Flowers for King Michael

 

all photos @©Daniel Angelescu, Casa Majestății Sale

It is an annual tradition for members of the Romanian Royal Family to place flowers at the King's Square on Kiseleff Road near the Elisabeta Palace, the official residence of HM Margareta, Custodian of the Crown and HRH Prince Radu of Romania.

In February 1866,  Prince Karl of Hohenzollern was named  Prince of Romania.  He adopted Carol - the Romanian version of Karl - as his name.   On March 15, 1881,  the Romanian Parliament proclaimed the country a kingdom with Carol as the Sovereign.  He was crowned as king on May 10, 1881.

Romania gained independence from the Ottoman Empire on May 10, 1877.   Thus, May 10 is Romania's National Day - and the celebration of the Coronation of King Carol I.

On May 10, 2024,  HM Margareta and HRH Prince Radu were joined by two of HM's younger sisters. HRH Princess Sofia and HRH Princess Marie.

HRH Princess Sofia

HRH Princess Marie  all photos 
©Daniel Angelescu, Casa Majestății Sale

Bucharest is a lovely city and Romania is a fabulous place to visit.  I want to see more of the country, including this monument to King Michael.

https://visitbucharest.today/the-kings-square/

Princess Marija of Serbia is baptized

 "

@Ana Marija Jovanović

@Igor Ursić   HRH Prince Alexander, Milan Cile and Beba Marinkovic,  Doña Sol María de la Blanca de Medina y Orléans-Braganza, Countess of Ampurias, HIRH Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans and Bragança, Duchess of Segorbe,  HRH Princess Elisabeth of Serbia,  HRH Hereditary HRH Prince Philip, HRH Crown Prince Alexander, Hereditary Princess Danica with HRH Princess Marija, HRH Prince Stefan, Alina and Nicholas de Roumanie, TRH Prince Michael with Princess Natalija,  Princess Ljubica holding Princess Isidora, an unidentified man and HRH Crown Princess Katherine

Belgrade, 11 May 2024 – His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia christened today HRH Princess Marija, the daughter of TRH Hereditary Prince Philip and Princess Danica, at the Royal Chapel of St. Andrew the First-Called in Belgrade, Serbia. The solemn act of the Holy Sacrament of Baptism of the little Princess is a very significant event for the Royal family of Serbia, especially knowing that now, after too many decades, Karadjordjevics are again being born, baptized, and raised in their Homeland, with their people.

@Ana Marija Jovanović

@Igor Ursić

Princess Marija’s godparents are Mr. Nicholas-Michael and Mrs. Alina Medforth-Mills from Romania, the grandson of the last King of Romania, the late HM Michael I, and Queen Anne. As the connections between the people of Romania and Serbia have always been sincere and brotherly, filled with much love and respect, this bond represents another special addition to these connections.

“We are sure that this will only be the beginning of a long and abundant line, that will bear rich fruits, which are necessary for our people. Therefore, as these necessary and beneficial fruits are being given to our people, we believe that it will also benefit the Karađorđević family, our Royal Family”, stated Patriarch Porfirije in his speech.

@Igor Ursić

@Ana Marija Jovanović

Together with the Patriarch, the priests of the Belgrade Archdiocese officiated the christening, while the Choir “Saint Simeon the Myrrh-Streaming”, which is under the patronage of Holy Imperial Serbian Lavra Monastery Hilandar, and who were led by Mr. Bojan Starčević, performed in the adequate parts of the church service. Their Graces Bishops Pahomije of Vranje, Irinej of Eastern America, Siluan of Australia, Isihije of Valjevo, as well as vicar Bishops of His Holiness, Nektarije of Jegar and Dositej of Lipjan also attended the ceremony.

Same as for the baptism of Princess Marija’s brother, HRH Prince Stefan, water that was used was brought from several Serbian rivers – Danube, Sava, Drina, Morava, Ibar, Žiča, Prizrenska Bistrica, the spring of Saint Joanikije near Devič Monastery, as well as from Vardar River and the Adriatic Seа. This represents the following of a century-old tradition, as for the christening of King Peter II, the Army divisions sent a bottle of water from the rivers on which they were named - Danube, Sava, Drava, Vardar, Bregalnica etc.

Another very interesting detail, which additionally enriched this day, is the Christening gown that Princess Marija wore. The dress was brought specially from Seville, Spain for this occasion, and it belonged to Amelia of Orléans, sister of Infanta Louise of Orléans, grandmother of HIRH Princess Maria da Gloria, mother of Hereditary Prince Philip. It was kept in the Villamanrique Castle near Seville, which belonged to the parents of Princess Maria da Gloria.

@Igor Ursić

@Ana Marija Jovanović  From L-R  Princess Danica's parents,  Hereditary Prince Philip and Princess Danica with Princess Marija, the godparents, Nicholas and Alina de Roumanie and the Duchess of Segorbe (Philip's mother) and Doña Sol (Philip's half-sister)

Following the tradition of the Royal Family of Serbia, after the christening HRH Crown Prince Alexander as the Head of the family decorated his granddaughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Marija, with the Royal Order of Saint Sava, Grand Cross. Also, on this occasion the Crown Prince awarded his daughter-in-law, HRH Princess Danica with the same Order and in the same rank.

@Igor Ursić

@Igor Ursić

Besides the parents and brother of Princess Marija, TRH Hereditary Prince Philip, Princess Danica, and Prince Stefan, the christening ceremony was attended by TRH Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine, and Prince Alexander, HIRH Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans and Bragança, Duchess of Segorbe, Doña Sol María de la Blanca de Medina y Orléans-Braganza, Countess of Ampurias, Princess Danica’s parents Beba and Milan Cile Marinkovic, as well as TRH Prince Mihailo, Princess Ljubica, Princess Natalija, and Princess Isidora, HRH Princess Elizabeth, His Eminence Archbishop and Metropolitan of Belgrade Msgr. Dr. Ladislav Nemet, HE Mr. Ivica Dacic, Minister of Interior Affairs of Serbia, Dr. Nikola Banjac, envoy of the Prime Minister of Serbia Mr. Miloš Vučević, Mr. Marko Romić, envoy of the President of Republika Srpska Mr. Milorad Dodik, as well as members of the Advisory Bodies of the Crown, and other friends of the Royal Family.

@Ana Marija Jovanović

@Ana Marija Jovanović   Hereditary Prince Philip, Nicholas de Roumanie, Princess Danica holding Princess Marija, Prince Stefan and Alina de Roumanie

HRH Princess Marija was born in Belgrade, Serbia on 5 November 2023. With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia, the bells of Belgrade’s St. Sava Temple tolled heralding the birth of the newborn member of the Royal Family of Serbia. That was the second time that the 49 bells of the biggest orthodox temple in the Balkans announced such a birth after it announced the birth of Princess Marija’s brother, HRH Prince Stefan. The bells of St. George church in Oplenac, as well as Gračanica Monastery and Ziča Monastery, tolled celebrating the birth, too. This birth of a female child was the first one in the Ruling Branch of the Royal Family of Serbia, after 139 years, when Princess Hellene, the daughter of HM King Peter I was born. "

 

Donna Elvira arrives in Hoboken

May 11, 1896

Donna Elvira Marie Therese Henriette de Bourbon, second daughter, and third child of Don Carlos, Carlist pretender to the Spanish throne, arrived earlier today in Hoboken, New Jersey.  She had traveled from Genoa, Italy onboard the German Lloyd steamship Kaiser Wilhelm II, reports the New York Times.

Donna Elvira,  traveling incognito, was born in Geneva on July 28, 1871.  She is a niece of Queen Maria Cristina of Spain, who is the regent of her young son, Alfonso XIII.   Elvira is a "good-looking woman, and has a pleasant voice and frank manner."  She was "very plainly attired."

She spoke to a New York Times reporter while she waited on the steamship wharf for her bags to be inspected.  She said that her health was not food, and she had become "enervated by the climate of Italy, where her family resides."

Her doctors recommended an ocean voyage, and she had "long-desired" to visit America.  She is accompanied by the Countess de Lausen and Dr Arturo Grosser, her physician, and a maid.   They were met by Dr. R.D. Cortina, who had been "specially requested" by Elvira's family "to look after her comfort and welfare" while she is in New York.

The doctor told the reporter that "no public importance could be attached" to Donna Elvira's visit.  She traveled to the United States "in search of health and recreation," and to learn more about the country.

As customs officials examined her boxes and trunks, Donna Elvira "waited patiently."  Afterward, she and her party were driven to Holland House, "where a suite of apartments had been engaged for them."

As she  travels incognito, Donna Elvira wants to "maintain the reserve," so she can travel freely and see "what she wishes without any formality or public attention being drawn to her.

Look is four already!

 

 © Maison du Grand-Duc / Céline Maia

HRH Prince Charles of Luxembourg was born on May 10, 2020.  He is the elder son of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg.

Lesson learned: Say no to GB "royal reporters"

 I have done several interviews with GB News' royal reporters.  I made it clear I never speculate. I rely on facts.   I can't read a royal's mind.   

A post I wrote about Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie got a bit of attention.  I agreed to talk to Dorothy Reddin, who covers the royals for GB News.  I did not expect her to add words to my comments. 

Here is Reddin's article.

https://www.gbnews.com/royal/princess-beatrice-princess-eugenie-kate-middleton-king-charles-royal-news

And my thought was, Beatrice and Eugenie already have offices covered by the sovereign grant.

I did not say this.   Why?  Because they don't have offices covered by the Sovereign Grant. Their father had an office at Buckingham Palace until he was forced to step down as a working royal following the 2019 BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis

"They, like most members of the Royal Family, lost their 24-hour security at least more than a decade ago now, and only have it when they go on engagements. But they do have a small office. 

I also did not say this to Ms.  Reddin.  I said they lost their security some years ago.   They do not have security when they do their charity work because their engagements are not official ... nor did I say they have a small office.  THEY DO NOT HAVE AN OFFICE.   The two princesses do not have security, they do not have private secretaries or offices at Buckingham Palace.  They are not working royals.

Geesh.  I have written to Dorothy Reddin asking her to remove those comments.  She did not respond.

I want to be clear that the bold words did not come from me.  

This is from my article, which Reddin read.

"It would be a good move for Beatrice and Eugenie to become part-time working royals, doing 5-10 engagements per month.    Most working royals have police protection only when they are carrying out engagements.  The PPOs protecting the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra could be reassigned to the York Princesses.

The Princesses could share a private secretary and a small office with Buckingham Palace staff.  The Sovereign Grant would cover the costs. I cannot crunch numbers but the expenses would be far less than for a full-time working royal."

Notice - the wording  "could share"  and "Sovereign Grant would cover the costs"   Dorothy Reddin should have referred back to my article, which was about a hypothetical situation.   I did not write they had an office covered by the Sovereign Grant.  I also did not say these things to Ms. Reddin.   

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2023/08/hear-me-out-beatrice-eugenie-should.html#google_vignette

So disappointed ... 

Crown Prince Leka's divorce is finalized

Embed from Getty Images

 

 The divorce between Crown Prince Leka and Crown Princess Elia of Albania was finalized by a Tirana court on April 25, 2024.  The settlement was agreed by both parties.   Elia, an actress, will resume use of her maiden name, Zaharia.

The divorce is based on an agreement signed by the former couple on January 24, 2024.  This agreement includes a financial settlement and Crown Prince Leka's visitation rights with his young daughter, Princess Geraldine.

There were three reasons for the divorce:  frequent conflicts, lack of communication between the couple, and interruption of cohabitation.  Both parties agreed to these reasons for the failure of their marriage.

Elia and Princess Geraldine will move into an apartment in the center of Tirana that Leka has purchased for Geraldine.  Elia can remain in this apartment as long as she does not have a partner.

Until the apartment is finished,  Elia and Geraldine will remain in the Royal Palace.   Prince Leka will be able to see his daughter daily although the primary custodian is Miss Zaharia.  He will pay €1000 per month as child support. 

Crown Prince Leka and Elia Zaharia were married in Tirana on October 8, 2016.  Their only child, Princess Geraldine was born on October 22, 2020.  She was the first member of the royal family to be born in Albania since the birth of her grandfather, King Leka (1939-2011).  The princess was named for her great-grandmother, Hungarian Countess Geraldine Apponyi de Nagy-Appony, whose mother was American.

Johannes Prince of Orsini u Rosenberg (1949-2024)

 

HSH Johannes Andreas Alois Heinrich Anton Josef Maria 7th Prince of Orsini u Rosenberg died on May 2, 2024 in Salzburg.   He was 74 years old

He was the eldest son of the late Heinrich Johannes Friedrich Maria, 6th Prince of Orsini u. Rosenberg (1925-2011) and Countess Eleonore von Goess.  He married Countess Marie Eleonore von Thun u. Hohenstein on September 23, 1978 in Vienna.

The late prince is survived by his three children,  Heinrich Johannes Mathias Josef Maria, 8th Prince of Orsini u Rosenberg, Countess Johanna Maria Andrea, Frau Schwarz, and Count Paul Markus Lukas of Orini u Rosenberg. and seven grandchildren, Ida, Ferdinand, Eleonore, Marie-Eleonore, Apollonia and Zeno.

Heinrich's son. Ferdinand is now the Hereditary Count  of Orsini u. Rosenberg.

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2011/12/prince-of-orsini-rosenberg.html

This is the death notice placed in the local newspaper,  Kleine Zeitung.  Unlike Germany, the late prince's "titles" are not included because former titles are not part of a surname in Austria.  

Crown Princess Elisabeth to attend Harvard

Embed from Getty Images

The Crown Princess of Belgium will attend Harvard University starting in the summer.  Princess Elisabeth, the heiress apparent to the throne, successfully completed the admission test for the Harvard Kennedy School in Boston, Massachusetts.  She will be working on a master's degree in public policy.  This is a two-year course.

Princess Elisabeth is completing her bachelor's degree in History and Politics at Oxford University's Lincoln College.

She also received an Honorary Award from the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, which "enables graduate students, young professionals, and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States."

This program is administered by binational Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or U.S. Embassies.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show

 Ken Stone has allowed me to use his photos from Day One and Day Two of the Royal Horse Show at Windsor.   Thank you!!!!!

Day One

all Photos @Ken Stone

Lady Alexandra Etherington with her goddaughter, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor,   the Duchess of Edinburgh, and behind her, the Earl of Wessex.  Lady Alexandra is the sister of the Duke of Fife.

the Earl of Wessex

The Duke of Edinburgh

The Duke and Duchess of Fife (Left - Back row) and the Duke of Edinburgh (front row, right)

The Duchess of Edinburgh

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh

The Duchess of Edinburgh

The Duchess of Edinburgh and the Crown Prince of Bahrain

The Duke of Edinburgh

A Pimm's Cup is the best

Day Two

The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor 

Prince Michael of Kent

The Duke and Duchess of Fife   The Duke is a great-grandson of Princess Louise, Princess Royal, eldest daughter of Edward VII

all photos @Ken Stone