Princess Marie-Esméralda of Belgium, Aunt of King Philippe, Turns 65!

Today, Princess Marie-Esméralda of Belgium celebrates her sixty-fifth birthday!

Lilian with her daughter Marie-Esmeralda, 1956.

Born on 30 September 1956 at Laeken, Princess Marie-Esmeralda Adelaide Lilian Anna Léopoldine of Belgium was the second daughter and last child of King Léopold III of the Belgians and his second wife Lilian, Princess de Réthy. Marie-Esmeralda had two full siblings: Prince Alexandre (1942-2009) and Princess Marie-Christine (b.1951). From her father's first marriage to Princess Astrid of Sweden, Marie-Esmeralda had three half-siblings: Princess Joséphine-Charlotte (1927-2005; married Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg), King Baudouin (1930-1993; married Doña Fabiola Mora y Aragón), and King Albert II (b.1934; married Donna Paola Ruffo di Calabria).

On 4 April 1998 at London, Princess Marie-Esmeralda of Belgium married Sir Salvador Moncada (b.1944), a Honduran-British pharmacologist. The couple have two children: Alexandra Leopoldine Moncada (b.1998) and Leopoldo Daniel Moncada (b.2001). Princess Marie-Esmeralda is a journalist and author. She is also the patroness of the The Princess Lilian Foundation.

Our best wishes to Princess Marie-Esmeralda on her birthday!

The Schedule for This Weekend's Russian Imperial Wedding in Saint Petersburg

The celebrations surrounding the religious wedding of Grand Duke George of Russia and Princess Victoria Romanoff will occur over three days, beginning today and ending on Saturday. The groom is the only child of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia and Prince Franz-Wilhelm of Prussia. The bride, who was born Rebecca Virginia Bettarini, is the only child of Italian Ambassador Roberto Bettarini and Carla Virginia Cacciatore. Members of the Albanian, Austrian, Belgian, Bulgarian, Egyptian, Georgian, Italian, Liechtensteiner, Montenegrin, Portuguese, Prussian, Qatari, and Serbian royal houses will be present for the first imperial wedding in Russia in over a century. According to Kirill Nemirovich-Danchenko, advisor to the Imperial Chancellery: "In total, representatives of almost 20 royal houses and sovereign dynasties will arrive in Russia these days."

Welcome Reception at Vladimir Palace - Thursday, 30 September

Vladimir Palace.

A welcome cocktail for international guests will held this evening at the Vladimir Palace in Saint Petersburg. The event will last from 7:00pm-1:00am. The palace was formerly the home of the great-great-grandfather of the groom, Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, and his family. The atmosphere of the evening will accentuaed by live musical accompaniment. About three hundred guests are invited to this gathering. Since the guests invited to this cocktail are flying in from around the world, the invitees will arrive and depart as they wish; no more than one hundred people are to be present at any given time, owing to pandemic cautions. 

Sacrament of Marriage at Saint Isaac's Cathedral - Friday, 1 October 

Saint Isaac's Cathedral.

The Russian Orthodox wedding ceremony between Grand Duke George Mikhailovich and Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff will be held on Friday, 1 October, at Saint Isaac's Cathedral in Saint Petersburg. Princess Victoria will be wearing a Chaumet diadem; Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria will exchange Fabergé wedding bands. The cathedral is a state museum; however, special dispensation has been given by the government for Saint Isaac's Cathedral to be used in a religious capacity for this special event. There is a possibility that the imperial wedding will be televised live in Russia. The ceremony is to begin at noon and should last about two hours. Around 1,500 guests are expected at the wedding. The guest list has been kept under strict privacy due to security reasons; however, one can expect to see an array of European royals, Russian and foreign aristocrats, Russian clergy members, and Russian political and cultural leaders in attendance. 

Gala Dinner at Russian Ethnographic Museum - Friday, 1 October

The Russian Museum of Ethnography.

The gala dinner following the imperial wedding will be held at the Russian Museum of Ethnography in Saint Petersburg. Around 550 guests are invited to this event. The dinner will begin at 7:00pm and last until 11:00pm. Renowned classical musicians will offer a special touch to this celebratory evening.

Brunch "à la Russe" at Constantine Palace - Saturday, 2 October

Strelna complex.

On Saturday, 2 October, the celebrations surrounding the marriage of Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria will conclude at a brunch in the Constantine Palace (Great Strelna Palace). This event will commence at 1:00pm. This palace was formerly the home of the Konstantinovichi branch of the imperial family. 700 guests are expected at the brunch à la Russe. There will be a charity auction and the day will wind up with a concert dedicated to the opening of the Russian Imperial Musical Society. 

For more on the Russian imperial wedding, stay tuned to Eurohistory!

Prince Antônio and Princess Christine of Brazil Celebrate Their Ruby Anniversary

On the occasion of the couple's fortieth wedding anniversary, the Brazilian Imperial House has released several new photos of Prince Antônio and Princess Christine. The images were taken at their home in the Rio de Janeiro neighbourhood of Botafogo. 

On 26 September 1981, Prince Antônio of Orleans and Bragança (b.1950) religiously married Princess Christine de Ligne (b.1955) at the bride's ancestral home, the Château de Beloeil. The couple went on to have four children: Prince Pedro Luiz (1983-2009), Princess Amélia (b.1984; married James Spearman), Prince Rafael (b.1986), and Princess Maria Gabriela (b.1989).

Our best wishes to Dom Antônio and Dona Christina on their Ruby Wedding Anniversary!

Princess Christine de Ligne and Prince Antônio of Orleans and Bragança on their wedding day, 1981.

Princess Marie Astrid of Liechtenstein Becomes Mrs Ralph Worthington V

Today, 25 September, Princess Marie-Astrid of Liechtenstein and Ralph "Rafe" Worthington V married at the Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta in Orbetello, Italy. The bride is the daughter of Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein and Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg. The groom is the son of Mr Ralph Worthington IV and Ms Lucinda Earle Morrisey.

Our best wishes to the newlyweds!

Ancestry of Ralph "Rafe" Worthington V

1.Ralph "Rafe" Worthington V (b.1 April 1985)

Parents

2.Ralph Worthington IV (b.30 January 1946)

m.1 September 1984 (div.)

3.Lucinda Earle Morrisey (b.11 September 1952)

Grandparents

4.Ralph Worthington III (15 April 1916-12 May 1997)

m.December 1943

5.Margaret Carleton Talmadge (17 June 1921-15 October 2012)

6.John Lyon Morrisey (3 September 1922-25 December 1990)

m.3 November 1946

7.Frances Earle Gensler (24 February 1924-14 September 2011)

Great-Grandparents

8.Ralph Worthington (4 December 1841-11 December 1925)

m.

9.Ethel Burdette (16 January 1882-2 October 1951)

10.Joseph Boyce Talmadge (22 April 1890-2 May 1946)

m.24 June 1920

11.Margaret Morrison Carleton (4 January 1894-13 January 1977)

12.William George Morrisey Jr. (21 September 1891-3 April 1953)

m.18 August 1917

13.Mildred Lyon (18 Aug 1899-17 September 1971)

14.Stanley Bertrand Gensler (11 November 1899-16 February 1971)

m.4 May 1923 (div. 1937); remarried on 26 June 1945

15.Florence Earle Johnson (8 December 1892-22 July 1975)

Great-Grandparents

16.George Worthington (21 September 1813-9 November 1871)

m.15 November 1840

17.Maria Cushman Blackmar (14 September 1817-17 November 1902)

18.William Alexander Burdette (3 July 1859-10 July 1944)

m.

19.Mary Lou Anthony (12 March 1860-11 June 1927)

20.William Clinton Talmadge (24 January 1855-24 June 1929)

m.

21.Leona Boyce (2 May 1860-19 February 1939)

22.Charles Henry Carleton (18 September 1859-23 June 1937)

m.

23.Janet Louise Morrison (13 July 1866-27 April 1925)

24.William George Morrisey (22 February 1865-7 December 1932)

m.

25.Minnie Moloughney (30 August 1873-1956)

26.Joseph Lyon

m.

27.Elizabeth Backafane

28.John Gensler (Jul 1853-24 April 1912)

m.24 June 1881

29.Edna Ryder (September 1862-24 December 1945)

30.Edward Hine Johnson (29 June 1854-23 September 1924)

m.

31.Frances Van Leer Earle (18 October 1858-28 February 1946)

The Palermo Wedding of Prince Jaime and Princess Charlotte, Duke and Duchess of Noto!

The Duke and Duchess of Noto.
Photo (c) Real Casa di Borbone Due Sicilie.

Today, 25 September, Prince Jaime of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Noto, and Lady Charlotte Diana Lindesay-Bethune were married at the Duomo di Monreale in Palermo, Italy. The Duke of Noto is the eldest son and heir of Prince Pedro, Duke of Calabria, and Princess Sofía, Duchess of Calabria. The Duchess of Noto is the daughter of James Randolph Lindesay-Bethune, 16th Earl of Lindsay, and the Countess of Lindsay (née Diana Mary Chamberlayne-Macdonald). 

The joint monogram of Prince Jaime and Princess Charlotte of Bourbon-Two Siclies.
Photo (c) Real Casa di Borbone Due Sicilie.

Members of the Austrian, Bulgarian, French, and Bourbon-Parma families were in attendance in addition to a large list of noble families from Italy, Sicily, Spain, and Germany. The Constantinian Order of St George ably handled the organisation of this grand royal wedding; members of the Order of Malta were on sight to provide medical service if needed. The wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Noto took place in Palermo ninety years after that of Prince Jaime's great-grandparents, the Count and Countess of Paris.

The wedding portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Noto with their families.
Photo (c) Real Casa di Borbone Due Sicilie.

After the wedding, a reception was held at the Palazzo dei Normanni. The Duke and Duchess of Noto are both descendants of King George II of Great Britain; the bride is also a descendant of King Charles II. Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Noto, wore a fringe diamond tiara with a pearl finish, which comes from her family, to match her diamond and pearl drop earrings.

The joint coat of arms of the Duke and Duchess of Noto.
Photo (c) Real Casa di Borbone Due Sicilie.

If you would like to watch footage from the royal wedding, many videos are available on the Facebook Page of the Real Circolo Francesco II di Borbone/Royal Club Francis II of Bourbon.

Our congratulations to Prince Jaime and Princess Charlotte on their wedding!

 

Special Details on the Civil Marriage of Grand Duke George of Russia and Princess Victoria!

Special Details on the Civil Marriage of Grand Duke George of Russia and Princess Victoria!

Photo (c) David Niviere/Abaca/Sipa USA.

Photo (c) David Niviere/Abaca/Sipa USA.

Photo (c) David Niviere/Abaca/Sipa USA.

Earlier today, HIH Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and HSH Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff celebrated their civil marriage in Moscow. The parents of the bride, Ambassador Roberto Bettarini and Mrs Carla Cacciatore Bettarini, were on hand for the ceremony along with other family and friends. Other guests included: Dr. Alexander N. Zakatov, Director of the Imperial Chancellery; Prince Vadim Olegovich Lopukhin, Head of the Department for Interregional Relations of the Chancellery; Stanislaw Vladimirovich Dumin, the King of Arms in the Chancellery; and Hieromonk Nikon, Head of the Office for Historical and Commemorative Events in the Chancellery.

Photo (c) David Niviere/Abaca/Sipa USA.

Photo (c) David Niviere/Abaca/Sipa USA.

Photo (c) David Niviere/Abaca/Sipa USA.

As in many countries, Russia requires that a couple have a civil ceremony in order for a marriage to be legally valid. On the marriage certificate of the imperial couple, the groom and his details was written as "George Mikhaylovich Romanov, citizen of the Russian Federation, born 13 March 1981 in the city of Madrid, Spain. Ethnicity Russian," and the bride and her details were written as "Rebecca Bettarini, citizen of Italian Republic, born 18 May 1982 in Rome. Ethnicity Italian." Rebecca Virginia Bettarini converted to the Russian Orthodox faith in July 2020 and has since been known as Victoria Romanovna Bettarini.

 

Photo (c) David Niviere/Abaca/Sipa USA.

Photo (c) David Niviere/Abaca/Sipa USA.

Photo (c) David Niviere/Abaca/Sipa USA.

After the civil wedding, Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria hosted a reception for their guests  at their Moscow home. The couple cut a cake and their dear dog Zhong was able to participate in that moment...though, we do not know yet if little Zhong was able to enjoy any of the tasty confection.

 

Photo (c) David Niviere/Abaca/Sipa USA.

Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria have been a couple for almost a decade. Their engagement was announced by Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, Head of the Imperial House and George's mother, in January 2021. The pair will celebrate their religious wedding next week on 1 October at Saint Isaac's Cathedral.

 

Желаю вам обоим море счастья!

 

For more about the lead up to the imperial wedding, you can read the following articles:
July 2020: A Russian Imperial Marriage On The Horizon: Rebecca Bettarini Converts to Russian Orthodoxy

January 2021: An Imperial Engagement: HIH Grand Duke George of Russia and Nob. Rebecca Virginia Bettarini

January 2021: The Betrothal Ceremony of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and Victoria Romanovna Bettarini

March 2021: Russian Imperial Wedding in October 2021 at St Petersburg

March 2021: The Chaumet Lacis Tiara for the Russian Imperial Wedding in October!

March 2021: Russian Imperial Wedding: Victoria Romanovna On Choosing Her Wedding Tiara!

May 2021: Fabergé Wedding Rings for the Russian Imperial Marriage in October!

Civil Wedding in Moscow of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich and Victoria Romanovna

The Romanov civil wedding in Moscow. Photo (c) David Nivière.

Today at 2:00pm, Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff (née Rebecca Virginia Bettarini) were civilly married at the Khamovniki Town Hall in Moscow. The grand duke is the only child of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia and Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia. The princess is the only child of Ambassador Roberto Bettarini and Carla Virginia Cacciatore.

Left to right: Mrs Carla Cacciatore Bettarini, Grand Duke George of Russia, Princess Victoria Romanoff, and Ambassador Roberto Bettarini.

Photo (c) David Nivière.

For the civil wedding, the dress worn by Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff was made by the designer Chiara Boni in an ice-blue color, embroidered with gold thread inspired by the traditional folkloric designs of Khokhloma. Ice-blue is also the color of the Imperial Order of Saint Andrew the First Called, which is the most important dynastic order of the Russian Imperial House. It was founded by Peter the Great in 1698. The light blue ribbon of the Order of Saint Andrew served as an inspiration for the shade of the dress of the civil marriage.

The marriage certificates! Photo (c) David Nivière.

Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria will celebrate their religious marriage next Friday, 1 October. 

Our hearty congratulations to George Mikhailovich and Victoria Romanovna!