King Harald back at work but scaling back duties

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King Harald V of Norway is back at work.  Due to his health, his engagements will be permanently reduced, according to the following press release.

"His Majesty the King is back at work today, Monday 22 April. In connection with the King resuming his work, some changes will be made to his program going forward.

From when the King is back at work today, he will resume his constitutional duties as head of state, conduct meetings and audiences at the Palace, as well as official visits around Norway.

However, the king will make adjustments to his program in the future, due to his age. This will entail a permanent reduction in the number and scope of activities in which the King participates. Practical arrangements will also be made in the implementation of his official activity.

His Majesty the King is happy to be back and resume his work."

 

Hereditary Prince Philip's response to official announcement

Courtesy of HRH Crown Prince Alexander

"I express great gratitude to my father for the love and attention he showed to me, my family, and my brothers Peter and Alexander as the Head of the Royal Household, but also for the historical responsibility he demonstrated towards the dynasty and the crown as the Head of the Royal Household.

As the heir to the Serbian Crown, who was born in exile and declared an enemy of the state of Yugoslavia as a baby, my father, Crown Prince Alexander, achieved historically important things both for the royal house of Serbia and for our homeland.

Thanks to that, new generations of Karađorđevićs are living and being born in Serbia today, who, freed from the heavy burden of exile, live, get educated, and work in their own country.

My father enabled the return to the homeland of the remains of the deceased members of the Royal Family, who were buried in exile and ensured their state burial in the family mausoleum of the Church of St. George on Oplenac, thus fulfilling the vow of the most beloved Serbian king, Peter I Karađorđević.

In the end, by his decision, my father made it possible for us, his sons, to live in the Palace Complex in Dedinje, which was bought and built from the personal funds of my great-grandfather King Alexander I and great-grandmother Queen Maria.

This created the conditions for three generations of Karađorđevićs to live together in this house for the first time in the history of the royal house because my father was the first head of the Royal House in the history of Serbia to welcome his grandchildren.

I am extremely happy and proud of my father’s decisions, I look forward to our joint work for the further progress and development of our Royal House, for the general benefit of our people and our country."

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2024/04/crown-prince-alexanders-sons-to-live-on.html

Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana of Greece announce a divorce

 

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Prince Nikolaos, 54, and Princess Tatiana, 43, were married on August 25, 2010, at the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Spetses, Greece.   The prince is the second son of the late King Constantine II of the Hellenes and Princess Anne Marie of Denmark.

The Venezuelan-born Tatiana is the daughter of the late Ladislav Vladimir Blatnik and Marie Blanche Bierlein.  

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They were last seen together on February 27, 2024, at the service of Thanksgiving for the late King Constantine II at St. George's Chapel, Windsor.

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Prince Nikolaos and the former Tatiana Ellinka Blatnik dated for several years before their engagement was announced on  December 28, 2009.

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The couple had no children.

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2009/12/royal-engagement.html

Lady Pamela Hicks celebrates her 95th birthday!

 

courtesy of Lady Pamela Hicks

A happy birthday to Lady Pamela Hicks!  She turns 95 years old today and is the oldest living descendant of Queen Victoria.

She is the younger daughter of Louis, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (ne HSH Prince Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas of Battenberg) and the Hon. Edwina Ashley.  Lady Pamela's older sister, Patricia (1924-2017), succeeded their father as the 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma following his assassination in 1979.

Marlene A Eilers Koenig collection

Lady Pamela's parents, then styled as Lord and Lady Louis Mountbatten were in Barcelona, Spain, when Edwina went into labor  They were staying at the Ritz Hotel.  Lord Louis called the main desk to ask for a doctor, but the best the hotel could find was an ear, nose and throat specialist.   Lord Louis then called his cousin, Queen Ena of Spain, in Madrid, but she was away.  Her husband, King Alfonso XIII answered the phone.

Lord Louis told the king: "We're having a baby."  Alfonso offered his congratulations, misunderstanding the message.  "Oh, my dear Dickie.  I won't tell anyone."    Louis countermanded with "Tell everyone. It's my wife. Edwina's having the baby."

The King said he would take care of it.  Thirty minutes later, the hotel was surrounded by Royal Guard.  A local doctor and an English nurse appeared "like an angel" and "administered chloroform " to deaden Edwina's pain. 

It was a difficult delivery for Edwina. Thankfully, her second daughter arrived safely.

Her baptism was celebrated on July 12, 1929, in the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace.  Lord and Lady Louis' infant daughter received the names Pamela Carmen Louise. Her godparents were the King of Spain, Prince George, the Marchioness of Milford Haven, the Countess of Brecknock (Lady Louis' first cousin), and the Duchess of Peñaranda (María del Carmen Saavedra y Collado, Marqués de Villaviciosa).

The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Gloucester, Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, Princess Beatrice, Princess Helena Victoria, Princess Marie Louise, and the Marchioness of Milford Haven were guests at the baptism.  Lady Pamela's five-year-old sister, Patricia was also present for the baptism.

She accompanied her parents to India where her father, as Viceroy, played a major role in the partition and independence of India and Pakistan.  She was one of Princess Elizabeth's bridesmaids at the latter's wedding to Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark.   Philip and Lady Pamela were first cousins.

In 1952, Lady Pamela was Princess Elizabeth's lady-in-waiting when the Princess and the Duke of Edinburgh were in Kenya when George VI died on February 6.  

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Marlene A Eilers Koenig Collection

Lady Pamela married interior designer David Hicks (1929-1998)  at Romsey Abbey on January 13, 1960.  They had three children: Edwina (1961), Ashley (1963), and India (1967).  She has 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Victoria - Alice - Victoria - Louis - Pamela 

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Lady Patricia and Lady Pamela - 1980s outside Lady Patricia's home in London 
@Marlene A Eilers Koenig

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-13327197/King-Charles-goddaughter-India-Hicks-pays-sweet-tribute-mother-Lady-Pamela-turns-95-reveals-birth-surprise-arrived-month-early.html

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https://royalbooknews.blogspot.com/2024/04/lady-pamela-by-india-hicks.html

Crown Prince Alexander's sons to live on Royal Compound

    

Hereditary Prince Philip, Crown  Prince Alexander and Prince Alexander

 

Belgrade, 18 April –2024

" On the meeting of the Advisory Bodies of the Crown, which was held today at the Royal Palace, members of the Privy Council and the Crown Council, acknowledged and warmly welcomed the decision made by the Head of the Royal Family of Serbia, HRH Crown Prince Alexander, which is unanimously recognized as very good, of great importance, and crucial for the future of the Karadjordjevic dynasty.

All present were rejoiced to hear that HRH Crown Prince Alexander, based on the provisions of the Family Regulations and other current legal acts, decided that the Thatched House building in the Palace Complex in Dedinje, Belgrade, will be used exclusively for housing of his sons, HRH Hereditary Prince Filip, HRH Prince Peter, and HRH Prince Alexander, with members of their closest families.

 “We would like to praise HRH Crown Prince Alexander for the wisdom expressed in this decision, as it is crucial for the future of the Karadjordjevic dynasty, and of course our homeland. The Royal family is one of the most important symbols of our state, our tradition, our history, and also our pledge for the future. For the first time in history, we have three generations of Karadjordjevic at the same place and at the same time. This is a true blessing for our people, and a symbol of stability, unity, and continuity”, was stated jointly by Privy and Crown Council members. As the Crown Prince is the Head of the Royal Family and President of the Advisory Bodies of the Crown, these kinds of decisions are in his sole competence and mandatory for all members of the Royal family, so they are not voted on at the meetings of the Crown Council, but they are acknowledged and discussed by members how to most efficiently support their implementation.

The advisors were also informed about the upcoming baptism of HRH Princess Maria, the daughter of Hereditary Prince Philip and Princess Danica, which will be held at the Royal Church of Saint Andrew the First Called, with an accompanying reception in the Royal Palace. The little Princess will be baptized by His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Porfirije. 

  Also, at this meeting the Advisory Bodies accepted the minutes from the previous meeting, held on 29 February 2024, in which the change in line of succession of the Royal Family of Serbia was acknowledged, stating: “The Privy Council and the Crown Council have taken note that as a result of the voluntary abdication of HRH Hereditary Prince Peter, his brother HRH Prince Filip is the indisputable Hereditary Prince, based on the principle of primogeniture, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and the Family Regulations for members of the Royal House of Karađorđevic”.

Advisory Bodies of the Crown once again emphasized that they will continue providing every support needed to HRH Crown Prince Alexander and the Royal Family of Serbia."

Another Romance brewing in Spain

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In mid-January, Irene Urdangarin y Borbon, the only daughter of Infanta Doña Cristina of Spain and her former husband Iñaki Urdangarin y Liebart, said goodbye to her family at the Zarzuela Palace as she was leaving for Cambodia to work with vulnerable and physically disabled children.  Cambodia has among the highest number of people with disabilities caused by polio and landmines.

Irene is staying at the Arrupe Center in Battambang, Cambodia, where, according to Hola, she is "completely dedicated to helping the most vulnerable people" and considering her own future.  It was difficult for her to encounter Cambodia's "extreme poverty and suffering.  She lives in a small house at the center, founded in 2001 by Bishop Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzalez, a Jesuit priest.

One of the guests at the goodbye party was Juan Urquijo y Moreno, whose sister, Teresa, married Madrid's mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida Navasqüés on April 6.  Juan shared photos and messages with Irene as she could not attend.    Her mother and brother, Juan Valentin were guests at the wedding.  

Juan, born in 1999, is the second child and only son of Beatriz Moreno y de Borbon and  Lucas Urquijo Fernández de Araoz.  He studied at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, England.    Beatriz owns a book-binding shop in Madrid.

 Irene and Juan got to know each other better last summer through Irene's first cousin, Victoria Federica Marichalar y Borbon.  Victoria Federica, whose mother is Infanta Elena of Spain, and Juan Urquijo met when they were students at St George's, a British school in Madrid.

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The relationship between Irene, who will celebrate her 19th birthday in June, and Juan, seven years her senior, began as a "special friendship" that has, according to several Spanish sources, become a romantic relationship.

Irene grew up in Geneva, Switzerland, where her mother is the Director of International Programmes of the La Caixa” Foundation "in charge of global health and development projects in the world’s most vulnerable countries."   Her parents were divorced at the end of 2023.

Their friendship began before Irene graduated from high school in 2023, but when she moved to Madrid to live with her grandmother, Queen Sofia, at the Zarzuela Palace, she and Juan could spend more time together.  Irene was in Madrid to get her driver's license.

According to Hola, the young couple spent nearly every day together until she flew to Cambodia, where she is expected to spend her gap year before returning home to attend university.

Their mothers have been friends since childhood.  Through King Alfonso XII,  Irene and Juan are fourth cousins.

Alfonso XII - Alfonso XIII - Juan, Count of Barcelona - Juan Carlos - Cristina -Irene 

Alfonso XII - Maria de las Mercedes - Alfonso, Duke of Calabria - Teresa - Beatriz - Juan

Irene and Juan are half-second cousins twice through the late Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, who was married twice. Irene is a descendant of the first marriage to Maria de las Mercedes, Princess of Asturias, elder sister of King Alfonso XIII.   Juan descends from Carlos' second marriage to Princess Louise of Orléans. 

Carlos, Duke of Calabria - Alfonso (Mercedes' son)  -  Princess Teresa - Beatriz - Teresa - Juan

Carlos. Duke of Calabria -  Mercedes (Louise's daughter) - King Juan Carlos - Cristina

Juan is a second cousin once removed of the late Juan Manuel de Urquijo, Count de Odiel, who was married to María Cristina de Baviera y Mesía, whose grandmother, Infanta Maria Teresa, was King Alfonso XIII's youngest sister.

The young couple share interests in movies, music, and reading Irene is a competent pianist like her aunt Princess Irene of Greece, for whom she was named.   During their time together, they have spent time in the countryside and skiing. 

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 In the previous photo, Juan is on the left next, as he and his mother and José Luis Martínez-Almeida Navasqüés welcome King Juan Carlos to the wedding of Juan's sister, Teresa.)

Irene is 10th in line to the Spanish throne.  

 

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2024/04/madrids-mayor-jose-luis-martinez.html

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2024/01/infanta-cristina-has-signed-divorce.html#google_vignette

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2014/07/maria-cristina-de-baviera-y-mesia-dead.html

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway - US official visit

 

@Tom Hansen / Innovasjon Norge

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway is in California on an official visit.

Today, he spoke at a seminar on offshore wind and green maritime industry at Shack15, San Francisco.  Here is the text of his speech.

"Good morning, everyone!   

It is fantastic to be back in California and back in the Bay Area here in San Francisco. A few years ago I was a student right across the Bay Bridge there, at UC Berkeley. I was very excited about coming to this area, being able to be a student at one of the most impressive universities and in this really vibrant area of the United States. It is fantastic to be back.

One of the first things I did when I came here was to go into the ocean. I had been windsurfing since I was a little kid, and now I wanted to start surfing. Anyone who has gone to Ocean Beach here at five thirty will know that it is brutal, so I had a tough time. It was really difficult to get out there. A lot of paddling and a lot of frustration. 

You know, what happens with surfing is that you have a storm quite far away, and it builds up energy with the water and it brings all this energy - it transports with the waves. And if you time it just right, you are able to harness that energy. And you can get this wonderful feeling of getting a connection to the ocean and with the elements.

And this brings me to today's topic... :)

Because it is harnessing the wind, the power of nature. 

California has some of the best offshore wind potential in the country and is uniquely positioned for the clean energy revolution.  

With its ambitious climate commitments, California has emerged as a global leader in the green transition. The spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship and optimism so characteristic of California’s identity is crucial as we address the global climate challenges.   

The aim of today’s conference is to explore how we best can work together to accelerate the green transition.

We will look at how new technology can help to shape a more sustainable future for the maritime industry, with a particular focus on offshore wind, green shipping and sustainable ports.  

California and Norway share a vision of developing clean and green energy solutions that will have positive impacts for the economy and the environment alike. 

Given our deep-water coastlines, we both have a special interest in exploring floating offshore wind power. As a global hub for technological innovation, California is well-positioned to lead the way in advancing and implementing this sophisticated technology. 

In Norway we have found that our experience with building and operating complex offshore installations can be directly transferred and applied to the challenges and opportunities posed by offshore wind projects. We have quite a bit of experience in working with offshore technology in the deep sea in harsh, dark and cold climate. So if we can do it Norway hopefully you can do in most other places as well.

Last summer, I had the pleasure of opening the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm – Hywind Tampen – 90 miles off the coast in the Norwegian North Sea. With eleven floating wind turbines, producing 88 MW of renewable energy, it represents a new chapter in Norway’s history as an energy pioneer. 

The combination of California’s entrepreneurial spirit and Norway’s experience with offshore installations in harsh marine environments provides the framework for a partnership with great potential.

I hope that your shared efforts will pave the way for a wide range of new, forward-looking partnerships. I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you. "

Birthday Boys

 

Both photos ©Belgian Royal Palace – Bas Bogaerts

Next week the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg will pay a State Visit to Belgium.  Today, the Royal Palace in Brussels released two photos of King Philippe of the Belgians, celebrating his birthday, and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg whose birthday is tomorrow.

King Philippe was born in Brussels on April 15, 1960, and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg was born on April 16, 1955 in Luxembourg.  The King and the Grand Duke are first cousins as Philippe's father, King Albert II, and Henri's mother, Princess Josephine Charlotte, were siblings.

Viscount Trematon is dead at the age of 20

April 15, 1928

Viscount Trematon, the son and heir of the Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of South Africa, died at the Lyons Hospital in France, this morning. He was 20 years old.

Lord Trematon, a nephew of Queen Mary, was injured on April 1 in an automobile accident near Lyons. One of his driving companions was killed instantly, and another "escaped unhurt.
"
The body of Lord Trematon will be sent to England tomorrow. The accident occurred on a "narrow road near Lyons," when Lord Trematon's car, in "passing another car, ran into a ditch and struck a tree," the New York Times reports. At first, medical reports stated that the young Viscount was seriously ill, "but not mortally injured."

Lord Athlone is the younger brother of Queen Mary. Six years ago, when Lord Athlone and his wife, Princess Alice, attended Queen Wilhelmina's New Year's reception, there were rumors that their son, Rupert, "might later become the husband of Princess Juliana," then age 11 and four years his junior. It should be noted, however, that Princess Alice and Queen Wilhelmina are first cousins, who are also close friends.

The Times reports that Lord Trematon died at 3 a.m., this morning. He had passed the "night quietly, but continually lost strength owing to the difficulty he experienced in taking nourishment. At 9 p.m., last night, hospital officials announced, "that it was unlikely that he would live through the night."

Princess Alice is the daughter of the late Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, and Princess Helen of Waldeck und Pyrmont, whose sister, Emma, is the mother of Queen Wilhelmina. In 1904, Alice married Prince Alexander of Teck, one of three sons of the late Duke of Teck and Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge. Rupert and his older sister, Mary, were born in Britain but bore the title Prince and Princess of Teck with the rank of Serene Highness. Alice was styled as HRH Princess Alexander of Teck.

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On July 14, 1917, the members of the British Royal Family who were styled by German titles, renounced those titles and were given British peerages. Alexander's older brother, Adolphus, the Duke of Teck, created the  Marquess of Cambridge, and Alexander was created for the Earl of Athlone. His wife, a British princess in her own right, adopted the style of HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone. Princess May and Prince Rupert became Lady May Cambridge and Viscount Trematon.

Lord Trematon's funeral will be held at St. George's Chapel, Windsor.  It will be "of a private nature." He will be buried at Frogmore, where his grandparents, the Duke and Duchess of Albany, and the Duke and Duchess of Teck are buried. His uncle, the Marquess of Cambridge is also buried at Frogmore.

There will be no court mourning, according to the Lord Chamberlain.

The King and Queen have sent the following telegram to the Lord Mayor of London's expression of sympathy: "The Queen joins with me in sincerely thanking you, my Lord Mayor, and the citizens of London for your kind message of sympathy in the loss we have sustained by the sad death of our nephew. George R.I."

Rupert Alexander George Augustus Cambridge was sent to Eton, where he was a "wet bob," although he never participated in sports. He was "very popular with his schoolfellows, and developed into a young man of fine physique." Lord Trematon left Eton in 1925, and "went up" to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he "made many friends. He had an "inquiring turn of mind and was keenly interested in wireless and engineering."

Lord Trematon enjoyed riding and was often seen in Windsor Great Park on "his favourite pony." He grew up in the Henry III Tower, Windsor Castle, where his parent lived before Lord Athlone's appointment as Governor-General of South Africa in 1924. Last year, he went out to South Africa to visit his parents, and he was an "excellent shot," he was able to enjoy the "big game shooting." 

On his 19th birthday, he "shot a lion, and buffalo and rhinoceros also fell to his gun."

The "news of his death will be a great shock to all who knew him."

Lord Trematon is survived by his parents, the Earl of Athlone and Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, and an older sister, Lady May Helen Emma Cambridge.

Duke of Kent cedes Colonelcy of Scots Guards to the Duke of Edinburgh

 

@Scots Guards

New strife in the Princely House of Leiningen

 

 @Svenja / Castleholic.com 

Is history about to repeat itself?  The latest issue of Bunte includes a fascinating article "Wieder droht in erbitterer Streit ums Erbe," which translates to "There is another inheritance dispute", in the Princely House of Leiningen.

Andreas, the 8th Prince of Leiningen, has announced that his younger son, Prince Hermann, will take over the family businesses, bypassing, the elder son, Hereditary Prince Ferdinand, who will remain the heir to the title.  The Prince has already "entrusted him with important administrative positions," according to Bunte.

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 The 41-year-old Ferdinand is married to Princess Viktoria Luise of Prussia.  They have two daughters.  The Hereditary Princess is the Vice President of Deutsche Börse.

In 2011, the Hereditary Prince was named as Managing Director of Schloss Waldleiningen, a psychosomatic clinic, housed in one of the family properties.  He remained in the position until 2022 when his father removed him from the position.  Bunte reports Prince Andreas was concerned about Ferdinand's management.   

The magazine also states that a debt is the conflict between Andreas and Ferdinand.  I have heard more about the situation. I will use the words alleged or allegedly in reporting this information.

It has been alleged that the Hereditary Prince is concerned about his father's management of the Leiningen portfolio (financial investments, real estate, and forestry.)   Andreas has had to allegedly provide financial infusions to a firm run by his younger son.  

Ferdinand allegedly confronted his father about the financial situation, which led to Andreas dismissing him as managing director of Schloss Waldleiningen.   The Hereditary Prince and his younger brother are also estranged.  

The Hereditary Prince may seek legal action.  He has the support of members of German noble families as many believe his father's actions toward him are "unjustified."

This is not the first time the Leiningen Princely family has been fractured.  In May 1991, Hereditary Prince Karl-Emich, eldest son of Emich, 7th Prince of Leiningen, married Gabriele Thyssen.  This was his second marriage.  His first wife was Princess Margarita of Hohenlohe-Öhringen.  She was killed in a car crash in 1989, five years after their wedding.

Karl-Emich's marriage did not receive his father's approbation.  Shortly before his death in October 1991, the Prince of Leiningen flew to Munich to meet with his lawyers on the airport's runway to change his will and disinherit his eldest son, in favor of his younger son, Prince Andreas, who married Princess Alexandra of Hanover in 1981.   The Princess of Leiningen is the younger sister of Prince Ernst August of Hanover, the de jure King of Hanover, who is also estranged from his eldest son and heir.  

The former Hereditary Prince lost every round in the German courts. He -- and his nephew,  Ferdinand, were raised to take over the family businesses.  Karl-Emich's second marriage ended in divorce in 1998.  A few weeks later, Gabriele, a convert to Islam, became the second wife of the Aga Khan.  

Andreas was recognized as the titular 8th Prince of Leiningen, succeeding his father.  Apparently, family strife can be generational.

a Princely wedding: Leiningen-Hayek

@Linkedin

@linkedin

Princess Cecilia Maria Stephanie of Leiningen and Elie Dimitri Hayek were married on September 2, 2023, in a Lutheran ceremony at Amorbach Abbey in Amorbach.  Their civil wedding place the evening before in the Abbey's refectory.  The civil ceremony was conducted by Amorbach's mayor, Peter Schmitt.

Cecilia is the only child of Prince Karl-Emich, eldest son of the late Emich, 7th Prince of Leiningen, and Princess Margarita of Hohelohe-Öhringen.  She was born on June 10, 1988, in Frankfurt-am-Main.  She was eight months old when her mother was killed in an auto accident in February 1989.

Elie Hayek is the son of Walid Hayek and Nelly Kanaan.  He was born in the  Achrafieh area of East Beirut.  The Hayek family is one of the most prominent families in Achrafieh and used to own most of the land in the area.

The service was conducted in German and French, the latter language for the groom's family.  The groom's uncle sang a Greek Orthodox wedding song during the ceremony. The prayer intercessions were said in different languages by family members. At the end of the ceremony, Elie Dimitri's father gave a traditional Greek Orthodox wedding blessing in Arabic.

The bride's family including her father, Prince Karl-Emich, and her mother's family, were present for the ceremony. Elie Dimitri's parents and other relatives came from Lebanon.

Princess Cecilie attended Schloss Salem, where she graduated in 2007.  She has a BA in Media Management from Macromedia München and recently received her MBA from Steinbeis University.

Elie Dimitri studied at Saint Joseph University of Beirut, earning his bachelor's and master's degrees in Information Technology. 

Cecilie and Elie Dimitri live and work iMunich.  The princess works in direct marketing for MediaMarktSaturn and her husband is a senior business analyst for PagoNxt.

King Charles and Queen Camilla

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Today, King Charles and Queen Camilla celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary. They were married in a civil ceremony at Windsor's Guildhall, followed by a Service of Blessing at St. George's Chapel and a reception at Windsor Castle.

The link will take you to a History Extra article I wrote in 2022.

https://archive.ph/Ubn81

 

Mass for Fernando Gómez-Acebo

 

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were guests at a Mass tribute for his late cousin, Fernando Gómez-Acebo y Borbon.  The service was held at Iglesia Catedral de las Fuerzas Armadas.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia,  Infanta Elena and her two children, Felipe Juan Froilán and Victoria Federica de Marichalar, Infanta Cristina,  Infanta Margarita, Duchess of Hernani with her husband, Carlos Zurita and children, Alfonso and Maria Zurita,  Don Luis Alfonso de Borbon y Franco,  Princess Carla of Bulgaria and her son, Prince Mirko were also at the service.

Don Fernando's widow, Nadia Halamandari, and their son Nicolas Gómez-Acebo y Halamandari and at least two of his siblings, Don Beltran (and his wife, Andrea Pascual) and Doña Simonetta attended the Roman Catholic mass. 

Don Fernando died on March 1.  He was the youngest of five children of the late Infanta Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz, and Don Luis Gómez-Acebo y Duque de Estrada, 2nd Viscount of La Torre.   

The photos do not have embedding codes for blogs.  I cannot use Getty's photos on Royal Musings.

Here is the link to the photos for your perusal.

https://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?events=776129050&family=editorial&sort=newest

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2024/03/qvd-fernando-gomez-acebo-de-borbon-1974.html

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2024/03/remembering-don-fernando-gomez-acebo.html

Another huge Milestone: 23 million

 

Royal Musings has reached 23 million visitors since July 2008.  I am gobsmacked by this.  On behalf of  Harper Lee and Fleur Victoria, Thank you to my readers and visitors.  I am chuffed beyond belief.

I am the light of Mommy's life.

Fleur is already planning another article