Sunday, January 10, 2016

The Story Behind the Triplet Tie: Honouring Apapa

Photos: SIP / Julien Warrand
Truth be told, when I noticed last night that Prince Josef and Prince Wenceslas were wearing the same tie, my first thought was: Is it as bad for men as it is for women if there is another person at the same event wearing the same piece of clothing? My second thought was: Did they both forget to bring their ties and this one was the only one available in the whole of Luxembourg? Then my mind wandered to: Wait, maybe it has something to do with the school they went to? But no, it didn't - and then I thought it would forever remain a mystery.

However, when I noticed today that Archduke Alexander was actually wearing the very same tie as his cousins, it all started to fall into place. Because what do the sons of Princess Margaretha, Prince Jean and Archduchess Marie-Astrid, respectively in order of mention, have in common (apart from their family heritage)? Of course, they served in the Irish Guards, just as their grandfather Grand Duke Jean did during the Second World War.

Between 1984 and 2000, Grand Duke Jean also was the honorary colonel of the Irish Guards and they were prominently featured during the birthday concert as they played a rendition of Happy Birthday for their former member.  The theme was continued by Prince Josef, Prince Wenceslas and Archduke Alexander, who, in fact, wore the regimental tie of the Irish Guards to show both their own service in the Guards and to honour their Apapa in a lovely way!

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