It's a boy for Archduchess Marie-Christine of Austria and Count Rodolphe of Limburg-Stirum

HI&RH Archduchess Marie-Christine of Austria, Countess of Liburg-Stirum, and Count Rodolphe of Limburg-Stirum, had their first child, Count Léopold of Limburg-Stirum, on April 19, 2011.

Count Léopold is the first grandchild for TI&RH Archduke Carl Christian and Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria, Princess of Luxembourg, the third great-grandson for TRH Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine of Luxembourg, Princess of Belgium, and the sixth great-great-grandchild for TI&RM Emperor Karl and Empress Zita of Austria, King and Queen of Hungary, Princess of Bourbon-Parma.

Wedding W&C: Catherine's wedding ring

The wedding ring of Catherine Middleton will be made of Welsh Gold. Her husband to be, HRH Prince William of Wales, will not wear a wedding ring.

More information from the official website of the Royal Wedding:

"The Wedding ring that Catherine Middleton will wear will be made of Welsh Gold. The gold was given to Prince William by The Queen shortly after the couple were engaged. It has been in the family's possession for some years and has been in the care of the Royal Jewellers. There are no further details on which mine the gold was mined from. More information about the ring may be released closer to the Wedding Day.

There will only be one ring, in accordance with the couple's wishes. The ring will be from Prince William for Catherine."

Wedding W&C: Official Seating Plan

The seating plan for the wedding of HRH Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton on April 29, 2011, has been released.

From the official website of the wedding:

"The Westminster Abbey Seating Plan has been confirmed.
North Lantern
Miss Middleton's immediate family and friends
Prince William and Miss Middleton's friends
The Spencer Family

South Lantern
The British Royal Family
Members of Foreign Royal Families

North Transept
Prince William and Miss Middleton's friends

South Transept
Governors General
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Middleton Family friends

Stalls North
Representatives of the Church and other Faiths
Prince William and Miss Middleton's Friends

Stall South
Members of the Cabinet· Prince William and Miss Middleton's Friends

North Nave
Guests of the Prince of Wales
Members of the General Congregation

South NaveRepresentatives of the Church and other Faiths
Members of the General Congregation
The following Members of the Royal Family will be seated on the front row (South Lantern), in order starting closest to the Sacrarium:

The Queen
The Duke of Edinburgh
The Prince of Wales
The Duchess of Cornwall
Prince Harry.

The following members of the Middleton Family will be seated on the front row (North Lantern), in order starting closest to the Sacrarium:

Mrs. Carole Middleton
Mr. Michael Middleton
Mr. James Middleton.
(The remaining places on the front row are still TBC).
The following members of the Spencer Family will be seated on the front row of their block (North Lantern), in order starting closest to the Sacrarium:

The Lady Sarah McCorquodale
Mr. Neil McCorquodale
Mrs. Anne Wake-Walker
The Lord Robert Fellowes
The Lady Jane Fellowes
The Earl Spencer
Miss Karen Gordon."

Wedding W&C: Official approval from the Queen

HM Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom of Great-Brittain and Northern-Ireland has given official her approval on February 9, 2011, to the wedding of her grandson, HRH Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton.

The approval read:
"NOW KNOW YE that We have consented and do by these Presents signify Our Consent to the contracting of Matrimony between Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton"

Because of the Royal Marriages Act 1772, all descendants from HM King George II Great-Brittain and Ireland must receive the Monarch's consent before their wedding, or the heirs from that union will be illegitimate and therefore banned from the line of succession to the British Throne.

There are a few exceptions.
1. Princesses who already married or will marry into foreign Royal families and their heirs will not need the consent of the British Monarch.
2. Any member of the family over the age of 25 who's marriage can not be consented by the Sovereign, may marry 1 year after giving notice to the Privy Council about their intention to marry. There is a but though, if both houses of Parliament disapprove of the wedding, the wedding will still be seen as invalid.

New official pictures of the Duke of Parma and Piacenza

New official pictures HRH the Duke of Parma and Piacenza, Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Parma, have been released.

View the pictures at PPE.

Wedding A&C: Wedding gift account at General Treasury of Finances

HSH Sovereign Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock have opened an account at the General Treasury of Finances called "Mariage Princier - TGF." The account was created to receive donations for Funds by those individuals who wish to give a gift to the Sovereign Prince and his fiancée on occasion of their wedding.

Wedding W&C: The Official Photographer

HRH Prince William of Wales and his fiancée, Catherine Middleton, have selected Hugo Burnand to be their official photographer at their wedding on April 29, 2011. The official pictures will be taken at Buckingham Palace after the wedding.

Wedding W&C: The Official Souvenir Wedding Programme

The British Royal Court announced that they will publish an Official Souvenir Wedding Programme. It will cost £2. You can also download it for free from the official website of the wedding starting April 28. Among others, this program will include a thank you from the couple, the couple's (separate) Coat of Arms and a picture taken by Mario Testino that has not been released yet.

According to the official website about the wedding:

"The Programme will include the full Order of Service (as used by guests in the Abbey), a personal message of thanks from Prince William and Catherine Middleton, and a never-before-seen photo of the couple taken by photographer Mario Testino. The Official Programme will feature Prince William’s Coat of Arms on the front cover and Catherine Middleton’s new Coat of Arms on the back.

The Programme will be sold by 60 Explorer Scouts and 80 Cadets (supervised by adults) for £2 per copy at various locations along the wedding route and surrounding area on the 29th April. Proceeds from the sale of the Official Programme will go to benefit the Foundation of Prince William."

Wedding W&C: Coat of Arms for Catherine Middleton and the Middleton family

Catherine Middleton, fiancée of HRH Prince William of Wales, and the Middleton family have a new Coat of Arms. After the Royal wedding on April 29, 2011, miss middleton's Coat of Arms will be merged with the Coat of Arms of Prince William to form her new Coat of Arms.

View Catherine Middleton's Coat of Arms HERE. 

According to the official website about the wedding:

"The Middleton Family worked closely with the College of Arms throughout the design process to create a Coat of Arms that was personal to them and visually identified them as a family.

The three acorns represent Mr. and Mrs. Middleton’s three children (Catherine, Philippa and James). Acorns were chosen because the area in which the children were brought up – West Berkshire, England – is surrounded by oak trees. Additionally, oak is a long-established symbol of both ‘England’ and ‘Strength.’

The gold chevron, which sits at the centre of the design, represents Mrs. Middleton, whose maiden name is Goldsmith. The two thinner chevrons, which sit either side of the gold chevron, allude to hills and mountains and represent outdoor pursuits that the family enjoy together. The colours blue and red were chosen as they are the principle colours from the flag of the United Kingdom.

Miss Middleton’s Coat of Arms has been presented in the form of a ‘lozenge’ and is shown suspended from a ribbon, which indicates that she is an unmarried daughter."

Wedding W&C: Watch the wedding live at YouTube

The YouTube channel "The Royal Channel" will broadcast the wedding of HRH Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton on April 29, 2011, live.

Update posts! - April 19

The following posts have been updated, but are not visible on the main page:

* Current Royal Pregnancies 

* Current Royal Engagements 
* Royal Births - 2005 till 2011
* Royal Deaths - 2005 till 2011
* Royal Weddings - 2005 till 2011

* Royal family of Denmark
* Royal family of the Netherlands

Wedding A&C: Schedule wedding days released

The schedule of the wedding days of HSH Sovereign Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlène Wittstock has been released. The couple will marry on July 1 & 2, 2011.

From the official website about the wedding:

"FRIDAY 1st JULY
5.00pm : The civil wedding will take place in the Throne Room of the Prince's Palace.
The Monegasques will be able to follow the ceremony on giant screens located on Palace Square. The Square will be accessible to Monegasques and their families from 4pm onwards.
5.50pm : After the ceremony, the newly-wedded couple will appear on the balcony of the Salon des Glaces in order to salute the Monegasques.
6.00pm : A cocktail buffet will be offered to the Monegasques on Palace Square. The Mayor of Monaco will present the gift of the Monegasques to the couple.
8.00pm : The residents of the Principality will be invited to a reception on the Port.
10.30pm : A large concert will be offered by the newly-wedded couple on the Port. Jean-Michel Jarre will present a unique sound and light show.
A very large audience is expected.

SATURDAY 2nd JULY
5.00pm : The religious wedding will take place in the Main Courtyard of the Prince's Palace.
The gates of the Palace will remain open in order to allow around 3500 seated persons to follow the ceremony, which will be broadcast on giant screens on the Palace Square.
6.30pm : The couple will leave the Palace for the Sainte Dévote church in order for the Princess to leave her bouquet.
The public will be able to gather all along the procession route in order to congratulate the couple.
9.00pm : The official dinner and the ball will take place at the Opera Garnier and on the Terraces of the Monte-Carlo Casino.
Midnight: A fireworks display will conclude this dinner, which will also have various styles of music."

Charlene Wittstock converts to Catholicism

Charlene Wittstock, fiancée of HSH Sovereign Prince Albert of Monaco, has converted to Roman Catholicism.

According to a statement from the Princely family, "Miss Charlene Wittstock who professes the Christian faith has been admitted by free and personal choice into full communion with the Catholic Church."

Catherine Middleton confirmed in the Church of England

Catherine Middleton, fiancée of HRH Prince William of Wales, has been confirmed in the Church of England.

According to a statement from the British Royal family, miss Middleton was confirmed at St James's Palace by the Bishop of London. The ceremony was attended by Prince William and by the Middleton family.

Prince Harry of Wales promoted to Captain

HRH Prince Harry of Wales has been promoted to Captain in the Army. The occasion of the promotion was that the Prince completed his 5 years service as an army officier.

Wedding W&C: Ceremonial Timings

The ceremonial timings for the wedding of HRH Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton on April 29, 2011, have been confirmed.

From the official website about the wedding:

The following timings have been confirmed for the Wedding Day:

• Between 8.15am and 9.45am: The general congregation will arrive at the Great North Door of Westminster Abbey.
• From 9.50am: Governors-General and Prime Ministers of Realm Countries,the Diplomatic Corps, and other distinguished guests arrive at the Abbey.
• 10.10am The Bridegroom and Prince Henry of Wales leave Clarence House for Westminster Abbey. They arrive at the Abbey at 10.15am.
• 10.20am Members of Foreign Royal Families arrive at Westminster Abbey from Buckingham Palace.
• 10.20am Mrs. Michael (Carole) Middleton and Mr. James Middleton leave the Goring Hotel for Westminster Abbey. They arrive at the Abbey at 10.27am.
• 10.25am Members of the Royal Family (except those listed below) leave Buckingham Palace for Westminster Abbey. They arrive at the Abbey at 10.30am.
• 10.35am The following Members of the Royal Family leave Buckingham Palace for Westminster Abbey. They arrive at the Abbey at 10.40am:

- The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence
- The Duke of York
- Princess Eugenie of York
- Princess Beatrice of York
- The Earl and Countess of Wessex

• 10.38am The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall leave Clarence House for Westminster Abbey. They arrive at the Abbey at 10.42am.
• 10.40am The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Buckingham Palace for Westminster Abbey. They arrive at the Abbey at 10.45am.
• 10.48am The Bridesmaids and Pages leave the Goring Hotel for Westminster Abbey. They arrive at the Abbey at 10.55am.
• 10.51am The Bride, accompanied by Mr. Michael Middleton, leaves the Goring Hotel for Westminster Abbey.
• 11.00am The Marriage Service begins. The Marriage Service will be relayed by audio speakers along the Route.
• 12.15pm The Carriage Procession of the Bride and Bridegroom with a Captain’s Escort of the Household Cavalry, followed by The Queen’s Procession with a Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry, leaves Westminster Abbey for Buckingham Palace.
• 12.30pm The Bride’s Carriage Procession arrives at Buckingham Palace.
• 12.40pm Members of the Royal Family and Members of Foreign Royal Families arrive at Buckingham Palace.
• From 12.40pm: Other guests for the Reception arrive at Buckingham Palace.
• 1.25pm The Queen and the Bride and Bridegroom, together with their Families, appear on the Balcony.
• 1.30pm Fly Past by the Royal Air Force and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight."

It has also been confirmed that Catherine Middleton, accompanied by her immediate family, will spend the night before the wedding at the Goring Hotel. This was the Middleton family’s personal choice.

Christening of the Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine of Denmark

Today, 14 April 2011, the christening of the in January born twin children of TRH Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark took place. The names were kept hidden until said aloud by the Crown Prince (little Prince) and Crown Princess (little Princess) in the church. The little Prince was named Vincent Frederik Minik Alexander and the little Princess was named Josephine Sophia Ivalo Mathilda.


The godparents of Prince Vincent are John Stuart Donaldson, HRH the Prince of Asturias, Prince Felipe of Spain, HSH Hereditary Prince Gustav of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille, Baroness Helle Reedtz-Thott and Caroline Heering.

The godparents of Princess Josephine are HRH Princess Marie of Denmark, Countess of Monpezat, HRH the Duke of Castro, Prince Charles of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Patricia Bailey, Lensgreve Bendt Wedell, Birgitte Handwerk and Josephine Rechner.

The christening took place in the Holmens Church in Copenhagen, the same church where father, Crown Prince Frederik, was christened, and where grandmother, Queen Margrethe, then Princess Margrethe, married the Prince-Consort.


The Crown Prince carried his youngest son while the Crown Princess carried her youngest daughter.

The little Prince wore the christening robe earlier used by among others his older brother and sister, while the little Princess a dress wore that once belonged to HM the late Queen Ingrid of Denmarak, born Princess of Sweden, but has never been used.

The twins were born on January 8 at 10:30 (Prince) and 10:56 (Princess), at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen and joined older brother, Prince Christian, born October 15, 2005, and older sister, Princess Isabella, born April 21, 2007.

Like their older brother and sister, Vincent and Josephine are titled Prince/Princess to Denmark and Count/Countess of Monpezat with the style of Royal Highness, and they follow them in line to succession to the Danish throne.

Pictures from PPE can be found HERE.

Official pictures:
1 2 3 4 5 6

Guestlist: (Royals, Nobles & other family members)

- TRH Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, with their children, HRH Prince Christian, HRH Princess Isabella, HRH Prince Vincent and HRH Princess Josephine.

- HM Queen Margrethe and HRH Prince Henrik, the Prince-Consort of Denmark.
- TRH Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark, with their son and the other sons of Prince Joachim, HH Prince Nikolai, HH Prince Felix and HH Prince Henrik of Denmark.
- HSH Fürst Richard and HRH Fürstin Benedikte of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, Princess of Denmark.
- HSH Hereditary Prince Gustav of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Carina Axelsson.
- HM Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Princess of Denmark.
- TRH Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana of Greece and Denmark.
- TRH the Duke and Duchess of Castro, Prince Charles and Princess Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies

- Professor John and Susan Donaldson.
- John Stuart Donaldson.
- Patricia Bailey.
- Catherine Murray.

- Lensgrevinde Bente Bernstorff-Gyldensteen.
- Count Ditlev Erik and Countess Jean Merete Ahlefeldt-Laurvig.
- Count Michael and Countess Caroline Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille.
- Baron Otto and Baroness Helle Reedtz-Thott.
- Count Valdemar of Rosenborg.
- Countess Marina of Rosenborg.
- Lensgreve Bendt and Lensgrevinde Pernille Wedell.
- Baron Ditlev and Baroness Dorte BWedell-Wedellsborg.
- Baron Johan and Baroness Rebecca Alexandra Wedell-Wedellsborg.
- Baron Henrik and Baroness .. Wedell-Wedellsborg.
- Nina Louise Wedell-Wedellsborg.

First day of school for Princess Ariane of the Netherlands

Today, April 11, 2011, was the first day of school for HRH Princess Ariane of the Netherlands, youngest daughter of TRH the Prince and Princess of Orange, Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands.

HQ pictures:




A small walk down memory lane.

The first day of school of the oldest daughter of the Prince and Princess, Princess Amalia of the Netherlands, took place on December 10, 2007. Pictures from HOLA can be found HERE.

The first day of school of the middle daughter of the Prince and Princess, Princess Alexia of the Netherlands, took place on June 29, 2009.

HQ pictures:







Source pictures: RVD via koninklijkhuis.nl

Wedding W&C: The role of the Armed Forces in the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton

The British Royal Court has released details about the ceremonial Military Personnel who will play a role in the wedding of HRH Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton. The couple is to marry on April 29, 2011.

From the official website about the wedding:

"The Ministry of Defence is pleased to confirm the details and range of ceremonial Military Personnel who will play a key role in the formal elements of the wedding of HRH Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton on 29 April 2011.

General Sir David Richards, Chief of the Defence Staff, said: “I am delighted that so many members of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces have the opportunity to be part of The Royal Wedding. It is a huge honour for those servicemen and women taking part and one that they and their families will remember with great pride. They reflect the sentiments of the whole of the Armed Forces who share their pride in supporting this national celebration.

“For those in the Path Lining party it will be a particular and poignant honour as many will have served alongside Prince William, and I am sure they will take great delight in being among the first to see His Royal Highness alongside his new bride.”

The military elements involved are:

QUEEN’S GUARD:

The 1st Battalion Irish Guards will be providing the Queen’s Guard at Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace and the Tower of London throughout the day. The Guard will turn out for the departure of the Royal Family from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.

GUARD OF HONOUR:

A Guard of Honour comprising three officers and 101 other ranks from the Welsh Guards will be positioned in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace for the return of the members of the Royal Family.


STREET LINERS:

More than 1,000 military personnel and military musicians will line the route from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. They will be made up of officers and other ranks from:

Royal Navy:

HMS Astute, HMS Campbeltown, HMS Chatham, HMS Cumberland, HMS Daring, HMS Dauntless, HMS Diamond, HMS Edinburgh, HMS Gloucester, HMS Illustrious, HMS Liverpool, HMS Monmouth, HMS Montrose, HMS Neptune, HMS Northumberland, HMS Vanguard, HMS York, Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, elements from Fleet Headquarters and Defence Equipment and Support, Bristol.

Army:

Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards, 7 Company Coldstream Guards, F Company Scots Guards, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, 2nd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.

Royal Air Force:

RAF Benson, RAF Boulmer, RAF Chicksands, RAF Coningsby, RAF Cosford, RAF Cottesmore, RAF Cranwell, RAF Digby, RAF Fylingdales, RAF Halton, RAF High Wycombe, RAF Honington, RAF Kinloss, RAF Leeming, RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Lyneham, RAF Marham, RAF Odiham, RAF personnel from Permanent Joint Headquarters Northwood, RAF Scampton, RAF Shawbury, RAF St Athan, RAF Swanwick, RAF Valley, RAF Waddington, RAF Wittering, Queen's Colour Squadron, Defence School of Languages Beaconsfield, Joint Service Unit Cheltenham, Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit Northallerton, MOD Hospital Unit Peterborough, MOD Abbeywood, RAF personnel from the Defence College of Policing and Guarding, Southwick Park.

BANDS AND MUSICIANS:

Royal Navy:

The Royal Marines Band, Collingwood, located at Parliament Square.

Army:

On the forecourt of Buckingham Palace - the Band of Welsh Guards.

Along the route - the Band of Grenadier Guards at Marlborough Road; the Band of Coldstream Guards at Duke of York Steps; the Band of Scots Guards and the Corps of Drums, The Welsh Guards at Horse Guards; and the Corps of Drums, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment by the Cenotaph.

Inside Westminster Abbey – Eight Household Cavalry State Trumpeters, drawn equally from the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals.

Royal Air Force:

Along the route – The Central Band of the RAF, located at Horse Guards Avenue/Whitehall.

Inside Westminster Abbey – Eight RAF Fanfare Trumpeters.

PATH LINING OUTSIDE WESTMINSTER ABBEY AFTER SERVICE:

Personnel from each of the three Services will form a Path Lining party for when the couple leave Westminster Abbey. They are being chosen from a combination of those with a personal connection to Prince William, and those who have given an outstanding contribution to their Service.

SOVEREIGN’S ESCORT AND CAPTAIN’S ESCORT

The Life Guards and Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment will form a Sovereign’s Escort for Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, and a Captain’s Escort for the Bride and Groom, as the wedding party travels to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey. This will involve some 160 horses.

FLYPAST:

At 1330 a flypast will take place over Buckingham Palace. This will consist of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight‘s Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane; followed 30 seconds later by two Typhoons and two Tornado GR4s in box formation.

Military involved on the day will wear their respective Service ceremonial clothing.

Other members of the Armed Forces have received invitations to attend the wedding service in a private capacity."

Wedding W&C: The wedding cake

The British Royal Court has released information about the wedding cake of HRH Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton. The couple is to marry on April 29, 2011.

From the official website about the wedding:

"Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton have chosen Leicestershire-based cake designer Fiona Cairns to create their wedding cake.

The wedding cake will be a multi-tiered traditional fruit cake. The cake, which will be decorated with cream and white icing, will have a strong British floral theme using elements of the Joseph Lambeth technique. Fiona was chosen for her creative style and beautifully crafted handmade cakes using traditional British ingredients. Her business, started 25 years ago on her kitchen table, is now based in a state of the art bakery in Leicestershire, the heart of the English countryside.

In addition, the couple have also asked McVitie's Cake Company to create a chocolate biscuit cake for the reception at Buckingham Palace. The chocolate biscuit cake will be made from a Royal Family recipe and was specially requested by Prince William."