tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85597038265431981612024-02-19T08:29:26.632-05:00Royal Expert CertificationIn light of the increasing number of spurious "royal experts" infiltrating the media, Princess Palace has created this online testing and training center/centre (a.k.a. trivia quizzes) to facilitate the recognition and certification of actual royal experts. Anyone receiving certification may add C.R.E. (certified royal expert) after one's name. This site is created and maintained entirely for fun. Its creator asserts no authority for certifying anyone's qualifications for anything.Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-65183271896520232212013-04-07T17:41:00.001-04:002013-04-07T17:41:29.531-04:00A Post to Say FarewellDear Fellow Royal Experts,<br />
<br />
Thank you for all the fun we had on this blog exploring royal trivia and poking fun at the alleged "experts" and "insiders" who manage to get quoted in news reports spouting nonsense about our beloved royals. In the last few weeks, I have renewed my commitments to my blogs and podcasts, but that renewal has also made me realize that I had overcommitted myself. With three royal blogs, a shared blog, two podcasts, and a strong desire to start a new blog about my faith, I came to the conclusion that I just could not keep up with everything. Since these blogs and podcasts are supposed to be a fun hobby not a burden that I "have" to do, I decided that something had to give.<br />
<br />
So, I am bidding farewell to updating Certified Royal Expert. However, the archives and quizzes will remain available for you to enjoy any time.<br />
<br />
If you want to stay connected with me, you can check out my other online efforts:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/PrincessPalace">Palace Princess</a>: A blog about historical and contemporary princesses.<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/RoyalBlog">Royal Blog Central</a>: A guide to royal blogs and publications around the world.<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/theDMCblog">Digital Man Cave</a>: A podcast discussing geeky films, tv, comics, gadgets, etc.<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/tqhomepage">The Quotables</a>: A podcast about famous quotations that impact people today.<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/TQblog">The Quotables</a>: A blog offering more insights on the podcast topics.<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/NewCatholic">Brand New Catholic</a>: A blog for those who want to know more about Catholicism.<br />
<br />
And, you can always follow me on Twitter: @palaceprincess.<br />
<br />
Thank you again!<br />
Cheryl Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-61772312847610356402012-10-29T09:39:00.002-04:002012-10-29T09:39:12.904-04:00Changes to Royal ExpertWe are working on some changes to the format and user-interaction at Royal Expert Certification. Not sure yet when we will re-launch, but we will keep you posted. Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-24378860167714038452012-04-29T18:13:00.000-04:002012-04-29T18:16:37.952-04:00Prince Patrick's Day AnswersIn honor of St. Patrick's Day, we tested your knowledge of some of the royals who were named in honor of this Irish saint. This quiz was clearly too easy for our royal experts as everyone answered every question correctly. Or, you all have improved your internet searching skills! ;)
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Laszlo_-_Prince_Arthur%2C_The_Duke_of_Connaught_and_Strathearn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Laszlo_-_Prince_Arthur%2C_The_Duke_of_Connaught_and_Strathearn.jpg" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>De Laszlo Archive Trust</i></td></tr>
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<b>1. Canada's Prince Patrick Island was named for the third son of Queen Victoria, whose third name honored the Irish saint and who was also given an Irish title. Who was he and what was his connection to Canada?</b>
This uninhabited arctic island was named for Prince Arthur William Patrick Albert Duke of Connaught, the seventh child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. In 1911, the 61-year-old prince was made Governor General of Canada. He is the only royal ever to hold the post, although his noble-born brother-in-law, the Duke of Argyll (husband of Princess Louise) was Governor General before him. Prince Arthur held the position for five years, helping guide Canada through the first years of World War I. He died in 1942 at the age of 91 years and 8 months, making him still the longest living male member of the British royal family. Prince Philip could surpass him in February 2013.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Princess_Patricia_of_Connaught_ca_1912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Princess_Patricia_of_Connaught_ca_1912.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bain News Service</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>2. This granddaughter of Queen Victoria voluntarily gave up her royal title when she married a commoner. Popularly known as "Princess Pat," what was her full title? </b><br />
Prince Arthur's youngest daughter, Princess Victoria Patricia of Connaught, or "Patsy," was born on St. Patrick's day in 1886. Unlike many of her cousins who only traveled in Europe, she spent her young adulthood following her father on his more far-flung posts, first to India and then to Canada, where she was extremely popular. Although the media speculated widely about her marriage prospects, matching her with Portugese, Spanish, Russian and German royals, the down-to-earth princess chose instead to marry an earl's son, The Hon Alexander Ramsay, who later became an admiral. Although she did not have to, 33-year-old Patsy decided to give up her title on the day of her wedding, but her cousin, King George V, granted her precedence over marchionesses and she and her husband remained members of the British royal family until their deaths. Upon his knighthood, she became known as Lady Patricia Ramsay. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Four_generations_QV_colour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Four_generations_QV_colour.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The many named Edward VIII as a boy<br />
with his predecessors: dad George V,<br />
gramps Edward VII and great-granny<br />
Victoria. <i>Peter Symonds</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>3. In 1936, this great-grandson of Queen Victoria also surrendered his title for love. Who was he and which other saints was he named for?</b>
Okay. Even Madonna knows that King Edward VIII abdicated to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. But, did you know that he was named: Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David. The last four names pay tribute to the patron saints of the UK countries (England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales respectively). Although he used his first name as his regnal name, he was always known as "David" in the family. I have always wondered whether his nieces named their sons for him (Edward Earl of Wessex and David Viscount Linley), despite the rift in the family following the abdication crisis.
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<b>4. This current member of the British royal family became a royal duke when he was only six years old. Like the children of the Queen, he also had one British royal parent and one Greek royal parent. Who is he?</b>
<br />The Queen's youngest son, The Earl of Wessex, is not the only Prince Edward in the current British royal family. Her cousin, the Duke of Kent is also a Prince Edward. The eldest son of Prince George Duke of Kent and Princess Marina of Greece (a cousin of The Duke of Edinburgh), his full name is Edward George Nicholas Paul Patrick. He became a royal duke when his father was killed in a World War II flying accident in Scotland. In a scene that would be repeated four decades later, Edward walked behind a coffin in the a royal funeral procession when just a teenager for the state funeral of his uncle, King George VI.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Small-Ali-Patrick-Pahlavi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Small-Ali-Patrick-Pahlavi.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Houd Pahlavi</i></td></tr>
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<b>5. This royal was heir presumptive to The Peacock Throne for six years as a child. Earlier this year, he once again became first in line for the deposed crown. Who is he and how did he become heir again?</b>
<br />Prince Patrick Ali Pahlavi is a nephew of the last Shah of Iran. When his father, Ali Reza Pahlavi, who had been heir to his brother the Shah, was killed in a plane crash in 1954, seven-year-old Patrick became the heir presumptive. He held that position until the birth the Shah's first son, Crown Prince Reza in 1960. Since the Crown Prince, who is now the head of the imperial family, had no sons, his only brother, another Prince Ali Reza, was his heir. In January 2011, following a battle with depression, Prince Ali Reza committed suicide, and Patrick once again became the heir presumptive.Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-40122312462469991462012-03-18T12:08:00.001-04:002012-06-30T16:22:32.281-04:00Prince Patrick's DayIn honor of St. Patrick's Day, I thought we'd test your knowledge of some of the royals who were named in honor of this Irish saint. You may send your answers via the comments section, e-mail them to <a href="mailto:princessesreign@gmail.com">princessesreign@gmail.com</a> or direct message (DM) them on Twitter to @palaceprincess.<br />
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1. Canada's Prince Patrick Island was named for the third son of Queen Victoria, whose third name honored the Irish saint and who was also given an Irish title. Who was he and what was his connection to Canada?<br />
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2. This granddaughter of Queen Victoria voluntarily gave up her royal title when she married a commoner. Popularly known as "Princess Pat," what was her full title?<br />
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3. In 1936, this great-grandson of Queen Victoria also surrendered his title for love. Who was he and which other saints was he named for?<br />
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4. This current member of the British royal family became a royal duke when he was only six years old. Like the children of the Queen, he also had one British royal parent and one Greek royal parent. Who is he?<br />
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5. This royal was heir presumptive to The Peacock Throne for six years as a child. Earlier this year, he once again became first in line for the deposed crown. Who is he and how did he become heir again?Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-82943788541347224872012-02-08T14:18:00.001-05:002012-02-13T01:25:48.448-05:00Princess Royal Answers<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Louise_Princess_Royal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Louise_Princess_Royal.jpg" width="65" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Louise<br />
Princess Royal</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Only one modern British royal title has ever been created specifically for women: Princess Royal. This quiz tested your knowledge of the title and the select women who have borne it. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Mary_of_Orange02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Mary_of_Orange02.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Mary Princess Royal</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>1. Which king created the title and why?</b><br />
In a royal case of "keeping up with the Joneses," King Charles I created the title Princess Royal for his daughter Mary in 1642, so that she would be honored as the Daughters of France were. In France, the title "Madame Royale" was traditionally used by the oldest, unmarried daughter of the king. It was only used until the royal parent's death or the daughter's marriage. Then, it was passed to the next unmarried princess. Charles' wife Henrietta Maria of France was the Madame Royale from the marriage of her older sister Christine in 1619 until her own marriage six years later. In England, the title Princess Royal is a bit different. It is formally granted by Royal Warrant instead of by etiquette. The bearer keeps the title for life. It is only granted to the oldest daughter of a monarch. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Fran%C3%A7ois_de_Troy%2C_Portrait_of_Princess_Louisa_Maria_Stuart_%28c._1705%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Fran%C3%A7ois_de_Troy%2C_Portrait_of_Princess_Louisa_Maria_Stuart_%28c._1705%29.jpg" width="92" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Louisa Maria Stuart</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>2. With one exception, all of the Princesses Royal have been the eldest surviving daughter of the monarch. Who is the one exception?</b><br />
The only woman granted the title who was not the eldest daughter was the Jacobite Princess Louisa Maria whose father King James II had been forced off the throne in 1688 and replaced by his eldest daughter Mary and her husband William. Ex-King James still had two older living daughters at the time but they had both "betrayed" him in the Glorious Revolution. Since he was no longer king, it is debatable whether he had the right to grant the title.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Princess_Royal_Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Princess_Royal_Mary.jpg" width="96" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Mary, aunt of<br />
Queen Elizabeth II</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>3. Since its first creation, the title has bot been given to every eldest daughter. Which monarchs did not grant the title?</b><br />
Charles II, who had many daughters, but no legitimate ones<br />
William and Mary, who had no surviving children<br />
Anne, whose daughters died before she became queen<br />
George I, whose only daughter was already Queen in Prussia when he ascended the throne<br />
George IV, whose only daughter died in childbirth two years before he became king<br />
William IV, whose infant daughters died before he before he became king<br />
Edward VIII, who had no children<br />
George VI, who could not grant the title to his eldest daughter, the current Queen Elizabeth II, because his own sister Mary held the title until after his death<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Charlotte%2C_Princess_Royal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Charlotte%2C_Princess_Royal.jpg" width="115" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Charlotte Princess Royal</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>4. How many bearers of the title married foreign monarchs? Who were they?</b><br />
Counting Princes of Orange (predecessors of the Kings of the Netherlands), the first four Princesses Royal married foreign monarchs: Mary (daughter of Charles I) married William II of Orange; Anne (daughter of George II) married William IV of Orange; Charlotte (daughter of George III) married Frederick I of Wurttemburg (which wasn't a kingdom for very long); and Victoria (daughter of Victoria) married Frederick III of Germany. The last time a Princess Royal married a prince/king was in 1858.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Victoria%2C_Princess_Royal%2C_1842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Victoria%2C_Princess_Royal%2C_1842.jpg" width="103" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Victoria Princess Royal</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>5. Only one Princess Royal ever held the distinction of being the Heiress Presumptive. Why did she never accede the throne?</b><br />
Only Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, Vicky, ever held the distinction of being both Princess Royal and the Heiress Presumptive. Because Victoria acceded the throne before she married and had children, her first child was automatically the heir to the throne, even though that child was a girl. However, little Princess Vicky lost that distinction less than a year later, due to male primogeniture when her first brother was born. He grew up to be King Edward VII.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Anne%2C_Princess_Royal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Anne%2C_Princess_Royal.jpg" width="88" /></a></div><b>BONUS<br />
What is the full name of the current Princess Royal? </b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">The current Princess Royal is the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II. She was granted the title in 1987 when she was 36, even though the title had been available since the death of her great-aunt Mary in 1965. Her full name is Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise. Anne is presumable a name liked by the queen as it is rare in the modern royal family, while Elizabeth and Alice pay tribute to the princess's grandmothers. As for Louise, this name is found in both the Windsor and Mountbatten family trees, and may be a tribute to Prince Philip's uncle (and surrogate father) Earl Louis Mountbatten of Burma.</div>Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-83746232180134292342012-01-28T15:23:00.002-05:002012-06-30T16:22:46.421-04:00Princesses Royal QuizOnly one modern British royal title has ever been created specifically for women: Princess Royal. This quiz tests your knowledge of the title and the select women who have borne it. You may send your answers via the comments section, e-mail them to <a href="mailto:princessesreign@gmail.com">princessesreign@gmail.com</a> or direct message (DM) them on Twitter to @palaceprincess.<br />
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1. Which king created the title and why?<br />
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2. With one exception, all of the Princesses Royal have been the eldest surviving daughter of the monarch. Who is the one exception?<br />
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3. Since its first creation, the title has bot been given to every eldest daughter. Which monarchs did not grant the title?<br />
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4. How many bearers of the title married foreign monarchs? Who were they?<br />
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5. Only one Princess Royal ever held the distinction of being the Heiress Presumptive. Why did she never accede the throne?<br />
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<br />
BONUS<br />
What is the full name of the current Princess Royal?Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-29166929607731547572012-01-01T17:06:00.000-05:002012-01-01T17:06:28.839-05:00Royal Babies AnswersThis quiz to test your knowledge of the royal babies was clearly to easy for our royal experts. Shall we say it was child's play?<br />
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<b>1. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is due to have her first child in 2012. Who was the last heiress to a throne to give birth while still heiress?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Koningin_Beatrix_in_Vries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Koningin_Beatrix_in_Vries.jpg" /></a></div>This appeared to be the most challenging question with the three most recent heiresses presumptive (Elizabeth II, Beatrix and Margrethe II) all getting guesses. However, Beatrix was the most recent one to give birth. Her youngest son, Prince Constantijn, was born October 11, 1969, barely four months after Margrethe's youngest son, Prince Joachim. As for Elizabeth, her youngest child was born in 1964, but she was already queen by then--her last child when she was still the heiress was Princess Anne in 1950.<br />
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<b>2. Which two current heirs to thrones married within days of each other and had each of their first two children within days of each other?</b><br />
Crown Prince Fredrik of Denmark was married on May 14, 2004 and the Spanish heir, Felipe Prince of the Asturias was married eight days later. Fredrik's first, Prince Christian, was born on October 15, 2005. Felipe's first child, Infanta Leonor, was born sixteen days later on Halloween. Fredrik edged out Felipe on the second child too when his daughter Isabella was born on April 21, 2007 followed eight days later by Felipe's daughter Sofia. Fredrik is really ahead on the third and fourth children since his twins were born in January 2011, and there is no indication that Felipe will have any more children.<br />
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<b>3. Which current reigning monarch was "betrayed" when a former governess wrote a book about the royal nursery?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfazsEzZt-qzXHSYH3xuO61Qx7-9Fto-GoxAaEVjFaJBr38Ci7DmT6L41pcizf-VNCKIW8aNcZ1ZEZzT1cTM8Uxtd9_ABhp09eSKQnBKnznL13_ShydWKYVcFH73Dmxs8xhyQPOQsaevc/s1600/Margaret_and_Elizabeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfazsEzZt-qzXHSYH3xuO61Qx7-9Fto-GoxAaEVjFaJBr38Ci7DmT6L41pcizf-VNCKIW8aNcZ1ZEZzT1cTM8Uxtd9_ABhp09eSKQnBKnznL13_ShydWKYVcFH73Dmxs8xhyQPOQsaevc/s200/Margaret_and_Elizabeth.jpg" /></a></div>One of the earliest "tell-all" books by a former royal employee was written by Marion Crawford, who was known as Crawfie to the young Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret of York. The book, "The Little Princesses: The Story of the Queen's Childhood by her Nanny," was published in 1950. She later wrote other books and articles about the royal family, who never spoke to her again. Since then, many others have followed her example. Elizabeth, of course, grew up to be queen.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Which former monarch is said to have developed a debilitating disability partly because of an abusive nanny?</b><br />
King George VI's stammer was well-depicted in the Oscar-winning film, "The King's Speech." However, this was not his only medical issue: he also suffered from recurrent stomach issues all of his life. Both conditions have been partially attributed to mistreatment he received from one of his first nursery attendants, Mrs. Green, who is said to have sometimes fed him while pushing him in an unsprung baby carriage and at other times not to have fed him at all. Finally, an undermaid, Mrs. Bill known affectionately as Lala, revealed Mrs. Green's abusive behavior and the woman was sacked. Lala wrote in her diary that she feared for the baby prince's life.<br />
<br />
<b>5. How many of Queen Elizabeth II's grandchildren were christened in a gown created for the children of Queen Victoria?</b><br />
The first seven of Queen Elizabeth's grandchildren were christened in a gown of Honiton lace that was originally created for the first child of Queen Victoria in 1841. Her final grandchild, James Viscount Severn was the first child christened in a replica of that gown because the original was in such delicate condition. The original has now been preserved.Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-79423905576320904322011-12-21T21:25:00.007-05:002012-06-30T16:23:01.717-04:00Royal BabiesWith the world on heightened baby bump watch looking for any sign that The Duchess of Cambridge might be pregnant, here is a royal quiz to test your knowledge of the royal babies and nurseries. You may send your answers via the comments section, e-mail them to <a href="mailto:princessesreign@gmail.com">princessesreign@gmail.com</a> or direct message (DM) them on Twitter to @palaceprincess.<br />
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1. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is due to have her first child in 2012. Who was the last heiress to a throne to give birth while still heiress?<br />
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2. Which two current heirs to thrones married within days of each other and had each of their first two children within days of each other?<br />
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3. Which current reigning monarch was "betrayed" when a former governess wrote a book about the royal nursery?<br />
<br />
4. Which former monarch is said to have developed a debilitating disability partly because of an abusive nanny?<br />
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5. How many of Queen Elizabeth II's grandchildren were christened in a gown created for the children of Queen Victoria?<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/tRg1D9">View answers.</a>Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-62402830333573411162011-12-18T18:55:00.000-05:002011-12-18T18:55:01.301-05:00Royal Holidays AnswersFor this quiz, we asked our royal experts how well they know royal holiday destination and activities.<br />
<br />
<b>1. One skiing holiday turned into a nightmare for Prince Charles and his guests at this continental destination.</b><br />
In 1988, Prince Charles' annual visit to Klosters turned tragic during a day of off-piste skiing. His then-wife, Diana, and sister-in-law, the Duchess of York, were back at the chalet when the prince and his friends heard an avalanche rumbling down the mountain. All were able to escape except Patricia Palmer-Tomkinson, who spent four months in a Swiss hospital, and Major Hugh Lindsay who was killed. Maj. Lindsay was one of the Queen's equerries and his wife was pregnant at the time. <br />
<br />
<b>2. Which royal family helped Princess Diana escape the dreary Scottish summer with a little Mediterranean sunshine in the mid-1980s?</b><br />
In August 1987, the Spanish royal family invited the Prince and Princess of Wales to join them at Marivent Palace on the island of Majorca. While the Windsors traditionally spend the summer holiday wearing tweed in the Scottish Highlands at Balmoral, the Borbons can be found sailing and soaking up the sun in the Mediterranean. <a href="http://bit.ly/rBffka">Click here </a>to see footage of the joint photocall during this holiday. (Most of you will love seeing the baby Princes William and Harry, but be sure to notice the teenaged Prince Felipe, too!)<br />
<br />
<b>3. Most people want to escape the family during their honeymoon, but Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip spent theirs nestled at which relative's home?</b><br />
In 1947, the royal newlyweds spent the first part of their honeymoon in Hampshire at Broadlands, home of Philip's uncle Earl Mountbatten. During their stay, they were swarmed by hundreds of well-wishers when they attended church services at Romsey Abbey. (<a href="http://bit.ly/w3tOTd">See the video</a>.) From there, they decamped to Birkhall, now the Scottish home of the Prince of Wales. Definitely a chilly location for a November honeymoon!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Mette_Marit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="130" width="150" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Mette_Marit2.jpg" /></a></div><b>4. Which current Crown Princess had to cancel an official royal tour because she was suffering from sunburn?</b><br />
Okay, Crown Princess Mette-Marit was not on vacation when she acquired her sunburn in 2002 (but a sunburn is a common holiday injury). She was actually filming a piece with a news crew in an anticipation of an official visit to Berlin, when the natural blonde endured from the effects of the spring sun and the bright light reflectors of the television crew. Not only did the princess have painful damage to her skin, but she also suffered injuries to her corneas, similar to snow blindness. Her doctors advised her to say home, and her husband went to Germany alone.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Princess_Margaret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="155" width="100" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Princess_Margaret.jpg" /></a></div><b>5. Which royal cougar won notoriety for entertaining her toy boy in Mustique?</b><br />
Queen Elizabeth II's sister, Princess Margaret, ran with a "fast" set and is said to have many lovers among the nobility, actors, artists and musicians. However, the revelation of her affair with Roddy Llewellyn, a gardner 17 years her junior, seems to have put the nail into the coffin of her marriage to the Earl of Snowdon. In 1976, Roddy and the Princess were photographed together at her holiday home in the West Indies. Soon after the photos appeared in the papers, the Snowdons divorced. The relationship with Roddy seems fairly serious; the couple stayed together for eight years. However, some members of Parliament actually called her a "floosie" because of it.<br />
<br />
<b>6. What was the Duchess of York photographed doing on vacation that led to her divorce?</b><br />
Unfortunately, Princess Margaret's niece-by-marriage, Sarah Ferguson learned nothing from her about taking vacations with men who aren't your husband. With Prince Andrew often away on naval duty, Sarah found companionship with at least two different men. When photos of her poolside with Steve Bryan were published in 1992, it led immediately to a royal separation. Unlike Margaret and Roddy, who were just seen on the beach in their bathing suits, Sarah was not only topless in some of the pics, Steve was sucking her toes. Perhaps worst of all, her two young daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, were playing nearby.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Which royal lady was inspired by holiday snaps to take up marathon running?</b><br />
Like her mother before her, Princess Beatrice of York, inherited bright red hair and a tendency toward shapeliness that is not well-tolerated in today's media-crazy world. In 2007, bikini photos of the princess in the Caribbean led some of the <a href="http://bit.ly/vNbtWO">media to attack </a>the 19-year-old, size-10 princess for being too heavy. Beatrice responded by adopting a sensible eating and physical fitness plan. She took up running and became the first royal to complete the London Marathon in 2010. Through it all, her family and her boyfriend, Dave Clark, have been at her side, encouraging and supporting her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Juan_Carlos_da_Espanha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="151" width="88" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Juan_Carlos_da_Espanha.jpg" /></a></div><b>8. Which senior royal made up an excuse to miss his Easter vacation because he was ill this year?</b><br />
When the rest of his family made their annual Easter trip to Palma de Mallorca, King Juan Carlos of Spain announced that he was staying home to prepare for an official visit from the Emir of Qatar. However, speculation was rife that he was in ill health, a rumor that seemed to be confirmed when he had knee surgery a few weeks later. A few months after that, he had surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon. Rumors about a possible abdication have been high since at least 2010 when he had a benign tumor removed from his lung. However, the official word is that he will remain king until his death.<br />
<br />
<b>9. Which royal lady had her summer sojourn spoiled this year when her estranged husband became ill?</b><br />
Princess Caroline was photographed on holiday with her daughters, Charlotte Casiraghi and Princess Alexandra, in Capri in late July, while her estranged third husband, Prince Ernst of Hanover, was being rushed to the hospital in Ibiza, where he was on a separate vacation. He stayed in intensive care for several days suffering with pancreatitis, but he was soon seen back out boating with a 23-year-old female companion. It is not believed that his wife or his daughter visited him during his hospitalization. Caroline and Ernst appear to have been separated for a couple of years, during which time, he has not been seen at official events in her native Monaco, including this summer's princely wedding.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Olgachair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="216" width="150" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Olgachair.jpg" /></a></div><b>10. Historical: Which two royal/imperial families exchanged Black Sea visits hoping (unsuccessfully) to encourage a royal romance?</b><br />
In early 1914, Crown Princess Marie of Romania visited her cousins Tsar Nicholas and Empress Alexandra of Russia at Tsarskoe Selo to discuss a possible marriage between her oldest son, Prince Carol, and their oldest daughter, Grand Duchess Olga. During the visit, the two mothers agreed to create "occasions" to throw the young people together. But, with World War I looming, only one such occasion occurred, when the Russian imperial family docked the imperial yacht at the Romanian Black Sea port of Constantza. The two families spent the day together on the yacht while the Russian Foreign Minister and Romanian Prime Minister worked on details of marriage alliance. The young people in question, however, were not in the least attracted to each other and the issue was soon dropped, partly because Olga did not want to leave Russia. Three years later, she was murdered with her entire family at Ipatiev House. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/87/Carol_II_WWI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="213" width="154" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/87/Carol_II_WWI.jpg" /></a></div>Prince Carol went on to two failed, unapproved marriage, and a spectacularly unsuccessful royal marriage with a Greek princess. Although he renounced his right to the throne in favor of his young son, he returned from exile to take the crown away from him in 1930. Ten years later, he abdicated, leaving his teenaged son, King Michael, as the puppet of the Germans during World War II.Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-61417116227116353992011-12-03T15:50:00.002-05:002012-06-30T16:23:13.084-04:00Royal HolidaysOur favorite royals often have dozens of holiday options to choose from: hidden private estates, exclusive homes of welcoming friends, elegant five-star-plus destinations, but not every vacation is what it's cracked up to be. For this quiz, see if you can identify the royal destination. You may send your answers via the comments section, e-mail them to <a href="mailto:princessesreign@gmail.com">princessesreign@gmail.com</a> or direct message (DM) them on Twitter to @palaceprincess.<br />
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1. One skiing holiday turned into a nightmare for Prince Charles and his guests at this continental destination.<br />
<br />
2. Which royal family helped Princess Diana escape the dreary Scottish summer with a little Mediterranean sunshine in the mid-1980s?<br />
<br />
3. Most people want to escape the family during their honeymoon, but Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip spent theirs nestled at which relative's home?<br />
<br />
4. Which current Crown Princess had to cancel an official royal tour because she was suffering from sunburn? <br />
<br />
5. Which royal cougar won notoriety for entertaining her toy boy in Mustique?<br />
<br />
6. What was the Duchess of York photographed doing on vacation that led to her divorce?<br />
<br />
7. Which royal lady was inspired by holiday snaps to take up marathon running?<br />
<br />
8. Which senior royal made up an excuse to miss his Easter vacation because he was ill this year?<br />
<br />
9. Which royal lady had her summer sojourn spoiled this year when her estranged husband became ill?<br />
<br />
10. Historical: Which two royal/imperial families exchanged Black Sea visits hoping (unsuccessfully) to encourage a royal romance?Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-55469939572545398542011-10-16T18:28:00.001-04:002011-10-16T18:40:20.407-04:00Royal Pets AnswersIn this quiz, royal expert Christina Croft D.C.R.E. challenged your knowledge of royal pets. <br />
<br />
<i>1. How did a fox terrier named Caesar rise to fame in 1910?</i><br />
Edward VII’s dog, Caesar, walked behind the coffin in his funeral procession. Following the king’s death, the dog was inconsolable and spent many days searching for him throughout Buckingham Palace. <a href="http://bit.ly/qZYNy0">See Caesar in this 2010 Daily Mail article about him</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>2. Queen Elizabeth II is known for her love of corgis but what was the name of her first one?</i><br />
Dookie – named as a joke, since this was Wallis Simpson's pet name for the Duke of Windsor. <a href="http://tgr.ph/nj54g1">See Dookie in this 2007 Telegraph article about him</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>3. One of King George V’s favourite hobbies was shooting birds and yet one of his most faithful companions was a parrot. What was her name?</i><br />
Charlotte – a pink parrot given to him by his sister, Victoria. George V was so devoted to Charlotte that she ate breakfast with him and sat on his desk as he worked through official business.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/TatianaAnastasiaOrtino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/TatianaAnastasiaOrtino.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ill-fated Grand Duchesses Tatiana<br />
and Anastasia with their dog Ortino,<br />
who escaped the family's fate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><i>4. Dogs are renowned for being faithful to those who love them. Geddon and Joy are two royal dogs who even accompanied their owners to their executions. Who were those royalties?</i><br />
Geddon was Mary, Queen of Scots’ little dog, who hid under her skirts during her execution and later, having refused to eat, appeared to die of grief. Joy belonged to Tsarevich Alexei of Russia and went with the Imperial Family to Ekaterinburg. Following the murder of the family, the dog was found wandering alone and half-starved. Happily he was rescued and taken to England where he lived out the rest of his life peacefully.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/His_Royal_Highness_Prince_Albert,_the_Princess_Royal,_and_Eos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/His_Royal_Highness_Prince_Albert,_the_Princess_Royal,_and_Eos.jpg" width="163" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prince Albert with his dog, Eos,<br />
and his oldest daughter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><i>5. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were extremely attached to their dogs and were both opposed to any form of cruelty to animals. Prince Albert’s dog, Eos, and later, Queen Victoria’s dog, Noble, are seen on several painting and mentioned in letters. What breeds of dog were they?</i><br />
Eos was a greyhound. There is even a statue of him at Osborne House. Read more. Noble was a collie. <br />
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<b>BONUS QUESTION #1 </b><br />
<br />
<i>Queen Victoria, when presented with an ostrich egg, asked indignantly why her own ostrich at Windsor had not yet laid any eggs. What reason was she given in reply?<br />
</i>“Yours is a male, ma’am.”<br />
<br />
<b>BONUS QUESTION #2</b><br />
<br />
<i>Which royal lady was in the news this summer for adopting her latest pet from a shelter?</i><br />
In summer 2011, The Duchess of Cornwall made news when she adopted a rescued Jack Russell terrier named Beth, who joined two other Jack Russells already in the family. <a href="http://bit.ly/nU3jzo">Read the news story and see Beth</a>.Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-13790658534745237512011-09-05T11:23:00.002-04:002012-06-30T16:23:27.707-04:00Royal Pets QuizEveryone needs a companion who really understands them. For many of us, that dear friend is of a feathered or furry nature. In this quiz, royal expert Christina Croft D.C.R.E. challenges your knowledge of royal pets. You may send your answers via the comments section, e-mail them to <a href="mailto:princessesreign@gmail.com">princessesreign@gmail.com</a> or direct message (DM) them on Twitter to @palaceprincess. <br />
<br />
1. How did a fox terrier named Caesar rise to fame in 1910?<br />
<br />
2. Queen Elizabeth II is known for her love of corgis but what was the name of her first one?<br />
<br />
3. One of King George V’s favourite hobbies was shooting birds and yet one of his most faithful companions was a parrot. What was her name?<br />
<br />
4. Dogs are renowned for being faithful to those who love them. Geddon and Joy are two royal dogs who even accompanied their owners to their executions. Who were those royalties?<br />
<br />
5. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were extremely attached to their dogs and were both opposed to any form of cruelty to animals. Prince Albert’s dog, Eos, and later, Queen Victoria’s dog, Noble, are seen on several painting and mentioned in letters. What breeds of dog were they?<br />
<br />
BONUS QUESTION #1<br />
<br />
Queen Victoria, when presented with an ostrich egg, asked indignantly why her own ostrich at Windsor had not yet laid any eggs. What reason was she given in reply?<br />
<br />
BONUS QUESTION #2<br />
<br />
Which royal lady was in the news this summer for adopting her latest pet from a shelter?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/rsAfEy">View Answers</a>Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-86209380253400149072011-07-31T19:37:00.001-04:002011-07-31T19:38:48.519-04:00Asian Royals AnswersIt may come as a surprise to some, but there are royal families outside of Europe. In this very interesting quiz, Certified Royal Expert Yvonne challenged our experts on some Asian royals.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c6/King_Abdullah_on_Star_Trek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="190" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c6/King_Abdullah_on_Star_Trek.jpg" /></a></div><b>1. Which Middle Eastern king took part in an episode of <i>Star Trek Voyager</i> before his accession?</b> <br />
<br />
Abdullah II of Jordan was given a non-speaking role in the second-series <i>Star Trek Voyager</i> episode "Investigations" in 1996 during a visit to the USA while he was still crown prince. Since he isn't a member of the Screen Actors' Guild, he wasn't able to take a speaking role in the episode. Among his other interests (skydiving, scuba diving, motorcyle racing), he's also a Trekkie, a relatively safe interest compared with the others. <br />
<br />
<b>2. Which Asian ruler was reputed to have used his Rolls Royces to haul garbage, and why? </b><br />
<br />
This story is probably apocryphal because it's told in different forms about different Indian rulers and there don't seem to be any photos available. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala (also sometimes identified as the Maharaja of Punjab) is said to have been offended by being snubbed by a Rolls Royce salesman, and retaliated by sending some of the older Rolls Royces in his fleet to haul garbage and dung in Patiala City; he never bought any Rolls Royces again, opting for the less snobby American cars. The Maharaja of Bharatpur reputedly registered his displeasure with the Rolls Royce company for slow response to a request for mechanics by threatening to convert the entire fleet to garbage carriers. Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar, a generally fairly unpleasant piece of work who ended up being exiled from his state after constant complaints about his profligacy and sadism, was also reported to have taken offence at the attitude of a Rolls Royce salesman who didn't recognise him and acted as though he wouldn't be able to afford their cars, bought several cars, and shipped them home for use as garbage trucks. The same story is told about the Nizam of Hyderabad (aka the world's richest man), Osman Ali Khan. <br />
<br />
<b>3. Which Asian king married four sisters on the same day? (Hint: his son has recently become engaged to one woman.)</b> <br />
<br />
In 1979, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, father of the present king, privately married four sisters, Ashi Dorji Wangmo, Ashi Tshering Pem, Ashi Tshering Yangdon, and Ashi Sangay Choden, daughters of Yab Ugyen Dorji of the Shabdrung lineage (in other words, a descendant of the founder of Bhutan). The marriages were not celebrated publicly until 31 October 1988. They have five sons and five daughters between them. The present king, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, is the son of the third wife, and recently announced his engagement to Jetsun Pema. <a href="http://bit.ly/pUvruP">See a photo of bridal <strike>couple</strike> quintet.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0245fF13Nb7wd/x610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="305" width="199" src="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0245fF13Nb7wd/x610.jpg" /></a></div><b>4. Which Asian ruler used to be a ballet dancer in Czechoslovakia? </b><br />
<br />
King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia was a ballet dancer, teacher, and choreographer in Paris before returning to Cambodia in 2004 to become king after his father's abdication. As a child he studied dance and music at the National Conservatory and the Academy of Musical Art in Prague, Czechoslovakia, where he was sent for his education. He studied cinematography in North Korea in the 1970s, and returned home to Cambodia shortly after the Khmer Rouge takeover, when he was put under house arrest with several other family members. After the Vietnamese invasion in 1979 he moved to Paris, where he was professor of classical dance at the Marius Petipa Conservatory and started his own dance troupe, Ballet Deva. He also worked as a cultural delegate for UNESCO during his time in Paris, and was President of the Khmer Dance Association. His half-sister Princess Norodom Bopha Devi is also a trained ballet dancer as well as a Khmer classical dancer. <br />
<br />
<b>5. Hanwant Singh, Maharaja of Jodhpur, was an accomplished polo player, like several other Indian princes. However, he had another hobby that was unique to him. What was it?</b><br />
<br />
He was a talented amateur magician. At one point he was invited to give a display of his talents to a large group of magicians in London, and according to Ann Morrow's book "Highness: the Maharajas of India," he was admitted to the Magic Circle as a result of his performance. He was one of the more progressive Indian rulers, handling the transition to independence with more success than many others and getting involved in the political system. He was unfortunately killed in a plane crash during the elections (which he would have won), at the age of only 28.Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-14598036320632221432011-07-18T14:05:00.001-04:002012-06-30T16:23:42.090-04:00Asian Royals: DOUBLE pointsIt may come as a surprise to some, but there are royal families outside of Europe. In this very interesting quiz, Certified Royal Expert Yvonne challenges you on some Asian royals. Correct answers on this quiz will earn you double points toward your certification. Get all five right and you will earn an Asian Designation. You may send your answers via the comments section, e-mail them to <a href="mailto:princessesreign@gmail.com">princessesreign@gmail.com</a> or direct message (DM) them on Twitter to @palaceprincess. <br />
<br />
1. Which Middle Eastern king took part in an episode of Star Trek Voyager before his accession? <br />
<br />
2. Which Asian ruler was reputed to have used his Rolls Royces to haul garbage? Note: Amazingly enough, there may be more than one correct answer; just one name will be fine. <br />
<br />
3. Which Asian king married four sisters on the same day? (Hint: his son has recently become engaged to one woman) <br />
<br />
4. Which Asian ruler used to be a ballet dancer in Czechoslovakia? <br />
<br />
5. Hanwant Singh, Maharaja of Jodhpur, was an accomplished polo player, like several other Indian princes. However, he had another hobby that was unique to him. What was it?Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-14968880227468770742011-07-05T19:10:00.003-04:002011-12-22T23:51:39.212-05:00Illegitimate Monaco AnswersIn light of the rumors swirling around the princely wedding in Monaco (See <a href="http://bit.ly/jmrMSz">wedding pics</a>, it is worth remembering that Prince Albert is not the only Grimaldi to let passion carry him away. This quiz challenged your knowledge of this unusual Grimaldi tradition. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLODL0Bkx-hMZRBhnrVOe3bg-xlqKgcdTRgCp_XB8BGJUJsgYsvACitHAdCFJeq5d_ZXhhgxA_rctrI5f_O_Nnmydz5gjaVA4cyAYP8Zq4cj1KAZAqTX_R6rvEXgv0jWKrb6bZA40l8E9/s320/charlotte_monaco_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="271" width="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLODL0Bkx-hMZRBhnrVOe3bg-xlqKgcdTRgCp_XB8BGJUJsgYsvACitHAdCFJeq5d_ZXhhgxA_rctrI5f_O_Nnmydz5gjaVA4cyAYP8Zq4cj1KAZAqTX_R6rvEXgv0jWKrb6bZA40l8E9/s320/charlotte_monaco_sm.jpg" /></a></div>1. Which illegitimate daughter was officially adopted by her princely father so that he might have an heir?<br />
You have to go back a few generations for this answer. Prince Albert's great grandfather Prince Louis II also waited until late in life to marry--he was 76 when he married a forty-something divorce comedy actress. Unlike Albert, Louis had no siblings who could succeed him, so he formally adopted his illegitimate daughter Charlotte to be his heir. Elevated to Princess and forced into an arranged marriage, Charlotte had two children before divorcing her husband and surrendering her right to the throne to her son, Prince Rainier III. Princess Caroline's daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi is named for her. Incidentally, both Caroline and her daughter look strikingly like their ancestress. (<a href="http://bit.ly/g2Xry6">Read more about this</a>.)<br />
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<b>2. Which prince altered the succession laws so that illegitimate children could not inherit the principality?</b><br />
Shortly before his death, probably having learned of rumors about Prince Albert's illegitimate children, Prince Rainier III altered the laws so that no illegitimate child could lay claim to the principality. After Rainier's death, Prince Albert publicly acknowledged they he had fathered illegitimate children.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0atk0Fzdtv81B/x610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="305" width="206" src="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0atk0Fzdtv81B/x610.jpg" /></a></div><b>3. Which Grimaldi descendant's parents received official permission to marry, even though the groom lost his right to a throne?</b><br />
Princess Alexandra of Hanover. This one seems to have caused the most difficulty for our Royal Experts. When Princess Caroline married Prince Ernst August of Hanover, he sought formal permission from his distant cousin Queen Elizabeth II. As a descendant of the Hanoverian kings of England, he is technically required to receive such permission under the Royal Marriages Act of 1772. However, because Caroline is Catholic, their marriage also meant that he gave up his place in the British Line of Succession. Of course, he was very far down the line. So, why is this question on the Illegitimate Monaco quiz? Because Caroline was already pregnant with their daughter Princess Alexandra at the time of their wedding. Incidentally, Alexandra is being raised as a Protestant so she could one (very unlikely) day be Queen of England.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/03R0aHCcu48Ck/x610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="335" width="241" src="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/03R0aHCcu48Ck/x610.jpg" /></a></div><b>4. How many children has Princess Stephanie had out of wedlock?</b><br />
All three of Princess Stephanie's children were born out of wedlock. The first two, Louis and Pauline Ducruet, were both born before she married their father, Daniel Ducruet, her former bodyguard. The third, Camille, was born after her divorce from Ducruet and Stephanie did not list the father on the birth certificate. She is believed to be the daughter of Jean-Paul Gottlieb, another royal bodyguard. Stephanie had no children with her second husband, circus performer Adans Lopez Peres.<br />
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<b>5. How many children did Prince Albert publicly acknowledge before his marriage to Charlene Wittstock?</b><br />
Prince Albert publicly acknowledged two children before his marriage: Jazmin Grace Grimaldi and Alexandre Coste. Born in 1992, Jazmin is the daughter of Tamara Rotolo, who met the prince while vacationing with her husband in Monaco. Jazmin was raised in Southern California. Prince Albert has said she is welcome to live and study in Monaco, but she has chosen instead to attend Fordham University in New York. Born in 2003, Alexandre is the son of Nicole Coste of Togo, who had been an air hostess. Alexandre and his mother live in France on an estate near Monaco, that has been provided by his father.Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-34305201292021959912011-07-02T16:16:00.002-04:002012-06-30T16:24:04.274-04:00Illegitimate Monaco QuizIn light of the rumors swirling around the princely wedding in Monaco (See <a href="http://bit.ly/jmrMSz">wedding pics</a>), it is worth remembering that Prince Albert is not the only Grimaldi to let passion carry him away. This quiz challenges your knowledge of this unusual Grimaldi tradition. You may send your answers via the comments section, e-mail them to <a href="mailto:princessesreign@gmail.com">princessesreign@gmail.com</a> or direct message (DM) them on Twitter to @palaceprincess. <br />
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1. Which illegitimate daughter was officially adopted by her princely father so that he might have an heir?<br />
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2. Which prince altered the succession laws so that illegitimate children could not inherit the principality?<br />
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3. Which Grimaldi descendant's parents received official permission to marry, even though the groom lost his right to the throne?<br />
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4. How many children has Princess Stephanie had out of wedlock?<br />
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5. How many children did Prince Albert publicly acknowledge before his marriage to Charlene Wittstock?<br />
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View <a href="http://bit.ly/qRA804">Answers</a>Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-42858864044489642202011-07-01T15:02:00.000-04:002011-07-01T15:02:24.594-04:00Regnal Names AnswersWhen they come to the throne, monarchs have to decide how they wish to be known. While many choose the name they've had since birth, others select something else for various reasons. In this quiz, Royal Expert Goddess Robyn H. wants to know if you know who is who.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Dronning_victoria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="226" width="202" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Dronning_victoria.jpg" /></a></div><i>1. By what name is Princess Alexandrina of Kent better known?</i><br />
Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom<br />
Don't mistake her for her descendant, Princess Alexandra of Kent (also known as The Hon. Lady Ogilvy). Queen Victoria was born Princess Alexandrina Victoria, daughter of the Duke of Kent, fourth son of King George III. Her nickname was Drina, but she had stopped using that name by the time she became queen.<br />
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<i>2. This Queen could have reigned as Queen Alexandra or as Queen Mary III, but chose "my own name, what else?"</i><br />
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom<br />
Christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary after her mother, great-grandmother and grandmother, each of whom was a queen consort, Her Majesty has always used her first name both informally and officially.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Selassie-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="168" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Selassie-2.jpg" /></a></div><i>3. Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I was born under this name, which is lent to a popular movement in the Caribbean (as well as being slightly less fun to say).</i><br />
Tafari Makonnen<br />
After a militant political struggle, Regent Tafari succeeded the Ethiopian empress in 1930 and held power for more than 40 years. He is said to be descended from the legendary Queen of Sheba.<br />
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<i>4. After a Japanese emperor has died, he is posthumously given the name of the era in which he reigned. By what name does the West better know Emperor Showa, and what name will be eventually given to the current emperor?</i><br />
Emperor Hirohito; Emperor Heisei<br />
Renaming a person--particularly a royal person--is a longstanding tradition throughout East Asia. It is still followed in Japan, where the posthumous name corresponds to the era in which the emperor reigned. Members of the Japanese imperial family also have personal as well titular names. This means that the next emperor, commonly known in the west as Crown Prince Naruhito should actually be referred to as Prince Hiro and his little daughter Aiko is actually Princess Toshi.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Robert_III_Stewart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="245" width="140" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Robert_III_Stewart.jpg" /></a></div><i>5. The name John is considered cursed or unlucky by some (considering the disastrous reign of King John in the late 12th century), and it prompted this 14th century king to forgo his birth name and choose the name of his father and great-grandfather.</i><br />
Robert III of Scotland<br />
Changing his name to Robert not only dissociated him with the unfortunate English King John but also from the Scottish King John Balliol, known as empty shirt. The name change also allowed the illegitimate John Stewart to emphasize his ties with the Bruce kings of Scotland from whom he was descended.Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-85193531683688528142011-06-25T11:30:00.002-04:002012-06-30T16:24:14.485-04:00Regnal NamesWhen they come to the throne, monarchs have to decide how they wish to be known. While many choose the name they've had since birth, others select something else for various reasons. In this quiz, Royal Expert Goddess Robyn H. wants to know if you know who is who. To submit your answers, use the comment option, e-mail <a href="mailto:princessesreign@gmail.com">princessesreign@gmail.com</a> or direct message @princesspalace on Twitter.<br />
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1. By what name is Princess Alexandrina of Kent better known?<br />
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2. This Queen could have reigned as Queen Alexandra or as Queen Mary III, but chose "my own name, what else?"<br />
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3. Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I was born under this name, which is lent to a popular movement in the Caribbean (as well as being slightly less fun to say).<br />
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4. After a Japanese emperor has died, he is posthumously given the name of the era in which he reigned. By what name does the West better know Emperor Showa, and what name will be eventually given to the current emperor?<br />
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5. The name John is considered cursed or unlucky by some (considering the disastrous reign of King John in the late 12th century), and it prompted this 14th century king to forgo his birth name and choose the name of his father and great-grandfather.<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/jcpw6R">View Answers</a>Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-23237803155112547862011-06-25T01:00:00.000-04:002011-06-25T01:00:35.263-04:00Prince Philip AnswersIn honor of HRH The Prince Philip's 90th birthday, we asked our experts to tell us all about him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Prince_Philip_NASA_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="388" width="307" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Prince_Philip_NASA_cropped.jpg" /></a></div><b>1. Who were Prince Philip's parents?</b><br />
He was the youngest child and only son of Prince Andrew of Greece, fourth son King George I of Greece, and Princess Alice of Battenberg, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.<br />
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<b>2. Why was he a Prince of Denmark?</b><br />
Philip's grandfather was elected King of Greece by the Greek National Assembly, before that he was Prince William of Denmark. William was the second son of King Christian IX of Denmark. He and his descendants retained their royal Danish titles. Even today, the exiled Greek royals are still have Danish royal titles.<br />
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<b>3. How many siblings did he have?</b><br />
Philip had four older sisters Margarita, Theodora, Cecilia and Sophie. They were all married to German princes by the time Philip was 10. World War II was difficult for him and his family because his sisters were in Germany--and he had brothers-in-law serving Hitler--while he was fighting in the Navy of his mother's homeland, England. None of his surviving sisters (Cecilia, her husband, two sons and unborn child were killed in a plane crash in 1937) were invited to his wedding in 1947 and he maintained discreet relationships with them, their children and grandchildren.<br />
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<b>4. What was his name when he became engaged to Princess Elizabeth?</b><br />
At the time of his engagement, he was known as Lt. Philip Mountbatten, R.N. He had voluntarily surrendered all of his royal titles and adopted the surname of his mother's English brothers at the time of his naturalization as a British subject earlier in 1947.<br />
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<b>5. How many British Prince Consorts have been consorts longer than he has?</b><br />
Technically, Prince Philip does not hold the title Prince Consort, although some hoped he would receive it as a 90th birthday honor. However, he is the longest serving male consort in British history: Philip of Spain was consort of Mary I for three years, George of Denmark was consort of Queen Anne for seven years, and Albert of Saxe-Coburg was Victoria's consort for nearly 22 years. Philip has been Elizabeth II's princely consort for 59 years as of February 2011. The longest-serving female consort was his and Elizabeth's shared great-great-great-great grandmother Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III.<br />
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<b>6. What titles did his father-in-law give him?</b><br />
King George VI gave his soon-to-be son-in-law the British royal titles of Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich on his wedding day. The day before the wedding, he made him a Knight of the Order of the Garter. (The last Duke of Edinburgh before him was Queen Victoria's second son, Prince Alfred.)<br />
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<b>7. Who made him a Prince of the United Kingdom?</b><br />
Even though he was a royal duke, he was not officially a prince again until his wife gave the title in 1957, nearly 10 years after their marriage and five years after her accession.<br />
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<b>8. Which of his children will inherit his title when he dies?</b><br />
The answer to this question is a very solid "it depends," and it depends on who's living and who's dead at the time. If The Queen is still alive, then Prince Charles, as the eldest son of a peer, will inherit Philip's title. When Charles eventually becomes king, the title will merge with the Crown and it can be recreated for someone else. If The Queen is alive and Charles is dead or he dies before becoming king, Prince William becomes Duke of Edinburgh. Then Harry, then Andrew, then Edward, then Edward's son James. If all of his male-line heirs are dead (a highly unlikely scenario), the title becomes extinct. <br />
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If Prince Philip outlives his wife, his title would merge with the crown immediately upon his death. In 1999, it was announced that The Queen intends for Prince Edward, their third son, to receive the title Duke of Edinburgh in the future. Whether he actually gets it or not depends on whether the new king, presumably his brother Charles, recreates it and gives it to him. Many people believe that this intended future inheritance is why Prince Edward was made an earl rather than a royal duke, as was traditional, upon his marriage.<br />
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<b>9. What is his last name and what is its origin of his last name?</b><br />
Philip's last name is Mountbatten. He chose this name for himself at the time of his naturalization. It was the name of his maternal uncles, the Marquess of Milford Haven and Earl Mountbatten of Burma, who helped raise him, helped him get into the British navy and championed him as a candidate for the hand of Princess Elizabeth. However, his uncles were not born with this name; they adopted it in 1917 when they renounced all of their German titles. They were descendants of a morganatic branch of the German ducal house of Hesse. Their branch of the family was known as Battenberg. When World War I caused massive anti-German feeling in Britain, their father First Sea Lord Prince Louis of Battenberg anglicized the name to Mountbatten and accepted the lower British title of Marquess of Milford Haven, which was later inherited by eldest son. His youngest son later was made an earl. Incidentally, despite having lived in England and served honorably and well in the British navy in 50 years, Prince Louis was forced to retire as First Sea Lord before the end of the war. The name change and demotion in rank did not affect his daughters, one of whom was Philip's mother, because they were already married.<br />
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The choice of his mother's "family" name likely reflects Philip's feeling of closeness to her family as well as his own desire to appear more British at the time of his marriage to the British heiress presumptive. It was also a simpler name to use as his father's royal house was Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg. Anglicizing that would have been far more complicated!<br />
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10. Where in the world is he worshipped as a god?<br />
Among the islands of the South Pacific, there is a family of religions referred to as "cargo cults." Inspired by the arrival of ships full of white men and life-altering supplies, as well as luxury items, especially during and immediately after World War II, the local peoples came to believe that these items were being sent to them by their deities. One cultural group on the island of Tanna in Vanautu had a legend that one of their ancient spirits had traveled over the sea to marry a powerful lady. Stories about the husband of the Queen of England apparently convinced them that Prince Philip was that divine spirit. When he and The Queen visited Vanautu in 1974, they thought their god was returning. A reality show in 2007 brought several members of the group to Britain to experience British culture and to (hopefully) see their god again. Although the audience was not filmed for the program, the men did get to meet Prince Philip in person to give him gifts. He gave them a photograph of himself.Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-87068260323508689692011-06-11T18:59:00.002-04:002011-06-14T19:03:05.970-04:00Royal Hobbies AnswersAs the summer roars in, it seems appropriate to think about the royals in a more relaxed, off-duty mode. For this quiz, our experts were asked to identify the royal associated the following hobbies. <br />
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<b>1. This royal declared he was no damn alien, but he was a recognized philatelist.</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/King_George_V_1911_color-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="114" width="83" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/King_George_V_1911_color-crop.jpg" /></a></div>King George V was an avid stamp collector. He amassed a collection that is probably one of the most valuable in the world. It is now owned by his granddaughter Queen Elizabeth II. As for the alien statement, during World War I, when the royal family came under criticism for its German origins, he was accused of having "an alien and uninspiring court," to which he responded testily, "I may be uninspiring, but I'll be damned if I'm an alien."<br />
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<b>2. Having earned the nickname "Farmer George" for his agrarian interests, this royal required his children maintain their own individual vegetable gardens.</b><br />
King George III may be best remembered today for his illness and/or for 'losing' the American colonies, but one of the idiosyncracies that his contemporaries ridiculed was an interest in farming and farmers. Wherever he was, he would often walk about asking questions of rural people. He longed to pass this interest along to his 15 children and required each of them to cultivate their own fields. However, his kids were much more interested in having a rollicking good time.<br />
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<b>3. This royal lady was not only a prolific letter writer, she also was a talented artist who created many sketches and paintings of her husband and nine children.</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Queen_Victoria_1887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="192" width="140" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Queen_Victoria_1887.jpg" /></a></div>Queen Victoria, who wrote thousands upon thousands of letters and journals in her life, also was a talented artist. The people, animals and scenery around her were usually the subject of her drawings and paintings. She seems to have passed this talent to her descendants. For example, her great-great-great grandchildren Charles Prince of Wales and Lady Sarah Chatto have both exhibited their own artwork.<br />
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<b>4. These royal sisters spent part of World War II creating musical theatre productions to entertain their parents.</b><br />
While many English children were sent far, far away from the urban centers during the war, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret were only sent as far as Windsor Castle. They really grew up there, taking their lessons and helping tend victory gardens (King George III would have been proud). Although their parents spent a lot of time in London, they were frequently at Windsor with their daughters. Each Christmas, the princesses--joined by royal relatives and staff members--would stage a pantomime to entertain their parents, estate personnel and guests. Distant cousin Prince Philip of Greece even attended the performance of "Old Mother Riding Boots" in 1944. Three years later, he married the show's co-star, the future Queen Elizabeth II. Here's a news article about the recently rediscovered program from that pantomime: <a href="http://bit.ly/ktEmyj">http://bit.ly/ktEmyj</a><br />
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<b>5. This staunchly dignified royal lady had one very naughty hobby of collecting; that is, collecting other people's stuff. Because of her notorious habit of acquiring things from other people's houses, this lady's mother-in-law sometimes hid her personal treasures during visits from her.</b><br />
While it might not be quite appropriate to call Queen Mary a cleptomaniac, she developed a habit of admiring things in such a way that her host or hostess would feel compelled to make a gift of it to her. The only person in the realm who could avoid her acquiring ways was her mother-in-law Queen Alexandra. Of course, Mary's skills as a collector--she often actually purchased things too!--helped expand the royal art collection and contributed greatly to the royal jewel collection.<br />
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<em>And, for those of you who could use an extra point to level up (or to guard against imperfect quiz answers in the future!), here is an incredibly easy bonus question.</em><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Charles%2C_Prince_of_Wales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="151" width="110" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Charles%2C_Prince_of_Wales.jpg" /></a></div><b>BONUS: Known for his self-deprecating wit, this royal gent poked fun at much lampooned personal interests on his 40th birthday. "Only the other day, I was inquiring of an entire bed of old-fashioned roses, who were forced to listen to my demented ramblings on the meaning of the universe as I sat cross-legged in the lotus position on the gravel path in front of them. I was inquiring of them what they thought would happen on my birthday in a Birmingham tram shed. At this point, a row of prized Welsh leeks (cocky little things) who were lurking in a nearby vegetable patch chipped in to say that they expected the shed to be filled with groups of semi-naked Kalahari bushmen gyrating wildly;in the reenactment of primeval fertility dance and also a troupe or two of Tibetan Buddhist monks who had proceeded to the shed by levitational means."</b><br />
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Perhaps Charles Prince of Wales was a man before his time. He was outspoken on environmentalism, urban renewal, mysticism and organic farming long before these things became more popular.Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-37224340340588986952011-06-09T19:56:00.002-04:002012-06-30T16:24:24.866-04:00Prince Philip QuizIn honor of HRH The Prince Philip's 90th birthday, here's a special quiz all about him. You may send your answers via the comments section, e-mail them to <a href="mailto:princessesreign@gmail.com">princessesreign@gmail.com</a> or direct message (DM) them on Twitter to @palaceprincess. You'll receive half a point for each correct answer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Prince_Philip_NASA_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="388" width="307" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Prince_Philip_NASA_cropped.jpg" /></a></div>1. Who were Prince Philip's parents?<br />
2. Why was he a Prince of Denmark?<br />
3. How many siblings did he have?<br />
4. What was his name when he became engaged to Princess Elizabeth?<br />
5. How many British Prince Consorts have been consorts longer than he has?<br />
6. What titles did his father-in-law give him?<br />
7. Who made him a Prince of the United Kingdom?<br />
8. Which of his children will inherit his title when he dies?<br />
9. What is his last name and what is its origin of his last name?<br />
10. Where in the world is he worshipped as a god?Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-48462603906773852122011-06-08T00:38:00.002-04:002012-06-30T16:24:46.347-04:00Royal HobbiesAs the summer roars in, it seems appropriate to think about the royals in a more relaxed, off-duty mode. For this quiz, identify the royal associated the following hobbies. Submit your answers via comments or e-mail it to <a href="mailto:princessesreign@gmail.com">princessesreign@gmail.com</a>.<br />
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1. This royal declared he was no damn alien, but he was a recognized philatelist.<br />
<br />
2. Having earned the nickname "Farmer George" for his agrarian interests, this royal required his children maintain their own individual vegetable gardens.<br />
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3. This royal lady was not only a prolific letter writer, she also was a talented artist who created many sketches and paintings of her husband and nine children.<br />
<br />
4. These royal sisters spent part of World War II creating musical theatre productions to entertain their parents.<br />
<br />
5. This staunchly dignified royal lady had one very naughty hobby of collecting; that is, collecting other people's stuff. Because of her notorious habit of acquiring things from other people's houses, this lady's mother-in-law sometimes hid her personal treasures during visits from her.<br />
<br />
<em>And, for those of you who could use an extra point to level up (or to guard against imperfect quiz answers in the future!), here is an incredibly easy bonus question.</em><br />
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BONUS: Known for his self-deprecating wit, this royal gent poked fun at much lampooned personal interests on his 40th birthday. "Only the other day, I was inquiring of an entire bed of old-fashioned roses, who were forced to listen to my demented ramblings on the meaning of the universe as I sat cross-legged in the lotus position on the gravel path in front of them. I was inquiring of them what they thought would happen on my birthday in a Birmingham tram shed. At this point, a row of prized Welsh leeks (cocky little things) who were lurking in a nearby vegetable patch chipped in to say that they expected the shed to be filled with groups of semi-naked Kalahari bushmen gyrating wildly in the reenactment of a primeval fertility dance and also a troupe or two of Tibetan Buddhist monks who had proceeded to the shed by levitational means."<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/l8uAJD">View answers<br />
</a>Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-27322362622575942222011-06-05T14:36:00.002-04:002011-07-04T09:41:39.849-04:00Golden Oldies AnswersThroughout the ages, royals have tended to live about the same life expectancy as others of their day, but on occasions, a really long-lived royal has demonstrated an excellent combination of good genes, good living and good luck. For this quiz, our experts were asked to name these golden royal oldies.<br />
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<b>1. <i>This Greek-born royal will join the nonagenarian club in June 2011.</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Prince_Philip_NASA_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="156" width="122" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Prince_Philip_NASA_cropped.jpg" /></a></div>Born June 10, 1921 as the youngest child and only son of Prince and Princess Andrew of Greece, Prince Philippos fled into exile with his family when he was still an infant. He spent a good part of his childhood in Paris, then in school in Germany, then joined the British navy. Until he married the heir to the British throne. He led a very peripatetic life bouncing between relatives and navy posts. He gave up his Greek titles and became simply Philip Mountbatten before being created HRH The Duke of Edinburgh by his father-in-law and Prince of the United Kingdom by his wife.<br />
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<b><i>2. Both born as daughters of Scottish peers, these two ladies married royal brothers</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Queen_Elizabeth_The_Queen_Mother_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="123" width="97" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Queen_Elizabeth_The_Queen_Mother_crop.jpg" /></a></div>The most famous of these ladies, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was the youngest daughter of the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. In 1923, she married the second son of King George V and became HRH The Duchess of York. In 1936, her husband ascended the throne and she became HM Queen Elizabeth, but she is most beloved as the Queen Mother, a title she held from the death of her husband in 1952 until her own death 50 years later at the age of 101. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/HRH_Princess_Alice_Commandant_of_the_WAAF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="118" width="159" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/HRH_Princess_Alice_Commandant_of_the_WAAF.jpg" /></a></div>The second Scottish lass was Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott, the middle child of the 7th Duke of Buccleuch. Having traveled around the world, she finally married at the age of 33 to the third son of George V and became HRH The Duchess of Gloucester. Both of her sons were born when she was in her forties; the eldest Prince William died in a flying accident in 1972. After the Duke's death in 1974, the Queen allowed her aunt to use the style HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester although she had never been a princess in her own right. Princess Alice holds the record as the longest lived British royal: she died in 2004 just eight weeks before her 103 birthday.<br />
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<b><i>3. This imperial heir became a pretender at age nine and a European parliamentarian at 67</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Habsburgotto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="177" width="153" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Habsburgotto.jpg" /></a></div>Now simply known as Otto von Habsburg, Archduke Otto of Austria was the oldest son of the last Austrian emperor Karl. Born in 1912, Otto became the Crown Prince with his father's succession in 1916. Following his father's abdication in 1918 and early death in 1922, Otto assumed the role of pretender to the nonexistent throne, a claim he renounced in 1961 in order to launch a political career in Austria. He served as president of International Paneuropean Union for 31 years and was a member of the European Parliament for 20. He is 98 years old. (Update: Archduke Otto passed away on 4 July 2011 at his home in Germany.)<br />
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<b><i>4. At age 30, this empress was a widow with eight children</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Zita_magyar_királyné.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="179" width="121" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Zita_magyar_királyné.jpg" /></a></div>If you know the story of #3 above, you probably know that this woman is Otto's mother, Zita of Bourbon-Parma, who was Empress of Austria for less than two years. Born in 1892, as one of 24 children of Robert Duke of Parma, she apparently inherited the family's fecundity giving her husband eight children in their 11-year marriage. In 1918, the imperial family was sent into exile after World War I. When her husband died of pneumonia in 1922, his reported last words to her were, "I love you so much," and she wore black in his memory until her own death in 1989 at the age of 96. Two of her sons are still living: Otto (above) and Felix who is 95. A third son, Carl Ludwig, died last year at age 90.<br />
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<b><i>5. Born a Spanish aristocrat, she married a president and became an empress</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Empress_Eugenie_1854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="149" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Empress_Eugenie_1854.jpg" /></a></div>Renowned for her beauty, Eugenie de Montijo caught the wandering eye of Napolean's nephew, Louis-Napolean who was elected president of the Second Republic of France. Before the end of his term, he staged a coup d'etat and seized dictatorial powers. One year later, he declared himself Emperor Napoleon III. One month later, he married Eugenie "for love", so he was technically no longer president. Ironically, just two generations removed from his family's lower class origins in Corsica, Napoleon believed he married beneath him despite Eugenie's centuries of noble descent. The Empire fell after less than two decades and family made their new home in England, where they were very close to Queen Victoria and her family. In fact, it is believed that Eugenie hoped to marry her only son to Victoria's youngest daughter, Beatrice, who later named her daughter Victoria Eugenie. The ex-Emperor died two years after arriving in England and their son died brutally while fighting the Zulus at age 21 a few years after that in 1879. Empress Eugenie remained in England but died in Spain during a visit to family in Spain in 1920. She was 94. Her name lives on today in a namesake, Princess Eugenie of York, whose mother, the former Sarah Ferguson has a strong interest in the Victorian royals.Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-61653901238646512602011-05-27T22:29:00.002-04:002012-06-30T16:25:07.979-04:00Golden OldiesThroughout the ages, royals have tended to live about the same life expectancy as others of their day, but on occasions, a really long-lived royal has demonstrated an excellent combination of good genes, good living and good luck. For this quiz, name these golden royal oldies. You may post your responses as a comment or e-mail them to <a href="mailto:princessesreign@gmail.com">princessesreign@gmail.com</a>.<br />
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1. This Greek-born royal will join the nonagenarian club in June 2011<br />
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2. Both born as daughters of Scottish peers, these two ladies married royal brothers<br />
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3. This imperial heir became a pretender at age nine and a European parliamentarian at 67<br />
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4. At age 30, this empress was a widow with eight children<br />
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5. Born a Spanish aristocrat, she married a president and then became an empress<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/krt1r8">View Answers</a>Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559703826543198161.post-26552238904850463172011-05-22T16:15:00.002-04:002011-05-22T16:25:33.403-04:00Sisterly Love AnswersWith The Duchess of Cambridge (a.k.a Princess Catherine) and her sister Philippa 'Pippa' Middleton making headlines lately, I thought a quiz about royal sisters would be a nice challenge. Our Royal Experts were asked to identify the following pairs.<br />
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<b>1. The Queen of England and the Empress of Russia</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Dagmar_and_alexandra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="316" width="213" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Dagmar_and_alexandra.jpg" /></a></div>In the 19th Century, two European monarchs became the heads of two intertangling dynasties that would separately and jointly place descendants on nearly every European throne. The lines of King Christian IX of Denmark and Queen Victoria of England first intertwined when his oldest daughter Alexandra married her heir, the future King Edward VII. Christian's second daughter Dagmar (later Marie) married the Russian Czar Alexander III and the two lines crossed again in the next generation when Marie's son Nicholas married Victoria's granddaughter Alix of Hesse. Raised in a cadet branch of the Danish royal house, Alexandra and Marie grew up relatively poor for royals and only rose to distinction when the complex line of succession landed on their dad. The two girls were always very close. Even after they each married, they continued to holiday together and even bought a home together in their native Denmark. There was a remarkable likeness between their sons, King George V and Czar Nicholas II.<br />
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<b>2. Two discarded queens: One gone mad and One who 'lost' two English husbands</b><br />
Having a powerful mother did not protect these two princesses from their powerful husbands. Although Queen Isabella of Castile had clearly proven that a woman could rule a kingdom, her daughters Juana and Catalina (Catherine) of Aragon were to suffer from prejudice against female rulers. Juana married and fell in love with the heir of the Holy Roman Empire. Her jealous behavior toward him quickly became overwrought. When Isabella died, Juana inherited Castile and a power struggle ensued between her husband and her father, King Ferdinand of Aragon, for control of Juana's throne. Whether she was insane or simply highly strung, Juana's behavior was odd enough after her husband's early death to enable her dad to lock her away for the rest of her life. Meanwhile, Catherine was sent to marry the English heir, Prince Arthur. When he died soon after the wedding, Catherine was a more-or-less a prisoner of her father-in-law who didn't want to relinquish her dowry. When Juana and her husband were temporarily shipwrecked in England, Catherine appealed to her older sister for help, but Juana was too focused on her handsome husband. So, Catherine languished for seven years until her father-in-law's death and the new king, her brother-in-law Henry VIII decided to marry her. Flash forward 20 son-less years later, Henry divorces Catherine to marry the second of his six wives. Both sisters died devoted to their husbands.<br />
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<b>3. Queens of Revolution: One who lost her head and one who led a counter-revolution</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Maria_Karolina_of_Austria_Queen.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="163" width="132" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Maria_Karolina_of_Austria_Queen.png" /></a></div>Empress Maria Theresa of Austria also ruled as monarch. She had 11 daughters, all named Maria. The most famous of these are undoubtedly the two youngest Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples, and Maria Antonia, best remembered as Queen Marie Antoinette of France. The two archduchesses were very close as children until their mother separated them in adolescence for bad behavior. Soon afterward, Maria Carolina was sent to marry the King of Naples and Sicily as a replacement for an older sister who had died of small pox. Despite an inauspicious beginning, the couple produced 18 children and Maria Carolina essentially took over the government from her ineffectual husband, who much preferred hunting to governing. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Marie_Antoinette%2C_new_Queen_of_France.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="163" width="132" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Marie_Antoinette%2C_new_Queen_of_France.jpg" /></a></div>Unfortunately perhaps, Marie Antoinette was unable/incapable of governing in place of her also ineffective husband and both of them were guillotined in the French Revolution. Following her sister's execution, Maria Carolina abandoned the ideals of enlightened absolutism and launched a counter-revolution in her kingdome. Eventually deposed by Napolean, Maria Carolina died in exile just one year before her husband's restoration.<br />
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<b>4. The pair who introduced Rasputin to the Imperial Family</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Anasztaszija_Nyikolajevna_of_Montenegro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="184" width="125" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Anasztaszija_Nyikolajevna_of_Montenegro.jpg" /></a></div>This proved to be the most challenging pair for our Royal Experts. Most respondents selected a non-royal pair: Empress Alexandra's confidant Anna Vyrobova and her sister, also named Alexandra. However, the royal sisters responsible for helping make the naughty monk acceptable in Russian imperial and aristocratic circles were Anastasia and Militsa of Montenegro, daughters of King Nicholas I of Montenegro who married Russian Grand Dukes. Anastasia married Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholaeivich and Militsa married his brother Peter. Both of the princesses were deeply religious and drawn to the more occult aspects of the Russian Orthodox Church. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Milica_Nyikolajevna_of_Montenegro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="184" width="125" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Milica_Nyikolajevna_of_Montenegro.jpg" /></a></div>They championed several mystics including Rasputin. Although the Empress did not consider the princesses to be her friends, she became deeply attached to their protege Rasputin, which ultimately helped lead to the Russian Revolution. The sisters and their husbands all escaped the revolution, unlike many other members of the imperial family.<br />
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<b>5. Scandalous sisters: One married a playboy but became an HRH and one ran away with the circus. </b><br />
Technically these sisters are daughters of a princely house, and therefore were born serene highnesses rather than royal highnesses, however, they (and their children) are regarded as "royals" by the world's media. Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie of Monaco have each embarked on a number of escapades that brought little honor to their heritage or to the memory of their beloved mother Princess Grace. Caroline started by rebelling against her parents as a teenager and marrying a renowned playboy against their better judgement. With that marriage annulled, she started an affair with an Italian and soon became pregnant. After a shotgun wedding and two more children, Caroline was devastated by her husband's tragic death in a high-speed boat race. This and motherhood seemed to have settled her down. However, she married one more time to another playboy although this one is a prince of a deposed royal house. Once again, however, she was already pregnant at the time of the wedding. Little sister Stephanie was undoubtedly the most physically and emotionally scarred by their mother's untimely death since she was still a teenager and was in the car at the time of the accident. She launched into several un-princessly and largely unsuccessul careers like swimsuit model and rock singer and indulged in numerous unseemly love affairs. In fact, her name has been in the news lately with the release of her former lover Rob Lowe's memoirs. After that she had a child by her bodyguard, married him, had another child and divorced him. Then, she had a third child by a still unnamed father. Then, she began a love affair with a married circus trainer and took her children to live with him in a caravan following the circus. Stephanie and Caroline's brother has also led a rather undignified personal life filled with many high-profile romances and two acknowledged illegimate children. Now 53, he is set to marry his 33-year-old girlfriend after a year-long engagement. It will be interesting to see if his Princess Grace lookalike bride will restore some decorum to the princely palace.Cheryl Ciucevichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00388994160381820590noreply@blogger.com0