EUROPEAN ROYALS

Real Princesses

2012-02-14T23:08:00.000-08:00

Two centuries ago, commoners were not permitted to join and mix, let alone marry, with royalty. The monarchy is closely guarding the mystic and charm of its existence and allowing commoners to peep at their precious court would dispel the magic that shroud their exalted circle, but the story became different as the 21st century approaches.

In order to survive and to continue the existence of the monarchy, royalty slowly adopted the idea of lowering barriers through the inclusion of commoners. This is their way of responding to the call of times to become more in touch with their subjects. Now as the modern world changed the meaning of royalty, commoners largely dominated the royal court of Europe that you can hardly distinguished who are princesses born of royal blood and who are merely impostors.

Here, I allotted enough space for pretty and real European princesses born of royal blood. Most of them are related to each other through the intermarriages of the children of King Christian IX of Denmark and Queen Victoria of England.

Princess Madelaine of Sweden

Princess Madelaine of Sweden is the youngest daughter of King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Silvia. She was engaged in 2010 to a Swedish lawyer but called off the engagement several months later when the princess found out the infidelity of his fiance. Not sure if she returned the heart-shaped diamond engagement ring to him.

A closer look at Princess Madelaine

Princess Beatrice of York

Princess Beatrice of York is the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and the second son of Queen Elizabeth II. Bea is currently listed as the 5th in line of succession to the British throne. She finished a Bachelor of Arts degree at London University.

Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg

Princess Alexandra is the only daughter of the reigning Grandduke of Luxembourg, Henri. She is quite protected by her parents from gossip because no news about her personal life passed the newspaper and magazine.

Princess Alexandra of Hanover with her mother, Princess Caroline of Monaco

Princess Alexandra of Hanover is the only child of Princess Caroline of Monaco and Prince Ernst August of Hanover (not known if the two already separated). She is the only grandchild, so far, by the late Prince Rainier that carries a Princess title. Until Prince Albert II sired legitimate children with his wife, Princess Charlene, his oldest sister, Princess Caroline will be the Hereditary Princess of Monaco.

Princess Eugenie of York

Princess Eugenie of York is the youngest daughter of Prince Andrew of York, said to be the favourite son of Queen Elizabeth II. Eugenie has an older sister, Princess Beatrice. Their parents, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew divorced in 1996 months before the divorce of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, had finalized. Eugenie was named after Queen Eugenia of Spain who was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

Princess Tatjana of Liechtenstein

Princess Tatjana is the only daughter of the reigning ruler of Liechtenstein, Prince Hans-Adam II. Her mother is Countess Marie Aglae. She is married to a Baron in 1999 and had seven children together.

Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark

Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark is the youngest daughter of King Constantine II of Greece and Queen Anna Marie. She was born in 1983, ten years after Greece abolished the monarchy. Her father was exiled following a military take over in 1969, the family settled in Italy and later in England where King Constantine established his own business. Princess Theodora finished a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theather Arts at one of the ivy league of schools in the United States, Brown University, she had studied fashion designing too at the prestigious Central St. Martins College of Art and Design in London. She expressed interest in film making and appeared on television soap opera like the Bold and the Beautiful.

Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein

Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein is the former Duchess Sophie of Bavaria. She is the daughter of Prince Max, the Duke of Bavaria and her mother is a Swedish Countess, Elisabeth Douglas. Her father is a great grandson of King Ludwig III of Bavaria. Sophie married the Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein, Alois, on July 3, 1993.

Princess Cristina of Spain

Princess Cristina of Spain is the youngest daughter of King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sophia. Through her parents, Cristina is the fourth generation of Queen Victoria of England and King Christian IX of Denmark. Her mother is a former Princess of Greece and the oldest sister of King Constantine II.

Among the royals listed above, Princess Cristina and Princess Theodora are the only princesses who have parents that are both royalty. Theodora's parents are Constantine II, the ex-king of Greece and Queen Anna Marie, the younger sister of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. Anna Marie and Constantine are both great grandchildren of King Christian IX of Denmark. While King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sophia are third cousin through Queen Victoria of England.

Her annoying frizzy hair

2012-02-14T19:47:00.000-08:00

Why the Duchess of Cambridge could not do something to properly comb her frizzy hair? It is so irritating to look every time she appear in public with her old-fashioned dresses and locks that's so untidy, now I am not sure why the media continue claiming she is gorgeous when her hair does not speak for itself. The strands are flying everywhere and it seemed badly dishevelled and very dry.

It seems she needs to be lectured what proper grooming is all about

She badly needed a good hairstylist

She looked 10 years older with her hairstyle

And my God she is not pretty!!If this is the definition of a pretty face then I wonder where the ugly fits in. Can the media be more realistic and not blinded with the role this woman will assume someday?

Seriously speaking, I am not into this woman and so confused why half of the public is smitten with her when she does not reflect what glamour is all about. Her legs are not gorgeous, her hair is so damn ugly and her fashion taste is so dull and boring. I suspect, people just love her for the role she will assume someday and because she is a wife of a Prince people concluded she is extremely fascinating but when you look at it closely there's nothing to fuss about this commoner.

She is far from the class and elegance of other commoners who married European princes: Mary of Denmark, Maxima of the Netherlands, Charlene of Monaco and Letezia of Spain they epitomize what glamour and elegance is all about.

Princess Ingrid of Norway

2012-01-22T22:45:00.000-08:00

Three generation of the Norwegian royalty

From left: King Harald V (second cousin of Queen Elizabeth II of Britain), his son and successor, Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Ingrid Alexandra

The pretty daughter of Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, celebrates her 8th birthday last January 21. The little Princess is second in line to the Norwegian throne after her father. Norway follows an equal line of succession that allows eldest child, despite of gender, to ascend the throne and would not be pushed by a younger brother anymore.

This law on succession took effect in 1990 and only to the present children of the royals, so Prince Haakon who has an elder sister, Princess Martha Louise, will still be the heir-apparent of King Harald V. Princess Ingrid Alexandra has a younger brother, Prince Magnus. Ingrid will be the first female to ascend the Norwegian throne.

Princess Ingrid served as one of the little bridesmaids at the wedding of her godmother, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, in 2010 at Stockholm, Sweden. She has a half-brother, Marius, a son of her mother, Mette-Merit, from a previous relationship.

Is She Barren?

2011-12-22T00:58:00.000-08:00

Kate Middleton (I just love calling her with her birth name than Duchess of Cambridge) must concede to the fact that her life is no longer hers.

The moment she accepted her fate to be with Prince William, she must understand the reality that life in royalty is no longer private. Now the public treated her just like a commodity, debating her new clothes, her new shoes and endlessly talking about the next fashion she will be embracing on her next public appearance. I am wondering if she can really handle the stress and tension in the future. Well, I hope she can.

Early this year, people could not wait to see her walk-down-the-aisle at Westminster Abbey, debates include the speculations of what design of bridal dress she will be wearing, who will design it and how the gown would look like in her slim figure. Then came the never-ending talk of where the couple would spend their honeymoon. Then the US and Canada joint tour where the public closely followed her hairstyle, the number of clothes she wore and the recycled jeans she donned.

Few months later, the people wanted her to get pregnant. Speculations of whether she is pregnant or not, or what months her belly would swell, dominated the tabloid. Andrew Morton, the biographer of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, even went on to say that Kate "must" get pregnant this year, as if she is an automatic robot, or else she will be defying the royal tradition of getting pregnant within the year of marriage. Then the month of December came. With no sign of pregnancy or whatsoever.

Is Kate getting pressured with all these nonsense expectations from her as if she is not a human being? Why on earth people pushed her to get pregnant as if she is nothing but a brood mare, that's so ridiculous to think. But that's the reality of being in the royal spotlight. Diana had experienced it in the past which she pronounced as "unbearable". Kate can handle it since she had been with Prince William longer than Diana with Charles.

But yes, me too, is wondering why she is still not pregnant after eight months of marriage. Is she barren? Next year, around February, Prince William will be dispatched to Falkland in Argentina for six weeks and Kate will be left behind. So it is impossible for her to get pregnant around that time. If she is barren, well, I doubt if William will follow what King Henry VIII had done to Catherine of Aragon---divorcing her in order to find a new wife that could give him an heir. Anyway, Prince Harry is next in line.

Sandringham Christmas

2011-12-19T04:28:00.000-08:00

Since 1862, when then Prince Bertie, the Prince of Wales, brought Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England to be his country retreat residence, the property had been the private country home of the British sovereigns. The house witnessed the death of the two monarchs, King George V and his son, King George VI (the father of Queen Elizabeth II). Since the reign of George V, royal family members spend Christmas at Sandringham Estate.

So where's the royals go during Christmas holidays?

The British royal family members headed by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh traditionally spend Christmas at Sandringham Estate and attend a church service at St. Magdalene Church then at 12:00 noon everybody will gather at the living room to watch the Queen deliver her annual Christmas message to the British people via television.

Sandringham is a 25,000 acre estate of the British sovereign, since it is a private home and not merely a crown property, it does not automatically pass to the next monarch unless he is the first born son of the ruling sovereign. It has a beautiful and sprawling country house, cottages and apartment inside the estate. One of the apartments is the Parkhouse, a ten bedroom building which had been a previous home of the family of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Diana spent her childhood there until 1975 when her father, John Spencer, became the 8th Earl of Althorp, a Spencer estate also located at Norfolk, England.

The traditional gift giving to the staff and family members usually happens at Christmas eve. According to Paul Burrell in his book "A Royal Duty", the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh personally hand their gifts to every staff and servant during this season and extend their thanks and wishes. Cool!

So it's Christmas once again and everybody is excited to spend it with their family. I am going home too to be with my family and enjoy the rest of the holiday break. It's still pretty nice to hear and read news from royalty where they spend their Christmas holiday.

This Christmas marks the first time that the Duchess of Cambridge will going to Sandringham to be with the rest of the royal family and I heard that Prince William invited Kate's younger sister, the ever visible Pippa Middleton, to join them on Christmas celebration because Kate might be isolated with the rest of the royal family members, arrrrgh!So this is the first time that they will invite a real outsider to the exclusive Christmas celebration of royalty? I doubt how the other blue blooded royals react to this news.

The Love Triangle of the Century

2011-11-19T08:17:00.000-08:00

This is a worn-out story and already gone with the way of the apes, but because it reminded me of something being "argued" recently, I decided to bring it up here again for the sake of telling a controversial history, the world-famous issue of Prince Charles' adultery with his former flame, Camilla Parker-Bowles, which had been the caused of misery of the late Princess of Wales.

Everybody knows this royal scandal and "that" period was one of the most trying times of the British monarchy which many of the Queen's subjects began reassessing their positions if they really need a monarchy after all. Prince Charles was painted badly in the public as a repulsive, dithering, incompetent and irresponsible King-in-waiting because of his adultery and the media even called for his graceful "exit" in the line of succession.

For others who are not familiar with this scandal. Here is what happened.

Prince Charles had met Camilla Shand in 1971 and started a brief relationship, because of her commoner background, the possibility of making her a future Queen Consort was simply unthinkable. They separated eventually. Camilla married Andrew Parker-Bowles in 1973. Charles remained single. But unknown to the public, the two continued seeing each other.

Fast forward 1980. Because he was an heir to the highest throne on Earth, the Prince of Wales, whether he like it or not, and whatever his preferences are, should marry and provide the throne with heirs to ensure the continuation of the House of Windsor. His position in life guaranteed him no freedom to choose just any woman, she should come from a suitable, aristocratic background, no previous relationships, pretty, socially inexperience and most of all, a virgin to rightfully produce royal children (a commoner with no aristocratic background was never considered a suitable bride of a future British King before the 21st century). It did not take long for Prince Charles to look for an ideal candidate.

Lady Diana Spencer, then 19 years old, lived and raised within the upper-class system of Britain, her grandparents were very close to the British royal family, in fact because of this closeness, Diana's parents were granted permission to live in the luxurious, ten-bedroom apartment called Parkhouse for free, this classy royal home is located inside the Queen's private estate in Northamptonshire, Sandringham.

Diana was beautiful, an aristocrat whose father, a wealthy British nobleman named John Spencer, who would become the 8th Earl of Althorp, was a direct descendant of King Charles II of England and owned a large estate called Althorp in Northamptonshire, England. Diana's mother, the Honourable Frances Burke-Roche, was also a daughter of a British nobleman named Edmund Burke-Roche, the 4th Baron Fermoy. Diana was socially inexperience and most of all, a virgin. She was pronounced as the most suitable candidate to become a future Queen Consort of England.

But few years after the wedding of the century, Diana slowly found out that her husband secretly resumed his relationship to Camilla Parker Bowles, whom he pronounced as the only woman he ever love. But the true love of his life, unfortunately, was very much married. Immorality issue, scandal and the succeeding twists of events, put Camilla's reputation and image into someone who had been condemned to die in public. She was badly ridiculed, humiliated, mocked and bitterly judged as a home-wrecker and was dismissively called as Charles's "weather-bitten mistress" who smell like a horse, Diana called her a rottweiler and famously said, "a woman who sucked into our marriage and refused to go".

The Princess of Wales, who won the sympathy of the public during her turbulent period within the royal family, was portrayed as a "saint" while her husband was considered an insecure, fickle-minded and irresolute man. The popularity of Prince Charles continued to sink and even with the presence of the influential publicity machines of the palace, the future King's image was a public disaster. His father, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who did not want a royal divorce, called his son "irresponsible whose brain had been sucked dry".

Well, we all know what happened many years later and the rest is history....

Okay, analyzing this "tragic" love story, I could not help but think what really love means? Based on what happened, love can be described here as a very selfish love, a futile emotion and badly depicted as something that people overtly abused and misused when the very purpose of it is to provide harmony and respect. If the circumstances did not cooperate for them to end up together, there are lots of reasons why God did not allow it to happen and therefore must not tolerate the feelings anymore, it will never bring good to both parties. In fact, God does not want everyone to suffer all the time because of it. Therefore, Love itself is a responsibility.

If only Prince Charles used a true Christian principle that love is not an emotional duty but a gift from God, maybe modern British history might have been very different. The Prince of Wales was very famous with his controversial line he uttered during the announcement of his engagement to Lady Diana Spencer in February 1981 "Whatever love means".

But how can we really gauge true love? Is it enough to say that it never ceases in our heart? An emotion that could not gotten over? Does it really remains longer? Or are we just pretending to believe it's still there because we just wanted to relish the idea of being in love, but in love for what? For imagination? Is it a mind trap? Or just an idea of longing for something we failed to realize, coated with a different form of regret and guilt and the concept of what-ifs and might-have been, hoping to correct the mistakes.

It would be very ridiculous to continue wishing for time to do a form of magic and turn back the clock and rewrite our destiny or nourish some hope that we could still reconnect the past in the future. Sometimes the very meaning of it mislead us, often, people think the other way around and assumed a different identity of the feeling associated with it. Click here to read related story

Prince Charles unfortunately, did not live the good example set by his father, Prince Philip, in treating a wife with respect despite the absence of feeling the "real love"(click related story here) well, whatever love means.

Here are hints how to distinguish True Love from infatuation or the idea of just falling in love with love according to the book "I Love You" by Gordon Martinborough.

"True Love is not controlled by feelings. It does not do anything and everything it feels. If Infatuation is ruled by feelings, in True Love, the feelings are under the control of principle."

"Infatuation is in a hurry, like a spark of lightning but a spark easily fades and ceases, it never last because the feeling is very temporary and conditional, so as long as the spark is still there, the feeling survive but when it dies down, everything fades too. But True Love takes time, it slowly develops like tender, precious plants, it takes long to notice its blossoming buds because knowing a person always takes time, there's no short cut and growing a relationship takes time and God expects couples in love to grow up (Ephesians 4:15), a spark is temporary, it easily fades and ceases, "

"Infatuation is obsessed with externals and the fashion and is intoxicated with sex appeal while True Love is concerned with internals and compatibility."

""Infatuation considers only the "labels" of the partner. True Love let the two people know each other well, and see beyond misgivings and shortcomings, providing attention, supporting and expressing concern to each other's well-being."

"Infatuation is a human pit while True Love is a divine ladder." Read related story

Princess Consort

2011-11-17T21:55:00.000-08:00

"I prefer to be known as Princess consort when Charles ascend the throne"--Camilla Parker Bowles

Okay fine....and that's the most appropriate title she would get anyway. Everybody knows how she had caused the breakdown of the marriage of Charles and Diana. I really don't know what the Prince of Wales saw in her (Camilla) in the first place, but any way, Camilla has share of humiliation from the public and suffered so much already, so let us give her peace by this time.

Recently, she is very vocal in saying that she never wanted to be called a Queen when her husband ascend the British throne someday in respect to the memory of Diana, Princess of Wales. Technically, Camilla should take the title of Princess of Wales because she is the wife of the Prince of Wales but because the title has strong association to Diana she preferred not to instead chose the title Duchess of Cornwall in 2005 upon her marriage to Charles. The Prince of Wales second title is Duke of Cornwall. When the couple are staying in Scotland they are known there as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay.

It takes years before Charles can ascend the throne because his mother is still in a very good shape and no illness was reported in her behalf, who knows she would inherit the energy her late mother (the Queen Mother) possessed who died at a ripe age of 101. It will take decade before Camilla could assume the title of Princess Consort.

No spouse of a British King took a title of a Princess Consort, Camilla, if ever Prince Charles would outlive his mother, will be the first to hold the title. The princess consort title however is commonly used in many muslim constitutional monarchy countries. For example in Jordan and Morocco, if the reigning King would not declare his wife as a Queen in public, the wife would be known only as Princess consort, say for example Princess Lalla Salma, the wife of King Mohammad VI of Morocco and Princess Muna of Jordan, the second wife King Hussein of Jordan and the mother of the current Jordanian King, Abdullah II.

The fading appeal of Prince William

2011-10-22T19:02:00.000-07:00

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Once upon a time...there was a handsome Prince.....but that was long ago ^_____^

Looking at the current photos of Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, I couldn't help but think why his appeal had withered when he is one of the gorgeous royals in Europe before he got married.

...And it seems he did not leave up to the old adage that goes "the more you age the more you become hotter"...it appears to be an opposite case for the future British King. And I am wondering why? Now, I won't start criticizing here that maybe his "fading" appeal has something to do with his marriage or tension of his future role. I will think it the other way around.

Prince William in January 2010

When Wills was younger, it couldn't be denied that he was more cute and adorable than his younger brother, Prince Harry, well, after all, he inherited most of the features of his mother, the late Princess Diana and that of the Spencers. But it seems those beguiling features quickly vanished as years gone by. But wait, his mother too passed the same "beauty waning" concept.

When the former Lady Diana Spencer was still a young girl, she too looked like a Greek goddess, exceptionally beautiful and stunning, but I noticed when she became older, her once alluring physical look seemed withered. Maybe it had something to do with pressure, stress or emotional troubles underneath.

Prince Harry is now more gorgeous than his brother

Prince William seems aged fast and his receding hair is more evident, his jaw had dropped and more pronounced and his face looked worn out and haggard and he gained weight! I don't know what causes it, the pressure in his military career or his worries for the future of the throne. His wife looked ugly too, seems like her face is wrinkled already and her freckles now becoming more visible which made her skin looked unhealthy and rough. It seems marriage is not a good idea to them (joke).

Now, Prince Harry is more gorgeous than William. The once way-ward Prince who shocked the world when he wore a Nazi uniform during a costume party looked irresistible and fascinating everyday, even during the time he was overtly drunk and confused. Harry is more cute than his brother in recent years.

Hmmmm...just a personal observation though ^____^

The most annoying news

2011-10-02T00:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, the mother earth is completely aware that I hated this commoner woman whose fashion taste is so cranky and awful and who is now occupying the place --- well finally after sketching a hundred scheme all through out her teenage years, of course with the help of her ambitious mother, to trap the Prince --- as William's wife.

She is commoner and she married the future King of England and I hate it because that position rightfully belong to a privilege, aristocratic or royal woman with a sense of style, and not this frizzled-hair, freckled-face woman from Buckleberry.

The recycling Queen

Her publicity is too much, it should have ended in the royal wedding...

Poor girl she did not notice that the world is only longing the presence of the late Princess of Wales and she is just being used as a replacement. All articles relating to her are no substance and should not have trumpeted in the news --- recycling clothes, making grocery, shoes, clutch and the mystery why her engagement ring suddenly disappeared during a hospital visit --- these are simply ridiculous and immaterial and who cares if she recycled her undies too?

Can these writers feature worthy royals with substance in their news columns? Queen Rania of Jordan is more newsworthy than this country girl who climbed the wall of Windsor Castle...can't wait when she will fall to the ground...

Jesus!This girl is not worthy to be featured and talked all the time, there are still plenty of royal news to talk about worthy of our attention and not ponder too much on her clothes, shoes and the vanishing sapphire engagement ring...so what will happen next in the news? feature when will she put on her engagement ring when she will wear her LK Bennett nude platform?

This ugly Duchess and her sister are two most annoying people in the world.

Prince Harry Turns 27

2011-09-16T01:12:00.000-07:00

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Prince Harry as a child carried by his late mother, Diana Princess of Wales "She was the best mother in the world", Harry said when he gave a speech celebrating her 10th death anniversary in 2007

Prince Harry with older brother Prince William one afternoon at Kensington Palace in 1985

The third in line to the British throne just celebrated his 27th birthday yesterday, September 15 without any words from the press how the world's most eligible bachelor celebrated his natal day. In August, the Prince was photographed diving in a swimming pool in Croatia all in his splendid shirt and jeans while partying with his friends.

In August 31, Prince Harry spent the 14th death anniversary of his mother, Diana, visiting different charitable institutions around London, a crusade closely associated to the late Princess of Wales. When Diana died in 1997, Harry was barely 13 and among the two brothers, it was Harry who took the pain of losing a mother terribly. When he turned adult, the Prince vowed to continue the legacy of his mother by working on different charities. He later founded Sentebale with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho whose mother died in 2003. Sentebale is a foundation aims to help homeless children especially those forgotten victims of AIDS left behind by sick parents.

"Sentebale means 'forget me not', we chose the name as a memorial to the charity work of our own mothers, as well as a reminder to us all not to forget Lesotho or its children" , explained by Prince Harry

Hugging one African child supported by Sentebale

Harry spent the 14th death anniversary of his mother doing charitable activities

Prince Harry is deeply involved with this charity and each year he travelled around the world to generate funds and support for the homeless children. He is a patron to many charities in London where he actively help raised funds every chance he got. Prince Harry who publicly said he and his brother, Prince William, always think about their mother and her influence, assumed the role left by his mother in many charities. Among the two brothers, it was Harry who often seen hugging infants and receiving awards of humanity for charitable causes just like his late mother. One palace aide said "Harry inherited most of the charisma and compassion traits of their mother".

At the halo trust in Africa

Princess Diana first did it in January 1997

The two Wales brothers grew closer to each other

Prince Harry is especially close to his older brother, who would be King someday. The two showed no sign of rivalry and bitterness for their positions in life. William as the "heir" while Harry as the "spare". They would often seen taking joint vacations and tours together when William was still single. And Harry often poked fun with his brother's obvious receding hair and weight gain.

Poor You

2011-09-05T22:54:00.000-07:00

According to a book, William and Kate, by Christopher Andersen, Prince Charles and the Queen wanted Prince William to marry Kate Middleton in 2013 and not 2011 because 2011 and 2012 will be the busy years for the British royal court as the Queen will be preparing for her 60th year celebration on the throne and London will be hosting the 2012 World Olympics.

But Prince William worried if Miss Middleton could take another postponement, the commoner woman, who had been waiting all her life to marry the Prince and who had been tailing William since she graduated from high school (her chasing journey carried her to as far as Chile and to St. Andrews University and taking Art History because it is the first course took by Prince William before he shifted to Geography), is already called "waitie Kate" by the Press because of painfully waiting for the moment Prince William will finally propose.

But her life in the world of royalty is a staggering pretension, most people did not actually see her as she and accepted her as who she is, the world is desperately looking for a woman who could fill the shoes left by Diana and who could represent the fascination and sensation that Diana once gave, the world is still hopelessly "in-love" with the late Princess of Wales and though Miss Middleton is very far from Diana, people are amused that there's someone who at last could be referred to as "the other Diana" even in reality she is far from her. In other words, people never actually like her but with the role she magnifies and represents.

Poor Kate. She will be leaving like a complete robot. And the biggest fear of some observers is that the royal family members might not like this idea and they will be treating Miss Middleton as "not one of them" and she will be isolated later. Royals presumably are still not conforming with the idea that the future British King chose to marry a non-aristocrat woman coming from a middle class background (in British history, William is the first future King who married a non-aristocratic woman).

Well, it is where the endurance and patience of Kate will be finally tested. How long it will last and how long she can endure it remains to be seen. Days in royalty are not all grand, privilege, sweetness and romantic as Diana found later in her life.

The Spanish Royals

2011-08-12T19:44:00.000-07:00

Is the wife of Prince Felipe of Spain, Princess Letizia, is not on speaking terms with her sisters-in-law, Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina? Infanta by the way is the term used for a Spanish Princess. According to News Summary--there's somewhat estrangement between Letizia and the two older sisters of her husband a year ago and made sure they won't be spotted together in one place. (left photo: the Spanish royal family family photo taken sometimes in 2008 or 2009)

The Spanish royal family has a traditional family reunion during summer to a spectacular island of Mallorca, not far from the glamorous Spanish town, Ibiza and last year, gossip regarding the estrangement persisted when the royals did not release a family photo, so this year, the royal family matriarch, Queen Sophia, made effort to dismiss family discord by bringing her children together to Mallorca--and a family photo shoot was taken but Letizia's position (between Prince Felipe and Queen Sophia) seemed too far from the two Spanish Infantas to notice if they are really in good terms already.

King Juan Carlos is too busy to deal with this petty family misunderstanding, I guess, because he was just released from the hospital where he had a knee surgery. Hmmm...Just wondering why they had a misunderstanding...

Zara won't change her maiden name

2011-08-01T19:47:00.000-07:00

Despite the warmth and happiness she felt at her wedding to Mike Tindall last July 30, 2011 at the historical Cannongate Kirk in Scotland, Zara's decision to retain her maiden name is unaffected.

So the Queen's granddaughter is just one of the fewest females in the world who refused to switch surname. She will be the first royal family member also to retain her maiden name. There was no reported objection from Mike Tindall anyway.

To view the wedding highlight and photos of Zara Phillips, visit my ROYALTY FASHION

A private Wedding ceremony for Zara

2011-07-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips

Another Queen's grandchild will be marrying this July.

Zara Phillips, the 30 year-old eldest granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, will wed her long-time boyrfriend, Mike Tindall, a British Rugby player, this coming July 30, 2011 at Cannongate in Scotland but the ceremony is exclusive for Zara and Mike's family and closest friends only.

Amidst the report that Hello!magazine is initially pushing a financial deal with the couple for exclusive rights of their wedding photos, Buckingham Palace moved forward to prevent the deal. The British royal court was already "cheapened" by the publication of Zara's older brother, Peter Phillips's wedding to Autumn Kelly in 2008 with private photos of the royal family appeared in glossy pages of the above-mentioned magazine which the palace courtiers believed made the monarchy looked undignified.

Zara is reportedly upset, stating that she is a private individual and has the right to do whatever she wants after all she is not technically a royalty, but the palace decision is final. Though she is a granddaughter to the Queen and maintained a close relationship with the monarch, Zara did not possess any royal title as her mother, Princess Anne, maintained that all her children should not bear any royal titles to free themselves from the trappings of royalty. Thus, Zara did not receive any allowance from the Civil List and earned her income through sponsorship and endorsement as a world champion equestrianne.

Buckingham Palace already announced that no commercial photographers are allowed to enter Holyrood Palace where the private wedding reception will be held. Holyrood, a former home of Mary Queen of Scots, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. Zara on the other hand, agreed, as she never dreamed to disappoint her grandmother.

Kate appears more like Camilla than Diana

2011-07-07T23:15:00.000-07:00

Her wedding ring still nowhere in sight and everybody is wondering where she left it.

Above photo: At the Canadian tour (June 30-July 8, 2011), the Duchess of Cambridge, well just like the previous public outings since the royal wedding, only seen wearing the blue sapphire engagement ring.

But the most unusual thing for this new Duchess is her awful habit of recycling wardrobe, I never see any women married into royalty who recycled dresses when appearing in public,well except Camilla Parker-Bowles and that's understandable because she did not live a life of glamour and fame when she was still known in public as Prince Charles's "weather beaten" mistress.

Now it seems she has a successor with her lifestyle, the Duchess of Cambridge. Camilla and Kate seemed lots of things in common: they are commoners who married into royalty, they have the habit of wearing tragic wardrobe that never compliment their physical appearance and both relished the idea of being a consort someday.

Kate donned this nude patent LK Bennett platform a hundred times in public. First at Derby horse trial in May then at the 2011 July tour in Canada and Los, Angeles, California. The shoes and her favourite beige clutch bag made an appearance about six times during the tour

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4 and Day 5

Day 6

Since her wedding to Prince William, every time she appeared in public, she reminded me more of Camilla rather than Diana. She has no charm of the late Princess of Wales, much more magic. In all her public outings during her lifetime, Diana always looked so charming and fabulous and never disappointed the public with her magnificent, regal bearing.

The blue skinny jeans, belt and shoes, she repeatedly wore. Can she just wear jeans which won't reveal her ridiculous thighs?

At the Canadian tour (first week of July 2011) with Prince William, Kate seemed did not pack enough wardrobe that she kept repeating the same dress, jeans and shoes every time they appeared in public. She wore the nude LK Bennett platform (already seen in public last May) about five times, the Erdem dress twice and the skinny jeans three times.

Okay, just leave her alone and not mind her ghastly taste of wardrobe I am no fan of her either, but it feels like Prince William is being accompanied by his nanny in all his public engagement and not a wife, aside from her tousled her which made me wonder if she ever comb her hair or at least apply a conditioner, she always recycled her dresses and those awful shoes.

The wedge black shoes seemed like her favourite footwear, at the above picture from the mail online, she wore it when she, her sister Pippa and mother, Carol Middleton, checked in to Goring Hotel two days before the royal wedding in April. Kate shown here wearing a black printed dress.

A day after their wedding in April

And alas! At the Canadian tour (July 2011) she wore the same dress and shoes!Photo credit: Tim Rooke/Rex Features

Another recycled outfit is the above Reiss white dress she wore at the prenuptial portrait (left) and again at the Canadian tour (right)

One comment in her wardrobe during the couple's Canadian tour lately, is that she seemed wearing the same pair of skinny jeans three days in a row, arggh!And some of her dresses in that tour looked vintage than modern, she did not even wear hats, which is a compulsive social etiquette among female royals.

Getting enough tan did not make sense on her, the lavender dress did not even compliment her slim figure and horrible legs. Photo credit: Camera Press/Mark Stewart from Mail Online

For people who commented her fashion taste as fascinating, think twice, my God! The girl did not even know where to place her accessories so that a simple dress will make gorgeous, there's nothing stylish about her and her fashion sense is so dull and dreadful. Someone from Vogue must advise her to at least visit the saloon for hair rebonding. Her curly locks and messy hair is not cute any more. She is far from the fashionable and gorgeous commoners who married into royalty: Princess Mary of Denmark and Queen Rania of Jordan whose taste in fashion is so widely praised and acknowledged. Sorry but I just can't help comparing them.

Everyday, Kate appears more like Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall than the glamorous fashion icon, Diana, Princess of Wales. Anyway, this is just my personal opinion, you can freely express your opinion too if you want.

Charlene's Predicament

2011-07-05T00:35:00.000-07:00

Charlene wore an exquisite ivory satin wedding dress when she wed Prince Albert II of Monaco on July 2, 2011. Her elegant gown is adorned with 40,000 Swarovski crystals and hand-embroidered with gold and pearl created for her by Italian fashion maestro, Giorgio Armani

The newly created Princess seemed in deep trouble. So I heard through a grapevine.

Controversial stories regarding the "attempted runaway" of Charlene Wittstock days before the royal wedding are now appearing in the news. Oh my!!maybe her unhappiness can be attributed to those mother of pearl tear drops embroidery in her bridal gown. I am just wondering why pearls are included in the design when superstitious belief warned bride not to wear any pearls on her wedding day because it implies bad omen.

Well, uhmm...the story goes like this:

A French newspaper, Le Monde, reported that Charlene Wittstock was heartbroken upon knowing her Prince has another illegitimate child born 18 months ago, if this is true, this would be the third illegitimate child of Prince Albert, so it means that even after they announced their engagement, the prince still continue seeing another woman! So that's where the hesitation and annoyance of the former Olympian came from.

Tears and sadness during the church ceremony.

The future Princess was reportedly booked a one-way flight to South Africa weeks before the wedding but she was cornered by the police and had her passport confiscated upon reaching Nice airport. But an official statement from the Palace of Monaco denied this allegation. Whatever the truth behind this latest scandal involving Prince Albert, the sadness was reportedly evident in Charlene's eyes at the wedding. She was so emotional and cried several times at the ceremony and looked very unhappy and stiff.

This is quite upsetting since they just got married and should be in their bright moods for their romantic honeymoon getaway. Whether this is true or not, Charlene by now, truly understood what it's like marrying into royalty, she must endure Albert's playboy image in exchange of the comfort, privilege, wealth and glamour that comes with being a Princess.

Car Accident

2011-07-01T17:58:00.000-07:00

The Princesses who died in car accident

Today, July 1, would have been the 50^thbirthday of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and while thinking what topic to post to commemorate her birthday(I am hesitant to post an article about Diana’s life story because I’d done it several times in the past), I decided to write something about the tragic death of other princesses who also died in car accident like Diana.

DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES

Of course, everybody knows she died in August 1997 in Paris, France when the black Mercedez benz she was riding slammed on the 13^th pillar of Pont d’Alma tunnel. It was a terrible event especially for someone who was so young, pretty and very famous.

For most of her life, the late Princess of Wales struggled to be accepted unconditionally, she also had to find her own place after her husband ditched her for a woman she called an "attacked dog who suck our marriage", but her quest for real freedom and happiness was cut-short at the age of 36 and the unique charm and magic of the vulnerable Princess of Wales forever gone.

As a daughter of a British Earl with a royal pedigree, Diana, was born an aristocrat and was raised in the upper-class system of the British society, but despite her comfortable upbringing, she grew up deprived of having a normal family life, her parents got divorced when she was 8 years old and she had to endure a distressing arrangement of shuffling homes with parents every weekend. Until she met the Prince of Wales in 1980, life seemed perfect and rosy. But several years after they married and provided the throne with two heirs, Diana discovered that the Prince of Wales renewed his relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles and soon, she had to endure the humiliation of having an adulterous husband who did not actually love her. Later in life she disclosed that the only people who brought sunshine to her tormented life are her two sons, William and Harry.

Fourteen years after her untimely death, Diana’s legacy lives on, her influence still hovered around through the presence of her two good-looking sons…. and her special magic continues.

GRACE KELLY, PRINCESS OF MONACO

Unlike Diana, Grace Kelly was a non-aristocrat. She was a Hollywood actress who captivated the ruler of the Principality of Monaco, Prince Rainier III, when she attended the Cannes Film Festival in France in 1955, not long after, her star moved closer to the orbit of the European royalty and in April 1956, they got married in Monaco. She bore him three children, Princess Caroline, Prince Albert (who just married last July 2, 2011) and Princess Stephanie.

Kelly's life, both private and public, was the object of intense speculations, though Prince Rainier's devotion to her was very obvious, still extramarital affair issues (on her side) persisted. Her beauty and glamour did not wane as she grew older, but the princess gained considerable weight that she accumulated fatty plaques in her circulatory system. This health problem became the cause of her death at the age of 52.

On September 13, 1982, while driving, with her daughter Princess Stephanie on her side, along the windy and snowy road in the countryside of Monaco, she suffered a stroke which prompted her car to slip at the serpentine road on the mountain. She and her daughter were brought to the hospital but Princess Grace died later from massive injuries. Princess Stephanie survived and recovered. Prince Rainier did not marry and died on April 5, 2005, their only son, Prince Albert, succeeded the throne.

QUEEN ASTRID OF BELGIUM

She was known as “SnowPrincess” and the people of Belgium extremely loved her. As a granddaughter of Princess Sybill of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Astrid was a direct descendant of Queen Victoria of England, she was also the sister of Princess Martha of Sweden who married the future King Olaf of Norway. Princess Astrid married Prince Leopold of Belgium and when he ascended the Belgian throne as King Leopold III, Astrid became Queen Consort.

The couple had three children: Princess Josephine Charlotte (mother of Henri, the current GrandDuke of Luxembourg), King Boudouin and King Albert II (reigning King of Belgium). Their marriage was reportedly a very happy one, the King was very fond of her and no controversy was attached to their union. But this happy marital life was ended abruptly when at the age of 29, Queen Astrid died from car accident.

In 1935, she and her husband spent vacation in Switzerland and while the King drove his car with the Queen on the passenger's seat, it swept through the windy road in the mountain of Kussnacht am Rigi near Lake Lucerne. Her death was deeply mourned by the people of Belgium and Sweden and her husband went into mourning for a considerable period of time. Leopold remarried into a commoner years later and had two children.

A ROYAL DIET

2011-06-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered why Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, looked super slim during her wedding to Prince William last April 29, 2011? It was reported that she undergone a Dukan Diet originally created by a French doctor, Pierre Dukan, which focuses on shifting calorie philosophy.

But there's one diet program I found lately which offers a similar technique of a Dukan Diet that Kate Middleton followed while preparing for her big day, Fatloss for idiots diet, which follows a principle of shifting-calories, high-protein and whole grain foods intake, in order to lose weight faster in just 11 days, very fast isn't it? But this very popular diet program, the FATLOSS FOR IDIOTS, concentrates on bombarding the body with whole grain foods in order to enable the fat burning system to work harder in eliminating fats.

This is such a tremendous development in dieting since some diet programs available in the market today admonished us to limit foods especially starchy and high-protein foods then even advised us to take diet pills, but FATLOSS FOR IDIOTS is hugely different because it will even allow dieters to eat food more than three times a day! Learn it more HERE and discover why the shifting-calorie principles made Kate Middleton so slim and sexy in just three months before the royal wedding. You will also discover the sexier, healthier, young-looking and slimmer in you if your faithfully follow this unique diet formula.

Some of the Prettiest Royals

2011-06-13T00:33:00.000-07:00

PRINCESS THEODORA OF GREECE AND DENMARK

She was born (1983) in London ten years after the abolition of monarchy in Greece, but Theodora remains a royalty. She is Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh's great niece and two of her aunties are Queens: one is a queen regnant--Margrethe II of Denmark, and the other is a queen consort-- Sophia of Spain.

I always find her cute and stunning, in fact, she is one of my choices for Prince William's future bride in the past, but of course destiny did not cooperate. Well, the match might be inconceivable too since royal marriages between close family relations are not any more common in British monarchy and the last blood relations to marry are Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II who are third cousins through Queen Victoria of England and second cousins, once removed, through King Christian IX of Denmark. Theodora and William come in the same family trees: the Saxe-Coburg-Gothas, the Glucksburgs and the Romanovs in Russia (through their great grandmother, Queen Olga of Greece).

Her Royal Highness, Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark is the youngest daughter of ex-King Constantine II of Greece and Queen Anna Marie. Her father is one of the closest cousins of Prince Charles (they are second cousin, Charles's father, Prince Philip, is the first cousin of Constantine's father, King Paul of Greece) and William's godfather. Constantine II became King of Greece in 1964 and reigned nine years until Greece declared republic in 1973.

Theodora is more royal than William, the ex-King of Greece is the younger brother of Queen Sophia of Spain (wife of King Juan Carlos), his parents were King Paul I and Princess Federica of Hanover, a great granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England. Theodora's mother, Anna Marie, is the youngest sister of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, her parents were King Frederick IX of Denmark and Princess Ingrid of Sweden, also a great granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England. Theodora and William are third cousins through King George I of Greece and triple fifth cousins through Queen Victoria of England, well of course this royal match is just in my dream as William is now married, but it is still difficult to move on with the fact that he married a commoner when he could choose someone from the world of aristocracy.

Princess Theodora finished her Bachelor of Arts degree at one of the Ivy League of Schools in the United States, Brown University in Rhode Island. She also studied fashion designing in London and now aspired to become a film maker and recently moved to the Los Angeles, California. By virtue of her affinity to Queen Victoria, Theodora is listed in the line of succession to the British throne.

LADY GABRIELLA WINDSOR

Like Princess Theodora, Lady Gabriella, Ella to her family and friends, finished her Bachelor of Arts degree at the prestigious Brown University in the United States. She obtained a college diploma in BA Comparative Literature in 2004 and currently worked as a journalist in London.

Born on April 23, 1981, Gabriella is the youngest child of HRH Prince Michael of Kent, first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, and Baroness Marie Christine von Rebneitz. She is more "royal" than any nieces and nephews of the Queen. Her father, Prince Michael, is the youngest child of Prince George, the Duke of Kent, youngest son of King George V. Michael's mother was Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, first cousin of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Ella's mother is a German aristocrat, Marie Christine von Rebneitz.

She is the prettiest girl among the British royal family members, well, there's a saying that goes "Beauty is on the eye of the beholder". She is currently in the line of succession to the British throne after her brother, Lord Frederick Windsor.

PRINCESS MADELEINE OF SWEDEN

Her heart-shaped face is unmistakably charming and her deep blue eyes seemed mysterious and magical, Princess Madelaine, no doubt, is one of the prettiest royals in the current European royal court. When she was still in her teens, a royal match between her and Prince William of Wales was often reported after all, Madelaine is a royal from an existing royal house in Europe, but nothing happened with the match since Madeleine is living in Sweden and William attended college at St. Andrews.

The Princess was born 11 days before Prince William on June 10, 1982, she is the youngest child of King Carl Gustav XVI of Sweden from the royal house of Bernadotte and related to Queen Elizabeth II of England. She consistently topped the list of several magazines as one of the Hottest Young Royals in the world.

Princess Madeleine was created Duchess of Halsingland and Gastrikland in her own right. She was previously engaged to Jonas Bergstrom, a Swedish lawyer, but she broke up the engagement later following a report that Bergstrom had cheated her with a college student. As a descendant of Queen Victoria, she is listed in the line of succession to the British throne.

Happy Birthday Prince Philip!

2011-06-09T16:57:00.000-07:00

Today, June 10, 2011, is the 90th birthday of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. He is one of my favourite British royal family members because of his sense of humour and very outspoken personality. He is a breather in a royal family brought up in a world of rigidity and stiffness, conforming to the old and unwritten rule of monarchy to maintain secrecy. Prince Philip is one royal who is not afraid to speak what's on his mind.

Born Prince Greece and Denmark, he is one of the grandsons of King George I of Greece. Philip was sixth in line of succession to the Greek throne before he married the Queen. In 1923, before he turned two years old, his father, Prince Andrew, was sentenced to death when he was found guilty of treason for abandoning his post during Greek and Turkish war (Andrew served as General in the military during the reign of his brother, King Constantine I). He escaped death when his first cousin, George V of Great Britain (grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II), dispatched a Royal Navy to Greece and saved him. He and his family were taken to England and settled first in Kensington Palace then moved to St. Cloud in Paris, France.

Later, the Greek royal couple separated and Princess Alice, Philip's mother, suffered a nervous breakdown. Philip was taken to England and lived with his maternal grandmother, Princess Victoria, one of the granddaughters of Queen Victoria of England. His maternal uncle, Lord Louis Mountbatten, became his father figure. Philip joined the Royal Navy and quickly rose to rank of a Lieutenant, he served many battleships during World War II. He married then Princess Elizabeth in November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey and was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl Merionith and Baron Greenwich by his father-in-law, King George VI. He became a Prince Consort in 1952 when Elizabeth ascended the throne.

At 90, Prince Philip is the longest-surviving Prince Consort in British history and the longest surviving great-great grandson of Queen Victoria of England. Read the details in my ROYAL WORLD blog.

Lady Louise Windsor

2011-06-03T09:48:00.000-07:00

Know the other royal.

She might not be as famous as her cousins, but Lady Louise Windsor, the youngest granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, is slowly attracting the limelight. Her parents, the Earl and Countess of Wessex (Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones) are trying hard to protect her privacy but since she is royalty, it might not be guaranteed in the long run.

Lady Louise Windsor with her first cousin, Prince Harry of Wales riding a carriage on their way to Buckingham Palace after the wedding ceremony

Lady Louise Windsor acted as one of the bride's maids to the wedding of her first cousin Prince William last April 29, 2011

Though technically she is a royal Princess as she is the granddaughter of the reigning sovereign in the male line, Louise is known as "Lady" or having a status of a peer's daughter and not as a Queen's granddaughter. Following her parents' marriage in 1999, the Queen released a statement that any child born to Prince Edward and his bride would be styled as Lady or Lord or carry the status of a peer's children and not that of a Prince in order to avoid the trappings and burden of royalty.

Lady Louise was born prematurely on November 8, 2003. Though the style was announced through the office of Buckingham Palace, there was no letter patent issued by the Queen that means Louise is free to use the "Princess" title when she become of age. She has a younger brother James who did not carry a Prince title too but only known as Viscount Severn, the secondary peer title of Prince Edward.

Lady Louise with her father, Prince Edward the Earl of Wessex. Following them are her mother and brother (Sophie, the Countess of Wessex and Viscount Severn), Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice.(daughters of Prince Andrew, older brother of Prince Edward)

Lady Louise Windsor acted as one of the bride's maids of Kate Middleton during her marriage to Prince William, last April 29, 2011. She rode with Prince Harry and other bride's maids and page boys in the same carriage when they returned to Buckingham Palace. Lady Louise has an eye disorder called exotropia where eyes are deviated outward.

A war pilot Prince

2011-05-30T20:48:00.000-07:00

Oh no Prince Harry!

Lately, the third-in-line to the British throne is expressing his interest to serve in the war zone. He is currently undergoing an Apache helicopter training course, which would qualify him to become a war pilot if needs arise.

Last week British Prime Minister, David Cameron, made a go signal to send attack helicopters to Libya to join US forces and Prince Harry, as a Captain in the British Army Air Corps, is expressing interest to join his comrades. But so far no order from his superiors has made. The Prince has at least one war participation credit to his name. In early 2008 he was secretly serving as Tank commander in the war-stricken area of Afghanistan making him the second royal family member after Prince Andrew to fight under enemy's fire. It was a top secret made and carefully monitored by his superiors in order to protect him from being the target of the Taliban, but it was leaked to the international media which made headlines, his superiors, afraid for Harry's safety, were forced to release him from the field and was ordered to return home.

His grandmother, the Queen, as the ruling British sovereign, is the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Armed Forces and as someone who is closer to the throne, Harry's safety is the top priority of the British military commanders. Harry was reportedly heartbroken but still hoping one day he could serve as a war pilot in a real war zone. Now he is very open to the idea of going to Libya.

But what if he will be allowed? Can he repeat the heroism of his uncle Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, when he commanded a helicopter to the war zone during the Falkland Wars in early 80's?

Haaay!Do not go there Prince Harry, just leave it to your brother who is a search-and-rescue operation pilot. Let him go there. What do you think?Please free to post your comments here.

Exploiting the death of Diana

2011-05-29T18:33:00.000-07:00

I just cannot understand why there are still people who continue to exploit the sudden death of the late Princess of Wales, Diana. For heaven's sake the controversies attached to her death already settled down and those accusations of conspiracy, which trumpeted by the camp of Mohammad Al-Fayed, already proven unfounded and very malicious.

Now here's the new one "Unlawful Killing" which according to the "Hollywood Reporter" website based on the documents presented and funded by Mohammad Al-Fayed, the father of Dodi Al-Fayed who died with Diana in that car crash.

For sure this ridiculous film will feature false stories and other twisted events pointing to malign the British royal family, very inconceivable and very unfair. For sure this will hurt Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry again. These two devoted boys never deserve such indecent and false documents about the death of their mother. They are both already enjoying their lives and continue honouring the memory of their late mother and presenting a false documentary will revisit the sadness, grief and hurt they felt on the day she was proclaimed dead.

For the past 16 years of my research journey about the intricate lives of the British royals, familiarity is all I know about them so I don't need another trash documentary to ponder hard why she died during that fateful night. It is not interesting to me anymore, I want to remember her as somebody who left an exceptional mark to the world, all I know is that she lived a very wonderful life, full of compassion, kindness, humility, devotion and love to her role as a mother and a member of the British royal family. She deserved to be remembered, she was timeless and no one can ever replaced her. She was unique in every way. Let us remember her remarkable life on earth and not her death, there's nothing we can do about it even if we continue bickering with those silly theories presented by Al-Fayed.

I don't need another false story to be reminded how cruel the royal family to her when she was still alive because the truth is, according to the book "A Royal Duty" by Paul Burrell (Diana's Butler), Diana had a great deal of respect to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, though the latter was badly criticized by the media for treating Diana unfairly, Burrell noted that towards the last year of the Princess's life, Philip and Diana patched up things and Diana called him again as "Dear Papa". With due respect to the Queen, she was never heard uttering bad things about Diana even during the crisis of her marriage to Prince Charles.

Whatever their "wars", it was all over, nobody has the right to judge the royal family and accused them of committing a horrible crime of killing her.

The final court decision already released that the accusations of the camp of Al-Fayed about the silly "conspiracy theory" is false and unfounded, even if other people still thinking if there was no cover up or what, then let's leave it there, why continue banging our head with such case which we are not even there when it happened? Let's just remember her timeless beauty and how she lived a fantastic life as a fairytale Princess.

And let us move on and let the soul of Diana rest in peace.

For people who will support the documentary, I don't know what to comment.

Gorgeous Princes

2011-05-27T19:10:00.000-07:00

The most irresistible and gorgeous real Princes of the European royal court who are legally single. Prince William, now the Duke of Cambridge, is definitely "out of the market".

Prince Harry of Wales

The 26-year-old Captain of the Army Aircorps is definitely on top of every girl's fantasy now that his brother is officially married. He is debonair, charming, sporty and compassionate who can be funny and humorous, Prince Harry possesses traits of a perfect Knight-in-the-shining armour. Currently, he is third in the line of succession to the British throne.

Prince Carl Philip of Sweden

Definitely he is one of the handsomest European royals. He consistently topped the survey of being the most irresistible hunky royal in the world. Prince Carl Philip is the only son of King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden and because the Swedish law of succession was changed from male preference primogeniture to equal primogeniture succession in the early 80s, Carl Philip is no longer the Heir-Apparent of his father but his older sister, Princess Victoria. The Prince is 32 years old and a Lieutenant in the Swedish royal navy, he loves outdoor adventure and actively participating in many sports events particularly in car racing and skiing. He is currently dating the sexy Swedish model, Sofia Hellqvist.

Prince Guillaume

He is the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg and his father's successor to the Grand Ducal throne of Luxembourg. The Prince is 29 years old. He studied for a while at the University of Durham, Brunel University and Royal Military Academy in England but completed his Political Science degree at the Institut Albert-Le-Grand in France where he graduated with honours in 2009.

King Michael of Romania

2011-05-26T20:15:00.000-07:00

On May 10, 2011, ex-King Michael of Romania issued a royal decree announcing that his family would no longer be connected with the royal house of Hohenzollern (a German royal house) and would be known as the royal family of Romania from now on. The King, one of the closest cousins of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was deposed in December 1947 (several weeks after his return from London where he attended the wedding of his cousins, Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth--now the Queen) after communist seized the government control following World War II.

Several years ago, he changed the rule of succession from Salic Law to Agnastic-Cognastic primogeniture so that, in the event that the monarchy will be restored, his eldest daughter, Princess Margarita, can succeed to the throne. King Michael is now 89 years old (he is with the same age as Prince Philip) and just recently attended the wedding of Prince William of Wales. He is still very popular among Romanians. King Michael worked as a commercial pilot after he was forced to abdicate by the communist group in Romana and lived in Switzerland with his family. His wife was Princess Ana of Burgundy. In the 1990s he was allowed to go back to Romania by the new government.

Controversial Hats

2011-05-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice and their fascinators from Philip Treacy

The daughters of Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, often received criticism from the public either for their outrageous outfits or late night party out. And in the recent wedding of their cousin, Prince William, their fascinators did not escape from the public scrutiny again.

The royals and their amusing hats.
from left: Princess Eugenie, Zara Phillips and Princess Beatrice

Some of the royal guests and family members equally donned ridiculous frocks and silly fascinator hats but those of the York sisters received the most unflattering comments. Princess Eugenie's blue fascinator was dubbed as the royal fishnet while that of her sister looked like an arch or something. Now Beatrice's hat is auctioned at ebay to benefit the UNICEF's The Little Bee Initiative in the UK and Children for Crisis Charity.

Though many people poked fun at the princess's fascinator, there are some who just want to own it, well, after all it is famously worn by a royal from a popular royal house, it will be a good keepsake for a life time. The hat now fetches 81,000 UK pound.

Monaco Royal Wedding

2011-05-26T18:53:00.000-07:00

The sovereign Prince of Monaco, Prince Albert, will wed his girlfriend, Charlene Wittstock, this coming July 2, 2011 in the a lavish ceremony before the crowd in Monaco. It was reported earlier that the wedding will be a public ceremony to be held in an open courtyard of the Palace of Monaco. There will be two ceremonies. The civil rites will be held on July 1, 2011 at the Monaco registry while the Catholic Church ceremony will be held on July 2.

The bride-to-be, a commoner South American Olympian, will wear a Giorgio Armani bridal gown. The wedding will be attended by almost all royal family members in Europe. The couple attended the wedding of Prince William last April and the wedding of Princess Victoria of Sweden last year. They announced their engagement in June 2010.

The ruling Prince is now 53 years old while Miss Wittstock is 33 years old. He has two sisters, Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie.

Prince Harry shines

2011-05-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

Though relegated only as the "spare" of his brother in the line of succession, Prince Harry outshines his brother in many aspects. As time goes by, this once wayward Prince surprised everybody with his unique charm and appeal to the public. He looks irresistible everyday and armed with oozing self-confidence. When he is not on duty at the military, he is actively participating in the fund-raising events for his charity, Sentebale.

He is recently promoted as Captain in the Royal Army Air Corps and qualified to operation an Apache helicopter. After his brother's wedding, the world focuses on him as the newest most eligible bachelor in the world. Prince Harry is everybody's dream for a Prince Charming. He is debonair, charming, gorgeous and cute. Currently, he is single, his on-and-off relationship to Chelsy Davy recently made headlines as not all set well and doubted to be getting serious.

In his brother's wedding last April 29, 2011 where he stood as Best Man, the younger son of Prince Charles charmed the crowd with his cute smile and humour. He looked so handsome in his army uniform while doing his job as his brother's supporter. He gamely waved to the crowd and released his boyish captivating grin.

The Royal Wedding

2011-05-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

Prince William and Kate Middleton wed last April 29, 2011 at the Westminster Abbey, London, with an estimated 1,900 guests. Only 600 VIP guests were invited to the wedding breakfast hosted by the Queen at the Buckingham Palace and out of these 600 guests, only 300 were invited to the private dinner and dance at 6:00 pm hosted by Prince Charles at Buckingham.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after the ceremony at Westminster. The bride wore an ivory satin lace gown created by Sarah Burton of the fashion house of Alexander Mcqueen

The Prince was created by his grandmother, the Queen, as Duke of Cambridge, so his wife will automatically take the title of Duchess of Cambridge. They honeymooned at the secluded island of Seychelles two weeks after the wedding and took up residence at Anglesey, North Wales where Prince William served as search and rescue operation pilot of the Royal Air force.

The Royal Household

2008-07-01T00:49:00.000-07:00

Paul Burrell, Diana’s former butler published a book “A Royal Duty” in 2003 that chronicled his life and service in the royal household. He arrived in Buckingham Palace as an 18 year-old lad to work as under-butler then was chosen as a personal footman of the Queen. Later on he married Maria, personal maid of the Duke of Edinburgh. In 1987 the couple was personally hired by the Prince and Princess of Wales and moved to the Waleses’ country estate in High grove, a 1,100 square kilometers private property of Prince Charles in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. When the royal couple separated in 1992, Mr. Burrell was hired by the Princess of Wales as her butler in Kensington Palace where he remained loyally until Diana’s death in 1997. The late Princess of Wales described Paul as her “Rock” and “the man she can only trust” aside of course from Prince William.

The royal household are divided into two groups: The Upper and the Lower Household and its position has distinctive job description. The upper household is occupied by gentlemen and ladies who are serving the British court as royal equerry, private secretary, press secretary, ladies-in-waiting, women of the bed chamber and governess. Lower household is occupied by royal servants including Butler, footmen, hairdresser, personal. According to Paul Burrell, servants in the "lower household"classification are not supposed to look eye to eye with the royal family members while they are eating. While the state dining room is occupied by the royals, servants struggled to make the process of delivering food-almost ceremonial-in the proper order. The food is delivered to their table in a cue; the footmen who are assigned to serve the food directly to the table usually received the tray from the lowest order of servants normally newly hired footmen. The butler is in charged of the pantry-the area where the kitchen utensils are kept and where the food usually stored. They are directly under the command of the Master of the Household who instructed them with their responsibilities.

Buckingham Palace is an official London residence of the British ruling sovereign and as what Paul Burrell puts it “a foreign village in the middle of the bustling city-London”. This crown property is run by an organization called The Royal household headed by the Lord Chamberlain.

Below are the top 10 important positions and job titles of the members of the royal household.

UPPER HOUSEHOLD
Private secretary-the most powerful and enviable position in the royal household. He functioned as the sovereign’s eye and directly involves in running the monarchy.

Royal Equerry- same as a courtier, accompanied the King or Queen in official tour. The courtiers are responsible in planning and promoting goodwill of the Kingdom, they served as protectors of the Kingdom.

Lady-in-waiting-usually of noble birth, act as personal assistant of the female royals.

Woman of the Bed Chamber- usually occupied by a Duchess or a daughter of an Earl, she is incharge of the social engagement of the Queen or the Queen Consort.

Secretary of the Privy purse-incharge of the finances of the royal household, including the budget and the bill payments.

Press secretary-incharge of the news conference and other news related job of the palace.

LOWER HOUSEHOLD

Master Steward-arranged and organized the schedule of the servants, especially the Kitchen servants

Butler-in charge of the household’s pantry, he usually opens the door and serve the food of the royals.

Valet-personal dresser of a male royal equivalent to a dresser of a female royal

Personal maid-act as a housemaid (fixed the bedroom, run errands) of the royalty.

Hairdresser-female royals’ assistant, preparing their vanity for important engagements.

Footman – stands at the table while the royal family members dined and responsible of catering the errands of the royal family. The prescribed uniform is a scarlet navy blue tailored suits embossed with the monarchy’s motto and a crest bearing the sovereign’s name it has a matching black cap with gold tassle attached. Long serving footmen usually rode in a carriage with the Queen and her consort and heir during state occasion, tacking a long sword, to signify the ancient tradition of the knights protecting the royal family members.

Personal footman- the Queen usually has her personal footman. It functioned as the sovereign’s personal assistant catering to all her personal needs from feeding and taking care of her 12 corgis down to the preparation of her meals.

The Lord Chamberlain, Ladies-in-waiting, Royal Equerry/Courtiers, Woman of the Bed chamber, private secretary, press secretary and Secretary of the privy purse are members of the household categorized as privileged. They occupied the highest ranking positions in the palace and they are treated as royalty as well. They have their own dining room covered with crimson carpet and linen clothing. Their food is served in silver wares and usually have expensive wines in their table.

The lower class of servants: Butler, footmen, under-footmen, valet, hairdressers and personal maids usually have their food served in china ware, they are required to wear their medieval themed scarlet uniform while on duty. They are not supposed to be seen by the royal family members working, they should be “invisible”, and if it’s too late to hide, the usual recourse is to face the wall and wait for the royals to pass the area. Royal palaces of Great Britain are not allowed to have alarm clocks, vacuum cleaner should be use after 9:00 am to avoid disturbing the royal family.

The royal family members “wake up” style is as medieval as their traditions, according to Paul Burrell, the servants (usually footmen) will wake up a royal by bringing a fresh brewed tea with digestive biscuit in the bedroom and put in arm’s length beside the table. If the technique has no effect, the next move of the servant is to raise the curtain of the room to flood the area with sunshine.

Members of the royal household's compensation is often less than any ordinary employee received, but these individuals treated the opportunity working in royal court as a lifetime privilege and the salary they received is merely a bonus. Aside from monthly compensation, they have pensions for retirement and a lifetime grace-and-favor apartment (rent-free) which they would kept even after the royal service.

GETTING TO KNOW "THE PRINCE CHARMING"

2008-02-07T15:48:00.000-08:00

PERSONAL BACKGROUND
Real Name: William Arthur Philip Louis Spencer Mountbatten-Windsor
Known Simply as: Prince William of Wales
Formal name in school: HRH Prince William
Name used professionally: William Wales
Future Regnal name: William V
Birthdate: June 21, 1982
Birthplace: St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Height: 6’4
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blond
Status: Single
Religion: Anglican
Nationality: British
Known Facts: He is left-handed. He has several nicknames, including Wombat, Dreamboat Willy, and Wills. A sports enthusiast, he excelled both in Polo and swimming. He loves ice skiing and Tennis. He is an avid football fan.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Nursery 1: Mrs. Mynors Nursery School 1985-1987 Notinghill Gate, London
Nursery 2: Wetherby School 1987-1990 Notinghill Gate, London
Pre-prep: Ludgrove School 1990-1995 Berkshire, England
Prep : Eton College 1995-2000 Berkshire, England
College : St. Andrews University 2001-2005 Fife, St. Andrew, Scotland Course: AB Geography -w/upper-class honors (where he was awarded with a Scottish

Master of Arts degree).
FAMILY BACKGROUND
Father: Charles Arthur Philip George Mountbatten-Windsor(HRH Prince Charles)
Birthdate: November 20, 1948 (Buckingham Palace, London)
Occupation: Prince of Wales, Heir to the British Throne
Mother: Diana Frances Burke-Roche Spencer (Diana, Princess of Wales)
Birthdate: July 1, 1961 (Park House, Sandringham)
Date Died: August 31, 1997 (Paris, France)
Sibling: Henry Charles Albert David also known as HRH Prince Harry
Paternal Grandparents: HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh(formerly Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark)
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
MaternalGrandparents: His Lordship Edward John Spencer, the 8th Earl of Althorp
The Honorable Mrs. Frances Shand-Kydd

SHORT BIOGRAPHY:

He was born on June 21, 1982 at 9:03 pm, St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London and weighed 7.5 pounds. The Queen’s troop, the Royal Horse Artillery, rode in a full dress uniform from their barracks to Hyde Park near Windsor and fired a 41-gun salute to honor the birth of the Future King. The Honorable Artillery Company fired the same number of salvoes in the Tower of London and the church bells from the historical Westminster Abbey, St. Paul Cathedral and Windsor Castle pealed simultaneously from 12:noon to 1:00 pm. All subjects of the Queen from the Commonwealth of Nations sang praises for the birth of their future leader.

For several days after his birth he was known simply as Baby Wales because his parents could not agree what would be his name. As second in line to the British throne his name should be in accordance with the royal tradition of the monarch’s regnal name. His father wanted to name him Arthur, but his mother lobbied for William in honor of William the Conqueror. Eventually they settled for William Arthur Philip Louis. His second name is in honor of the legendary British King, Arthur. Philip is in honor of his paternal grandfather Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and Louis is for his great-great uncle Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was the favorite uncle of Prince Charles.

William’s birth brought a steadier position of the British monarchy in world history, because being a boy means his birthright is secure in the line of succession and a continuation of the House of Windsor. The infant Prince, who still did not know how his birth brought hope and joy for his country, won many admirers right away, within 24 hours of his birth, his photograph, snapped by journalists and distributed worldwide, dominated newspapers and allowed the world to marvel at the cute baby who would one day be King of the United Kingdom. He was baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the music room of Buckingham palace on August 4, 1982- the 82nd birthday of the Queen Mother. His godparents included: Lord Romsey (Lord Mountbatten’s grandson), ex-King Constantine II of Greece (Charles’ second cousin), Sir Lauren Van Post, a South African writer and Charles’ best friend, Princess Alexandra of Kent (the Queen’s cousin), Lady Susan Hussey (Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen) and The Duchess of Westminster (wife of Lord Gerald Grosvenor, the 6th Duke of Westminster-the richest aristocrat in Britain).

His father is the current Prince of Wales, Charles, heir to the British throne and his mother was the late Diana, Princess of Wales. William has a younger brother Prince Harry. His maternal grandfather the late Earl Spencer of Althorp was a direct descendant of both the Duke of Grafton and the Duke of Richmond, 2 illegitimate sons of King Charles II of Britain. If he would be King, William will be the first monarch since Queen Anne to descend from King Charles I, the second of the Stuarts monarch of Britain. His true family name is neither Windsor nor Mountbatten. His paternal grandfather’s family name is Glucksburg-Oldenburg, a dynastic name of the Royal House of Denmark where Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh descended. In 1946 Philip was obliged to change his identity to be more acceptable to the British public for his marriage to the heiress of the British throne, the then Princess Elizabeth. As a Royal Prince, Philip, did not have a surname, like other royalty he was known simply as Prince Philip of Greece. He took the name Mountbatten (the Anglicized version of Battenberg), his maternal grandfather’s surname after he renounced his Greek royal title. On the other hand, Windsor is the name creation of William's ancestor King George V's royal house in 1917. George V was the grandson of Queen Victoria from the House of Saxe-Coburg Gotha whose real family name is Wettin.

Prince William made history as the first infant heir to be included in an official Royal tour, when in 1983, he accompanied his parents to an extended tour in Australia and New Zealand. Reports had it that his young mother, the Princess of Wales, refused to go if the infant heir will be left behind, so the Queen ruled to bring the baby with them. He was the first future king of Britain also to study a nursery school like a commoner. His mother fought hard with palace rules to educate her sons outside Palace walls to meet children outside royalty. Diana continued breaking royal traditions by allowing William and Harry to go to some ordinary places like fast food chains and amusement park.

It is a known fact that William was extra close and very protective of his mother. It was reported that the young Prince was very upset every time he saw his mother crying, at one point after Diana’s blistering row with Prince Charles, she lacked herself in the bathroom for an hour, William rolled a tissue paper and slip it under the bathroom door with an emotional note “I don’t want to see you crying”. After the publication of Andrew Morton's book “Diana, Her true story”, everybody in the royal circle blamed Diana for cooperating with the author, expressing their disgust toward the Princess, the royal family bluntly called her "a traitor" for breaking the "code of silence of royalty". She was put in the bad light that she became emotional and depressed . Prince William once again rushed to her side and gave her a box of chocolates with a tender note"This can make you happy, I know you’ve been hurt”. In 1996 when the divorce of the Waleses became final, Diana was stripped of HRH status, the humiliation of being yanked from the royal pedestal was very painful to Diana, she retired to Kensington palace after the sad announcement and cried, William hugged her and said “I will give back the HRH style to you when I become King”, a promise that made Diana tearful even more.

After the divorce, William and Harry lived with their mother at Kensington Palace but continue splitting their time with both parents. They spent their school break at Balmoral Castle and Highgrove estate with their father. In July 1997 the two Princes spent holidays in the Greek isle with Diana aboard the luxury yacht owned by the Al-Fayeds and returned to London without their mother to join Prince Charles and the rest of the royal family at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. On the early morning of August 31, 1997, they received the devastating news about their mother’s death in a car accident. No one exactly knew the real feelings of the two young princes, especially William, as they were both protected by the Palace officials. Nobody allowed interviewing them during their grief, but when the day of the funeral broadcasted worldwide, it was easy to predict how they felt toward their mother’s sudden demise. They walked with the funeral cortege along side their father Prince Charles, their grandfather Prince Philip and their maternal uncle, the 9th Earl Spencer from St. James Palace all the way to Westminster Abbey. Visibly seen beside the wreath of flowers on Diana's coffin was a white envelope simply labelled "Mummy" from Prince William's handwriting. William bowed his head as he walked slowly to the altar. People remembered how eager Diana wanted to see him King.

In January 2006 he started his military training at the Elite Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, England joining his younger brother Prince Harry. In 2007 he started serving as Cornet (a new and junior officer-usually the third and lowest grade of commissioned officer in the British Cavalry Troop) in the Blues and Royals regiment of the British Army’s Household Cavalry. Within his regiment he is known as Cornet William Wales. As of 2008 he is enrolled in the pilot training program of the Royal Air force Cranwell where he is referred to as “Flying Officer William Wales”. He is the current President of the Football Association in Britain and patron to many charities left by his mother.

Prior to his mother’s 10th death anniversary, he was interviewed by a BBC journalist together with his brother Harry. It was on that interview that the two royal princes expressed their feelings toward the loss of their mother at an age where they needed her most. Prince Harry, who was barely 13 years old when the accident took place at downtown Paris, confided how he remembered his mother’s beauty and compassion, how she giggled when they arrived from school and how they missed her presence. In his tributes at the church ceremony he called Diana as “simply the best mother in the world” with a choking voice. Prince William told the BBC reporter that “not a day goes passed without thinking about her” he added that he and Harry “missed her terribly because she was a massive example to us both, her compassion, her kindness”.

The two sons tried their best to protect the memory of their mother, in 2005, some newspapers in Europe published the photos of the dying Princess. They were both upset and sued the publication. The photos of their mother inside the wreck of the car, grasping her breath reopened old wounds and sad memories at the loss of a parent who was extra special and dear to them, seeing the pictures once again in the tabloids caused them much pain. William then went on saying: ”Our mother protected us to the best she could be when she was still alive, the least we can do now is to protect her memory”. As always as protective as he was when Diana was still around, the future British King, declared he would keep his mother’s legacy alive.

Currently, William outshines his father in popularity, though Buckingham palace officials said that the future of the monarchy did not rely on popularity contest, some royalists acknowledged the irony. The courtiers, whose main responsibility in life is to protect the crown and its heirs, are quite aware how the machine of the popularity poll plays significantly in creating or knocking the next ruler. Partly, the throne relies on public approvals. It was the sticking point of King Edward VIII’s fate on the kingship when in 1936 after the brewing issues of divorce and morality, he voluntarily abdicated. Legally, he could remain King and still marry his twice divorce American lover Wallis Simpson, but this would lost his subjects’ regard and support. After the polls result and the commonwealth ministers’ verdict that it could be damaging to the throne if he proceeds on marriage with Mrs. Simpson whom the British people refused to accept as their Queen, the King, who was once considered as the most famous Prince of Wales in British history, gave up the throne and forced to live in exile with his lover, whom his family despised and dismissively branded as “Edward’s unholy lover”. They married several months later in a simple wedding ceremony in Paris, France, none of the royal family members attended, although, he wanted to invite his closest cousin Lord Mountbatten and his 3 brothers including the recently ascended King, the British government discouraged it, as it might posed another crisis. He was created "Duke of Windsor" by his brother, King George VI.

As direct successor to the British throne, William carries the heavy burden of duty and tradition and simply being an independent person, he could not just choose what kind of life he would take for he knows what prize he would pay if he failed to please his future subjects. He knows also that the public took his mother’s side during her stormy relationship with Charles and embraced her vulnerabilities, a well-written proof that public fascinations always carry a strong impact in promoting good public image and gaining approvals. It is best to note that the Prince is beginning to realize how important it is to have the support of the masses. His social nature added to his glamour and sex appeal, he can walk through the crowd without being intimidated, though there are reports that privately, William is a shy person and resented the media, he gradually overcome it and become gracious and accommodating in front of the camera.

When he was still a small boy, the role of a monarch terrified him that he confided to his mother he does not want to become a King. He fretted lensmen and paparazzi who tailed him wherever he go. At one point while attending his first dance ball at the age of 14, he was nervous and conscious, he later on recalled the event to his mother: "A lot of girls in the party wanted to kiss me but I didn't do anything because cameras are everywhere". The incident made the teen Prince realized how to be more discreet in public. Today, the boy who was once affectionately called by Diana as Wombat, hugged his future role with dedication. He devoted himself with various military trainings and took some royal engagements at times, including charity campaigns. While waiting his destiny, Buckingham palace officials maintained that the popular prince would not bear any independent noble title at the moment, as this might complicate with his future title as Prince of Wales. He will be continually using his father's geographical name(Wales) in all his official documents because as a royal prince he need not have to use any surname. But when needs arise (to use a surname) like marriage entries, he will have to use his family's name of Mountbatten-Windsor.

He is the current link to the old royal houses of Europe through his father's ancestors Queen Victoria of Britain, King Christian IX of Denmark, Emperor Nicholas I of Russia and through his mother's ancestors King Charles II of Britain and King Henry IV of France and Napoleon Bonaparte. The current crown heads of Europe are all his relatives: King Albert II of Belgium, Queen Magrethe II of Denmark, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden, King Harald V of Norway, King Juan Carlos of Spain and his wife Queen Sophia, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Prince Hans of Leichtenstein and Prince Albert of Monaco (for complete listing please see:Prince William's Royal and Noble lineage topic). He is also related to atleast 2 US presidents: George Washington and George W. Bush through his maternal ancestor, the American billionaire Frances Work, in addition to that his maternal grand father, the late Earl Spencer, was a distant cousin of British war hero and Prime minister Winston Churchill through their common ancestor the Duke of Marlborough.

With his remarkable pedigree coupled with his charm and sex appeal, there's no doubt that the future reign of King William V will be a celebration of pomp, pageantry and magic with a golden touch of a modern fairy tale. Whoever the lucky woman destined to win his heart is a billion dollar question that only visionaries can foretell, giving the daily pressures of constant media intrusion and the heavy burden of duty and tradition of the Queen Consort role, he needs somebody who is more attune to the royal routine and more dedicated, and not a party obsessed woman hungry for media coverage. With the collapsed of some european royal houses after World War II, supplies of suitable royal brides diminished, but Wills can always count on for some few left, all he needs is remember the advice of his great-great uncle Lord Mountbatten to his father Prince Charles in the late 70's (in choosing for an appropriate wife), using a modern version of an old arabian proverb: "A wise shopper must have a thousand eye".

PRINCE WILLIAM'S ROYAL & NOBLE LINEAGE

2008-01-30T22:52:00.000-08:00

The British monarchy is one of the most unique establishments in the world and one of the most complex, aside from being conservative, the "Firm"(royal family's term of the monarchy) strongly maintained their rules of succession not to include Roman Catholics and illegitimates (even though they are legitimized through their parents' marriage) in the line of succession. The last Roman Catholic sovereign of England was King James II, younger brother and successor of Charles II and the father of Queen Mary II and Queen Anne. Any royal family member who married a Catholic or becomes a Catholic will be excluded. Prince Michael of Kent (youngest child of Prince George of Kent and Princess Marina of Greece) voluntarily gave up his place in the line of succession in 1978 when he chooses to marry Baroness Marie Christine Von Rebneitz, a German aristocrat Roman Catholic. His nephews Lord Nicholas and Lord George were also scrapped from the listing when they took Roman Catholic spouses. In 1999 Prince Ernest of Hanover who was 397th in the line of succession was also excluded when he married the catholic Hereditary Princess of Monaco, Princess Caroline, their only child, Princess Alexandra replaced her father as 397th successor of Queen Elizabeth II because she was raised a protestant.
Lately, Prince William's close cousin Peter Phillips, eldest child of the Princess Royal, announced his engagement to a Canadian Born Roman Catholic Autumn Kelly. If Autumn won't convert to Anglican religion on their wedding day, Peter would lose his place in the line of succession. Currently he is # 12, going down one notch after the birth of the Viscount Severn, James (2nd child of his uncle Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex) last December 2007. If that will happen, Peter will be the first direct descendant of King George VI who will be excluded from the line of succession and according to some reports which might sadden the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh since Peter is their first grandchild and quite close to them.
Above all, the one who would be greatly affected with the complicated rules of succession is Prince William. As second in line to the throne, he is expected to uphold the ancient royal tradition by marrying well. As he slowly comes to term with his future destiny, he is embracing his future role also by being very discreet. He understood the consequences of being heir, his experience as a child of a broken marriage taught him to be very cautious. He knows he can't afford to set a wrong foot as it might affect his future responsibilities. One painful reality is this: any monarch who would not fit into the mold of a fairytale story could be bitterly judged by history. William II, John Lockland, Edward II, Richard III all were dismissed as notorious and worst Kings of England.
As a modern Prince, William adopted his mother's training less than traditional but more practical. He is very comfortable in talking and socializing with different types of people and at home in mingling with his future subjects. In 2000 before he entered university he took a gap year and involved himself in a rugged military training in the West indies and Chile. He is a sport enthusiast, when he is not on his barracks he is seen in the polo field. He is very familiar with ordinary places like amusement parks&fast food chains which endeared him more to the working class. Unlike British heirs before him, his mother exposed him how to wear jeans, ball caps and sweetshirts, a stark contradiction to royal traditions of formal suits and kilts. It is not known how long he could inherit the throne, but one thing is certain: the future reign of King William V would be a glorious breather to the stoic environment of the British monarchy.

Paternal Side:
Note: Prince William’s paternal grandparents, The Queen & The Duke of Edinburgh have the same family tree.
ROYAL HOUSE OF GLUCKSBURG-OLDENBURG
KING CHRISTIAN IX OF DENMARK Married Princess LOUISE OF HESSE CASSEL
Children:
I. Prince Frederick (became King Frederick VIII)-married Princess Lovisa of Sweden (the only child of King Charles XIV of Sweden)
Children:
A. King Christian X-married Princess Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
B. King Haakon VII of Norway-married Princess Maud of Britain
C. Princess Louise-married Prince Friedrich of Schaumburg-Lippe
D. Prince Harald-married Princess Helena of Glucksburg
E. Princess Ingeborg-married Prince Carl of Sweden
F. Princess Tyra
G. Prince Gustav
H. Princess Dagmar
II. Princess Alexandra (became Queen Alexandra) married King Edward VII, son & successor of Queen Victoria of Britain
Children:
A. Prince Albert Victor, the Duke of Clarence-predeacesed his father.
B. King George V-marry the fiancée (Princess Mary of Teck) of his older brother
C. Princess Victoria-died a spinster
D. Princess Louise-married the Duke of Fife, Alexander Duff
E. Princess Maud-became Queen Maud of Norway after her marriage to her second

cousin Prince Carl of Denmark later became King Haakon VII of Norway
III. Prince Wilhelm (became King George I of Greece) married Grand Duchess Olga (grand daughter of Emperor Nicholas I of Russia)
Children:
A. King Constantine I-married Princess Sophia of Germany, granddaughter of Queen

Victoria
B. Prince George
C. Princess Alexandra
D. Prince Nicholas-father of Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent
E. Princess Maria
F. Princess Olga
G. Prince Andrew-married Princess Alice of Battenberg (they were the parents of

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh)
H. Prince Christopher
IV. Princess Dagmar (became Empress Marie),married Emperor Alexander III of Russia
Children:
A. Emperor Nicholas II- married Princess Alix of Hesse Cassel
B. Grand Duke George
C. Grand Duchess Xenia
D. Grand Duke Michael
E. Grand Duchess Olga
V.Princess Tyra (became Duchess of Cumberland) married Prince Ernest August of Hanover. They were the great-grandparents of Prince Ernst, the husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco.
VI. Prince Valdemar
Known generation of King Christian IX:
I. A. King Christian X & Queen Alexandrine (Royal House of Glucksburg-Oldenburg)
Children:
1. King Frederick IX married Princess Ingrid of Sweden (daughter of King Gustav VI of

Sweden & Princess Margaret of Connaught-granddaughter of Queen Victoria through her

3rd son Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught)
Children:
a. Queen Margret II of Denmark (the reigning Monarch of Denmark)
b. Princess Benedikti
c. Queen Anne Marie of Greece married ex-King Constantine of Greece

(himself the great-grandson of King George I of Greece. Among their

children is Princess Theodora, my personal choice for a prospective bride

for Prince William)

2. Prince Knaud married his cousin Princess Caroline Mathilde
Children:
a. Princess Elisabeth (born 1935)-still single
b. Prince Ingolf-stripped the Prince title and lost his place in the line of succession to the Danish throne after marrying a commoner. He was created “Count of Rosenborg”
c. Prince Christian- stripped the Prince title and lost his place in the line of succession to the Danish throne after marrying a commoner. He was created “Count of Rosenborg”

I. B. King Haakon VII of Norway & Queen Maud (Royal House of Oldenburg)
Children:
1. King Olav V married Princess Martha of Sweden(daughter of Princess Ingeborg of Denmark & Prince Carl of Sweden)
Children:
a. Princess Ragnhild
b. Princess Astrid
c. King Harald V (the reigning monarch of Norway)
I. E. Princess Ingeborg & Prince Carl of Sweden
Children:
1. Princess Margaretha, married her 2nd cousin Prince Axel of Denmark
2. Princess Martha, married her 2nd cousin King Olav V of Norway
3. Princess Astrid, married King Leopold III of Belgium (Royal House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha)
Children:
a. Princess Josephine-Charlotte married the Grand Duke of

Luxembourg, Prince Jean. Prince Henri, the current ruler of Luxembourg is their

grandson (Royal House of Bourbon-Parma). Their daughter Princess Charlotte married the ruler of Principality of Leichtenstein, Prince Adolf. The reigning ruler of Leichtenstein, Prince Hans is their grandson (Royal House of Hapsburg)

b. King Boudin I married Princess Fabiola (no issue)
c. King Albert II (the current monarch of Belgium) married Princess Paola of Lombardy
II. B. King George V & Queen Mary (Royal House of Windsor)
Children:
1. Prince David ascended (but not crowned)as Edward VIII after his voluntary abdication he was created Duke of Windsor and lived in exile for the remainder of his life. He married Wallis Simpson- she was not accorded with HRH but was known simply as Her Grace, Duchess of Windsor. They did not have any children.
2. Prince Albert later George VI married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, daughter of the 14th Earl of Strathmore.
Children:
a. Queen Elizabeth II-married Prince Philip of Greece & Denmark & was

created the Duke of Edinburgh.
b. Princess Margaret-married the commoner Tony Armstrong-Jones & was

created by the Queen as the first Earl of Snowdon.
3. Princess Mary (the Princess Royal) married Lord Henry Lascelles, the 6th Earl of Harewood.
Children:
a. George
b. Gerald
4. Prince Henry, The Duke of Gloucester married Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott, daughter of the 6th Duke of Beaucleagh (later in her life, she asked Queen Elizabeth II to create her a Princess in her own right, so as not to confuse with her daughter-in-law Birgette Van Duera with Duchess of Gloucester title).
Children:
a. Prince William died in 1971 before he could inherit his father title as Duke of

Gloucester.

b. Prince Richard married Birgette Van Duera
5. Prince George, The Duke of Kent married Princess Marina of Greece & Denmark (grand daughter of King George I of Greece & the last true blooded Princess to be married in the British Royal Family)
Children:
a. Prince Edward married Katharine Wolsey
b. Princess Alexandra married The Honorable Angus Ogivly
c. Prince Michael married Baroness Marie Christine Von Rebneitz
6. Prince John-died at the age of 14-he was an epileptic.
III.A. King Constantine I married Princess Sophia of Germany (daughter of Emperor Frederick III & Princess Vicky-the eldest child of Queen Victoria of Britain. Sophia’s brother was William II of Germany, the supreme commander of the German armed forces and the leader of the Central Power during World War I, during the duration of the war, Britain and Germany became arched enemies, ending William’s warm relationship with his cousin George V. The British King then stopped addressing him “Dear Cousin Willy”.
Children:
1. King George II married Princess Elisabeth of Romania
2. King Alexander I married the Greek commoner Aspasia Manos which enraged the royalists-after Alexander’s death Aspasia denied a royal status. Their only child Princess Alexandra (the closest cousin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh) married the King of Yoguslavia, Peter II.
3. Princess Helena married the King of Romania, Carol II, grandson of Queen Victoria
4. King Paul I married Princess Frederica of Hanover (daughter of Princess Viktoria Louise-great grand daughter of Queen Victoria)
Children:
a. Princess Sophia later Queen Sofia of Spain, she is the wife of King Juan Carlos, the current monarch of Spain. Juan Carlos is also the grandson of Queen Eugenie-grand daughter of Queen Victoria)
b. King Constantine II-deposed in 1973 after Greece declared republic. He married Princess Anne Marie, his second cousin/daughter of King Frederick IX of Denmark
c. Princess Irene-did not marry and currently living in Spain with her Queen sister..trivia: Princess Irene was the potential royal bride of her distant cousin King Harald V of Norway, but the Norwegian King changed his mind and choose instead the commoner university graduate Sonja, disappointing all his royal relatives.
III. D. Prince Nicholas married Grand Duchess Elena of Russia-his 2nd cousin
Children:
1. Princess Olga-married Prince Pavle of Yoguslavia
2. Princess Elisabeth- married Count Carl Theodor
3. Princess Marina- married Prince George of Britain, the Duke of Kent(son of George V)
III. G. Prince Andrew married Princess Alice of Battenberg (great grand daughter of Queen Victoria, later on her father, Prince Louis of Battenberg was forced to relinquish his princely title during World War I, he obliged and anglicized his name to Mountbatten. Princess Alice was the older sister also of Lady Louise, later on Queen of Sweden and Lord Louis Mountbatten-the favorite uncle of Prince Charles).
Children:
1. Princess Cecille-married the Prince of Baden (German princely state)
2. Princess Theodora-married the Prince of Lohenloe (German princely state)
3. Princess Margarita-married the Prince of Langeburg (German princely state)
4. Princess Sophia-married the Prince of Hanover, George August. (German princely state)
5. Prince Philip, the Duke of -married Queen Elizabeth II of Britain
IV.A.Emperor Nicholas of Russia married Empress Alexandra (daughter of Princess Alice of England-the second daughter of Queen Victoria-Alexandra was the youngest sister of Princess Victoria, the maternal grandmother of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh)-Imperial House of Romanov
Children:
1. Grand Duchess Olga
2. Grand Duchess Tatiana
3. Grand Duchess Maria
4. Grand Duchess Anastacia
5. Tsarevitch Alexei
Nicholas, his wife and their 5 children were imprisoned and massacred by the Russian revolutionists the Bolshevics at Ekaterinburg, Russia. George V of England who was first cousin of the Russian royal family on both sides called it a “foul murder, I was devouted to Cousin Nicky (his name for the emperor) who was kind and a thoroughly gentleman”.

ROYAL HOUSE OF WINDSOR
QUEEN VICTORIA married her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (Their uncle, Prince Leopold became King Leopold I of Belgium)
Children:
I. Princess Vicky (the Princess Royal) married Emperor Frederick III of Germany
Children:
A. Emperor William II
B. Princess Charlotte
C. Prince Heinrich
D. Prince Sigimund
E. Princess Viktoria
F. Prince Waldemar
G. Princess Sophia
H. Princess Margarete
II. King Edward VII married Princess Alexandra of Denmark
Children-please refer to Christian IX’s family tree
III. Princess Alice (became the Grand Duchess of Hesse-Cassel) married Louis IV, Grand Duke of Hesse-Cassel.
Children:
A. Princess Victoria

B. Princess Elisabeth

C. Princess Irene

D. Prince Ernest Louis

E. Prince Friedrich

F. Princess Alix (became Empress Alexandra of Russia)

G. Princess Marie
IV. Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh (he inherited his uncle Ernest’s title as Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha when the latter died without a direct successor)-married Grand Duchess Maria, daughter of Emperor Alexander II of Russia.
Children:
A. Prince Alfred
B. Princess Marie (married the King of Romania, Ferdinand I)
C. Princess Victoria Melita
D. Princess Alexandra
E. Princess Beatrice (married the Duke of Galliera)
V. Princess Helena-married Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein
Children:
A. Prince Christian Victor
B. Prince Albert
C. Princess Helena Victoria
D. Princess Marie Louise
VI. Princess Louise-married John, the Duke of Argyll (she was the only daughter of the Queen who did not marry a Royal Prince). No Children
VII. Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught-married Princess Margarete of Prussia
Children:
A. Princess Margaret-married the future King of Sweden, Prince Gustav, but she died before her husband become King. He then married his wife’s niece Lady Louise Mountbatten (it was Louise who became Queen of Sweden).
B. Prince Arthur
C. Princess Patricia
VIII. Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany-married Princess Helena of Waldeck & Pyrmont.
Children:
A. Princess Alice-married Prince Alexander of Teck later Earl of Athlone
B. Prince Charles Edward (succeeded his uncle Prince Alfred as Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha when Alfred’s only son pre-deceased him)
IX. Princess Beatrice-married Prince Henry of Battenberg (brother of Prince Louis-the grandfather of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh)
Children:
A. Prince Alexander
B. Princess Victoria Eugenie (grandmother of King Juan Carlos of Spain)
C. Prince Leopold
D. Prince Maurice

Known generation of Queen Victoria:
I. A. Emperor William II-married Princess Augusta Viktoria of Schleswig-Holstein
Children:
1. Prince William
2. Prince Eitel Friedrich
3. Prince Adalbert
4. Prince August Welhelm
5. Prince Oskar
6. Prince Joaquin
7. Princess Viktoria Louise (grandmother of Queen Sofia of Spain)
I. G. Princess Sophia-married King Constantine I of Greece
Children: Please refer to the offspring of Christian IX
II. For Edward VII’s children-please refer to Christian IX’s family tree
III. A. Princess Victoria-married Prince Louis of Battenberg (during World War I, he was the first Sea Lord of Britain and Admiral of the British Fleet, but he was forced to resign from the Royal Navy and relinguished his Princely title because of British’s anti-German sentiment. His British cousin King George V created him Marquess of Milford-Haven, he then took the name Mountbatten)
Children:
1. Princess Alice (married Prince Andrew of Greece) for their children, please refer to Christian IX's.
2. Lord George Mountbatten-2nd Marquess of Milford Haven
3. Lady Louise Mountbatten (second wife of King Gustav of Sweden)
4. Lord Louis Mountbatten-Earl of Burma and Baron Romsey
III. F. Princess Alix (became Empress Alexandra of Russia)married Czar Nicholas II-the last of the Romanovs. Please refer to the offspring of Christian IX
IV. B. Princess Marie-married King Ferdinand I of Romania.
Children:
1. King Carol II-married Princess Helena of Greece (daughter of King George I of Greece)
2. Princess Elisabeth-married King George II of Greece (no children)
3. Princess Maria
4. Prince Nicholas
5. Princess Ileana
6. Princess Mircea
VII. A. Princess Margarete-married Crown Prince Gustav of Sweden (later King Gustav VI of Sweden, unfortunately, she died before he became King, he later on married his wife's niece, Lady Louise Mountbatten, the maternal aunt of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, it was she who became Queen of Sweden). ROYAL HOUSE OF BERNADOTTE
Children:
1. Prince Gustav, Duke of Vasterbotten
2. Prince Sigvard, Duke of Upperland
3. Princess Ingrid-married King Frederick IX of Denmark
4. Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland
5. Carl Johan Bernadotte, Count of Wisborg-stripped the HRH Prince title because he married a commoner.
VIII. B. Prince Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha & Duke of Albany- married Princess Victoria Adelaide of Schlesweg-Holstein
Children:
1. Prince Johann Leopold
2. Princess Sybilla-married her second cousin Prince Gustav, Duke of Vasterbotten, son of Princess Margarete of Connaught & King Gustav VI of Sweden. They were the parents of King Carl XVI Gustav, the reigning monarch of Sweden (Royal House of Bernadotte)
3. Prince Hubertus
4. Princess Caroline-Mathilde
5. Prince Friedrich Josias
IX. B. Princess Victoria Eugenie married King Alfonso XIII of Spain (Royal House of Bourbon-Hapsburg)
Children:
1. Infante Alfonso, Count of Covadonga-renounced his right of succession to the Spanish throne
2. Infante Jaime, Duke of Segovia- renounced his right of succession to the Spanish throne
3. Infanta Beatrics
4. Infante Fernando -renounced his right of succession to the Spanish throne
5. Infanta Maria
6. Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona-married Princess Maria Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies-Infante Juan would have been the King of Spain after his brothers renounced their rights to the throne, but he too stepped down in favor of his only son Juan Carlos who is now the reigning monarch of Spain.

7. Infante Gonzalo

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPENCER’S LINEAGE (Prince William's maternal side)
KING CHARLES II (son and successor of the murdered King Charles I and Princess Henrietta Maria-daughter of King Henry IV of France and Queen Maria De Medici). King Charles married Princess Catherine of Braganza but the Queen, unfortunately, was barren. He had 11 illegitimate children from various mistresses. Earl Spencer was a direct descendant from the King's 2 sons from 2 mistresses Barbara Palmer and Louise De Kerouaille.

I. BARBARA VILLIERS PALMERS, first Duchess of Cleveland (daughter of William Villiers, 2nd viscount grandison)-she was created Duchess of Cleveland in her own right by King Charles II. At the time of their relationship, she was married to Roger Palmers, Earl of Castlemaine.

She bore the King 5 Children, among them was:
A. Henry Fitzroy, first Duke of Grafton married Lady Isabella Bennett, 2nd Countess of Arlington
They had one child:
1. Charles Fitzroy-married Lady Henrietta Somerset (Daughter of the Duke of Worcester). They had 7 children, among them was:Lady Isabella who married Francis Seymour-Conway, first Marquess of Hertford-they were the ancestors of Diana’s father, Earl Spencer.

II. LOUISE DE KEROUAILLE, Duchess of Portsmouth-she was the daughter of a French nobleman and served as Lady-in-waiting of Queen Catherine (wife of King Charles)
She had one child with King Charles II:
A. Charles Lennox-first Duke of Richmond-The Hon.Anne Brudenell, daughter of Baron Brudell
Their children:

1. Charles Lennox-2nd Duke of Richmond-married Lady Sarah Cadogan (daughter of Earl of Cadogan)
2. Lady Louisa – married the Earl of Berkeley
3. Lady Anne-married the Earl of Albermarle

2nd Duke of Richmond's son:
Charles Lennox-3rd Duke of Richmond-he had no children and was succeeded by his nephew Charles Lennox.
Charles Lennox-4th Duke of Richmond-married Lady Charlotte Gordon, daughter of the 4th Duke of Gordon. They had 14 children among them was:

Charles Gordon Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond-married Lady Caroline Paget, daughter of the Marquess of Anglesey. They were the parents of Lady Cecilia, great grandmother of Diana.

John Spencer (grandson of the Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill & youngest son of the 3rd Earl of Sunderland)-married Margaret Poyntz
Children:
A. Georgiana Spencer-married William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire
B. George John Spencer-married Lady Lavinia Bingham daughter of the Earl of Lucan
Children:
1. Lord John Charles Spencer (no issue) & was succeeded by his brother Frederick. Spencer St. in Melbourne, Australia was named after him.
2. Lady Sarah Spencer-married the 3rd Baron Lyettelton
3. Lady Georgiana-married Lord George Quin
4. Lord Frederick-married his cousin Georgiana Poyntz

Their children:

a. Lady Georgiana Frances-unmarried

b. Lord John Spencer-married Charlotte Seymour, daughter of Lord Hugh Seymour (no children and the Earl title went to his half brother, Charles Robert)

c. Lady Sarah Isabella-unmarried

*Lord Frederick's second wife was Adelaide Seymour, great grand daughter of Francis Seymour- Conway, first Marquess of Hertford (great-grandson of King Charles II through his mistress Barbara Palmers)

Their children:

a. Lady Victoria Alexandrina-married William Mansfield, first Viscount Sandhurst

b. Lord Charles Robert-married The Hon.Margaret Baring, daughter of the first Baron of

Revelstoke. They had 4 children, among them was:

The Lord Albert Edward who married Lady Cynthia Hamilton, daughter of James Hamilton, the 3rd Duke of Abercorn&Lady Rosalind Cecilia Bingham daughter of Charles Bingham, 4th Earl of Lucan & Lady Cecilia Gordon-Lennox (daughter of Charles Gordon-Lennox the 5th Duke of Richmond & great great grandson of Charles II).
c. Henrietta-married Frederick Ponsonby the 3rd Earl of Bessborough

Lord Albert Edward Spencer, the 7th Earl Spencer of Althorp & Lady Cynthia Hamilton had 2 children:
1. Lady Anne-married Christopher Wake-Walker-a Captain in the Royal Navy
2. Lord Edward Spencer-married The Hon. Frances Burke Roche, daughter of the wealthy nobleman named Edmund Maurice, the 4th Baron Fermoy, son of an American Heiress Francis Work.
Their Children:
a. Lady Sarah Lavinia-married Neil Mcquorcodale, former army in the coldstream guards
b. Lady Cynthia Jane-married Baron Robert Fellowes, private secretary of Queen Elizabeth II
c. Lord John (died shortly after 10 hours of his birth)
d. Lady Diana Frances-married Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales. Divorced in 1996.

Their Children:

1. Prince William-2nd in line to the British throne

2. Prince Harry-3rd in line to the British throne
e. Lord Charles Maurice the 9th Earl Spencer-married twice but all ended in divorce. He was applauded in his sister's funeral for delivering a critically-acclaimed eulogy but privately, friends' of the Princess especially her butler Paul Burrell, denounced him and his "blood family" eulogy as too self-imposing telling the press how he mistreated Diana when she was still alive denying her a cottage in their family home in Althorp when she sought to take a refuge after her divorce. Ironically, the Earl and his family pleaded to bury Diana's body at Althorp and fought hard to take her important possessions which included her wedding gown and other memorabilia.

Diana's parents separated in 1967 and divorced 2 years later. Frances married his commoner lover Peter Shand-Kydd in 1969 and her mother Lady Fermoy, a strait-laced aristocrat who had been in the royal circle all her life, never forgave her for marrying a commoner and embarrassing the then Viscount Althorp, who was one of the Queen's courtiers. The mother and daughter hatred lasted for almost a lifetime.

Diana, who was only 6 years old when her parents separated, endured a traumatic emotional experience that would haunt her for the rest of her life. Her poor self esteem, the guilt of being not a boy at birth (which later on, she found out was the root of her parents' misunderstanding and eventually separation) and her longing for somebody to love and protect her, crowded in her system and triggered her insecurities which resulted of acquiring the chronic disease Bulimia.

Nevertheless, Princess Diana was known to the world as a loving mother and a compassionate woman despite her own vulnerabilities. Her sudden death in August 31, 1997 gave fresh breath to the morbid system of the monarchy and allowed her son Prince William to shine like a giant halo. Presently, the Prince Charming who is now known as Cornet William Wales in the Blues and Royals regiment of the British Army's Household Cavalry, began following the footstep of his late mother in establishing charities. When he was still a young lad, he was frequently seen touring various hospitals accompanying his mother.

When he would becomeKing, William will be the first monarch to descend from King Charles II since Queen Anne. His royal bloodline will be traced up not on the Windsors but on the Spencers because the Stuarts preceded the Hanovers. The Hanovers, Queen Elizabeth II's direct bloodline, mounted the British throne when the last Stuart monarch, Queen Anne died without a direct successor. Prince William is now preparing his future role as King by training in all branches of the British military. As of 2008 he is with the Royal Air Force, training as a pilot where he is known there as "Flying Officer William Wales", next he is scheduled to join the Royal Navy. By 2010, the second in line to the British throne will leave the military and would take a civil job in the Foreign Ministry office, according to reports from Buckingham Palace. It is being noted that William, has a various "Kingly training" compared to Prince Charles and more exposed to charities than his father. After the death of his mother in 1997 and his great grand mother (the Queen Mum) in 2002, he is now considered as the most beloved figure in the Kingdom and the most popular royal family member. His looks, who strongly resembled his mother's feature together with the Spencers gene, added to his appeal and magic.

Mini-Biography of DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES 1961-1997

2008-01-09T23:41:00.000-08:00

She captured the world's imagination with her unique charm, sex appeal, compassion and humanity. She was the modern day Cinderella who never dreamed that someday she would become a Princess and be so loved by the people that she brought light to every room she entered.

It’s been a decade now since the devastating car accident in Paris, France that took the life of the most photographed woman in the world. But still the public – who adored her, mesmerized with her glamour, her beauty and compassion-simply couldn’t let her go. Many of her critics dismissed the public fascination as self-indulgent and manipulative but in the end they too succumbed to that adulation and felt the “Diana mania” simply astounding. But what made her so unforgettable? Why people across the globe still haunted by her image? Why there seems to be an endless conquest on her life and death? This is her story.

She was born The Honorable Diana Frances Spencer on July 1, 1961 at Sandringham, the 25,000 acre estate in Norfolk, England of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her father was a wealthy nobleman named Edward John Spencer officially known as Viscount Althorp who served as a courtier to both George VI and Elizabeth II. Her mother was The Honorable Frances Burke Roche, daughter of the 4th Baron Fermoy and Lady Fermoy, Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen Mother. She had two older sisters, Sarah and Jane and a younger brother, Charles. Her father was a direct descendant of King Charles II through his two illegitimate sons, The Duke of Grafton and the Duke of Richmond. The famous Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (her lifestory "The Duchess" is now a major motion picture starring Keira Knightly) was Earl Spencer's great aunt.

Her birth at first, it was reported, became a big disappointment to the Spencer family as they anticipated for a boy (after 2 girls) to carry and pass the title of her father who was destined to become the 8th Earl of Althorp (her older brother John lived only for 10 hours). Later in her life she poked fun at herself by telling her friends "I was supposed to be the boy" then burst into laughter. When she learned the disappointment of her family in her early years, she was depressed and partly blamed herself on her parents’ marriage break up. She thought she was a great failure who brought tragedy to her family for not being a boy at birth, the feeling of rejection engulfed in her system and triggered her insecurities later in life that developed into an eating disorder called Bulimia, an insidious disease of binging and purging that rooted in childhood with poor self-esteem.

When she was growing up, Diana and her younger brother Charles-who was 3 years her junior-became close among the siblings and often visited the grave of their older brother John and wondered to each other if they ever born at all had their brother lived. When she was six years old, her parents separated, Viscountess Althorp moved out from Sandringham to London and began an affair with a married man, Peter Shand Kydd, heir to a wall paper trading fortune who owned vast land in Australia, England and Scotland. But his money did not impress the stoic aristocracy. In a social class bound society like Britain birthright is more important than wealth and educational attainment, American writer Kitty Kelly in her best selling book "The Royals" reinforced this sentiment and wrote "in Britain, where there is a strict rule for social status royalty and nobility stood at the top of humanity's ladder, everybody else scrambled below with no hope of ascending". Commoners are condemned for crossing class lines while the aristocrats are merely excused. Diana’s grandmother was incensed with her daughter’s affair with a commoner that she stood in the custody battle in favor of Viscount Althorp, she was further furious when her daughter was named as co-respondent in the divorce petition filed by Peter's wife. In 1969 when the divorce of both sides became final, Frances married Mr. Shand Kydd in a civil ceremony.

Like many upper class kids in Britain, Diana attended boarding schools, first at Riddlesworth preparatory school in Norfolk then went to West Heath in Kent. It was in West Heath that Diana displayed her bubbly character and hospitable manner. She loved talking to every person she finds in their campus and would not hesitate to offer help if needs arise. In the controversial book of Andrew Morton "Diana, Her true story", it was mentioned that though the future Princess of Wales lacked academic potentials she was very good in sports and excelled both in swimming and tennis. Her true passion is dancing and wanted to become a ballerina but at 5 feet 10 inches she was too tall to join ballet professionally. In 1975 her grandfather died from pneumonia, her father became the 8th Earl of Althorp and moved with his children to the Spencer seat called Athorp in Northamptonshire west of England, a 15,000 acre of rolling hills, ranch, parks, trees, woodlands, several cottages and a grand Jacobite mansion. Diana officially became Lady Diana. The following year Earl Spencer married Raine, Countess of Dartmouth and daughter of romance novelist Barbara Cartland.

At the age of sixteen, Diana dropped out from high school, her father who worried her future decided to send her to an exclusive private finishing school for girls in Switzerland studying social and cultural subjects but after 3 months she went home. On her return she studied cookery course joining daughters of aristocrats in baking tarts and pastries, her specialties are Chocolate Roulades and Russian borscht soup then she worked as a baby sitter and farmed out to various friends of her parents at their country homes while looking for their toddlers, because she was not allowed to get an apartment while underage. She briefly taught dance class but after a skiing accident in France where she broke her left ankle she decided to quit.

In 1979 when she was 18 years old she was at last permitted by her parents to have an apartment on her own at the English capital. She bought the 3 bedroom apartment called Coleherne Court near Harrod department store from the money she received from her parents as her coming-of-age birthday gift . She was very excited in living independently and eager to spread her wings but hesitate to engage in a serious relationship because in her own words she "wanted to tidy herself for the man worthy of her dreams". She then worked as a part time assistant teacher for toddlers at the All England kindergarten school in Pimlico district. Diana, who lived with her 3 flatmates in Coleherne Court, was described by her friends as cheerful, bubbly and very down-to-earth. To meet some needs she worked as a cleaner at her sister Sarah’s apartment in Chelsea district during weekend where she cleaned, scrubbed the floor and washed the dishes. She was the modern day Cinderella who never dreamed that someday she would become a Princess. Her innocent mind then would only entertain thoughts of having a happy life ahead with a lot of freedom. But destiny has its own way of fulfilling a fairytale.

In July 1980 she was invited by her friend Philip de Paas to a house party in their Sussex country home. His parents Robert and Philippa are close friends of the Queen and Prince Philip. Surprisingly, the Prince of Wales was also attending. The two of them had known quite well as they came from the same class. Diana was a childhood playmate of Prince Andrew and Prince Edward (younger brothers of Prince Charles) who are both closer to her age. Charles and Diana became friends in 1977 when he briefly dated her older sister Sarah, when they met again three years later the Prince of Wales noted how much she had transformed into a beautiful young woman. Soon private dates followed. The British press who tail the Prince wherever he go, introduced the charming, innocent woman into the world as “Lady Di” the perfect English rose. She eagerly accepted date invitations from the Prince who arranged the schedules through his private secretary and usually according to Diana’s friends “at the last minute”.

Diana grew up around royalty. Her paternal grandfather Albert Spencer the 7th Earl of Althorp was a close friend and tennis buddy of King George VI, the Prince of Wales's grandfather. Her paternal grandmother Lady Cynthia Hamilton was the daughter of the 4th Duke of Abercorn and served as Lady in Waiting of George’s consort Queen Elizabeth who became the Queen Mother at her daughter’s accession in 1952. It was her maternal grandfather Maurice Burke Roche the 4th Baron Fermoy and a son of American Heiress Frances Work who acquired "Park House" in Sandringham, as a gift of appreciation from King George V for his friendship to both the King's sons Prince David (later Edward VIII) and Prince Bertie (later George VI), he was permitted to rent free the 10 bedroom apartment in their private estate. Diana and her family lived there until 1975.

On the other hand Prince Charles could not just marry just any woman in the realm, there’s a burden of duty and tradition that he is expected to uphold. Her future bride who might she is, should come from a suitable background because she would represent the future of the monarchy. She should be approved first by the Queen and the House of Parliament. Lord Louis Mountbatten's (Charles's great uncle) ringing words still echoed through out the years that:"Love is not an option for the man who would be King of England, it is a consideration (in marriage) but not a guiding force ". The 1936 abdication of Edward VIII and the 1978 concession of Prince Michael of Kent from the line of succession to the British throne (The Queen's cousin) traumatized the royal family about inappropriate marriages that they became vigilant with Charles's love life. Traditionally, royal brides are titled, with royal or noble lineage, single (literally not divorce), no career of her own, and most important, in communion with the Church of England. A virgin royal bride is still the most appropriate choice to marry an heir to the throne to rightfully produced royal children and to signify the mystical concept that an ideal Princess who eventually become Queen in due time is unblemish and pure therefore worthy of adoration and fantasy. Ideally, Diana met all the requirements of a royal match, she was titled: Lady Diana Spencer at that time, with royal and noble lineage, socially inexperienced and no career of her own & most of all an Anglican without a past. Her innocence and beauty validated her qualifications more.

In September 1980 Diana was invited by the Prince to spend with the rest of the royal family at their Balmoral estate in Scotland, soon marriage rumors flown wildly to the newspapers that Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh admonished his son to "make up his mind before he ruined the reputation of the young woman". Prince Charles in return moaned to his valet of the constant media intrusion on his private life that he could not go for a date without the entire nation analyzing his choice. The press published numerous women he dated and discarded and pointed who are suitable and who are not. As the world waited breathlessly who will be the lucky woman he would choose, the Prince privately pondered his fate whether to marry Diana or not. But he has a duty to fulfill and marriage is one of his responsibilities to provide an heir and ensure the continuation of the House of Windsor. In February 1981, after his return from Austria he proposed, Diana accepted eagerly. The official engagement of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer was formally announced on February 24, 1981.

The night before the engagement was announced, she left coleherne court with her suitcases and accompanied by an armed security guard, she went to live with the Queen Mother at Clarence House. Few days after, she moved to Buckingham Palace to familiarize with the royal routine, it was on this stage that the symptoms of Bulimia started to appear, according to some accounts she devoured bags of chocolates and several bowls of cereals lathered with rich cream then vomit. She later on confided that the food gave her comfort but disgusted at the bloatedness of her stomach so she started to purge. The disease was triggered due to her poor self-esteem and depression especially when she found out how difficult it was to be alone in her own world with in the palace walls. She was helpless in the environment that almost run by staff, she couldn’t freely open her mouth, at that point she felt her newly earned freedom slowly eroding. She now realized the complication of joining a very public life. She was also confused with Prince Charles, though she was sure of her love for the Prince, she doubted the Prince’s motives. She learned that her future husband continued seeing his former flame Camilla Parker Bowles, there were confrontations but Charles assured her of his love. On July 29, 1981, the wedding of the 20th century took place at St. Paul Cathedral, London, it was broadcasted worldwide with an estimated 700 million people watched the ceremony on their TV sets. Nothing was so important that day than the world’s anticipation of a happy ending, but destiny decreed otherwise.

Diana was the first English woman to marry an heir to the throne in 300 years (after Lady Anne Hyde-wife of James II and mother of Queen Mary II & Queen Anne)) and the first non-princess to become the Princess of Wales (the last royal princess of that title was Princess Alexandra of Denmark, wife of King Edward VII). Buckingham palace announced the correct style of the bride: she’ll be known as HRH Diana, the Princess of Wales and not Princess Diana because she was not born a Princess, but outside Britain people continue calling her incorrectly as Princess Di. The title arrived in marriage and departed through divorce, with in 15 years that pre-condition proved true. It was learned also that she would outranked other females in the realm except for the Queen and the Queen Mother. As future Queen Consort she is entitled to deep curties and bows from all commoners and other royal family members below her ranked and station. That exalted treatment further elevated her status.

After their Mediterranean cruise honeymoon the royal couple settled on two residences, Kensington Palace in London and Highgrove Estate in Gloucestershire. In June 21, 1982 the second in line to the British throne was born, HRH Prince William Arthur Philip Louis and his younger brother followed two years later on September 24, 1984 Prince Henry Albert Charles David. It was noted that the young Princess of Wales was a devoted, hands-on mother who would dashed to her sons’ bedroom when the infants are crying. She lavished her sons with lots of cuddles and love and made sure they will not suffer with the same childhood she and Prince Charles gone through where all the activities are planned and attended by nannies and private nurses. Diana fought hard to educate her children outside palace walls. So William and Harry attended nursery school like commoners.She handedly organized her schedules and public engagements to make sure it won't overlap with her sons' school activities which she never missed to attend. She was always seen cheering at the audience when William is playing for his school soccer team. She planned extravagant vacations, taking them to holiday destinations like west indies, the US and western part of Europe. She was often photographed frolicking with her sons in different amusement parks. She broke royal traditions by taking her children to ordinary places like fast food chains. To the reservations of the public, she was by far the most attentive royal parent.

In the early years of their marriage Charles and Diana symbolizes unity and happiness, they frequently seen taking vacations and joint tours together. During those years British media revered the crown that any nasty rumors and speculations about marital strife hardly printed. But within the confine of their worlds, the fairytale is started to crumble, Diana soon learned that her husband resumed his relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles. The situation left her emotionally drained and severely depressed. The feeling of rejection she once felt as a child resurfaced again. There were suicidal attempts, frequent fights that are known to their staff, their shouting arguments threatening to become public. Diana called Camilla an attacked dog "who sucked into the marriage of the Waleses and refused to go" and even commented "there are 3 of us in this marriage so it's a bit crowded". In early 1990 tabloids who run the juicer bits, allotted bigger space for the cracked of the fairytale façade. The palace courtiers rushed to their feet to defend the union of an institution that represent the image of the monarchy and dismissed the rumors as simply unfounded. Prince Charles moved forward by blaming the press for sensationalizing every gossip they fished out from unreliable sources. The Queen, particularly the Duke of Edinburgh tried vainly to patch up the strain between the couple, sending them for joint engagements and allowing them longer holiday vacations together, but as the old saying goes:"East is East and West is West and never the twain meet"-Charles and Diana decided to play separate music together.

The Princess of Wales soon learned to accept her husband adultery and reinvented herself. She focused in establishing many charities to benefit the sick and the homeless, the downtrodden and the underprivileged, she toured various hospitals worldwide and launched campaign crusade to help fed the poor. She was the first person with high profile status who touched the aids victim changing the world views that aids is not transmitted through physical contact. She became the Mother Theresa in crowns and jewels. Next to the Queen Mother she was proclaimed as the most beloved figure in the Kingdom. To the outside world, she was the true embodiment of what royalty should lived and behaved, but within the royal family she was virtually ignored, slandered her accomplishments as self glorification. She did not understand why her genuine compassion was being maligned by the people she represented and served earnestly, why her effort to help the homeless was mocked by the institution she revered. Diana struggled emotionally within her circle, she was dogged by photographers everyday and no one from the royal family offered for support. She seemed surrounded with so many people and yet alone in her small and lonely world. As she traversed the difficult journey of life with in her family she earned great respect and support worldwide. Her only consolations are her two sons who adored and loved her unconditionally. It was reported that the young Prince William would rushed to her side and comfort her when he found her sobbing and uttered "I don't want to see you crying", the gentle son even declared that he wanted to become a policeman in order to protect his mother. Her sons’ presence was the only spark that brought light to her tormented life.

The family appeared solid in public but privately they did not get along and rarely together in one place. Behind their public smiles lays remorse and disdain of having each other. But the pretensions did not last long and finally on December 1992 several weeks after their return from the disastrous tour in South Korea, the sad news of separation was announced. According to some reports, Diana did not want a divorce and she was surprised when in December 1995 she received a letter from the Queen and Prince Charles proposing to disband the marriage permanently, she refused to nudge a response for several weeks until pressured by her husband to do so, with a heavy heart she cooperated on the divorce proceedings. It became final in August 1996. Until her death, her Butler, Paul Burrell maintained that the Princess of Wales loved only one man in her entire life and that was Prince Charles, she was even considering a reconciliation which was flatly refused by the Prince because he could not just give up his mistress. Even after the divorce she continually wearing her engagement and wedding rings which are so precious to her, she emotionally told her butler "in due time I'll take them off but not now".

Mixed emotions felt through out the kingdom, their supporters lined up in two classes. The public and the press backed up the Princess while the aristocrats backed up the Prince. Some of Her Majesty's subjects called on the concession of Charles from the line of succession calling him unfit to become King. The divorce already undermined his chances to the throne, no divorce person mounted the British throne since King George I the first of the Hanoverian King and no divorce sovereign came to the throne since King Henry VIII divorces his 4th wife Anne of Cleves in 1553. The monarchy, according to Queen Victoria's Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, is represented by the royal family, but when that family is dysfunctional it is hard to imagine how it will be accepted. The survival of the monarchy relies heavily on public approvals and it's still a big question if the people won't oppose Charles in due time. After the divorce, the people continue singing the national anthem "God save the Queen" but chanted "save us from her heir".

After the divorce proceedings, Diana looked victorious, she will share children's custody with Prince Charles. She retained her residence in Kensington Palace and walked away with almost 20 million dollars as settlements. But privately she was defeated, the HRH had been stripped and all the privileges had been taken from her, the driver, the detective and Ladies in waiting, she was forced to give up her regimentals in the military and her name had been dropped from the daily prayers in the parliament. The public who adored the Princess was furious with the humiliation that they called for the more dignified treatment of the mother of the future king. Shorn with HRH status she lost her prize standing in the society. She will be known only as DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES it means commoners are no longer required to bow and curtsy in her presence. When Prince William saw her mother crying after the stripping of the title, he hugged and told her that he will give back the HRH status to her when he become King. But with or without her Royal status she was still a royalty revered and adored by the masses, she still attracted many admirers worldwide who are impressed with how brave she was to face such act of humiliation.

A year after her divorce, she met Dodi Al-Fayed, son of Mohammad Al-fayed, Egyptian millionaire owner of Harrod, the biggest department store in England. In the summer of 1997 Mohammad invited the Princess to spend holidays aboard their yacht in the Greek isle accompanied by Dodi. Speculations from the press that the relationship is heading to marriage was denied by Paul Burrell, saying that “The Boss” his name for Diana, did not actually want to marry Dodi, she was even quoted saying “I need a second marriage like a bad rush”. In fact Diana wanted to end her holiday in Sardinia sooner than expected to be with her sons before their return to a boarding school. On the day she died she was scheduled to come home to meet her sons who were in Scotland with Prince Charles.

But she did not lived to see her sons again shortly after midnight, the black mercedes benz she and Dodi was riding, slammed on the 13th pillar of Pont de Alma tunnel in downtown Paris. Dodi’s driver Henri Paul was avoiding a group of Paparazzi who aggressively pursuing the Princess and Dodi from Ritz Hotel were they dined that night. The motorcycle of the group cut on the edge of the tunnel blinding Dodi’s driver and lost control, the car rebounded many times before landing to the ground completely wrecked. Dodi and his driver died on strong impact, Diana and Dodi’s bodyguard were brought to the Hospital were Diana proclaimed dead at 3:00 am due to massive internal injuries, the bodyguard survived and went to a coma on the succeeding days.

Prince Charles went to Paris to take her body back home. British people kept vigil at her residence in Kensington, and the whole kingdom was grieving at the loss of a woman who, despite her own vulnerability and loneliness, managed to reach out to others and never fail to make them feel extra special. Her death was mourned by people worldwide and from all walks of life who were touched by her kindness. Her coffin was draped in royal standard, though a year ago that status was stripped from her. The Queen who maintained a warm relationship with her former daughter-in-law even after the divorce accorded her a grand state funeral complete with drawn carriages and muffled guns. She was buried at her family estate in Althorp. Her friend Elton John sung a highly emotional song "Candle in the Wind" during the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. The 9th Earl Spencer composed an eternal phrase carved in her tomb "Diana is safely back home where her mortal remains can be cared for and where her memories lived on forever".

More than a princess, Diana understood how to live a fairytale life in the modern world. She once said “It is vital that the monarchy keep in touch with the people/being much more open about their feelings". She did not confine herself in the isolated world of royalty instead she reached out to others who needed help. She would sneaked to the hospitals at midnight (to avoid press coverage) just to visit the sick and the dying and would roamed around the street of London to give money to “pick up women”. Her display of compassion and kindness rooted in her lonely life as a woman, early in her life she was deprived of an intact family and grew up shuffling from the homes of her parents. She longed for somebody to protect and love her. In the collapse of her marriage she felt that her true vocation is to help the needy. Joining the royal family is very taxing on her part but it somehow gave her an opportunity to realize her true mission as a philantrophist As the years passed she slowly come to terms with her destiny. Behind her compassionate manner, she was acutely aware of the great battle underneath. She was filled with admiration and praises from the public and yet was craving for love and attention, she was endlessly giving and yet transparently wanting. She was always visible lending her presence to the disadvantaged yet she lacked protection and comfort from the people she loved and cared. She once told her Butler that “all she needed to have was a pat on her back" at the end of the tiring day.

To conquer the trouble within herself, the Princess of Wales poured her great effort in helping others and decided to devote her entire attention to the world of the poor. She felt that despite the invisible barrier that divide commoners and royalty, these people deserved to be loved and cared as well. Her last humanitarian mission was a landmine campaign in Bosnia where she comforted the victims, cradles the infants in her arms and walked in the restricted area wearing helmet. Now that she was gone those warm affection will no longer be felt that's why people across the globe felt so desolate in her sudden demise. Amidst the outpouring of grief worldwide there are two souls who, more than anybody else felt the devastation and emptiness impossible to imagine, her two young sons. The two princes who are quite devoted to their mother lost someone who had been their protector. People remembered her how she was eager to see her first born William to become King. On the day of her funeral, nothing seemed so important than making that dream come true. The Princes are now preparing for a very public role without the support of their number one fun-their mom. According to Paul Burrell in his interview with US Television host Larry King, when the two Princes were asked what personal belonging of their mother wanted them to keep, Prince William choose her watch which she wore everyday of her life and Prince Harry choose her precious engagement ring, an oval shaped blue sapphire surrounded with 18 diamonds because he knows how much it meant to his mother. After her death her will was equally divided to her sons. Her wardrobes were sold in auction to benefit her favorite charities and her wedding gown put on display at the museum in Althorp. The Princess of Wales memorial fund was established with Lady Sarah Mcquorcodale (Diana's older sister) sat as president.

Last August 31, 2007 the royal family celebrated her 10th death anniversary. During the church ceremony her younger son Prince Harry paid an emotional tribute by calling her "to us, two boys, she was simply the best mother in the world" and recalled how his mother giggled when she saw them arrived from school and painstakingly waved her arms at the palace's wrought iron gate when the two of them headed back to boarding school and whispered "I missed ma' boys". Though the two Princes enjoyed their lives at the present and making the most of their time together, they confessed that they still desperately miss their mother after all these years. In an interview prior to her 10th death anniversary Prince William said "we were so lucky to have her as our mother and there's not a day goes past when we don't think about her and miss her influence because she was a massive example to both of us". Though there is still an ongoing investigation on the manner of her death, majority of her friends attested that it was purely an accident and nothing more. But despite the controversy that surrounded her passing, she died a true christian woman who utilized her life on earth by responding to the needs of others and send message of hope to the people who seemed lost in the hour of their crisis. She had an explicable magic to the world and a vast love affair to the public. Diana became an icon from royalty which for many centuries seemed to be untouchables, she conventionally changed the concept on how a royal should be perceived behind glittering tiaras and jewels. She drastically changed the British Monarchy from an upperlip tight system to the more open establishment. Up to these days it's still hard to understand the phenomenon she had given to the world, the impact of her kindness and humanity and the strong influenced she exerted especially to her sons. Perhaps, the best legacy she had left is the realization of one's true mission in life, that is to be aware with our environment and that despite one's sad circumstances in life one can rise above misfortune, that despite our own vulnerabilities we can be a stronger representative of hope and inspiration to others. Her son William admired that part of his mother, he said "She didn't go by what she thought the best thing was to do or be told to do something, she would do it from the heart and fully immerse herself into it and she cared, she cared massively".

The late Princess of Wales was the true embodiment of sadness, happiness, frustration and hope. She was a commodity that the public devoured. She fulfilled every people's dream of a fairytale stuff. Her life as a scorned woman trapped in a loveless marriage was tormenting and very painful but she managed to conquer it through her unique ability to cope up with stress and depression by discovering her true inner self in helping others. She stoop down from her level as "untouchable" to reach out. The saddest part of her life, however, is the fact that she was not able to hold the adage that goes "..and they lived happily ever after"..but despite this failure, she was still the fairytale princess who captured our fantasies, the enchanting woman who managed to crash the demons within herself and in the very end of her life still continued mesmerizing the world with her glamour and compassion. Decades, centuries may come and go, but her magic and legend never will. It is forever carved in the stone of eternity and up to other dimensions. Her brother's emotional eulogy at her funeral was enough to summarize her uniqueness, that she was "a very British girl who transcended nationality..the unique, the complex, the extraordinary, the irreplaceable Diana whose beauty both external and internal will never be extinguished from our minds".

DID YOU KNOW THAT....

2007-12-20T17:38:00.000-08:00

...The longest reigning monarch in English and British history was Queen Victoria?She ruled the United Kingdom for 64 years. She ascended the British throne in 1837 on the death of her Uncle William IV. The current British monarch Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 55th anniversary on the throne this year(2007).

... The shortest reign was that of Lady Jane Grey known to history as the "9 days Queen of England", Henry VIII's great niece. Henry's son and successor Edward VI named her as his successor, ignoring his two half sisters Princesses Mary and Elizabeth. But the idea was thought to be fabricated by the Duke of Northumberland, who acted as adviser of the young King. Nine days after Lady Jane's accession, the Duke's whole scheme collapsed, Lady Jane was imprisoned and beheaded 7 months later. Her reign was one of the turbulent era in england. Infact her short Queenship was not mentioned in British history and her name was not included in the list of monarchs of the United Kingdom.

...The oldest to become monarch was William IV, 3rd son of George III, he was 75 years old at the time of his accession, he died 7 years later.

... The youngest monarch was Henry VI, he was only 9 months old and his uncle John, the Duke of Bedford acted as his regent until his adulthood.

... The first Prince of Wales was Edward II, son of Edward I and Eleanor of Castile, he was born in Caernavon Castle in Wales. Since then, that title has always been the permanent title of the Heir Apparent with formal investiture in Caernavon Castle, Cardiff, Wales.

... The first Duke of York was Edmund of Langley, 2nd son of Edward III. Ironically, it was on this branch that the famous "War of the Roses" originated. Considered as the bloodiest civil war in English history, "War of the Roses" lasted for 3 decades. Since the early 20th century, The Duke of York is permanently the title of the second son of the sovereign.

... The first Princess Royal was Princess Anne, daughter of Charles I (Stuart). This courtesy title is always given to the first born daughter of the monarch. But it is not automatic, it is granted at the pleasure of the monarch.

... The oldest monarch to ascend the throne in modern day europe was King Albert II of Belgium, a descendant of Queen Victoria through her 3rd son Prince Arthur of Connaught and that of Victoria's uncle, Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, the first Belgian King, thus the name of the Royal House of Belgium is Saxe-Coburg Gotha. Albert ascended the Belgian throne in 1993 on the death of his childless older brother King Bouduin I.

... The last true blooded Princess to be married in the British royal family was Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, first cousin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. She married Prince George, the Duke of Kent, youngest son of King George V.

... The last aristocrat to be married in the British royal family was the late Princess of Wales, Diana. She was the former Lady Diana Spencer, daughter of a wealthy nobleman Johnny Spencer, the 8th Earl of Althorp, a direct descendant of King Charles II of Britain. The very famous, Georgina, Duchess of Devonshire (her story is now a major hollywood film starring Keira Knightley) was Earl Spencer's great aunt.

... The childhood nickname of Diana was Duchess?it was given to her by her stepfather Peter Shand-Kydd.

... The oldest surviving great great grandchild of Queen Victoria is Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh?he is two months older than Prince Carl Johan of Sweden his 3rd cousin.

... Both Prince Albert II of Monaco and King Juan Carlos of Spain are Olympians?they participated in the Sailing event.

... King Juan Carlos of Spain and his consort Queen Sophia are the only royal blooded couple in present day europe whose marriage in 1962 was not arranged?Queen Sophia was the former Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark, daughter of King Paul I of Greece, a first cousin to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent.

... Earl Spencer, the father of Diana was once considered by the royal family as suitable consort of the future Queen, Princess Elizabeth?after the second world war, the royal family noticed that the heir presumptive started blossoming into a beautiful woman and therefore marriage is on the way, they began listing names of suitable bachelors as her future husband. British noblemen who were considered were Lord David Mountbatten, the 2nd Marquess of Milford Haven (first cousin of Prince Philip), David Ogilvy, the 13th Earl of Airlie (whose younger brother Angus married Princess Alexandra of Kent the Queen's cousin), Charles Manner, the Duke of Ruthland and John Spencer who was then Viscount Althorp, son of Albert Spencer the 7th Earl of Althorp(King George VI's closest friend) and his wife Lady Cynthia Hamilton, daughter of the 4th Duke of Abercorn and Lady-in-waiting of the King's consort, Queen Elizabeth. European Royal's who were considered suitable are Prince Bertel of Sweden (Elizabeth's 3rd cousin), Prince Gorm of Denmark (her second cousin), Prince Charles of Luxembourg and Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark (her third cousin through Queen Victoria and second cousin through King Christian IX of Denmark). Eventually the future Queen choose the latter, and according to some accounts "it was hardly a royal match because they both fell in love". Philip changed his identity to be more suitable, he took the name Mountbatten and joined the Anglican faith, he was created HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and married in November 20, 1947.

... The Royal Protection Unit of Scotland yard is the incharge of the security force protecting the British royal family?they provide full protection to the monarch, her husband, her heir and all her children. They are selected for diplomacy and sense of duty. They are highly skilled at security and armed at all times.

ROYAL HOUSES OF ENGLAND AND BRITAIN

2007-12-17T17:33:00.000-08:00

PLANTAGENET - started from the reign of King Henry II, great grandson of William the Conqueror. The name founded through his father Geoffrey the Count of Anjou who was fond of wearing plantagenet styled hat. The first plantagenet king was known throughout the English history as the most powerful monarch in the christendom. He was not only King of England at that time but owned vast land in France. That dominance in French territory was further strengthened by his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine(the first wife of Louis VII, King of France), heiress to most powerful Duchies and counties in France. However, towards the end of the King's life, he was embittered and died a broken man. His last years in power were marked with domestic strife and betrayal with his own sons who fought themselves for the throne. His successor, Robert, died fighting his brothers. His wife, who turned against him aided her favorite son, Richard who later became Richard I the lionhearted and succeeded by his brother John lockland, perhaps the worst king in English history. It was during King John's reign that the famous Magna Carta-the great charter of liberties-was approved, when he was forced by the angry Barons to sign the charter in runnymede near Thames river.This royal house ended in the reign of Richard II, the grandson of Edward III-known in world history as the man who initiated the "Hundred Years of War" between England and France that lasted for 116 years-Richard II was deposed due to his tyrannic rule.

LANCASTER-this royal house was founded through the line of Edward III's 3rd son John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. This was conceived through conflict which later known as "the War of the Roses" against rival House of York. Prince Henry, John of Gaunt's son succesfully won the throne after his cousin's (Richard II) exile but his reign marked with struggle with the Yorkists, who headed by the Duke of York, Richard Plantagenet himself the cousin of Henry. Lancaster ended in the reign of Henry VI, the most unfortunate king ever seated in the English throne, he was the youngest to succeed in the two kingdoms of England and France, his father Henry V (called as the Hero King of England)died when he was only 9 months old, as the treaty to end the "Hundred Years of War"stated that Henry V will inherit the French throne(his wife was Princess Catherine, daughter of King Charles VI of France) when the insane French King died. But the English King predeceased Charles VI. Henry V's brother John, the Duke of Bedford acted as regent until the infant monarch reached his adulthood. Henry VI was a deeply religious man but lack strength and resolute character like that of his father to govern a Kingdom and later inherited the insanity illness of his maternal grandfather Charles VI. At the course of the civil war that sweep throughout the kingdom, Henry VI suffered bout of madness that he was reportedly laughing and singing while his soldiers fought for their lives. He was soon imprisoned by his cousin Edward of York in the tower of london with his young heir Prince Edward and later on murdered, his wife Queen Margaret escaped and fled to France.

YORK-After the armed conflict with its rival house, the House of Lancaster, the Yorkists emerged victorious after the death of Henry VI, its leader mounted the English throne as Edward IV but the curse of the "War of the Roses" still haunted the newly build House of York. The unstable kingdom attracted another controversy, this time the private life of the King himself. Edward married Elizabeth Woodville by whom he had 10 children including Princess Elizabeth (the future consort of Henry VII), Prince Edward , his heir and Prince Richard, the Duke of York (the famous Princes of the Tower), they married secretly in the Woodville's home at Northamptonshire which enraged some of his allies. It had been noted that the king had promised himself to marry Lady Eleanor Butler and the promise of marriage at that time was considered a legally binding contract so much so that when the King died his marriage was declared null and void and all his children were declared through an Act of Parliament as illegitimates. His successor the 13-year-old Prince Edward ascended briefly as Edward V but 2 months later, after the declaration of nullity of his parents' marriage he and his young brother Prince Richard, the Duke of York were imprisoned at the Tower of London suspectedly ordered by their uncle Richard, the Duke of Gloucester. The throne is now occupied by their uncle which took the name Richard III.The Princes mysteriously vanished and their whereabouts were unknown, many believed they were both killed in the gloomy tower. Richard III, many years later was killed in the battle of Bosworth field by the troops of Henry Tudor (from the Lancastrian descent), ending the House of York reign.

TUDOR-perhaps one of the most famous royal houses in the history of English monarchy. After the death of the last Yorkist Richard III, Henry Tudor ascended the throne as Henry VII. Inorder to effectively reconcile the warring two houses, he married Edward IV's daughter Princess Elizabeth which earned him the title as "Solomon King of England". The couple's eldest daughter Margaret became Queen Consort of Scotland and produced the future Mary Queen of Scots. Their son Henry VIII, became famous as the King with several wives who didn't hesitate to eliminate some of those women to strengthen his court. He first marry his brother's widow Catherine of Aragon and bore him a daughter later ascended as Mary I. Henry was deeply religious and was initially wanted to become an archbishop, he staunchly fought the teachings of the church which earned him a title "Defender of the faith"a title which the monarch of England still bear up to these days. It was during his petition for the nullity of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon that he broke all his ties to Vatican City. When the Pope refused to annul his marriage he separated from Rome and established the Church of England and declared him as Supreme Head. The last monarch of this house was his daughter Elizabeth who become Elizabeth I. She was known as "The Virgin Queen" because she did not marry and no reported relationship involvement (except at one time that she was linked to the Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley, her closest friend). She was known with her imperious character and was believed to have sealed the death warrant of her great niece Mary Queen of Scots whom she accused of Treason. Many historians claimed that the fiery Queen refused to name her successor but on her death bed, according to reports, she uttered the name "My cousin in Scotland"referring to Mary Queen of Scots' son King James VI.

STUART-James VI of Scotland was named as Elizabeth I's successor, He ascended the English throne as James I, the first of the Stuarts monarch and the personal union of Scotland and England was born, thus conceiving the geographical name of Great Britain. He was succeeded by his son Charles I, the new king's policy was not popular among the Members of Parliament, his declaration that the monarch will be the ultimate arbiter of the law did not suit well to the masses, the King soon arrested and beheaded by the Cromwellians and its leader Oliver Cromwell became the "Lord Protector of England" for 10 years. When he died, the monarchy was restored and Charles I's son Charles II became King. Charles II had no legitimate children, his wife (Princess Catherine of Braganza)was barren, but he had at least 10 illegitimate children from his various mistresses, 3 of his sons The Duke of Lennox, The Duke of Marlborough and the Duke of Richmond were direct ancestors of Diana, Princess of Wales and Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The last monarch of this name was Queen Anne, Charles II's niece, she died without an issue, so the kingdom was passed to her nearest protestant heir, George I of Hanover.

HANOVER-Prince George of Hanover ascended the British throne as George I, he was the son of Princess Sophia of Hanover. He was succeeded by his son George II. It was on the reign of George III that the United Kingdom was established. The third Hanoverian King was neither resolute nor skillful, infact he was partly blamed for losing many of the English territories in America, he suffered from mental illness probably inherited from his ancestor, Henry VI. He was known to historians as severly insane who seen talking and hugging trees at Hyde Park. When his only legitimate granddaughter Princess Charlotte, the daughter of his son and successor Prince George, died from childbirth, his remaining bachelors' son scrambled to get married to insure the continuity of the House of Hanover. This paved the way for his fourth son, Prince Edward the Duke of Kent to propose to the sister of Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg Gotha (widower of Princess Charlotte and later King of Belgium), Princess Victoria, she bore him one child the Future Queen Victoria, the Duke then approaching his 50's when his daughter was born did not live long to inherit the crown. Victoria succeeded his paternal uncle William IV to the throne.

SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA- Queen Victoria ascended the British throne in 1837 but could not inherit the Hanoverian crown, because of the salic law prohibiting "a woman nor a claimant through a woman from succeeding". Thus, she used the name Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, where both her mother and her husband, Prince Albert-her first cousin, descended. Victoria has the distinction of being the longest monarch ever reigned both in English and British history, she died in 1901. She was succeeded by her son Bertie who reigned for only 9 years as Edward VII. On his death in 1910, Britain finally had a King who could speak English without a German Accent. George V, who represented his country and subjects with his graciousness and punctuality, regarded his family as British with no German traces despite the fact that both her parents and wife are Germans. He effectively buried his German roots in 1917 when he decided to change his royal house name to Windsor. During world war I, his English subjects condemned Germany's tyranny and oppression that every German living in England was either ridiculed or ostracized, the King was no exemption. He finally fed up when one english newpaper called him "alien and uninspiring", cautious to secure his Kingdom, he consulted his advisers of the name changing, his Lord Chamberlain proposed for WINDSOR, the name signifies tradition and pageantry taking from the ancient fortress which had been the home of many monarchs since William the Conqueror. The official declaration was made on July 1917.

WINDSOR-George V declared on July 1917 that all his descendants would be known henceforth as the House and Family of Windsor. He was succeeded by his son Edward VIII but 11 months after his accession he rendered his voluntary abdication in order to marry the twiced divorce American woman Wallis Simpson sending his shy brother Prince Albert, the Duke of York to the throne, he reigned for 16 years as George VI and was succeeded by his daughter Lilibeth who became Elizabeth II in February 1952. In 1960, the Queen declared that unlike any other women in the realm, she would not carry her husband's name but her descendants who are not direct successors to the throne would take the name Mountbatten-Windsor.

UNIQUE LAWS

2007-12-17T16:05:00.001-08:00

A. ROYAL MARRIAGES ACT OF 1772

This law stated that descendants of King George II should seek the sovereign's permission before she/he can proceed to marriage and that permission must be declared first in the council. This is especially referred to descendants inlisted in the line of succession to the British throne. Those who would not seek permission or would not permitted by the monarch to marry will be excluded in the line of succession and consider their marriage in Britain as null and void and any children born in that marriage will be considered illegitimate. The Church of England won't perform marriages among divorces, and royal family members who wish to marry again in the church rites opted to marry outside England, Princess Anne walked down the aisle again with Navy Commander Timothy Lawrence at Crathie Church at their Balmoral Estate in Scotland were remarriage among divorces are allowed.

B. ACT OF SETTLEMENTS

This law was established to prevent the catholic descendants of James II from acquiring the British Crown. After the death of the last Stuart Monarch Queen Anne, the act of settlements took effect which stated that "Only protestant descendants of Her Excellence Princess Sophia of Hanover could inherit the throne of the United Kingdom, all her descendants regardless of country of birth will be automatically acquire a British citizenship". Princess Sophia was the great granddaughter of King James I of England who married the Prince of Hanover. Unfortunately Princess Sophia predeceased Queen Anne, so her son Prince George ascended the British throne as George I.

C. TREASON ACT OF 1351

This law is punishable by death through execution of the sword (a public execution mostly done in the Tower of London). Anybody who betray the crown either by revolt or by behavior is charged of this act. This includes the adultery with the wife of the King to insure legitimate heirs. Two of King Henry VIII's six wives were sent to the scaffold for misconduct, the supposed lovers of his second wife (Anne Boleyn, the mother of Queen Elizabeth I) and his fifth wife Catherine Howard were executed also.

Fallen Monarchs

2007-12-17T00:34:00.000-08:00

Currently, there are only ten European royal houses that exist: Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands. Other royal houses were abolished during World War I and II. Germany, Austria and Russia during the First World War. Followed by Romania, Yugoslavia, Italy, Bulgaria, Poland, Montenegro in the Second World War when the communist overtook the government and the monarchs were forced to abdicate. Greece retained its crown head until 1969 when King Constantine II was forced to leave the country by the military Junta, the monarchy was abolished in 1973.

Among these former monarchies, only three previous rulers are still alive until today. King Michael of Romania, Tsar Simeon II of Bulgaria and King Constantine II of Greece who now lives in London with his wife Queen Anna Marie (sister of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark), he is also the brother of Queen Sophia of Spain. As descendants of Queen Victoria, they are all listed in the line of succession to the British throne with King Michael being the nearest because he is a great grandson of Victoria's second son, Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh.

THE ROYAL PROTOCOL

2007-12-16T17:32:00.000-08:00

The rigid class system in Britain clearly defines the invisible barrier that separates royalty from ordinary folks. The Royal Protocol is the standard decorum of the court and strickly imposed in the Kingdom. It refers to the proper flow of the activities of the royals including the discipline, formality and lifestyle. This decorum is the basic guide for commoners how to treat royal family members.

There's also an unwritten rules of "order of precedence" for men and women in the realm that traditionally followed. In the hierarchy of royals and nobles, royals come first with the ruling sovereign as the highest order of human being. The commoners including those royal members should give bows and curtsies when facing the monarch and should move slightly backward when the sovereign is approaching. This royal treatment fascinated the young Elizabeth, when the future Queen was 10 years old, according to the book of Kitty Kelly "The Royals", she slipped from her nanny and paraded back and forth at the palace corridor where the scarlet uniformed guard, clicked his heels, present an arm with his rifle and stood ramrod each time she passed.

The royal engagements should be planned 6 months before the actual date, this is carefully organized by the staff called courtiers, they also determined the kind of speech and audience the royal members should uttered or faced. The audience would not raised questions without the consent of the courtiers. The monarch should be addressed properly with "Your Majesty" and the members with HRH style is "Your Highness". Children of the sovereign would have "The" before their names, example: The Princess Anne or The Prince Charles.

In attending church ceremony, the royal family members occupied seats on the right area of the church and would not be mixed by people without any titles or significant positions in the government. In public sport events, they seated in a specially designated area called the "royal box". During ancient times until the early 20th century, divorce and homosexuals are not permitted to join the royal circles or be in the presence of the monarch. This prompted one reporter to say "It is possible for a divorce person to enter the Kingdom of God but not in the Palaces of Great Britain". In 1953, Princess Margaret was forced to renounce her relationship to Group Captain Peter Townsend because he was a divorcee. But in the early 1990 all children of the monarch (except for Prince Edward who just married in 1999) ended their marriages in divorce and the sweeping changes in protocol occured.

The order of precedence for men in the UK: The highest being the Duke of Edinburgh because he is the husband of the monarch, followed by his son Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales then Prince William because he is the future king then the Duke of York then the Earl of Wessex. Important note: the order of precedence is different from the line of succession to the British throne. This is the order of ranking among gentlemen in the realm. HRH with a Prince title should comes first followed by Dukes with HRH status and Earls with HRH style. For women, the Queen is the highest ranking female, followed by the Queen mother( if she's still alive) then the Princess of Wales (if there is). In the case of Camilla Parker Bowles, technically she is the Princess of Wales because she is the wife of Prince Charles, but she choose to be known as Duchess of Cornwall, taken from the secondary title of her husband, Duke of Cornwall. In the order of precedence in Britain, Duchesses come after the Princesses, so Camilla's ranking is below HRH Princess Alexandra, the Honorable Lady Angus Ogilvy (the Queen's cousin). Presently, the Queen is followed by her daughter HRH the Princess Royal then Princess Alexandra, the Duchess of Cornwall then the Countess of Wessex.

TITLES, TERMS AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

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COMMONER – in a nation ruled by a monarch, this term refers to a person without any official royal or noble title, in a formal term neither a sovereign nor a peer. In British class system, this term refers even to the members of the aristocracy and royalty. Technically, Princess Anne (the only daughter of the Queen) is a commoner. Though, she is a princess of the blood royal and has Princess Royal courtesy title, she is not a member of the British peerage. Even the future king, Prince William is technically a commoner also, as Prince-of-Wales in waiting, he has no title to his own other than that of his father. Someday, the enchanting prince would yield great powers but while he awaits his destiny, he remains to be untitled but Buckingham Palace is preparing him to take royal engagements, making goodwill tours, visiting hospitals and organizing charities in preparation for his future role. According to Hello!magazine, Prince William might take a civil job in the Foreign ministry office after his stint in the army, unlike his brother Prince Harry, William won't make military a lifetime career because of his future kingship. His mother and paternal great-grandmother were both commoners, as daughters of a titled Earl, they were only"LADIES" in the British nobility, it is a courtesy title but not an official one.

DUKE-the highest hereditary rank in Britain ranking just below a prince. A British Duke not born of a royal blood has a courtesy title of HIS GRACE. Traditionally, a son of the reigning sovereign who is not heir apparent would have a Duke title with HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS status. However, sons of the monarch can only pass the Duke title only once, the first born son of their heir must bear their second title which is Earl. Example: Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester and 3rd son of George V passed his title to his only son Prince Richard, but his eldest son Alexander will no longer be Duke upon his father’s death, but instead will take the Duke’s secondary title which is the Earl of Ulster. This title can only be inherited by a male child, Prince Andrew the Duke of York has no sons, when he died this title will become dormant. But there was an exemption to this case, when Alexander Duff, the Duke of Fife and husband of Princess Louise, the eldest daughter of Edward VII, died without a male issue, his wife’s grandmother Queen Victoria issued a letter patent passing his title to his first born daughter Lady Alexandra Duff who married her second cousin Prince Arthur of Connaught (first cousin of Princess Louise's brother Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught-3rd son of Queen Victoria), but Alexandra's only son, Alastair predeceased her so the Dukedom of Fife was inherited by her nephew James George Carnegie, son of Alexandra's younger sister, Lady Maud. The Duke is currently listed as the 54th in line of succession to the British throne.

MARQUESS-ranking below a Duke and above an Earl. Normally the secondary title of a British Duke not born of a royal blood. Gerald Grosvenor, the 6th Duke of Westminster is also the Marquess of Westminster. By tradition, the heir of a nobleman would take their secondary title, but in the case of Dukes their heirs would carry their 3rd title which is Earl and not Marquess, hence the heir and only son of Lord Grosvenor, Hugh Richard Louis is known today as Earl Grosvenor and not Marquess of Westminster. Even this title would not automatically make them a peer, therefore they would remain a commoner until such time they could inherit the full title of the father.

EARL-a British nobleman ranking below a marquess and above a Viscount. Both Diana and the late Queen mother were children of an Earl but remained commoners however since they had no independent noble titles. This noble title is the usual peerage granted by the sovereign in creating a new nobleman in honor of his outstanding performance in “Her majesty’s government”. This would also the usual title offered by the sovereign to commoners who married into the royal family’s direct members. When The Honorable Angus Ogilvy married Princess Alexandra of Kent, the Queen’s cousin, in 1935, Her Majesty offered him an Earldom but he declined preferring to remain a commoner, Captain Mark Phillips declined the Queen’s offer in 1973 when he married Princess Anne. Tony Armstrong-Jones accepted the Earl of Snowdon’s title in 1960 after his marriage to Princess Margaret, the Queen’s only sister, because he wanted his children to be noblemen. His only son, David carries his secondary title Viscount Linley while he is still alive.

This could only be inherited by male descendants, but in 1979 when the Earl of Burma and Baron Romsey, Lord Louis Mountbatten assassinated by Irish Republican Armies, his title passed to his eldest and favorite daughter Patricia Knatchbull. Lord Mountbatten, the uncle of the Queen’s husband known to the royal family as uncle dickie has no sons and made an arrangement with the Queen to pass his noble title and inheritance to his daughter who by then married to the fourth Baron Brabourne, John Knatchbull. This concession of the monarch is limited only to a nobleman who rendered exceptional service to the crown, Lord Mountbatten was a decorated war hero, having been the Supreme Commander of the Allied forces during world war II and an Admiral of the fleet of the British Royal Navy. Lady Patricia became Countess of Burma and his son and successor Norton Knatchbull will have the courtesy title of Lord Romsey. Earl's daughters will have the courtesy title of a 'LADY' while his eldest son and successor will be known as 'LORD', younger sons will be known only as "The Honorable". Princess Alexandra's husband, the late Angus Ogilvy was an Earl's younger son.

VISCOUNT-ranking below an Earl and above a Baron and usually the secondary title of an English Earl. When Diana’s father, John Spencer became the 8th Earl of Althorp in 1975 his only son and Diana’s younger brother Charles became Viscount Althorp. children of the Viscounts would have the "The Honorable" courtesy title. When Diana was born in 1961, her correct style was "The Honorable Diana Frances Spencer", it was in 1975 when she formally become Lady Diana Frances Spencer.

BARON-the lowest hereditary rank in Britain. Diana’s maternal grandfather, Maurice Burke Roche was the fourth Baron Fermoy. Children of Barons are known as "The Honorables".

COURTIERS-also called equerries. One of the most important branch of royal service in the Kingdom. They are choosen for their significant ties to the monarch mostly of noble birth, Diana's father, her great-grandfathers and grandfathers to both side served as equerries to many monarchs. Courtiers are protectors of the crown and made sure the Kingdom looks regal with high respect from the outsiders. They determined what the monarch should do or say in public or whom the sovereign would see or meet. They did this by controlling the flow of information to the public.

HONORARY BRITISH KNIGHTHOOD is an annual listing of honors given by the British sovereign to individuals with excellent achievement in their respective field. This can also be given to the citizens outside the British commonwealth of nations. The recipient of this award automatically become an aristocrat but this title is not hereditary. The male recipient would have the courtesy title of SIR while for females DAME. Sir Isaac Newton was knighted by Queen Anne in 1705 for his unprecedented contribution in the field of science, Sir William Herschel, the discoverer of the planet Uranus was knighted by King George III. Sir Paul McCartney of the Beatles was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1992 for his great service in the music industry. Barbara Cartland, the romance novelist stepgrandmother of Diana become a DAME in 1980 for her achievement in the field of writing. Hollywood film director Steven Spielberg received this prestigious award in 2005 but could not used the title SIR because he is not a commonwealth citizen.

NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER-is the highest honor in Britain. This is usually given to a person with distinctive service to the crown. British Prime minister who does not defeated in a general election have this honor. This Chivalric order was established in 1340 by King Edward III(initially to revive King Arthur's Knight of the round table). The Plantagenet King selected 24 distinguished men to complete the order.

THE ISSUE OF TITLES
In British class sytem, the titles can be tricky compared to other European royalty. Marriage does not automatically made one a Princess. After the marriage of Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 to Prince Charles, Buckingham Palace published a correct style for the newly created Princess of Wales. She is not Princess Diana because she was not born a princess or The Princess Diana because only children of the sovereign would have the “The” before their names. Normally the wife takes the title and status of her husband. Diana became Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales which means she ranked third (after the Queen and the Queen mother) in the order of precedence among other titled female individuals in the realm. Commoners are expected to curtsy and bow in her presence. This title is arrived in marriage and departed through divorce, hence following her divorce from the Prince of Wales in 1996, she was known only as Diana, Princess of Wales stripping the HRH style. But historian's argued that Diana should retained the HRH style because she is the mother of the future king. Nevetherless the style had been stripped along with her regimentals in the military, her son, William told People magazine in his 2000 interview that he would reinstate his mother's HRH style when he assumed the throne.

Usually, ex-wives of the British peers retained their titles they enjoyed in marriage but with the condition that they will not remarry. In 1969 Diana’s parents divorce became final, at that time her father was still the Viscount Althorp, her mother Frances Burke Roche retained her style as Viscountess Althorp but when she decided to get married again to a wealthy commoner Peter Shand-Kydd, she ceases to be Viscountess and was known only as Mrs. Shand-Kydd. Prince Charles’ younger brother Prince Andrew the Duke of York divorces his wife Sarah Ferguson known simply as Fergie, but continues to be known as the Duchess of York because she remains single up to these days. However the complication occurs when the peer decided to remarry as the title would be used by his second wife subsequently. Camilla Parker Bowles avoided the Princess of Wales title because this is much associated with Diana, instead she choose to be called the Duchess of Cornwall taken from Charles secondary title, Duke of Cornwall. Camilla, according to the order of precedence of women in Britain ranked fourth below HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent. Although she is the wife of the future king, she did not carry the Princess status and would not be crowned as Queen when Charles ascended the throne, she is divorce and the Church of England prohibited it.

In other European countries, a wife of a Prince automatically become a princess through a referendum issued by the monarch, even if the couple will end up in divorce the princess style is a lifetime title of the ex-wife unless she choose to remarry. When Prince Joachim, the second son of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark divorces his wife Princess Alexandra in 2005, she remains a Princess of Denmark but when she decided to marry her long time beau, her former mother-in-law created her Countess of Frederiksborg, but this is only a personal title and cannot be passed to her descendants. Prior to the 21st century royal houses of Denmark and Sweden maintained a strict rules for members of the royal family who might succeed to the throne to marry a fellow royal from the existing reigning houses in Europe, disobedience meaning stripping of their royal titles and inheritance. Two sons of Prince Knaud of Denmark (uncle of Queen Margrethe II) were excluded in the line of succession to the Danish throne when they choose to marry a commoner and the title Prince of Denmark was stripped from them, they were created Count of Rosenborg.

In Britain, a female royal is not created a noblewoman in her own right even if she is the next sovereign and has no official title compared to her male counterparts. The then Princess Elizabeth was not invested as Princess of Wales as suggested by some royalists, because that title is reserved for the wife of the Prince of Wales only. The heir apparent's title is always be "The Prince of Wales" but this is not automatically acquired by the first born son of the ruling sovereign, it is conferred through an investiture by a monarch. King Edward VII's son and heir apparent Prince Albert Victor was not invested as Prince of Wales, he was known as the Duke of Clarence until his death at the age of 28. His younger brother, Prince George was to become the Prince of Wales and reigned for 30 years as George V.

Grand Duke/Grand Duchess-the title of the rulers of Luxembourg. These are also the titles used in some states in Germany before World War II. In the former Imperial Russia these are the titles of the sons/daughters of the Emperor. They are superiors than Princes and Princesses.

Tsarevitch-heir to the throne of the Russian Empire.

Infante/Infanta-titles of the children of a Spanish King, except for the heir to the Spanish throne who takes the title of a Prince.

Archduchess/Archduke- titles of the children of the Emperor/Empress of the former Imperial Austria.

Dauphin-title of the heir to the French throne( when France was still a kingdom).

TITLES OF THE NEXT MONARCHS:

United Kingdom- Prince of Wales

The Netherlands - Prince of Orange

Belgium - Duke of Brabant

Spain - Prince of Asturias

THE FAMILY OF THE CURRENT RULING MONARCH OF BRITAIN

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BACKGROUND:
Queen Elizabeth II ascended the British throne in 1952 on the death of her father, George VI. She was born on April 21, 1926 but the official celebration of her birthday is on the second saturday of June during Royal Ascot party, making her the only world leader in the world with two birthday celebrations. She married her 3rd cousin (through Queen Victoria and 2nd cousin through King Christian IX of Denmark) Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, early on, the Greek Prince renounced his Greek nationality, royal title and religion to qualify for a royal match. He adopted his maternal surname Mountbatten and was first class lieutenant in the British Royal navy at the outbreak of world war II, he was created His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh by his father-in-law George VI. Prince Philip currently is the oldest surviving great-great grandchild of Queen Victoria and the only husband of the sovereign who held a British peerage title after Prince George of Denmark, husband of Queen Anne. They married on November 20, 1947 at the historical Westminster Abbey where English sovereigns had been crowned for more than 500 years. Together they produced four children.

CHILDREN:
I. Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales (the heir apparent) - November 1948
II. Princess Anne, the Princess Royal - August 1950
III. Prince Andrew, the Duke of York - February 1960
IV. Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex - March 1964

THEIR FAMILIES:
Prince Charles- His official titles are: Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Chester, Earl of Carrick, Lord of the Isles and renfrew and Great Steward of Scotland. He first married in July 29, 1981 to Lady Diana Spencer, who bore him 2 sons Prince of William and Prince Harry. They were separated in December 1992 and divorced four years later on August 1996. The Prince of Wales remarry in April 2005 to his long time mistress Camilla Parker Bowles, the divorced woman whom he had a brief affair in 1971 and carried out an extra marital relationship all through out his marriage to Diana. Camilla took the title Duchess of Cornwall, the Clarence House spokesman announced that the new wife of the Prince of Wales avoided the Princess of Wales title as this title is much associated with Diana and the Buckingham Palace worried that this would cause a public outcry if it will be given to the woman whom the late Princess of Wales referred to as homewrecker which caused her much suffering. Prince Charles, who is immune to criticism, regarded his second wife as his lifetime confidante. Though she is now the legal wife of the Prince, Camilla would not be crowned as Queen when Charles became King instead she would take the much lesser title as Princess Consort. Prince Charles received an annual income from the Duchy of Cornwall to support his expenses. When he is in Scotland he is known there as Duke of Rothesay.
Princess Anne(no official title, Her Royal Highness is known as the Princess Royal, but is not included in the British peerage, it's only a courtesy title traditionally granted to the monarch's eldest daughter and it's not hereditary). The Princess Royal's first marriage took place in 1973 to Captain Mark Phillips, a champion Equestrian, they have two children Peter and Zara. In November 1992 their divorce became official and seven months later Princess Anne married Navy Commander Timothy Lawrence. His son, Peter, announced his engagement to Autumn Kelly, a Canadian born Roman Catholic, if Atumn remains a roman catholic on their wedding day, Peter would lose his place (he is 12th) in the line of succession to the British throne.
Prince Andrew-His official title are: Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Ralleagh. He married Sarah Ferguson, the daughter of Major Ronald Ferguson in July 1986 but announced their separation on March 1992 following a rocky marriage which lead to their divorce three years later. Fergie, as she is known informally to the public has a rather boisterous character compared to Diana, too blunt and vulgar according to royal palace insiders and unfit to become a member of the British royal family. In the book of Kitty Kelly "The Royals" she was described as a dull witted and slow learner, after finishing the secretarial course at the bottom of her class she complained bitterly that she barely know how to type. She was a sports enthusiast and a good rider, but lack dedication to her royal duties, some observers commented that the Duchess of York bounced to her royal title too eagerly "like an excited labrador". However, Fergie remained close to Prince Andrew after their divorce, they often spotted taking vacations together with their daughters, it was even reported that she was occupying a suite at the Sunninghill Park, their former marital home and where Prince Andrew and their children presently staying. Today, the Duchess of York through the years of receiving unfavorable comments from the press lead a peaceful life free from any controversies, she is still visible in the world of glamour but hardly attracts gossip instead generating praises for her tireless crusade in different charities. Their two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are 5th and 6th respectively in line of succession to the British throne.
Prince Edward-His official title:Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn-he is destined to inherit his father's title the Duke of Edinburgh. He is the only child of Queen Elizabeth II who lead a smooth marriage by far, his wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, whom he married in June 1999 was the former Sophie Rhys-Jones a career-oriented woman co-owner of RH-Jones, a PR relation's company in London. They had a daughter, the Lady Louisse and both eagerly expecting a second child due on Christmas day of this year, 2007, but Hello!magazine reports recently confirmed that the Countess of Wessex will delivered through a caesarian-section earlier than expected-on December 21 (Note: The Countess give birth to a healty baby boy named James, Viscount Severn and would placed ahead of his elder sister in the line of succession). There are controversies however attached to the couple, who are both accused of cashing their titles for their own benefits. In 2002 they both decided to give up their respective career in public relations and film productions respectively to devote more time on their royal duties, with both Edward's siblings dysfunctional married life, he is expected by the public to represent the monarchy well in terms of happy family life. The Wessexes decision not to grant their daughter and future children a royal title of a Princess or a Prince created debate within the royal circle. Technically, Lady Louisse is a Princess and she may use this title in her adult life if she wants to, so far, she is the only granddaughter of Her Majesty in a male line who didn't hold a Princess title. This situation is very confusing in the traditional British royalty and nobility, as Earl, Prince Edward's eldest son would have a courtesy title of Viscount Severn but his other sons (if ever)would only assumed the "The Honorable"style. This will contradict however to his future status as a Duke, because Duke's sons will be known as "Lord"and not "The Honorable".
THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY WITH HRH STATUS:
1. Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester-first cousin to the Queen and the only child of Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester and Lady Alice, daughter of the 6th Duke of Beuccleaugh. He married the former Birgette Van Deura and has 3 children: Alexander, the Earl of Ulster, Lady Davina and Lady Rose.
2. Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent-first cousin to the Queen and the eldest child of Prince George, the Duke of Kent(youngest son of George V who died in a plane crash during world war II at the age of 42)and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark(first cousin of Prince Philip and the last true blooded Princess married into the British royalty). He married Katharine Worsley and has 3 children: George, Earl of St.Andrews, Lady Helen and Lord Nicholas (he lost his place in the line of succession because he married a roman catholic)
3. Princess Alexandra-only daughter of Prince George and Princess Marina. She married The Honorable Angus Ogilvy and has 2 children, Marina and James.
4. Prince Michael of Kent-youngest son of Prince George and Princess Marina. He too, lost his place in the line of succession in 1978 because he married a German roman catholic woman Marie Christine Von Reibnitz, she became Princess Michael of Kent after their marriage, their children, Lord Frederick and Lady Gabriella remain in the line of succession because they are in communion with the church of England.

LINE OF SUCCESSION TO THE BRITISH THRONE(this listing is limited to King George VI's direct family only, however in the current listing, the sources provided with 1,000 names which includes all the current rulers of Europe, as they are both descendants of Queen Victoria)
Those eligible to succeed the British throne are limited to the descendants of Her Excellence Princess Sophia of Hanover (great-grand daughter of James I). He/She should be a protestant. Those descendants who marry or become a catholic shall be excluded. Illegitimate children and even those legitimized are not eligible to succeed.

1. Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales-eldest son of the Queen
2. Prince William-eldest son of the Prince of Wales
3. Prince Harry - youngest son of the Prince of Wales
4. Prince Andrew, the Duke of York-second son of the Queen
5. Princess Beatrice-eldest daughter of the Duke of York
6. Princess Eugenie-youngest daughter of the Duke of York
7. Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex-youngest son of the Queen

8. The Lord James Windsor, Viscount Severn (born Dec.21, 2007)-son of the Earl of Wessex
9. The Lady Louisse Windsor-daughter of the Earl of Wessex
10. Princess Anne, the Princess Royal-only daughter of the Queen
11. Peter Phillips-son of the Princess Royal (conditional)
12. Zara Phillips-daughter of the Princess Royal
13. Viscount Linley (David Armstrong-Jones)-son of Princess Margaret (the late sister of the Queen)
14. The Honorable Charles Armstrong-Jones-son of Viscount Linley
15. The Honorable Margareta Armstrong-Jones-daughter of Viscount Linley
16. Lady Sarah Chatto-daughter of Princess Margaret
17. Samuel Chatto-son of Lady Sarah
18. Arthur Chatto-daughter of Lady Sarah

THE BRITISH THRONE

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American biographer Kitty Kelly made an impressive research about the lives of the world’s oldest surviving royalty, the British monarchy. In 1994 she started a controversial compilation of “The Royals”, a blow by blow account of the British royal family since the creation of the House of Windsor in 1917. The book was praised in the US (and even managed to become number one in the New York time magazine listing of Best sellers) as a fine masterpiece biography of the world’s most famous family but ridiculed in Britain for being poor in content and inaccurate. According to Ms. Kelly, royalty has a rather appalling than mesmerizing concept. She was quoted that in Great Britain where there is a strict rule for social status; people solely defined by bloodlines, not character, education, achievement or wealth. Royalty stood at the top of humanity’s ladder, everybody else scrambled below with no hope of ascending. During ancient times, commoners were not allowed to mingle with royalty, and no one dared to defy the rules set by them.

The book exposed the most sensitive aspect of the monarchy and the scandals involving some prominent members including the heir apparent, Prince Charles. The first edition was released in the summer of 1997, so controversial that it was not published in Great Britain and the royal family even treated to file a law suit against the biographer. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in particular, was reportedly furious about Ms. Kelly’s revelations which lead to rumors and speculations that the saucy tidbits about the former Greek Royal having various mistresses and his escapade outside his marriage bed might true and accurate.

During Queen Victoria of England’s reign, royalty looked up by many as the true model of elegance, modesty and refinement, but as the 20th century approaches, this medieval principle gnarled to merely illusions as royals themselves are the source of scandals and controversies that hugged headlines throughout the world. In Britain, The Queen’s subjects are all disappointed with their future king, Prince Charles’ behavior that the local newspapers thundered: ABC (Anybody But Charles) and chanted “God Save the Queen and save us from her heir”.

Perhaps the most unforgettable scandal that rocked the establishment was the controversial voluntary abdication of King Edward VIII, eldest son of King George V. When the first Windsor monarch died from pneumonia on January 1936, Prince David ascended immediately as Edward VIII, but his first few months on the throne brought out difficulties that threatened an institutional crisis, the sensitive issue on whether he could take Wallis Simpson as his consort without the opposition of his subjects. Mrs. Simpson, a twice divorce American woman, did not passed the requirements of an ideal Queen Consort, she was even called “Edward’s unholy lover” by the King’s mother, Queen Mary. The Prime Ministers in the British commonwealth of nations reinforced the sentiments of the public by urging the new King to either abandon Wallis or abdicate.

Edward made no hesitation when he chose his lover over duty and tradition. In his unforgettable abdication statement, he said that it’s too impossible for him to continue his kingship without the support of the woman he loved. The news spread through out the world that, according to at least one account, one reporter in New York City exclaimed “it’s the greatest news to hit the world since the resurrection!”. Edward was created Duke of Windsor and literally banished from the court sending his shy brother, Prince Albert or Bertie to the throne. The Duke of York, who by then married to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the daughter of the 14th Earl of Strathmore and has 2 daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, was favored before hand by his father to inherit the crown. Amidst his stammering habit which irritated his father at times, he was solidly married and represented the monarchy with dignity in various official engagements unlike his older brother who cavorted to social gatherings with strings of married women. At the end of his life, George V cursed the primogeniture succession barring his second son Bertie from acquiring the crown, but within eleven months after his death, his favorite son began his rule and reigned for 16 years as George VI and was succeeded by his eldest daughter Elizabeth.

The British monarchy surrounded by mystique and charm, rely mostly on pomp and pageantry, where according to poet Noel Coward “that’s where they do best”. Its ancient symbol the Windsor Castle is the oldest inhabited castle in the world dating back from 11th century, when William the Conqueror choose the site as his official court after his successful invasion from the last Anglo-Saxon King, Harold II. The fortress, composed of cobbled stone and dark archways, is situated south of London above the placid Thames River at Berkshire. 19th century diarist Samuel Pepys dubbed it as the most romantic castle that is in the world.

Today, the monarchy is still alive though haunted with loads of controversies, yet the mystique is still the status symbol of Great Britain. Its current head Queen Elizabeth II reigned for more than 50 years since her accession in 1952 on the death of her father King George VI, continued inspiring her subjects and all its territories and nations with in her realm for whom the citizen affectionately called her, Her Majesty. Scandals and controversies however overshadowed the prestige of the crown. 20th century was probably the most trying times of the monarchy, where all members of the royal family deals with individual’s scandals, but as the old adage goes:" still the show must go on".

Until the 18th century, Great Britain was merely a geographical name. When the last Tudorian Monarch, ELIZABETH I, died without a direct heir, the English throne passed to her distant cousin King James VI of Scotland, this paved the way for the personal union of two kingdoms and in the early 1700 Great Britain was born, hence the Stuart monarch became known as James I of Britain. The last ruler of this house was Queen Anne, she died without issue and was succeeded by his grandfather's great grandchild, George I of Hanover (a tiny princely state in Germany).

The history of British throne largely shaped by controversies spanning from number of decades through different monarchs. George III, the third of the Hanoverian monarchs, suffered severely from insanity that he was partly blamed for giving away some of the American state colonies. At the end of his life, the king, who reportedly seen talking and hugging trees at hide park, was totally blind and neurotic that he was incapable of ruling the kingdom, his eldest son and successor Prince George sat as regent until his father's death nine years later.

The Hanover royal house ended in 1837 when King William IV (George III's 4th son) died without legitimate children. His niece Princess Victoria of Kent succeeded him as Queen Victoria but could not be crowned in Hanover because of the salic law "prohibiting a woman nor a claimant through a woman from acquiring". Instead, she took the name Saxe-Coburg-Gotha from a ducal German territory, where both her mother(Princess Victoria) and husband (Prince Albert, her first cousin) descended. This royal house came to a quick end in 1917 when Victoria's grandson George V decided to change his house name to WINDSOR. The first world war brought so much chaos to european royalty that King George secured his kingdom by distancing himself from his royal relatives with German descent. His volatile subjects hated the Huns or the Germans and everything Germanic, so he did nothing when his beloved cousin Nicholas II, the last Russian Emperor (whose German wife Alexandra was George V's first cousin also through Queen Victoria) was forced to abdicate and later massacred (with his wife Empress Alexandra and their 5 young children) by the Bolshevics at Ekaterenberg. When his cousin Prince Louis of Battenberg (whose wife Princess Victoria of Hesse was George V's cousin also and the elder sister of Empress Alexandra of Russia), was forced to resign his position in the Royal Navy partly because of his German roots and relinquished his princely title, the king offered him the noble title Marquess Milford Haven and admonished to anglicize his name from Battenberg to Mountbatten to well suit with the english people without a German ribbon. The conscious king was still worried that he sat with his advisers for the name changing, his private secretary Lord Stamfhordam proposed for the name of Windsor, this satisfied the king and proclaimed on July 1917 that his family and all his descendants would be styled and must bear the name Windsor from now on.

The present monarch of that name is Elizabeth II, said to be the favorite grandchild of George V, she made a formal announcement in 1960 that although she's married to Prince Philip (Prince Louis of Battenberg's grandson and Elizabeth's third cousin through Queen Victoria and himself a Greek Prince, but renounced his royal title and the Greek Orthodox religion in 1946 and adopted his maternal surname Mountbatten), she, unlike other women in the realm would not carry her husband's name instead she emphasized that her descendants who are not direct succeessors to the throne, would carry the surname Mountbatten-Windsor. Her only sister, The Princess Margaret (who died in 2002), made headlines in 1953 when she was involved in a romantic relationship with a divorced commoner man Peter Townsend, the relationship created much tension in Britain. As Princess of the blood royal and in line with the succession of the British throne, Margaret is not permitted to marry a divorce person (at that time British establishment frowned a marriage among royals with a divorce partner and was strongly prohibited by the church of England). The wild Princess forced to retreat and sought another man's affection in the person of Tony Armstrong-Jones, a royal court photographer, they married less than a year and the Queen created Armstrong-Jones, the first Earl of Snowdon so that her sister would have a peer wife status. 18 years later the Princess was the first reigning sovereign's direct family to disband her marriage vows. Two decades later, all of the Queen's three children plunged to what the monarchy's dreaded most-DIVORCE.

The heir apparent, Prince Charles, took his first trip to the altar in 1981 with the pretty Earl of Althorp's daughter, Lady Diana Spencer, their union, speculated by the media and sensationalized by the tabloid to be deemed even at the beginning, produced two sons Prince William and Prince Harry. The Princess of Wales who was more popular than her husband, won adulation through out the globe, she dazzled wherever she goes and inspired many with her unique charm, compassion and beauty. She established various charities and had a special magic to connect with people from different walks of life. Her sudden death in 1997, brought controversies even more to the House of Windsor.

No one can ever tell if the present Prince of Wales could really mount the throne as Charles III. In English history, no other divorced monarch ascended the throne since George I, the first of the Hanoverian monarchs. As this issue became a rallying point by Charles' detractors against him and given the fact that most of his future subjects were equally disappointed with his behavior when Diana was still alive, it is uncertain whether he could really follow the footsteps of his long line of ancestors occupying the mystical place of the highest throne on earth.

EUROPE: The Grand Continent

2007-10-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

When I was still in my fourth grade, my father brought home a glossy, life size calendar featuring some of the best european countries. My 10-year-old mind glued on the breathtaking sight of Veyvey,which I found out, a milk dominated farm in Eastern Switzerland (home base of Nestle Food Company better known as Societe de Produits Nestle in their local tongue). The magnificent sight features cows and sheeps placidly gnawing green grass on the scallop mountain.It was a childhood fascination that triggered my innocent mind to discover the other side of the planet, well, EUROPE in particular. I started clipping articles, pictures or anything I found in my father's desk (much to his fury)featuring the elegant continent.The rocky mountains of Switzerland, the mystical region of Burgundy in France and the romantic scenery of Monaco seems like a great escape. When I became of age, this fascination (of traveling to europe) continued with the help of modern technology.

London is an exciting city, I supposed, with all its splendor and sophistication it's hardly a boring place to visit in.The Big Ben, Buckingham palace, British Museum and the Tower of London are just few of England's enthralling landmarks, STONEHENGE in Wiltshire, across the Salisbury plains is a breathtaking ancient wonders. Windor Castle, which Samuel Pepys (a 17th century diarist)described as the most romantic castle that is in the world,is a cobbled fortress located at the Royal Berkshire above the placid Thames river, it's an ancient symbol of British Monarchy and a weekend residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the current head of the Royal House of Windsor. Across the English Channel lies France, Paris, its capital, is said to be the most romantic city in the world (I'm yet to discover why)as the old adage goes:come to Paris and discover romance, is a lingering phrase and a great attraction to the present generation.

Routing on the southern most part there's Monaco, a tiny principality ruled by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II on the meditteranean coast,it is often a fave honeymoon destination of the rich and the famous, the privilege and the glamorous cavorting to the classy resort of Cote de Azur.Well, considering the high price (a whopping 6 digit figures in euro)you'll spend by taking a single step there, it's a bit challenging-financially.Why not take on the nearest border, Italy, of course, still romantic as Monaco.The province of Tuscany is just as captivating as Burgundy with its vast winery vineyard overlooking the artistic city of Florence.Venice in the northern part is famous for Gondola, many exciting couples eagerly waiting for a dreamy vacation, find a boat ride in the venetian wide canal, a worthwhile experience. Traveling to Scandinavian peninsula maybe not a perfect idea, but Norway in particular is a sort of paradise, known to jetsetters as the land of midnight sun, it's a place rarely visited by Diana or Artemis or Apollo.Fjord in the countryside is refreshing as the English Lake District, Grasmere(home of the poet William Wordsworth)where beautifully cultivated Hangerias sprouted.

Above all, I still consider Scotland,in the British isle, as the best place to explore where pageantry and history blended regally. The ancient castles of the early scottish royals still imposing. The Culloden Moor (the last battle ground of English & Scottish wars where the Bonnie King Charlie Stuart defeated by the advancing army of the English King, Edward II),offers scenic views of the historical ground of Fort William and Loch Ness, where hunting expedition of european aristocrats usually held. Isle of Skye in Oarkney Island is a spectacular boating and fishing destination that would not be missed.Glasgow (Scotland's biggest city)is the most orderly and beautifully governed city in the world(according to Compton Encyclopedia),hardly no beggars, street children and sidewalk vendors. Lifestlye in Glasgow, is far from radical or liberated.Scotland,I think is more safe than England.Terrorist might think twice in detonating bombs in the hinterlands which comprises most of Scot(they'll not spend a huge amount anyway if only geese and bushes are the only victims!).

Philippines is still a paradise country to live, but isn't it a wonderful lifetime journey if we could, even once, visit another land, not to work (and endure the rant of bully employers),but to taste the life of just being there,sipping champagne, rubbing elbows with fellow travelers and the good feeling of experiencing life itself.When I reached the pearl age of 30,it was as if I was deprived of everything,I could not even relate to the very basic foundation of the so called romance, where almost all people claim as the most exciting part of our existence (is it?I wonder, because at 33 it's ridiculous to think that I've not gone yet for my first date).The number 30 figure alone horrifies me,as if I saw a serial killer and I'm his next victim, but I get on with it because life is a journey, and there's more than paying attention to the stupid idea of aging. Traveling, as what others claim it, is a way of curing boredom,depression, resentment, anxiety(even paranoia)and rejection. It's a good breather and best outlet of self-fulfillment.