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

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.

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

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

Another Princely Wedding: Countess Matilde Borromeo and HSH Prince Antonius zu Fürstenberg

It was announced this afternoon, March 10, 2011, that HSH Prince Antonius zu Fürstenberg will marry his long time girlfriend, Countess Matilde Borromeo.

According to the German newspaper, Stuttgarter-Nachrichten, the couple will marry on June 11, 2011 on Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore in Italy.

To read the article in its entirety, please click the link: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de

HRH Princess Tatiana of Greece Attends… Oh Nevermind

On March 8, 2011, HRH Princess Tatiana of Greece attended the Vanity Fair Rocks party at the Corinthia Hotel in lovely London, England. Great.

I’m not sure what the point of this Vanity Fair party was for, but one thing that I do know: There were a lot of people at the party smoozing, boozing, and air-kissing.  Guests included model Jacquetta Wheeler, Amanda Eliasch, Ari Busson, Camilla Rutherford, Eliane Fattal, Nicky Haslam, Plum Sykes and hundreds of other fashionable people as well as VIP London socialites.

Oh and Princess Tatiana’s husband was there, Prince Nikolaos… but no one cares.

To view more photos please click the link: Life.com

Miss Zara Phillips and Mr. Mike Tindell Will Marry in Edinburgh, Scotland: You Know That Other Wedding

It was announced this afternoon, March 9, 2011, that Miss Zara Phillips, daughter of The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) and granddaughter to HM Queen Elizabeth II, and Mr. Mike Tindell will indeed marry in Edinburgh, Scotland on July 30, 2011.

According to the newspaper, The Telegraph, the couple will marry at the Canongate Kirk and the wedding reception will be held at “…Edinburgh’s Palace of Holyroodhouse – the Queen’s official home in the country.”

 

 

This is wonderful news!  Again, congrats to the couple.  Stay tuned for more information.

Source: The Telegraph

Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com. Photo by PacificCoastNews.com and MJ Kim/Getty Images Entertainment

All the latest news and events from monarchies around the world.