The ancient residence of King Harold of Denmark was discovered recently by archaeologists near the famous Jelling runic stones. Harold was called Harald Blåtand in Denmark, meaning dark-skinned and tan.
This king is well-loved by many Danes because he united Denmark and Norway and he converted Denmark to Christianity. Born in 911, King Harold was the son of King Gorm and his wife Thyra. Thyra was rather interested in Christianity but remained pagan.
When Gorm was defeated by the German king, Henry 1, he was forced to tolerate his Christian subjects. Harold only accepted Christianity when Denmark was finally defeated by Otto 1. Otto forced Harold to convert and Harold was baptized by a German with the strange name of Poppo. Harold must have taken to the new religion in the end because he built a church dedicated to the Holy Trinity and he built a monument which said that he converted the country to Christianity.
When his sister's Graafeld's husband,Erik Blood Axe, was assassinated, Harold took over Norway. He was slain himself in 986.
Harold was nicknamed 'Harold Bluetooth' and Ericsson's famous Bluetooth technology, which unites 'the worlds of computers and telecom' is named after him.
You can read more about Harold here: Harold Bluetooth's Royal Palace
The King's Secret Matter by Jean Plaidy
This is a sympathetic portrayal of Catherine of Aragon who suffered so much at the hands of Henry VIII. Plaidy paints a vivid picture of the splendour of Henry's court and the life that Catherine is forced to endure after her downfall.
Catherine is depicted as proud and determined to fight for her daughter's legitimacy. She is a very loving wife and mother, and remains very fond of Henry even when he subjects her to great trials. She is, perhaps, shown as a little bit too saintly, but Plaidy does an excellent job of making the reader feel very sorry for her.
Plaidy's character analysis of Henry is also excellent. He could be kind and loving, but quickly change to being nasty. His mercurial nature must have been extremely frightening! Henry was capable of turning against people very quickly, and the fear of death became ever-present for those close to him.
Plaidy also wrote well about Wolsey, but I got a bit tired of reading about him. He wasn't a very likeable character, and I wasn't especially interested in reading about his thoughts. Plaidy probably thought that this made the story clearer, but I am not sure that it was necessary.
I enjoyed this book and thought that it was one of Plaidy's better novels. The story is depressing and the reader knows that at the start. This probably made the novel even harder to write because many readers like happy endings. This book is worth reading if you like historical novels set in Tudor times.
Catherine is depicted as proud and determined to fight for her daughter's legitimacy. She is a very loving wife and mother, and remains very fond of Henry even when he subjects her to great trials. She is, perhaps, shown as a little bit too saintly, but Plaidy does an excellent job of making the reader feel very sorry for her.
Plaidy's character analysis of Henry is also excellent. He could be kind and loving, but quickly change to being nasty. His mercurial nature must have been extremely frightening! Henry was capable of turning against people very quickly, and the fear of death became ever-present for those close to him.
Plaidy also wrote well about Wolsey, but I got a bit tired of reading about him. He wasn't a very likeable character, and I wasn't especially interested in reading about his thoughts. Plaidy probably thought that this made the story clearer, but I am not sure that it was necessary.
I enjoyed this book and thought that it was one of Plaidy's better novels. The story is depressing and the reader knows that at the start. This probably made the novel even harder to write because many readers like happy endings. This book is worth reading if you like historical novels set in Tudor times.
Wedding Supplies
There is a charge to buy abounding altered things afore a bells date. Numerous affairs are fabricated for bells for which purchases are to be done. One of the important purchases is food for the wedding. You accept to analysis a lot to acquisition best supplies. So you accept to booty affliction of some important things like the blush of clothes called by bride, the affair of the bells and abounding added food afore and afterwards the wedding. It is the dream of all the bodies in this apple to accomplish their bells day a appropriate and memorable one. It should not alone be memorable for helpmate and benedict but additionally for the guests accessory the wedding. So it is their albatross to agree all the things that are to be acclimated for wedding. But do not anticipate that they accept to booty circuit of bazaar consistently to buy the things. They aloof accept to agree the things that are purchased and say yes and no on it. Their role is to aloof canyon the things of abort it.
But it is the albatross of both helpmate and benedict to acquirement ability for the appropriate guests. It is their assignment to accept the absolute allowance for annual babe and the arena bearer. Buying ability is the aggregate albatross of both helpmate and groom.
Wedding food can additionally be bought by consulting the bells planner. These bells planners advice both helpmate and benedict to accept ability for their guests and their appropriate friends. They accept the aftertaste of helpmate and benedict and again action them altered choices from which they can decide. You can additionally booty the advice of bells boutiques. These boutiques are acclaimed for designing bells dresses for helpmate and benedict but now a canicule they accept started a new business of affairs added bells supplies. It is not accessible in all the bells boutiques but in called one.
But there are some things that are brash afore authoritative a accord for any bells supplies. While finalizing a accord for a bells accumulation it is important that you analysis all the aircraft and administration costs. Most bodies balloon this affair and accomplish their account attending high. So to plan a able account it is actual important to accede this thing.
All the food are aboriginal arrested by the helpmate and benedict and again accepted or final placement. All things are planned with anniversary added so that there is no aberration in the planned budget. This is the absolute way to plan a absolute wedding.
Six Wives by David Starkey
This is a clearly written and interesting book in which Starkey attempts to get rid of many misconceptions about Henry VIII's wives. These misconceptions have existed for centuries. Catherine of Aragon has always been regarded as saintly, for example. Although Starkey agrees that she was very religious, he does think that she probably lied about her first marriage. She did spend a long time with Henry's brother, Arthur, who was quite healthy. It is unlikely that the marriage wasn't consummated.
He also writes sympathetically about Katherine Howard. She is usually regarded as a rather stupid tecenager, but Starkey's book shows that she really wasn't stupid. She also had a mind of her own and spoke up for some people whose lives were in danger.
I did think that Starkey got carried away by speculation at times. He writes that Anne Boleyn, for example, had her bed hung with richly embroidered crimson velvet of the 'Bed of Alancon'. He thinks that Anne may have wanted this because she got the Duke of Alancon mixed up with the French duke, Longueville, captured by the English during Henry's war with the French. Catherine had written that she would exchange the coat of the dead King of Scots, killed in the great battle of Flodden, for the Duke. Starkey thinks that Anne may have regarded the relic as a symbol of Catherine's finest hour, and appropriated it for herself. This seemed to me to be rather a stretch. Perhaps Anne just liked the beautiful fabric?
One reviewer wrote that Anne was Starkey's favourite, but I didn't think so. He annoyed me by attributing ulterior motives to her at almost every turn. The passage about the bed was just one example.
He also appeared to dislike Jane Seymour, who didn't seem to have too many qualms about Anne's death. His view of her was more understandable, I thought.
This was not a riveting book. The beginning was a bit dull but Starkey got into his stride when he started writing about Anne Boleyn and the book became more interesting. Most people who like to read about Henry's fascinating wives will enjoy it.
NB: I also posted this review at my Book Addiction blog.
Thank You!
Thank you to all the kind people who have continued to visit this apparently dormant blog during this absence! It is returning this week and will be back up to speed again!
Meanwhile, have you ever noticed the similarity between football managers and kings? The mob mentality that hails a hero during the good times and calls for his head when things go wrong? And why do we set so much store by a team winning a game? All kinds of projections go on there and, under the circumstances, being English, perhaps it was better to let this lie tonight!!
After wanting England to win, I wanted the USA to win...now I am rooting for Holland :-)
Meanwhile, have you ever noticed the similarity between football managers and kings? The mob mentality that hails a hero during the good times and calls for his head when things go wrong? And why do we set so much store by a team winning a game? All kinds of projections go on there and, under the circumstances, being English, perhaps it was better to let this lie tonight!!
After wanting England to win, I wanted the USA to win...now I am rooting for Holland :-)
Renting a Wedding Dress
It is a dream of every woman to get affiliated in a actual beautiful and comfortable way. The bells dress is advised to be one of the best adored dresses of a bride. There are abounding brides who accumulate their bells dresses preserved so that they can canyon them on to their daughters and granddaughters. If you buy a bells dress from an affected bazaar again they can absolutely be actual expensive. If you are on a account again you charge accede either renting a dress or affairs it from abatement store. In this article, I would mainly like to acquaint you about the assorted capital things that you charge absolutely accumulate in apperception while you are renting a bells dress.
1. Selecting the absolute store
There are assorted food in the bazaar that mainly specialize in renting bells dresses to the brides. You can face assorted altered problems while renting the dress that is why it is capital for you to backpack out a through out bazaar research. There are assorted big conjugal food and saloons that accord bells apparel on the rent. You aloof accept to appointment the boutique in adjustment to baddest the absolute dress for yourself. There are assorted acceptable websites operating on the internet that can additionally advice you to hire these dress.
2. Do your arcade in advance
If you appetite to hire a abundant bells dress for yourself again you can backpack out your arcade in advance. There are actual few renting options and some rentals do not alike acquiesce you to get the dress adapted according to your size. In adjustment to baddest the absolute dress for your bells you charge try out as abounding rentals as you can. It is actual capital for the dress to fit you altogether appropriately award the adapted dress is awful important.
You will see that assorted boutiques and saloons additionally hire bells accessories in accession to the dress. If you appetite analogous accessories with your bathrobe clothes again it is important for you to booty rental packages. This is a absolutely actual acceptable accord as the rental amalgamation usually includes bells shoes, tiara, bells jewelry, veil, changeable and added bells accessories.
If you are renting a dress again there is a rental acceding that you charge to sign. In the arrangement the date of dress commitment and date of acknowledgment are additionally mentioned so that you accept no confusions.
Well aloft mentioned are some awful capital credibility that you charge to bethink while renting a bells dress.
This Week in Princesses
If it wasn't for the major announcement of Prince Albert II of Monaco's engagement to Charlene Wittstock, this week's news would have been devoted entirely to sporting events--World Cup, Wimbledon, polo, show jumping, etc. On the whole, princesses seem to be sports mad.
June 22
Prince Albert III of Monaco announced his engagement to Rhodesian-born South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock just days after taking her with him to Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden’s wedding. The day after the announcement it emerged that he had called her dad permission just minutes before a World Cup match, causing the future father-in-law some frustration. The wedding will take place in the summer of 2011. For more on the engagement, read my post The Next Princess: The Long-Awaited Engagement.
June 23
The royal family of the grand duchy of Luxembourg celebrated their tiny country’s national day. The young royals lined up in a row from left are Prince Guillaume, Princess Alexandra, Prince Louis and his wife Princess Tessy, and Prince Sebastien. Both princesses look a little severe for their tender ages: Alexandra is 19 and Tessy is 24.
Every little princess deserves her own balcony. Ten-year-old Princess Alexandra of Hanover enjoyed some time to herself on the balcony of her uncle’s palace in Monaco. The daughter of Prince Ernest of Hanover and Princess Caroline of Monaco, this Alexandra is the granddaughter of Princess Grace, previously the American screen goddess Grace Kelly.
Camilla Duchess of Cornwall was present for a large homecoming event honoring service members who have returned home from Afghanistan.
Princess Eugenie of York started an internship at Christies, the famous auction house this week. On Day 3 of the new job, her outfit is adorable, but the bag seems out of proportion. Was she planning to smuggle some artwork home or did she bring lunch for everyone?
June 24
On Thursday, Princess Caroline of Monaco was on hand to cheer on her older daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi at the 15th Monte Carlo International Jumping Competition. Charlotte’s father, Caroline’s second husband Stefano Casiraghi, was tragically killed in speedboat accident when she was very young.
In South Africa, Princess Takamado of Japan attended the World Cup match between Japan and Denmark. Her late husband, Prince Takamado, was a first cousin of Emperor Akihito. Since his death in 2002, this Cambridge graduate has raised three daughters alone and has continued to play an important role in representing Japan, especially abroad. Before her marriage, she was Hisako Tottori.
The brightly outfitted Queen of England picked up some pointers from her first cousin, the Duke of Kent, at a Wimbledon match. In this photo, the Duke looks remarkably like the queen’s oldest son, the Prince of Wales. The strong resemblance may be because the Duke, as a son of Princess Marina of Greece, is also second cousins with Prince Philip, a former Greek prince. Perhaps Prince Charles will look exactly like this in another decade.
June 25
The next day at the show jumping event, Princess Caroline developed a double case of puppy love.
June 26
Princess Beatrice of York and her boyfriend Dave Clark turned out at a reception in New York City to support her cousin Prince Harry of Wales’ African charity, Sentebale. Harry spent the weekend in New York promoting the charity and building connections between the British and American armies. He also threw out the first pitch at a Major League Baseball game.
June 22
Prince Albert III of Monaco announced his engagement to Rhodesian-born South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock just days after taking her with him to Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden’s wedding. The day after the announcement it emerged that he had called her dad permission just minutes before a World Cup match, causing the future father-in-law some frustration. The wedding will take place in the summer of 2011. For more on the engagement, read my post The Next Princess: The Long-Awaited Engagement.
June 23
The royal family of the grand duchy of Luxembourg celebrated their tiny country’s national day. The young royals lined up in a row from left are Prince Guillaume, Princess Alexandra, Prince Louis and his wife Princess Tessy, and Prince Sebastien. Both princesses look a little severe for their tender ages: Alexandra is 19 and Tessy is 24.
Every little princess deserves her own balcony. Ten-year-old Princess Alexandra of Hanover enjoyed some time to herself on the balcony of her uncle’s palace in Monaco. The daughter of Prince Ernest of Hanover and Princess Caroline of Monaco, this Alexandra is the granddaughter of Princess Grace, previously the American screen goddess Grace Kelly.
Camilla Duchess of Cornwall was present for a large homecoming event honoring service members who have returned home from Afghanistan.
Princess Eugenie of York started an internship at Christies, the famous auction house this week. On Day 3 of the new job, her outfit is adorable, but the bag seems out of proportion. Was she planning to smuggle some artwork home or did she bring lunch for everyone?
June 24
On Thursday, Princess Caroline of Monaco was on hand to cheer on her older daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi at the 15th Monte Carlo International Jumping Competition. Charlotte’s father, Caroline’s second husband Stefano Casiraghi, was tragically killed in speedboat accident when she was very young.
In South Africa, Princess Takamado of Japan attended the World Cup match between Japan and Denmark. Her late husband, Prince Takamado, was a first cousin of Emperor Akihito. Since his death in 2002, this Cambridge graduate has raised three daughters alone and has continued to play an important role in representing Japan, especially abroad. Before her marriage, she was Hisako Tottori.
The brightly outfitted Queen of England picked up some pointers from her first cousin, the Duke of Kent, at a Wimbledon match. In this photo, the Duke looks remarkably like the queen’s oldest son, the Prince of Wales. The strong resemblance may be because the Duke, as a son of Princess Marina of Greece, is also second cousins with Prince Philip, a former Greek prince. Perhaps Prince Charles will look exactly like this in another decade.
June 25
The next day at the show jumping event, Princess Caroline developed a double case of puppy love.
June 26
Princess Beatrice of York and her boyfriend Dave Clark turned out at a reception in New York City to support her cousin Prince Harry of Wales’ African charity, Sentebale. Harry spent the weekend in New York promoting the charity and building connections between the British and American armies. He also threw out the first pitch at a Major League Baseball game.
Plus Size Dresses For Weddings And Proms
For a Additional Admeasurement Girl, weddings and proms can be a arresting event. Not alone are the latest and greatest fashions, displayed on a admeasurement 2 manikin, they do not accept the aforementioned address back you try them on in a admeasurement 14 and up. Statistics show, that six out of every 10 women are advised Additional Size, and abounding of these girls, are aloof big frames, not absolutely a ample admeasurement at all. But back they go arcade in the approved malls, they will acquisition dresses that are geared for abundant abate and lighter affected girls.
Plus admeasurement food accept started bustling up about the cities, as the retailers see that there is a need, but still abounding of the styles do not adulate the additional admeasurement girl. Girls alpha blast dieting to try and fit in with the norm, or clasp themselves into dresses that aloof don't fit.
You do not appetite to be amazement on your bells day, or back dancing with your admirer at your prom, you appetite to bethink it, and accept a acceptable time. One of the best means to attending attractive on your bells day, or brawl date, is to acquisition a dress that fits all of your curves. It doesn't cull in one place, and appendage out another. If you abrasion a dress that is too small, you will absolutely attending chunkier than if you get a dress that fits you well.
Get the appropriate appearance and admeasurement of dress and you will angle tall, attending slimmer and feel like a actor bucks. Get the admeasurement tag out of your head, and use it as a adviser alone for your measurements, again aloof go by the fit, and not the number.
The Next Princess: The Long-Awaited Engagement
The oldest living playboy prince has at last been put to pasture. After decades of speculation about his sexual orientation, at least two illegitimate children and what seemed like hundreds of supermodel girlfriends, the late Princess Grace's son, Prince Albert has finally announced his engagement to Charlene Wittstock. He is 52; she is 20 years younger.
Charlene Lynette Woodstock was born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and so will be the first African-born woman to marry a major European prince. (Apologies to Prince Harry's Zimbabwe-born girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, but it looks like Charlene will beat you to the altar. Of course, rumors are rampant that Chelsy and Harry have split up again.) The daughter of swim coach, Charlene started young as a competitive swimmer. She earned South Africa's championship in the women's 50-meter backstroke and swam on the country's Olympic team in 2000 in Sydney, where she earned a highly respectable fifth-place finish.
The couple reportedly met during a swimming event in Monaco and she quickly became his constant companion. Speculation about their relationship first arose when they were seen together at the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Olympic Winter games. (The prince is also an Olympian, having competed in bobsled for his country, and he has served on the International Olympic Committee for 25 years.) In the last four years, they have attended numerous public events together including many casual athletic outings. More importantly, Charlene has accompanied him to official events in Monaco, like the annual Rose Ball and the Princess Grace Awards Gala, and to royal events, like last weekend's royal wedding in Sweden, where she was seated behind him.
Charlene will be the first princess consort of Monaco since Princess Grace's tragic death in 1982. Any children she has with Albert will supplant her sister-in-law, Princess Caroline, in the line of succession. Albert's father, Prince Rainier III, changed the laws of succession in 2002--because of concerns that Albert would never have a legitimate child--making it possible for siblings, not just children, to succeed the reigning prince. Therefore, Caroline has been Hereditary Princess of Monaco since Albert succeeded in 2005. She will lose this title the moment he has a legitimate child. She briefly held the title as an infant and lost it when Albert was born and he became the Hereditary Prince.
Despite the possible change in her position, Caroline seems not to mind. Both she and her sister Princess Stephanie have reportedly coached Charlene for her new role.
No wedding date has been announced, but protocol reportedly calls for at least six months of engagement. A winter wedding perhaps? In the meantime, she can use those breaststroke muscles to support the weight of her massive engagement ring.
Charlene Lynette Woodstock was born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and so will be the first African-born woman to marry a major European prince. (Apologies to Prince Harry's Zimbabwe-born girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, but it looks like Charlene will beat you to the altar. Of course, rumors are rampant that Chelsy and Harry have split up again.) The daughter of swim coach, Charlene started young as a competitive swimmer. She earned South Africa's championship in the women's 50-meter backstroke and swam on the country's Olympic team in 2000 in Sydney, where she earned a highly respectable fifth-place finish.
Charlene will be the first princess consort of Monaco since Princess Grace's tragic death in 1982. Any children she has with Albert will supplant her sister-in-law, Princess Caroline, in the line of succession. Albert's father, Prince Rainier III, changed the laws of succession in 2002--because of concerns that Albert would never have a legitimate child--making it possible for siblings, not just children, to succeed the reigning prince. Therefore, Caroline has been Hereditary Princess of Monaco since Albert succeeded in 2005. She will lose this title the moment he has a legitimate child. She briefly held the title as an infant and lost it when Albert was born and he became the Hereditary Prince.
Despite the possible change in her position, Caroline seems not to mind. Both she and her sister Princess Stephanie have reportedly coached Charlene for her new role.
No wedding date has been announced, but protocol reportedly calls for at least six months of engagement. A winter wedding perhaps? In the meantime, she can use those breaststroke muscles to support the weight of her massive engagement ring.
Crown Princess Victoria's Wedding
Here is a pretty video of photos of : the Swedish princess's wedding. You can view many photos here and read about what all the royal ladies wore at: .Crown Princess Victoria's Wedding and the Triumph of Style.
The all-important question! What do you think of the dress?
I hope to write an article soon - it will probably be on a historical subject
The all-important question! What do you think of the dress?
I hope to write an article soon - it will probably be on a historical subject
Victoria and Albert Exhibition
If only I could visit this: Victoria and Albert Art and Love Exhibition!
This Week in Princesses
Midsummer has arrived and the number of high-profile royal events was unbelievable. Here’s just a tasting of the princesses who popped out of their palaces this week.
June 14
What a way to start the week! Felipe and Letizia of Spain attended an event at El Prado Museum and were seated in front of the incredible painting, “Las Meninas,” by Velazquéz, who painted himself into the scene. The central figure is Infanta Margarita Teresa, daughter of King Felipe IV and future wife of Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I. I wouldn’t have behaved well at this event—I would have felt compelled to run my chair around!
At an art event of another sort, Infanta Elena of Spain showed she is not afraid of a little sartorial splendor; she often choosing colorful ensembles. Check out the stripes on those high heels—her legs look super long at this event for children who won a painting competition.
June 15
Felipe and Letizia of Spain looked serious and already tired at this ceremony in Spain. Maybe they had a bit of pre-travel jet lag considering that in the next two days, they would fly to South Africa and then to Sweden. How do you pack for that?
June 16
Felipe and Letizia of Spain made a quick trip to South Africa to attend the World Cup match between Spain and Switzerland. (Is it just me, or did Americans go World Cup Crazy for the first time EVER this year?)
When she’s not riding horse, Princess Haya of Jordan can still be found at equestrian events. On Wednesday, she presented one of the trophies at Royal Ascot in England.
The Swedish royal family attended many events in advance of Saturday’s royal wedding. Here, they are arriving for a reception on a historic ship. Queen Silvia’s bright yellow jacket stands out between her more soberly clad daughters, Princess Madeleine and Crown Princess Victoria.
June 17
Princess Haya of Jordan looked summery and delightful throughout the week of Royal Ascot. Her companion on Ladies Day, Prince Edward’s wife Sophie of Wessex, may be patterned and be-feathered, but she still looks dowdy next to her Middle Eastern friend.
The Princess Royal and her niece, Princess Beatrice of York, arrived from Windsor Castle by carriage at Ascot. It looks like Aunt Anne may be offering Bea some advice.
The Norwegian royal family took their yacht for the short trip from Oslo to Stockholm for the Swedish royal wedding. The entire family came along for the festivities. Here, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, kisses her mommy, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, goodbye as her aunt, Princess Martha Louise, looks on.
June 18
Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling opened gifts at a reception in their honor hosted by the city of Stockholm. Just what do you get a future queen for a wedding present? Apparently, apple trees and wine.
With her marriage to Prince Ernst of Hanover reportedly on the rocks, Princess Caroline of Monaco might be expected to look a little world-weary. Of course, this wasn’t a cheerful occasion either; she was attending the International Day of the Refugee.
Rarely seen in American coverage, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg is actually from the Western hemisphere—she is Cuban. She has five children with Grand Duke Henri, here arriving for the Swedish government’s dinner in honor of Crown Princess Victoria’s wedding.
Most of the Greek royal family arrived together. Did Princess Alexia and her mom, Queen Anne-Marie, coordinate their beautiful red gowns? If so, it looks like Prince Nikolaos’ fiancée, Tatiana Blatnik, did not get the memo.
The arrival of the honored couple had a bit more drama, as Daniel Westling cheerfully mucked in to arrange his fiancee’s train so that Crown Princess Victoria would look spectacular in photos. Ironically, this photo is probably the most used one from the event.
Here’s another one of those touchy-feely moments between Felipe and Letizia of Spain as they arrived for the gala concert in Stockholm the night before the big wedding.
Princess Madeleine of Sweden looked gorgeous (as usual) as she arrived on the arm of her big brother Prince Carl Philip for the concert in their sister’s honor. Their own weddings will be much less spectacular since they won’t be national occasions.
June 19
Of course, the top event of the week was the actual wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her long-time beau (and former fitness trainer) Daniel Westling, now Prince Daniel. Their gorgeous day included a lovely ceremony attended by royalty around the world (see some of the guests), a carriage ride and boat tour through Copenhagen, a grand feast and dancing into the wee hours. Throughout it all, their love for each other was apparent and touching.
One of my favorite images of the day. This one shows three of the world’s most glamorous royal couples, dressed to the hilt, caught in a “just like the rest of us” moment. Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Haakon of Norway look on as Frederick of Denmark uses a point-and-shoot camera to take a snap of their wives, Mary, Maxima and Mette-Marit, all in a row.
And, here’s the big picture. The bridal couple surrounded by their families and all of the royals who attended. If you click on this photo, you can actually read some of the names. The photo includes at least 10 current kings and queens and at least 16 future ones. (You’d think they could have found a prettier place to take the picture.)
June 20
All the princesses slept off the busy week.
June 14
What a way to start the week! Felipe and Letizia of Spain attended an event at El Prado Museum and were seated in front of the incredible painting, “Las Meninas,” by Velazquéz, who painted himself into the scene. The central figure is Infanta Margarita Teresa, daughter of King Felipe IV and future wife of Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I. I wouldn’t have behaved well at this event—I would have felt compelled to run my chair around!
At an art event of another sort, Infanta Elena of Spain showed she is not afraid of a little sartorial splendor; she often choosing colorful ensembles. Check out the stripes on those high heels—her legs look super long at this event for children who won a painting competition.
June 15
Felipe and Letizia of Spain looked serious and already tired at this ceremony in Spain. Maybe they had a bit of pre-travel jet lag considering that in the next two days, they would fly to South Africa and then to Sweden. How do you pack for that?
June 16
Felipe and Letizia of Spain made a quick trip to South Africa to attend the World Cup match between Spain and Switzerland. (Is it just me, or did Americans go World Cup Crazy for the first time EVER this year?)
When she’s not riding horse, Princess Haya of Jordan can still be found at equestrian events. On Wednesday, she presented one of the trophies at Royal Ascot in England.
The Swedish royal family attended many events in advance of Saturday’s royal wedding. Here, they are arriving for a reception on a historic ship. Queen Silvia’s bright yellow jacket stands out between her more soberly clad daughters, Princess Madeleine and Crown Princess Victoria.
June 17
Princess Haya of Jordan looked summery and delightful throughout the week of Royal Ascot. Her companion on Ladies Day, Prince Edward’s wife Sophie of Wessex, may be patterned and be-feathered, but she still looks dowdy next to her Middle Eastern friend.
The Princess Royal and her niece, Princess Beatrice of York, arrived from Windsor Castle by carriage at Ascot. It looks like Aunt Anne may be offering Bea some advice.
The Norwegian royal family took their yacht for the short trip from Oslo to Stockholm for the Swedish royal wedding. The entire family came along for the festivities. Here, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, kisses her mommy, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, goodbye as her aunt, Princess Martha Louise, looks on.
June 18
Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling opened gifts at a reception in their honor hosted by the city of Stockholm. Just what do you get a future queen for a wedding present? Apparently, apple trees and wine.
With her marriage to Prince Ernst of Hanover reportedly on the rocks, Princess Caroline of Monaco might be expected to look a little world-weary. Of course, this wasn’t a cheerful occasion either; she was attending the International Day of the Refugee.
Rarely seen in American coverage, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg is actually from the Western hemisphere—she is Cuban. She has five children with Grand Duke Henri, here arriving for the Swedish government’s dinner in honor of Crown Princess Victoria’s wedding.
Most of the Greek royal family arrived together. Did Princess Alexia and her mom, Queen Anne-Marie, coordinate their beautiful red gowns? If so, it looks like Prince Nikolaos’ fiancée, Tatiana Blatnik, did not get the memo.
The arrival of the honored couple had a bit more drama, as Daniel Westling cheerfully mucked in to arrange his fiancee’s train so that Crown Princess Victoria would look spectacular in photos. Ironically, this photo is probably the most used one from the event.
Here’s another one of those touchy-feely moments between Felipe and Letizia of Spain as they arrived for the gala concert in Stockholm the night before the big wedding.
Princess Madeleine of Sweden looked gorgeous (as usual) as she arrived on the arm of her big brother Prince Carl Philip for the concert in their sister’s honor. Their own weddings will be much less spectacular since they won’t be national occasions.
June 19
Of course, the top event of the week was the actual wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her long-time beau (and former fitness trainer) Daniel Westling, now Prince Daniel. Their gorgeous day included a lovely ceremony attended by royalty around the world (see some of the guests), a carriage ride and boat tour through Copenhagen, a grand feast and dancing into the wee hours. Throughout it all, their love for each other was apparent and touching.
One of my favorite images of the day. This one shows three of the world’s most glamorous royal couples, dressed to the hilt, caught in a “just like the rest of us” moment. Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Haakon of Norway look on as Frederick of Denmark uses a point-and-shoot camera to take a snap of their wives, Mary, Maxima and Mette-Marit, all in a row.
And, here’s the big picture. The bridal couple surrounded by their families and all of the royals who attended. If you click on this photo, you can actually read some of the names. The photo includes at least 10 current kings and queens and at least 16 future ones. (You’d think they could have found a prettier place to take the picture.)
June 20
All the princesses slept off the busy week.
Princesses Aplenty: The Swedish Royal Wedding Pics
Today's gorgeous and moving royal wedding between Crown Princess Victoria and her longtime love, Daniel Westling, was beautifully broadcast online by SVT (http://svt.se). Here's a quick view of some of the stunning princesses (and their tiaras!) at the event.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. She was a single mother with connections to the drug culture when he married her. Now she is the well-respected mother of the future Queen of Norway, Princess Ingrid Alexandra (center), who was one of the bridesmaids.
Haakon's sister, Princess Martha Louise, and her commoner husband, Ari Behn, who, unlike today's groom, did not become a prince when he married his princess. Like Victoria, Martha Louise is the oldest child with a younger brother. When Victoria was a toddler Sweden changed the law so that royal daughters had equal rights with brothers so that the oldest child, whatever its gender, is the heir. Norway didn't change its similar law until Martha Louise and Haakon were already grown, so to prevent depriving Haakon of his expected crown, the law was made to apply only to children born after the law passed.
The Prince and Princess of Orange. Princess Maxima was born in Argentina and she met her prince, the future King of the Netherlands, in Spain. Her own parents, however, weren't invited to her wedding because of her father's ties to an Argentinian junta. Maxima has three beautiful girls; the oldest, Princess Catharina Amalia (center), was a bridesmaid.
Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Fredrik of Denmark. He met his Australian bride in a bar during the Sydney Olympics. Their son, Prince Christian, was in the bridal party.
The Prince and Princess of the Asturias. Felipe had a whirlwind romance with Letizia, a former television journalist. Many people were stunned when they announced their engagement because there had been no hint of a royal romance.
Felipe's sister, Infanta Cristina of Spain and her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, now the Duke of Palma de Mallorca. He was a professional handball player who met his princess at the Atlanta Olympics.
Meanwhile the oldest child of the Spanish king, Infanta Elena, arrived wearing either 1) an homage to her Spanish homeland or 2) a jacket borrowed at the last minute from the only bullfighter in Sweden.
The Duke and Duchess of Brabant, future King and Queen of Belgium. Mathilde was a speech therapist from a noble Belgian family but her engagement was also a bit of a surprise because he was nearly 40 and people had thought he would never marry. They now have four children.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex. For some reason, the higher members of the British royal family doesn't attend these types of events the way the other royal families do. Instead, they dispatched the Prince Edward (#7 in the succession) and his wife, Sophie. These two actually met while he was officially on duty for a charitable event--she was a public relations agent involved in the event.
The next royal wedding is likely to be between Prince Nicholas of Greece and Tatiana Blatnik. They announced their engagement late last year and released some engagement photos but have not yet released any details. He is first cousins with Crown Prince Fredrik of Denmark on his mother's side and with Prince Felipe of Spain on his father's side.
The bride's mother and sister. Half-Brazilian, half-German Queen Silvia met the king at the Munich Olympics in 1972. Princess Madeleine has been taking a break from the spotlight during the last several weeks following the breakup of her own engagement. (Her fiancee was revealed to be cheating on this gorgeous girl!) Nevertheless, Madeleine's pride and love for her sister were apparent all day.
The little bridal attendants. Prince Christian of Denmark is the smaller boy in the back. In front of him, holding hands with each other, are Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway (darker hair) and Princess Catharina Amalia of the Netherlands.
The royal bridal couple. Upon the marriage, he became His Royal Highness Prince Daniel, the Duke of Vastergotland. He also received his first knighthood, the Royal of Order of the Seraphim. After the newlyweds walked up the aisle but before they left the church, he put on the light blue sash and bejewelled star of the order.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. She was a single mother with connections to the drug culture when he married her. Now she is the well-respected mother of the future Queen of Norway, Princess Ingrid Alexandra (center), who was one of the bridesmaids.
Haakon's sister, Princess Martha Louise, and her commoner husband, Ari Behn, who, unlike today's groom, did not become a prince when he married his princess. Like Victoria, Martha Louise is the oldest child with a younger brother. When Victoria was a toddler Sweden changed the law so that royal daughters had equal rights with brothers so that the oldest child, whatever its gender, is the heir. Norway didn't change its similar law until Martha Louise and Haakon were already grown, so to prevent depriving Haakon of his expected crown, the law was made to apply only to children born after the law passed.
The Prince and Princess of Orange. Princess Maxima was born in Argentina and she met her prince, the future King of the Netherlands, in Spain. Her own parents, however, weren't invited to her wedding because of her father's ties to an Argentinian junta. Maxima has three beautiful girls; the oldest, Princess Catharina Amalia (center), was a bridesmaid.
Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Fredrik of Denmark. He met his Australian bride in a bar during the Sydney Olympics. Their son, Prince Christian, was in the bridal party.
The Prince and Princess of the Asturias. Felipe had a whirlwind romance with Letizia, a former television journalist. Many people were stunned when they announced their engagement because there had been no hint of a royal romance.
Felipe's sister, Infanta Cristina of Spain and her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, now the Duke of Palma de Mallorca. He was a professional handball player who met his princess at the Atlanta Olympics.
Meanwhile the oldest child of the Spanish king, Infanta Elena, arrived wearing either 1) an homage to her Spanish homeland or 2) a jacket borrowed at the last minute from the only bullfighter in Sweden.
The Duke and Duchess of Brabant, future King and Queen of Belgium. Mathilde was a speech therapist from a noble Belgian family but her engagement was also a bit of a surprise because he was nearly 40 and people had thought he would never marry. They now have four children.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex. For some reason, the higher members of the British royal family doesn't attend these types of events the way the other royal families do. Instead, they dispatched the Prince Edward (#7 in the succession) and his wife, Sophie. These two actually met while he was officially on duty for a charitable event--she was a public relations agent involved in the event.
The next royal wedding is likely to be between Prince Nicholas of Greece and Tatiana Blatnik. They announced their engagement late last year and released some engagement photos but have not yet released any details. He is first cousins with Crown Prince Fredrik of Denmark on his mother's side and with Prince Felipe of Spain on his father's side.
The bride's mother and sister. Half-Brazilian, half-German Queen Silvia met the king at the Munich Olympics in 1972. Princess Madeleine has been taking a break from the spotlight during the last several weeks following the breakup of her own engagement. (Her fiancee was revealed to be cheating on this gorgeous girl!) Nevertheless, Madeleine's pride and love for her sister were apparent all day.
The little bridal attendants. Prince Christian of Denmark is the smaller boy in the back. In front of him, holding hands with each other, are Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway (darker hair) and Princess Catharina Amalia of the Netherlands.
The royal bridal couple. Upon the marriage, he became His Royal Highness Prince Daniel, the Duke of Vastergotland. He also received his first knighthood, the Royal of Order of the Seraphim. After the newlyweds walked up the aisle but before they left the church, he put on the light blue sash and bejewelled star of the order.
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