She was the surprise final act of the Spanish royal family’s two weeks in Paris, and the most beloved. Queen Sofía of Spain has demonstrated once again that she still has the “it” factor as athletes and staff alike displayed nothing but smiles as King Felipe’s mother congratulated them for their achievements at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
And to think that she had all the cards…
On the eve of an historic moment for Spain's future queen, what next for her royal family?
2nd July 2024
On the eve of Princess Leonor’s graduation from Zaragoza’s General Military Academy, it’s interesting to try and look forward, to attempt to analyse what awaits Spain’s future Queen.
On Wednesday, 3rd July, King Felipe will preside over the traditional…
The countess on the brink of becoming a consort: the quiet princess who changed a monarchy
27th June 2024
On National Day, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg announced that, on the 1st of October, he would undertake the first step towards a change at the head of the country’s Monarchy.
This means that, in the next few years, the small European country could have a new…
It was a sunny day in Madrid, on that 19th of June 2014. After a few chaotic years for the Spanish Monarchy, change was on the horizon, though few were willing to bet on it, mainly because the institution seemed to be set in stone, reluctant to change, after rocking the previous status quo.
Early in the morning, King Juan Carlos passed on the band of Captain General of the Armed Forces to his…
The Luxembourgish Grand Ducal Family welcomed is newest member on Tuesday, 14th May, and, despite not bearing any royal titles, as far as we know so far, she was given a name with a poignant royal history: Victoire, or Victoria in English.
It was a little used name…
When the then Prince Felipe of Spain married Letizia Ortiz Rocosolano, in May 2004, it was not only a historic day for the birth of a new family, or because it was the wedding of the heir to the throne to one of Europe’s most ancient dynasties. It also marked the first…
Letters of Credentials, also known as Credentials Letters, are one of the most ancient tools of diplomacy, and their delivery to the Head of State marks the official beginning of the posting of a specific Ambassador to a specific country – which, in turn, determines what position that Ambassador will occupy in official ceremonies.
First, though, a little history. Figures akin to a…
It is not uncommon for monarchies to hold priceless pieces of jewellery that enjoy special status: they don’t belong to any specific person, nor can they be sold or separated.
This is also the case for Spain, when Queen Victoria Eugenia, better known as Ena…
The Regalia of Sweden: a hidden treasure that tells a story
1st September 2023
Like many other monarchies, Sweden also has a patrimony of crown jewels, each with its own history and precious metals and stones.
Since 1907, however, the regalia has not been worn by members of the family but rather put on display during important moments like…
Rosendal Palace is one of the lesser-known royal buildings in Sweden, but that doesn’t mean it is less spectacular.
Located on the island of Djurgården, in central Stockholm, it was erected between 1823 and 1827 for King Karl XIV Johan – none other than Jean Bernadotte, the founder of the current ruling dynasty in Sweden.
The palace was created by Frederik Blom, one of the…
