Where Did Royal Couples Meet?


If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Guillaume of Luxembourg met Stephanie de Lannoy during a weekend house party organized by mutual friends in about 2005-2006. However it has been reported that Gui was in a relationship (Pia Haraldsen?) and nothing developed from the initial meeting.

Fast forward to the fall of 2010. Another weekend house party organized by their mutual aristocrat group of friends, this time in Germany. Both were single. They began a (very) discreet relationship. It was in late 2011 that rumors began circulating in the press and were confirmed by Guillaume around his 30th birthday. But he did not provide a name, and Stephanie's identity was not verified until the engagement was announced.
 
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I love to know these stories. It is always interesting to know how royal couples met. Thanks for all the information.
 
Indeed, it's interesting to see how the couple met. I wonder if any of them have ever gone back to the places they first met?
 
I am pretty sure I remember reading that Princess Astrid of Belgium met her future husband Archduke Lorenz of Austria-Este during a grand ball at Laeken Palace to celebrate her 18th birthday. I don't remember if the Ball was hosted by King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola, or Astrid's parents.

I do remember that it was love at first sight for both Astrid and Lorenz...but because of Astrid's very young age and the fact that Lorenz was a little older, her father insisted that the engagement be delayed until she was at least 21 years old.
 
Carl Gustaf & Silvia met during Munich Olympic Games when she worked as an interpreter.
 
I am pretty sure I remember reading that Princess Astrid of Belgium met her future husband Archduke Lorenz of Austria-Este during a grand ball at Laeken Palace to celebrate her 18th birthday. I don't remember if the Ball was hosted by King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola, or Astrid's parents.

I do remember that it was love at first sight for both Astrid and Lorenz...but because of Astrid's very young age and the fact that Lorenz was a little older, her father insisted that the engagement be delayed until she was at least 21 years old.

This story, to be true, is wonderful. :flowers:
 
Does anyone know how these royals met?

Queen Mother and George VI

Prince Floris and Princess Aimee

They were members of the same student union Minerva (I guess you might look at it as the elite fraternity/sorority (it is mixed) within a given city) in Leiden; the generic name for these specific student unions is 'Corps'. There is only one in each city. Their rival is typically the Roman Catholic student union that isn't really RC in anyway but just a slightly different version of what you would also find at a Student Corps.
 
Prince Friso and Mabel met in Brussels in 2000. Does anyone know more?

I think Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien have known each other since they were children. Their families have always been close.

I think this is the right topic to put the first photos that exist of the real couples.

Felipe and Letizia:
https://c9.quickcachr.fotos.sapo.pt/i/G45182698/22080368_AMSTb.jpeg

Frederik and Mary:
https://c1.quickcachr.fotos.sapo.pt/i/B1313009c/17292262_NBAkB.jpeg

William and Catherine:
https://c10.quickcachr.fotos.sapo.pt/i/G1b18c9a4/22080371_nIST9.jpeg

Willem-Alexander and Maxima:
https://c2.quickcachr.fotos.sapo.pt/i/G5c181133/22080373_YpzZF.jpeg

Haakon and Mette-Marit:
https://c4.quickcachr.fotos.sapo.pt/i/G6917873f/22080375_vdDmI.jpeg

Victoria and Daniel:
https://c5.quickcachr.fotos.sapo.pt/i/G0e1875e6/22080378_jTuLJ.png


Philippe and Mathilde:
https://c8.quickcachr.fotos.sapo.pt/i/Gc9174e75/22149902_MHzYq.jpeg



Albert and Charlene:
https://c1.quickcachr.fotos.sapo.pt/i/G9b17eafb/22220732_W5SoY.jpeg
 
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Haakon and Mette-Marit: At the Quart music festival in the hometown of Mette-Marit, Kristiansand.

Frederik and Mary: Frederik and Mary met at the Slip Inn during the 2000 Summer Olympics on September 16 in Sydney.

Victoria and Daniel: In 2002, Victoria and Daniel met when Daniel became her personal trainer.

William and Catherine: William and Catherine met while studying at the University of St. Andrews.

Willem-Alexander and Máxima: Willem and Máxima met in Seville, Spain, during the April Fair.

Felipe and Letizia: met at a dinner organized by Pedro Erquicia.

Victoria and Daniel met in 2001.
"Daniel Westling and The Crown Princess got to know each other in 2001."
HRH Prince Daniel - Sveriges Kungahus

There are earlier photos taken of Victoria and Daniel but that is the first picture of them kissing.
No, there aren't. The photo of them kissing was the first time, when Victoria and Daniel were photographed together, on 11th July 2002 at Caroline Kreuger's 25th birthday party. They didn't arrive together to the party and when the party started and they knew there were photographers, they weren't together. First photos of Daniel were published on 30th May 2002 when Expressen told that he was Victoria's boyfriend. On 28th July 2002 Victoria and Daniel were photographed when they were leaving Ekerum Golf Club on Öland.
Första bilden på kärleksparet _ Aftonbladet
More photos of Caroline Kreuger's birthday party
http://imageupper.com/i/?S1100010030011L16204195092055692
http://imageupper.com/i/?S1100010030021L16204195092055692
http://imageupper.com/i/?S1100010030041L16204195092055692
http://imageupper.com/i/?S1100010030051L16204195092055692
 
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No, there aren't. The photo of them kissing was the first time, when Victoria and Daniel were photographed together, on 11th July 2002 at Caroline Kreuger's 25th birthday party. They didn't arrive together to the party and when the party started and they knew there were photographers, they weren't together. First photos of Daniel were published on 30th May 2002 when Expressen told that he was Victoria's boyfriend. On 28th July 2002 Victoria and Daniel were photographed when they were leaving Ekerum Golf Club on Öland.
Första bilden på kärleksparet _ Aftonbladet
More photos of Caroline Kreuger's birthday party
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Looks like the birthday party was Hawaii themed. If after them being spotted together they first went out in public, it might have been a good thing in some way as well as they no longer needed to hide.
 
I think this is the right topic to put the first photos that exist of the real couples.


Willem-Alexander and Maxima:
https://c2.quickcachr.fotos.sapo.pt/i/G5c181133/22080373_YpzZF.jpeg

Are you sure this is the earliest picture. I had to refresh my memory but the first time the Netherlands learned about her existence was in late August 1999 when she attended a wedding with Willem-Alexander but in a black dress - not a pink one like in this picture.

The first paparazzi pictures were made by Smulders in New York, see here.
 
Are you sure this is the earliest picture. I had to refresh my memory but the first time the Netherlands learned about her existence was in late August 1999 when she attended a wedding with Willem-Alexander but in a black dress - not a pink one like in this picture.

The first paparazzi pictures were made by Smulders in New York, see here.

This photo will have been taken when they met.
https://www.libelle.nl/mensen/foto-jonge-en-feestende-maxima-ken-vast-nog/
 
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I did not even know that the royal couple met at the Olympics, I was always wondering where they met, thank you for the information
 
According to Amber Petty, Frederik and Mary did not meet at the Australian pub Slip Inn, but at an exclusive event related to the Olympics.

In an interview in 2020, she told how Frederik and Mary would have met:
"Sorry to break everyone's hearts, but it's not always about randomly bumping into princes in pubs."
"It wasn't a random encounter... It was a small dinner party organized during the Olympics and it turned out that Mary was invited and most of the guests were royals."

"I think they were sitting across from each other, which is obviously the perfect position to talk and engage with someone."
"It was a very civilized and lovely dinner, and it was the start of what would become a very important chapter for both of them."

https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencia...derico-de-dinamarca-historia-de-amor_2742996/
 
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According to Amber Petty, Frederik and Mary did not meet at the Australian pub Slip Inn, but at an exclusive event related to the Olympics.

In an interview in 2020, she told how Frederik and Mary would have met:
"Sorry to break everyone's hearts, but it's not always about randomly bumping into princes in pubs."
"It wasn't a random encounter... It was a small dinner party organized during the Olympics and it turned out that Mary was invited and most of the guests were royals."

"I think they were sitting across from each other, which is obviously the perfect position to talk and engage with someone."
"It was a very civilized and lovely dinner, and it was the start of what would become a very important chapter for both of them."

https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencia...derico-de-dinamarca-historia-de-amor_2742996/

At least your excerpt doesn't say that they didn't meet at Slip Inn - just that it was a private event. Which most likely took place at that venue. And as far as I'm concerned it has been known that they met at an organized event related to the Olympics at a venue (a pub called Slip inn) in Sydney.

So, I'm not sure what she is contradicting... and why she would break people's hearts (very few people will be that invested in the story and not know these basics already)

N.B. Read the full article: nowhere does it say that they didn't meet at Slip Inn - only that the encounter (at Slip Inn) wasn't a random one but an organized one. Both had been invited to the same event.
 
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At least your excerpt doesn't say that they didn't meet at Slip Inn - just that it was a private event. Which most likely took place at that venue. And as far as I'm concerned it has been known that they met at an organized event related to the Olympics at a venue (a pub called Slip inn) in Sydney.

So, I'm not sure what she is contradicting... and why she would break people's hearts (very few people will be that invested in the story and not know these basics already)

N.B. Read the full article: nowhere does it say that they didn't meet at Slip Inn - only that the encounter (at Slip Inn) wasn't a random one but an organized one. Both had been invited to the same event.



I think its the whole 'anyone can fall in love with a prince you can randomly meet them' fairy tale. When in reality even the commoners who marry royalty often meet through their circles or particular connections.

And yes was only ever said they met at event and she didnt know who he was at first. Invited to a dinner party event for the games, even if smaller, likely wouldn't have been told whole guest list
 
I think its the whole 'anyone can fall in love with a prince you can randomly meet them' fairy tale. When in reality even the commoners who marry royalty often meet through their circles or particular connections.

And yes was only ever said they met at event and she didnt know who he was at first. Invited to a dinner party event for the games, even if smaller, likely wouldn't have been told whole guest list

So, I guess for the Frederik and Mary story, the question is why she was invited to this Olympics-related dinner party that had lots of royal guests? Who in her circle also had connections in the higher circles.

But indeed, apart from any school, study or even work environment (which is not necessarily only those higher up in society - although some might be), typically the future brides and grooms need at least some connections to be able to be introduced/meet royalty.
 
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Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg met Prince Guillame at a house party, her father Paul-Annik Weiller was a wealthy businessman who owned a house on the Riviera as did the Nassau dynasty so that’s how they met.
 
So, I guess for the Frederik and Mary story, the question is why she was invited to this Olympics-related dinner party that had lots of royal guests? Who in her circle also had connections in the higher circles.

But indeed, apart from any school, study or even work environment (which is not necessarily only those higher up in society - although some might be), typically the future brides and grooms need at least some connections to be able to be introduced/meet royalty.

I agree 100%. And the story of Mary/Fred's meeting during a pub crawl at the Slip Inn has never been denied even by the couple themselves....despite the fact that articles, books and even a TV movie have promoted it.

Why does Ms. Petty feels the need to change the narrative to an "intimate dinner party" at this point ?

And what kind of connections would a middle class, non famous person need to get invited, not to mention seated directly across the table from the Crown Prince of Denmark?:whistling:
 
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Given that Mary was not well known or very rich, isn't it more likely that she met Fred in a pub than it was meeting at an intimate dinner party?
 
Given that Mary was not well known or very rich, isn't it more likely that she met Fred in a pub than it was meeting at an intimate dinner party?

I was around in the old Royal (Blue) Forum and remember the threads always mentioned the articles stated it was at the Pub while Frederick was in company of his cousins Felipe (Spain) and Haakon (Norway). If Amber is changing her story or recollections many years after it could be she remembers or was present at one place and not the other?

My assumption is basic, they met at the Pub and he was so fascinated by her that got her an invite to the dinner party to see how she socialized with his upscale crew. Felipe then did the same move when he became obsessed with Letizia and had a mutual friend invite her to a dinner party, too.

I got to say, the cousins have a players routine and in this case it all worked out for both of them.
 
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Felipe became interested in Letizia when he started to see her on television presenting the news. Then he asked a mutual friend to organize a dinner, and that's where they met.
At least this is the story told in several documentaries about the Spanish monarchy.
 
I found an article about how Willem-Alexander and Máxima met.

Willem-Alexander and Máxima met in April 1999 in Seville during the Feria de Abril, where several young people got together for a long weekend. The hostess was the Duchess of Alba. Máxima was at the door as a photographer to photograph everyone as they entered. Willem-Alexander was startled by the camera and reacted with irritation.

Maxima couldn't help but know that Alexander had been pestered by insistent photographers for years. Later that weekend, they struck up a conversation. "They danced together. They hugged. Willem-Alexander improvised a tango for fun. They spun and laughed, until an Elvis record was put on," wrote Álvarez Guerrero and Ferrari.
"I thought: I should stay away from this, I'm an independent girl and I have all kinds of plans. It really didn't fit," the princess later said of her first meeting with Willem-Alexander at the party in Spain in an interview with a program of TV.

https://www.absolutefacts.nl/royalty/maxima/kennismaking-willem-alexander.htm
 
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Sarah Duchess of York is godmother to Edoardo's younger brother Albie.

Beatrice attended the funeral of Edo's stepfather(Albie's dad)
Christopher Shale along with her parents.

The two families have known one another for years which is naturally how Beatrice and Edo came to know one another.
 
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