Moniek Bloks's Blog, page 94

King Charles unveils plaque marking Queen Elizabeth II’s Lying-in-State

King Charles III has unveiled a plaque marking the site of the Lying-in-State of the late Queen.

©UK Parliament/Andy Bailey

The plaque is part of a tradition that stretches back to King Edward VII, although it is the first time a reigning monarch unveiled the plaque of their predecessor.

©UK Parliament/Roger Harris

King Charles also unveiled a pair of bronze sculptures featuring the heraldic beasts of the United Kingdom, which also serve as lights.

©UK Parliament/Laurie Noble

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, said: “Seeing King Charles unveil our traditional gift to his mother, Her late Majesty, was particularly poignant. We wanted to present something long-lasting, beautiful and emblematic of the esteem with which we held our Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee – and I believe these ornate lamps do just that.

“As they shine upon our workplace, we remember with thanks the enduring and guiding light she has been to our nation – and indeed, the whole world – for the past 70 years, and the debt of gratitude we owe.”

Lord McFall of Alcluith, the Lord Speaker, said: “It was an honour to welcome The King to Parliament today, especially for such an important occasion – to give thanks to his mother, Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. For 70 years, the country had been privileged to witness her commitment to constitutional monarchy and was rightfully admired for her loyalty and faithfulness to duty. These sculptures will serve as beacons to future generations, reminding them of the magnificence of her reign and the esteem in which the Queen was held.”

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The accession of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria

When the future Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria was born in 1830, he was third in the line of succession. His grandfather was Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor (Francis I, Emperor Austria from the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806) and his uncle Ferdinand, who had an intellectual disability and suffered from epileptic attacks, would succeed as Emperor in 1835. Franz Joseph’s father, Franz Karl, was an unambitious man who did not want to rule.

While Ferdinand had not been expected to be able to father children, he did marry Maria Anna of Savoy in 1831. As Emperor and Empress, they devoted themselves to charity, and Ferdinand let politics take its course, relying on the advice of others.

During the revolution of 1848, Prince Metternich, Austria’s foreign minister, fled abroad, and Ferdinand tried to make concessions by granting the press freedom and promising a constitution. However, the revolution flared up again, and in early October 1848, Ferdinand and Maria Anna settled in the Prince-Archbishop’s residence in Olomouc. Prince Felix Schwarzenberg was appointed Minister-President of the Austrian Empire, and he worked behind the scenes with Archduchess Sophie, who now saw her chance to place her son on the throne. She persuaded her unambitious husband to waive his succession rights in favour of Franz Joseph.

On 2 December 1848, at the residence in Olomouc, Ferdinand abdicated the throne as his nephew and successor knelt before him. Maria Anna bent down to him to pull him close, hugged him and kissed him. Ferdinand told the new Emperor, “God bless you! Be good, and God will protect you.”1

After the ceremony, Ferdinand and Maria Anna retired to their apartments. Ferdinand wrote in his diary, “Soon afterwards, my dear wife and I heard Holy Mass in the chapel of the archbishop’s residence. Afterwards, my dear wife and I packed our belongings.”2 They were to retain their imperial status. After packing their belongings, a carriage brought them to the train station, where a special train waited to take them to Prague. Maria Anna was reportedly quite glad to be free of the official duties and was now able to devote herself entirely to her husband. 

Franz Joseph’s mother late wrote to her mother, “At 8 o’clock, the family, except for Bubi (Archduke Ludwig Viktor – who was only six years old), gathered in the hall in front of the Emperor. The ministers Windischgraetz and Jullačić, who arrived yesterday evening, and who I was happy to see again and thank for all they had done for us. We sat down in a semicircle; the Emperor read some words of renunciation that made me cry, as well as Elisabeth, Maxi, Charles and Joseph, who had not suspected anything. Schwarzenberg read all the papers related to this act, and both Emperors signed them. Franzi asked for the blessing of the Emperor, who embraced him, as did the Empress. The latter especially tenderly. Our dear child knelt before Franz Karl and me and asked for our blessing. He threw himself against my heart and held me for a long time in his arms. It was so touching. We all signed a protocol. The Emperor and Empress retired to an adjoining room. Lobkowitz went into a room where the entire court was gathered to inform them of Ferdinand’s abdication in favour of Franzi. The surprise was great, and everyone came in to congratulate the young Emperor, who shook everyone’s hand. I was back at my place by 9 o’clock. I told Bubi about the greatness of his brother. He didn’t want to believe it at first.”3 She later told Franz Joseph, “You were born to rule over people.”4

Franz Joseph’s first act as Emperor was to honour the army. He told Windischgraetz, “We owe you all that is and still remains.”5

The post The accession of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria appeared first on History of Royal Women.

The Year of Empress Elisabeth – The accession of Franz Joseph

When the future Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria was born in 1830, he was third in the line of succession. His grandfather was Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor (Francis I, Emperor Austria from the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806) and his uncle Ferdinand, who had an intellectual disability and suffered from epileptic attacks, would succeed as Emperor in 1835. Franz Joseph’s father, Franz Karl, was an unambitious man who did not want to rule.

While Ferdinand had not been expected to be able to father children, he did marry Maria Anna of Savoy in 1831. As Emperor and Empress, they devoted themselves to charity, and Ferdinand let politics take its course, relying on the advice of others.

During the revolution of 1848, Prince Metternich, Austria’s foreign minister, fled abroad, and Ferdinand tried to make concessions by granting the press freedom and promising a constitution. However, the revolution flared up again, and in early October 1848, Ferdinand and Maria Anna settled in the Prince-Archbishop’s residence in Olomouc. Prince Felix Schwarzenberg was appointed Minister-President of the Austrian Empire, and he worked behind the scenes with Archduchess Sophie, who now saw her chance to place her son on the throne. She persuaded her unambitious husband to waive his succession rights in favour of Franz Joseph.

On 2 December 1848, at the residence in Olomouc, Ferdinand abdicated the throne as his nephew and successor knelt before him. Maria Anna bent down to him to pull him close, hugged him and kissed him. Ferdinand told the new Emperor, “God bless you! Be good, and God will protect you.”1

After the ceremony, Ferdinand and Maria Anna retired to their apartments. Ferdinand wrote in his diary, “Soon afterwards, my dear wife and I heard Holy Mass in the chapel of the archbishop’s residence. Afterwards, my dear wife and I packed our belongings.”2 They were to retain their imperial status. After packing their belongings, a carriage brought them to the train station, where a special train waited to take them to Prague. Maria Anna was reportedly quite glad to be free of the official duties and was now able to devote herself entirely to her husband. 

Franz Joseph’s mother late wrote to her mother, “At 8 o’clock, the family, except for Bubi (Archduke Ludwig Viktor – who was only six years old), gathered in the hall in front of the Emperor. The ministers Windischgraetz and Jullačić, who arrived yesterday evening, and who I was happy to see again and thank for all they had done for us. We sat down in a semicircle; the Emperor read some words of renunciation that made me cry, as well as Elisabeth, Maxi, Charles and Joseph, who had not suspected anything. Schwarzenberg read all the papers related to this act, and both Emperors signed them. Franzi asked for the blessing of the Emperor, who embraced him, as did the Empress. The latter especially tenderly. Our dear child knelt before Franz Karl and me and asked for our blessing. He threw himself against my heart and held me for a long time in his arms. It was so touching. We all signed a protocol. The Emperor and Empress retired to an adjoining room. Lobkowitz went into a room where the entire court was gathered to inform them of Ferdinand’s abdication in favour of Franzi. The surprise was great, and everyone came in to congratulate the young Emperor, who shook everyone’s hand. I was back at my place by 9 o’clock. I told Bubi about the greatness of his brother. He didn’t want to believe it at first.”3 She later told Franz Joseph, “You were born to rule over people.”4

Franz Joseph’s first act as Emperor was to honour the army. He told Windischgraetz, “We owe you all that is and still remains.”5

The post The Year of Empress Elisabeth – The accession of Franz Joseph appeared first on History of Royal Women.

Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha unconscious after heart attack

Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha suffered a heart attack yesterday while running with her dogs in Khao Yai National Park.

According to reporter Andrew MacGregor Marshall, CPR was attempted for over an hour, but she has not regained consciousness. Her father, King Vajiralongkorn, reportedly immediately travelled by helicopter to be by her side. She was first taken to Pak Chong Nana Hospital and later transferred to Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok.

EXCLUSIVE UPDATE — Several royal sources say Princess Bajrakitiyabha suffered a heart attack today while running with her dogs in Khao Yai national park.

Her father King Vajiralongkorn rushed there in a helicopter. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/nwAoL2t9bC

— Andrew MacGregor Marshall (@zenjournalist) December 14, 2022

There are rumours that the Princess has died, but so far, there has been no official confirmation. She is only 44 years old and is the eldest child of King Vajiralongkorn and his first wife and cousin, Princess Soamsawali. She is unmarried and does not have children. From 2012 to 2014, she was the Thai ambassador to Austria.

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Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa, Hawaii’s “last princess”, has passed away aged 96

Abigail died peacefully at her home in Honolulu on 11 December 2022 with her wife by her side. She was known for her support of the traditional Hawaiian culture.

“Abigail will be remembered for her love of Hawaii and its people,” said her wife, Veronica Gail Kawānanakoa. “I will miss her with all of my heart.”

No cause of death has yet been given.

Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa was born on 23 April 1926 as the daughter of Lydia Liliuokalani Kawānanakoa and William Jeremiah Ellerbrock. Her mother was the daughter of Prince David Kawānanakoa and Princess Abigail Campbell Kawānanakoa. She was the great-grandniece of the last Queen of Hawaii, Queen Liliʻuokalani, and as such, many considered her a possible heiress should the monarchy be reinstated. The monarchy was overthrown in 1893 and was officially abolished two years later.

Thus, when Abigail was born, the monarchy was already a thing of the past. When Abigail was just six years old, she was officially adopted by her grandmother Princess Abigail Campbell Kawānanakoa so that she would be prioritised as a royal heir and as an heiress to the Campbell estates.1

Abigail would remain her parents’ only child and after they were divorced, her mother would go on to marry three more times. Her father does not appear to have remarried.

Abigail received her education from the Punahou School in Honolulu, the Shanghai American School in Shanghai from 1938 to 1939, and Notre Dame High School in California, from which she graduated in 1943. She then attended the Dominican College in California from 1943 to 1944 and studied at the University of Hawaii in 1945. Her grandmother passed away on 12 April 1945.

Abigail was known to be an expert horsewoman and breeder. She was awarded an honorary degree from the Colorado State University in 2016 for her support of the equine medicine program. She has also been active in preserving Hawaiian culture, including the restoration of the ‘Iolani Palace. As an heiress of the Campbell estate, her wealth was estimated to be at about $250 million.

Abigail married her partner Veronica Gail Worth – who is almost 30 years younger than her – on 1 October 2017. They had reportedly been partners for over 20 years.

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In defence of Meghan: It’s natural for an American to not know British protocol

The Duchess of Sussex’s lack of knowledge of British and royal protocol has come to the forefront since the Sussexes’ Netflix series began airing. Many seem aghast that she had to Google the British national anthem and did not know how to curtsey.

I know this will be a controversial opinion that the Brits will not like or agree with, but as a fellow American, I feel like I need to come to her defence.

First of all, let me say I have criticised both Meghan and Harry when I thought it was warranted. I do not believe they are perfect and have made all the right choices. However, the comments on their Netflix documentary, which I have so far enjoyed, are baffling to this fellow American.

Meghan revealed in the series that she had to Google “God Save The Queen” and that, somehow, offended people. Meghan is an American. Why would she have known the British anthem? Many Americans don’t even know “The Star Spangled Banner.” The vast majority of Americans would have had to Google it, too. How else was she supposed to learn it via a carrier pigeon?

When she first met the late Queen, she did not know how to curtsey. Again, why would she have known how to do that? She was not even a part of the Royal Family at that time. It is not something done in America; there’s no reason for it over here. It’s actually looked down upon because we pride ourselves on not having an aristocracy or monarchy. For example, when I was headed to Thailand and didn’t know if a situation was going to lead to meeting a Thai royal, a friend of mine bluntly said to me, “Do NOT curtsey or bow to them. You are an American!”

Meghan curtseying was doing something many Americans would not have done. Now, do I think it was as elaborate as she made it seem on Netflix? No, but I also do not think she meant any disrespect. Remember, most of this was filmed before Queen Elizabeth II died.

Also, the hugging. Why are people so hung up on the fact that Meghan hugs when she greets people? In the US, especially the American South where I am from, that’s just what we do. That’s how we welcome people and show friendliness. If I had been in Meghan’s shoes, I’d have had the same instinct to hug.

I really wish people would take into consideration the vast difference between American and British cultures. Our countries are similar, but we have many differences – especially when it comes to how our country is run. Attacks like these show serious anti-American bias from the British media and public, and it’s growing tiring.

The United States was founded on getting away from a monarchy. We chose our presidential system of government; you cannot tell me that if roles were reversed, a Brit would fit right in automatically and not have slip-ups with the American culture.

The docuseries has not revealed anything damaging to the Royal Family. So far, it’s really just revealed unseen photos and information about Harry and Meghan’s relationship. There have been no ‘daggers’ thrown at the royals; no information revealed that we did not already know.

Maybe it’s the fellow American in me, but I do not see the uproar in the first three episodes. Nor do I see a reason to attack Meghan for such small things like the national anthem, curtseying and hugging.

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Royal crypt in Delft expanded

The royal crypt in the new Church in Delft in the Netherlands has been expanded with a further 20 spaces.

Click to view slideshow.

After the deaths of Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard in 2004, the royal crypt had basically reached its capacity. The new spaces have been created in a simple fashion and a more practical entrance has also been created. There is space for both coffins and urns.

Read more about the royal crypt before the renovations here.

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Book Review: Mistresses: Sex and Scandal at the Court of Charles II by Linda Porter

*contains affiliate links*

*review copy*

King Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland famously left no legitimate children with his wife, Catherine of Braganza. However, he did leave plenty of illegitimate children fathered with his many mistresses. Linda Porter, who has also written about one of my favourite Queens – Queen Mary I, writes most skilfully about Charles’s mistresses.

The one I knew least about was the mother of his eldest son, Lucy Walter, and I was happy to learn more about her and the early years of her son, who later became Duke of Monmouth and led an ill-fated rebellion. Lucy was long dead and forgotten by then, although their son claimed that his parents were married and he was thus the rightful heir to the throne. He never managed to produce any evidence.

Better known for being Charles’s mistresses were Barbara Villiers, Nell Gwyn and Louise de Kérouaille. Barbara’s “reign” lasted quite long, and she produced a number of children who were recognised by Charles. However, her presence at court was loathed by Charles’s wife, Catherine. Both women had children with the King, and their lines, like Barbara’s, last to today. The rivalry among the women is quite interesting to read about, and Linda sure makes it a fun read.

From Nell Gwyn’s famous “protest whore” quote to the woman that got away, Mistresses brings to life a wide range of women from different backgrounds who all ended up at the Stuart court.

Mistresses: Sex and Scandal at the Court of Charles II by Linda Porter is available now in both the UK and the US.

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Royal Wedding Recollections – Anne, Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence

Anne, Princess Royal divorced her first husband, Mark Phillips, in 1992, and they had been separated since 1989. She remarried Timothy Laurence later year. Timothy Laurence had served as an equerry to Queen Elizabeth II, and their relationship had developed in 1989.

The Church of England would not allow remarriage at the discretion of the member of the clergy conducting the ceremony until 2002.1 However, the Church of Scotland, where the sovereign does not hold a leadership position, considered marriage an ordinance of religion rather than a sacrament. Thus, they allowed remarriage of divorces under certain circumstances. Anne and Timothy decided to marry at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral Castle in Scotland on 12 December 1992.

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Anne’s engagement ring was made of a cabochon sapphire with three small diamonds. During the wedding ceremony, Anne wore a white jacket over a white knee-length dress with a spray of white flowers in her hair. Following the service, a private reception was held at Craigowan Lodge.

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The Year of Empress Elisabeth – Diet & exercise

Empress Elisabeth felt the constant pressure to remain youthful, and her continuous dieting and excessive exercise kept her waist at 50 cm (19.5 inches) and her weight at a maximum of 50 kilos (110 pounds). She also often laced so tightly that she suffered from shortness of breath. The lacing frequently took up to an hour, with a total dressing time of up to three hours. This occasionally took place several times a day. This undoubtedly also added to Elisabeth’s desire to avoid public appearances. In 1870, she gave up wearing petticoats and, from then on, only wore thin pantalettes made of doeskin. She also had herself sewn into dresses.1

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Her diet was very radical and eliminated most solid foods. She often fasted and reportedly recorded her weight every day. She often consumed only oranges or milk, and for this reason, she often brought along goats on her journeys to have a fresh supply of milk.2 She also often drank a mixture of five or six egg whites with salt3 and had meat broth.4However, her periods of starvation alternated with other eating habits, as the Empress had a love of cakes and ice cream.

In 1860, after returning from Madeira, Count Louis Rechberg wrote, “the Empress has the deepest aversion to any kind of nourishment. She no longer eats anything at all, and her energies are exhausted all the more as the cough persists, and severe pain robs her of the sleep that might still be able to keep up her energies.”5 From Corfu, her mother later reported that Elisabeth “eats a lot of meat, drinks a lot of beer, is invariably cheerful, coughs little, especially since the weather, as Helene finds, has turned so very hot again, and they make very beautiful outings by water and by land.”6 Elisabeth’s happiness on Corfu led to the comment in Vienna that she was “ill with her nerves rather than with her chest.”7 While on Corfu, Elisabeth’s feet sometimes became so swollen, which could be due to acute oedema from undernourishment.

Wherever Elisabeth lived, she had exercise rooms installed, which she used every day. She had a barre and rings and used weights and dumbbells. Her reader wrote, “This morning before her drive, she had me called back to the salon. At the open door between the salon and her boudoir, ropes, bars, and rings were installed. When I saw her, she was just raising herself on the handrings. She wore a black silk dress with a long train hemmed with magnificent black ostrich feathers. I had never seen her so imposing. Hanging on the ropes, she made a fantastic impression, like a creature somewhere between a snake and bird.” She explained to him that the rope “is there to make sure that I don’t forget to how to leap. My father was a mighty hunter before the Lord, and he wanted us to learn to leap like the mountain goats.” About her unusual workout gear on that occasion, she told him she was about to receive some Archduchess and “if the archduchesses knew that I did my exercises in this dress, they would turn to stone.”8

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In addition to the exercise rooms, Elisabeth also went on daily rides and hikes, and she took up fencing. For a while, she took two fencing lessons a day on top of the usual exercise.9 It was all a desperate attempt to maintain her beauty. For a time, she managed to use her beauty as her power, but the unhealthy habits caught up with her.

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A servant recorded that Elisabeth underwent “steam baths followed by 7-degree (celsius – 45 degrees Fahrenheit) full baths, it would put many people into a faint, bring on death. Her Majesty also admits to having a ringing in her ears after this.” Then there were “sweat cures – every evening dressed very warmly quickly walking up the mountain several times… This was also to prevent getting fat – Her Majesty always looks so exhausted!!”10 Her doctor wrote in the 1890s, “In the otherwise healthy woman, I found fairly pronounced swelling, especially in the ankles. A condition physicians saw rarely in those days and which did not become regrettably notorious until the war. Edema of hunger!”11

Her daughter wrote in May 1898, “Mama looks terribly ill. But everyone here says she is better… According to everything I am told here, Mama’s winter was even worse than we knew… all the grief of this poor, desolate life, now aggravated by age and sickliness, and still without that comforting light which alone can help to overcome all the misery.”12

Elisabeth would be assassinated in September of that year.

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