Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg, Spanish Royals

King Felipe VI of Spain Confers the Orden de Isabel la Católica on Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg by Royal Decree.

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  • Portrait courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey
  • Portrait courtesy of the Maison du Grand-Duc/Kary Barthelmey
  • Orden de Isabel la Católica

Ahead of the official visit of Their Royal Highnesses Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg to the Kingdom of Spain on March 5, 2026, His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain has conferred high distinctions of the Orden de Isabel la Católica upon the Grand Ducal couple by Royal Decree.

Under Royal Decree 176/2026, His Majesty granted the Collar de la Orden de Isabel la Católica to His Royal Highness Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg.

According to the Boletín Oficial del Estado, the official state gazette of Spain, the decree reads:

“Wishing to give proof of My Royal esteem to His Royal Highness Guillaume V, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, upon the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, and following deliberation by the Council of Ministers at its meeting of March 3, 2026, I hereby grant him the Collar de la Orden de Isabel la Católica.”

By Royal Decree 177/2026, His Majesty conferred the Gran Cruz de la Orden de Isabel la Católica upon Her Royal Highness Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg. The decree states:

“Wishing to give proof of My Royal esteem to Her Royal Highness Stéphanie de Lannoy, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, upon the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, and following deliberation by the Council of Ministers at its meeting of March 3, 2026, I hereby grant her the Gran Cruz de la Orden de Isabel la Católica.”

The Orden de Isabel la Católica was instituted on March 14, 1815, by Fernando VII of Spain under the original name Real Orden Americana de Isabel la Católica. It is currently governed by Royal Decree 2395/1998 of November 6, which approves its regulations.

The Order is intended to “reward extraordinary acts of a civil nature carried out by Spanish and foreign individuals that benefit the Nation or contribute, in a relevant manner, to fostering relations of friendship and cooperation between the Spanish Nation and the international community.”

His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain serves as Grand Master of the Orden de Isabel la Católica, and all decorations are conferred in his name.

The official incoming visit takes place in the context of Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg’s accession to the throne on October 3, 2025, following the abdication of his father, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, and forms part of the established diplomatic engagement between the Kingdom of Spain and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

German Royals, House of Hohenzollern

T.I.R.H.s Prince Georg Friedrich and Princess Sophie of Prussia Attend Reopening of Hohenzollern Crypt at Berlin Cathedral

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  • Portrait courtesy of Das Hauses Hohenzollern
  • Photo courtesy of the Berliner Dom

Their Imperial and Royal Highnesses Prince Georg Friedrich and Princess Sophie of Prussia attended a ceremonial church service on Sunday, marking the reopening of the Hohenzollern crypt at the Berlin Cathedral following an extensive restoration project.

The service formally concluded more than six years of conservation work on the dynastic burial site of the House of Hohenzollern. Located beneath Berlin Cathedral, the crypt contains 91 coffins dating from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries and represents one of the most significant dynastic burial sites in Europe.

The renovation project, preceded by a lengthy planning phase, focused on structural stabilization, updated climate control systems designed to preserve historic sarcophagi, and improved accessibility for visitors.

The reopening was accompanied by a Protestant service reflecting the cathedral’s historic role as the court church of the Hohenzollern dynasty, which ruled as Kings of Prussia and, from 1871 to 1918, as German Emperors.

The reopening restores public access to a key site associated with Prussian and German dynastic history and forms part of ongoing efforts to preserve architectural and cultural heritage within the German capital.

Prince Georg Friedrich is the head of the House of Hohenzollern.

Norwegian Royals

King Harald V of Norway Health Update: Crown Prince Haakon Says The King Is Recovering Well After Tenerife Hospitalization

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Portrait courtesy of Dusan Reljin/Det Kongelige Hoff

In Oslo, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway visited the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, a state-funded but academically independent research body established in 1959 to strengthen Norway’s capacity for independent analysis of foreign and security policy.

The institute conducts research on international security, defense policy, development, energy, and global economics, and provides policy briefs and analysis to government ministries and parliamentary bodies. It also maintains partnerships with the European Union, the United Nations, and other international research institutions.

During the visit, the Crown Prince was asked about the health of his father, His Majesty King Harald V of Norway, following the King’s recent hospitalization in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, on the island of Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands.

“The king is doing better. He is responding well to the treatment. We are happy about that and grateful for all the care that has come these days. It seems he is on the road to recovery now,” the Crown Prince said.

The 89-year-old monarch was admitted to Hospital Universitario Hospiten Sur for treatment of an infection and dehydration. His personal physician, Bjørn Bendz, traveled to Tenerife to assist the medical team. The King was discharged on Thursday evening.

King Harald V and Queen Sonja remain in Tenerife. No date has been announced for their return to Norway.

German Royals, House of Hohenzollern

Princess Donata of Prussia, The Great-Granddaughter of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Dies at 73.

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Photo courtesy of Des Hauses Hohenzollern/Britt Carlsen

The House of Hohenzollern announced this morning that Princess Donata of Prussia (Prinzessin Donata von Preußen) died on February 25, 2026, following a long illness. She was 73.

Princess Donata was born in 1952. She was a great-granddaughter of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor and King of Prussia. Her father, Prince Wilhelm Karl of Prussia, was a grandson of Wilhelm II and served as Herrenmeister, or Grand Master, of the German Order of Saint John. Her paternal grandfather was Prince Oskar of Prussia, the fifth son of Kaiser Wilhelm II.

According to the official statement, she pursued a career in journalism. For decades, she contributed to reporting in equestrian sport, with particular emphasis on eventing, international breeding, especially Holsteiner horses, and major championships. She served as editor in chief of “Pferd & Sport” and reported from the Olympic Games, as well as World and European Championships.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Monaco Princely Family, Vatican

Pope Leo XIV to Make Historic Official Visit to Monaco on March 28, Hosted by Prince Albert II

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  • H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, January 17, 2026. Vatican Media.
  • T.S.H.s Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco/ Michaël Alesi/Palais Princier de Monaco
  • H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, January 17, 2026. Vatican Media.

In Monaco-Ville, the Palais Princier de Monaco announced that Their Serene Highnesses Albert II and Charlene of Monaco will host a one-day official visit from His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Saturday, March 28.

According to the Palais Princier, the visit reflects “the enduring bonds linking the Grimaldi dynasty to the Roman Pontiffs” and the historic diplomatic relationship between the Principality of Monaco and the Holy See.

The invitation was extended by the Sovereign Prince during his meeting with the Holy Father at the Vatican on January 17, 2026, and separately by His Excellency The Most Reverend Dominique-Marie David, Archbishop of Monaco, underscoring both the institutional and pastoral dimensions of the visit.

The Palais Princier further noted that, as a sovereign state in which the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman religion is enshrined in the Constitution, Monaco regards this spiritual heritage as a foundational element of its national identity and institutional continuity.

The visit is described as a historic moment for the Principality and a sign of hope in a spirit of dialogue and peace.

British Royals

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Former Duke of York, Arrested on Suspicion of Misconduct

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  • Screenshot/BBC/Fair Use

This morning, the Thames Valley Police confirmed the arrest of Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The 66-year-old, who formerly held the style and title of His Royal Highness The Duke of York, was taken into custody at Wood Farm, his residence on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England. 

Police activity was observed at the property earlier in the morning. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has resided at Wood Farm since he departed from Royal Lodge in Windsor in early February 2026.

In a statement, Thames Valley Police said:

“Thames Valley Police has opened an investigation into the offence of misconduct in public office.

As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. 

The man remains in police custody at this time.
We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court.”

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said the force had opened the investigation following a “thorough assessment” and would provide updates “at the appropriate time.”

The offence of misconduct in public office is a common law offence in England and Wales. According to guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service, prosecutors must show that a public officer, acting as such, wilfully neglected a duty or wilfully misconducted themselves to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust.

Andrew, the younger brother of His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom, stepped back from public duties in 2019 and no longer carries out official engagements.

In a written statement issued following news of the arrest, His Majesty the King said:

“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.
In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.

Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.

As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.

Charles R.”

Under UK law, the reigning monarch cannot be prosecuted. That immunity does not extend to other members of the Royal Family, who are subject to the ordinary criminal law.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing.

Royal Family of Brunei

Brunei: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Announces Name of Prince Abdul Mateen and Princess Anisha Rosnah’s Newborn Daughter

  • Photo courtesy of His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei/Instagram
  • Her Royal Highness Princess Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Zahra Mariam Bolkiah of Brunei

In Bandar Seri Begawan, the Office of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei has formally announced the name of the newborn daughter of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Abdul Mateen and Princess Anisha Rosnah of Brunei.

The Princess has been given the name Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Zahra Mariam Bolkiah of Brunei.

The Princess was born on February 8th in Brunei Darussalam and is the first child of Prince Abdul Mateen and Princess Anisha Rosnah.

Under Bruneian royal titulature, Yang Amat Mulia, meaning “The Most Noble,” corresponds in English usage to the style His or Her Royal Highness. The title Pengiran Anak denotes royal birth in the direct male line of the House of Bolkiah.

While the Sultan’s children are styled Yang Teramat Mulia, his grandchildren in the male line bear the designation Yang Amat Mulia, in accordance with longstanding Bruneian court tradition.

Princess Zahra Mariam Bolkiah is the sixth grandchild of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

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