Imperial Family of Japan

H.I.M. Emperor Akihito Speaks to the People on Japanese Television

On Wednesday, March 16, 2011, H.I.M. Emperor Akihito of Japan made a rare appearance on Japanese national television to share his thoughts and concerns about the aftermath of last week’s 9.0 earthquake and destructive tsunami that followed.

According to the BBC News:

TV stations interrupted programming on Wednesday to show the emperor describing the crisis facing the nation as “unprecedented in scale”.

The 77-year-old – deeply respected by many Japanese – said: “I hope from the bottom of my heart that the people will, hand in hand, treat each other with compassion and overcome these difficult times.”

To watch Emperor Akihito’s speech via the BBC please click the link: BBC News

Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images AsiaPac

British Royals

Historian David Starkey and Curator for the Royal Collections, Jennifer Scott, Discuss Royal Portraiture

On March 14, 2011, the official website for the British monarchy published the discussion about royal portraiture on their official You Tube channel.

The speakers are:  The awesome (in my opinion) Historian Dr. David Starkey and Jennifer Scott, curator for the royal collection.

David Starkey, one of Britain’s finest historians joined Royal Collection curator Jennifer Scott to discuss the fascinating subject of royal portraiture from Holbein to Mario Testino.

This event marked the publication of Jennifer Scott’s new book for the Royal Collection, The Royal Portrait: Image and Impact (2010).

Find out more on http://www.royalcollection.org.uk

The discussion is roughly over 56 minutes and is, in my opinion, incredibly fascinating.  So, here you go… please click the link to view:  Royal Portraiture

Also, there is a wonderful discussion with David Starkey regarding the monarchy, its history, and other cool stuff.  Again, the series is roughly 52 minutes, and again incredibly interesting.  Click the link to watch:  Dr. David Starkey

British Royals

HM Queen Elizabeth II At Westminster Abbey

On March 14, 2011, in lovely London, England Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh were at Westminster Abbey to attend the Commonwealth Day observance.  I hope that made sense…  Anyway, the sweet Queen was all smiles as she walked in the ancient Abbey with her husband.

To watch Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s 2011 Commonwealth Day speech please click the link:  speech

To view a myriad of photos from today’s event please click the link: Zimbio.com

Photos courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images Europe

Monaco Princely Family

Happy Birthday to HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco: He’s 53 Years Old Today

On March 14, 1958, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco was born to HSH Princess Grace and HSH Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

Today, the former Bobsledding Olympian is 53 years old with two children from two different women, uber-wealthy, slightly overweight, receding hairline, environmentally conscious (though he doesn’t always practice what he preaches), who will finally marry his longtime girlfriend, South African Olympic swimmer, Charlene Wittstock, on July 1 and 2, 2011.

Happy Birthday, dude.   You’re old.

To read a long bio about HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco please click the link:  Palais Princier de Monaco

British Royals, Royal documentaries

Edward VIII: A Documentary about the Edward, Duke of Windsor

Besides His Majesty King George III, King Richard III, and Queen Elizabeth I, the history of Edward, Duke of Windsor has always fascinated me.  Any way, here is an eleven part biased documentary entitled, Edward VIII: The Traitor King. Enjoy!

Here is a clip whereupon Edward, Duke of Windsor recalls his first encounter with his soon-to-be wife, Wallis Simpson.  Click to watch:  Duke and Duchess of Windsor

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor at the Queen Mary Memorial Unveiling in 1967.

Finally, if you have never read the book, A King\’s Story by HRH The Duke of Windsor I highly recommend you do.

British Royals

The Duchess of Windsor’s Clothing to be Auctioned on March 17, 2011

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On March 17, 2011, Wallis, The Duchess of Windsor’s clothing as well as purses will be auctioned off through Kerry Taylor Auctions “…in conjunction with Sotheby’s…” and will be held at the La Galleria in London, England.  There are thirty-five items up for auction which include a Louis Vuitton vanity case, an Alligator purse, Anglisano crocodile shoes, and a bunch of clothing.

Per the Daily Mail newspaper:

Wallis’s clothes were in mint condition. She was obsessed with everything being perfect. Almost every item in the auction is stamped with her identity as a Duchess, even the bath mats. And her negligees. One fascinating item in the auction is a tortoiseshell dressing set, circa 1928, inlaid with the initials WSW in gilt.

Wallis was trapped in a gilded cage, the couple didn’t have children, she was banished by polite society, there was nothing much for her to do. ‘And so she went shopping,’ says Taylor.

‘She would change her outfit several times a day. Her hairdresser came every day. When she rose in the morning, her sheets were removed, pressed and put back in time for her afternoon nap.’

What Wallis wore always made headlines. ‘She was the first style icon,’ says Kerry. ‘She experimented, she loved clothes, and she moved with the times.’

All proceeds from this auction will go to the Dodi al-Fayed International Charitable Foundation.

To learn more about the auction please click the link:  Kerry Taylor Auctions To view some of the items please click the link below.

Source: Daily Mail

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