Forbes has recently released their annual list of the world’s 15 richest royals. Emphasised in the article was the impact of the credit crunch, real estate values plumeting and stock market difficulties, with Forbes stating all in all the global recession has led to the royals listed losing a total of $22 billion, 17% of the total wealth listed last year. More specifically, they state that whilst two of the 15 royals’ financial positions remain unchanged, 12 have lost money. Morocco’s King Mohammed VI gained US$1 billion over the past year.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand is listed as the richest royal on the list with a fortune worth US$30 billion; this is down $5 billion from last year. Next on the list is Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, whose US$20 billion fortune is unchanged from last year. The 3rd richest royal is listed as Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahayan of the United Arab Emirates with $18 billion (also down $5 billion from 2008).
Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abul Aziz fell $4 billion to $17 billion, forth place on the list. Fifth was Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum at $12 billion (a loss of $6 billion).
The rest of the list is as follows:
6. Prince Hans-Adam II von und zu Liechtenstein, Liechtenstein
7. King Mohammed VI, Morocco
8. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar
9. Prince Albert II, Monaco
10. Prince Karim Al Husseini, Aga Khan
11. Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Oman
12. Queen Elizabeth II, U.K.
13. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Kuwait
14. Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard, Netherlands
15. King Mswati III, Swaziland
It should be noted that different countries list and accredit the wealth of their monarch in different ways. Forbes describe the impact of this in their article.
marmi Uncategorized Finances, Wealth
Italian designer Valentino has been designing wedding dresses for future Queens to daytime suits worn by varioues royals in Europe and the Middle East. Valentino’s creations are worn by Queens, Crown Princesses and Princesses. Most of his creations worn by royals have been shown on either the Haute Couture runway or on the pret-a-porter runway and altered.
Valentino designed Princess Máxima’s pre-wedding dress which was made out of orange embroidered lace with a matching shawl in this pic, her wedding dress was made out of white lace taffeta while her veil was made from dotted tulle with lace cutout as you can see in pic 1 and pic 2. Valentino also designer wedding dresses for Pricess Marie Chantal of Greece (pic) and a very pregenant Clotilde Courau who wore a very simple dress with a lace border pic.
As for eveningwear, Queen Sofia has a few of his designs such as the yellow floral printed dress pic, pink ruffled dress pic and a white dress pic are the only few from Queen Sofia’s Valentino collection. The dresses mentioned above have all come from Haute Couture runways as you can see in thiepictures, the original dress with Queen Sofia’s alterations.
Princess Máxima has been seen in Haute Couture outfits such as a ruffled red dress pic worn to P.Charles birthday, Printed layered dress pic worn in Thailand and this lovely suit worn to Princess Catharina-Amalia’s baptism pic. One of Máxima’s ready to wear outfits by the designer was a one shoulder printed cocktail dress seen here. Read more…
dazzling Uncategorized Fashion, Princess Clothilde, Princess Haya, Princess Máxima, Princess Mette-Marit, Queen Sofia, Valentino
Click Here to Read More About the Queen's past Derby visit from Reuters
Each year, on the first Saturday in May, thousands of people pour into Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, to see the Kentucky Derby. Millions of people throughout the world will watch the race on television. It is often dubbed, “the most exciting two minutes in sports”. This event is perhaps the most prestigious and well-known in US horse racing.
In addition to the beautiful horses, the event is typically associated with two things: mint juleps, and large, stylish hats. While our friends in the United Kingdom have several events throughout their social calendar that afford women the opportunity to wear hats, we Americans have but very few, if any, other than the Kentucky Derby. Even though the origin of hat-wearing at the Kentucky Derby has humble roots (to shield one from the hot sun), women have seized upon this practicality, and turned it into an opportunity to make a fashion statement.
In 2007, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain visited the Kentucky Derby, and wore a beautiful hat in lime green with fuchsia accents. Derby fans and royal watchers alike were thrilled with the opportunity to see the Queen in person, and she didn’t disappoint. Her Majesty was elegant and graceful, and her appearance was the highlight of the Derby that year. Read more…
sgl Uncategorized Elizabeth II, Fashion, Hats, Horse Racing
Click Here to Read the Article from The Independent
In today’s world, where monarchies are the exception rather than the norm, the question of the relevancy of royalty often comes up. And just as the governments throughout the world are diverse in their styles of governing, so are the duties of the various royal families. Some serve as a figurehead, with minimal legislative duties, such as King Carl Gustaf of Sweden, while others exercise absolute rule over their kingdoms, such as King Mswati III of Swaziland.
The topic of the role and relevancy of royalty, specifically European royalty, has been in the media lately. Earlier this month, Parade Magazine featured a story about Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. The article introduced the royal couple, and briefly discussed their roles and future in Denmark.
The British newspaper The Independent compares and contrasts the roles of the European monarchs in a recent article. It also examines the role currently being played by royals from countries that no longer have a monarchy, such as King Constantine of Greece. Arguments on both sides of the issue of the future of monarchy in Europe are discussed.
The subject of monarchy is always a hot topic, and will no doubt continue to inspire debate.
For more information and discussion about the royal families of Europe, please visit the forums and see this article at The Royal Articles.
sgl Uncategorized Carl XVI Gustaf, Constantine II, Monarchy, Mswati III, Prince Frederik, Princess Mary
Meeting a member of any Royal Family can be a nerve wrecking experience for even the most seasoned Royal watcher. The questions of what to wear, say and do can be mind boggling and then there is the major question should I bow / curtsey. In days gone by it was an obligatory act of deference to ones Sovereign, today it is optional. Buckingham Palace state only that many people wish to observe these traditional forms, however a handshake is just as acceptable.
Read more…
RoyalProtocol Uncategorized Bowing & Curtseying, Protocol
