Duke of Aosta Announces Return to Italy in NYE Address

 

Prince Aimone and Princess Olga of Savoy with the Honour Guard at the Basilica of Superga, 2022.
Photo (c) Casa Reale di Savoia.

Prince Aimone of Savoy, Duke of Aosta, will be relocating to Italy early this year. In a recorded speech to members of the Unione Monarchica Italiana (Italian Monarchist Union) on 31 December, Prince Aimone, who has lived in Russia for decades, stated that he and his wife Princess Olga, as well as their three children, will be returning to live in Italy with their home being in Milan. The Duke of Aosta noted:

For me personally, next year [2023] will be a very important year because after living for almost 30 years in Russia, I will come back to Italy. My family will already be in Milan in January, so we will have more occasions to meet and organise monarchist events that you all already do, but now with my support and the support of my family. So really best wishes to you! May 2023 be a year of peace, since 2022 has been a tough year, may the international situation be more peaceful, and may Italy not suffer too many consequences because of the rising energy prices and all the problems we are facing, and that the government is trying to face. Hopefully, we will all overcome this together. I wish you and your families a Happy New Year. Thank you. Viva l'Italia!

The 2022 Christmas Card of the Savoy children.
From left to right: Prince Amedeo, Princess Isabella, and Prince Umberto.
Photo (c) Casa Reale di Savoia.

When Prince Aimone of Savoy and Princess Olga of Greece wed in 2008, their civil marriage was held in Moscow at the Italian embassy. Though the couple's two sons, Prince Umberto and Prince Amedeo, and their daughter, Princess Isabella, were all born in France, the family has made its home in the Russian capital up until now. Prince Aimone is the CEO of Pirelli Tyre's Nordic division, and since 2019 the prince has served as the Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to Russia. 

Source: Youtube - Saluto di fine anno di S.A.R. il Principe Aimone di Savoia

The Queen is Dead; Long Live the King.

Luxembourg/Sirgue Engagement Called Off

Louis and Scarlett-Lauren.
Photograph (c) Grand Ducal Court.

Today, Prince Louis of Luxembourg and Mademoiselle Scarlett-Lauren Sirgue announced in an interview with Point de Vue that their engagement has been cancelled, but that they remain friends. They noted that they had realised they had differences of opinions which made it best for them to end their romantic relationship. On 6 April 2021, the Grand Ducal Court had announced the engagement of Prince Louis and Scarlett-Lauren Sirgue. The couple had been in a relationship for some time. Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa issued the following statement: "We are very happy to announce the engagement of our son, Prince Louis, to Miss Scarlett-Lauren Sirgue. Princes Gabriel and Noah join us in surrounding the new couple with all our affection. We wish them immense happiness."

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Prince Louis, Scarlett-Lauren Sirgue, and Grand Duke Henri.
Photograph (c) Grand Ducal Court.

 

Source: https://www.pointdevue.fr/royal/luxembourg/louis-de-luxembourg-et-scarlett-lauren-sirgue-rompent-leurs-fiancailles

Joyous News from the House of Baden: A Marriage and A Baby!

We have recently learned of the religious marriage of Prince Berthold of Baden and Nina Schröder on 28 August 2021; the couple civilly married in 2020. In addition to this delightful news, it has been ascertained that the couple has welcomed a daughter, Princess Hilda, in February 2021. Princess Hilda is the first and only grandchild of Prince Ludwig and Princess Marianne of Baden.

Prince Berthold of Baden in 2003 at the marriage of his cousin Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

Prince Ludwig and Princess Marianne of Baden with their children at the wedding of Duchess Fleur of Württemberg in 2003. Photo (c) Seeger-Presse.

Born on 8 October 1976, Prince Berthold Ernst-August Emich Rainer of Baden is the only son of Prince Ludwig of Baden (b.1937) and his wife Princess Marianne (b.1943; née Auersperg-Breunner). Berthold has two sisters: Princess Sophie (b.1975) and Princess Agläe (b.1981; married Wolf von Trotha). 

Although we cannot know for certain, it is possible that Prince Berthold and Princess Nina of Baden decided to name their baby daughter Princess Hilda after Grand Duchess Hilda of Baden (1864-1952; née Nassau), who was the wife of Grand Duke Friedrich II of Baden. For more about the marriage of Prince Berthold and Princess Nina of Baden, please do read this lovely report from royal researcher and genealogist Netty Liestra: A Romantic Wedding in Amorbach