nobel Prize attracts a great deal of attention, and helps to portray Sweden as a country that promotes education and science. In recent years, there has been much talk about our former Prime Minister Olof Palme here at home, and the conversation often turns to him and his international actions when we visit other countries, such as those in Africa and Latin America."

Has the international image of Sweden changed over the years? 
"Classic Swedish industry no longer exists in the way it once did. Today, companies are owned internationally, and it's harder to stage industrial exhibitions and say 'Look what we produce here'. But we still have our technical expertise, knowledge and craftsmanship. Swedish research and innovation are often spoken about abroad." 

Has forging personal contacts become more important as a purpose of state visits? 
"That is — and always has been — incredibly important. We are a small nation, and we need to cooperate across international borders. Sweden's longstanding excellent reputation makes it easy to forge good contacts." 

What does Your Majesty find to be the most rewarding thing about these visits? 
"When I succeed in opening doors for others, and when we are received in a new country on state visits, in a new culture, and represent Sweden, that's when I feel a sense of pride and great humility in view of the situation and the task at hand. Or when I hear the Swedish national anthem and see our flag at sporting events — that arouses a particularly strong emotion." 

How does all the travelling and meeting people affect Your Majesty? Does every meeting lead to action and involvement? 
"Yes. We prepare by hearing from diplomats from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, who tell us about the country we will be visiting. They tell us about the culture, history and political situation of the country in question, giving us a deeper insight. Once we arrive, we take part in interesting meetings and see many different things. That gives us many impressions, even if the visit is only brief. As a result, we become very involved and get an understanding of the country or place we've visited." 

With 40 years of experience as Head of State, what does Your Majesty see as the greatest challenges for the future? 
"There are many challenges. I look forward with great optimism, but also with a certain degree of concern. Technological developments will provide immense opportunities for mankind in the future, which is incredibly exciting and gives me hope. My concerns revolve around environmental issues and the considerable challenge of leaving our vulnerable planet in a good condition for future generations. But if we take advantage of our opportunities, all the positive and hopeful things I see during my travels — both here in Sweden and abroad — then I am convinced that, together, we have a promising future ahead of us."

Source: kungahuset.se

Controversy surrounding the title of HRH Princess Máxima of the Netherlands after her husbands inauguration

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Following the recent controversy surrounding the title of HRH Princess Máxima of the Netherlands after her husband becomes King of the Netherlands, I decided to look up the Wet Lidmaatschap Koninklijk Huis (= Act Membership Royal Family). Click HERE to read the law (Dutch) or click HERE for a Google translation.

Article 8.2 lists those people eligible to be created a Prince or Princess of the Netherlands
a. Spouse of the King
b. Children born from the marriage of the King
c. Spouse of the probable heir of the King
d. Children born from the marriage of the probable heir of the King.
e. Those listed in article 4. (see link above)

--

However, I'm assuming the discussion here in the Netherlands is based on article 8, section 2, subsection a. In my opinion, It does NOT say that the spouse of the King can "ONLY" be a Princess of the Netherlands or that the spouse of the King can't become Queen. It only lists the spouse of the King/Queen as eligible to be created a Prince or Princess of the Netherlands. In my opinion it means the title of Princess of the Netherlands CAN be a supplement to the title of Queen, but it doesn't have to be. Princess Máxima received received the personal title "Princess of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau" on her wedding day.

Bear in mind, I did not study law! It's my opinion based on the above law. What is yours?

2/14/2013

Program of the abdication of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands

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The Dutch Royal Royal Court has published the program for the abdication of HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and the inauguration of HM King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands on 30 April 2013.

10.00 - 10.30 o'clock
The abdication of Queen Beatrix takes place at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. The Queen signs the Act of Abdication in the Moses Hall.

10.30 - 10.50 o'clock
(Then) TM King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands and (then) HRH Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands enter the balcony of the Palace. Both the (then) King and (then) Princess Beatrix hold (short) speech. Afterwards (then) HRH the Princess of Orange, Princess Catharina-Amalia, HRH Princess Alexia and HRH Princess Ariane of the Netherlands enter the balcony.

13.55 o'clock
The King leaves for the Nieuwe Kerk.

14.00 - 15.30 o'clock
Swearing in and inauguration of the new King during the joint session of the Staten Generaal in the Nieuwe Kerk. The king will give a speech and take the oath.

16.30 - 17.30 o'clock
Reception for authorities and members of the Staten Generaal in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.

New official pictures of the King and Queen of Sweden

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Source: kungahuset.se; picture: Bruno Ehrs
The Swedish Royal Court has released new official pictures of TM King Carl Gustav and Queen Silvia of Sweden to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the King on the Swedish Throne on 15 September 2013.

HQ pictures:

imagebam.com imagebam.com imagebam.com

Source: kungahuset.se; pictures: Bruno Ehrs

HQ pictures:

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Source: kungahuset.se; pictures: Bruno Ehrs

Winter Photoshoots with Danish Royal family - February 2013

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Last Sunday, 10 February 2013, at 09.30 o'clock a a photo opportunity with TRH Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and their children, HRH Prince Christian, HRH Princess Isabella, HRH Prince Vincent and HRH Princess Josephine of Denmark, took place near Restaurant Carrefour in Verbier, Switzerland.

Click HERE for pictures from the official website.
Click HERE for pictures from PPE.

Yesterday, 13 February 2013, a photo opportunity with TRH Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark, their children, HH Prince Henrik and HH Princess Athena of Denmark, and the children of Prince Joachim from his first marriage, HH Prince Nikolai and HH Prince Felix of Denmark, took place in the Col de Bretaye ski area in Villars, Switzerland.

Click HERE for pictures from the official website.
Click HERE for pictures from PPE.

Health Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven

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The RVD has announced that Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven has is a decreased myocardial function. This became known when Pieter van Vollenhoven was examined for a beginning pneumonia.

Pieter van Vollenhoven is or will be further examined in the Department of Cardiology of the University Medical Centre in Utrecht to determine the cause of the beginning heart failure.

2/06/2013

Winter Photoshoots - February 2013

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The Danish Royal Court announced that a photo opportunity with TRH Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and their children, HRH Prince Christian, HRH Princess Isabella, HRH Prince Vincent and HRH Princess Josephine of Denmark, will take place on February 10, 2013 at 09:30 near Restaurant Carrefour in Verbier, Switzerland.

The Danish Royal Court has also announced that a photo opportunity with TRH Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark and their children, HH Prince Henrik and HH Princess Athena of Denmark, will take place on February 13, 2013 at 12:30 pm in the Col de Bretaye ski area in Villars, Switzerland. It is unclear whether the elder sons of Prince Joachim, [and of his former wife, HE Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg] HH Prince Nikolai and HH Prince Felix of Denmark, will be present.

It was already announced in January, that the photo opportunity with HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and TRH the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands with their children, HRH Princess Amalia, Princess Alexia and HRH Princess Ariane of the Netherlands, will take place on 18 February 2013 in Lech. HRH Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau and her daughters, Countess Luana and Countess Zaria of Orange-Nassau will also be in Lech, but they will not participate in the photo opportunity. It is still unclear whether the family of TRH Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien the Netherlands will also will in Lech, and possibly be present during the photo opportunity.

2/05/2013

Princess Isabella of Denmark starts school in August 2013

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The Danish Royal Court has announced that HRH Princess Isabella of Denmark, the second child and eldest daughter of TRH Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, will start school in August 2013. The Princess will start in grade 0 of Tranegård school in Gentofte.

The older brother of the Princess, HRH Prince Christian of Denmark, is currently in grade 1 of the same school. Princess Isabella and Prince Christian also have a younger brother and a younger sister, HRH Prince Vincent and HRH Princess Josephine of Denmark.

First official picture of Princess Isabella of Savoy-Aosta

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TRH the Duke and Duchess of Apulia, Prince Aimone and Princess Olga of Savoy-Aosta, have released the first official picture of First official pictures of HRH Princess Isabella of Savoy-Aosta, as well as a new picture of her older brothers, HRH the Prince of Piedmonte, Prince Umberto; and HRH the Duke of the Abruzzi, Prince Amedeo.

The full name of the Princess is Isabella Vita Marina.

Click HERE to view the pictures.

Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco inaugurates The Children House of Life in the presence of Princess Lalla Khadija

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HRH Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco, as Chairwoman of the "Lalla Salma Association for the Fight against Cancer", inaugurated "The Children House of Life" in Casablanca on 1 February 2013. The Princess was accompanied by her daughter, HRH Princess Lalla Khadija of Morocco.

Click HERE to download HQ pictures at MAP. (Click on sar_lalla_khadija__anniversaire-zip at the bottom of the page.)

2/03/2013

Prince Maurits and Princess Marilène of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, attend celebrations in honor of the fifth anniversary of VUmc Kinderstad

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TH Prince Maurits and Princess Marilène of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, attended the celebrations in honor of the fifth anniversary of VUmc Kinderstad on 2 February 2013.

HQ pictures:
imagebam.com imagebam.com imagebam.com

Source: VUmc Kinderstad

2/02/2013

Royal Genealogy - January 2013

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Royal Genealogy events in January 2013.

Royal births and pregnancy announcements
The Dutch Royal Court announced on 11 January that HH Prince Floris of Orange-Nassau, the youngest son of HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and Pieter van Vollenhoven, and his wife, HH Princess Aimée, are expecting their third child. They are already parents to Magali and Eliane. TRH Prince Daniel and Princess Sandra of Saxony had their first child, HRH Princess Anna-Catharina, on 13 January. TIRH The Prince and Princess of Prussia, Prince Georg Friedrich and Princess Sophie, née Princess of Isenburg, had twin sons, HIRH Prince Carl Friedrich and HRH Prince Luis Ferdinand, on 20 January.

The list of current (known) Royal pregnancies:
- Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo. (1st child)
- HRH Princess Felipa of Bavaria and Christian Dienst. (1st child)
- Hereditary Prince Christian and Hereditary Princess Jeannette of Fürstenberg. (1st child)
- Princess Caroline Napoléon and Eric Querenet-Onfroy de Bréville. (2nd child)
- Prince Gabriel and Princess Luciana of Orléans-Bragança. (1st child)
- TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. (1st child)
- TH Prince Floris and Princess Aimée of Orange-Nassau, Van Vollenhoven. (3rd child)

Royal engagements and weddings
No known Royal engagements and weddings took place in January.

Royal Deaths
HRH Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz bin Muhammad of Saudi Arabia died on 3 January. HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Nuaimi of Ajman, brother of the Emir of Ajman, died on 12 January and HGDH Princess Margarita of Baden died on 15 January.