International royalsJapan

Empress Michiko turns 83, relieved that Emperor Akihito can abdicate under special law

As Empress Michiko of Japan celebrated her 83rd birthday last Friday, she expressed her tremendous relief at the special law that will allow her husband, Emperor Akihito, to abdicate. Empress Michiko responded in writing to questions that journalists had asked before her birthday. “His Majesty, after having devoted Himself for so many years to pursuing the role of the Emperor as the symbol of…
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European RoyalsInternational royalsThe Netherlands

Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Parma grants daughters new titles

Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Parma has granted his two daughters Italian titles in his capacity as titular Duke of Parma and Piacenza. He granted the titles last Friday after the mass in the Steccata Basilic in Parma during a meeting of the ancient orders of knighthood of the former duchies of Parma and Piacenza. His eldest daughter Princess Luisa Irene was granted the title of “Marquise of…
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International royals

King of Tonga Calls for Snap Election

In a royal decree yesterday, King Tupou IV of Tonga has dissolved the national parliament and called for a new snap election to be held a year early on 16 November. The sudden decision will be one of the first major tests of the island nation’s young democratic…
International royalsThailand

Eight more people charged in Thailand for insulting the monarchy

Eight more people have been charged in Thailand for insulting the monarchy. The first arrests of the eight suspects took place in May. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said that they faced charges for vandalising public portraits of Thailand’s late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his successor. Among the arrested was a 14-year-old boy. If the juvenile court in the province of Khon Kaen takes on…
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FeaturesHistoryInternational royals

Strange and insulting historical royal nicknames

The use of nicknames or epithets to describe a royal or a local ruler was quite common until recent times. Before pictures were easily accessed, or in places where the first name was repeatedly used for consecutive rulers, a nickname was a useful way to distinguish one person from another. Sometimes these names were chosen by the bearer themselves, sometimes they were gained through a courageous…
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