A Happy Early Birthday to H.R.H. Princess Máxima of the Netherlands!

May 14, 2011 Alexandra 2 Comments

On May 17, 1971, the soon to be Princess Máxima of the Netherlands was born to Jorge and María Zorreguieta in Buenos Aires, Argentina and by all accounts she had a wonderful childhood.

Upon graduating from the Pontificia Universidad Católica in Argentina, where she majored in Economics, the intelligent and vivacious Ms. Zorreguieta quickly found a job with one of the leading finance companies in Argentina. Soon, she moved to New York City where she was employed by the international finance company, Dresdner Kleinwort Benson.

In 1999, Ms. Zorreguieta went on holiday to Spain where she met a kind, funny, and gracious man who introduced himself to the beautiful blonde as Alexander. Now, this was no ordinary man… he was heir to the throne in the Netherlands. His true and full name: H.R.H. Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand, Prince of Orange, Prince of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau.

The two hit it off right away and love quickly blossomed. Their relationship was long distance at first. Then, Ms. Zorreguieta finally made the move to Europe to be closer to Willem-Alexander.

On March 31, 2001, the couple announced their engagement. Less than a year later, on February 2, 2002, the couple married in a lavish religious and civil ceremonies in Amsterdam. The bride wore a beautiful Ivory colored wedding gown embroidered with delicate lace by world famous fashion designer, Valentino. Her lovely Star tiara was once owned by the late Her Majesty Queen Emma of the Netherlands. The princess’s bouquet was made up of gardenias, lily of the valley, and white roses. H.R.H. Prince Willem-Alexander of Orange looked nice as well, but all eyes were on the new princess… H.R.H. Princess Máxima of the Netherlands.

Today, the couple have three daughters and the princess is greatly admired and loved in her country.

In celebration of Princess Máxima’s 40th birthday, as well as to celebrate her ten years as princess in the Netherlands, famed photographer Erwin Olaf, was commissioned by AD Magazine to photograph the princess. According to a press release sent to The Royal Correspondent, the photo shoot took place in late April at Noordeinde Palace.

The final cover shot of the princess is one of the most beautiful photos I have ever seen of her and it seems that I am not the only one who believes this. According to Mr. Olaf, he was thrilled with the outcome of the photo shoot, “The Princess has a special personality, she’s attractive and very photogenic.” AD Magazine editor, Chris Ruesink, is also very proud of the images by Mr. Olaf. Furthermore, he is also enthusiastic about the upcoming issue with the stunning photograph of Princess Máxima:

We wanted [to do] something for her 40th birthday, a jubilee year. It is truly an an honor to have the best photographers in the Netherlands, Erwin Olaf, [to photograph Princess Máxima]… we are very impressed.

The issue of AD Magazine will be released tomorrow, May 14, 2011. Inside the issue, there is a special extended editorial which includes “… a look back over the last ten years of Princess Máxima of the Netherlands…” an interview with her parents, Jorge and María Zorreguieta and much more.

Finally, as I previously reported on May 16, 2011, the new documentary, Máxima: Portrait of a Princess, will air on the Dutch television network, NOS, at 8:30pm. In the meantime, this afternoon NOS.nl released several clips from the program which you can watch here.

To watch the engagement as well as royal wedding between H.R.H. Prince Willem-Alexander of Orange and H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands please click the links here, here, here, here, and here.

So, there you have it… Happy Birthday, Princess Máxima!!!

Exclusive photo of H.R.H. Princess Máxima the Netherlands, given to The Royal Correspondent by and published on this site with permission by: AD Magazine/De MediaVilla.

***Thank you very much, Linda, everyone at De MediaVilla, and AD Magazine! I appreciate your kindness and generosity for sharing this stunning image of Princess Máxima as well as information with me. *** 🙂

Note to viewers: Please DO NOT copy this image of H.R.H. Princess Maxima from this site. Thank you.

Royalty and Films

A New Documentary About the Death of Diana, Princess of Wales Annoys Everyone at the Cannes Film Festival

May 13, 2011 Alexandra

If you haven’t heard by now there is a new documentary film entitled, Unlawful Killing, by some British actor dude named, Keith Allen (who is apparently the father of uber-annoying singer, Lily Allen.) The documentary “…focuses partly on the 2007/8 inquest into Diana’s death and [Mr. Allen] argues the British press failed to properly reflect its findings due to indirect pressure from the royal family.”

Interestingly enough the film was financed — £2.5 million to be exact — by Mr. Mohammad Al-Fayed (who also makes an appearance in the film alongside infamous radio host, Howard Stern) whose son, Dodi, died in the car crash that killed Diana.

The film premiered at the world famous Cannes Film Festival causing everyone to roll their eyes, drop the F-bomb here, there and everywhere, and essentially wrote this documentary off as nothing but pure trash. Even the leading entertainment industry newspaper, Hollywood Reporter, couldn’t hold back their disgust at this film:

… this scattergun film should not only backfire on the conspiracy theorists that cling to the notion that speeding through a Parisian tunnel with a drunken driver at the wheel is not a plausible cause of death. If the Monty Python troupe ever wanted to lampoon conspiracy-theory filmmakers, it would be hard to top this one.

It’s unfortunate that Mr. Allen has a serious axe to grind with the entire British royal family whereupon he refers to them as “… the Mafia in tiaras…” During this evening’s press conference in Cannes, Mr. Allen defended his film to a packed audience whereupon he proclaimed:

This [documentary] not a sensationalist film. I didn’t want to make a sensationalist film. I don’t believe it is a sensationalist film. I think it is a very forensic analysis of a process, a British legal process, and I think it reveals things that, I’m sorry, don’t add up. It is not an attack on the monarchy… I’m questioning the role of the Establishment.

When confronted by reporters regarding Mr. Al-Fayed’s £2.5 million financial involvement with the film Mr. Allen replied, ” I think that you will find an immense number if films in America that are financed by the Mafia and there are no references to those!!!” (The audience broke out in laughter which lasted for over five minutes.)

What planet are you living on, dude?

At the end of the evening, those who reviewed the documentary, Unlawful Killing, at the Cannes Film Festival hated it. I mean, really, hated it.

And, they loathe Mr. Allen.

As of this morning in Cannes, France, he has no friends and his career, well, let’s just say that his phone will never ring again. He might as well fill out an application at Starbucks or McDonald’s because as of today… he will never work again in the film industry. Unless, some desperate F-list director calls and asks him, Mr. Allen, to star in an infomercial to sell the latest cheap cleaning products on QVC.

To watch a video clip from the press conference please click the link here.

Source: Reuters via Hollywood Reporter, The Independent and Washington Post

Photo courtesy of: Colored Diamond Forum

Spanish Royals

T.R.H.s Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias Attend a Mass for the Victims of Wednesday’s Deadly Earthquake in Lorca, Spain

May 13, 2011 Alexandra

On Wednesday May 11, 2011, two devastating earthquakes — one measuring a 4.4, the other a 5.1 on the Richter scale — struck Lorca, Spain just 3 hours south of Valencia. These devastating quakes left nine dead, hundreds injured, and many buildings as well as homes in shambles. This afternoon, there was a funeral Mass for those who lost their lives and on hand to support and comfort the families who lost loved ones were the Prince and Princess of Asturias.

According to CBS News, T.R.H.’s Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia:

… sought Friday to comfort relatives of nine people killed in Spain’s deadliest earthquakes in more than 50 years, hugging them and shaking their hands as they slowly made their way along a long row of mourners.

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia bent down to chat with the mourners at a crowded funeral Mass celebrated in a trade center, part of which has been turned into a makeshift refugee camp after two quakes Wednesday left many homeless in this southeastern city. Many of those in the front row at the Mass wore dark glasses.

At one point the prince stooped down to speak to a boy and affectionately ruffled the child’s dark hair.

Living in SoCal I know what it is like to go through an earthquake (believe me folks, it’s not fun.) My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and all the people of Spain.

Now, there are photos of T.R.H.s Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia at today’s Mass; however, I do not feel comfortable posting images of grieving families… so if you want to see photos please click the link here. To watch a video please click here.

Source: and photo CBS News by Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images

Monaco Princely Family

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Chillin’ in Arles, France

May 13, 2011 Alexandra

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco has been a busy little beaver these past few weeks and this afternoon, May 12, there was no time for rest and relaxation. The prince was in Arles, France to “…attend the arrival of the Canigou Flame during the European congres of traditions and Saint-Jean Fire…” He also had a chance to visit the Arles Antique Museum.

Cool.

Anyway, according to various reports the prince did something else whilst in the lovely town of Arles; however, the details will probably bore you to death when you read it… so I’ll spare you. Basically, he had a great time. And, the townspeople loved him.

Meanwhile, Prince Albert’s lovely fiancée, Miss Charlene Wittstock, did not accompany him to Arles. It is unknown why Miss Wittstock did not attend this event; however, I believe that she may be making final arrangements for the upcoming princely wedding (which is less than 50 days away from now, people.) 🙂

To view photos of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco having a super-duper time in Arles, France please click the links here and here.

Source and photo courtesy of: Day Life by Patrick Aventurier/Getty Images

Spanish Royals

H.R.H. Princess Letizia of Asturias Meets with Members of the Spanish Association Against Cancer

May 13, 2011 Alexandra

On May 12, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Letizia of Asturias met with members of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) in Madrid, Spain.

Here is a summary of the event according to the official website for the royal house of Spain, Casa De Su Majestad El Rey:

H.R.H. Princess Letizia of Asturias held a working meeting with the members of the AECC, in accord with the promise expressed when she assumed the role as honorary president of the organization. On this occasion, Her Royal Highness came to know first hand the internal structure of the association, its territorial organization, and the distribution of work.

She was also informed about the lines of action/plan carried out by the AECC in the areas of marketing, communication, and the internet. She was also informed about new campaigns of awareness, communication strategies of the organization, fanned the building of social networks of the AECC organization.

Her Royal Highness Princess Letizia of Asturias will continue having future meetings with the Spanish Association Against Cancer, and will continue to participate in different institutional acts of the AECC whose mission is to diminish the impact caused by this horrible disease and better peoples lives.

To view photos from the meeting please click the link here. To learn more about the Spanish Association Against Cancer organization please click the link here.

Source and photo courtesy of: Casareal.es by Casa de S.M. el Rey/Borja Fotógrafos

Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg

H.R.H. Prince Guillaume, The Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg to Visit Japan

May 12, 2011 Alexandra 1 Comment

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA), H.R.H. Prince Guillaume, The Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg will visit Japan starting on May 14-18, 2011.

It was also noted that the prince will:

… visit, Their Majesties the Emperor and the Empress of Japan will invite H.R.H. Prince Guillaume to the Imperial Palace for a luncheon. His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince of Japan will have an audience with H.R.H. Prince Guillaume.

More information should be released… hopefully.

Source: MOFA

Monaco Princely Family, Princely Wedding

New Information About the Upcoming Princely Wedding in Monaco: UPDATES!!

May 12, 2011 Alexandra 3 Comments

Several additions as well as new information regarding the upcoming princely wedding in Monaco was released this morning via the Palais Princier de Monaco.

According to the Palais Princier de Monaco, H.S.H. Prince Albert II and his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock, have decided that the band, The Eagles, will be one of the entertainment groups who will play for the Monegasque people on June 30, 2011. The concert will be held at the Louis II Stadium and will last for at least two hours.

Second, on July 1, 2011, the people of Monaco are invited to watch the civil wedding live in the Palais Princier de Monaco square. After the service the new princely couple will join their people at the Place du Palais for “…a buffet prepared by the Fairmont Monte-Carlo, with Mediterranean and South African dishes by Chefs from South Africa and Monaco.”

Third, new partners/sponsors of the wedding were announced. They are: Perrier-Jouet Champagne and Mont Blanc. If you are interested in purchasing official wedding souvenirs the Palais Princier de Monaco has a special page just for you. Items for sale include a keyring, mugs, candles, plates, and much more. Click here to learn more. Also, the Palais Princier de Monaco has set up a Twitter and Facebook account for the upcoming marriage. Click these links to view and/or join: Facebook and Twitter

Fourth, regarding the issue international broadcasting of the princely wedding to those living outside of Monaco and France. According to the press release:

R&G Productions to host the live broadcast of the wedding of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Miss Wittstock.

Consequently, R&G will air the international signal for the wedding ceremonies for international distribution to all countries having so requested.

As host broadcaster, R&G Productions will also be in charge of supplying any additional technical resources and services requested by international broadcasters present at the event, as well as managing and catering for broadcasters with their own production and transmission resources at the TV compound.

Now, it was nice of the Palais Princier de Monaco press office to finally tell us (those interested in the upcoming wedding) who will host the broadcast; however, it really doesn’t help much to be honest.

Finally, according to the French newspaper, Nice-Matin, Miss Wittstock will have six bridesmaids and two groomsman all of whom are, “…the children of Monaco and the surrounding communities (Cap d’Ail, la Turbie, Menton, Beausoleil, Peille Roquebrune), accompany the couple.”