Saturday, June 12, 2021

New Pictures of Duke Franz of Bavaria

Dr. Thomas Greinwald and Duke Franz of Bavaria with their dachshund.
Photo credit: Erwin Olaf.


We are happy to share two pictures of Duke Franz of Bavaria, Head of the Royal House. In the first photograph, Duke Franz is shown with his longtime partner Dr. Thomas Greinwald and their daschund. In the second photograph, we see Duke Franz of Bavaria in front of two Joseph Karl Stieler portraits of his ancestors, Queen Therese of Bavaria and King Ludwig I of Bavaria. 

 

The duke and his dachshund.
Photo credit: Erwin Olaf.

Thursday, June 10, 2021

The Mysterious Origins of the “Duc de Royan”

Since 2019, there is a Frenchman named Jérôme Trimouille who now presents himself as the "Duc de Royan," owing to his alleged (and not documented) descent from the noble La Trémoille family. As “Duc de Royan,” Jérôme Trimouille has created an official website (created in late 2020), a verified Facebook page (created in January 2020), a verified Twitter account (created in December 2019), and a verified Instagram  It is rather worrying that this Monsieur Trimouille has been able to obtain various verified social media accounts using an assumed noble title. Jérôme Trimouille mostly communicates about events in reigning European royal families and sometimes weighs in on current events in France.

According to an online genealogy of the La Trémoille family, Jérôme Trimouille is the eldest son of Jean Claude Arthur Andre Trimouille (Boynes 5 November 1947-Corbeil-Essonnes 17 February 2015) and Martine Deniau (b.1955). Jérôme's paternal grandparents were Andre Georges Arthur Trimouille (Boynes 5 February 1917-Gironville-sur-Essonne 9 April 1983) and Lucienne Amiard (d.2014). As one can see by referring the above genealogy, the members of the current Trimouille family appear to hold numerous noble titles — in reality, they have no right to bear these titles. Jérôme himself claims to hold the following titles: "Prince de Talmont & de Tarente, duc de Royan, seigneur de Hanches, duc de La Trémoïlle." On his website, Jérôme Trimouille includes this information about how to address a member of his family:

How do you address a member of the ducal family?

The custom and the traditions are that to address a man, a member of the ducal family, it is necessary either to use Monseigneur or Your Highness and for a woman, a member of the ducal family, Madame or Your Highness.

Source: À propos

According to his website, Jérôme Trimouille has appointed ambassadors to Armenia, Belgium, Bolivia, India, Italy and the Vatican, Mexico, and Spain. There is no information whatsoever on the role of these ambassadors or whether they have any accreditation to the governments of the countries where they apparently have a diplomatic mission.

A ducal secretariat also exists: the “Duc de Royan” has a cultural affairs advisor, an economic advisor, and a political advisor. 

Jérôme Trimouille first appeared in the French press in May 2019. He was interviewed by La Nouvelle République on 2 May 2019 for an article concerning the château de Thouars. Although he had never visited the château, Jérôme stated that he was in favour of it being opened to the public. In the article, entitled Jérôme Trimouille: "Je me sens Thouarsais de coeur", he was presented as "a descendant of the Dukes de La Trémoille and holders of their titles." When asked by the author of the article as the whether the succession of the Trimouille family was secure, Jérôme replied: "Absolutely. This unique link between the city of Thouars and my family is not about to break since my sons Kévin (born in 1997) hereditary prince de La Trémoille and Marvin (born in 2001) prince of Naples, already ensure the future of the House de La Trémoille." In an earlier brief snippet from La Nouvelle République on 1 May 2019, it was written of Jérôme that: "Descendant de la branche cadette, dite des « marquis de Royan et comte d’Olonne », Jérôme Trimouille est donc aujourd’hui titulaire des titres de prince de Talmont et Tarente, duc de La Trémoïlle, de Thouars, de Noirmoutier et de Taillebourg, marquis de Royan et d’Espinay, baron de Sully, comte de Laval, de Guînes et de Montfort, ainsi que prétendant au trône du royaume de Naples."

On 6 May 2019, the Société d'Histoire, d'Archéologie & des Arts du Pays Thouarsais (Shaapt) issued the following statement after becoming aware of Jérome Trimouille's interview on 2 May:

Last week, the local Thouars press published an interview with Monsieur Jérôme Trimouille, a seventh generation descendant of the La Trémoïlle family. Monsieur Trimouille, evoking the future of the château de Thouars, declared himself in these articles to be the Duc de Thouars, bearer of the titles attributed to his ancestors as well as the style of royal highness. Without in any way questioning the descent of Monsieur Trimouille from the family of the lords of Thouars, to a distant degree, the SHAAPT recalls, first of all, that, according to the rules of the French nobility, titles can only be transmitted from father to son. This is how many ducal families have died out over time, due to a lack of descent: families from Montmorency, Richelieu, Aumont, etc. Thus, Louis Jean-Marie de la Trémoïlle, who died in 1933, without posterity at the age of 23 in a fire in England, remains the last Duke de la Trémoïlle. In 1910, the young duke's sister, Charlotte, married a Belgian aristocrat, Henri Florent de Ligne. In 1934, the King of the Belgians, Leopold III, authorized their son, Jean Charles Lamoral, Prince de Ligne, to take the name of his late uncle by appending it to his own surname and thus to perpetuate the name of La Trémoille. But the members of the de Ligne de La Trémoïlle family will never be able to bear the titles of their French ancestors, despite being the direct descendants of the last Duke of Trémoïlle. As for the royal highness predicate, it can only be worn by members of royal families. While noble titles no longer have legal status in France, they are however governed by a specific code and, to be regular, must be confirmed by the Seal of the Ministry of Justice. No one can therefore afford to appropriate them illegitimately.
"First Ranking Duke of France Perishes as Mansion Blazes," The Wichita Eagle, 10 December 1933.
The last Duc de La Trémoille, Louis-Jean-Marie de La Trémoille, was tragically killed during a fire at a country house in Whitchurch, Hampshire, England, on 9 December 1933. Louis was twenty-three years-old. With his death, according to most published sources, the La Trémoille family became extinct in the male line. After the passing of the last duke, the descendants of his sister Charlotte de La Trémoille (1892-1971) and her husband Prince Henri de Ligne (1881-1967) were authorised by the King of Belgium to bear the title Prince(ss) de Ligne de La Trémoille. Furthermore, successive issues of the Almanach de Gotha make no mention of a junior branch of the La Trémoille family. 
The 1934 Almanach de Gotha entry on the La Trémoïle family.

Duchess Sophie of Württemberg Expecting First Child

Duchess Sophie of Württemberg and Maximilien d'Andigné on their wedding day. Photograph (c) David Nivière/Getty Images.

According to Noblesse et Royautés, Duchess Sophie of Württemberg and Maximilien d’Andigné are expecting their first child. The couple married in 2018. Sophie is the daughter of Duke Philipp of Württemberg and Duchess Marie-Caroline in Bavaria. Maximilien is the son of Hervé d'Andigné and Marie-Adélaïde de La Barre de Nanteuil. This will be the first great-grandchild for Duke Carl and Duchess Diane of Württemberg as well as for Duke Max and Duchess Elizabeth in Bavaria.

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

100 Years Since the Marriage of Prince René of Bourbon-Parma and Princess Margrethe of Denmark

One hundred years ago today, on 9 June 1921, Princess Margrethe of Denmark married Prince René of Bourbon-Parma (1894-1962), one of the sons of Duke Roberto of Parma and Infanta Maria Antonia of Portugal. Princess Margrethe of Denmark (1895-1992) was the only daughter of Prince Valdemar of Denmark (1858-1939) and his wife Princess Marie (1865-1909; née Orléans). René and Margrethe were wed at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Copenhagen.

Margrethe of Denmark marries René of Bourbon-Parma. Photograph (c) Chicago Tribune, 10 June 1921.

Diamond Wedding Anniversary for the Duke and Duchess of Kent

The Duke and Duchess of Kent on their wedding day.

Today, the Duke and Duchess of Kent mark sixty years of marriage!

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and Katharine Worsley on the day of their engagement, March 1961. Photograph (c) Getty Images/Rolls Press/Popperfoto.
The engagement ring of Katharine, Duchess of Kent. Photograph (c) Getty Images/PA Images.
La Duchesse Marina de Kent bras-dessus, bras-dessous avec son fils, le Prince Edward de Kent et sa fiancée Miss Katharine Worsley devant le perron de Kensington's Palace où réside la Duchesse le 9 mars 1961 à Londres, Royaume-Uni. Photo by Keystone-FranceGamma-Rapho via Getty Images.
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, met Katharine Worsley while the duke was based at Catterick Garrison, located near the bride's family's ancestral home, Hovingham Hall. Edward was the eldest son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. Katharine was the only daughter of Sir William Worsley, 4th Baronet, and Joyce Brunner. On 8 March 1961, the engagement of the Duke of Kent to Katharine Worsley was announced at Kensington Palace. Edward gave Katharine an engagement ring consisting of an oval sapphire with round diamonds on either side and mounted in platinum.
England, 8th June 1961, The Duke of Kent is pictured arriving at York Minster for his marriage with Miss Katharine Worsley. Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images.
Holding her bouquet of roses, Miss Katharine Worsley leaves her Hovingham Hall home for York Minster where she will become the Duchess of Kent on her marriage to Duke of Kent. Photo by PA Images via Getty Images.
Miss Katharine Worsley leaves her Hovingham Hall home en route to York Minster where she is to be wed to the Duke of Kent. Photo by PA Images via Getty Images.
The wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Kent. Photo (c) AFP via Getty Images.
The wedding of Miss Katharine Worsley and the Duke of Kent at York Minster. Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images.
A group picture taken at Hovingham Hall, near York (home of the bride's parents) after the wedding in York Minster of the Duke of Kent and Miss Katharine Worsley. Left to Right: Princess Alexandra of Kent, Mr and Mrs Marcus Worsley; Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent; Oliver Worsley; the Queen; Prince Michael of Kent; Sir William Worsley; Princess Anne; Lady Worsley; Prince Charles; the Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother; ; Mr and Mrs John Worsley. The bridal attendants in front are, left to right: pages William Worsley, Edward Becket and Simon Hay; and bridesmaids Katherine Ashley Cooper, Diana Worsley, Sandra Butter, Joanna Fitzroy, the Hon. Jane Spencer, Emily Briggs and Willa Worsley. Photo (c) PA Images via Getty Images.
The couple married on 8 June 1961 at York Minster in York. Edward and Katharine were wed by Michael Ramsey, Archbishop of York. Theirs was the first royal wedding to take place in York Minster since that of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault in 1328. 
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester pictured attending the wedding of Miss Katherine Worsley and the Duke of Kent at York Minster. Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images.
 Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Prince Charles are pictured arriving at York Minster for the marriage of Miss Katharine Worsley and the Duke of Kent. Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images.
The guest list was a whos-whos of the British aristocracy and European Gotha. Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, attended together with her daughter Princess Alexandra and her son Prince Michael. The Queen Mother was present along with her two daughters and two sons-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh as well as Princess Margaret and Mr Antony Armstrong-Jones. Princess Mary, Princess Royal, and her son and daughter-in-law, the Earl and Countess of Harewood, were on hand. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester together with their eldest son Prince William were also present. Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, was also in attendance. Foreign royals who came to witness the union of the Duke and Duchess of Kent included the following: Queen Mother Helen of Romania; Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain; Crown Prince Constantine of Greece and his sister Princess Sophia; Crown Prince Harald of Norway; Princess Margrethe of Denmark; Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona, and his son Infante Juan Carlos, Prince of Asturias; Prince Tomislav and Princess Margarita of Yugoslavia; and Fürstin Margarita zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg.
The Duke of Kent and the bride Katherine Worsley arrive for the reception at Hovingham Hall, the home of the bride's father after their wedding, on June 8, 1961 in York, United Kingdom. Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images.
Mr Cyril Brown at work on the 3-tier, 105lb cake which was presented by a well known firm of London caterers for the wedding at York of Miss Katharine Worsley and the Duke of Kent. The cake, which is five feet in height, took two men six weeks to make. Decorated with delicate tracery in sugar, the cake incorporates the couple's new Coat of Arms, hand painted in sugar panels on the base tier. The middle tier bears a St George and the Dragon motif and the Yorkshire rose and the monograms of the bride and groom - E in pale blue and K in pink - appear on the top tier. This is not the official wedding cake. Photo by PA Images via Getty Images.
 The wedding dress of Katharine Worsley. Photo by PA Images via Gtty Images.
Our best wishes to the Duke and Duchess of Kent on their Diamond Wedding Anniversary!

Monday, June 7, 2021

The Funeral of Prince Amedeo of Savoy, Duke of Aosta

The coffin of the Duke of Aosta.

Princess Silvia of Savoy, Dowager Duchess of Aosta, aided by one of her granddaughters, leaves the church following the funeral of her husband.

The funeral of Prince Amedeo of Savoy, 5th Duke of Aosta, took place on Friday, 4 June, at the Basilica di San Miniato al Monte in Florence. The presiding celebrant at the funeral mass was Father Bernardo Gianni, Prior of the Olivetan Monastery of San Miniato al Monte. Due to restrictions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, attendance inside the church was limited to 100 individuals. The family of the late duke were present: Princess Silvia of Savoy, Dowager Duchess of Aosta; Princess Claude d'Orléans; Prince Aimone and Princess Olga of Savoy, Duke and Duchess of Aosta, with their children; Princess Bianca of Savoy, Countess Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga, with her children; and Princess Mafalda of Savoy with her children. 

Prince Umberto of Savoy, Prince of Piedmont, carries the collar of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation, which belonged to his grandfather the late Duke of Aosta. 
Prince Amedeo of Savoy, Duke of the Abruzzi, departs the funeral of his grandfather.
Prince Aimone and Princess Olga of Savoy, the new Duke and Duchess of Aosta, leave the funeral together with their daughter Princess Isabella of Savoy.

Members of the Frescobaldi, Corsini, and Guicciardini noble families were in attendance. Representatives of the Unione Monarchica Italiana were present; since 2006, the late Duke of Aosta was considered by many Italian monarchists to be the Head of the Royal House of Savoy. The funeral of Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta, may be watched in full at this link: L'ultimo saluto al Principe.

Princess Claude d'Orleans with a granddaughter; Princess Olga of Savoy, Duchess of Aosta, with her son Prince Amedeo, Duke of the Abruzzi; and Prince Aimone of Savoy, Duke of Aosta, with his daughter Princess Isabella of Savoy (face obscured).
The three eldest grandsons of the late Duke of Aosta: Count Leonardo Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga, Prince Umberto of Savoy, and Nobile Carlo Lombardo di San Chirico.
Princess Mafalda of Savoy looks after the arrangements on top of her father's coffin before it is transported from the church.

A Daughter, Lili, for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their son Archie. At the time of this picture, the Duchess was expecting their daughter Lili. Photograph (c) Misan Harriman.

On Friday, 4 June, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their second child, a daughter. Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born on 4 June 2021 at Santa Barbara, California. Lili joins an older brother, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor (b.London 6 May 2019). The Duke and Duchess of Sussex married on 19 May 2018 at Windsor. Lili Mountbatten-Windsor is eighth in the line of succession to the British throne. The new arrival is the eleventh great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. 

The announcement on Lili's birth from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reads as follows:

It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world. Lili was born on Friday, June 4 at 11:40 a.m. in the trusted care of the doctors and staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA. She weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home. Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet. Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honor her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales. This is the second child for the couple, who also have a two-year-old son named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The Duke and Duchess thank you for your warm wishes and prayers as they enjoy this special time as a family.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also issued a message of thanks on the website of their charitable organisation Archewell:
On June 4th, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili. She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.
Our congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the British Royal Family on the arrival of Lili!

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