The Royal Correspondent

On December 12, 2011, Carina Axelsson (the permanent partner to H.S.H. Prince Gustav of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg) hosted the annual Christmas reception at Schloss Berleburg for roughly 70  elderly members from the German Red Cross.

Per the German newspaper, Der Westen:

It is a cherished tradition. For decades, the senior citizens from the German Red Cross are invited to the schloss before Christmas where they can enjoy pastries, sandwiches, coffee and cakes in the ballroom.

Upon their arrival the guests were welcomed by Carina Axelsson. Also, this year the local branch of the German Red Cross celebrates its 100th anniversary. Therefore, it is a very special celebration.

For during the luncheon guests were entertained by Doris Wiebelhaus, Hanne Meesmann, Heidi Rimkus, Lilian Hartmann and Baerbel Hundt where they listened to poems and music by Isabell and Sarah Pape Merman who played the violin and the flute Julia Mersmann.  A grand surprise for the Red Cross seniors — a visit from Santa Claus.

Finally, Carina and her guests honored and remembered the late Princess Margareta of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg who started the traditional Christmas luncheon. Earlier in the day Carina and Doris Wiebelhaus visited the grave of the beloved late princess before the luncheon at Schloss Berleburg.

Unfortunately, H.S.H. Prince Gustav nor Princess Benedikte were not in attendance.  This was the first time Carina Axelsson hosted this traditional luncheon all by herself… she must have been nervous.    By the way, notice the pretty Christmas tree in the photo?  It may have been designed by Miss Axelsson.

Source and photo courtesy of DW

Carina Axelsson (L) and her Christmas Elves

Oh joy!  It seems like an eternity since famed author,illustrator, former model, Bad Berleburg library patron, Lady of the Schloss Berleburg, Carina Axelsson gave an interview with the press.  And, thankfully she agreed to another exclusive interview, this time with the German newspaper, Der Westen.

So, what did she have to say?  Well, she talked about — you guessed it — Christmas trees!  You see, every year Miss Axelsson likes to decorate her boyfriend’s — Prince Gustav of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg —  lovely schloss with a myriad of Christmas trees and cutesy ornaments for all to enjoy at a cost of a pretty Euro.

Any who, chatty Carina beamed as she discussed her specially designed Christmas trees to journalist Lars Dickel (no, that really is his name… don’t laugh) as well as the tree that make Prince Gustav feel all warm and fuzzy inside:

‘Lights are important to me. This is my American side…’ smiles Carina Axelsson when walking past eight brightly lit decorated Christmas trees, which she  designed and was decorated by her team. For the 10,000 little lights are what connects all trees, whether it is the Owl Tree in the castle chapel, the Little Candy Tree, the Biedermeier Tree, the Gold Tree in the great hall, or the Dog Tree. Not to mention the six-meter-high Victorian showpiece in the entrance hall of the castle. ‘This is Gustav’s favorite tree…’ says the girlfriend of Prince Gustav of Sayn-Wittgenstein.

Axelsson has personally selected the Nordmann Fir trees from the Bad Berleburg forests this year, and each of the trees were carefully decorated like the “Candy Tree”.

As of Saturday, December 3, visitors are welcome to Schloss Berleburg, except Mondays, to view these magnificent tress and decorations.

So, if you happen to be in the neighborhood of Bad Berleburg and have nothing else better to do why not stop by Schloss Berleburg to check out Carina’s Christmas trees? And, if you are hungry afterward the tour there is a lovely coffee shop at the schloss where you can gorge on tasty Christmas treats, sip hot chocolate, and if you are lucky you may just run into Carina whereupon you can ask her to sign her famous Advent calendar for you.    

Well, Christmas is just right around the corner and at the lovely Schloss Berleburg — home to H.S.H. Prince Gustav of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and his permanent partner Carina Axelsson — everyone is already in the festivus mood.

Beginning on December 3, 2011 Schloss Berleburg will officially open its doors to those who are interested in viewing a variety of Christmas trees and specially designed decorations by famed author, Carina Axelsson.

According to a press release, the decorations are “…unique, individual, and should get you into the Christmas spirit…”  It was also announced that Miss Axelsson will première her new and incredibly amazing Advent calendar which will set you back 7 Euros; nevertheless, all proceeds will go to the Bad Berleburg public library… so that’s cool.  

Also, fresh from the “… Wittgenstein forests will be the most beautiful Christmas for sale in the courtyard…” at the schloss as well as Christmas market for all to enjoy.  So why not stop by… you may just run into Prince Gustav, Carina Axelsson, Princess Benedikte and/or Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg whilst there.

To learn more about Carina’s Christmas tree extravaganza inside Schloss Berleburg and all upcoming events please click here.

Source and photo courtesy of: Castlewelt.com

It’s no secret that Carina Axelsson adores Icelandic horses (she mentioned it in one of her many interviews she gave last winter) so much so that she vowed to have this fantastic breed imported to her boyfriend’s castle, Schloss Berleburg, sometime in 2011.

Well, her dream came true.

Recently, Miss Axelsson and her boyfriend of eight years, H.S.H. Prince Gustav of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, hosted the 1st Annual Icelandic Horse Race at the Schloss Berleburg dressage training arena. According to the German newspaper, Der Westen, it was a rainy day; nevertheless, that didn’t stop hundreds of local Bad Berleburgers as well as tourists from attending the race. During the opening speech the mayor of Bad Berleburg, Bernd Fuhrmann, thanked Prince Gustav for his financial support, Miss Axelsson for being her fabulous self, craft services for providing the food, etc, etc, etc.  At the end of the day every one was beyond happy…wet, but nonetheless happy.

In other Schloss Berleburg news, it was recently announced that Miss Axelsson will have another mega Christmas tree and useless thingy-dingys exhibition at the schloss for everyone to admire beginning on December 4, 2011.

And, finally here is a video of H.S.H. Prince Gustav and H.S.H. Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg smiling ear to ear as they hunt innocent animals because they find it “fun.”  Freaking idiots.  No, really they are.

Happy Birthday to every royal watchers favorite non-princess who lives in awesome castle in Germany and who is the permanent partner to H.S.H. Prince Gustav of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, Carina Axelsson.

She turned 43 years young.

Besides being an accomplished interior decorator, museum curator at Schloss Berleburg, illustrator, professional Christmas tree decorator, Bad Berleburg library patron, former model, she is also a famous author.  According to various sources Miss Axelsson is currently writing a screenplay as well as working on a new picture book for young women.

Sadly, after dating the lovable yet extremely goofy Prince Gustav — for the past seven and a half long years — the couple are still not married (long story).  Oh well.  At least she has a massive diamond and ruby ring on her married ring finger, gets to chill with European royalty, has a filthy rich and total goober looking of a partner who worships her, and gets to wear a fabulous new tiara. So who cares if he cannot marry her, right?  So, yeah, Happy Birthday, chica!  

On Monday, May 23, 2011, famed author/interior decorator/museum curator/illustrator/archivist/former model/Bad Berleburg library patron/Lady of Schloss Berleburg, Carina Axelsson allowed those in Bad Berleburg, Germany to be in her presence whereupon she read her world-famous book, Nigel in Hyde Park, (for the billionth time) to a myriad of students and their parents at the Bad Berleburg library.

The purpose of Miss Axelsson being at the library was for her to entertain the youths with her book as well as to help them learn English.

According to the German newspaper, Siegener Zeitung, this is what happened during that fun-filled morning with Frau Axelsson:

The children’s book author and illustrator before yesterday, invited many elementary school students to exciting adventures.

Strange noises in the night, creepy shadows in the room and a small dragon provided with exuberant imagination yesterday at the reading of children’s author and illustrator Carina Axelsson at the Bad Berleburg Library for fun and excitement.  The companion of Prinz Gustav zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg read from her book ‘Nigel Hyde Park’ in front of students from the Elsoff and Dotzlar schools.

And the children listened completely spellbound, especially since the author put forward the in the English, while Rikard Riedesel, the curator [manager] of the city, translated some of the words into German.

Time and again the smart and cute winged illustrations from the book, which were thrown by video projector on the wall, the imagination of the students who know that morning to work with Nigel and his adventures, the one or two new English vocabulary were allowed to learn.  After the turbulent story of Nigel, the students had the opportunity to ask Frau Carina Axelsson questions.

The girls and boys asked, ‘Do you also write for adults?’ Wanted to know as one of the girls. ‘No,’ said Carina Axelsson and smiled, ‘I only write for children because it gives me the most.’  ’How the idea for Nigel formed?’ Wanted to know one of the boys. ‘It’s a long story,’ said the author, but she would still tell you.  Eventually she was asked by a friend if she design a funny animal figure for a logo for a children’s shampoo.  ’I finally offered him ten different animal figures, and among them was a small green dragon.’ In the end, the choice of their friend had chosen small, fluffy bunnies.’  But the people I still have repeatedly responded to the dragon. The painting was so funny that there actually had time to create a story.’  So from there emerged Nigel of Hyde Park.

‘Is there a second part (second series),’ asked one student. ‘The second part of Nigel is already done.  I am currently busy with another book, which is also almost done’, said Frau Carina Axelsson. The new book is the way a detective story. And it is about a girl that has a particularly strong character like me. At the moment I’m still looking for a publisher (she was dropped by her old publishing house, Assouline Books) and I hope the whole thing will be finished next year.’

‘Why do you write children’s books at all?’ Asked another girl. ‘Why do I write children’s books?’ repeated Frau Carina Axelsson, ‘primarily because I love books and reading about everything.’

She then thanked the head of the Bad Berleburg library, Gaby Klotz, and then Carina also once again thanked those for their generous donation a few months ago to the library.  The proceeds of the Advent Calendar, designed by Carina Axelsson, even in the way again appeared the little green dragon is Nigel, you have to buy back a lot of new children’s books for the library. ‘And that has made us all very happy,’ said Gaby Klotz.

Incidentally, anyone interested in reading the book, Nigel Hyde Park, can find it in German and English in the library bathroom in Bad Berleburg. After the reading, some students were on their way to have their own books signed by Frau Carina Axelsson. In addition, there was also an autographed photo of Frau Carina Axelsson on the hand.

Germany’s most famous non-princess/interior decorator/museum curator/professional Christmas tree decorator/illustrator/archivist/author/former model/Bad Berleburg library patron/Lady of Schloss Berleburg, Carina Axelsson, will give another reading of her world-famous book, Nigel of Hyde Park, to the local youth at the Bad Berleburg library on May 23, 2011.

This is the second time Miss Axelsson has read her book to the myriad of interested people at the library.  According to the German newspaper, WirSiegen.de, Miss Axelsson will allow guests at the reading to ask her questions; furthermore, she has decided that she will give back to back readings beginning at 8:40am and again at 10:15am.

So, if you happen to live nearby why not stop by the Bad Berleburg library… I’m sure there will be lots of finger foods and punch for you to munch on.

Source:  WirSiegen.de

On May 11, 2011, His Serene Highness Prince Gustav of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg joined Danish Royal Air Force (DRAF) Chief Pilot, Lars-Henrik Thor Green, on a three-hour practice run from Karup, Denmark to Bad Berleburg, Germany.

The purpose of this rehearsal of sorts was to prepare for Her Majesty Queen Margrethe’s the upcoming trip to Bad Berleburg for her niece’s wedding on June 18, 2011.  It was imperative, according to DRAF Lars-Henrik Thor Green, that this practice run took place.  Upon approaching their landing destination, near Schloss Berleburg, the residents of the town were irritated as well as confused about the loud noise that was disrupting their peaceful day.  When they realized it was the lovable and goofy Prince Gustav in the helicopter all was forgiven.

Anyway, once Chief Pilot Green and Prince Gustav landed the massive EH 101 Merlin helicopter they were greeted by the prince’s father, H.H. Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, the prince’s pushy American girlfriend and Schloss Berleburg’s resident museum curator/interior decorator/professional Christmas tree decorator/Nigel Awards founder/Bad Berleburg Library Association member Carina Axelsson, and his sister H.H. Princess Nathalie and her husband, Mr. Alexander Johannsmann (the couple are married civilly, but will have their religious ceremony on June 18, 2011.)

Soon the family, Chief Pilot Green, and Ms. Axelsson hurried into the stunning Schloss Berleburg for lunch and to discuss this afternoon’s flight from Denmark. Prince Gustav was in high spirits when he spoke to journalist Christoph Vetter from German newspaper, Der Westen, about his practice run trip, “… my aunt is coming for Nathalie’s wedding… I’m excited.”    Meanwhile, Chief Pilot Green noted that the prince took a keen interest in his job and that he was kind of instrumental in the coordination of this practice run.

Great.

On January 15, 2011, Carina Axelsson (Prince Gustav of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg’s permanent girlfriend)  presented a check, worth $3,335, to Bad Berleburg’s Mayor, Bernd Fuhrmann and Bad Berleburg’s head librarian, Rikard Riedesel.

Last Christmas, Miss Axelsson designed and published an Advent Calendar to be sold in Germany and Denmark whereupon the proceeds from the calendar would be donated to the city library in Bad Berleburg.  Like many libraries around the world, funding for these institutions are limited.  According the German newspaper, Siegener-Zeitung, Miss Axelsson noted:

All public libraries have big problems.   It is a pity and it is very important that all children and adults should have a place to read.  In  small towns many libraries have to fight harder for cash [funding.] We should not wait for the money is, but we need to be active [to actively seek it out.]

Miss Axelsson also noted that she want to illustrate an Advent calendar every year (like the Nigel Awards, but sadly that only lasted one year.  Yeah, it failed) and that she hopes that as each year passes more and more money will be raised.

Good for her!

On February 3, 1968, HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark married the groovy  HSH Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg at Fredensborg chapel at Fredensborg Slot in Denmark.

The couple met in March 1966 at the wedding of a then HRH Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands and Mr. Claus on Amsberg.  Apparently, it was love at first sight for the beautiful Princess Benedikte and Prince Richard.  One year later in March 1967, the announcement was made per the Danish royal family communications officers that HRH Princess Benedikte would marry HSH Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg.

Days before the wedding there was a wave-a-thon at the Rathus balcony (town hall) in Copenhagen and pre-wedding banquet with all the royal trimmings including a luncheon at Kronberg castle (which is rumored to be haunted, by the way.)  Many royal as well as princely guests attended the banquet including HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

The wedding was held at the lovely Fredensborg chapel at Fredensborg Slot 45 minutes outside of Copenhagen.  HRH Princess Benedikte looked stunning as she wore the traditional Princess Margaret of Connaught veil and the Khedive of Egypt Cartier tiara.   While HSH Prince Richard looked dashing in his formal white tie and black suit.  After the ceremony there was a lovely reception as well as the traditional Danish wedding waltz at Fredensborg Slot. (Wedding video)

Today, the couple are proud parents of three grown and successful children, and grandparents of four.  HRH Princess Benedikte splits her time between Denmark and Schloss Berleburg in Bad Berleburg, Germany.  While HSH Prince Richard, now retired, still helps run the family firm alongside his son, Prince Gustav and his pushy American permanent girlfriend, Carina Axelsson, at Schloss Berleburg.

So, Happy Anniversary to Prince Richard and Princess Benedikte!

Photos courtesy of: TRFs and Zimbio.com by Schiller Graphics

That’s right!  Today, January 12, 2011, is HSH Prince Gustav’s 41st birthday.  Flags at Schloss Berleburg were up and flapping in the wind in honor of the Prince.

According to Jan Bergman from Billed Bladet, Prince Gustav, his permanent girlfriend, Carina Axelsson, and his family will celebrate quietly at castle in Berleburg.  I’m sure there will be cake and ice cream along with balloons and games that will be played like pin the tail on the donkey.

Moreover, I am quite sure Carina Axelsson will over decorate the Schloss as well.  I mean, she is a self-taught interior decorator.