A Noble Wedding...

On Saturday, 24 July, Princess Blanche de Merode married Baron Philipp von und zu Bodman.

Some of our favorite Luxembourgers were in attendance. Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, Prince Félix, Prince Louis and Princess Tessy watched as the noble couple wed at Wenau. Also in attendance were their cousins Princesses Marie-Astrid and Maria-Anunciata of Liechtenstein, Archduke Imre of Austria and The Prince of Ligne.

Let the Race Begin!

Us Lux-lovers have another reason to be excited for Sunday's Tour de France final in Paris - The Grand Duke himself will be on hand to take in the festivities and of course, lead the cheering section for dear Andy (that's Andy Schleck, for those not privy with the world of bike racing, Lux athletics, or if you've simply been living under a rock). Wort reports that the dashing Duke will also participate in the awards ceremony.

On the Road Again....

The Grand Ducal Couple has apparently seen what a blast their eldest son, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, has been having on his fun-filled frolics with "Luxembourg for Finance" and - luckily for us - have decided to join the party! TRH Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa will incorporate a promotion of the economic initiative "Luxembourg for Business" into their state visit to Portugal on September 7, 2010. More details will probably be forthcoming closer to the actual event. Until then, mark your calendars, folks!

Party Princess

Spanish magazine Hola has published a spread in its July 14th issue covering a shindig held in oh-so-stylin' Ibiza and attended by the who’s who of the who’s who among the society set - including Prince Louis’ numero uno, Princess Tessy. YouKioske has a virtual copy of the magazine available for online readers, with pictures of the royal reveler featured on pages 72-73 and 79.

(A little rundown for those not versed in this particular romance language that is Español: The party was held by Mallorca-based German businessman Matthias Kühn and Norma Duval, and carried an all-white dress code (nope, it wasn't just a seriously cool coincidence). Attending sans hubby, Tessy reportedly spent the majority of the evening on the terrace close to the living room, socializing with girlfriends.)

Mark your calendars...

In March 2011 The Grand Ducal Couple will pay a state visit to Vietnam. A state visit to Vietnam had been previously planned for February 2009. The visit was cancelled because Henri was seriously ill with broncho-pneumonia. The upcoming visit is tentatively scheduled for 1-12 March.

Additionally, they will make a state visit to Norway in September 2011. The 3 day visit will begin 13 September.

A trade and business delegation will accompany the pair on both journeys.

The party continues...**

Prince Robert and Princess Julie continued the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Dillon family's purchase of Chateau Haut-Brion. Yesterday they hosted a gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. I mentioned in my posting about the London dinner that they are hosting a series of celebrations all over the world. The New York leg of this international affair was attended by socialites, aristocrats and President Bill Clinton. Princess Julie looked lovely, as usual. She is pictured above with Dillon Bryan and his interesting choice of footwear.

While he was in The United States Prince Robert gave a brief interview with FOX Business Network. He discussed Domaine Clarence Dillon's venture into the production of a lower cost wine. Robert was professional and informative. The interviewer kept referring to him as "prince" as if were about to start playing a purple guitar. I found that mildly annoying. People always seem to forget that if you have doubts about how to address someone that a simple Sir or Ma'am will put you on the right path.

Gone but not forgotten...

Thursday was the 25th anniversary of the death of Grand Duchess Charlotte. An exhibit was opened to commemorate her life. The Grand Duke Henri came to view the exhibit. The exhibit will remain open until l August. Admission is free!

I love the picture he is looking at. The photo is from the christening of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume. I like photographs that show multiple generations and the picture shows 4 generations of Luxembourg sovereigns; Grand Duchess Charlotte, Grand Duke Jean, Grand Duke Henri and the itty-bitty future Grand Duke Guillaume.

Charlotte was an exceptionally popular monarch. She came to power only 64 days after the Armistice that ended World War I.

She survived World War I, World War II, exile (during WWII), and a referendum on the monarchy. In 1919 Luxembourgers were faced with a choice to end the monarchy, have a new dynasty, have a new monarch or continue with Charlotte as Grand Duchess. The referendum took place 9 months after Charlotte became Grand Duchess following the abdication of her highly unpopular sister Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde. An impressive majority of people (80.34%) voted in favor of retaining a monarchy in Luxembourg. The overwhelming majority of votes (77.22%) were specifically for Charlotte.Mir wëlle bleiwe wat mir sinn, indeed!

Charlotte reigned as Grand Duchess for 45 years. She abdicated in 1964. She died of cancer 9 July 1985.

A Solemn Farewell...

On 4 July 2010, Countess Camilla Holstein til Ledreborg passed away. She was only 51 years old. She had been suffering from cancer for several years.

The Countess was born 26 February 1959 and was the daughter of Princess Marie Gabrielle of Luxembourg and the Danish Count Knud Holstein til Ledreborg. Princess Marie Gabrielle was the fourth child of Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Felix. Countess Camilla was the niece of Grand Duke Jean and therefore a first cousin of Grand Duke Henri.

Countess Camilla was married to Baron Eric Bertouch-Lehn til Højbygaard and Lungholm in 1986. They were divorced several years later. She is survived by her sons the Barons Nicolas and Philip, her mother Princess Marie Gabrielle, and her six sisters.

She lived a life filled with wonderful highs and tragic lows. She briefly discussed some of the extraordinary points of her life in an interview last year. Some of the things she discussed were summers at Cabasson with her cousins, the catastrophic brain injury of her ex-husband and her life changing experience with faith.

It is always tragic when good people die. We would like to express our sympathy to the family and friends of Countess Camilla. Our thoughts are especially with her sons Baron Nicolas and Baron Philip and her mother Princess Marie Gabrielle.

Source: posting by Stig on the Benelux Royals Message Board, 7/7/2010.

Party...in the Garden...

Each year The Grand Ducal Couple hosts a garden party at Chateau de Berg in honor of National Day. This year they hosted two parties in the garden. The guests represent many areas of Luxembourg's culture, government, and economy. Prince Félix and The Hereditary Grand Duke were also in attendance.

The official website has a mention of the celebrations.

GD, Meet NATO

While his eldest was chillin' agricultural style, also on July 2nd cher Papa (The Grand Duke Henri to you and me - heh, get it?) was doing his part of the official duty thing by receiving Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, president of the military committee of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), at the Grand Ducal Palace.