The King of Egypt Shares Images from the Russian Imperial Wedding

The newly-married Princess Victoria Romanova greets King Fuad of Egypt. Photo courtesy of King Fouad II.

On his official Facebook account, King Fuad II of Egypt has shared some lovely pictures from the recent wedding of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff. The king is a long-time friend of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, Head of the Russian Imperial House. Grand Duchess Maria and her son Grand Duke George attended the wedding of Fuad's eldest son Crown Prince Muhammad Ali to Princess Noal Zaher of Afghanistan in 2013.

The Duke of Braganza, Queen Margarita of Bulgaria, King Fuad II of Egypt, Ambassador Roberto Bettarini, Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, and King Simeon II of Bulgaria. Photo courtesy of King Fouad II.

Crown Princess Noal Zaher of Egypt, King Fuad, Princess Tilsim of Liechtenstein, and Crown Prince Muhammad Ali of Egypt.

Photo courtesy of King Fouad II.

King Fuad, Grand Duchess Maria, and Crown Prince Mohamed Ali. Photo courtesy of King Fouad II.

Crown Prince Mohamed Ali, Grand Duchess Maria, and Crown Princess Noal Zaher. Photo courtesy of King Fouad II.

A Greek Royal Wedding in Three Weeks!

According to Ekdoseis Stemma, a Greek royal reporter, the office of King Constantine II of the Hellenes has confirmed that Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark will celebrate his religious marriage to Princess Nina (née Flohr) on 23 October at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens. The engagement of Philippos and Nina was announced in September 2020. The couple held their civil marriage on 12 December 2020 at St. Moritz, Switzerland. Philippos and Nina's wedding will be the first royal wedding to take place in Athens since that in 1964 of the groom's parents, King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie (née Denmark).

Countess Beatrix of Schönburg-Glauchau (1930-2021)

The death notice of Countess Beatrix.

Placed in Mittelbayerische Zeitung.

On 30 September, Countess Beatrix of Schönburg-Glauchau died at hospital in Regensburg. She was ninety-one years-old. The passing of the countess was announced by her daughter Fürstin Gloria of Thurn and Taxis. 

Count Bálint Széchényi and Princess Maria Pavlovna Galitzine

Beatrix's mum: Princess Maria Pavlovna Galitzine

On 30 January 1930, Countess Beatrix Maria Valeria Therese Emerica Széchényi de Sárvár-Felsövidék was born at Hegyko, Hungary. Beatrix was the fourth daughter and last child of Count Bálint Széchényi de Sárvár-Felsövidék (1893 - 1954) and his wife Princess Maria Pavlovna Galitzine (1895 - 1976), who had married in 1921. Beatrix joined three older sisters: Marianne (1923 - 1999; married in 1952 to Olivér de Harisi), Alexandra (1926 - 2018; married in 1958 to Baron Dietrich-Eberhard von Wrede), and Eva (1928 - 1997). Beatrix's parents Bálint and Maria divorced in 1931.

Newlyweds: Count Joachim and Countess Beatrix von Schönburg-Glauchau

In October 1957, Beatrix married Count Joachim von Schönburg-Glauchau (1929 - 1998). The couple had four children during the course of their union: Countess Maya (1958 - 2019), Countess Gloria (b.1960), Count Carl-Alban (b.1966), and Count Alexander (b.1969). Beatrix and Joachim divorced in 1986. Beatrix never remarried; Joachim wed the mother of his youngest child the same year that his divorce from Beatrix was finalised.

Beatrix with her daughter Fürstin Gloria von Thurn und Taxis and her grandson Fürst Albert in 2003. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger

Countess Beatrix with her elder sister Countess Alexandra in 2003. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger 

Beatrix with her late daughter Maya in 2003. Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger

Over the years, all of Beatrix's children married, and she was able to enjoy numerous grandchildren. Her eldest daughter, Countess Maya von Schönburg-Glauchau, married German industrial heir Friedrich Christian "Mick" Flick (b.1944) in 1985. Maya and Mick had three children: Alexander, Maria-Pilar, and Ernst-Moritz. The couple divorced in 1993. Maya went on to have another daughter by her partner Stefan Hipp: Carlotta. After some years of illness, Countess Maya died of breast cancer in 2019 at the home of her mother.

Johannes and Gloria of Thurn and Taxis with their three children.

In 1980, Beatrix's youngest daughter, Mariae Gloria, married eventual Fürst Johannes von Thurn und Taxis (1926 - 1990). Gloria and Johannes had three children: Princess Maria Theresia (b.1980), Princess Elisabeth (b.1982), and current Fürst Albert (b.1983). Maria Theresia married British artist Hugo Wilson in 2014; the pair have two daughters, Mafalda (b.2015) and Maya (b.2017).

Count Carl-Alban, Countess Juliet, and their sons Counts Hubertus (the taller) and Benedikt (the smaller) in 2012. Photograph (c) ALAMY / Ursula Dueren

Beatrix's eldest son Carl-Alban married Juliet Beechy-Fowler (b.1966) in 1995. At the time of his marriage, Carl-Alban gave up his rights to the Schönburg-Glauchau title; these passed to his younger brother Alexander. Carl-Alban and his wife Juliet have two sons: Hubertus (b.1996) and Benedikt (b.1999).

Count Alexander von Schönburg-Glauchau and Princess Irina of Hesse on their wedding day

The benjamin of the family, Count Alexander, married Princess Irina of Hesse (b.1971) in 1999. Irina is the daughter of Prince Karl of Hesse and his wife Princess Yvonne. Irina's grandparents were Prince Christoph of Hesse and Princess Sophie of Greece and Denmark, a sister of the Duke of Edinburgh. Alexander and Irina of Schönburg-Glauchau have three children: Countess Maria-Letitia (b.2001), Count Maximus (b.2003), and Count Valentin (b.2005). Alexander has worked as a columnist for Vanity Fair.

May the Countess Rest in Peace.

A Royal Soirée Yesterday at the Russian Museum of Ethnography!

Princess Victoria with her father Ambassador Bettarini. Photo (c) Getty Images / Peter Kovalev.

A happy father and his beautiful daughter. Photo (c) Getty Images / Peter Kovalev.

The happy groom, Grand Duke George, waves to those outside the Russian Museum of Ethnography.

Photo (c) Peter Kovalev / TASS / Newscom.

Yesterday evening, guests gathered at the Russian Museum of Ethnography for a gala dinner after the wedding of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff. The bride, who arrived at the venue on the arm of her father Ambassador Roberto Bettarini, wore her nuptial diadem, the Chaumet Lacis tiara, and its hundreds of diamonds truly blazed in the night. The princess had changed from her wedding gown into a hand-embroidered tulle gown with a white cape made of silk Mikado, inspired by traditional designs and embroidered in a Torzhok style. This creation, as well as the wedding dress of the princess, was the result of a collaboration between New York designer Reem Acra and Russian designer Elina Samarina. 

The Order of Saint Anastasia.

One noticed that the Order of Saint Anastasia the Holy Great Martyr was pinned to the gown of the princess. This order was given to the princess by her mother-in-law, who is the Head of all the Dynastic Orders of the Imperial House of Russia. The Order of Saint Anastasia is only awarded to women.

Grand Duchess Maria. Photo (c) Getty Images / Peter Kovalev.

The mother of the groom and new mother-in-law of the bride! Photo (c) Getty Images / Peter Kovalev.

Grand Duchess Maria of Russia arrives at the gala dinner. Photo (c) Anatoliy Medved /​ SIPA /​ Shutterstock.

Grand Duke George, Hélène Kirby, and Princess Victoria.

Hélène Kirby and Crown Princess Miriam of Bulgaria.

Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, the mother of the groom, donned an amethyst and pearl kokoshnik tiara with amethyst drop earrings. Helen Kirby de Bagration, Countess Dvinskaya and the aunt and godmother of the groom, wore a pearl tiara that has been in the family for many decades (and which was last worn by her sister Grand Duchess Maria at her 1976 wedding).

King Simeon II and Queen Margarita of Bulgaria with Fürst Heinrich XIV Reuß zu Köstritz behind them. Photo (c) Getty Images / Olga Maltseva.

Crown Prince Leka and Crown Princess Elia of Albania. Photo (c) Getty Images / Olga Maltseva.

Prince Joachim and Princess Yasmine Murat. Photo (c) Getty Images / Peter Kovalev.

Prince Aimone and Princess Olga of Savoy, Duke and Duchess of Aosta.

Photo (c) Anatoliy Medved /​ SIPA /​ Shutterstock.

The Duke and Duchess of Braganza with their son Dom Afonso, Prince of Beira, and daughter Infanta Maria Francisca, Duchess of Coimbra. Photo (c) Anatoliy Medved /​ SIPA /​ Shutterstock.

Prince David and Princess Irina Bagration-Mukhransky of Georgia. Photo (c) Anatoliy Medved /​ SIPA /​ Shutterstock.

Princess Lea of Belgium. Photo (c) Anatoliy Medved /​ SIPA /​ Shutterstock.

A bit over five hundred guests were invited to the gala dinner. Social distancing was practiced as much as possible, and tables were kept at an appropriate distance from each other. The wedding organisers have observed many taken measures owing to the coronavirus pandemic. Guests of the imperial wedding have voluntarily undergone temperature checks and many wore masks at different periods. 

The view of a guest at the imperial gala.

Live music was provided throughout the evening by several musicians and vocalists. When guests sat down to dine, each received a commemorative medallion; one side bears the profiles of Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria and the other side bears their joint monogram. This kind of medal has become a much loved keepsake for the guests of royal weddings over the past century. The menu at the dinner was as follows:

Birch Log and Blinis "à la Peterbourgeoise" with Golubitskoe Estate Reisling 2020

Beef Stroganoff "à l'Impériale" with Golubitskoe Estate Merlot 2019

The "Victoria Romanovna" Wedding Cake accompanied by an Orange Sorbet with a Fête de Cheval Brüt Golubitskoe Estate 2018 

Vodka "Tsarskaya Zolotaya"

Mignardises Coffee, Tea, Herbal Tea

The "Victoria Romanovna" Wedding Cake. Photo (c) Michael Lewis-Anderson.

Princess Victoria and Grand Duke George cut their wedding cake with a sword! Photo (c) Russian Imperial Chancellery.

One of the highlights of the evening was surely when the imperial couple cut their wedding cake. Created by baker Michael Lewis-Anderson, this scrumptious creation consisted of fleur d'oranger with blueberries and raspberries. Mr Lewis-Anderson noted that he wished to incorporate the three colours of the Russian flag. He was also inspired by Fabergé, as can be seen by the tip top of the wedding cake. In addition to the menu above, this divine dessert was surely a wonderful finale to a delicious evening.

The imperial couple! Photo (c) Russian Imperial Chancellery.

The Imperial Wedding in Saint Petersburg

The newlyweds depart Saint Isaac's. Photo (c) Getty Images / Alexander Demianchuk. 

Photo (c) Getty Images / Alexander Demianchuk.

Kiss amidst wedded bliss! Photo (c) Getty Images / Alexander Demianchuk.

Today at 12:00pm, Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff were joined in Holy Matrimony during their Russian Orthodox religious marriage at Saint Isaac's Cathedral in Saint Petersburg. Metropolitan Barsanuphius of Saint Petersburg and Ladoga presided over the imperial wedding. The couple were joined by over one thousand guests who wished to partake in the joy of this happy event. This was the first Russian imperial wedding to occur in the country in over a century.

Grand Duchess Maria greets her daughter-in-law Princess Victoria. Photo (c) Getty Images / Olga Maltseva.

Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia, the groom, is the only child of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia and Prince Franz-Wilhelm of Prussia (remarried to Nadia Nour). Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff (née Rebecca Virginia Bettarini), the bride, is the only child of Ambassador Roberto Bettarini and Carla Virginia Cacciatore. Grand Duke George proposed to Rebecca Bettarini in August 2020; Rebecca had converted to Russian Orthodoxy in July 2020 and taken the name Victoria Romanovna. The couple's engagement was officially announced in January 2021 by the Chancellery of the Russian Imperial House. The civil marriage of George and Victoria took place last Friday on 24 September in Moscow.

Photo (c) Getty Images / Olga Maltseva.

Photo (c) Getty Images / Olga Maltseva.

Photo (c) Getty Images / Olga Maltseva.

Princess Victoria Romanovna wore a spectacular wedding gown created by New York designer Reema Acre and Russian designer Elina Samarina. The princess wore the Chaumet Lacis tiara for the religious ceremony. Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria exchanged Fabergé wedding bands. 

The bride’s attendants. Photo sent to me by a friend and guest at the wedding.

Among others, the bridesmaids of the princess were her cousins, Beatrice and Veronica Scheda.

Some of the royal guests. Photo (c) Getty Images / Olga Maltseva.

The wedding was attended by royals from all over the world. Among them, we can note the following: Crown Prince Leka and Crown Princess Elia of Albania, the Duke and Duchess of Bragança and their son Dom Afonso (Prince of Beira), King Simeon II and Queen Margarita of Bulgaria, Crown Princess Miriam of Bulgaria and her son Prince Boris, King Fuad II of Egypt, Crown Prince Mohamed Ali and Crown Princess Noal Zaher of Egypt, Prince Irakli Bagration-Mukhransky, Prince David and Princess Irina Bagration-Mukhransky of Georgia, Prince Philipp and Princess Isabelle of Liechtenstein, Prince Wenzeslaus of Liechtenstein, Prince Rudolf and Princess Tilsim of Liechtenstein, Princess Désirée of Prussia and Ambassador Juan Carlos Gamarra Skeels, Prince Charles-Philippe d'Orléans (Duke d'Anjou), Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy (Prince of Venice), Prince Aimone and Princess Olga of Savoy (Duke and Duchess of Aosta), Prince Charles-Henri Lobkowicz, Prince Joachim and Princess Yasmine Murat, and Helen Kirby de Bagration (Countess Dvinskaya; the groom's aunt and godmother). Prime Minister Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg was also in attendance.  

Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria on the steps of Saint Isaac’s Cathedral. Photo sent to me by a friend and guest at the wedding.

A view of St Isaac's Cathedral during the first imperial wedding in Russia in over a century. Photo (c) Getty Images / Peter Kovalev.

Our congratulations to Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria on this historic day!

[Note: My utmost thanks to a kind friend and guest at the wedding for allowing me to use some of the stunning videos and pictures that they captured!]

The 50th Birthday of Prince Leopold of Baden

Prince Leopold of Baden, 2004. Photo (c) Seeger-Press / Sandra Zellner.

Today, Prince Leopold of Baden celebrates his fiftieth birthday. Born on 1 October 1971 at Salem, Prince Leopold Max Christian Ludwig Clemens Hubert of Baden is the third child and second son of Margrave Max of Baden and his wife Margravine Valerie (née Archduchess of Austria-Tuscany).

Prince Leopold with his mother Margravine Valerie and his father Margrave Max, 1999. Photo (c) Seeger-Presse.

Our best wishes to Prince Leopold on the occasion of his birthday!