Just a quick note: over at the right under Politics: US-UK-CwN, you’ll find a new link that I entitled “A Bit About US”. It links to the website UShistory.org, a fabulous source for anyone who is interested in U.S. history and what we’re all about. Or supposed to be all about, anyway!

A Happy New Year to you all!

Queen Rania of Jordan recently donated her blood to help victims of the conflict in Gaza.

The Queen, who is Palestinian, decided to help her homeland in the most personal way she could think of by donating blood on Tuesday. More than 350 people have already been killed in the besieged region.

Rania’s husband, H.M. King Abdullah II, also donated blood at the same hospital the previous day.

Queen Rania visited the Al-Hussein Medical Centre today to take part in a nationwide campaign to donate blood and support the citizens of Gaza.
- Palace Statement

Queen Rania wrote of the tragedy: “To be limited to expressing sympathies with the people of Gaza is shameful because they don’t need to be felt sorry for, they need us to act and help, and I know that we can do more.”

Julia von Hauke was a commoner who was considered to have married above her station. She had inflamed the passions of a German prince but was looked down upon by his Russian relations.

Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine, whose brother-in-law was the Tsar of Russia, ran off and married Julia anyway. Alexander’s brother, Grand Duke Ludwig (Louis) III of Hesse-Darmstadt, decided to create Julia a Countess of Battenberg.

Julia’s marriage to Alexander was declared morganatic, meaning it was a union that prevented the passage of the husband’s titles and privileges to the wife and children. However, thanks Grand Duke Louis, who further elevated Julia to Princess of Battenberg and a Serene Highness, her offspring became a “cadet” branch of the house of Hesse and were also entitled to be princes and princesses.

Julia’s descendants are alive and well today. Her line produced one of our most famously outgoing consorts – Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.

Julia von Hauke + Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine
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Louis, Prince of Battenberg + Princess Victoria of Hesse and the Rhine
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Alice, Princess Andrew of Greece
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HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

That’s our Royal Fact for  today!

I’ve had a few people request a friendship with me over Facebook. Instead of linking to my personal profile, I created a ‘fan page’ so that people can sign up there. Facebook is one of my favorite social networking sites, so head over there today and say hello!  :)

Become a Fan!

Have a very Merry Christmas, and many good tidings for
the coming year!

God Jul
Fröhliche Weichnachten
Nollag shona
Buon Natale

and many more!