New official photos on the occasion of the first birthday of Princess Athena of Denmark

To celebrate the first birthday of HH Princess Athena of Denmark, the daughter of TRH Prince Joachim and Princess Marie, on January 24, 2013, the Danish Royal Court released four new official pictures of the Princess as well as a picture of Princess Athena with her ​​mother, Princess Marie.

Click HERE to view the pictures at the official website of the Danish Royal Family.

It's twin boys for the Prince and Princess of Prussia

TIRH The Prince and Princess of Prussia, Prince Georg Friedrich and Princess Sophie, Princess of Isenburg, became parents for the first (and second) time on 20 January 2013.

Their children, HIRH Prince Carl Friedrich and HRH Prince Luis Ferdinand of Prussia, were born in Bremen. Prince Carl Friedrich is the heir to the Headship of the Royal House of Prussia and the Imperial House of Germany.

New 3 generations picture to celebrate 9th birthday of Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway

Source: Det Kongelige Hoff; picture: Julia Marie Naglestad

To celebrate the 8th birthday of HRH Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, daughter of TRH Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and second-in-line to the throne of Norway, today, 21 January 2013, the Norwegian Royal Court released a new "3 generations" picture.

Pictures are the Princess with her father and her grandfather, HM King Harald of Norway. A simular picture was released at the 9th birthday of then Prince Haakon. He was pictured with his father, then Crown Prince Harald and his grandfather, King Olav of Norway.

HQ picture:


Source: Det Kongelige Hoff; Julia Marie Naglestad

New family picture of Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and Pieter van Vollenhoven on occasion of the 70th birthday of the Princess

Source: RVD, foto: Frank van Beek

The Dutch Royal Court released a new official photograph of HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, her husband, Pieter van Vollenhoven, their sons, their daughters-in-law and their grandchildren. The picture was released on the occasion of the 70th birthday of the Princess today, 19 January 2013.

HQ picture:


Source: RVD, foto: Frank van Beek

From left to right
Top left: Pieter, Lucas, Samuel, Emma.
Top right: Magali, Prins Floris, Felicia, Prinses Aimée, Eliane, Prins Pieter-Christiaan.
First row: Prins Maurits, Prinses Marilène, Prins Bernhard, Benjamin, Prinses Annette, prof. mr. Pieter van Vollenhoven, Prinses Margriet, Anna, Isabella, Prinses Anita.

The family:

* HRH Princess Margriet Francisca of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld, married Prof mr. Pieter van Vollenhoven. Together they have 4 sons.

** HH Prince Maurits Willem Pieter Hendrik Marie-Helène Angela (Mariléne) of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, who is married to HH Princess Mariléne of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, born Marie-Helène (Mariléne) van den Broek. They have 2 daughters and 1 son.
*** Anastasia (Anna) Margriet Josephine van Lippe-Biesterfeld van Vollenhoven.
*** Lucas Maurits Pieter Henri van Lippe-Biesterfeld van Vollenhoven.
*** Felicia Juliana Bénedicte Barbara van Lippe-Biesterfeld van Vollenhoven.

** HH Prince Bernhard Lucas Emmanuel of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, who is married to HH Princess Annette of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, born Annette Sekrève. They have 2 sons and 1 daughter.
*** Isabella Lily Juliana van Vollenhoven.
*** Samuel Bernhard Louis van Vollenhoven
*** Benjamin Pieter Floris van Vollenhoven.

** HH Prince Pieter-Christiaan Michiel of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, who is married to HH Princess Anita Theodora of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, born Anita van Eijk. They have 1 daughter and 1 son.
*** Emma Francisca Catharina van Vollenhoven.
*** Pieter Anton Maurits Erik van Vollenhoven. 

** HH Prince Floris Frederik Martijn of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, who is married to HH Princess Aimée Leonie Allegonde Marie of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, born Aimée Söhngen. They have 2 daughters and are expecting their third child.
*** Magali Margriet Eleonoor van Vollenhoven.
*** Eliane Sophia Carolina van Vollenhoven.
*** Unborn child.

New official pictures of Princess Margriet of the Netherlands on the occasion of her 70th birthday

Source: RVD; Picture: Frank van Beek

The Dutch Royal Court released a new official photograph of HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands. The picture was released on the occasion of the 70th birthday of the Princess on 19 January 2013.

HQ picture:


Source: RVD; Picture: Frank van Beek

The Crown Prince of Denmark participates in DR's Sports Gala

Source:Sport 2012

HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark participated in DR's Sports Gala in Boxen, Herning, on 5 January 2013.

HQ foto's:



Source:Sport 2012

Wedding of Archduke Christoph of Austria and Adélaïde Drape-Frisch

HIRH Archduke Christoph of Austria and Adélaïde Drape-Frisch were married on December 28 (civil wedding) and 29 December (church wedding) in Nancy. The civil ceremony took place at the Hôtel de Ville and the church wedding took place in the Basilica of St. Epvre.

Before the civil marriage Archduke Christoph and Adélaïde visited Eglise des Cordelières with the parents of the Archduke, TIRH Archduke Carl Christian and Archduchess Marie Astrid of Austria, Princess of Luxembourg, and the parents of Adélaïde, Philippe Drape and Odile Drape-Frisch. On 29 December a gala completed the events surrounding the wedding.

Click HERE to view pictures of the visit to Eglise des Cordelieres. Click HERE to view pictures of the civil wedding. (PPE)
Click HERE to view pictures of the civil wedding. (Royal Press)
Click HERE to view pictures of the religious wedding. (PPE)
Click HERE to view pictures of the religious wedding. (Est Republicain)
Click HERE to view pictures of the religious wedding. (L'essentiel Online)
Click HERE to view pictures of the religious wedding. (Wort)
Click HERE to view pictures of the religious wedding. (Belga)
Click HERE to view pictures of galabanquet after the religious wedding. (Tageblatt Online)
Click HERE to view pictures of the civil and religious wedding. (monarchie.lu)
Click HERE to view the official picture taken after the civil wedding. (PPE)
Click HERE > to view the official picture taken after the religious wedding. (monarchie.lu)

 ------

Guestlist civil wedding:


The bride and groom:
- HIRH Archduke of Austria Christoph and Adélaïde Drape-Frisch

The parents of the groom: 
- TIRH Archduke Carl Christian and Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria, Princess of Luxembourg.

The parents of the bride: 
- Philippe and Odile Drape Drape-Frisch.

Grandparents of the groom: 
- HRH Duke Jean of Luxembourg.
- HIRH Archduchess Yolande of Austria, Princess of Ligne.

Brothers, sisters, brother-in-law and sister-in-law of the groom: 
- HIRH Archduchess Marie Christine of Austria, Countess of Limburg-Stirum and Count Rodolphe of Limburg-Stirum.
- TIRH Archduke Imre and Archduchess Kathleen of Austria.
- HIRH Archduke Alexander of Austria.
- HIRH Archduchess Gabriela of Austria.

Brothers and sisters of the bride: 
- Laetitia Drape-Frisch.
- Aliénor Drape-Frisch.
- Galdric Drape-Frisch.
- Louis-Joseph Drape-Frisch.

Other family members of the groom: 
- TRH Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg.
- TRH Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg, Countess of Lanoy.
- HRH Prince Félix of Luxembourg and his fiancée, Claire Lademacher.
- TRH Prince Louis and Princess Tessy of Luxembourg with HRH Prince Gabriel and HRH Prince Noah of Nassau.
- HRH Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg.
- HRH Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg.
- TIRH Archduke Rudolf and Archduchess Marie-Hélène of Austria, Prince and Princess of Habsburg-Lorraine.
- HIRH Archduchess Priscilla of Austria.
- HSH Fürst Franz Josef and HIRH Fürstin Constanza of Auersperg-Trautson, Archduchess of Austria.

This list has not been completed yet! Additions are welcome.


Guestlist religious wedding:

The bride and groom:
- HIRH Archduke of Austria Christoph and Adélaïde Drape-Frisch

The parents of the groom:
- TIRH Archduke Carl Christian and Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria, Princess of Luxembourg.

The parents of the bride: 
- Philippe and Odile Drape Drape-Frisch.

Grandparents of the groom: 
- HRH Duke Jean of Luxembourg.
- HIRH Archduchess Yolande of Austria, Princess of Ligne.

Brothers, sisters, brother-in-law and sister-in-law of the groom: 
- HIRH Archduchess Marie Christine of Austria, Countess of Limburg-Stirum and Count Rodolphe of Limburg-Stirum with Count Leopold of Limburg-Stirum.
- TIRH Archduke Imre and Archduchess Kathleen of Austria.
- HIRH Archduke Alexander of Austria.
- HIRH Archduchess Gabriela of Austria.

Brothers and sisters of the bride: 
- Laetitia Drape-Frisch.
- Aliénor Drape-Frisch.
- Galdric Drape-Frisch.
- Louis-Joseph Drape-Frisch.

Other family members of the groom: 
- TRH Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg.
- TRH Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg, Countess of Lanoy.
- HRH Prince Félix of Luxembourg and his fiancée, Claire Lademacher.
- TRH Prince Louis and Princess Tessy of Luxembourg with HRH Prince Gabriel and HRH Prince Noah of Nassau.
- HRH Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg.
- HRH Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg.
- HSH Prince Nikolaus and HRH Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein, Princess of Luxembourg with their children, HSH Princess Maria-Anunciata, HSH Princess Marie-Astrid and HSH Prince Josef of Liechtenstein.
- TRH Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg with two of their four children, HRH Prince Paul-Louis and HRH Prince Jean of Nassau.
- HRH Prince Constantine of Nassau.
- HRH Prince Wenceslas of Nassau.
- HRH Prince Carl-Johann of Nassau.
- TIRH Archduke Rudolf and Archduchess Marie-Hélène of Austria, Prince and Princess of Habsburg-Lorraine.
- TIRH Archduke Carl-Christian and Archduchess Estelle of Austria with their eldest daughter, HIRH Archduchess Zita of Austria.
- HIRH Archduchess Priscilla of Austria.
- HIRH Archduke Franz Ludwig of Austria.
- HIRH Archduchess Alexandra of Austria.
- HSH Fürst Franz Josef and HIRH Fürstin Constanza of Auersperg-Trautson, Archduchess of Austria with their daughters, HSH Princess Anna-Maria, HSH Princess Ladislaya and HSH Princess Eleonora of Auersperg-Trautson. (The couple has a fourth, adopted daughter, Anna Maria.)

Other relatives of the bride: 
- Anne-Cécile Le Bihan

Other royal and noble guests: 
- TSH Prince Philip and Princess Isabelle of Liechtenstein.
- TIRH Archduke István and Archduchess Paola of Austria with their daughter, HIRH Archduchess Margarethe of Austria.
- HIRH Archduchess Viridis of Austria and Karl Dunning-Gribble with their eldest son, Carl Leopold Dunning-Gribble. - HRH Prince Nicholas of Romania.
- HH the Prince and HIRH the Princess of Ligne, Prince Michel and Princess Eleanor, Princess of Brazil, Princess of Orléans-Braganza, with HH Princess Alix and HH Prince Henri de Ligne.
- TSH the Duke and Duchess of Croy, Prince Rudolf and Princess Alexandra, Countess Miloradovich.
- Prince Charles-Louis and Princess Clotilde of Merode, Countess of Oultremont.
- HSH Princess Sophie of Hohenberg, Baroness of Potesta, and Baron Jean-Louis Potesta. - Charles-Louis Potesta.
- Elisabeth of Potesta.
- Eleonore and Diego de Cordova y Cervero.
- Lensgrevinde Antonia Holstein til Ledreborg.

This list has not been completed yet! Additions are welcome.

New official pictures of the Duchess of Brabant and her family to celebrate to her 40th birthday.

To celebrate the 40th birthday of HRH the Duchess of Brabant, Princess Mathilde of Belgium, on 20 January 2013, the Belgian Royal Court released 4 new official pictures of Princess. The court has also released a picture of the Princess with her husband, HRH the Duke of Brabant, Prince Philippe of Belgium, and a picture of the Princess with her ​​children, HRH Princess Elisabeth, HRH Prince Gabriel, HRH Prince Emmanuel and HRH Princess Eléonore of Belgium, released.

Click HERE to view pictures on the official website of the Royal Court of Belgium.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge expecting first child in July

Source: The British Monarchy; picture: Hugo Burnand

The first child of TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Catherine, is expected in July 2013.

The Duchess was admitted to the hospital with hyperemesis gravidarum last month, but according to the British Royal Court, she is feeling better.

Prince Floris and Princess Aimée of Orange-Nassau expecting their third child

TH Prince Floris and Princess Aimée of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, are expecting their third child in July 2013.

The Princely couple already has two daughters; Magali, born on 9 October 2007, and Eliane, born on 5 July 2009.

The Queen of England issues Letters Patent stating that all children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will have the style and title of HRH Prince(ss

HM Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom of Great-Britain and Northern Ireland has issued a new Letters Patent stating that all children of TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will have the style and title of HRH Prince(ss) of the United Kingdom of Great-Britain and Northern Ireland, on 31 December 2012. This became known today, 9 January 2013.

The Letters Patent:

Crown Office 

House of Lords, London SW1A 0PW 

31 December 2012 

The QUEEN has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 31 December 2012 to declare that all the children of the eldest son of The Prince of Wales should have and enjoy the style, title and attribute of Royal Highness with the titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their Christian names or with such other titles of honour. 

C I P Denyer

New official pictures Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine of Denmark to celebrate their 2nd birthday.

The Danish Royal Court released new official pictures of HRH Prince Vincent and HRH Princess Josephine of Denmark, the third and fourth children of TRH Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, to celebrate their 2nd birthday today, 8 January 2013.

The twins have an older brother, HRH Prince Christian, and an older sister, HRH Princess Isabella of Denmark. The pictures were taken by the Crown Princess.

HQ pictures:


Source: HRH the Crown Princess of Denmark

Video: A year with the Swedish Royal family 2012

Source: SVT; Printscreens and photoshop: Current Royal News

SVT has released the video a year with the Swedish Royal family for 2012. Interviewed/featured were TM King Carl Gustav and Queen Silvia of Sweden, TRH Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden with HRH Princess Estelle of Sweden, HRH Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and HRH Princess Madeleine of Sweden.

Click HERE and HERE to see the videos.

Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway appear in the program Julemorgen

Source: NRK, Julemorgen; Printscreens and photoshop: Current Royal News

HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and his daughter, HRH Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, appeared together in the program Julemorgen. The Princess would would have been accompanied by her mother, HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit, but the Crown Princess was sick.

Click HERE to view the program.

Looking Forward to a Royal 2013

This post is about what news can we look forward to, Royalty wise that is, in 2013?

First, the already announced Royal births.
2013 is a year in which several Royal couples are becoming first-time parents. Andrea Casiraghi [the oldest son of HRH the Princess of Hanover, Hereditary Princess Caroline of Monaco] and his fiancée, Tatiana Santo Domingo, are expecting their first child in January 2013. TIRH The Prince and Princess of Prussia are expecting their first child in the spring of 2013. TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their first child in the summer of 2013. HRH Princess Felipa of Bavaria and Christian Dienst are expecting their first child in April 2013, TSH Hereditary Prince Christian and Hereditary Princess Jeannette of Fürstenberg are expecting their first child and TRH Prince Gabriel and Princess Luciana of Orléans-Bragança are expecting their first child. TSH Prince Felix and Princess Christina of Hohenlohe-Bartenstein are expecting their first child and HIH Princess Caroline Napoléon and Eric Querenet-Onfroy de Bréville are expecting their second child. A sibling for Elvira.

Then, the already announced Royal engagement/ weddings.
Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo will marry after the birth of their child in 2013. HRH Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland, will marry Christopher O’Neill on 8 June. Although an date has not been announced, it is expected that the wedding of HRH Prince Félix of Luxembourg and Claire Lademacher will take place in 2013. another expected wedding, but with no date announced is the wedding of HRH Prince Léka of Albania and Elia Zaharia.

Then, the Royal jubilees.

85th birthday of HM Queen Fabiola of Belgium on 11 June.
80th birthday of HRH Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, Princess Edward, on 22 February.
80th birthday of HRH the Margrave of Baden, Prince Maximilian, on 3 July.
80th birthday of HIM Emperor Akihito of Japan on 23 December.
75th birthday of HM King Juan Carlos of Spain on 5 January.
75th birthday of HRH Infante Carlos of Spain, Duke of Calabria, Prince of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, on 16 January.
75th birthday of HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands on 31 January.
75th birthday of HRH the Countess of Paris, Princess Micaëla of Orléans, on 30 April.
75th birthday of Princess Désirée of Sweden, Baroness Silfverschiöld, on 2 June.
75th birthday of HM Queen Sofia of Spain, Princess of Greece and Denmark, on 2 November.
70th birthday of HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands on 19 January.
70th birthday of HM Queen Silvia of Sweden on 23 December.
50th birthday of HRH the Duke of Castro, Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, on 24 February.
50th birthday of HRH Prince Sergius and HRH Princess Helene of Serbia on 12 March.
50th birthday of HRH Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg on 1 May.
50th birthday HM King Mohammed of Morocco on 21 August.
50th birthday HRH Prince Laurent of Belgium on 19 October.
50th birthday HIH Crown Princess Masako of Japan on 9 December.
45th birthday of HRH the Prince of Asturias, Prince Felipe of Spain, on 30 January.
45th birthday of HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark on 26 May.
40th anniversary of HM King Carl Gustaf of Sweden on the Swedish Throne on 15 September 2013.
40th birthday of HRH the Duchess of Brabant, Princess Mathilde of Belgium, on 20 January.
40th birthday of HRH the Duke of Anjou, Prince Charles-Philippe of Orléans, on 3 March.
40th birthday of HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway on 20 July.
40th birthday of HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway on 19 August.
40th birthday of HRH Prince Daniel of Sweden on 15 September.
35th birthday of HIRH Princess Sophie of Prussia, Princess of Isenburg, on 7 March.
35th birthday of HRH Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco on 10 May.
35th birthday of HRH the Duchess of Anjou and the Duchess of Cadaval, Princess Diana of Orléans, on 25 July.
30th birthday of HRH Princess Iman bint Al Hussein of Jordan on 24 April.
25th birthday of HRH Princess Beatrice of York on 8 August.
25th birthday of HIRH Princess Maria Laura of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este, on 26 August.
20th wedding anniversary of TIRH Archduke Karl and Archduchess Francesca of Austria, Freiin Thyssen-Bornemisza, on 31 January.
20th wedding anniversary of HSH Hereditary Prince Alois and HRH Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein, Princess of Bavaria, Duchess in Bavaria, on 3 July.
20th anniversary of HM King Albert of the Belgians on the Belgian Throne on 9 August.
18th birthday of HSH Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein on 24 May.
18th birthday of HIRH Princess Luisa of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este, on 11 October.
15th wedding anniversary of TH Prince Maurits and Princess Marilène of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, on 29 May (civil) and 30 May. (Religious)
10th wedding anniversary of HRH Prince Laurent of Belgium and Claire Coombs on 12 April.
10th wedding anniversary of HRH Hereditary Prince Donatus of Hesse and Countess Floria of Faber-Castell on 25 April.
10th wedding anniversary of HRH Prince Michel of Bourbon-Parma and HRH Princess Maria Pia of Savoy in May.
10th wedding anniversary of HSH Hereditary Prince Heinrich of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn and Donna Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta on 21 June.
10th wedding anniversary of HSH Hereditary Prince Carl of Wrede and Countess Katalin Bethlen de Bethlen on 12 July.
10th wedding anniversary of HRH Duchess Fleur of Württemberg and Count Moritz von Goëss on 9 August.
10th wedding anniversary of HSH Hereditary Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and Saskia Binder on 13 september.
10th wedding anniversary of HRH the Prince of Venice and Piedmonte and Clotilde Courau on 25 September 25.
10th wedding anniversary of HRH Princess Victoria of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and Markos Nomikos on 27 september.
5th wedding anniversary of HRH Princess Margarita of Bourbon-Parma and Tjalling ten Cate on 3 May.
5th wedding anniversary of Peter and Autumn Phillips on 17 May.
5th wedding anniversary of TRH Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark on 24 May.

2013 also brings us several Royal 5th birthdays. To name a few:

- 11 February: HH Princess Milena of Montenegro, first child of TRH Hereditary Prince Boris and Hereditary Princess Véronique of Montenegro.
- 15 February: HIRH Archduke Emmanuel of Austria, second child and second son of HIRH Archduke Martin of Austria and his wife, née HSH Princess Katharina of Isenburg-Birstein.
- 12 March: Benjamin van Vollenhoven, third child and second son of TH Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven.
- 14 March: HH Prince Azlan Muzaffar of Perak, first child of TH Crown Prince Nazrin and Princess Zara of Perak.
- 16 April: HRH Princess Eléonore of Belgium, fourth child and second daughter of TRH the Duke and Duchess of Brabant.
- 18 May: HSH Prince Benedikt of Liechtenstein, third child and second son of TSH Prince Constantin and Princess Marie of Liechtenstein, née Countess Kálnoky de Köröspatak.
- 29 June: HRH Prince Prins Aristidis Stavros of Greece and Denmark, fifth child and fourth son of TRH Crown Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece.
- 4 July 2008: HRH Princess Rayet al Noor bint Hashim of Jordan, second child and second daughter of TRH Prince Hashim bin Al Hussein and Princess Fahdah Hashim of Jordan.
- 3 September: Julia ten Cate, first child of HRH Princess Margarita of Bourbon-Parma and Tjalling ten Cate.
- 19 November: Pieter van Vollenhoven, second child and first son of TH Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Princess Anita of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven.
- 24 December: HSH Prince Jonathan of Bentheim and Steinfurt, first child of TSH Hereditary Prince Carl Ferdinand and Hereditary Princess Elna-Margret of Bentheim and Steinfurt.

2013 also brings us several Royal 10th birthdays. To name a few:

- 27 March: HSH Prince Moritz of Bentheim-Tecklenburg, first child of Hereditary Prince Maximilian and Hereditary Princess Marissa of Bentheim-Tecklenburg.
- 23 April: HIRH Princess Laetitia of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este, fifth child and third daughter of TIRH Princess Astrid of Belgium and Archduke Lorenz of Austria-Este.
- 8 May: HRH Crown Prince Moulay Hassan of Morocco, first child of HM King Mohammed and HRH Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco.
- 15 May: Ana-María Morales, second child and second daughter of HRH Princess Alexia of Greece and Denmark and Carlos Morales.
- 29 April: Maud Angelica Behn, first daughter of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and Ari Behn
- 20 August: HRH Prince Gabriel of Belgium, second child and first son of TRH the Duke and Duchess of Brabant.
- 7 December: HRH Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, first daughter of TRH the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands.
- 3 November: Lady Louise Windsor, first child of TRH the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
- 29 December: HRH Princess Vittoria of Savoy, first child of TRH the Prince and Princess of Venice and Piedmonte.

Finally, 2013 brings us several first birthdays, i.e:
- January 6: HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Mohammed of Dubai, first son and second child together of HH the Emir of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan.
- January 24: HH Princess Athena of Denmark, second child together and first daughter of TRH Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark.
- January 28: HRH Princess Antoinette of Oreans, second child and first daughter of TRH the Duke and Duchess of Vendôme.
- February 22: HRH Princess Isabelle of Orléans, first child of TRH the Duke and Duchess of Anjou and the Duke Consort and Duchess of Cadaval.
- February 23: HRH Princess Estelle of Sweden, Duchess of Östergötland, first child of TRH Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden.
- March 29: Isla Phillips, second child and second daughter of Peter and Autumn Phillips.
- 9 May: HRH Princess Luisa of Bourbon-Parma, first child of TRH the Duke and Duchess of Parma.
- May 20: HH Sheikh Rashed Bin Saeed bin Dalmouk bin Juma Al Maktoum of Dubai, the second child and first son of TH Sheikh Saeed bin Dalouk bin Juma Al Maktoum and Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammd bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai.
- 6 June: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser and HH Sheikh Hammad bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain, second and third child and first and second son of TH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Sheikha Sheikha bint Mohammed al Maktoum of Bahrain, Sheikha of Dubai.
- August 24: HH Prince August of Hesse, third child and second son of TRH Hereditary Prince Heinrich Donatus and Hereditary Princess Floria-Franziska of Hesse, Countess of Faber-Castell.
- September 29: HE Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani of Qatar, second child and first son together of TH the Crown Prince of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Sheiha, and Sheikha Al-Anoud bint Al Maha Hajir of Qatar.
- November 3: HRH Princess Zein bint Hamzah of Jordan, first child together of TRH Prince Hamzah bin Hussein and Princess Basmah Hamzah of Jordan.
- November 20: HSH Prince Vincenz of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, first child of TSH Prince Ludwig and Princess Philippa of of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, Countess Spannocchi.
- November 23: HSH Prince Alexander of Fürstenberg, second child and second son of TSH Prince Antonius and Princess Mathilde of Fürstenberg, Countess Borromeo.
- December 14: HRH Princess Isabella of Savoy-Aosta, third child and first daughter of TRH the Duke and Duchess of Apulia, Princess of Greece.

And who knows, what other Royal events 2013 will give us.Let me know what Royal event you are most looking forward to by commenting on this post.

A Look Back at a Royal 2012

In this post, I'm looking back at a Royal 2012. Obviously, I can’t mention everything. The information below is a summery of what happened last year.

In January, Count Carl Johan Bernadotte of Wisborg married Gunilla Stenfors and HRH Prince Hamzah bin Al Hussein of Jordan married Basma Bani Ahmad. It was announced on 4 January, that HRH the Duchess of Cambridge had taken on 4 patronages, her first. The Danish Royal Court released new official pictures of HRH Prince Vincent and HRH Princess Josephine and their parents and older siblings, to celebrate the first birthday of the twins. HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and Prof. mr. Pieter van Vollenhoven celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on 10 January. The Dutch Royal Court released a new official picture of the couple to celebrate this. The Norwegian Royal Court released new official pictures of HRH Princess Ingrid Alexandra to celebrate the 8th birthday of the Princess on 21 January. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai, and his second wife, HRH Princess Haya bint Hussein of Jordan, had their second child and first son together. HH Sheikh Zayed joined older full sister HH Sheikha Al Jalila and several half-siblings. HSH Princess Tatiana of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and Hubertus Stephan had a son, Carl Stephan, on 22 January. HH Princess Athena, the second child and first daughter together of TRH Prince Joachim and Princess Marie was born on 24 January. Princess Athena joined older brother HH Prince Henrik and older half-brothers HH Prince Nikolai and HH Prince Felix. HRH Prince Siaosi Tuku’aho of Tonga, eldest son of TRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka and Princess Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho and second in line to the throne, announced his engagement to his first cousin, the Hon Sinaitakala Fakafanua, only daughter of HRH Princess ‘Ofeina Fakafanua and the late Fakafanua, on January 24. The Faitohi ceremony took place at the end of July 2011. January also brought the birth of HRH Princess Antoinette of Orléans, the second child and first daughter of TRH the duke and Duchess of Vendôme and older sister of HRH Prince Gaston, on 28 January. The first pictures of the Princess were released at the end of January

HH The Crown Prince of Umm al-Qaiwain, Sheikh Rashid bin Saud Al Mu’alla, married the daughter of HH Sheikh Saqr bin Khalid bin Humaid Al Qasimi of Ras al-Khaimah on 4 February 2012, and HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, a daughter of the Crown Prince, married HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi on 12 February. HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark celebrated her 40th birthday on 5 February. New pictures of the Crown Princess and her family were released and a party took place the day before her birthday. HM Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Diamond Jubilee on 6 February. In connection with the jubilee, new official pictures of the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh were released. The main events took place from 2 June till 5 June. TRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, HRH Prince Harry of Wales, HRH the Duke of York, TRH the Earl and Countess of Wessex, HRH the Princess Royal, HRH the Duke of Gloucester and HRH the Duke of Kent traveled overseas to represent the Queen. A photoshoot took place with TRH the Duke and Duchess of Vendôme and HRH Prince Gaston and HRH Princess Antoinette on 9 February. Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner, turned 80 on 12 February. New official pictures of the Princess were released, and a gala banquet was held. A photoshoot with the Danish Crown Princely family took place on 12 February. HRH Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau, second son of HM Queen Beatrix, became a victim of an avalanche in the ski resort of Lech on 17 February. TRH the Duke and Duchess of Anjou and Duke-Consort and Duchess of Cadaval, Prince Charles-Philippe and Princess Diana of Orléans, had their first child, HRH Princess Isabelle on 22 February. On 23 February, Sweden got a new heiress to the throne, when TRH Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel had their first child, HRH Princess Estelle. The first pictures of the newborn Princess were released after a few days. HIRH Archduke Franz Salvator of Austria, Prince of Tuscany died on February 13, while HRH Princess Norodom Daravadey of Cambodia died on 16 February and HRH Infanta Maria Adelaide of Portugal died on 24 February. The 100th anniversary of the birth of the late HRH Prince Bertil of Sweden, Duke of Halland, took place on 28 February. The Dutch Royal Court released new official pictures of HM Queen Beatrix, HRH the Prince of Orange and HRH Princess Máxima in February.

HH Duke Konstantin of Oldenburg married Esther Sanchez on 3 March. HRH Princess Maria anna of Bavaria, Duchess in Bavaria, and Klaus Runow had a son, Johannes on 24 March. Peter and Autumn Phillips had their second child and second daughter, Isla Elizabeth on 29 March. Isla joins older sister Savannah. HSH Prince Alexander of Liechtenstein died on 16 March. HM King George Tupou V of Tonga died on 18 March 2012. The Norwegian Royal Court released more pictures of HRH Princess Ingrid Alexandra in March. More official pictures, the Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg released new official pictures of HRH Prince Félix. HM King Tupou VI of Tonga bestowed on 30 March 2012 the title of Crown Prince Tupouto’a on his oldest son, HRH Prince Siaosi Tuku’aho aka HRH Prince ‘Ulukalala. The Dutch Royal Court released new official pictures of HRH Princess Amalia, HRH Princess Alexia and HRH Princess Ariane on 23 March, while the first official pictures (together) of the Crown Princess family of Sweden were also released in March. A photoshoot with the Norwegian Crown Princely family took place in March. The first official pictures of HH Princess Athena of Denmark,then still officially unnamed, were also released in March.

HIRH Princess Fatma Neslisah Osmanoglu Sultan of Egypt and of Turkey died on 2 April. HH Princess Elisabeth of Ligne and Baron Baudouin Gillès de Pélichy had their fourth child and second daughter, Baroness Marguerite Gillès de Pélichy on 9 April. The couple also have 2 sons, Antoine and Charles, and a daughter, Philippine. HRH The Duchess of Cornwall was appointed as Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order on 9 April. HSH Prince Rudolf of Liechtenstein married Tilsin Tanberk. on 20 April, while HRH Princess Maria Carolina de Bourbon de Parme married Albert Brenninkmeijer in a civil ceremony on 21 April. The Danish Royal Court released 3 new pictures of HRH Princess Isabella to celebrate her 5th birthday on 21 April 2012. The pictures were taken by her mother, HRH  Crown Princess Mary. HIH Prince Osman Selahaddin Osmanoglu of Turkey and Hanife Candan Günen were married on 22 April, and HSH Prince Carl Albrecht of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Camilla Schloesser were married on 28 April. The Grand Ducal Court announced the engagement of Hereditary HRH Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg and Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy on 26 April. The Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg released 6 new official pictures of HRH Prince Sébastien in April. Other picture news, engagement pictures of HIRH Archduke Imre of Austria and Kathleen Walker, were released in April.

May started off with sad news, both Count Carl Johan Bernadotte of Wisborg and HSH Fürstin Delia of Oettingen-Oettingen and Oettingen-Wallerstein, née Countess of Stauffenberg died on 5 May. A new picture of HRH Crown Prince Moulay Hassan of Morocco was released to celebrate the 9th birthday of the Crown Prince on 8 May. TRH The Duke and Duchess of Parma, Prince Carlos and Princess Annemarie of Bourbon-Parma, had their first child, HRH Princess Luisa, on 9 May.  HRH Princess Felipa of Bavaria married Christian Dienst on 12 May. HRH Princess Badiya bint El Hassan of Jordan and her husband Khaled Edward Blair are expecting their first child. Although the Jordanian Royal Court hasn’t announced her pregnancy [they only announced the pregnancies of the Queen], it became clear after the Princess and her husband attended attended the awarding of the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in London on 16 May. HH Sheikh Saeed bin Dalmouk bin Juma Al Maktoum of Dubai and his wife, née HH Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai, one of the daughters of HH the Emir of Dubai, had their second child and first son, Sheikh Rashed, on 20 May 2012. HH Sheikh Rashed joins older sister HH Sheikha Hind. The christening of HH Princess Athena of Denmark, the second child together and first daughter of TRH rince Joachim and Princess Marie, took place on 20 May with as godparents; Gregory Grandet, Edouard Cavallier, Carina Axelsson, Julie Mirabaud, Diego de Lavandeyra and Henriette Steenstrup. It’s because the couple attended Princess Athena’s christening, that it became known that TSH Prince Christian and Princess Lena of Schaumburg-Lippe were expecting their first child. 2 days later, the christening of HRH Princess Estelle of Sweden, the first child of TRH Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel and the future Queen of Sweden, took place on 22 May with as godparents; HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, HRH Prince Carl-Philip of Sweden, HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, HRH the Prince of Orange (Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, and Anna Westling Söderström. During the wedding of Charles Alexander Graf von Faber-Castell and Melissa Eliyeşil on 26 May, it became clear that TRH Hereditary Prince Donatus and Hereditary Princess Floria of Hesse, née Countess of Faber-Castell, were expecting their third child.They are already parents to twins HH Princess Paulina and HH Prince Moritz. The first pictures of HRH Princess Luisa of Bourbon-Parm, first child of TRH the Duke and Duchess of Parma, were released in May. HRH Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah of Jordan completed his secondary education at King’s Academy in May 2012. HRH The Duke of Cambridge was appointed as Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle in May.

HSH Princess Benigna Reuss and Don Oscar Ascoz y Planes had their first child, Don Jaime María de Ascoz y Reuss, on 1 June. Countess Hemma of Neipperg, the oldest daughter and fourth child HIRH Archduchess Andrea of Austria [herself the oldest child of the late HIRH Archduke Otto of Austria and his late wife, née Princess Regina of Saxe-Meiningen] and Hereditary Count Karl Eugen of Neipperg, married Roman Keno Spech on 2 June. HH Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum of Dubai and his wife, had a son. HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum was born on 4 June. The Belgian Royal Court released new official pictures of HIRH Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz of Belgium, Archduchess and Archduke of Austria, to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Princess. on 5 June. Family celebrations were held on 2 June. Sad and good news for 6 June. First the sad: HIH Prince Tomohito of Mikasa of Japan died. The good news: after becoming a grandfather again last month, HH the Emir of Dubai now shares 2 more grandchildren with HM the King of Bahrain. Their children, TRH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain and Sheikha Sheikha Bint Mohammed al Maktoum of Dubai, had twins, their second and third child, both named after a grandfather, HRH Sheikh Mohammed and HRH Sheikh Hamad. They are also parents to a daughter, HRH Sheikha Sheema, who was born in 2010. The civil wedding of HSH Prince Christian of Salm-Horstmar and Countess Pilar Pilati von Thassul zu Daxberg took place on 6 June and the wedding of HSH Prince Constantin of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Freiin Alimée-Alexandrine of Gersdorff took place on 8 June. The christening of HRH the Duke of the Abruzzi, Prince Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta, the second son of TRH the Duke and Duchess of Apulia, Prince Aimone and Princess Olga, took place on 8 June, with as godparents; HRH Princess Mafalda of Savoy, HRH Princess Marina of Greece and George Antaki. The christening of HRH Princess Masamba Nkwanzi of Bunyoro-Kitara took place on 10 June in the St. Peter’s Cathedral in Hoima by the Rt. Revd. Bishop Nathan Kyamanywa of Bunyoro-Kitara. The second child and first daughter together of TM the King and Queen. 4 Royal/Princely weddings took place on 16 June. The one of HRH Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Parma [youngest daughter of late HRH the Duke of Parma and his former wife, HRH Princess Irene of the Netherlands] and Albert Brenninkmeijer; the one of HSH Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein and Count Clemens Hoyos; the one of Prince Ghislain de Broglie and Victoire Tetzlaff; and the one of HSH Prince Georg “Jirí” Lobkowicz and Zdenka Hojková.  Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia died on 16 June. HSH Fürst Heinrich IV Reuss died on 20 June. HSH Princess Livia of Liechtenstein [daughter of HSH Prince Franz Géza and his late wife, née Laura Malvezzi Campeggi] married Richard Turner on 23 June.

TSH Prince Pawel and Princess Eloise Radziwill had their fourth child and first daughter, HSH Princess Willow, on 3 July. A sister for HSH Prince Barnaby, HSH Prince Alexei and HSH Prince Felix. HSH Princess Cecily of Salm-Salm married Ludwig Benecke on 7 July. A photoshoot with the Crown Princely family of the Netherlands took place on 7 July. HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a of Tonga married the Hon Sinaitakala Fakafanua on 10 July (cival wedding) and 12 July (religious wedding). HRH Prince Mohammed bin Saud bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia died on 8 July. Marc Teran d’Antin, the oldest son of HIRH Archduchess Michaella of Austria and her former husband Eric Teran d’Antin, married Trisha Johnston on 14 July. The Swedish Royal Court send summer greetings, complete with 2 pictures, from TM the King and Queen and the Crown Princess family at the end of July. A photoshoot with the Belgian Crown Princely family took place in Londen at the end of July. A new official picture of HH Princess Marilène of Orange-Nassau was released in July.

HSH Princess Maria-Anna of Salm-Salm married Count Dominik of Neipperg on 4 August. The Count is the third son of HIRH Archduchess Andrea of Austria and The Hereditary Count of Neipperg, Count Karl Eugen. HRH Princess Lalla Amina of Morocco died on 16 August. Countess Alix of Lannoy, the mother of the (then) fiancée (now wife) of the HRH Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, died on 26 August. TRH Hereditary Prince Donatus and Hereditary Princess Floria of Hesse, née Countess of Faber-Castell, had their 3rd child on 24 August. HH Prince August joins older siblings, the twins, HH Prince Moritz and HH Princess Paulina. The Swedish Royal Court released new official pictures of HRH Prince Carl Philip and HRH Princess Madeleine on 29 August. The Danish Royal Court has released new individual pictures of HRH Prince Christian, HRH Princess Isabella, HRH Prince Vincent and HRH Princess Josephine in August. The pictures were al taken by the children’s mother, HRH Crown Princess Mary.

Prince Edouard of Merode married Sylvia Steisel on 1 september. That same day, HSH Prince Wenzel of Lobkowicz, youngest son of HSH Fürst Johannes of Lobkowicz and his wife, née Countess Johanna of Castell-Castell, married Countess Maria Katharina of Neipperg, the youngest daughter of HIRH Archduchess Andrea of Austria and the Hereditary Count of Neipperg, Count Karl. A photoshoot with a large part of the Belgian Royal family took place on 2 September. The Imperial Household Agency of Japan released new official pictures of HIH Princess Mako, HIH Princess Kako and HIH Prince Hisahito to celebrate the 6th birthday of Prince Hisahito on 6 September. HIRH Archduke Imre of Austria, the middle son of HIRH Archduke Carl Christian and his wife, née HRH Princess Marie Astrid of Luxembourg, married Kathleen Walker on 8 September. The Spanish Royal Court has released new official pictures of the Crown Princely family to celebrate the 40th birthday of HRH the Princess of Asturias on 15 September. Princess Ragnhild, mrs. Lorentzen, sister of HM the King of Norway, died on 16 September. HSH Princess Elisabeth of Urach died on 20 September. HRH Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah of Brunei married Pengiran Haji Muhammad Ruzaini in a glittering ceremony on 20 September 2012. In the week prior to the ceremony, there were several just as glittering parties, the bride appeared in no less then 3 tiaras. Philippe de Riquet, Prince of Caraman and Chimay, married Françoise Peter on 21 September 2012. HH The Crown Prince of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and his second wife, HH Sheikha Al-Anoud bint Mana al-Hajri, had their second child and first son together on 29 September. HH Sheikh Abdullah joins older sister, HH Sheikha Nayla and older half-siblings, HH Sheikha Al-Mayassa, HH Sheikh Hamad and HH Sheikha Aisha. HRH The Prince of Orange took pictures of his children to be used for the Children’s Stamps 2012. The Prince follows in his late father, HRH Prince Claus, who, 40 years ago, took pictures of his children to benefit the Children’s Stamps Foundation as well. The stamps will be released on 7 November. The Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg released 2 new official pictures of HRH Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg and his then fiancée (now wife), Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy.

TIRH The Prince and Princess of Prussia, Prince Georg Friedrich and Princess Sophie, née Princess of Isenburg, are also expecting their first child. HRH Prince Albert of Saxony died on 6 October. HSH Prince Dominik of Lowenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg married Countess Olga of Castell-Rudenhausen, the oldest daughter of HSH The Prince of Castell-Rudenhausen, religiously on 6 October. HH Duchess Rixa of Oldenburg married Stephan Sanders on 13 October, while the last heir to a Ruling House of Europe, HRH Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg married Countess Stephanie of Lannoy on 19 (civil wedding) and 20 (religious wedding) October 2012. To celebrate the 7th birthday of HRH Prince Christian on 15 October, the Danish Royal Court released 4 new official pictures of the Prince. New official pictures of the Crown Princess family of Sweden were released in connection with the opening of The exhibition “Princess Estelle – Birth and Christening” on 19 October. The pregnancy of HRH Princess Felipa of Bavaria. The Princess and her husband, Christian Dienst, expect their first child in April of 2013. The christening of HRH Princess Isabelle of Orléans took place on 21 October. Her godparents are HRH the Prince of Asturias and Countess Maria Theodora della Gherardesca, Countess of Löwenstein-Scharffeneck. The Swedish Royal Court announced on October 25 that HRH Princess Madeleine will marry Christopher O'Neill in 2013.

November brought several announced births and pregnancies. TRH Prince Hamzah bin Hussein and Princess Basmah Hamzah of Jordan had their first child together. HRH Princess Zein bint Hamzah was born on 3 November and joined older half-sister, HRH Princess Haya bint Hamzah, daughter of Prince Hamzah and of his former wife, HRH Princess Noor bint Asem of Jordan. TSH Prince Ludwig and Princess Philippa of San-Wittgenstein-Sayn, née Countess Spannocchi, had their first child, HSH Prince Vinzenz Alexander on 20 November, and TSH Prince Antonius and Princess Mathilde of Fürstenberg, née Countess Borromeo, had their second child and second son, HSH Prince Alexander, on 23 November. Prince Alexander joins older brother, HSH Prince Karl Egon. Tatiana Santo Domingo confirmed on 6 November that she and her fiancé, Andrea Casiraghi [the oldest son of HRH the Princess of Hanover, Hereditary Princess Caroline of Monaco], are expecting their first child in January 2013. The couple is planning to marry after the birth of their child. Bunte has reported that the older brother of the earlier mentioned Prince Antonius of Fürstenberg, HSH Hereditary Prince Christian, and his wife, HSH Hereditary Princess Jeannette of Fürstenberg, are expecting their first child. TRH Prince Gabriel and Princess Luciana of Orléans-Bragança are also expecting their first child, while HIH Princess Caroline Napoléon and Eric Querenet-Onfroy de Bréville are expecting their second child, a sibling for Elvire. November also brought the engagement announcement for HSH Princess Alexandra Galitzine and Thibault Lancksweert and the death of HSH Princess Rose-Sophie of Arenberg, Duchess of Arenberg, Reichsfreifrau of Guttenberg. The Dutch Royal Court released new official pictures of Highborn Lady Countess Eloise, Highborn Lord Count Claus-Casimir and Highborn Lady  Countess Leonore of Orange-Nassau in November.

December started off with TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announcing on 3 December that they are expecting their first child. The Dutch Royal Court released a new official picture of HRH Prince Constantijn and a new official picture of HRH Princess Laurentien. HH Sheikh Dhiyab bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi married a daughter of HH the Emir of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on 12 December. Hereditary Count Ignatius and Hereditary Countess Robinia of Toerring-Jettenbach had their fifth child and firth daughter, Countess Maximiliana, on 7 December. A sister for Floriana, Georgiana, Elisabeth and Elena. December 13 brought the announcement of the engagement of HRH Prince Félix of Luxembourg and Claire Lademacher, The Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg released private pictures of newly engaged couple and on 27 December, the couple and their families posed for the press. The Spanish Royal Court has released the Christmas cards of TM the King and Queen; and the Crown Princely family on 14 December. The birth of a new Princess of Savoy-Aosta, first daughter and third child of HRH Prince Aimone, Duke of Apulia, and his wife, née Princess Olga of Greece, took place on 14 December. The Swedish Royal Court released winter greetings from the Crown Princess family, including a lovely picture of the family of three in the snow at Haga Park. The Jordanian Royal Court announced the engagement of HRH Princess Iman bint Al Hussein of Jordan and Zaid Mirza on 20 December. The Swedish Royal Court has released a Christmas message from Haga Palace with 2 new official pictures of of HRH Princess Estelle of Sweden on 22 December. On 23 December the Swedish Royal Court announced the wedding date for HRH Princess Madeleine and Christopher O'Neill. The couple will marry on June 8, 2013. HIRH Archduke Christoph of Austria married Adélaide Drapé-Frisch on 28 December (civil wedding) and 29 December (religious wedding.)

Royal Genealogy - December 2012

Royal Genealogy events in December 2012.

Royal births and pregnancy announcements
The British Royal Court announced on 3 December that TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their first child. Hereditary Count Ignatius and Hereditary Countess Robinia of Toerring-Jettenbach had their fifth child and fifth daughter, Countess Maximiliana, on 7 December. A sister for Floriana, Georgiana, Elisabeth and Elena. The birth of HRH Princess Isabella of Savoy-Aosta, first daughter and third child of HRH Prince Aimone, Duke of Apulia, and his wife, née HRH Princess Olga of Greece, took place on 14 December. Princess Isabella joins older brothers, HRH the Prince of Piedmonte, Prince Umberto of Savoy-Aosta, and HRH the Duke of the Abruzzi, Prince Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta.

The list of current (known) Royal pregnancies:
- TIRH The Prince and Princess of Prussia, Prince Georg Friedrich and Princess Sophie, Princess of Isenburg.
- HRH Princess Felipa of Bavaria and Christian Dienst. (1st child)
- TSH Hereditary Prince Christian and Hereditary Princess Jeannette of Fürstenberg. (1st child)
- HIH Princess Caroline Napoléon and Eric Querenet-Onfroy de Bréville. (2nd child)
- TRH Prince Gabriel and Princess Luciana of Orléans-Bragança. (1st child)
- TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. (1st child)

Royal engagements and weddings
HH Sheikh Dhiyab bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi married a daughter of the Emir of Abu Dhabi, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on 12 December. The Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg announced the engagement of HRH Prince Félix of Luxembourg and Claire Lademacher on 13 December. The Jordanian Royal Court announced the engagement of HRH Princess Iman bint Al Hussein and Zaid Mirza on 20 December. Their wedding took place on 30 December. The Swedish Royal Court announced on 23 December, that the wedding of HRH Princess Madeleine and Christopher O'Neill is to take place on 8 June. HIRH Archduke Christoph of Austria married Adélaide Drapé-Frisch on 28 December (civil wedding) and 29 December (religious wedding.)

Royal Deaths
No Royal death has been reported in December.

Happy New Year

I wish all my readers, along with their friends and family, a happy, healthy and Royal 2013.

Within the next few minutes, 3 more posts will be online, the Genealogy post for December 2012, a post looking back at a Royal 2012 and a post looking forward to a Royal 2013. I hope you enjoy them. 

Please let me know what you think of them, as well as what your favorite (and/or least favorite) event of 2012 is and what event in 2013 you look forward to most.

Take care,

Josette

New Years wish from Swedish Royal family

The Swedish Royal Court has released a new official picture of TM King Carl Gustav and Queen Silvia, TRH Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel with HRH Princess Estelle, HRH Prince Carl Philip and HRH Princess Madeleine, with a New Years greeting.

Click HERE to view the picture at the official website.

Seasonal Greetings and New Years wish from Prince Leka of Albania and Elia Zaharia

HRH Prince Leka of Albania and his fiancée, Elia Zaharia, have released seasonal greetings and a New Years wish.

 Click HERE to view the picture that accompanied the greetings and wish.