Duke of Edinburgh Returns Home

After nearly two weeks in the hospital, the Duke of Edinburgh returns home.

The Queen’s 92-year-old husband was admitted for exploratory abdominal surgery on June 6. Though Philip spent his 92nd birthday (June 10) in the hospital, he was not left wanting for visitors; the Queen and other members of his family came to visit over the course of his 11-day stay.

The Duke has always had marvelous health, but despite his desire to carry on as usual, in recent years he has had to take extra care due simply to age. Buckingham Palace released a statement today stating that while the Duke is in “good condition and good spirits”, he will be taking “a period of convalescence of approximately two months”.

The Newlywed Procession

The newlywed procession via carriage to the docked boat was magnificent! Madeleine and Chris left the Royal Palace of Stockholm in their carriage to the waiting boat, where they, along with their guests, sailed down the river to Drottningholm Palace. There will be a gala dinner celebrating the wedding, which will cap off a fairytale day! [Click images to enlarge. All images are screencaps from SVT]

Setting out:

cortege

Leaving the Royal Palace of Stockholm:

setting out

Greeting the crowds:

waving to crowds

boquet-wave


A quick kiss, and a look at Madeleine’s lovely hair:

kiss-hairstyle

Boarding the boat to Drottningholm Palace:

board-boat

On their way!:

heading-drottiningholm

Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Prince Nikolaos of Greece, and his wife Tatiana:

bennie-nik-tat-royal-wedding

Princess Marie and Prince Joachim of Denmark:

marie-joachim

Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway:

mette-haakon

Princess Theodora of Greece and her younger brother, Prince Philippos:

theodora

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel:

CP Victoria

Our dear Earl and Countess of Wessex, Edward and Sophie:

wessex

The brother of the bride, Prince Carl-Philip:

carl-philip

The king and queen disembark:

king-queen-disembark

Finally, the bride and groom appear!:

chris-mad-disembark

Greeted by costumed courtiers:

the-lead-up

With family and friends:

family-friends

Official photos to capture the incredible day:

photo-official-outside

Princess Madeleine of Sweden Has Married!

Princess Madeleine of Sweden has married her American love, Christopher O’Neill. Below are photos of the event [click to enlarge photos. All are screen captures from SVT.se].

Princess Madeleine’s wedding dress was created by Valentino and made from pleated silk organza with appliquéd ivory-coloured Chantilly lace. Her tiara, the Modern Fringe Tiara (one of her frequent headpieces), is decorated with sprigs of orange blossom.

The assembled royal guests:

euro royals

The church guests:

church guests

Prince Daniel, Princess Estelle, Princess Victoria, and Queen Silvia:

royal family with Estelle


Chris’ mother, Eva O’Neill, far left:

chris family

Chris awaits his bride with his best man:

chris awaits

Here she comes!:

madde enters

Madeleine sweeps in on the arm of her father, the king:

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What a train!:

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Chris reacts to Madeleine’s entrance:

chris reacts

At the altar:

at altar

Hymns:

Chris and Madde singing

Exchange of rings:

Exchanging rings

Exchanging rings

ring closeup

A tender moment:

hand-hold

Crown Princess Victoria and Estelle:

vic-estelle-cute

Victoria gives a reading:

vic-speaks
Crown Princess Victoria wears the Laurel Wreath Tiara, a personal piece from her late aunt, Princess Lilian. The princess once stated that this tiara would be inherited by Victoria, and today she wore it in honor of Lilian.

Madeleine looks on at the singers:

madde-looks

One of Chris’ sisters, Countess Natascha Abensperg und Traun, gives a reading:

chris-sister

Departing the church:

leaving1

leaving church

leaving

very-cinderella

A very pleased King Carl Gustav and Queen Silvia:

pleased-king-queen


Sweden celebrates!:

sweden

kiss

Links:

RoyaltyNow! Royal News! Princess Madeleine’s Wedding, Camilla Speaks French, Coronation Meadows!

movie-icon Royal News! Princess Madeleine’s Wedding, Camilla Speaks French, and Coronation Meadows!

Elizabeth, A Legacy

Elizabeth, A Legacy

Sixty years ago today, the former Princess Elizabeth was crowned Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey. It was a day of great pomp and circumstance, befitting a lovely new monarch.

Queen-Philip-Margaret_large

Joining her on the day were her small children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, along with her mother, husband, and sister (as seen above). It was a day that the Queen would never forget, and certainly a day that would live in her subjects’ minds and hearts for many years to come.

King George VI Coronation

Above, another special coronation day that would be a big part of Elizabeth’s life: that of her father, King George VI. He was not prepared to take the crown, but he did so out of duty to his country and his family. The war time king became a symbol for his nation and a noble presence that the princess adored her entire life.

Even from a young age, Elizabeth has been dutiful and mindful of not merely her own legacy, but that of her father’s, grandfather’s, and all of the monarchs before her. Even to this day, 60 years later, she has not let us down. God Save The Queen! Vivat Regina!

Camilla Speaks French On Official Solo Trip

The Duchess of Cornwall makes a speech in French at the Emmaus community at Bougival in Paris. Her Royal Highness is Patron of Emmaus UK.

Katie, Queen of Wags

Hilary Mantel was blasted for describing the Duchess of Cambridge as a “shop window mannequin”, so I can only imagine the backlash that writer Joan Smith will receive for calling Kate “Queen Wag”.

Kate engagement

Oh, hai.

Smith is an English novelist and human rights activist who once turned down an MBE because of her republican stance against the royal family. Smith is so annoyed with the Duchess of Cambridge that she has even devoted an entire chapter of her new book, The Public Woman, to a Duchess critique.

In the book, Smith says that “By the age of 30, the new Duchess had done little since leaving university except play a supporting role to her boyfriend, marry him with great pomp and ceremony and get pregnant.”

Smith bitingly describes Kate as “unambitious, uncontroversial and bland”, dubbing her Queen Wag – shorthand for “Wives And Girlfriends” who are usually the companions of football players. They are characterized by heavy makeup, lack of ambition other than being famous, and seem to live only for shopping and luxury. In other words, you couldn’t be more shallow if you tried. Ouch.


You can say Smith is accomplished, perhaps even ambitious. Like Hilary Mantel, she certainly can make a statement. Are her statements to be taken seriously? Some Kate fans may not think so and dismiss it all out of hand as mere jealousy. An older, republican-minded woman? Surely she cannot touch the golden duchess.

To me, you cannot dismiss these statements. However, the real upset comes when people who support the monarchy and who generally like Kate start to question her. I am one such person. As I said before, Kate is probably a nice person, but her distinct lack of work experience – but plenty of club and party experience – has given her a reputation. The Duchess must shine through all of this, rather than being just a hair and clothes girl. Especially when she is poised to become a future queen consort whose title will put her on par with educated and professional European Crown Princesses and queens. Palace, take note.

Kate, don’t let the Brits down!

What will people say to this? Will there be a series of personal attacks on Smith’s appearance, as with Mantel? What is your reaction?

Prince Nikolai and Family Celebrate His Confirmation

Prince Nikolai of Denmark was confirmed in a private ceremony in Fredensborg Palace Church on Saturday.

The ceremony was followed by a luncheon at Fredensborg Palace.


Prince Nikolai and family celebrate his confirmation

The family posed for photos on the steps, with Prince Joachim and Countess Alexandra both beaming with pride for their eldest son.

Joachim’s wife, Princess Marie, discreetly stood for photos with their blended family along with Countess Alexandra’s husband, Martin Jorgensen. Marie and Joachim’s son, Prince Henrik, was also in attendance for his brother’s confirmation.

confirmation1
confirmation2

It is wonderful to see this family function so well both publicly and privately. Joachim and Alexandra and their new spouses have seen to the children’s well-being first and foremost, and I admire them for that. Congratulations to Nikolai on his important milestone!