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Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg; Credit – Wikipedia By Sultan Edijingo – Own work

Prince Guillaume Marie Louis Christian of Luxembourg was born May 1, 1963, at Betzdorf Castle in Luxembourg. He is the youngest of the five children of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium.

Guillaume has four older siblings:

Following his primary and secondary schooling in Luxembourg, Switzerland, and France, Prince Guillaume attended the University of Oxford in England, and Georgetown University in the United States, graduating from Georgetown in 1987. He worked for six months in the office of the Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund in Washington, DC, and then for two years for the Commission of the European Communities in Brussels, Belgium. In 1982, he became President of Lux-Development, the company that runs the bilateral and intergovernmental program of development assistance to the government of Luxembourg. In addition, he serves as a director of Arcelor-Mittal and Banque Générale du Luxembourg. He serves as patron of the Luxembourg Basketball Federation and the youth section of the Prince Guillaume Municipal Band of the city of Differdange.

photo: Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

Guillaume and Sibilla on their wedding day  – photo: Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

Prince Guillaume is married to Sibilla Weiller, a distant cousin. Sibilla is a descendant of Queen Victoria via her youngest child, Princess Beatrice. She is a granddaughter of Infanta Beatriz of Spain and a second cousin of King Felipe VI of Spain. Guillaume and Sibilla were married first in a civil ceremony held on September 8, 1994, in Sélestat, France, followed by a religious ceremony on September 24, 1994, at the Versailles Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Louis de Versailles). The couple had four children:

  • Prince Paul Louis of Nassau (born 1998)
  • Prince Léopold of Nassau (born 2000, twin of Charlotte)
  • Princess Charlotte of Nassau (born 2000, twin of Léopold)
  • Prince Jean of Nassau (born 2004)

In September 2000, Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla were injured in a serious car accident in France. For a period of time, Guillaume was in a coma. Due to the accident and the prince’s condition, his father’s planned abdication as Grand Duke of Luxembourg, scheduled for September 28, 2000, was postponed until the first week of October.

Prince Guillaume and his family live in Luxembourg and are often in attendance at major events in the Grand Duchy, as well as most family functions.

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Prince Guillaume, Princess Sibilla, and their children, at the wedding of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, 2012

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Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein; Credit – Wikipedia

Prince Nikolaus Ferdinand Maria Josef Raphael of Liechtenstein was born October 24, 1947, in Zurich, Switzerland, the third son of the four sons and the third of the five children of Prince Franz Josef II of Liechtenstein and Countess Georgina von Wilczek.

Prince Nikolaus has four siblings:

Nikolaus was raised at Vaduz Castle and began his primary education nearby. He then attended the Schottengymnasium (Scots College) in Vienna. Following high school in Zuoz, Switzerland, he studied law at the University of Vienna, graduating in 1972.

The Prince worked for the International Red Cross in Geneva, and later as a consultant in Liechtenstein’s Office of International Relations. From 1979-1989, he served as Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe. In 1986, he was appointed the first non-resident Ambassador to the Holy See, a position he held until July 2017. In addition, he served as Ambassador to Switzerland from 1989-1996, and Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union from 1996-2010.

On March 20, 1982, Prince Nikolaus married Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg, at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. She is the daughter of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium, as well as the younger sister of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg. So far, their marriage is the last between two reigning royal houses in Europe. They had four children:

  • Prince Leopold (born and died 1984)
  • Princess Maria-Anunciata (born 1985), married Emanuele Musini
  • Princess Marie-Astrid (born 1987), married Raphael Worthington
  • Prince Josef-Emanuel (born 1989), married María Claudia Echavarría Suárez

 

Princess Margaretha and Prince Nikolaus with their children, 2010. photo: www.royaltyonline.blogspot.com

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Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg, Princess of Liechtenstein

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2014

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Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg was born Princess Margaretha Antonia Marie Félicité of Luxembourg. Born on May 15, 1957, at Betzdorf Castle in Luxembourg, she is the second daughter of the two daughters and the fourth of the five children of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium. Through her birth and marriage, Princess Margaretha is a member of two currently reigning royal families.

Margaretha (standing) with her parents and siblings, 1971; Credit – Wikipedia

photo: Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

Wedding of Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg and Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein photo: Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

Princess Margaretha married Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein, son of Franz Josef II of Liechtenstein and Countess Georgina von Wilczek on March 20, 1982, at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Their marriage would be the last between two reigning royal houses in Europe. They had four children:

  • Prince Leopold (born and died 1984)
  • Princess Maria-Anunciata (born 1985), married Emanuele Musini
  • Princess Marie-Astrid (born 1987), married Raphael Worthington
  • Prince Josef-Emanuel (born 1989), married María Claudia Echavarría Suárez
Princess Margaretha with her husband, daughters and younger son, 2010. photo: www.royaltyonline.blogspot.com

Princess Margaretha and Prince Nikolaus with their children, 2010. photo: www.royaltyonline.blogspot.com

Princess Margaretha is active in charity work. She is the patron of Dyslexia International, Princess Margaretha Luxembourgeois Girl Guides of Leudelange and the Crèche de Luxembourg.

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Prince Jean of Luxembourg

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2014

photo: Zimbio

Prince Jean of Luxembourg – Photo: Zimbio

Prince Jean Félix Marie Guillaume of Luxembourg was born May 15, 1957, at Betzdorf Castle in Luxembourg. He is the second son of the three sons and the third of the five children of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium.

Prince Jean has four siblings:

Prince Jean was educated in Luxembourg, Switzerland, and France before attending the Bell School of Languages in Cambridge, England. He then enrolled in the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, graduating in 1978. He continued his education at the University of Geneva, and Webster University, also in Geneva, and began working at a financial firm in New York City. He returned to Europe in 1985, and the following year earned an MBA from INSEAD in France.

photo: Nobles & Royalties

Prince Jean and his first wife Hélène Vestur. photo: Nobles & Royalties

On May 27, 1987, Prince Jean married Hélène Vestur at the Church of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule in Paris, France. Jean had given up his succession rights the previous year, just after the birth of the couple’s first child. So upon marriage, his wife and children took on the surname ‘de Nassau’ with no royal style or title. In 1995, they were raised to Count/Countess of Nassau, and in 2004, Grand Duke Henri elevated the children to Prince/Princess of Nassau, with the style of Royal Highness. However, they do not have any succession rights. Jean and Hélène divorced in 2004.

The couple had four children:

  • Princess Marie-Gabrielle of Nassau (born 1986), married Antonius Willms, had two sons
  • Prince Constantin of Nassau (born 1988), married Kathryn Mechie, had one son
  • Prince Wenceslas (born 1990)
  • Prince Carl-Johan (born 1992)

In 2009, Prince Jean married Diane de Guerre at the City Hall in Roermond, the Netherlands. She holds the title of Countess de Nassau. They have no children.

Prince Jean does not undertake any official duties for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, however, he is often in attendance at private family functions. He works with the GDS-Suez Group and serves as Executive Vice President of the Suez Foundation, and a member of the board of Degrémont, a company that specializes in the production of clean and healthy drinking water. Degrémont is a subsidiary of Suez Environnement, SA. Continuing with his work in the area of water sanitation, Prince Jean purchased a subsidiary of Suez Environnement in 2006, and created Mea Aqua. This organization is focused on developing water and energy solutions in the Middle East and Asia.

Prince Jean and Countess Diane de Nassau at the 2013 wedding of his nephew, Prince Félix of Luxembourg. photo: Zimbio

Prince Jean and Countess Diane de Nassau at the 2013 wedding of his nephew, Prince Félix of Luxembourg. photo: Zimbio

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Archduke Carl Christian of Austria

by Scott Mehl

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Archduke Carl Christian of Austria (Carl Christian Maria Anna Rudolph Anton Marcus d’Aviano), known as Christian, is the husband of Princess Marie Astrid of Luxembourg.  He was born on August 26, 1954, at the Château de Belœil in Belgium, the second son of Archduke Carl Ludwig of Austria and Princess Yolande of Ligne.  Carl Christian is a grandson of the last Austrian Emperor Karl I and his wife, Princess Zita of Bourbon-Parma.

Carl Christian has three siblings:

  • Archduke Rudolf of Austria (born 1950), married Baroness Hélène de Villenfagne de Vogelsanck, had eight children
  • Archduchess Alexandra of Austria (born 1952), married Héctor Riesle, Chilean ambassador to the Holy See, had three children
  • Archduchess Maria Constanza of Austria (born 1957) married Franz Josef, Prince of Auersperg-Trautson, had three daughters and one adopted daughter

On February 6, 1982, Archduke Carl Christian married his second cousin, Princess Marie-Astrid of Luxembourg, the daughter of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and Princess Joséphine Charlotte of Belgium. A civil ceremony was held at the Grand Ducal Palace followed by a religious ceremony at the Cathédrale Notre Dame, both in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.

The couple had five children:

  • Archduchess Marie-Christine of Austria (born 1983), married Count Rodolphe de Limburg-Stirum, had three children
  • Archduke Imre of Austria (born 1985), married Kathleen Elizabeth Walker, had five children
  • Archduke Christoph of Austria (born 1988), married Adélaïde Marie Béatrice Drapé-Frisch, had four children
  • Archduke Alexander of Austria (born 1990), married married Natacha Roumiantzeff-Pachkevitch
  • Archduchess Gabriella of Austria (born 1994), married Prince Henri of Bourbon-Parma, had three children

Carl Christian was very close to his uncle Archduke Otto (Dr. Otto von Habsburg), and traveled extensively with him, often speaking on his behalf. He was also a very visible member at any events relating to the beatification of his grandfather Emperor Karl of Austria.

The Archduke works in Geneva, Switzerland where he manages a company specializing in audit and control of financial institutions. In addition, he serves as President of the Board of Directors of G&C Kreglinger.

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Princess Marie-Astrid of Luxembourg, Archduchess of Austria

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

 

Princess Marie-Astrid Liliane Charlotte Léopoldine Wilhelmine Ingeborg Antoinette Élisabeth Anne Alberte of Luxembourg was born on February 17, 1954, at Betzdorf Castle in Luxembourg, the eldest child of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and Princess Joséphine Charlotte of Belgium.

Marie-Astrid has four younger siblings:

Marie-Astrid was educated in Luxembourg and Belgium, and earned her certification as a registered nurse in 1974, with a specialized certificate in tropical medicine in 1977. Since 1970, she has been President of the Red Cross for Luxembourg Youth. In the late 1970s, she was rumored to be a prospective bride for Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. However, these rumors proved to be unfounded, and quite unlikely. Marie-Astrid is a devout Catholic and a marriage between the two would not have been permitted under the British Royal Marriages Act.

photo: Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

Marie-Astrid and Carl Christian on their wedding day -photo: Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

On February 6, 1982, in Luxembourg, Marie-Astrid married her second cousin Archduke Carl Christian of Austria. A civil ceremony was held at the Grand Ducal Palace, followed by a religious ceremony at the Cathédrale Notre Dame, both in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Upon marriage, her full title became Her Imperial and Royal Highness Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria, Princess Imperial of Austria, Princess Royal of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia, Princess of Luxembourg, Princess of Nassau, Princess of Bourbon-Parma.

The couple had five children:

  • Archduchess Marie-Christine of Austria (born 1983), married Count Rodolphe de Limburg-Stirum, had three children
  • Archduke Imre of Austria (born 1985), married Kathleen Elizabeth Walker, had five children
  • Archduke Christoph of Austria (born 1988), married Adélaïde Marie Béatrice Drapé-Frisch, had four children
  • Archduke Alexander of Austria (born 1990), married married Natacha Roumiantzeff-Pachkevitch
  • Archduchess Gabriella of Austria (born 1994), married Prince Henri of Bourbon-Parma, had three children
photo: ©2013 Cour grand-ducale/Vic Fischbach

photo: ©2013 Cour grand-ducale/Vic Fischbach

Marie-Astrid is typically in attendance at family functions in Luxembourg, as well as the occasional official events. Amongst several patronages and involvements, she serves on the Board of Directors of l’Arche International, an organization that works with people with intellectual disabilities.  In the photo above, she is seen, along with her father, Grand Duke Jean, and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess in October 2013, at a concert of the Luxembourg Philharmonic held in memory of her late mother, Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte.

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Princess Claire of Belgium

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

 

Princess Claire of Belgium (neé Claire Louise Coombs) is the wife of Prince Laurent of Belgium, the youngest child of King Albert II of Belgium and Paola Ruffo di Calabria. She was born on January 18, 1974, in Bath, England, the daughter of the British Nicholas Coombs and his Belgian wife Nicole Eva Mertens. She has an older sister Joanna, and a younger brother Matthew.

The family moved to Belgium when Claire was three years old. She completed her primary and secondary education at the Institut de la Providence, in Wavre, Belgium. She then studied as a surveyor, completing her training in 1999. She then worked for Brone & Oldenhove, a surveying firm in Wavre where she had also worked as an intern during her education.

In December 2002, the engagement of Claire Coombs and Prince Laurent was announced by the Royal Palace. The couple had first met in 2000 at the home of a mutual friend. Their marriage took place on April 12, 2003. A civil ceremony was held at Brussels Town Hall, followed by a religious ceremony at the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula in Brussels. By Royal Decree issued by the King, Claire was elevated to Princess of Belgium in her own right. Claire and Laurent live at Villa Clémentine in Tervuren, with their three children:

  • Princess Louise of Belgium (born 2004)
  • Prince Nicolas of Belgium (born 2005) – twin of Aymeric
  • Prince Aymeric of Belgium (born 2005) – twin of Nicolas

Princess Claire and her family in 2022; Credit – https://www.facebook.com/fondation.prince.stichting.prins.laurent/photos

In 2004, Princess Claire was chosen to serve as an assessor at a polling station in Tervuren during the regional and European elections. This was the first time a member of the Belgian Royal Family had taken on a position like this, and it was hailed as a sign of the modernization of the monarchy.

Unlike her two sisters-in-law, Queen Mathilde and Princess Astrid, Princess Claire has no official role. However, she is often in attendance at official events and state functions with her husband. She serves as Patron of The Brussels Choral Society and Green Spaces and Garden Arts and is the Honorary President of the Pro Renovassistance Foundation.

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Princess Chulabhorn Walailak of Thailand

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Princess Chulabhorn Walailak of Thailand; Credit – Wikipedia

Princess Chulabhorn Walailak of Thailand is the youngest child of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Sirikit Kitiyakara. She was born on July 4, 1957, in Bangkok. The princess has three older siblings:

Princess Chulabhorn attended the Chitralada School in the Dusit Palace complex. Following her secondary education, she attended Kasetart University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Organic Chemistry in 1979. She continued her studies in organic chemistry at Mahidol University, receiving her doctorate in 1985.

In 1982, Princess Chulabhorn married Virayudh Tishyasarin, an Air Vice Marshal in the Royal Thai Air Force. With permission from her father, she retained her royal title and style. The marriage ended in divorce two years later. They had two daughters:

In 1987, Princess Chulabhorn established the Chulabhorn Research Institute where she serves as president. A recipient of the UNESCO Einstein Award in 1986, she is also an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in the United Kingdom. In addition to her scientific and educational work, the princess is a classically trained musician.

photo: Chulabhorn Hospital

Princess Chulabhorn; photo: Chulabhorn Hospital

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Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand; Credit – Wikipedia Government of the Kingdom of Thailand. © ITU/ M. Jacobson – Gonzalez

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand was born at the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, Dusit Palace in Bangkok, Thailand on April 2, 1955, the third of four children of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Sirikit Kitiyakara. She has three siblings:

Princess Sirindhorn completed her primary and secondary education at the exclusive Chitralada School, established for the children of the Thai royal family. She then attended Chulalongkorn University, earning a bachelor’s degree in history in 1976. After that, she enrolled in two Master’s programs concurrently, earning a master’s degree in Oriental Epigraphy in 1979 from Silpakorn University, and another in Oriental Languages from Chulalongkorn University in 1980. She later received a doctorate in Educational Development in 1986 from Srinakharinwirot University.

Princess Sirindhorn greeting Crown Princess Masako of Japan at the Dutch enthronement, 2013. photo: Zimbio

Princess Sirindhorn greeting Crown Princess Masako of Japan at the Dutch enthronement, 2013. photo: Zimbio

The Princess is a professor and Head of the History Department at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, in addition to many royal duties and visits on behalf of the King. Princess Sirindhorn is perhaps more widely known than her brother and sisters, as she represented her father at events around the world. She often represents the Thai Royal Family at other royal events, such as the enthronement ceremonies for King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (along with her brother).

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King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s son Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, his daughters Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana and Princess Bajrakitiyabha Manidol, his sisters Princess Ubolratana and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and Queen Suthida, attend his coronation in 2019

The princess is also active in charitable causes. She serves as Executive Vice President of the Thai Red Cross Society, and Executive Chairman of the Chaipattana Foundation (in charge of His Majesty the King’s development and environmental conservation projects), the Anandha Mahidol Foundation (to promote higher education), and the King Rama II Foundation (to conserve and promote Thai culture). In addition, she serves as President of the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation, which provides international recognition to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in medicine and public health. She has also founded the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Charity Fund, which supports projects that improve people’s living conditions, including programs that relieve those suffering from catastrophe.

Princess Sirindhorn with her parents, 2012. photo: Bangkok Post

Princess Sirindhorn with her parents, 2012. photo: Bangkok Post

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Srirasm Suwadi, the former Princess Srirasm of Thailand

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

photo: Zimbio

Photo: Zimbio

Srirasm Suwadi, the former Princess Srirasm of Thailand, was the third wife of Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, the son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Sirikit Kitiyakara, and now King of Thailand. She was born Srirasm Akharapongpreecha on December 9, 1971, the third of five children of Aphirut and Wanthanee Akharaphongpreecha. Following her primary education, she attended the Bangkok Business College. In 1993, she became a lady-in-waiting in the Crown Prince’s household. She later graduated from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in Management Science, and Kasetsart University in 2007 with a master’s degree in Home Economics.

Srirasm and the Crown Prince were married on February 10, 2001, at the Nonthaburi Palace. Their marriage was not announced until early 2005 when Srirasm was pregnant with the couple’s only son. After his birth, she was elevated to Princess of Thailand.

Following her son’s birth, she founded the “Sai Yai Rak Jak Mae Su Luk” (Love and care from mother to children) campaign. This organization promotes breastfeeding and healthy upbringing of children. She was often seen at official events along with her husband, both within Thailand as well as representing the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at events elsewhere in the world.

 

On December 10, 2014, the couple divorced.  Two days later, Srirasm relinquished her royal titles and the Thai royal palace released this statement: “Princess Srirasmi, wife of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn… has written to respectfully resign from her status in the royal family and permission has been granted by His Majesty the King.”

After Srirasmi’s divorce, her parents were arrested for lèse-majesté, a French term meaning “to do wrong to majesty”, is an offense against the dignity of a reigning sovereign Thailand’s criminal code has carried a prohibition against lèse-majesté since 1908. Srirasmi’s parents later admitted to misusing their royal connection twelve years earlier which led to a former neighbor being jailed on bogus fraud charges. Both were sentenced to five years in prison, which was reduced to two and a half years.

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