Prince George being harassed by paparazzi

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Kensington Palace released a disturbing letter regarding Prince George being harassed by the paparazzi.

A letter from Kensington Palace – From: Jason Knauf, Communications Secretary to TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and HRH Prince Henry of Wales, 14th August, 2015

Some highlights from the letter:

One recent incident – just last week – was disturbing, but not at all uncommon. A photographer rented a car and parked in a discreet location outside a children’s play area. Already concealed by darkened windows, he took the added step of hanging sheets inside the vehicle and created a hide stocked with food and drinks to get him through a full day of surveillance, waiting in hope to capture images of Prince George. Police discovered him lying down in the boot of the vehicle attempting to shoot photos with a long lens through a small gap in his hide.

This incident was not an isolated one. In recent months photographers have:

  • on multiple occasions used long range lenses to capture images of The Duchess playing with Prince George in a number of private parks;
  • monitored the movements of Prince George and his nanny around London parks and
  • monitored the movements of other household staff;
  • photographed the children of private individuals visiting The Duke and Duchess’s home;
  • pursued cars leaving family homes;
  • used other children to draw Prince George into view around playgrounds;
  • been found hiding on private property in fields and woodland locations around The Duke and Duchess’s home in Norfolk;
  • obscured themselves in sand dunes on a rural beach to take photos of Prince George playing with his grandmother;
  • placed locations near the Middleton family home in Berkshire under steady surveillance

The Prince’s Palace, Monaco

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2015

source: Wikipedia, Hans1967

The Prince’s Palace of Monaco

Located atop “Le Rocher” (the rock) in Monaco-ville, The Prince’s Palace is the home of The Sovereign Prince of Monaco and his family, as well as the seat of the Monegasque monarchy. It has been home to the Grimaldi family for over 700 years.

The Palace began as a Genoese fortress built in 1191. In 1297, Francois Grimaldi, disguised as a monk, managed to gain entrance and took control of the fortress. Thus began a long history of the Grimaldi family, who eventually became Lords, and then Princes, of Monaco.

Over the next 650 years, the palace transformed through the addition of buildings and wings, becoming more of a place, and less of a fortress. Much of this took place during the reign of Honore I (1523-1581), who built much of the existing palace. Honore II, the first Prince of Monaco (1604-1662), added the eastern wing which overlooks the Palace Square and extended the State Apartments, as well as building the beautiful staircase in the courtyard. He also began the extensive collection of art and tapestries which adorn the palace.

By the time of the accession of Prince Rainier III in 1949, the palace was in need of major repair and restoration. Rainier undertook the massive project, and along with his wife, Princess Grace, turned the palace into the royal showplace that we know today. In addition to overhauling all of the state and official rooms, he also rebuilt the formerly demolished southern wing which houses the private apartments.

Religious wedding of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene in the palace courtyard, July 2011. source: The Daily Mail

Religious wedding of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene in the palace courtyard, July 2011. source: The Daily Mail

The palace today is the working home of the Prince and Princess and is where all official ceremonies and functions take place. In addition, the people of Monaco are often invited to the palace on special occasions. Each year, the annual children’s Christmas party is held in the palace courtyard, as well as concerts of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. The palace courtyard was also the site of the religious wedding ceremony of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene in 2011.

On the southern side of the courtyard is the magnificent double-revolution staircase, inspired by the staircase at the Palace of Fontainebleau in France. At the top of the Staircase is the Hercule Gallery which runs the length of the courtyard, and is adorned with frescoes of mythological figures, from the 16th and 17th centuries.

The State Rooms, located in the southern wing, begin with the Hall of Mirrors, which is used for visiting royalty and Heads of State. Inspired by the Mirror Gallery at Versailles, the room’s mirrors give the impression of a much larger space.

The Red Room, adorned with red silk brocade, is decorated in the Louis XV style and leads to the York Room.  The York Room is a state bedchamber that gets its name from Prince Edward, The Duke of York and Albany (younger brother of King George III of the United Kingdom). The Duke was aboard a ship bound for Genoa when he fell ill in the summer of 1767. The ship took port in Monaco and the Duke was brought to the palace, where he died in this room on September 17, 1767. The York Room contains the marble mosaic table which is used to sign all official documents by the Sovereign Prince.

The Officer’s Room is used by court officials to greet guests before an audience with the Prince. It adjoins the Blue Room, adorned with blue silk brocade, which is used for official receptions.

The Throne Room, in preparation for the civil marriage ceremony of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, July 2011. source: The Daily Mail

The Throne Room, in preparation for the civil marriage ceremony of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, July 2011. source: The Daily Mail

The Throne Room has been the site of all state ceremonies since the 16th century. The throne sits on a dais beneath a red silk canopy, surmounted by a gilt throne. The frescoes in the room depict the surrender of Alexander the Great. The Throne Room was the site of the civil marriage ceremony of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene in July 2011.  The photo above shows the marble mosaic table which is normally kept in the York Room.

Other rooms include the Mazarin Room, the Louis XII bedchamber and the State Hall, which connects the eastern and southern wings of the palace and leads to the dining room and the private apartments of the Princely family.

This link to the official site of the palace includes photos of several of the State Rooms.

Learn more about other Monegasque Royal Residences here!

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

The Grand Ducal Palace, Luxembourg

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2015

source: Wikipedia

source: Wikipedia

The Grand Ducal Palace, Luxembourg

The Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg City is the official palace of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and is used for official and ceremonial functions. Owned by the State, it is one of two palaces placed at the disposal of the Grand Duke, in accordance with the Constitution of Luxembourg. The other is Berg Castle, where the Grand Ducal Family actually resides.

The Town Hall in 1834. source: Wikipedia

The palace began as a town hall, with the earliest mention in 1418 in official documents. In 1554, the building was destroyed in an explosion when lightning had struck the nearby church and set off an explosion of gunpowder which was stored there. Much of the city was destroyed. The left wing, which still exists, was rebuilt in 1573. The town hall again suffered significant damage during the siege of Luxembourg in 1683-1684. It would be over 40 years before the city had the finances to rebuild in 1728. Expansion took place in the 1740s, which included removing the stone balustrade on the balcony and replacing it with the wrought iron which still exists today, and the building of the right wing, known as “La Balance”. The building became the home of the French central administration in 1795, and then the Prefecture of the Forestry Department in 1800.

It was 1815 when the old town hall became the seat of government and a Royal Palace, during the personal union with the Kings of the Netherlands. It was used as a residence of the Governor, Prince Willem Frederik Hendrik of the Netherlands. Several neighboring houses were purchased to allow for the expansion of the palace, which included the construction of the Chamber of Deputies on the right side of the palace in 1859.

The interior was renovated in 1883 in preparation for a visit by King Willem III and Queen Emma of the Netherlands (who were also Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg). Following the end of the personal union with the Netherlands in 1890, Adolphe, Duke of Nassau became the Grand Duke of Luxembourg and took up residence at the Grand Ducal Palace. He undertook a complete transformation of the palace, building a new wing to contain guest accommodations and private apartments for his family.

During the German occupation during World War II, the palace was used by the Nazis as a concert hall and tavern. By the end of the war, the building had suffered significant damage and most of the furniture and art collection had been destroyed. It was on April 14, 1945, that Grand Duchess Charlotte returned from exile, and greeted the people of Luxembourg from the balcony. (The above photo shows Grand Duchess Charlotte and most of her family following their return to Luxembourg.) The palace once again became the seat of the Grand Ducal Court but has not been used as a regular residence since. Over the years, the palace has undergone several renovations, including an extensive restoration in the 1990s to both the interior and exterior of the buildings.

The Balcony. photo © Susan Flantzer

The Balcony. photo © Susan Flantzer

Today, the palace contains the offices of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, the Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess, and the Grand Ducal Court. The State Rooms are used for meetings and audiences, and the palace is the site of official and State visits from foreign Heads of State. For several months in the summer, the palace is open to the public.

The ground floor of the palace includes the formal entrance hall, the Armor Room, and the Grand Staircase.

The Grand Hall. source: Le Quotidien

The Grand Hall. source: Le Quotidien

The first floor includes the Grand Hall, which is the site of many official functions, and the room from which the Grand Ducal Family appears on the palace balcony. This is where the Grand Duke welcomes ambassadors and swears in his ministers, and where formal photographs are taken with visiting Heads of State. The Grand Hall was the site of the abdication ceremonies for Grand Duchess Charlotte in 1964, and Grand Duke Jean in 2000.

 

Adjoining the Grand Hall is the Yellow Room. This room has often been used for the Grand Duke’s Christmas message, as well as smaller audiences with guests. Other rooms on the first floor are the Hall of Kings, the Chart Room, and the formal Dining Room. In a separate wing (not open to the public) are the former private living quarters of the Grand Ducal family.

Learn more about the other Luxembourg Royal Residences here!

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

The Royal Palace of Amsterdam

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2015

photo © Susan Flantzer

photo © Susan Flantzer

The Royal Palace of Amsterdam

The Royal Palace of Amsterdam is one of the primary palaces of the Dutch monarchy. Owned by the Dutch State, it is one of three palaces placed at the disposal of the Sovereign (along with Noordeinde Palace and Huis ten Bosch). Located in central Amsterdam, the palace sits on Dam Square next to the Nieuwe Kerk.

While once a royal residence, today it is used by the Dutch Royal Family for official functions, such as the annual New Year receptions and award presentations, and is the site of the formal welcoming ceremony during State Visits from foreign Heads-of-State. It is also used during the abdications and accessions of the Dutch sovereigns and has been the site of many balcony appearances by the Royal Family. It also houses guest apartments for visiting Heads of State. When not in use by the Royal Family, the palace is open to the public and is the site of several exhibitions each year.

The old town hall, from a painting by Jan van Kessel. source: Wikipedia

Originally the Town Hall, the building was turned into a Royal Palace by Louis Napoleon who became King of Holland in 1808. Following his abdication, and Hollands’ annexation by France, it was used as a residence for the French Governor. In 1813, Willem Frederik of Orange (son of the last Stadholder Willem V) returned and declared himself Sovereign Prince of the Netherlands, and eventually became King Willem I of the Netherlands. He returned the palace to the city but continued to use it for official functions, including the first State Visit in 1814, by Tsar Alexander I of Russia.

While King Willem I used the palace extensively, his two successors – Willem II and Willem III – used it just a few days each year during their reigns. Sitting empty for so long caused much criticism from the Dutch people and the government, which resulted in disagreements as to the actual ownership of the palace. It was eventually determined that the palace was legally owned by the City of Amsterdam. At the end of 1935, it was resolved to sell the building to the Dutch State, and designate that it be permanently at the disposal of the Sovereign. Queen Wilhelmina inaugurated the palace and used it as her winter residence in the last years of her reign.

Queen Juliana and Queen Beatrix used the Royal Palace primarily for official functions while living elsewhere (Soestdjik Palace and Huis ten Bosch, respectively). And King Willem-Alexander continues this tradition.

Queen Beatrix arriving at the abdication signing ceremony in the Moseszaal. source: Daily Mail

Queen Beatrix arriving at the abdication signing ceremony in the Moses Hall. source: Daily Mail

The Council Chamber, also known as the Moses Hall (Moseszaal), originally served as the meeting room of the city council when the palace was still the Town Hall. It was later used as a concert hall, and for the Council of State. It takes its name from several of the paintings depicting Moses which adorn the room. In 2013, the Moseszaal was the site of the abdication ceremony of Queen Beatrix, just as it was for Queen Juliana in 1980.

The Council Hall. photo © Susan Flantzer

The Citizens Hall. photo © Susan Flantzer

The Citizens Hall is the grand hall in the center of the palace.  At 120 feet in length, 60 feet in width and 90 feet in height, it is the largest and grandest room in the palace.  The marble floor features maps of the eastern and western hemispheres of the globe (seen in the above photo with low metal railings around them), detailing Amsterdam’s colonial influence. The current hemispheres were made in the mid-1700s, replacing earlier maps from the 1650s.  The Citizen’s Hall is often the site of palace exhibits and was the site of a reception following the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander in 2013.

Looking out onto the Balcony. photo © Susan Flantzer

Looking out onto the Balcony, overlooking Dam Square. photo © Susan Flantzer

The Balcony dates from 1808 when it was installed as part of the changes made to the palace by Louis Napoleon. It was later reduced to its current size and design. The former railings were removed and replaced with medallions featuring the gold lion of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Overlooking Dam Square, the balcony is used by the Royal Family following significant events, such as royal weddings and the accession of a new sovereign.

Learn more about the other Dutch Royal Residences here!

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Huis ten Bosch

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2015

source: Wikipedia/Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed (National Cultural Heritage)

Huis ten Bosch

Huis ten Bosch, in The Hague, is one of the state-owned palaces placed at the disposal of the Dutch sovereign. Having served as a summer residence for much of its royal history, it became the primary residence of the sovereign during the reign of Queen Beatrix. A year after her abdication, she left Huis ten Bosch and now resides at Drakensteyn Castle, the home she has privately owned since 1959. In January 2019, after a period of extensive renovations, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima and their family formally took up residence at Huis ten Bosch.

Huis ten Bosch was built in 1645 to be a summer residence for the Stadholder Prince Frederik Hendrik of Orange and his wife, Amalia, Countess of Solms-Braunfels. The first stone was laid on September 2, 1645 by Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia (born Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of King James VI/I of Scotland and England, and Princess Anne of Denmark). Following Frederik Hendrik’s death, his widow turned the palace into a mausoleum in his memory. The large central domed room – The Orange Hall – was decorated with artwork dedicated to the life and work of the Prince. Following Amalia’s death, the palace passed her daughters and was later sold to Prince William III, a grandson of Frederik Hendrik (and later King of England). He continued to use Huis ten Bosch as a summer palace and made many changes to the building as well as the gardens.

Following Willem III’s death in 1702, the palace became the property of King Friedrich I of Prussia but returned to the House of Orange-Nassau in 1732. Prince Willem IV made major renovations, extending the building by adding two large wings to the east and the west – the Hague Wing and the Wassenaar Wing.

After the French invasion in 1795, all the properties of the Stadholder were seized, becoming the property of the state – and much of the furniture and art from Huis ten Bosch was sold. Over the next 20 years, the palace was used for many different things – it served briefly as a prison following a coup in 1798, the east wing was rented out as a brothel, and it later housed the National Art Gallery, the predecessor of today’s Rijksmuseum. Louis Napoleon lived there briefly after being proclaimed King of Holland and is credited with much of the style with exists today.

From 1815, with the proclamation of King Willem I of the Netherlands, the palace began to be used regularly as a summer residence of the Dutch royal family. Queen Wilhelmina used it during World War I (giving up her usual summer residence at Het Loo Palace), and again prior to fleeing the German invasion in 1940. The palace suffered significant damage during World War II and following the liberation, it was totally uninhabitable. Over the next 30 years, the palace underwent several significant restorations and was used sporadically for royal functions. It was not until August 10, 1981, that it returned to use as a royal residence when Queen Beatrix and her family moved in.

Today, just as during the reign of Queen Beatrix, Huis ten Bosch also serves as the site of many official functions. In 2014, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima hosted a large group of world leaders for The Nuclear Security Summit, which included an official dinner held in the Orange Hall (pictured below). The Orange Hall underwent a complete restoration in the late 1990s and continues to serve as the backdrop for many ceremonies and functions. Additionally, the Hague Wing of the palace is used as guest accommodations.

 

 

 

Learn more about the other Dutch Royal Residences here!

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Villa Eikenhorst

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2015

NL-eikenhorstVilla Eikenhorst

Located on the De Horsten estate in Wassenaar, about 10km from The Hague, Villa Eikenhorst served as the official residence of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands and their three daughters from 2003 until January 2019, when the family moved to Huis ten Bosch in The Hague.

The house was originally built between 1985-1987 for Princess Christina (the youngest daughter of Queen Juliana) and her husband, Jorge Guillermo. The couple lived there with their children until divorcing in 1996. After sitting empty for some time, the property was renovated and became the residence of the then-Prince of Orange in 2003. While primarily a private residence, The King and Queen occasionally host foreign visitors there as well as other official events.

The De Horsten Estate comprises over 400 acres and is privately owned by the Royal Family. Its origins go back to 1838 and 1845 when Prince Frederik (a son of King Willem I) purchased three neighboring estates – Raephorst, Ter Horst, and Eikenhorst – to establish his own private hunting grounds. At his death, the property was inherited by his daughter Marie, Princess of Wied. In the early 1900s, she sold the property to Queen Wilhelmina, and it has since passed by inheritance to Queen Juliana and then to Queen Beatrix who is the current owner. Beatrix’s sister, Princess Margriet, holds the leasehold and building rights on the area which was originally the Raephorst estate.

 

Learn more about the other Dutch Royal Residences here!

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Noordeinde Palace

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2015

source: Wikipedia

Noordeinde Palace

Noordeinde Palace is the working palace of the Dutch monarchy and the site of the King’s offices. Owned by the State, it is one of three palaces placed at the Sovereign’s disposal (along with the Royal Palace of Amsterdam and Huis ten Bosch). The palace is used for official and state functions, as well as housing the offices of the Royal Court.

The palace began as a farmhouse which was converted into a residence in 1533. In 1591 it was leased (and later purchased) by the States of Holland for the widow and son of Willem the Silent, in recognition of his service to the nation. The son, Frederik Hendrik, enlarged the house significantly, naming it Oude Hof, and purchased much of the surrounding land. Following his death in 1647, and his wife’s death in 1675, the house sat empty for many years and eventually passed to his grandson, King Friedrich I of Prussia.

In 1754, King Friedrich II of Prussia (Frederick the Great) sold the palace to Stadholder Willem V, and his son, who would later become King Willem I of the Netherlands, took up residence in 1792. However, three years later, he was forced to flee during the French Revolutionary Wars, and the palace became the property of the State, which it remains today.

In 1813, Willem I returned to the Netherlands. As the constitution required that a summer and winter palace be provided for the sovereign, extensive renovations were made to the Oude Hof which then became the winter residence of King Willem I in 1817. Subsequent sovereigns used the palace sporadically – Willem II didn’t use it at all, while Willem III used it as his winter residence. It was Willem III who had the Royal Stables built in the palace gardens, and it was the birthplace of the future Queen Wilhelmina in 1890.

The Royal Archives. source: Wikipedia, Photo by Pauline van Till

Queen Emma, while serving as Regent, had the Royal Archives building built within the gardens. In 1901, the newly married Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Hendrik made Noordeinde their home and continued to use it until the German invasion in 1940. Following her return to the Netherlands after the war, she continued to use the palace occasionally but spent most of her time living at Het Loo Palace.

Just before Wilhelmina’s abdication in 1948, the central part of the palace was damaged by fire. Months later, when Queen Juliana ascended to the throne, she chose to keep her residence at Soestdijk Palace which had been her home since marrying in 1936. Instead, Noordeinde was used to house offices for the royal household.

From 1952 until 1976, the north wing of the palace housed the International Institute of Social Studies. In 1969, it was announced the future Queen Beatrix would, upon her accession, use Noordeinde as her offices and after the Institute relocated in 1976, the palace underwent seven years of extensive renovations.

Queen Beatrix hosting a State Dinner for King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan. source: Dutch Royal House

Queen Beatrix hosting a State Dinner for King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan. source: Dutch Royal House

In 1984, the palace was reopened as the working palace of the monarchy, housing Queen Beatrix’s offices as well as the Royal Court. It also became the site of many official and State functions, including many State dinners for visiting Heads-of-State.

King Willem-Alexander has continued the tradition, maintaining his offices at Noordeinde while living elsewhere. It is at Noordeinde where the King meets with foreign ambassadors as well as holds many official and State functions.

 

Each year, on Prinsjesdag (Prince’s Day, also known as Budget Day), the Sovereign travels by coach from Noordeinde Palace to open the Dutch Parliament and give the speech from the throne. Following their return to the palace, the Sovereign and members of the Royal House appear on the balcony overlooking the palace square to greet the crowds below.

Learn more about the other Dutch Royal Residences here!

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

August 1915: Royalty and World War I

by Susan Flantzer

Coat of Arms of Liechtenstein; Credit – “Staatswappen-Liechtensteins” by SVG Added Ramos – Own work based on: File:Coat of arms of Liechtenstein.png. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Staatswappen-Liechtensteins.svg#/media/File:Staatswappen-Liechtensteins.svg

Prince Heinrich of Liechtenstein

On August 16, 1915, 38 year old Prince Heinrich of Liechtenstein, who served in the Austro-Hungarian Army, died in Warsaw, Prussia (now in Poland) from wounds received in action. The German and Austro-Hungarian armies had occupied Warsaw on August 5, 1915 after a century of Russian control of the city, when the Russian commander in chief of the Eastern Front, Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia evacuated the Russian troops from Warsaw. The German and Austrian offensive march toward Warsaw had begun on July 13, 1915. It seems likely that Prince Heinrich of Liechtenstein was wounded sometime during the offensive as the Austro-Hungarian Army was involved and he then died in Warsaw which had become part of Prussia.

The name Liechtenstein originated from Castle Liechtenstein (“bright stone”) located near Maria Enzersdorf, south of Vienna, Austria, which was owned by the family from at least 1140 until the 13th century and again from 1807 onwards. Karl I, the first reigning Prince of Liechtenstein, received a reward of becoming a hereditary sovereign prince because he supported the right side in a land dispute between Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II and his son Archduke Matthias in 1608.

Castle Liechtenstein; Photo Credit – Wikipedia

Until the end of World War I, Liechtenstein was closely tied to Austria-Hungary. The reigning princes continued to derive much of their wealth from estates in the Habsburg territories, and they spent much of their time at their two palaces in Vienna. Liechtenstein’s army had been disbanded in 1868 for financial reasons, and so its citizens and members of the Princely Family served in the Austro-Hungarian Army.

Born on June 21, 1877 in Hollenegg, Austria, Prince Heinrich of Liechtenstein was the son of first cousins Prince Alfred Aloys of Liechtenstein and Princess Henriette of Liechtenstein. Princess Henriette’s father was Aloys II, Prince of Liechtenstein, and Prince Alfred Aloys’ father was Prince Franz de Paula of Liechtenstein, Aloys II’s brother. At the time of his death, Heinrich’s uncle Johann II was reigning Prince of Liechtenstein.

Prince Heinrich of Liechtenstein was buried in the family mausoleum in the village of Vranov now in the Brno County District in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. The Liechtenstein family owned large properties in the area.  Maximilian of Liechtenstein (younger brother of Prince Karl I) founded a Pauline monastery in Vranov and had a grave site built for members of the House of Liechtenstein. The present mausoleum, built in 1812, is in the grounds of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, in Vranov, near Brno, in the Czech Republic. There are two crypts in the mausoleum – the Old Crypt, and the New Crypt – containing the remains of all but one of the ruling Princes. After World War II, the Czech government confiscated the properties of all foreigners, which included the princely family’s properties and castles. Since then, the Czech Republic has refused to return the property to the princely family of Liechtenstein, and there has been no preservation or restoration of the tombs and mausoleum.

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Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Vranov, Czech Republic; Photo Credit – www.findagrave.com

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Entrance to the Liechtenstein Crypt; Photo Credit – www.findagrave.com

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Timeline: August 1, 1915 – August 31, 1915

August 5: Warsaw is taken from Russia by Austrian and German troops in the Third Battle of Warsaw, a phase of the Gorlice-Tarnow Offensive
August 6–10: Battle of Lone Pine on the Gallipoli peninsula, Ottoman Empire (now Turkey)
August 6–13: Battle of Krithia Vineyard on the Gallipoli peninsula, Ottoman Empire (now Turkey)
August 6–15: Allies land at Suvla Bay  on the Gallipoli peninsula, Ottoman Empire (now Turkey)
August 6–21: Battle of Sari Bair on the Gallipoli peninsula, Ottoman Empire (now Turkey) last and unsuccessful attempt by the British to seize the Gallipoli peninsula
August 7: Battle of the Nek on the Gallipoli peninsula, Ottoman Empire (now Turkey)
August 7–19: Battle of Chunuk Bair on the Gallipoli peninsula, Ottoman Empire (now Turkey)
August 21: Battle of Scimitar Hill on the Gallipoli peninsula, Ottoman Empire (now Turkey)
August 21–29: Battle of Hill 60 on the Gallipoli peninsula, Ottoman Empire (now Turkey)
August 26 – September 19: Sventiany Offensive at Sventiany, Russian Empire (now Švenčionys, Lithuania)

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A Note About German Titles

Most of the royals who died in action during World War I were German. The German Empire consisted of 27 constituent states, most of them ruled by royal families. Scroll down to German Empire here to see what constituent states made up the German Empire.  The constituent states retained their own governments, but had limited sovereignty. Some had their own armies, but the military forces of the smaller ones were put under Prussian control. In wartime, armies of all the constituent states would be controlled by the Prussian Army and the combined forces were known as the Imperial German Army.  German titles may be used in Royals Who Died In Action below. Refer to Unofficial Royalty: Glossary of German Noble and Royal Titles.

24 British peers were also killed in World War I and they will be included in the list of those who died in action. In addition, more than 100 sons of peers also lost their lives, and those that can be verified will also be included.

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August 1915 – Royals/Nobles/Peers Who Died In Action

The list is in chronological order and does contain some who would be considered noble instead of royal. The links in the last bullet for each person is that person’s genealogical information from Leo’s Genealogics Website.  or to The Peerage website.  If a person has a Wikipedia page, their name will be linked to that page.

The Honorable Nicholas Mosley

Ludwig, Prinz von Auersperg

The Honorable Kenneth Dundas

The Honorable Gerald Legge

The Honorable Francis Willoughby

The Honorable Gerald Bailey

Adolf, Graf von Erbach-Fürstenau

  • son of Alfred, Graf zu Erbach-Fürstenau and Luise, Prinzessin zu Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen
  • born December 30, 1871 in Fürstenau, Germany
  • killed in action August 13, 1915 in Russia, age 43
  • http://thepeerage.com/p9565.htm#i95642

Joseph Karl, Graf von Schönborn-Wiesentheid

  • son of Adalbert, Graf von Schönborn-Wiesentheid and Princess Adelheid of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg
  • born January 25, 1892 in Praha, Bohemia (now Czech Republic)
  • killed in action August 14, 1915 in Miedzyrecze, Poland, age 23
  • http://www.thepeerage.com/p9858.htm#i98573

Prince Heinrich of Liechtenstein

Degenhard-Bertram, Freiherr von Loë

The Honorable Charles Lister

The Royal Palace of Madrid

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2015

source: Wikipedia, Photo by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

The Royal Palace of Madrid

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official home of the Spanish Monarchy. It is used for State and ceremonial functions but has not been used as a royal residence since the reign of King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenie. With nearly 1.5 million square feet and over 3,400 rooms, The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest palace in Europe.

When the Spanish monarchy was restored in 1975, the new King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia chose to remain at Zarzuela Palace, where they had lived since marrying in 1962. And upon Juan Carlos’ abdication in 2014, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia also chose to remain at their home, which is located just next to Zarzuela Palace. The Royal Palace of Madrid continues to be used for formal events such as State Dinners and was the site of the wedding banquet for the current King Felipe and Queen Letizia in 2004. It is open to the public for the majority of the year.

The Alcazar of Madrid, from a 17th-century painting. source: Wikipedia

The palace was built on the site of the former Alcazar of Madrid – a medieval fortress which had been transformed into a lavish palace by Kings Juan I, Carlos V and Felipe II who made it the official residence of the sovereign in 1561. The Alcazar was destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve 1734, and King Felipe V decided to build a new Royal Palace. Construction began in 1738 and the building was completed in 1751, but it wouldn’t be occupied until 1764 when King Carlos III installed his court there. Despite this, the early monarchs spent only a few weeks there each year. Over time, it became the primary residence of the Sovereign, until the overthrow of the Spanish monarchy.

The palace is designed as a square, built around an inner courtyard. The principal state rooms are located on the southern and western wings.

The Southern wing overlooks the Armory Square and is the main entrance to the palace. It contains the Grand Staircase, the Hall of Columns, and the Throne Room. These rooms were once part of the apartments of King Carlos III.

The Grand Staircase. source: Wikipedia

The abdication ceremony of King Juan Carlos in the Hall of Columns. source: Daily Mail/EPA

The abdication ceremony of King Juan Carlos in the Hall of Columns. source: Daily Mail/EPA

The Hall of Columns was initially part of the apartments of King Carlos III. It is one of the most used rooms in the palace, where the King often meets foreign ambassadors and the diplomatic corps as well as other official events. In 2014, it was the site of the abdication ceremony of King Juan Carlos I.

The Throne Room. source: Wikipedia

The Throne Room is today used primarily in conjunction with State Visits. It is here that the King and Queen are photographed with their guests prior to a State Dinner. They also greet members of the government and other invited guests prior to the formal dinner in the Banqueting Hall.

The Western wing, overlooking the Campo del Moro Gardens, contains the Carlos III Room, the Porcelain Room, the Yellow Room, the Gala Dining Room, and the Music Room.

The Porcelain Room. source: Wikipedia, Photo by Osvaldo Gago

The Porcelain Room features porcelain covering the walls and ceiling, as well as numerous porcelain objects on display. It was designed and built in the 1760s.

The Gala Dining Room. source: Wikipedia, Photo by Jose Luis Filpo Cabana

The Gala Dining Room was once part of the apartments of the Queen, during the time of King Carlos III. It was King Alfonso XII who turned the room into the Gala Dining Room which is still used today for large formal events, such as State Dinners.

The Northern wing, overlooking the Sabatini Gardens, includes the Royal Chapel and several of the former royal apartments. On the ground floor of the Northwest corner of the palace is the Royal Library.

The Royal Chapel. source: Wikipedia, Photo by Eric Chan

Once the main Chapel of the royal family, the Royal Chapel is today only used occasionally, most notably for funerals. The funerals of both the Count and Countess of Barcelona (parents of King Juan Carlos) were held here in 1993 and 2000 respectively.

The Royal Library. source: Wikipedia, Photo by Fabio Alessandro Locati

The Royal Library, which spans two floors, was begun during the reign of King Felipe V, who joined his personal collection with that of the former Alcazar. Subsequent sovereigns added to the collection, and it was King Alfonso XII who began the task of counting and cataloging everything in the collection. Today, the library contains over 300,000 books, 4,700 manuscripts, 4,100 musical works, 7,000 maps, 200 engravings and drawings, and 2,000 coins and medals.

The Eastern Wing overlooks the Plaza de Oriente and housed the private apartments of the sovereigns from the time of King Carlos IV. These rooms include the small Dining Room, the Billiards Room, the Room of Mirrors, and the Tapestry Room. Many of these rooms are used regularly for royal audiences.

The Billiards Room. source: Wikipedia, Photo by Jose Luis Filpo Cabana

To the south are two wings which extend out, forming another courtyard known as Armory Square. The eastern wing contains the Royal Pharmacy and the apartments of Queen Maria Christina. Among these rooms is the Crown Room which was created in 2014.

The Royal Pharmacy. photo by Duimdog at nl.wikipedia

Since the reign of King Felipe II, the Spanish royal family has maintained a Royal Pharmacy, to provide them with any necessary medications. The Royal Pharmacy in the Royal Palace of Madrid – set up as a museum since 1964 – displays many of the old bottles and containers used to house various drugs and treatments, as well as the adjoining distillation rooms.

The Crown Room. source: Patrimonio Nacional

The Crown Room. source: Patrimonio Nacional

Formerly one of the rooms in the apartments of Queen Maria Christina, the Crown Room was established following the accession of King Felipe VI in 2014 to display the symbols of the constitutional monarchy – the original throne of King Carlos III as well as his crown and scepter; the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece belonging to Queen Isabella II, and the Table of Sphinxes – the majestic Empire style desk acquired by King Carlos IV in 1803. It was on this desk that King Juan Carlos signed the Organic Act, confirming his abdication from the throne. Also on display are King Juan Carlos’ abdication speech and a copy of the proclamation speech of King Felipe VI.

The Royal Armory. source: Wikipedia, Photo by Jose Luis Filpo Cabana

The western wing houses the Royal Armory, which houses what is considered to be one of the best collections of armor in the world. Read more about the Royal Armory here.

Just to the south of the palace, across Armory Square, is the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Royal of La Almudena, which was the site of the 2004 wedding of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.

Learn more about the other Spanish Royal Residences here!

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Zarzuela Palace and The Prince’s Pavilion

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2015

ZARZUELAZarzuela Palace

Zarzuela Palace has been the residence of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain since their marriage in 1962. Today, it remains their home as well as housing the offices of King Felipe VI.

The palace began as a hunting lodge, built between 1627 and 1635, for King Felipe IV. It was originally just a rectangular building with two small side wings. It takes its name from the zarzas, or brambles, which were found on the original hunting grounds. The palace later gave its name to an operetta which was debuted at the Palace of El Pardo in 1657 for King Felipe IV. The building was later modified by King Carlos IV who installed many of the decorative features which exist today. Carlos IV filled the palace with tapestries and porcelain, as well as furniture and an extensive collection of clocks.

Zarzuela Palace in the early 1950s

Zarzuela Palace prior to restoration in the 1950s

During the Spanish Civil War, the building suffered significant damage, and extensive restoration took place in the 1950s. In 1962, it became the residence of the future King Juan Carlos and his bride, Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark. Since 1981, it has also been the home of Queen Sofia’s sister, Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark. The private quarters are located in one of two wings which were built adjacent to the building in the 1990s. The other wing houses offices and security personnel.

King Juan Carlos meets with Pope Benedict in his office, 2011. source: Daily Mail/EPA

King Juan Carlos meets with Pope Benedict in his office, 2011. source: Daily Mail/EPA

The main floor of the palace contains formal reception rooms, a library, and a dining room. Also on the main floor is the King’s Office, which is currently used by King Felipe VI. Just next to the office is the Audience Hall, where the King receives guests and foreign visitors and often hosts meetings.

The Prince’s Pavilion

PAVILIONLocated adjacent to Zarzuela Palace is the Prince’s Pavilion, the home of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia and their family. The home was built between 1999 -2002 to be a residence for the then-Prince of Asturias. Covering over 3,100 square meters, it is very much a private home. The first floor features several formal rooms used for entertaining and official functions, while the second floor is the private living quarters. Upon his accession, Felipe and Letizia chose to remain at their home, while the King took over his father’s offices at the Palace of Zarzuela.

Learn more about the other Spanish Royal Residences here!

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.