118 years ago
Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, and eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, died of pneumonia on January 14, 1892. He was 28 and was about to be married to Princess Mary of Teck at the time of his death.
117 years ago
On January 10, 1893, Crown Prince Ferdinand of Romania (right) married his distant cousin Princess Marie of Edinburgh in Sigmaringen, Germany. The couple had six children. Prince Ferdinand became King of Romania in 1914, reigning until his death in 1927.
38 years ago
After the death of her father King Frederik IX, Queen Margrethe …read more

80 Years ago
On January 8, 1930, Prince Umberto of Italy (right) and Princess Marie-José of Belgium were married. Prince Umberto became King Umberto II, the last king of Italy, reigning for little more than a month, from May 9, 1946 to June 12, 1946.
30 Years ago
On January 1, 1980, the Swedish rule of succession was changed to equal primogeniture, making the eldest child of the monarch, whether male or female, first in line to the throne of Sweden. Princess Victoria became heir apparent, ahead of her younger brother Prince Carl Philip.
10 Years ago
Princess María Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, the …read more

Three royals that we see often working together on the same cause came together once again in Copenhagen, Denmark last week. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark attended the opening of the Bright Green Expo last December 12, 2009.

The three royals took the stage and talked with Adam Holm about the joint trip they took to Greenland and about climate change.

Spotted last week at the Rights of the Child anniversary conference was Sweden’s Princess Madeleine toting a Miu Miu bag. This is the Miu Miu Coffer Black Scamosciato bag in ruched leather, with a plaited handle and gold hardware. It’s perfect for a day in meetings, and then a night out to a concert!

Here’s another look at the bag, and Princess Madeleine’s outfit that day. I would love to see the dress she was wearing under that coat. If you know of any photos that show that, send along the links!

images Zuma Press

Sweden’s Queen Silvia came out for a gala dinner in Germany this week in a stunning red gown.
King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia attended the formal affair which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Swedish board of trade in Hamburg. King Carl was dashing enough, but he had nothing on his wife. The queen in the sequin-covered number was sure to have been a head-turner that night.

images: Zuma Press

I love to see royals getting involved in charities, groups and conferences that are health-related. They have a lot of influence, and are able to draw attention, just by their presence, to the need to support these initiatives.
Last week, Princess Victoria of Sweden and Princess Letizia of Spain attended two separate events benefiting women and people with autism, respectively.
On September 24, 2009, Princess Victoria inaugurated the new women’s clinic at the University Hospital MAS in Malmo, Sweden. The hospital provides medical services not just for residents of Malmo, but also for those in the southern region of Sweden as well. …read more

The Swedish royals showed two completely different fashion palettes for the events related to the opening of the parliament in Stockholm, Sweden this week.

For the official opening day, September 15, 2009, the outfits were rather somber, with Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria in black. Princess Victoria’s ensemble was given variety only by white with black polka-dot accents, and the Queen’s by pearls and white flowers in her hat. Princess Madeleine went slightly lighter, in charcoal grey; King Carl Gustav and Prince Carl Philip wore coat-and-tie.
Nothing especially noteworthy, but I do like Princess Victoria’s dress and hat!

Princess Madeleine of Sweden attended the inauguration of the fourth Ronald McDonald House in Sweden on August 26, 2009.
 

The house is located in Linkoping and provides accommodation for the families of seriously ill children who are being treated at the University Hospital. As part of the inauguration, Princess Madeleine planted a tree and toured the house. She also met a family who was admitted to the residence ahead of the opening ceremony.

images: Zuma Press; source: nt.se

Princess Victoria of Sweden visited Savar in Vasterbotten on August 19, 2009. Ceremonies marking the last battle on Swedish soil were held in the village.
It had been exactly 200 years since Sweden lost Finland to Russia. As part of the commemorations, a reenactment of the last battle was held in Savar.

The Swedish Crown Princess warmly greeted the crowd who gathered to see her, and they returned the sentiment. It is clear that Princess Victoria enjoys interacting with them. I think she’ll make a great and well-loved queen!

Princess Madeleine of Sweden, 27, and Jonas Bergstrom, 30, announced their engagement yesterday!
 

The youngest daughter of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia has been dating Mr. Bergstrom, a lawyer, since 2002. The couple’s engagement means that there will be two royal weddings in Sweden soon! Princess Madeleine’s older sister, Crown Princess Victoria, announced her own engagement to Daniel Westling in February.
While no date for the wedding of Princess Madeleine and Mr. Bergstrom has been set, it is assumed that they will wait until after Princess Victoria’s wedding in June 2010.
Congratulations to the lovely couple!

images: Zuma Press