A Right Royal Riddle: Who Am I?

A Gotha Quiz: Who Am I? By Darren Shelton for the European Royal History Journal.

I was the daughter of a king and the granddaughter of two kings. Many of my lines were of ancient blood, while others were of a newer variety. My paternal grandfather was a great patriarch, while my own father was a more sedate and lesser known man. My mother, often a figure of fun amongst my cousins, was essentially an only child, and a considerable heiress. She was quiet and religious in nature. Although two of my nieces were queens, my married life was more quiet. My husband, although still a distant cousin, was a minor prince from a minor family. We had several children, one of whom married into my house. My death, before middle age, was one of conjecture. Who am I?

The answer will be posted on Friday. 

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Prince Mihailo of Montenegro, Head of the Royal House, Visits Canada in Summer 1961

In 1961, Prince Mihailo (Michael) of Montenegro spent the summer in Windsor, Canada, with Mr and Mrs Peter Bulat. "Liberation will not without patience and loyalty, but it will come. It is inevitable. The vast majority of Yugoslav people are anxious to be once again a free nation," the prince told The Windsor Star. "Since boyhood, I have been a proponent of Yugoslav unity. And that I will remain as long as I live." Michael of Montenegro was the only surviving son of Prince Mirko of Montenegro and Natalija Konstantinović. Michael received his early education in Montenegro, London, and Paris. In the French capital, the prince studied under André Siegfried at the École Libre des Sciences Politiques (ELSP). 

During his Canadian visit, the prince stated: "I have seen true democracy at work here in the Western World. I am fascinated by it all. I like to regard myself as one of the many democrats of the West." 

Prince Mihailo of Montenegro, Head of the Royal House, Visits Canada in Summer 1961

In 1961, Prince Mihailo (Michael) of Montenegro spent the summer in Windsor, Canada, with Mr and Mrs Peter Bulat. "Liberation will not without patience and loyalty, but it will come. It is inevitable. The vast majority of Yugoslav people are anxious to be once again a free nation," the prince told The Windsor Star. "Since boyhood, I have been a proponent of Yugoslav unity. And that I will remain as long as I live." Michael of Montenegro was the only surviving son of Prince Mirko of Montenegro and Natalija Konstantinović. Michael received his early education in Montenegro, London, and Paris. In the French capital, the prince studied under André Siegfried at the École Libre des Sciences Politiques (ELSP). 

During his Canadian visit, the prince stated: "I have seen true democracy at work here in the Western World. I am fascinated by it all. I like to regard myself as one of the many democrats of the West." 

Mass at Les Invalides to Commemorate 200th Anniversary of Emperor Napoléon's Death

The French Imperial Family. Left to right: Princess Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Prince Charles Bonaparte, the Princess and Prince Napoléon. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

Left to right: Prince Jérôme Napoléon, Princess Licia Napoléon, Princess Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Prince Charles Bonaparte, Princess Maria del Pilar Murat, Prince Joachim Murat, Princess Olympia Napoléon, and Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon.  Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

The Prince and Princess Napoléon. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

On Wednesday, 5 May, a mass took place at Les Invalides in Paris to commemorate the 200th anniversary since the death of Emperor Napoléon I of France in 1821. The French imperial family was out in full force; the Prince and Princess Napoléon attended the mass in addition to Jean-Christophe's father Prince Charles Bonaparte, his mother Princess Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, and his uncle and aunt Prince Jérôme and Princess Licia Napoléon. Prince Joachim Murat, 8th Prince Murat and 7th Principe di Pontecorvo, was present with his wife Princess Maria del Pilar Murat as well as his son and heir Prince Joachim Murat, Principe di Monte-Corvo, and his daughter-in-law Princess Yasmine Murat.

Prince Jean-Christophe and Princess Olympia Napoléon. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

Prince Charles Bonaparte and his son Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon.

Prince Jérôme and Princess Licia Napoléon. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

The Prince Napoléon and the Count of Paris. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

The Count and Countess of Paris also attended the service. Prince Jean d'Orléans, Count of Paris, and Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon are third cousins. They both descend from Prince Alfonso of the Two Sicilies, Count of Caserta, and Princess Maria Antonietta of the Two Sicilies, Countess of Caserta.

During the ceremony, the Prince Napoléon laid a wreath at the tomb of the Emperor in Les Invalides. Two other wreaths were sent by the Fondation Napoléon and the Souvenir Napoléonien.

Princess Maria Pia of Savoy. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

Princess Olympia Napoléon and Princess Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

The Count of Paris, Duchess Sophie of Württemberg, Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, and the Countess of Paris. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

Prince Jean and Princess Philomena d'Orléans, Count and Countess of Paris, represented the French royal family. Other guests included Prince Jean of Luxembourg and Diane de Guerre, Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, Princess Maria Pia of Savoy, and Duchess Sophie of Württemberg.

The Prince and Princess Napoléon meet President Macron and Madame Macron. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Christophe Petit Tesson.

The Prince and Princess Napoléon also welcomed President Emmanuel Macron and Madame Brigitte Macron to Les Invalides. The Napoléons and the Macrons visited the tomb of Napoléon I together. 

Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon in front of a statue of his ancestor Jérôme Napoléon, Prince de Montfort and King of Westphalia. Jérôme was the youngest brother of Emperor Napoléon I. Photograph (c) Getty Images / Luc Castel.

On This Day in 1981: The Baptism of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia

Archbishop Anthony of Los Angeles prepares to baptise Grand Duke George, who is held by his grandfather Grand Duke Vladimir.

Helen Kirby with her nephew and godson Grand Duke George. 

Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich, his cousin Prince Georg-Dietrich von Schoenaich-Carolath, and Princess Magdalena of Prussia.

On 6 May 1981, Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia was baptised in Madrid. The baby Romanov was born on 13 March 1981 in the Spanish capital. George was the first and only child of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (b.1953) and Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich of Russia (b.1943; né Prince Franz-Wilhelm of Prussia), who married in 1976. Archbishop Antony Sinkevitch of Los Angeles, who officiated at the wedding of Grand Duchess Maria and Grand Duke Michael, presided over the baptism of their son. Grand Duke George Mikhailovich had King Constantine II of Greece as his godfather (as the king was unable to attend, the infant's grandfather Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich acted as proxy); George's godmother was his aunt Helen Louise Kirby. The baptism of the eventual heir of the Imperial House of Russia was attended by King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía of Spain, King Simeon II of Bulgaria, Princess Magdalena of Prussia (widow of Prince Hubertus), Infante Luís Alfonso of Spain, Princess Marisol of Bavaria, Prince Bagrat Bagration-Mukhransky, and Prince Georg-Dietrich von Schoenaich-Carolath. 

Grand Duchess Maria holding her son Grand Duke George, Grand Duke Vladimir and Grand Duchess Leonida, and Queen Sofía. The imperial family celebrated Orthodox Easter after the baptism.

Prince Bagrat Bagration, King Simeon of Bulgaria, and Grand Duchess Maria.

Infante Luís Alfonso of Spain, Princess Marisol of Bavaria, Princess Maria del Carmen Bagration, and Prince Bagrat Bagration.

A Musy Tiara of the Royal House of Savoy to be Auctioned by Sotheby's!

Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo, Queen of Spain, Duchess of Aosta.

A Musy tiara formerly owned by Princess Maria Vittoria del Pozzo, Duchess of Aosta and Queen of Spain from 1870 until 1873, will go on the auction block at Sotheby's in Geneva on 11 May. The tiara is estimated to sell for anywhere between $1 million and $1.5 million. Due to its royal provenance, it is highly possible and likely that the piece will fetch a much higher price.

The Musy tiara. Photograph (c) Sotheby's.

Following is an abbreviated portion of the history that Sotheby's provides about the Musy tiara, which can also be worn as a necklace: 

One of the most important tiaras to appear at auction in recent years, this royal tiara dates to the second half of the 19th century. Steeped in the rich history of the House of Savoy, this tiara hails an extraordinary provenance. Likely to have been presented to Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo in 1867 as a wedding gift on the occasion of her marriage to Amedeo of Savoy, Duke of Aosta, later elected King of Spain as Amadeo I (1870- 1873), the tiara, which has remained with the family for over 150 years, is believed to have been created by Musy Padre e Figli – Court Jeweller of Turin, and one of the oldest goldsmiths in Europe. 

To learn more about the Musy tiara, and to place a bid if you are so inclined, please visit Sotheby's listing: Musy | Magnificent and Historic Natural pearl and diamond tiara/necklace, second half of the 19th century

Orthodox Royals in Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, & Serbia Celebrate Pascha

 

King Simeon II of the Bulgarians attended Easter services at the St. Nedelya Metropolitan Cathedral in Sofia. With the blessing of His Holiness the Metropolitan of Sofia and Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte, at midnight His Eminence Bishop Polycarp of Belogradchik proclaimed the Resurrection of Christ to the gathered crowd and celebrated the hierarch's Holy Liturgy in the church.

Nicholas of Romania, grandson of the late King Michael of Romania, and his wife Alina-Maria and their daughter Maria-Alexandra celebrated Easter at their home in Bucharest. 

Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and his fiancée Victoria Romanovna Bettarini celebrated Easter in Moscow. Victoria's father Ambassador Roberto Bettarini was able to spend the holiday with the couple. On the evening of 30 April 2021, Good Friday, Grand Duke George and Victoria Romanovna and Ambassador Bettarini attended services at the Vvedensky Temple near the Saltykov Bridge. Aided by her priest Father Nikon, Victoria Romanovna made traditional Orthodox Easter cakes using an original wooden mold that is over 150 years old. Grand Duke George and Victoria then hosted Easter dinner with Ambassador Bettarini and their priest Father Nikon at the couple's Moscow home.

Prince Philip and Princess Danica of Serbia marked Easter by attending Pascha services with their son Prince Stefan. Philip is the son of Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia.