A bumper year for royal news!

2010 began like any other year. Ho hum royal tours and continuous nauseating royal engagement speculation. If it wasn't Prince William and Kate Middleton's will they/won't they saga, then it was Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy's on/off relationship.

Therefore, there was no reason to believe that 2010 would be any more remarkable than previous years. Royal news tends to come in spurts.The family hadn't had a major royal wedding since 1999 and the Queen's last grandchild had been born in 2007, the same year, The Queen and Prince Philip celebrated their Diamond wedding anniversary.  Her first grandchild married a Canadian in 2008. With the exception of a few minor weddings and births, it seemed like the royal family hadn't had any real news in ages.

Then, in the summer of 2010 that changed. Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn, were expecting a baby. But this would not be just any baby but the Queen's first great-grandchild. The last reiging sovereign to welcome a great-grandchild was Queen Victoria, whose eldest, Princess Feodora Saxe-Meiningen, had been born in 1879.  Peter Phillips himself is not only the Queen's first grandchild but also the first-great grandchild of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

This year would continue to bring happy news with the long-awaited engagement of Prince William to Kate (Catherine) Middleton. And now today's engagement announcement of Zara Phillips to her long-time boyfriend Mike Tindall. With two upcoming weddings and a new baby, what better news could anyone ask for?

At this rate, 2011 promises to be a bumper year for royal watchers!

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Boopity Boop supports Sentebale!

Boopity Boop! Writes Her First Poem is a new book written by actress Masiela Lusha, the US ambassador to the charity Sentebale.

In BOOPITY BOOP! Writes Her First Poem, the main character Boopy, is a spunky and colorful 6-year-old girl that is learning of her inner strengths and encouraging children to pursue their own passions. This book shows each child that major accomplishments are possible and that happiness awaits if they have the courage to dream.

Sentebale was founded by Prince Harry, following his gap year visit to Lesotho a mountainous landlocked country in southern Africa. Overwhelmed by the plight of the children he met, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, younger brother of King Letsie III of Lesotho, made a long-term commitment to the children of Lesotho through Sentebale. Sentebale means ‘forget me not’ in Sesotho and is named in memory of the late, Diana Princess of Wales and Queen ‘Mamohato Bereng Seeiso, the late mother of Prince Seeiso).

The focus of Sentebale is to make a life changing difference to Lesotho's orphans, vulnerable children and the forgotten victims of poverty and the HIV/Aids epidemic that ravages this kingdom. Every day in Lesotho, more than one hundred children have their lives shattered by the death of a parent. One quarter of the population of the Forgotten Kingdom, as Lesotho is aptly known, are children who face horrors that no child should ever face.

Lesotho is fighting for survival. Nearly one third of Lesotho's people are infected with HIV/AIDS - the third highest rate in the world. There are an estimated 400,000 orphans and vulnerable children in a country of 1.8 million. Life expectancy has plummeted to 34 years.

Published in 2010 by Little Black Dog Publishing, 25% of the wholesale proceeds of Boopity Boop! Writes Her First Poem will go directly to support Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso's charity.

Boopity Boop! Writes Her First Poem by Masiela Lusha not only supports an important cause it also supports childrens literacy. Order your copy through Amazon today!

© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday December19, 2010 - The best of Prince William & Kate Middleton episodes

In honor of Prince William & Kate Middleton's recent royal engagement, on this episode a look back at the best of William & Kate episodes.

You can listen to the episode here

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday January 9, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: 2010 - The Royal Year in review

© Marilyn Braun 2010

This Week in Princesses

Wow! What a truly newsworthy week. While the Swedish royals were celebrating the Nobel Prizes, the Prince of Wales and his wife were caught up in the middle of violent student riots. Sometimes, I'll admit, royal news isn't really "news", but this week, it absolutely was.

DECEMBER 4, 2010

Princess Caroline presented the ceremonial prize check at the International Gucci Masters Show Jumping Competition in Paris. Her daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi, competed in the tournament, but didn't get the big check.

Incidentally, Gucci is Charlotte's sponsor: the fashion house makes her couture riding ensembles (and presumably the matching hat for her horse!)


DECEMBER 8, 2010

Queen Paola and King Albert II of Belgium officially welcomed Russian President Medvedev and his wife Svetlana on an official visit. It almost looks like the two ladies coordinated their ensembles. Did Paola (on the left) call Svetlana and tell her to wear dark blue or did they both say, "Look! We are twins!" when they met?


DECEMBER 9, 2010

The Duchess of Cornwall and her husband, the Prince of Wales, were all smiles as they arrived at the Palladium for the Royal Variety Performance. However, the two had just emerged from a truly frightening experience. Their car, which was somehow separated from its security detail drove straight into a violent protest by students angry over British tuition hikes. The crowd kicked the royal vehicle, threw things at it and chanted "Off with their heads." An investigation is underway to determine why the heir to the throne didn't have sufficient protection to have prevented his car bumbling into a riot and how his vehicle was separated from the following security vehicle. Concerns are now being raised about the level of protection that will be needed at next April's royal wedding.

Meanwhile, the rioting students not only damaged the prince's car, but also defaced several London landmarks.

In Moscow, Empress Elizabeth celebrated her 300th birthday by opening an exhibition about her life and reign. The daughter of Peter the Great, Elizabeth never married, just like the English Elizabeth. The Russian Elizabeth adopted her nephew Peter as her heir and found a nondescript German princess to marry him to. It took nine years for the couple to have a child, whom Elizabeth immediately claimed. After Elizabeth's death, that frustrated German princess overthrew her husband and declared herself empress; she became Catherine the Great.


DECEMBER 10, 2010

While Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philipp and the new Prince Daniel looked suitably regal at the Nobel Prize ceremony, King Carl XVI Gustaf looks angry and slouchy in this photo. All of the prizes, except peace, are presented in Alfred Nobel's native Sweden, followed by a lavish Swedish banquet. The Peace Prize is usually presented in Oslo with the Norwegian royal family on hand. This year, the Peace Prize winner, Chinese human rights activist Liu Xiaobo, is being held in a Chinese prison, so, he was honored with an empty chair in Stockholm. The Nobel Prize web site is full of great information, including a look back at Queen Silvia's Nobel gowns since 1976. (View the gowns page.) Princess Madeleine, who is now living in New York City, did not attend this year. Although she was not scheduled to be present, she is also said to be suffering from the flu.
Meanwhile, (below) the king's sister, Princess Christina, attended her 47th ceremony; setting a record!

Royal Sang Froid

The extraordinary pictures of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall besieged in their limousine are shocking. Their faces show real fear – as any of us might if we were stuck in a car that was being hammered by an angry mob.

Similar attacks on royal personages are rare today, but were not so unusual in the 17th and 18th centuries. Charles II and his brother James Duke of York enjoyed a daily stroll through St James Park, and although Charles was relatively popular, his brother and heir was regarded as dour, charmless and overly ambitious. James was concerned for their safety, as, in the days before the royal protection squad, they were accompanied only by a couple of unarmed companions. Charles comforted his brother: ‘There is no danger,’ he assured him, ‘no man in England would do me harm to make you king’.

Why Kate Middleton IS the new Diana

Yes, you read that right. Kate Middleton IS the new Diana.

Sure, it has become fashionable to write articles diminishing the idea but it remains a fact nonetheless. Embrace the idea or live in denial like Prince William. The moment he slipped Diana's ring on Kate's finger she automatically filled the void left by her, mainly the desire for glamour and the potential for royal renewal. The royal family has been stuck in a rut and Kate is the perfect antidote. A lot rides on her slim shoulders, including the collective weight of our expectations.

On a superficial level, like Diana she will be looked upon to reinvigorate the British fashion industry, potentially setting trends in the process. As well, she will be expected to stay model slim, look like the modern version of a princess and smile while standing up to our minute scrutiny.

Like Diana, Kate will be denied the perks of her newlywed status; enjoying time as a couple before children arrive. Sooner rather than later, she will be expected to produce a photogenic heir, preferably a male so people don't have to go through the trouble of changing those pesky succession rules.

Oh yes, and let's not forget those dirty words: 'Cinderella' and 'fairy-tale'. Unrealistic? Yes, but you would be hard pressed to avoid them now. What's a royal wedding without the fantasy? Tiara - check. Glass carriage - check. Handsome prince - check. It borders on plagiarism. Deny it all you like; it will be the purple elephant in the royal wedding pews.

Also like Diana, Kate will be expected to live happily ever after. Read: Stay married and look happy - regardless of the reality. People will expect nothing less. Especially given the last marital implosion. Kate will also be expected to find her own role, look good while making a difference, and avoid overshadowing the rest of the royal family.  No tall order.

Sound familiar?

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Lively Images

With all this talk of celebrated photographer Mario Testino being commissioned to take the official engagement snaps of Prince William and Kate Middleton, it’s easy to forget that In the days before mass media and photography, few people knew what their rulers looked like unless they actually saw them in the flesh (rather than in the flash, as is the case today). Diplomatic reports, letters and diaries often contain detailed descriptions of the great and good, because then, as now, readers had an insatiable desire to know everything about their lordly masters.

When it came to seeking out a bride for a royal prince, such descriptions were absolutely critical. The happy couple were not likely to see each other, let alone learn about much about each other’s characters, until days, or even hours before the wedding. Fortunately, the highest in the land could afford to despatch a portrait painter with the diplomatic party that negotiated the marriage deal. Decent artists were highly valued by royal marriage brokers, but they trod a fine line between flattery and honesty.

Henry VIII, Britain’s most-married king and an experienced prospector in the world of Renaissance princesses, employed the best. In 1539, after the death of his third wife, Jane Seymour, he despatched Hans Holbein to paint two German princesses, the daughters of the Duke of Cleves (in northern Germany), and instructed him to err on the side of accuracy. Henry, a connoisseur of the female, form, wanted no nasty surprises when he encountered his bride-to-be in the flesh.

Nicholas Wotton, the head of the English delegation, reported to Henry: "Your Grace's servant Hanze Albein hathe taken th'effigies of my lady Anne and the lady Amelye and hath expressed theyr images very lyvely".

Holbein’s portrait of Anne (left, courtesy WIkimedia Commons) showed an unassuming, thoughtful woman in an intricately decorated, rich red dress – indeed the gown is rather more memorable than the princess. Anne was clearly not a great beauty, but nor did she appear to be utterly unpleasing. When she arrived in England, Henry came to inspect her incognito, and introduced himself as one of the king’s nobles. Anne was polite, but clearly more interested in the bull-baiting that was taking place outside her window, and Henry, who was accustomed to being recognised, retreated with wounded pride. Either Henry’s disguise was impenetrable, or Anne had not seen a portrait of her husband-to-be. The bride’s opinion of her future husband was of little consequence to the marriage deal.

When Henry re-appeared as himself, the couple appeared to get on well, although Henry allegedly dismissed her as a ‘fat Flanders mare’ and muttered to Thomas Cromwell that he was only going through with the marriage for the sake of the country. Henry could not wriggle out of the marriage treaty and the couple married on 6 January 1540.

Holbein, formerly the king’s favourite artist and arguably the architect of Tudor visual propaganda, was temporarily disgraced.

Anne’s reaction on meeting the overweight, irascible Tudor monarch is not recorded. Their marriage was not consummated and was dissolved after only six months. At this point one wonders whether alarm bells rang in Anne’s head, given her husband’s habit of disposing of wives who displeased him. Anne did everything she could to cooperate with Henry’s plans for an annulment. In return she was given a handsome allowance of £4,000 a year and allowed to retire to the south coast, with the honorary title ‘King’s sister’, where she lived contentedly at Henry’s expense for the rest of her life. Just three months after their divorce, the French ambassador reported that the former queen was on excellent form:

‘Madame of Cleves has a more joyous countenance than ever. She wears a great variety of dresses and passes all her time in sports and recreations’.

Anne enjoyed far more freedom in England than she would have done if she returned to her brother’s court in Cleves, where she would have been disgraced. In England she was a woman of independent means who maintained her friendships with the royal family, and was the longest-lived of Henry’s wives, surviving them all.

Holbein’s lively likeness may not have impressed Henry, but it seems to have conveyed the truth about Anne: compliant, sensible and polite, she used these skills to survive.

A Princess at Seven

The adorable Princess Catharina Amalia Beatrix Carmen Victoria of the Netherlands is celebrating her seventh birthday. In a country that has had only queens since 1890 (Wilhelmina then Juliana and now Beatrix), Princess Amalia stands to continue the tradition of grand dames following a masculine interlude by her father, Crown Prince Willem Alexander.

Like most seven-year-olds, Amalia has big plans for her big day. First, a plane will be named for her. Then, the Royal Dutch Navy Choir will present its annual Princess Amalia concert at The Hague. But, little Amalia will miss the parties: it is, after all, a school night, even for princesses.

The Royal Report for Sunday December 5, 2010 - Should the crown bypass Prince Charles and go to Prince William?

Doubts have been cast on whether Prince Charles should inherit the throne. Many people favor the crown bypassing Prince Charles altogether and go to Prince William. Should William inherit the throne instead of Charles?

Also on this episode: I wave my royal magic wand, Why is Peter Phillips walking on egg-shells? Weird royal collectibles and the people who buy them, creepy royal wedding plans and am I on the verge of becoming a monarchist?

Listen to the episode to find out:

Should the Crown go to Prince William instead of Prince Charles?

Publications discussed

Hello! Canada Weekly No 197 6 December 2010

Blogs mentioned

World of Royalty Blog

Links mentioned

The Prince of Wales - At Work

From My Royal Collection

Cecil Beaton: The Royal Portraits

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday Decmeber 19th, 2010 - 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: The best of Prince William & Kate Middleton episodes

© Marilyn Braun 2010

This Week in Princesses

NOVEMBER 27, 2010

Queen Elizabeth II donned a sunny yellow ensemble for the final day of her official visit to several Middle Eastern countries. Hopefully, she stored up some of the warmth and sunshine before returning to London, which received a blanket of snow this week.


NOVEMBER 29, 2010

The usually colorful Queen Margrethe II of Denmark was in more somber colors, choosing a full-length black coat against the bitter London temperatures as she attended a reception at the Danish Embassy honoring the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment. Formed in 1992 and named for Diana Princess of Wales, the regiment's Allied Colonels-in-Chief were Diana and Margrethe. After her divorce, Diana resigned and the Danish queen assumed the honorary duties on her own.


NOVEMBER 30, 2010

Queen Elizabeth II combatted the cold in London by wrapping up in a long, gray shawl for a 'date night' with Prince Philip. You can still see the shiny splendor of her electic blue gown under the dress. The royal copule attended the premiere of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of The Dawn Treader." She is said to have enjoyed the film, even tearing up at times.


DECEMBER 1, 2010

Snow on the ground didn't stop Princess Beatrice from wearing an above-the-knee ensemble to The Dickensian Ball at Harrods in Knightsbridge, London. Despite the event's name, I'm guessing you weren't supposed to come dressed as your favorite Dickens character.

Across town in Chelsea, snow obscured the lenses but the photogs still managed to snap a few shots of royal bride-to-be Kate Middleton, dressed in heavy coat and boots, as she launched her holiday season by attending a carol service.


DECEMBER 2, 2010

Letizia Princess of the Asturias made a very small fan when she attended a national volunteering conference in Logrono, Spain.

Snowy weather wasn't the only thing Princess Beatrice and her boyfriend Dave Clark had to face as they attended the opening of new London night club. As they were leaving, an eager young man (who probably had too much to drink) got too close to the princess and her security detail dragged him away. The princess appeared amused by his goofy antics, but the incident highlighted the controversy over whether or not the British public should foot the bill for protecting Beatrice and her sister Eugenie, who are fifth and sixth in line for the throne. (See and read more.)

Across the pond, 19-year-old Princess Alexandra of Greece grabbed the photographers' attention with a wrap skirt and thigh-high purple boots at the Celebrate Room to Grown Benefit Gala at Christie's. The charity honors parents who make "extraordinary efforts to help their babies thrive despite the challenges of poverty."

The impropriety of marrying a countrywoman

How did one go about finding a royal bride 250 years ago? When George III came to the throne at the tender age of 22 in 1760, he was unmarried, but had proved he had an eye for the ladies. The year before his accession, he had fallen hopelessly in love with Lady Sarah Lennox, the engaging, self-assured 14–year-old daughter of the Duke of Richmond (and, as it happened, a distant cousin). George knew that he would be expected to make a strategic marriage with a European princess, but, as he put it, he endured a struggle between ‘the boiling youth of twenty-one years and prudence.’ George tried to make her acceptable to his advisors: ‘her voice is sweet, she seems sensible . . .In short she is everything I can form to myself lovely.’ The poor lovelorn prince paints a slightly tragic figure – he knew his love was doomed, but desperately hoped that it wasn’t.

In the end, his chief advisor, Lord Bute, convinced him of ‘the impropriety of marrying a countrywoman,’ and the royal advisors sent out a search party to Europe to find a suitable German bride for the young king. And Lady Sarah found that being passed over was a blow to her pride, rather than her heart.

They produced 17-year-old Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, a young woman of undoubted intelligence, good sense and plainness. Horace Walpole described her on her arrival in England: ‘She is not tall, nor a beauty; pale, and very thin; but looks sensible; and is genteel. Her hair is darkish and fine; her forehead low, her nose very well, except the nostrils spreading too wide; her mouth has the same fault, but her teeth are good.’

Charlotte arrived in Harwich on Monday morning, met the king on Tuesday afternoon, and was married to him later that day. The chief bridesmaid at her wedding was none other than the beautiful Lady Sarah, and according to Walpole, ‘nothing ever looked so charming as Lady Sarah Lennox; she has all the glow of beauty peculiar to her family’.

One might have expected Princess Charlotte, effectively a girl from the sticks thrown headfirst into the sophistication and intrigue of the English court, to be overwhelmed by the occasion. It is clear, however, that she was confident and articulate. ‘As supper was not ready, the Queen sat down, sung, and played on the harpsichord to the Royal Family, who all supped with her in private. They talked of the different German dialects; the King asked if the Hanoverian was not pure—"Oh, no, Sir," said the Queen; "it is the worst of all."’

‘She will not be unpopular’ reported Walpole waspishly. In fact, Charlotte proved to be a remarkably successful queen, producing 15 children and retaining the King's devotion for the rest of their lives.