The 35th Birthday of the Princess Napoléon

 

Today, Princess Olympia Napoléon celebrates her thirty-fifth birthday!

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Born on 4 January 1988 at Munich, Countess Olympia Elene Marie of Arco-Zinneberg was the third daughter of Count Riprand of Arco-Zinneberg (1955-2021) and Archduchess Maria Beatrix of Austria (b.1954). Riprand and Maria Beatrix were married in 1980 and became the parents of six daughters: Anna Theresa (b.1981), Margherita (b.1983), Olympia (b.1988), Maximiliana (b.1990), Marie-Gabrielle (b.1992), and Giorgiana (b.1997). The family lived between Germany and the United States, where Olympia's father Riprand had business interests.

Olympia graduated from Yale University in 2011 with a B.A. in Political Science. The countess went on to Columbia University in the City of New York, where she emerged in 2015 with a M.A. in Art History. Olympia played on the hockey teams of both Yale and Columbia. While at Yale, she was featured in a university publication wherein she elaborated on her educational experiences: "I am from Austria. I’ve also lived in Germany and Connecticut. I went to boarding school in the United Kingdom and took my gap year in Shanghai, China. Since coming to Yale, I did the Yale-Peking University program during my spring semester sophomore year. Next fall I will spend the semester in Paris." It was during this Paris sejourn that the countess and the prince made one another's acquaintance.

Countess Olympia of Arco-Zinneberg with her father Count Riprand

In March 2019, it became publicly known that Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon, son of Prince Charles Napoléon and Princess Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, had become engaged to Countess Olympia of Arco-Zinneberg, daughter of Count Riprand of Arco-Zinneberg and Archduchess Maria Beatrix of Autria. Jean-Christophe and Olympia have been in a relationship for some years. The prince had proposed to the countess in January 2019 in Switzerland. Jean-Christophe's grandmother, the Dowager Princess Napoléon, resides in Switzerland at Prangins. Jean-Christophe and Olympia married on 19 October 2019 at the Cathedrale Saint-Louis des Invalides in Paris.

Princess Béatrice, Prince Jean-Christophe, Princess Alix, and Princess Olympia.

Princess Olympia Napoléon gave birth to a son, Prince Louis Charles Riprand Victor Jérôme Marie Napoleon, on 7 December 2022 at Paris. Prince Louis is the first child for Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon and Princess Olympia. The arrival of Prince Louis secures the continuity of the Bonaparte dynasty for another generation.

Our best wishes to the Princess Napoléon on her birthday!

The 98th Birthday of Maria von Hanau: A Hungarian Refugee to the US Who Became A Princess

 

Princess Maria.

Maria Madelaine (de) Kossaczky was born on 9 December 1924 at Budapest, Hungary, as the only child of Major General Árpád Vitéz Kossaczky (Szeleste, Austria-Hungary 9 April 1886-Miami, Florida 24 June 1967) and Ilona Wallner (Nagyszombat, Austria-Hungary 16 November 1891-Greenwich, Connecticut 3 December 1983). Árpád and Ilona were married on 10 November 1919 at Trnava, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). Their daughter Maria arrived five years later.

Major General Árpád Kossaczky fought in the Austro-Hungarian army during World War I. In the 1950s, he recalled his time in the military on the Russian front, with regards to the conditions of the Russian soldiers: "Some of them cannot read or write." Kossaczky was firmly anti-Communist, and he founded a publishing and printing house in Budapest, which he ran until 1941. 

In Budapest, Maria attended Pázmány Péter Catholic University, and she then continued her studies at the University of Innsbruck (Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck), where she focused on art history. In November 1949, Maria came to the United States as a displaced person in thanks to sponsorship from the Pi Beta Phi sorority. After arriving in the States, Maria enrolled at the University of Texas (UT), where she studied languages - her original intention had been to study interior design. While at UT, Maria worked as a teaching fellow in the German language department. Maria received a master's degree in German from the University of Texas. She went on to teach French, German, and European history at San Antonio College. 

Reunited: Maria with her mother and father in 1951.
Photo (c) Neal Douglass Photos.

Through the sponsorship of friends, Maria's parents were able to immigrate to the United States in 1951. They had previously fled Hungary for Germany in 1945, and then relocated from Germany to Austria, where they lived in the French Zone. The Texan press covered the reunion of Maria and her parents when they arrived in April 1951. Maria's mother Ilona remarked after seeing her daughter, who had adapted to being a college student, "poised and self-assured," in Texas: "In disposition, she is the same, but when I look at her and hear her talk I must tell myself she is Maria." 

Maria walks down the aisle with her father Major General Kossaczky.

Friedrich Wilhelm and Maria exchange wedding bands.

Princess Maria, pictured after throwing her bouquet, with Countess Rose Fugger von Babenhausen, a first cousin of Maria's husband.

Maria and Friedrich Wilhelm drink from the Kossaczsky silver wine goblet and its smaller cup. 

On 5 June 1954, Maria Madelaine de Kossaczky married Prince Friedrich Wilhelm von Hanau, Count von Schaumburg, at 11:00am during a nuptial mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in Austin, Texas. Princess Maria's wedding outfit was thusly described by The Austin American of 8 June 1954: "She was attired in a gown of off-white peau de soie, designed with scooped neckline, Venetian point lace inlay, long pointed sleeves, Empire waistline, a bell-skirt with a long train... Her only jewelry was a pair of diamond earrings given her by her mother, which once were worn by her grandmother in Hungary." The maid of honour was Countess Andrea Széchényi von Sárvár-Felsövidék; the bridesmaids were Miss Jane Markman Wray, Miss Eugenia Hill, Miss Jo Jo Oefinger, Miss Emily Ann Finch, and Countess Rose Fugger von Babenhausen. The bestman was Mayor Andrew Wessling of Alamo City; the groomsmen were Dr Rudoph Winkelbauer, Lieutenant George Price, Mr August Clemens, Mr Jack Hebdon, and Mr Robert Schupbach. The Reverend Andrew J. Mulreany officiated over the wedding, which was followed by a reception at the home of Mr and Mrs Robert B. Thrasher of Grove House. During the reception, which was attended by 150 guests, Prince Friedrich Wilhelm and Princess Maria von Hanau shared a toast from a silver goblet brought over by her parents. Her mother Ilona, who wore a mauve dress and a diamond pendant, explained, "My husband and I drank from it at our wedding also." The couple then departed for a week's honeymoon, after which they settled in an apartment in San Antonio.

Friedrich Wilhelm in 1953.

Born on 3 December 1927 at Horowitz, Czechoslovakia, Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich von Hanau was the fourth children and third son of Fürst Heinrich von Hanau (1900-1971) and Countess Maria Theresia Fugger von Babenhausen (1899-1994). In 1952, Friedrich Wilhelm came to the USA and settled in Texas. The prince took a job with the Southern Steel Company, and he was taking night classes at San Antonio College in geology. Friedrich Wilhelm went on to become the senior vice president of BMW North America. 

On 5 June 1956 (their second anniversary) at San Antonio, Prince Friedrich Wilhelm and Princess Maria welcomed the arrival of their only child, Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Christoph von Hanau, Count of Schaumburg. Prince Christoph married Candace McDowell on 13 June 1987 at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Catherine of Siena in Riverside, Connecticut. Over time, Friedrich Wilhelm and Maria were blessed with two grandchildren, Princess Victoria (b.1990) and Prince Maximilian (b.1993).

Prince Friedrich Wilhelm von Hanau died on 4 June 2016 at his home in San Antonio. His wife Princess Maria and his son Prince Christoph were by his bedside. Princess Maria was left a widow after almost precisely sixty-two years of marriage.

Our best wishes to Princess Maria on her birthday!

The 50th Birthday of Twins Prince Jaime and Princess Margarita of Bourbon-Parma!

Princess Irene with the twins.

Today, Prince Jaime of Bourbon-Parma, Count of Bardi, and Princess Margarita of Bourbon-Parma, Countess of Colorno, celebrate their fiftieth birthdays!

The twins with their older brother Prince Carlos.

On 13 October 1972 at Nimeguen, the twins Prince Jaime Bernardo and Princess Margarita Maria Beatrix of Bourbon-Parma were born as the second and third children of Prince Carlos Hugo, Duke of Parma, and Princess Irene of the Netherlands, who wed in 1964. Jaime and Margarita joined an older brother, Prince Carlos (b.1970; married Annemarie Cecilia Gualthérie van Weezel), and were followed by a younger sister, Princess Maria Carolina (b.1974; married Albert Brenninkmeijer). 

Prince Jaime and Princess Irene.

King Willem Alexander and Queen Máxima with their three daughters.

Princess Viktória and Prince Jaime.

On 5 October 2013 at Apeldoorn, Prince Jaime of Bourbon-Parma married Viktória Cservenyák (b.1982). The couple's wedding was attended by many relatives, including the groom's aunt Princess Beatrix of The Netherlands and his first cousin King Willem Alexander of The Netherlands. Jaime and Viktória have two daughters: Princess Zita Clara (b.2014) and Princess Gloria Irene (b.2016).

On 3 May 2008 at Maarsbergen, Princess Margarita of Bourbon-Parma married Tjalling Siebe ten Cate (b.1975). The princess had previously been married from 2001 until 2006 to Edwin de Roy van Zuydewijn. Margarita and Tjalling have two daughters: Julia (b.2008) and Paola (b.2011).

Wishing Prince Jaime and Princess Margarita a very Happy Birthday!

The 80th Birthday of Princess Marion d'Orléans, Dowager Countess of La Marche

Thibaut, Marion, and Robert. Photo (c) Micheline PELLETIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images.

Today, Princess Marion d'Orléans, Dowager Countess of La Marche, celebrates her eightieth birthday.

Born on 4 September 1942 at Santiago, Chile, Marion Mercedes Gordon-Orr was the only daughter of James Gordon-Orr (1894-1973), an engineer, and Gertrude Mercedes Devia Hermosilla (1914-2003). Marion's paternal grandparents were Alexander Orr (1838-1919) and Clara Eliza Gordon (1858-1947). 

Thibaut and Marion shortly before their marriage, 1972.

In 1968, Marion first met Prince Thibaut d'Orléans, the youngest child of Prince Henri and Princess Isabelle, Count and Countess of Paris. At the time, Marion was working as an interpreter in Paris for an American firm. 

Thibaut and Marion.

The newlyweds.

On 23 September 1972 at Edinburgh, Marion Gordon-Orr, aged thirty, married Prince Thibaut, aged twenty-four. The royal couple celebrated their religious marriage at the private chapel of Cardinal Gray, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh. At the time, their union was not pleasing to the groom's father, and the Count of Paris forbade all family members from attending the wedding. Thibaut's sister Princess Claude, then still Duchess of Aosta, was his only sibling to go against the wishes of the Orléans patriarch, and she was present to celebrate Thibaut and Marion's nuptials. 

During their marriage, Thibaut and Marion travelled widely. They visited Peru, Colombia, and Chile, where Marion was born. In Marion, Thibaut found a soul who shared his love of the discovery of lesser-known peoples and their cultures. Between 1973 and 1974, the couple wrote six books in the Les Princes du sang series; these books detailed the fate of a fictional German princely family. The first of these books was published in English under the title A Castle in Bavaria. 

Marion, Thibaut, and their eldest son Robert.

Prince Thibaut and Princess Marion had two children, both sons and both born while Thibaut and Marion were staying with her mother in Edinburgh. Prince Robert d'Orléans arrived on 6 September 1976; Robert's godparents are Viscount Paul de La Panouse, one of his parents' dearest friends, as well as his aunt Princess Claude, Duchess of Aosta. Robert's birth led to a reconciliation between his father Thibaut and his grandfather Henri. Three years later, the family was completed by the birth of Louis-Philippe on 18 April 1979; his godparents were Count Charles of Bourbon-Busset and the infant's grandmother Madame the Countess of Paris. Tragically, eight-month-old Louis-Philippe died on 2 January 1980 from sepsis. The sudden and unexpected loss of Louis-Philippe, coupled with the brutally insensitive decision of his grandfather the Count of Paris that the young child could not be buried in the Chapel Royal of Dreux as he was not a dynast, was a blow to Thibaut and Marion. 

The Count and Countess de La Marche, 28 June 1981. Photo (c) AKSARAN/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images.

In the months following his son's funeral, Thibaut d'Orléans was imprisoned for eighteen months for complicity in the theft of works of art. The case caused a stir and the problems of the Count and Countess of La Marche made the way to the front page of many French newspapers. Thibaut was tied with an attempt to steal works of art by Suzanne Courty.

Marion with her son Robert at the funeral of her husband Thibaut, 1983. Photo (c) Getty Images / Alain Mingam.

After his release from prison, the Count of la Marche left France to organise safaris for tourists in the Central African Republic. Marion and their son Robert remained in France. On 23 March 1983, Prince Thibaut died at hospital in Bangui, in circumstances that have been considered by some to be mysterious. The prince was thirty-five years-old when he died. Thibaut's funeral was attended by most of the Royal Family of France; even the separated Count and Countess of Clermont and divorced Princess Claude and Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta, came together to support Marion and her son Robert. 

Marion and Thibaut in Paris, 1977. Photo (c) AGIP / Bridgeman Images.

After the death of her husband, Princess Marion focused on the upbringing of their only surviving son, Robert. In 1999, after her brother-in-law Prince Henri succeeded as Head of the Royal House of France, Henri retroactively recognised Thibaut and Marion's marriage and, in doing so, Henri declared that their son Robert is a dynastic member of the royal house. Princess Marion lives discretely and quietly; however, on occasion, one can still spot her attending Orléans family functions. 

May Princess Marion be blessed with a very happy birthday!

The 50th Birthday of Archduchess Eilika of Austria

Archduchess Eilika and Archduke Georg of Austria, 2016. The couple are here attending the wedding in Tirana of Crown Prince Leka of Albania. Photo (c) Seth B. Leonard.

Today, Archduchess Eilika of Austria celebrates her fiftieth birthday!

Johann and Ilka of Oldenburg with their daughter Eilika and her fiancé Georg of Austria in 1997. Photograph (c) Seeger-Presse.

Born on 22 August 1972 at Bad Segeberg, Duchess Eilika Helene Jutta Clementine of Oldenburg was the eldest child of Duke Johann of Oldenburg (b.1940) and Duchess Ilka (b.1942; née Countess zu Ortenburg), who wed in 1971. Eilika was followed by a sister and a brother: Duchess Tatjana (b.1974; married Count Axel de Chavagnac) and Duke Konstantin (b.1975; married Esther Sáchez Calvo). From 1993-1994, Eilika of Oldenburg attended the Sorbonne in Paris. In the summer of 1994, the duchess studied the Spanish language in Madrid. Between 1996-1997, Eilika enrolled at the University of Lille where her focus was business management. 

Hereditary Grand Duke Nikolaus of Oldenburg and Hereditary Grand Duchess Helene (née Waldeck und Pyrmont)

Eilika's paternal grandparents were Hereditary Grand Duke Nikolaus of Oldenburg (1897-1970) and his first wife Hereditary Grand Duchess Helene (1899-1948; née Princess of Waldeck and Pyrmont). Her maternal grandparents were Count Alfred-Friedrich zu Ortenburg (1906-1973) and Jutta von Lücken (1906-1991).

Georg and Eilika on their wedding day, 1997. Photo (c) Getty Images / Jean-Claude Deutsch.

On 18 October 1997 at Budapest, Duchess Eilika of Oldenburg married Archduke Georg of Austria (b.1964), the youngest child and second son of Archduke Otto of Austria and Archduchess Regina (née Princess of Saxe-Meiningen). In addition to the Habsburg and Oldenburg families, their wedding was attended by King Felipe VI of Spain (then Prince of Asturias) and Prince Albert II of Monaco (then Hereditary Prince of Monaco). Through their respective mothers, Duchess Eilika and Archduke Georg are fifth half cousins once removed; they are both descendants of Kurfürst Wilhelm II of Hessen (1777-1847), with Georg descending from Wilhelm and his first wife Princess Auguste of Prussia (1780-1841) and with Eilika descending from Wilhelm and his second wife Emilie Ortlöpp, Countess von Reichenbach und Lessonitz (1791-1843).

Archduke Georg and Archduchess Eilika with their parents and their three children, 2004. Photo (c) Getty Images / Isza Ferenc.

Archduke Georg and Archduchess Eilika are the parents of three children: Archduchess Zsófia "Sophie" (b.2001), Archduchess Ildiko (b.2002), and Archduke Károly-Konstantin (b.2004). Georg and Eilika had made their home in Budapest, the Hungarian capital, which is where their three children were born.

In September 1998, Eilika founded the Eilika of Habsburg Foundation (HABSBURG EILIKA ALAPITVÁNY) in Hungary. The foundation has provided support to hospitals and social institutions in the country. At a certain point, the archduchess began to focus on encouraging adults and children to participate in equestrian sports by facilitating training and practice. Eilika recalled: "When I came to Hungary as a young bride, I didn't speak a word of Hungarian and didn't even understand the language. However, my language skills have now at least developed to such a level that, for example, I can comprehend the information that people tell me and pass it on. I've always been a curious person who likes to work, and if necessary I'll do hard physical work. I can say that my work is also my hobby, and my hobby is also my work...and I give many people the opportunity to enjoy this hobby with us...I have been riding since my early childhood and have passed this passion on to my children. Horse riding is not only a sport but also a way of life. It helps with body language, communication, clear and honest words and driving skills." Eilika's son Karoly is also becoming an accomplished horseman, following in the steps of his mother.

Our best wishes to the Archduchess on her birthday!

Prince Achi of Greece Turns Twenty!

Prince Achileas-Andreas of Greece and Denmark

Today HRH Prince Achileas-Andreas of Greece and Denmark celebrates his twentieth birthday!

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The prince was born on 12 August 2000 at NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital, New York City.. He is the third child and second son of Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece and Crown Princess Marie Chantal (née Miller). Achi, as he is known in the family, has two older siblings: Princess Maria-Olympia (b.1996) and Prince Constantine-Alexios (b.1998). Achileas-Andreas was followed by two younger brothers: Prince Odysseus-Kimon (b.2004) and Prince Aristidis-Stavros (b.2008).

 

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The christening of Prince Achileas-Andreas took place on 7 June 2001 at the Greek Cathedral of Saint Sophia in London. The Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain, Gregorios, officiated over the ceremony. The prince's godparents are Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark; Infanta Elena of Spain, Duchess of Lugo; Prince Alexander von Furstenberg; Crown Prince Kardam of Bulgaria; Princess Rosario of Bulgaria; Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg; and Miss Veronica Toub.

 

 

 

 

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Achileas-Andreas was educated at Wellington College in Berkshire. With his parents and younger siblings, the prince moved back to New York City when his sister Olympia and brother Tino started university. In June 2019, Achileas-Andreas graduated from Dwight High School in New York. In September 2019, Achi of Greece began attending NYU (New York University).

 

The 80th Birthday of Prince Rémy of Bourbon-Parma

Prince Guy, Princess Maria, Prince Rémy, Princess Chantal, and Prince Louis of Parma.

On 14 July 1942 at Cannes, Prince Rémy François Xavier Louis Robert Victor of Bourbon-Parma was born as the second son and child of Prince Louis of Bourbon-Parma (1889-1967) and Princess Maria of Savoy (1914-2001), who wed in 1939. Rémy has three siblings: Prince Guy (1940-1991; married Brigitte Peu-Duvallon), Princess Chantal (b.1946; married 1st Panayotis Skinas; married 2nd François-Henri des Georges), and Prince Jean (b.1961; married Virginia Roatta).

The paternal grandparents of Prince Rémy were Duke Roberto I of Parma (1848-1907) and his second wife Infanta Maria Antonia of Portugal (1862-1959). Rémy's maternal grandparents were King Vittorio Emanuele III of Italy (1869-1947) and Princess Elena of Montenegro (1873-1952).

Princess Aude and her father Prince Rémy.

In 1973, Prince Rémy of Bourbon-Parma married Laurence Dufresne d'Arganchy (b.1951). The couple divorced in 1983, after having had two children: son Prince Tristan (b.1974) and Princess Aude (b.1977). In 2003, Prince Rémy married Madame Elisabeth Tardif. 

Our best wishes to the Prince on his birthday!

The 90th Birthday of Count Bertram zu Castell-Rüdenhausen, First Cousin of Swedish King

Count Bertram at an exhibition of his art, 1997. Photo (c) Seeger-Presse.

Born on 12 July 1932 at Golßen, Count Bertram Friedrich zu Castell-Rüdenhausen was the first child of Count Friedrich zu Castell-Rüdenhausen (1906-1940) and Princess Karoline-Mathilde "Calma" of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1912-1983), who wed in 1931. Bertram was joined by two younger siblings: Count Conradin (1933-2011; married Marta Lönegren) and Countess Viktoria (b.1935; married Sir John Miles Huntington-Whiteley, 4th Baronet). In 1938, Bertram's parents divorced; that same year, his mother Princess Calma married Captain Max Schnirring, a union that gave Bertram three younger half-siblings. In 1939, his father married Countess Elizabeth zu Castell-Rüdenhausen, a union that gave Bertram a younger half-brother.

The Royal Bridges organisation provides an insightful look into Bertram's education and career:

"After sporadically attending school, he was educated as a wood-carver, building fitter, and grain merchant. For four years, Castell served as a Federal Border Guard (Bundesgrenzschutzbeamter), followed by work as a salesman for beauty care and hygiene products, as an ice cream vendor and a bookseller. In 1963, Castell moved to Vienna, Austria, where he enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts (Akademie der bildenden Künste) to study painting in Herbert Boeckl’s master class. Since 1965 he has been working as a freelance artist, graphic designer, art director, creative director, and occasionally as a bartender and decorator."

On 10 October 1964 at Vienna, Count Bertram zu Castell-Rüdenhausen married Countess Felizitas von Auersperg (b.1944). The couple have two sons: Count Dominik (b.1965) and Count Michael (b.1967). 

Count Bertram is a first cousin of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, as their mothers were sisters.

Our best wishes to Count Bertram on his birthday!

Happy Birthday of Princess Barbara of Yugoslavia!

Princess Barbara.

(These images are not to be used or reproduced without permission!)

Today, Princess Barbara of Yugoslavia celebrates her eightieth birthday! Earlier this week, the princess marked this special occasion in Vienna with her son Prince Dushan and her daughter-in-law Princess Valerie. 

From the left: Prince Albrecht, Princess Karoline, Princess Barbara, and Prince Eugen of Liechtenstein. (These images are not to be used or reproduced without permission!)

From the left: Prince Albrecht, Prince Eugen, their cousin Prince Monica (in first communion dress),
their grandmother Princess Marie (Marizza), and Princess Barbara of Liechtenstein.
(These images are not to be used or reproduced without permission!)

Princess Marie Eleonore, Prince Albrecht, Princess Karoline holding Princess Barbara,
and Prince Eugen of Liechtenstein.
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Born on 9 July 1942 at Mährisch-Sternberg, Princess Barbara Eleonora Marie of Liechtenstein was the fourth child and second daughter of Prince Johannes of Liechtenstein (1910-1975) and Princess Karoline (1912-1996; née Countess von Ledebur-Wicheln), who wed in 1936. Princess Barbara joined three older siblings: Princess Marie Eleonore (1937-2002), Prince Eugen (b.1939; married Countess Maria Theresia von Goëß), and Prince Albrecht (1940-2017; married 1st Tamara Nyman; married 2nd Mylena Tullio).

Princess Barbara, early 1970s. (These images are not to be used or reproduced without permission!)

The princess attended schools in Paris, Rome, and Vienna. In the early 1970s, Princess Barbara was a special consultant for Eve of Roma. In an interview with the Associated Press at the time while on a visit to the United States, the princess reflected: "My life had to be different. My parents were strict and always reminded me that people would look more at me than at other people. It is true. In the United States, I am asked incredible questions, such as how it feels to be a princess. I always answer that I am so used to it that I don't think about it." Princess Barbara gave some sage advise to women regarding the application of their makeup: "This is what I am going to tell girls: You cannot smear makeup on your face and expect to look pretty. One must experiment, sitting before a mirror with the cosmetics and makeup remover. They should put on faces until they get the look that flatters them. Makeup should never glare. It should be subtle. Girls may not know this if they make up their faces only for special occasions. Foundation creams, lipstick, eye shadows may be used to improve shortcomings of features as well as to enhance good features. And this should be the aim in grooming. For example, hair styles can do a lot toward giving the face a good frame. My head is sort of flat in the back, so I wear this hairdo slightly teased on top and at the back to give my head a more rounded look."

Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia and Princess Barbara of Liechtenstein at their civil wedding
in Paris, November 1973. To Princess Barbara's left are her uncle Prince Emanuel, her brother Prince Eugen and their father Prince Johannes of Liechtenstein Jr., who is holding a walking stick.
(These images are not to be used or reproduced without permission!)

On 2 November 1973 at Paris, Princess Barbara of Liechtenstein married Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia (1924-2016), the eldest son of Prince Regent Paul of Yugoslavia and Princess Olga (née Princess of Greece). Prince Alexander was previously married to Princess Maria Pia of Savoy, daughter of King Umberto II of Italy and Queen Marie-José (née Princess of Belgium), from 1955 until 1967. Prince Alexander and Princess Barbara of Yugoslavia celebrated their religious marriage on 28 October 1995 at the Church of St George in Oplenac.

Alexander, Barbara, and Dushan in Paris, 1985.

Prince Alexander and Princess Barbara welcomed the arrival of their only child, Prince Dushan Paul of Yugoslavia, on 25 September 1977 at St.Gallen. The family resided in Paris. Prince Dusan pursued his studies at McGill University in Montreal, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations. He decided thereafter to spend a year in Belgrade where he studied the language and travelled all around Serbia to reconnect with his heritage and roots. Prince Dusan’s first internship was at UNESCO, and then he worked within L’Oréal’s Travel-Retail division and Eurosport in marketing and communications. Following he joined an entrepreneurial project in the air cargo sector, where he worked on creating a cargo hub in South America.

Through Barbara's lenses: Fürst Franz Joseph II of Liechtenstein and Prince Alexander.

Through Barbara's lenses: the Countess of Barcelona, Prince Alexander, Prince Michael, and Infanta Beatriz, Princess Torlonia.

Through Barbara's lenses: Catherine Oxenburg, Prince Dimitri, Princess Olga, Prince Michael, Prince Dushan, and Prince Alexander.

Through Barbara's lenses: Prince Michael, Prince Dushan, and Prince Alexander.

Princess Barbara is a passionate photographer. Having traveled all over the world, her snaps of various places and people have filled many albums. The princess also captured unique snapshots of many of her relatives and members of the Gotha.

Prince Alexander, Princess Barbara, and Prince Michael of Kent.

Princess Margaret, Prince Alexander, and Princess Barbara in London.

Princess Barbara of Yugoslavia and Prince Michel of Bourbon-Parma; Prince Alexander is behind them.

Prince Alexander and Princess Barbara remained close to their many family and friends. 

Princess Barbara bids farewell to her beloved husband. Photo (c) Royal House of Serbia.

After forty-two years of marriage, Princess Barbara was widowed when Prince Alexander, aged 91, died on 12 May 2016 in Paris. He was buried on 20 May 2016 at the Church of St George yard in Oplenac. The prince's funeral was officiated by Their Graces Bishop Jovan of Sumadija and Bishop Irinej of Australia and New Zealand. Among those in attendance were Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine, (the then) Hereditary Prince Peter (the godson of the late prince), Princess Linda and her son Prince Michael, Princess Barbara, Prince Michel, Prince Serge with his wife Princess Eleonora, Prince Dusan, Prince Eugen and Princess Maria Theresia of Liechtenstein, Prince Johannes of Liechtenstein, Princess Marie of Liechtenstein (by marriage Countess v.u.z. Trauttmansdorf-Weinsberg), Princess Sophie of Liechtesntein (by marriage Countess Hoyos), Count Hans-Veit zu Toerring-Jettenbach, Hereditary Count Ignaz zu Toerring-Jettenbach, and Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, President of Republic of Serbia. A funeral mass was held on 20 June 2016 at the Cathédrale Saint-Alexandre-Nevsky in Paris.

Prince Dushan and Princess Valerie after their civil wedding, 2018. Photo courtesy of Prince Dushan and (c) Terry Tsiolis.

Princess Valerie, Prince Dushan, and Princess Barbara, 2019. Photo (c) Royal House of Serbia.

The newlyweds and family: Princess Danica and Prince Philip, Princess Valerie and Prince Dushan, Princess Barbara, Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine. Photo (c) Royal House of Serbia.

On 3 July 2018, Prince Dushan of Yugoslavia civilly married Valerie Anne De Muzio in New York City. Princess Valerie works in marketing and advertising in the Big Apple. The couple had first met in NYC in 2015. Prince Dushan and Princess Valerie of Yugoslavia celebrated their religious wedding on 25 May 2019 at the Church of St George in Oplenac. Prince Dushan's best man was his friend Mr. Alexander Sehnaoui, and Princess Valerie's was her dear friend Mr. Terry Tsiolis. A formal dinner reception was held at the White Palace, Beli Dvor, in Belgrade, that evening. Among the guests were Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine, Prince Philip and Princess Danica, Princess Barbara, Prince Michel, Archduchess Helen of Austria, Hereditary Count Ignaz zu Toerring-Jettenbach, Hereditary Countess Robinia zu Toerring-Jettenbach, Prince Tassilo von Metternich, Prince Alexander of Liechtenstein, Prince Rudolf and Princess Tilsin of Liechtenstein, Prince Eugen and Princess Maria Theresia of Liechtenstein, Prince Johannes and Princess Kinga of Liechtenstein, Princess Anna of Liechtenstein and Count Alexander Kottulinsky, Princess Marie of Liechtenstein and Count Ferdinand of Trauttsmansdorff-Weinsberg, and Prince Maximilian della Torre e Tasso and his sister Princess Costanza.

Princess Barbara and her mother Princess Karoline.

Princess Barbara between her two brothers.

Princess Barbara with her darling son Prince Dushan and much-loved husband Prince Alexander.

Some years ago, Princess Barbara moved back to Liechtenstein, where she resides today.

We wish this lovely Princess all the best on her birthday!