Category Archives: Europe

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Has Died At 96

Elizabeth’s coronation

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England has died, she reigned for 70 years making her the 4th longest reigning monarch.

Longest Serving Monarchs

NO NAME COUNTRY REIGN DURATION
FROM TO DAYS YEARS, DAYS
1 Louis XIV France 14 May 1643 1 September 1715 26,407 72 years, 110 days
2 Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) Thailand 9 June 1946 13 October 2016 25,694 70 years, 126 days
3 Johann II Liechtenstein 12 November 1858 11 February 1929 25,658 70 years, 91 days
4 Elizabeth II United Kingdom
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
6 February 1952 8 September 2022 25,782 70 years, 214 days

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary II was born on the 21st April 1926 was the Queen of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms.

Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London, as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Her father ascended the throne in 1936 upon the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII, making Elizabeth the heir presumptive. She was educated privately at home and began to undertake public duties during the Second World War, serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

In November 1947, she married Philip Mountbatten, a former prince of Greece and Denmark, with whom she had four children: Charles, Prince of Wales; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth then 25 years old became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon, as well as Head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth has reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, devolution in the United Kingdom, the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities, the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, Canadian patriation, and the decolonisation of Africa.

Between 1956 and 1992, the number of her realms varied as territories gained independence, and as realms, including South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (renamed Sri Lanka), became republics. Her many visits and meetings include a state visit to the Republic of Ireland and visits to or from five popes. Significant events have included her coronation in 1953 and the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, and Diamond Jubilees in 1977, 2002, and 2012 respectively.

In 2017, she became the first British monarch to reach a Sapphire Jubilee. On 9 April 2021, after 73 years of marriage, her husband, Prince Philip, died at the age of 99.

Titles and styles

  • 21 April 1926 – 11 December 1936: Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth of York
  • 11 December 1936 – 20 November 1947: Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth
  • 20 November 1947 – 6 February 1952: Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh
  • Since 6 February 1952: Her Majesty The Queen

Queen Elizabeth’s Children, Grand Children & Great Grand Children.

Name Birth Marriage Their Children Their Grandchildren
Date Spouse
Charles III 14 November 1948 29 July 1981
Divorced 28 August 1996
Princess Diana William, Prince of Wales Prince George of Wales
Princess Charlotte of Wales
Prince Louis of Wales
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex Prince Archie of Sussex
Princess Lilibet of Sussex
9 April 2005 Camilla Parker Bowles None
Anne, Princess Royal 15 August 1950 14 Nov 1973,
Divorced 28 April 1992
Mark Phillips Peter Phillips Savannah Phillips
Isla Phillips
Zara Tindall Mia Tindall
Lena Tindall
Lucas Tindall
12 Dec 1992 Timothy Laurence None
Prince Andrew, Duke of York 19 February 1960 23 July 1986 Sarah Ferguson Princess Beatrice,
Mrs Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
Sienna Mapelli Mozzi
Princess Eugenie,
Mrs Jack Brooksbank
August Brooksbank
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh 10 March 1964 19 June 1999 Sophie Rhys-Jones Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor None
James Mountbatten-Windsor, Viscount Severn None

~

Queen Elizabeth II Tests Positive For Covid

Queen Elizabeth II has tested positive for Covid, Buckingham Palace announced today.

The monarch is experiencing “mild cold-like symptoms” but expects to continue “light duties” at Windsor over the coming week, the palace said.

“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines,” it added in a statement.

The Queen, 95, had been in contact with her eldest son and heir, the Prince of Wales, who tested positive last week.

It is understood a number of people have tested positive at Windsor Castle, where the Queen resides.

The announcement comes weeks after the UK’s longest reigning monarch reached her Platinum Jubilee of 70 years on 6 February.

On the eve of her Jubilee, she carried out her first major public engagement for more than three months, meeting charity workers at Sandringham House.

The Queen, who will be 96 in April, had her first vaccine in January 2021 and is believed to have had all her follow-up jabs after that.

Prince Charles, 73, tested positive on 10 February – he met with the Queen on 8 February. Covid symptoms generally appear from two to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

Prince Charles’ wife, the Camilla Parker-Bowles, 74, tested positive for the virus last week, days after her husband.

It was the first time the duchess had caught Covid, and the second time for Prince Charles.

The announcement comes days before England is expected to drop the legal requirement to self-isolate for those who test positive, as the last virus restrictions are set to be removed.

Timeline: The Royal Family & Covid

Senior royals at the Eden Project in June 2021
  • March 2020: Prince Charles tests positive
  • April: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge tests positive
  • January 2021: The Queen and Prince Philip have their first jabs
  • February: Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles receive their first doses
  • 8 February 2022: Queen spends time with Prince Charles at an event at Windsor Castle
  • 10 February: Prince Charles tests positive a second time
  • 14 February: Camilla Parker-Bowles tests positive
  • 20 February: Buckingham Palace announces Queen has tested positive

Source: BBC

Prince Andrew Settles Sexual Abuse Lawsuit With His Victim Virginia Giuffre

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has reached a settlement in the sexual abuse lawsuit brought against him by Virginia Roberts Giuffre.

Ms Giuffre’s lawyer David Boies revealed the settlement in a motion filed with US District Judge Lewis Kaplain on Tuesday.

The lawsuit alleged Andrew sexually abused Virginia as a teenager on multiple occasions in London, Manhattan, and the US Virgin Islands in 2001, when she was 17, allegations that he strongly denied. Who would admit to this?

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Virginia Roberts Giuffre & Ghislane Maxwell

Prince Andrew’s legal team sought to have the case dismissed, arguing that another 2009 settlement between Virginia and Jeffrey Epstein barred him from liability.

However Judge Kaplan denied that bid in January, paving the way for a trial that will no longer happen under the new settlement, the terms of which have not been revealed.

A document submitted to a US court on Tuesday said that Andrew and Virginia had reached an out of court settlement.

It said he would make a “substantial donation to Ms Giuffre’s charity”.

Source: Independent, BBC

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Wishes Camilla Parker-Bowles To Be Queen Consort

Camilla Parker-Bowles

In a recent letter on the eve of Her Majesty’s 70th anniversary since becoming the Monarch of many colonies. Queen Elizabeth, 95, expressed her “sincere wish” that the Duchess of Cornwall will be known as Queen Consort when, Charles, Prince of Wales becomes King.

No.

I hope this Jubilee will bring together families and friends, neighbours and communities. ~
Her Majesty The Queen

What about Meghan and Harry?

Tomorrow, 6th February, marks the 70th anniversary of my Accession in 1952. It is a day that, even after 70 years, I still remember as much for the death of my father, King George VI, as for the start of my reign.

As we mark this anniversary, it gives me pleasure to renew to you the pledge I gave in 1947 that my life will always be devoted to your service.

As I look ahead with a sense of hope and optimism to the year of my Platinum Jubilee, I am reminded of how much we can be thankful for. These last seven decades have seen extraordinary progress socially, technologically and culturally that have benefitted us all; and I am confident that the future will offer similar opportunities to us and especially to the younger generations in the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth.

I am fortunate to have had the steadfast and loving support of my family.

I was blessed that in Prince Philip I had a partner willing to carry out the role of consort and unselfishly make the sacrifices that go with it. It is a role I saw my own mother perform during my father’s reign.

This anniversary also affords me a time to reflect on the goodwill shown to me by people of all nationalities, faiths and ages in this country and around the world over these years. I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support. I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me. And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.

And so as I look forward to continuing to serve you with all my heart, I hope this Jubilee will bring together families and friends, neighbours and communities – after some difficult times for so many of us – in order to enjoy the celebrations and to reflect on the positive developments in our day-to-day lives that have so happily coincided with my reign.

If I recall, when Charles married Camilla it was under the guise that she will never be Queen.

When King Edward VIII wanted to marry Wallis Simpson he had to abdicate the throne, as marriage was deemed morally unacceptable,  because remarriage after divorce was opposed by the Bible and the Church of England. He subsequently became the Duke Of Windsor and Wallis became the Duchess of Windsor.

We at Royal Wives, do not forget. We have tried to remain impartial to all the nonsense that has befallen the Moutbatten-Windsors; favoritism, racism, rape, prejudice etc. It stops here and we will not be silenced.

Camilla Parker-Bowles will never be titled, or called Queen on this small site. She will never be considered Queen of any country. Charles may have married his mistress, and ostracized his alleged least favorite child due to his alleged racism, but we take a stand.

We remember how Princess Diana Of Wales was treated and we remember how her son, Prince Harry, Duke Of Sussex, his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and their children, Archie and Lili Mountbattern-Windsor were and are still being treated, because of their refusal to fall in line.

~ Admin, Royal Wives

Prince Philip Has Died Aged 99, Buckingham Palace Announces

Prince Phillip

Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, has died aged 99, Buckingham Palace has announced.

Buckingham Palace said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”

Prince Philip and the Queen had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Their first son, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, was born in 1948, followed by his sister, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in 1950, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, in 1960 and the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, in 1964.

Prince Philip was born on the Greek island of Corfu on 10 June 1921.

His father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, a younger son of King George I of the Hellenes.

His mother, Princess Alice, was a daughter of Lord Louis Mountbatten and a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

Source: BBC

The Duke & Duchess Of Sussex Pay $14M For Santa Barbara, CA Estate

TRH Duke & Duchess Of Sussex

Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke & Duchess Of Sussex Prince Harry and Meghan have purchased a home in Santa Barbara, California.

The couple moved into their home last month and paid $14,650,000 on the 18,000-square-foot home which sits on 5 acres. It has 9 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms.

A representative for the couple told CNN that they moved into the home last month.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved into their family home in July of this year. They have settled into the quiet privacy of their community since their arrival and hope that this will be respected for their neighbors, as well as for them as a family.”

We wish the Sussexes well and finally some privacy.

Prince Albert of Monaco Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Prince Albert II

(MONTE CARLO, Monaco) — The palace of Monaco says its ruler, Prince Albert II, has tested positive for the coronavirus, but his health “is not worrying at all,” according to the statement.

“His Serene Highness urges the people of Monaco to respect the measures of confinement and to limit contact with others to a minimum. Only the strict observance of these confinement measures will make it possible to stop the spread of the coronavirus.”

Princes Albert, 62, appeared to be the first head of state who has publicly said he contracted the virus.

In a statement Thursday, the palace said he is being treated by doctors from the Princess Grace Hospital, named after his U.S. actress mother. It says Albert is continuing to work from his home office in the palace and is in constant contact with members of his government.

The prince is Monaco’s head of state, and one of the world’s wealthiest royals. He was formally invested as the country’s leader in 2005.

Karl von Habsburg, the Archduke of Austria, was the first known royal to test positive for coronavirus. The 59-year-old head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine called into Austrian TV channel oe24, revealing he experienced flu-like symptoms more than a week ago.

Karl von Habsburg, Archduke of Austria

“It’s annoying, but I’m fine. It’s not the Black Plague. I thought it was the usual flu. When a friend called me that he had a positive test at a congress in Switzerland, I was also tested,” von Habsburg said.

Princess Madeleine & Prince Carl Philip Of Sweden’s Children’s Royal Status Has Been Removed By The King

Five infant grandchildren of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden have been stripped of their royal status and will not be expected to perform public duties when they grow up, the Swedish royal palace announced today. ⁣

The five youngsters, aged between one and five, are the offspring of the King’s two younger children, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine, and their respective spouses. ⁣

This means they are not directly in line to the throne. ⁣

Crown Princess Victoria, King Carl XVI Gustaf Victoria & Princess Estelle

⁣The five children will still be members of the royal family, but will not be referred to as His or Her Royal Highness and will not have access to taxpayer funds. ⁣

Both Princess Madeleine & Prince Carl Philip released statements. ⁣

Princess Madeleine: “Earlier today, the court announced that Leonore, Nicolas and Adrienne will no longer belong to the royal house. This change has been planned for a long time. Chris and I think it’s good that our children are now getting a greater opportunity to shape their own lives as private individuals in the future.”⁣

Prince Carl Philip: “Today, the King announced the decision that our children no longer hold the Royal Highness position. We see this as positive as Alexander and Gabriel will have freer choices in life.”⁣

“They will retain their prince titles and their duchies, Södermanland and Dalarna, which we value and are proud of. Our family has strong connections to both landscapes and we maintain our commitment there.⁣”

“We will continue to focus on our heart issues and commitment. We will also continue to support the King and Crown Princess our future head of state and participate in the King’s House activities as we wish.”

Princess Märtha Louise Of Norway Makes Relationship With Boyfriend Official

Princess Märtha Louise of Norway has confirmed she is in a new relationship, almost three years after her divorce from Ari Behn was finalised.

On Sunday, the Princess shared a picture with her new American boyfriend, Shaman Durek, who describes himself as an “evolutionary innovator” and “women’s empowerment leader”.

The 47-year-old Princess captioned the picture:
“When you meet your twin flame, you know. I have been lucky enough to have met mine. @shamandurek has changed my life, like he does with so many. He has made me realize that unconditional love actually exists here on this planet. He embraces all of me without question or fear. He makes me laugh more than anyone, has the most profound wisdom to share and all the bits in between from the diversity of his being. I feel so happy and blessed that he is my boyfriend. Thank you my love, for including me so generously into your family. I love you from this eternity to the next.”

“And to those of you who feel the need to criticize: Hold your horses. It is not up to you to choose for me or to judge me. I don’t choose my man to satisfy any of you or the norms or boxes you have chosen in your mind for me to be in. I don’t thrive there, nor do I exist in your illusion about me. I choose from love. And that’s it. Shaman Durek is merely a man I love spending my time with and who fulfills me. So thank you for respecting my actions and my choice of partner. All I know at this moment is that we love each other and I am super happy. Have a wonderful, loving Sunday and Mother’s Day(for the USA).”

The Duke & Duchess Of Sussex Have Named Their Son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess Of Sussex just announced that they have named their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

Archie is 7th in line to the throne, behind his father.

Since Harry is the younger son of the Prince of Wales, his son is not automatically a prince of the United Kingdom or Royal Highness, and is expected to be styled “like the children of any other duke”.

Archie is therefore expected to be known as Earl of Dumbarton, being entitled to use one of his father’s subsidiary titles as a courtesy title. Should his paternal grandfather become king, he would then be entitled to the style of Royal Highness.