Princess Leonie of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach Turns 35!

Today, Princess Leonie of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach celebrates her thirty-fifth birthday.

Princess Leonie held by her grandmother Hereditary Grand Duchess Elisabeth of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and surrounded by her aunt Princess Elisabeth, her parents Prince Michael and Princess Dagmar, and her aunt Princess Beatrice.

Born on 30 October 1986 at Frankfurt, Princess Leonie Mercedes Augusta Silva Elisabeth Margarethe of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach is the only child of Prince Michael Benedikt of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (b.1946) and his wife Princess Dagmar (b.1948; née Hennings), who married in 1980. At her baptism, Princess Leonie received Countess Silvia von Wedel as a godmother. Leonie's paternal grandparents were Hereditary Grand Duke Carl-August of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and his wife Hereditary Grand Duchess Elisabeth (née Baroness von Wangenheim-Winterstein). Leonie's maternal grandparents were Heinrich Hennings and Margarethe Schacht.

Princess Leonie with her parents at the wedding of Hereditary Prince Hubertus and Hereditary Princess Kelly of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 2009.
Photo (c) Alamy.

Leonie's education began at the well-known Schule Schloss Salem, the establishment founded by Kurt Hahn and attended by the late Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Sofía of Spain. The princess went on to receive her bachelors in media and cultural studies from the University of Arts London. Leonie is a reporter. 

After the tragic death of her cousin Prince Georg-Constantin in June 2018, her father Prince Michael, who is the Head of House Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, decided that Princess Leonie would become the inheritor of the family properties and charitable associations after Michael's death. The Grand Ducal House is governed by Salic law, and thus Leonie is not currently able to succeed as Head of the House after her father. The princess was very close to her cousin Georg-Constantin; Leonie and Georg-Constantin often spoke about the Klassik Stiftung Weimar, an important cultural heritage organisation of which Leonie had become a trustee of in January 2018. It was noted by the press that at Georg-Constantin's funeral his cousin was dressed in deep mourning. Although she is a very discreet person, one hopes that Princess Leonie will be allowed to carry on the legacy of the Grand Ducal House of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach in an official capacity at some point.

Our best wishes to the Princess on her birthday!

 

Prince Andreas zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg (1938-2021), Nephew of the Duke of Edinburgh

The late Prince Andreas.

At the age of eighty-two, Prince Andreas zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg passed away today, 28 October. The prince was a first cousin of the Prince of Wales, among others. 

 

Prince Andreas and Princess Luise with their nephew Fürst Philipp.

Born at Schäbisch-Hall on 24 November 1938, Prince Georg Andreas Heinrich zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg was the second son and third child of Fürst Gottfried zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg (1897-1960) and his wife Princess Margarita of Greece and Denmark (1905-1981), the eldest sister of the Duke of Edinburgh. On 9 September 1968, Andreas married Princess Luise von Schönburg-Waldenburg (b.1943), the youngest of the four daughters of Prince Georg Ulrich von Schönburg-Waldenburg and Countess Pauline zu Castell-Castell.

 

Fürstin Eilika zu Leiningen, Fürst Friedrich Wilhelm von Hohenzollern, and Princess Luise and Prince Andreas at the wedding of Hereditary Prince Bernhard of Baden.
Photo (c) Seeger-Presse.

Brothers: Fürst Kraft and Prince Andreas on the occasion of Kraft's 65th birthday.
Photo (c) Seeger-Presse.

Prince Andreas walks his daughter Princess Katharina down the aisle on her wedding day.
Photo (c) Seeger-Presse.

The couple lived in Munich and had two daughters: Princess Katharina (b.1972; married to Prince Nikolaus zu Waldeck und Pyrmont) and Princess Tatjana (b.1975; widow of Hubertus Stephan). 

 

Prince Andreas zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg at the funeral of his brother Fürst Kraft.

The prince was predeceased by his four siblings: Fürst Kraft zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg (1935-2004), Princess Beatrix (1936-1997), and the twins Prince Albrecht (1944-1992) and Prince Rupprecht (1944-1978). He is survived by his wife, by his two daughters and one son-in-law, and by his grandchildren.

May He Rest In Peace ...

From left: Prince Peter, Hereditary Prince Hubertus, Prince Alexander, Princess Stephanie, Prince Andreas of Saxe-Coburg & Gotha, Fürst Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Prince Clemens of Saxony, Princess Louise and Prince Andreas of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

Gorgeous Wedding Portrait of the Duchess of Noto!

HRH The Duchess of Noto.
Photo (c) David Wheeler Photography.

A stunning photo-portrait of Princess Charlotte of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Noto, has been released by the official photographer of the royal wedding, David Wheeler. The Duchess of Noto’s wedding gown, featuring a bespoke embroidered top and duchess satin skirt, was created by Chelsea-based designer Philippa Lepley. The former Lady Charlotte Diana Lindesay-Bethune married Prince Jaime of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Noto, in September at Palermo.

For more about the wedding, you can read this article: The Palermo Wedding of Prince Jaime and Princess Charlotte, Duke and Duchess of Noto!

Romanian Royals Remember King Michael on 100th Anniversary of His Birth

Crown Princess Helen and the newborn Prince Michael of Romania. Photo from HM King Michael I of Romania: A Tribute.

Queen Sophie of Greece and her grandson Prince Michael. Photo from HM King Michael I of Romania: A Tribute.

Queen Marie of Romania and her grandson Prince Michael. Photo from HM King Michael I of Romania: A Tribute.

Crown Prince Carol and Crown Princess Helen of Romania with their son Prince Michael. Photo from HM King Michael I of Romania: A Tribute.

On Monday, 25 October, the family of King Michael of Romania commemorated the centenary since His Majesty's birth in 1921. Michael was the only child of King Carol II of Romania and Queen Mother Helen of Romania (born Princess of Greece and Denmark). In 1948, King Michael married Princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma. The king and queen had five daughters: Princess Margarita, Princess Helen, Princess Irina, Princess Sophie, and Princess Marie. Queen Anne of Romania died in 2016; King Michael died in 2017. The king and queen are buried at Curtea de Argeș.

Nicholas and Alina of Romania participate in the memorial of King Michael's birth at Curtea de Argeș.

Photo (c) Nicolae al Romaniei.

Nicholas and Alina-Maria of Romania. Photo (c) Nicolae al Romaniei.

Nicholas visits the graves of King Carol I and Queen Elisabeta of Romania. Photo (c) Nicolae al Romaniei.

The graves of King Michael I and Queen Anne of Romania. Photo (c) Nicolae al Romaniei.

The king's grandson, Nicholas, and his wife, Alina-Maria, attended a memorial service at Curtea de Argeș, where King Michael and Queen Anne are buried together with the Romanian monarchs who preceded them. The following statement was released by Nicholas:

On this day of double meaning, in which we mark one hundred years since the birth of King Mihai I, as well as the Romanian Army Day, I participated with my wife Alina-Maria de Roumanie at a memorial officiated by Archbishop Calinic in the Archbishopric Cathedral at Curtea of Argeș in memory of my grandfather and the heroes of this nation, reminding us of the sacrifice, devotion and courage demonstrated in the defense of the integrity of our country.

The date of October 25 marks the full release of Romanian territory from the occupation of the troops of Hungary. General Gheorghe Avramescu won the final victory at Carei, dedicating it to King Mihai on the occasion of his twenty-third birthday on 25 October 1944.

Our thoughts will always be directed towards my grandfather, the youngest king in the history of Romania and the last monarch of the country, just as we will be eternally grateful to the heroes who sacrificed themselves for the country, fighting for freedom and justice. May God rest them in peace!

The statue of His Majesty King Michael of Romania, Sinaia. Photo (c) PPE/RoyalblogNL Hans Jacobs.

Margarita, Custodian of the Crown, in front of the statue of her father King Michael.

Photo (c) PPE/RoyalblogNL Hans Jacobs.

Princess Elena of Romania at the unveiling of the statue of her father. Photo (c) PPE/RoyalblogNL Hans Jacobs.

Princess Sofia of Romania at the unveiling of the statue of her father. Photo (c) PPE/RoyalblogNL Hans Jacobs.

Princess Maria of Romania at the unveiling of the statue of her father. Photo (c) PPE/RoyalblogNL Hans Jacobs.

In Sinaia, a statue of King Michael was unveiled in the presence of most of his children. This event was attended by four of the king's five daughters: Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, with her husband Prince Radu; Princess Helen (mother of Nicholas); Princess Sophie; and Princess Marie. They also visited an exhibition at the National Bank of Romania, where a special commemorative coin was presented. For more information and pictures of this event, you can visit this link: Centenarul nașterii Regelui Mihai I.

May the memory of His Majesty be a blessing.

A Son for Archduchess Eleonore of Austria & Jérôme d'Ambrosio!

Photo courtesy of Eleonore Habsburg.

On Wednesday, 20 October, Archduchess Eleonore of Austria and her husband Jérôme d'Ambrosio welcomed the birth of their first child, a son: Otto d'Ambrosio. The archduchess shared this message on her Instagram: "Welcome to the world little Otto - born 20th October 2021. Your parents could not be more proud of you. Our hearts are full of love." The baby's grandmother Archduchess Francesca shared the following message: "Welcome to our family little Otto! You bring nothing but JOY JOY JOY! Your parents are the best parents you could ever have, Eleonore and Jerome have welcomed you into the world as proud parents and the rest of us, you will just have to put up with! We will do our best to make you feel safe, learn all that you can from all of us, and always feel loved and cherished. You have now qualified me as an Elder! A holder of ancient wisdom! I am already enjoying my new role!!! Blessed are you!" 

This is the first grandchild for Archduke Karl of Austria, Head of the Austrian Imperial House, and Archduchess Francesca (born Baroness Thyssen-Bornemisza). Otto d'Ambrosio is named for his great-grandfather Archduke Otto. 

Our congratulations to Jérôme and Eleonore on the birth of their son!

July 2020: An Imperial Marriage in Monte Carlo: Eleonore of Austria Weds Jerome D'Ambrosio In Civil Ceremony

The 80th Birthday of Princess Béatrice d'Orléans

Today, Princess Béatrice d'Orléans celebrates her eightieth birthday!

Béatrice.

Born on 24 October 1941 at Neuilly-sur-Seine, Béatrice Marie Guillemine Huguette Pasquier de Franclieu was the second of the three daughters of Bruno Pasquier de Franclieu (1914-1944) and his wife Jacqueline Térisse (1918-1999), who married in 1938. Béatrice studied political science at the Sorbonne and then received a masters in marketing. She went on to carve out a career in fashion and worked for Dior. 

Prince Michel d'Orléans and Béatrice Pasquier de Franclieu.
Photo (c) Getty Images / Jean Claude Deutsch.

In 1967, Béatrice Pasquier de Franclieu and Prince Michel d'Orléans married at Casablanca, Morocco. The pair had initially met in 1964. Michel was the son of the Count and Countess of Paris. Béatrice and Michel had four children: Princess Clotilde (b.1968; married Édouard Crépy), Princess Adélaïde (b.1971; married Pierre-Louis Dailly), Prince Charles-Philippe (b.1973; married Diana Álvares Pereira de Melo, Duchess of Cadaval), and Prince François (b.1982; married Theresa von Einsiedel). As the marriage was not approved by the Count of Paris, Prince Michel received the title Count d’Évreux; after the passing of his father, Michel's brother Henri recognised his marriage as dynastic. The marriage of Prince Michel and Princess Béatrice, Count and Countess d’Évreux, ended in divorce in 2012; the couple had separated in 1994. 

 

Béatrice and her sons François and Charles-Philippe.
Photo (c) Shutterstock.

Béatrice lives in Madrid. She is a doting grandmother and has twelve grandchildren. 

Happy birthday to Princess Béatrice!

Prince Philippos and Princess Nina of Greece Marry in Athens!

Capped with a kiss: Prince Philippos and Princess Nina after the ceremony!
Photo (c) Getty Images / Milos Bicanski.

Today, 23 October, Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark and Princess Nina (née Flohr) celebrated their religious wedding at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens. One hundred guests were invited to be present in the Cathedral. Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece officiated over the ceremony, which began at 5:00pm. The crowd gathered outside of the cathedral cheered for Queen Sofía and Princess Irene, King Constantine and Prince Constantine, Queen Anne-Marie and Prince Philippos, and Princess Nina and Thomas Flohr upon their respective arrivals. In a touching scene, the king, who was in a wheel chaired pushed by his grandson, was helped to stand in order to greet the Archbishop. Prince Philippos arrived on the arm of his mother Queen Anne-Marie, who wore her pearl and diamond cross necklace. Princess Nina, wearing a Chanel wedding gown and the Greek Corsage Tiara, arrived on the arm of her father Thomas Flohr. The princess carried a bouquet of peonies. 

Queen Sofía, Crown Prince Pavlos, and Princess Irene.
Photo (c) PPE AGENCY / Albert Nieboer.

Princess Benedikte, Princess Alexandra, Count Michael, and Infanta Elena.
Photo (c) PPE AGENCY / Albert Nieboer.

Princess Theodora, Princess Tatiana, and Prince Nikolaos.
Photo (c) PPE AGENCY / Albert Nieboer.

Princess Alexia and Carlos Morales.
Photo (c) PPE AGENCY / Albert Nieboer.

Princess Marina and Prince Michael.
Photo (c) PPE AGENCY / Albert Nieboer.

Jack Brooksbank, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Edo Mapelli-Mozzi.
Photo (c) PPE AGENCY / Albert Nieboer.

King Constantine II and Prince Constantine.
Photo (c) PPE AGENCY / Albert Nieboer.

Queen Anne-Marie and Prince Philippos.
Photo (c) PPE AGENCY / Albert Nieboer.

Thomas Flohr walks his daughter Princess Nina into the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Photo (c) PPE AGENCY / Albert Nieboer.

The Greek royal family was in full attendance: King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie, Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal, Princess Olympia and the Hon. Peregrine Pearson, Prince Constantine-Alexois, Prince Achileas-Andreas, Prince Odyseus Kimon, Prince Aristidis-Stavros, Princess Alexia and her husband Carlos Morales and their children, Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana, Princess Theodora, and Prince Michael with Princess Marina. 

Prince Philippos and Princess Nina of Greece in the Metropolitan Cathedral during their wedding.
Photo courtesy of the Greek royal family.

Among the foreign royal and noble guests at the wedding were the following: Prince Kyril of Bulgaria and his partner Katherine Butler, Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Princess Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and her husband Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille, Princess Beatrice and her husband Count Edoardo Mapelli-Mozzi, Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, Princess Chantal of Hannover, Hereditary Prince Ernst August and Hereditary Princess Ekaterina of Hannover, Prince Christian and Princess Alessandra of Hannover, Queen Sofía of Spain and her daughter Infanta Elena, Princess Tatiana Radziwill and her husband Dr Jean Fruchaud, Count Nikolai von Bismarck, several of the Countesses von Arco-Zinneberg, Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo.

King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes with their grandson Prince Constantine.
Photo (c) Getty Images / Milos Bicanski.

Left to right: Crown Prince Pavlos, Thomas Flohr, King Constantine, Prince Constantine, Queen Anne-Marie, Princess Benedikte, Katharina Konečný, and Queen Sofía.
Photo (c) Getty Images / Milos Bicanski.

The groom's aunts: Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Princess Irene of Greece, and Queen Sofía of Spain.
Photo (c) Getty Images / Milos Bicanski.

Left to right: Prince Odyseus, Prince Constantine, Princess Olympia, Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie Chantal, Prince Achileas, and Prince Aristidis.

Photo (c) PPE AGENCY / Albert Nieboer.

Left to right: Arietta Morales, Carlos Morales, Ana María Morales, Carlos Morales and Princess Alexia, and Amelia Morales.
Photo (c) PPE AGENCY / Albert Nieboer.

Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie.
Photo (c) PPE AGENCY / Albert Nieboer.

Edoardo Mapelli-Mozzi, Hereditary Prince Ernst August of Hannover, Princess Beatrice, and Andrea Casiraghi.
Photo (c) PPE AGENCY / Albert Nieboer.

Prince Cyril of Bulgaria and Katherine Butler.
Photo (c) PPE AGENCY / Albert Nieboer.

Infanta Elena and Princess Alexandra.
Photo (c) PPE AGENCY / Albert Nieboer.

The religious marriage of the prince and princess was followed by a reception at the National Gymnastics Association, hosted by the groom's father King Constantine II of Greece.

The prince and princess greet the crowd outside the Cathedral after their wedding.
Photo (c) Getty Images / Milos Bicanski.

Prince Philippos and Princess Nina depart the Metropolitan Cathedral following their wedding.
Photo (c) Getty Images / Milos Bicanski.

Prince Philippos and Princess Nina surrounded by their parents and bridal attendants.
Picture courtesy of the Greek royal family.

 

Our best wishes and congratulations to Prince Philippos and Princess Nina!

 

December 2020: Prince Philippos of Greece and Nina Flohr Wed (Civilly) in Switzerland