September, 2006Royals who made the news in September...In September there was more pressure for Prince William (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=19806.0) to marry his girlfriend Kate Middleton.
September also saw Prince William join the Middletons (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=19962.0) on a family holiday in Ibiza.
The world got two new royals in September, when a young American woman found out she was the heir to the African Chiefdom of Bumpe (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=19769.0) and Princess Kiko (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=19407.0) gave birth to Japan's first male heir in over 40 years.
The tabs were sent into a frenzy after Kate & Wills were pictured with "the look of love" (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=19448.0) in their eyes.
In another attempt to cash in on his former employers memory, Paul Burrell (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=19936.0) released his new book on Diana, the Princess of Wales.
Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=19939.0) branched out on her own, walking for charity in Scotland.
Prince Harry (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=19939.0) came under fire after allegedly ruining a friends birthday party by throwing smokebombs with the eternal prankster and royal knockabout, Guy Pelly.
September saw Princess Mary of Denmark (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=19958.0) embark on her first official solo visit to Prague.
Babies were in the air for the Spanish and Dutch royal families, with The Prince and Princess of Asturias (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=20021.new;boardseen#new) and Crown Prince Willem-Alexander & Princess Máxima (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=20019.new#new) expecting new additions to their families in 2007
Young royals around the world are coming into their own with Monaco's Prince Andrea (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=19139.0) traveling to the Philippines to support the Amade-Virlanie Foundation, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=19273.0) began a one-year course for diplomats at the Swedish Foreign Ministry, and Prince William (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=19938.0) stepped out to visit St Mary's Hospital, where he and his brother were born.
Royal Splendor Collection of the month...Crown Jewels of the United KingdomThe Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom refer to the apparel worn by the Monarch during the coronation ceremony, as well as at various other state functions.
The Crown jewels are considered to be the most valuable jewelry collection in the world and the current set have pieces that date back as far as 1661. Throughout history, the Crown Jewels have had to been replaced many times; In 1216 they were lost by King John and the replacement set was later stolen from Westminster abbey in 1303. Although most were recovered, they were later melted down by Oliver Cromwell after the establishment of the commonwealth in 1649. After the English Restoration in 1660, most of the regalia had to be replaced, and are currently stored (and on display to the public) in the Tower of London.
The Coronation Regalia:
St. Edward's Crown (http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c280/Royal-Britain/St-Edwards-Crown.jpg), made of solid gold in 1661 for the coronation of Charles II. This was also used to crown Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The Scepter with the Cross and Sovereign's Orb (http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c280/Royal-Britain/Royal-Orb.jpg) were both made in 1661, and have been used in every coronation for the past 350 years.
The coronation regalia also boasts Cullinan I aka the "Great Star of Africa" (530 carats) and Cullinan II (317 carats), the two largest top-quality cut diamonds in the world. Cullinan I sits in the Scepter with the Cross (http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n305/theroyalforum/Sceptre_with_the_Cross-1.jpg) and Cullinan II is part of the Imperial State Crown. The extraordinary and ancient Koh-i-Noor (105 carats) diamond, which means "mountain of light" is one of the most famous diamonds in the world and is reputed to bring luck to any female who owns it. Although the Koh-i-Noor originally belonged to India, it became part of the Crown Jewels when Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India. The Government of India is currently lobbying the British Monarchy for the return of the diamond.
The Coronation Necklace (http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n305/theroyalforum/9200010-1.jpg), 1937 was a gift from King George VI to Queen Elizabeth and contains 40 brilliant cut diamonds.
Other pieces of the collection:
- Imperial State Crown (http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c280/Royal-Britain/Imperial-State-Crown.jpg), made in 1937. This is worn by the sovereign on great state occasions. This crown contains over 3,000 precious stones, including famous stones such as the Stuart Sapphire, the Black Prince's Ruby, and St Edward's Sapphire.
- The Cullinan Brooch (http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n305/theroyalforum/100005-1.jpg), 1908-1910 was presented to Queen Mary by the Government of South Africa. Cullinan III and IV make up the Cullinan Brooch and Her Majesty The Queen wore it during a State Visit to Holland in 1958. It was on this occasion that the brooch was famously referred to as 'Granny's Chips'.
- Scepter with the Dove, 1661
- The Crown of Queen Elizabeth (http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c280/Royal-Britain/Queen-Elizabeth-Crown.jpg), the Queen Mother, 1937
- The crown of Mary of Modena (Queen Consort) (http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n305/theroyalforum/modenacr.jpg), 1685 ~ This crown is currently on display in the Museum of London
- The diadem of Mary of Modena (http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n305/theroyalforum/capmoden.jpg) (Queen Consort), 1685
- Queen Victoria's Crown (http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n305/theroyalforum/monarchy_pop_crown2-1.jpg), made in 1838 ~ the stones had to be removed from this crown as the frame became to weak over time. This crown was the original home to the 317 carat Cullinan II diamond.
- Crown of Frederick, Prince of Wales, 1728
- George IV State Diadem, 1820. Also called the Diamond Diadem (http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c280/Royal-Britain/KingGeorgeIVStateDiadem.jpg), contains 1333 diamonds totalling 325 carats and 169 pearls.
- Crown of George, Prince of Wales, 1901
- Imperial Crown of India (http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c280/Royal-Britain/Imperial-Crown-India.jpg), 1911
There are also various swords, rings, spoons and bracelets that make up the British Crown Jewels.
Click here (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=13939.0) for more pictures of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.
Click here (http://www.theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=16450.0) to view other jewels owned by the British Monarchy.
Click here (http://www.thehistorychannel.co.uk/site/inc/scripts/video_console.php?clip_id=89) to watch a video about the Royal Jewels.
Royal Palace of the Month...Marselisborg Palace, DenmarkMarselisborg Palace was a gift from the people of Denmark to Crown Prince Christian & Princess Alexandrine on their wedding. It was formerly owned by King Frederik III, but unable to pay huge debts, he gave the palace to a Dutch merchant trader by the name of Gabriel Marselis. Over a 200 year period, the palace went through many different sets of hands, finally ending up back in crown ownership in 1898.
Traditionally, the palace has been a summer residence for many generations of the Danish royal family. It has also undergone huge transformations in it's 340 year royal history.
Firstly, Crown Prince Christian & Princess Alexandrine (who would later become King Christian X & Queen Consort of Denmark), renovated the palace between 1899 – 1902. They used the palace as a summer home, entertaining guests and family during their time there.
In 1967 King Frederik IX gifted the palace to his daughter Crown Princess Margrethe, the future (and current Queen of Denmark). Queen Margrethe & Prince Henrik have used the palace as their summer residence since then.
Marselisborg Palace sits on 32 acres and includes magnificent parkland and gardens. It is also home to some of the Danish royal family's collection of art work.
The palace is not open to the public, but the park and rose garden can be visited only when the royal family is not in residence.
Marselisborg Palace (http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n305/theroyalforum/org-1.jpg)
Palace Park and Garden (http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n305/theroyalforum/org.jpg)