Royal-Royal Marriages Today

[Hereditary Mapmaker]

Assuming that current succession laws apply and if the dynastic requirements of religion and royal status were still in effect, currently every heir (except Alois of Liechtenstein) of the European monarchies would be excluded from the throne. If the dynastic requirements had never been "loosened", which of today's royal heirs and potential spouse/consort would make the:
(My picks are in blue)
Happiest union - Felipe, The Prince of Asturias & Princess Martha Louise of Norway (I KNOW...she'd have to convert, but there aren't a lot of Catholic princesses in that age bracket other than his sisters...GROSS!)
Strongest partnership - Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden & Prince Constantjin of The Netherlands (He definitely has some of the same facial features as the men she has been attached to. And I think they are both intelligent, good-humored and professional.)
Most incompatible/unhappiest - Prince Albert of Monaco & Infanta Elena of Spain (She definitely has a little more leche in her cafe than he likes. He probably wouldn't be faithful and I don't think she would like it)
Best looking - Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg & Princess Caroline of Monaco (Given his similarity to Casiraghi and the beautiful children of that union, this might have made Luxembourg the best looking family in Europe.)
Best parents - Willem-Alexander, The Prince of Orange & Princess Alexia of Greece & Denmark (Lots of choices for both fathers and mothers in this category but very few could make a marriage. Given their age, temperament, and the loving way in which they dote on/interact with their children, I think they would have been successful together as parents.)
Most fun-loving - Prince Harry of Wales & Princess Madeleine of Sweden (May not be a good marriage match, but I bet they would be very entertaining.)
Most surprising/unusual - Prince Edward of Great Britain & Princess Stephanie of Monaco (I can't help it. It's just the most unlikely of couples I could imagine. Kind of like Porter Waggoner doing a duet with Queen Latifah. Can you imagine QEII's reaction to this?)

Feel free to add other categories if you like. I know there are thousands of possibilities, especially if you add in Germany, Italy, etc. I was just trying to keep it simple for me.

Mapper

 

[kimebear]

I like your suggestions, although I would also choose for Best Looking:

Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark and Princess Madeline of Sweden. She is certainly as much of a classic beauty as Mary is.

But how about Best Royal "Comeback":

Prince William of Wales and Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark. It would certainly cement the GRF's position with Theodora as Queen of Great Britain.

 

[Empress]

Mapmaker - Why is Alois of Liechtenstein the only one that would be eligilble? I can not sort that, as he also has siblings that should be eligible.

 

[Hereditary Mapmaker]

Great one with the "Best Comeback", kimbear!

Thanks for the response, Empress. Regarding Alois, I wasn't looking at every prince or princess in every royal family, just the heirs to the throne/future heads of state. I know that Alois is HSH but I include him because of his marriage to Sophie of Bavaria which, IIRC, is the only "equal" marriage in this generation of royal heirs. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I hope I didn't confuse you about Alois. His status was what created my thought process about the current heirs. After I considered it and began looking at the different choices I was making, obviously I did consider younger siblings who were not next in line to the throne. Sorry for the confusion.

Mapper

 

[michelleq]

Mapmaker - Why is Alois of Liechtenstein the only one that would be eligilble? I can not sort that, as he also has siblings that should be eligible.

I believe that his sister Tatjana possibly married a Count. There is a brother, Constantine?? who married a countess, and my personal favorite, Maxmilian, married an Panamanian Commoner, Angela Brown.

Please correct me if I am wrong on any facts. That is how I learn.

 

[Henri M.]

Willem-Alexander, The Prince of Orange & Princess Alexia of Greece & Denmark

For a while there was a serious talk about the two of them being a couple.

HRH Prince Willem-Alexander, The Prince of Orange & HRH Princess Alexia of Greece and Denmark

The only two serious talks of The Prince of Orange linked with royals were with Victoria of Sweden (herself a godchild of beatrix, and she is a godmother of Catharina-Amalia, which is illustrative) and Alexia of Greece and Denmark.

HRH The Prince of Orange and HRH The Crown Princess of Sweden 1

HRH The Prince of Orange and HRH The Crown Princess of Sweden 2

HRH The Prince of Orange and HRH The Crown Princess of Sweden 3

Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark and Princess Madeline of Sweden. She is certainly as much of a classic beauty as Mary is.

Princess Madeleine as classic beauty?

I think we differ on the meaning of classic beauty.

 

[Empress]

And you may very well differ on the meaning of classic beauty. Just as your opinions on other things may differ. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So, everyone is entitled to their vision of beauty. Play nice. Not everyone shares each others opinion.

 

[Henri M.]

And you may very well differ on the meaning of classic beauty. Just as your opinions on other things may differ. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So, everyone is entitled to their vision of beauty. Play nice. Not everyone shares each others opinion.

Huh? How could my two short lines "Princess Madeleine as classic beauty? I think we differ on the meaning of classic beauty." be meant rude????

With a 'classic beauty' usually classic features, perfect bone structure, a slender neckline and speaking eyes are meant. Think of Audrey Hepburn, think of Meryl Streep or think of Mette-Marit of Norway.

The bronze tanned tanned young lady with bleached teeth, lipgloss and curly coupe soleil, which is Princess Madeleine of Sweden, is for many people a beautiful woman. But if her features are labelled 'classic beauty', then I must have totally misunderstood the meaning of that.

 

[carlota]

i totally agree with you henri. i doubt either madeleine or mary qualify as "classic beauties". on the contrary, i see them as very much "common beauties", if anything.

i very much doubt henri meant negative by that comment. it's just a mere expression of his opinion.

 

[GlitteringTiaras]

Think of Audrey Hepburn, think of Meryl Streep or think of Mette-Marit of Norway.

These three ladies are the last people I would classify as being a classic beauty. Isn't it interesting how each individual views another? I believe so.

Meryl Streep has an unusually long and crooked nose with a very slim mouth. Audrey Hepburn has very big eyes and a wide smile. Mette-Marit facial structure is unique, for example the shape of her eyes, nose and posture.

None of these beautiful women, I believe, have symmetrical facial features thus making them, from my point of view, very untraditional looking (whatever traditional/classic beauty means.)

Please remember this is my opinion and although it may differ vastly from others, please respect it.


Thanks


BACK ON TOPIC

My coupling of royal to royal marriage:

Prince Amedeo and Princess Beatrice.

 

[Hereditary Mapmaker]

Thanks for the links, HenriM.

I didn't know that Alexia and Victoria were both considered as consorts for WA. Obviously with the way the laws are Victoria could never have been (2 monarchs married to one another) but how interesting to consider Queen Alexia of the Netherlands.

QUESTIONS FOR ANYONE/EVERYONE:

When do these discussion start? When they are born? When they reach 18 years of age?

Do you think that any of the single royals, heirs and otherwise, are aware of these discussions? Wouldn't they feel really strange meeting at events afterward?

Mapper

 

[Hereditary Mapmaker]

Considering the possibility of WA and Victoria...if the 2 heirs together was not an issue, my personal pick for best overall match (looks, professionalism, temperament, parenting, etc.) - Haakon of Norway and Victoria of Sweden. I know that they are more like big brother and little sister, but absent those restrictions, they both have such charisma and would make a lovely couple.

Mapper

 

[Henri M.]

Considering the possibility of WA and Victoria...if the 2 heirs together was not an issue

On itself it was no issue. Both the House of the Netherlands and the House of Sweden have others in the line of succession wou could take over their place.

The examples of Prince Friso of the Netherlands, Princess Irene of the Netherlands, Princess Christina of the Netherlands, Prince Pieter-Christiaan van Oranje-Nassau, Van Vollenhoven and Prince Floris van Oranje-Nassau, Van Vollenhoven show that in the Netherlands it is easy to be excluded from the line of succession: simply do not request an Act of Consent for your marriage, then you are automatically excluded.

If the Prince of Orange wanted to marry Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, one of the two would have to give up his or her rights. That is all. In this case most likely Victoria would have given up for her brother, who after all once was the Heir, before the law was changed in Sweden.

 

[Avalon]

Considering the possibility of WA and Victoria...if the 2 heirs together was not an issue, my personal pick for best overall match (looks, professionalism, temperament, parenting, etc.) - Haakon of Norway and Victoria of Sweden. I know that they are more like big brother and little sister, but absent those restrictions, they both have such charisma and would make a lovely couple.

Mapper

Victoria and Haakon would have been my personal favourite couple as well. Of course, in that case one of them had to give up their rights again, and most probably it would be Victoria again.

 

[Henri M.]

Victoria and Haakon would have been my personal favourite couple as well.

I do not see the chemistry between them. I have seen lots of reports in the years past, and always when Haakon and Victoria are eye in eye, they are nice etc.

But real cordiality, hugging, laughter and small-talk, you see that more between Victoria and Willem-Alexander or Frederik, I must say.

 

[Avalon]

I do not see the chemistry between them. I have seen lots of reports in the years past, and always when Haakon and Victoria are eye in eye, they are nice etc.

But real cordiality, hugging, laughter and small-talk, you see that more between Victoria and Willem-Alexander or Frederik, I must say.

I guess they'd be my favourite couple because I admire them greatly separately.
However you are right, I have never noticed a chemistry between them as well. They were more like a brother-sister, or rather cousins.
But somehow it's easier for me to imagine Victoria with Haakon then with Willem-Alexander or Frederik.


Of other pairs Mapmaker listed, I have to admit I like the idea of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg & Princess Caroline of Monaco. But there again we'd have the question of heirs, as Carloine is now Heir (Presumptive) to Albert.
Though at the time of the wedding, I doubt there would be that question - everyone would expect Prince Albert would marry and have his children.

 

[ysbel]

Actually, I'd tend to agree with Mapmaker on Victoria and Constantijn.

They both have that aura of niceness and responsibility. Plus with Constantijn NOT being a heir to the throne, neither one would have to give up anything for the other.

Haakon seems very good looking and charming but he also has a little bit of the 'spoiled little boy' about him that I think Victoria would get put out about.

 

[Hereditary Mapmaker]

But real cordiality, hugging, laughter and small-talk, you see that more between Victoria and Willem-Alexander or Frederik, I must say.

Actually, Henri M., that is exactly what makes me see them more as a couple. Where she seems to have less inhibitions interacting with WA and Fred, much like with her own brother, Victoria treats Haakon differently. Not in a cold or standoffish way, but in a manner that implies admiration and respect. I won't use the word love, but it could be something akin to that as well. I know that if they had been the surprise couple of the royal world, I wouldn't have been surprised.

Thanks for all the feedback, folks.

Mapper

 

[Empress]

Just to clarify, nor is Princess Madeleine my idea of classic beauty. However, as far as I can tell no one was accusing anyone of being rude, nor was that post aimed at anyone in particular. Just a friendly reminder that everyone has different ideas of classic beauty. Mine would be Queen Marie on Romania. Alas, not a current figure, but oh so very beautiful.

 

[Quin]

It's a real shame that crown princes or princesses are not required to marry equally to suceed to the throne. When royals do not follow historical protocol, they will soon become history. They simply cannot have their cake and eat it too!

 

[Marengo]

QUESTIONS FOR ANYONE/EVERYONE:

When do these discussion start? When they are born? When they reach 18 years of age?

Do you think that any of the single royals, heirs and otherwise, are aware of these discussions? Wouldn't they feel really strange meeting at events afterward?

Mapper

well, it differs but only a few days after Catharina-Amalia was born a member of the Belgian parlament suggested to change the law in Belgium that makes it impossible for a member of heir royal family to marry an Orange-Nassau, in case Gabriel of Belgium and she would end up together. I anything this was treated b a joke in the media and seen as an opportunity to write about that law and where it came from.

Usually the speculation start when they are in their late teens, I think. You see lists apear in boulevard magazines with 'available' princesses. When WA was in his late twenties rumours started that he was seeing one of the Bavarian princesses (sisters of the hereditairy princess of Liechtenstein) due to the fact that they attended the birthday celebrations of HM The Queen. As WA just broke up with his long term girlfriend Emily Bremers I had high hopes for such a match, but helas...

I do not think many heirs will be scrolling through boulevard magazines to see what is written about them, but they are probably aware of some speculations, but probably treat it as a joke. I remember a Dutch interviewer asking the Fuerst of Liechtenstein if his daughter Tatiana and the Prince f Orange had ever met and making hints. In the end poor Hans-Adam fled the room, saying he had pressing business to attend (in the middle of the interview). It was rather funny to watch.

Anyway my own preferences would be:

Phillipe of Belgium and Elena of Spain
Willem-Alexander and Cristina of Spain
Frederik of Denmark and Matha-Louise
Felipe and Maria-Carolina of Bourbon-Parma
Charles and Marie-Astrid
I agree with Constantijn and Victoria.

 

[Marengo]

It's a real shame that crown princes or princesses are not required to marry equally to suceed to the throne. When royals do not follow historical protocol, they will soon become history. They simply cannot have their cake and eat it too!

well traditions change, societies change and the monarchy has to change as well in order to survive. Personally I would prefer 'equal' marriages, but we have to agree that many royals married commoners and seem to be going strong. And the commoner-royals seem to do a very good job too, so...

 

[Henri M.]

It's a real shame that crown princes or princesses are not required to marry equally to suceed to the throne. When royals do not follow historical protocol, they will soon become history. They simply cannot have their cake and eat it too!

For the good order: this has never been a requirement in most monarchies!
It was a self-imposed restriction, never enforced or backed by a Constitution or a law. Show me in British, Dutch, Belgian, Norwegian, whatever, Acts that a monarch should marry Ebenbürtig.

Back then it was in the best interest of ruling families to strengthen the ties, to make alliances, etc. But World War I has shown that all this was a complete farce, with the cousins George V, Wilhelm II and Nicolas II, and many more monarchs, powerlessly witnessing their Realms dragged into a never-seen hellfire.

Since then royal-royal alliances have no any extra meaning except for keeping up the tradition.

 

[auntie]

It's a real shame that crown princes or princesses are not required to marry equally to suceed to the throne. When royals do not follow historical protocol, they will soon become history. They simply cannot have their cake and eat it too!

You couldn't have said it better! The difference between the young royals and other young rich people is getting very blurred!

 

[Marengo]

That depends how they are raised I think. One can se that for example Amedeo of Belgium is raised in the old fashioned way and he will never be comparable to the likes of Paris Hilton. Fergie however is dragging her daughters to all these celebrety parties where they socialise with people like Kate Moss, which makes it blurry indeed.

 

[Empress]

Well, I would have to do some more research into the matter, but I know that when royals in some countries made less than equal marriages, they often lost their title, as well as losing their rights in the line of succession. This I believe was actually borne out by law in Germany, but I am not sure. I will look into it some more and let you all know what I find.

 

[Henri M.]

Well, I would have to do some more research into the matter, but I know that when royals in some countries made less than equal marriages, they often lost their title, as well as losing their rights in the line of succession. This I believe was actually borne out by law in Germany, but I am not sure. I will look into it some more and let you all know what I find.

Yes, in Germany and in Austria, not always in Civic Law but often vested in 'House Laws'. But Germany and Austria are no longer a monarchy. Neither are Russia, Italy, France, Portugal....

 

[Gloriana]

Well, I'll just say that since royals started marrying outside of their own families, there seems to have been a decrease in genetic defects.

 

[Empress]

No but it was definitely a valid law in some countries. Which was the point that I was trying to make.

 

[ysbel]

Well, I'll just say that since royals started marrying outside of their own families, there seems to have been a decrease in genetic defects.

Well Queen Victoria's descendents inherited hemophilia but hemophilia is actually more common in the normal population than it has been with royals. So being royal really had nothing to do with it.

What other genetic defects are you aware of?