About Parisian Galas and Viennese Balls

Photo: Getty Images

Already in the first half of this month, on 11 June to be exact, and wholly unnoticed by moi, a gala dinner hosted by the World Monuments Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of historic architecture and cultural heritage sites, took place at the Hôtel de Talleyrand in Paris. Among the names on the guest list full of royals, nobles and otherwise societal figures were Prince Philipp and Princess Isabelle, who have made the outskirts of Paris their home many years ago.

More pictures of the gala which was also attended by Prince Lorenz of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este as well as Prince Michel and Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon Parma are located at Getty Images.

Photo: Christian Mikes / Society24.at

Last Friday about 1000 kilometres further east and slightly south, Prince Constantin's wife Princess Marie mingled with the Viennese society at the Fête Imperiale held at the Winter Riding School of the Spanish Riding School located at the Hofburg in Vienna.

For the forth years in a row, the stunning Winter Riding School, where the famous Lippizaner horses usually give their performances, was transformed into a ballroom for a night. The Spanish Riding School is no stranger to society events and already played host to Empress Maria Theresa's legendary gatherings during the 18th century. All proceeds of the summer ball help to protect Europe's oldest cultural horse breed and to preserve the quality of the Spanish Riding School.

More visuals of Vienna's only summer ball can be found at Society24.at.


Sources: Fête Imperiale, Society24.at, Getty Images

Representing Liechtenstein

Photo: 1 FL TV

The trainees of the Swiss diplomatic and consular service visited Liechtenstein over the past two days in order to get an impression and to learn about the Principality which many of them will represent diplomaticly in the future. During their visit, they were received at Schloss Vaduz by Prince Hans-Adam II.

As Liechtenstein is a pretty small country, the country only maintains few diplomatic missions in other countries. The Principality has embassies in Austria, which also serves for the Czech Republic, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, the United States of America as well as a non-resident ambassador to the Holy See. In addition, it has permanent representations in Brussels, Geneva, Strasbourg and New York City to the different major multilateral organisations as well as a bunch of consulates. In all other countries, Liechtenstein is represented by Switzerland who also offer all services to Liechtensteiners that they offer their own citizens.

A video of the trainees visiting the Prince can be found at 1 FL TV.

Sources: Vaterland, IKR, Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein

Official Visit to Singapore *

Photo: MFA

Since Wednesday, Hereditary Prince Alois has been visiting Singapore for a bunch of things. Singapore's prime minister Lee Hsien Loong invited the Liechtenstein regent for his second official visit to the Southeast Asian country. The Hereditary Prince was accompanied by his country's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture, Dr Aurelia Frick, as well as a delegation consisting of officials and businessmen as well as the prince's uncle Prince Philipp and his brother Prince Max with wife Princess Angela but more on that in a second.

Over the last few days, Hereditary Prince Alois has met with different Singaporean officials, ranging from aforementioned prime minister, president Tony Tan Keng Yam, to the ministers of foreign affairs, trade and finance. During the course of the meetings a double tax agreement was signed. The Hereditary Prince also was the guest of honour at the official opening of the Consulate of the Principality of Liechtenstein and held a lecture at the National University of Singapore talking about "The Chances and Challenges of Liechtenstein". In addition, there were several business meetings to talk about possible investements in Singapore and Liechtenstein.

Photo: PD / Liechtensteiner Vaterland / Vaterland.li

The highlight of the Singapore visit  - at least for all art lovers and the purpose of this blog - was the opening of the exhibition "Princely Treasures of the House of Liechtenstein" at the National Museum of Singapore on Wednesday night. As the art exhibit is sponsored by the family-owned LGT Group, it's not too surprising - though very nice nonetheless - that the Hereditary Prince was joined by his brother Prince Max, CEO and president, who brought along his wife Princess Angela, as well as their uncle Prince Philipp, who is the chairman of the board of trustees of the LGT.

(In case you can't locate them on the picture, have a look at our Who's Who to identify them.)

The exhibition consisting of 91 art works owned by the Princely Family is currently touring Asia; earlier this year it was viewable in three Japanese cities and it will move to Beijing and Shanghai later on. The Princely Family owns what is considered one of the most important private art collections in the whole world. The exhibition in Singapore will run until 29 September.

More information and pictures are located at Volksblatt, Vaterland, the website of the Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Presseportal which features the press release of the Liechtenstein government. You can also enjoy a news video of the visit at Channel News Asia - A special thanks to the always informative Royal Correspondent who sent in the link! - and one by Loo & Partners LLP on Youtube.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore, IKR

Happy Birthday, Tageblatt

Photo: Gerry Huberty / Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu

The Tageblatt, Luxembourg's second biggest newspaper, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and they had a big birthday bash at the Grand Théâtre earlier tonight. The Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess where on hand to participate in the festivities which included a discussion forum about the role and responsibility of publishers. Founded as the Escher Tageblatt by Paul Schroell, its first edition was published on 30 June 1913.

Pictures of the celebrations are located at Tageblatt and Wort in German.

Source: Wort

Planes, Pictures and a Handshake

Photo: Cour grand-ducale

Earlier today, Grand Duke Henri welcomed Zafer Çağlayan, Turkey's minister of the economy, at the palais for an audience during which they obviously shook hands though not much else is known. Mr Çağlayan arrived in the Grand Duchy yesterday with the first Turkish Airlines' direct flight between Istanbul and Luxembourg which will now be continued daily.

While nothing has yet become known about the garden party held at the Château de Berg on Monday night, the cour went artsy by releasing a bunch of black and white pictures of the torchlight parade on the eve of National Day.

Source: Cour grand-ducale, Wort

Sartorius Wedding

Photo: Hola

As mentioned before, the 5th Marquis of Mariño also known as Luis Sartorius, younger brother of Isabel Sartorius, most famously the former girlfriend of the Prince of Asturias, tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend and mother of his two children, Bárbara Pérez, last Saturday. Luis Sartorius is also the stepson of Princess Nora of Liechtenstein, who was the groom's late father's second wife.

So naturally Princess Nora (first row on the left) and her daughter Teresa (second row, third from the right) were also among the guests for the nuptials that were held at the beautiful Castillo de Belmonte in the Spanish province of Cuenca which is owned by the family of Javier Fitz-James Stuart Soto, father of Isabel Sartorius' daughter Mencia and good friend of the groom.

Source: Hola

Church and State

Photo: Liechtensteiner Volksblatt

Last night, Prince Nikolaus discussed matters of state and church in Schaan, Liechtenstein's biggest municipality. Other guests at the discussion forum included Adrian Hasler, the head of government, and Daniel Hilti, mayor of Schaan. The unbundling of church and state has been a topic that has kept the Principality busy for years.

The discussion was initiated by Prince Hans-Adam II after the erection of the archbishopric of Vaduz by the Holy See. (It is generally said that the the Princely Family did not like the move which was largely regarded as an act to settle quarrels in the Chur diocese to which Liechtenstein belonged before. The Liechtenstein-born former bishop of Chur, Wolfgang Haas, who then became the archbishop of Chur is a controversial figure to say the least.) In 1997, the Prince said that the strong linking between state and church was against the freedom of worship. Since then politicians have worked unbundle matters of state and church; the country has also worked on a concordat with the Holy See. As Liechtenstein's ambassador to the Holy See, Prince Nikolaus has been heavily involved in the whole process and headed the country's delegation who worked on the concordat.

More information and another picture can be found at Vaterland.

Source: Liechtensteiner Volksblatt

Grand Duke's Brothers Willing to Appear in Court

The cour grand-ducale has issued a statement regarding Prince Jean and Prince Guillaume in relation to the Bommeleeër case stating that both will appear in court to make their witness statements. (Have a look at our recent post as to why the Grand Duke's brothers are due to appear in court anyway.)

The statement of the cour reads that both Prince Jean and Prince Guillaume have already demonstrated their will to fulfill their civic duties by appearing in front of the court back in February when all called witnesses had to be appear in court at the beginning of the Bommeleeër trial. They will continue to do so by testifying in front of the court when called upon and have at no point in time considered to make provision of article 510 and following of the Code d’instruction criminelle which would allow princes and princesses as well as other dignitaries of the Empire - it was written in 1812... - not to testify. The cour also lets everyone know that the princes can't wait to hear about the outcome of the trial hoping that it will shed some light on the matter.

Source: RTL

The Hereditary Grand Duchess

Getty Images / Daylife / Charles Caratini / SIP / Guy Wolff / Cour grand-ducale

Eight months ago, Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy married Luxembourg's Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume in a lavish [Note: I feel like everyone who writes about royal weddings always uses that word as if they were sent into the dungeon in case they didn't. So just to make sure that I don't...] two-day-event. This weekend, she experienced her very first National Day in her new country. She welcomed the people of Colmar-Berg at the local castle, she visited Esch-sur-Alzette, watched the torchlight parade at the Place Guillaume II, attended the first interconfessional Te Deum, sat (and stood) through the military parade, and got the chance to dress up for the gala event. 

Why I am telling you all of this? The peeps over at RTL have made a special report about Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie's first National Day and you can watch it right here. The video also reveals that we can look forward to September as the Hereditary Grand Ducal couple is planning to meet with the press to give interviews after the summer is over.

Moi took the occasion to show you all of Stéphanie's tiara appearances - one of my favourite topics, if you hadn't guessed already - once again. In only eight months, she showed us five different sparklers on her head. (That's five more than we've seen on a certain Monégasque Princess in two years.)  For all the criticising I sometimes do, I really love how she's digging deep into the vaults and brings out a lot of long unseen pieces though also knows when to go for the family's more substantial and important pieces.

National Day Gala *

Photo: Charles Caratini / SIP

Drumroll please... To my and hopefully also your utter delight, there was a picture of the gala event of the Luxembourgish national day celebrations released. Let's pause for a moment of applause here.

Alright... Both Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie are wearing gowns that we have seen on them before. The Grand Duchess is sporting the same Elie Saab gown that she wore to the pre-wedding dinner of her oldest son last October which she topped off with the Belgian Scroll Tiara and rather substantial pearl earrings. Meanwhile, the Hereditary Grand Duchess is is repeating the pink Valentino dress she wore to the private birthday ball of Princess Maria Galitzine and Nina Peers de Nieuwburgh.

Let's pause for another moment of applause for what is happening on Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie her head, shall we? We shall!

Photos: Getty Images / Charles Caratini / SIP / Cour grand-ducale

Once again she dug deep into the family's jewel vault - I love her for that! - and unearthed another rarely seen tiara of the Grand Ducal Family. In fact, it is a bit of a mystery one. For a long time, many of us, including humble me, assumed that the amethyst tiara worn by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa on the left picture was a remodelling of the amethyst and pearl or diamond tiara worn by Princess Marie-Astrid during the 1970's and 1980's (right picture). Thanks to the Hereditary Grand Duchess, we now know that the amethyst and pearl or diamond tiara is still in existence. Well done, your highness!

In not the most surprising move of the year, Grand Duke Henri and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume looked dashing in their black gala uniforms of the Luxembourgish army, which they top of with the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau.

Let's hope that the Grand Ducal gods - also known as the cour - will be generous with us and also release pictures of Prince Louis, Princess Tessy and Princess Alexandra attending the gala reception (if they were present) for the members of the government, the bureau of the Chamber of Deputies, the Council of State, representatives of the judiciary, heads of the administration and foreign ambassadors.

You can catch a few glimpses of the gala reception in this RTL video (starting at 2:33).