Monaco

The complex prince who helped make modern Monaco: Louis II

He was a complex man with great passions who helped transform the nation he ruled. During his time as Sovereign Prince of Monaco, Louis II oversaw a period of great cultural strides and dark days for the principality.Prince Louis Honoré Charles Antoine Grimaldi was born 12 July 1870, the only child of Prince Albert I of Monaco and Lady Mary Victoria Douglas-Hamilton. His parents separated and…
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Spain

Spain's future queen leads the way for her royal family after turbulent week

Princess Leonor has been placed firmly at the heart of Spain’s royal public image once again.A brand new official portrait of the future queen has been released by the royals along with an image of her younger sister, Infanta Sofia.Both official photos were taken on the day that Leonor, heir to the throne, came of age and swore allegiance to the country’s constitution.Casa…
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Spain

The colourful tiara given to a princess by a billionaire

The only ruby tiara in the Spanish Royal Family’s collection is the Niarchos Ruby Bandeau and its accompanying parure.Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark received a treasure trove of jewels on her wedding day in 1962. In addition to the Prussian Tiara, a gift from…
The Netherlands

Sparkling State Visit sees King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima welcome South Korea's President to the Netherlands

The King and Queen of the Netherlands have welcomed the President of South Korea on a State Visit.King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima hosted President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, for a two day visit which took in Amsterdam, Veldhoven and The Hague.The official welcome for the State Visit took place on Dam Square in Amsterdam on December 12th 2023. The Dutch King and the…
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Sweden

The sapphire tiara that became the favourite of an historic queen

Queen Silvia, who has been consort of Sweden longer than anyone else in the country’s history, is rather fond of the sapphire tiara belonging to her family’s dynasty. She’s worn it on many important occasions, including a string of Nobel Prize ceremonies and at the wedding of her only son, Prince Carl Philip. But the tiara, which is part of a particularly impressive parure, has a…
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