How 'royal' Is Their Life?

[Beatrice]

Marie-Chantal designs clothes and accessories for children but they are really expensive-i saw in a catalogue a necklace which costed 350$ so we can consider her a business woman(but not exactly self-made..).Pavlos is a very good Economist his work will be appreciated in a few years

[Daneborn]

Back in the 80's, when I started reading magazines with my eyes, I remember it was said that it was Queen Ingrid who made it economicly possible for her daughter and son-in-law to buy a place and set up an appropriate life style for themselves in London.

[kelly9480]

It wouldn't be surprising if Ingrid helped a bit. She had an inheritance from her parents and husband that probably included a trust fund. It would be surprising, though, if Anne-Marie had blown through her own inheritance that she would have received either upon marriage in 1964 or her father's death in 1972. Especially as the family was supposedly supported by the Shah until 1979. You'd think they'd have had the common sense to put some of the money away for hard times, but this is Constantine we're talking about and he's not known for his financial acumen (he apparently lost loads on some failed business ventures in the 70s or 80s).

[Roxsteve]

What is a dowry?

[moosey60]

Originally Posted by Roxsteve

What is a dowry?

Traditionally in some cultures (e.g. Hinduism), the bride's family gives a gift to the husband's family : usually money, jewellery; in some areas of the world, dowries can include animals like camels, cows, pigs, etc.

Sometimes, if the dowry is not high enough, the husband's family will reject the bride and the wedding won't go through.

In some situations, husbands marry only for the dowry, and the bride can sometimes be subjected to slavery...sad events. I've heard of brides (in Afghanistan, I think) who have torched themselves to escape their life.

[Beatrice]

Originally Posted by kelly9480

You'd think they'd have had the common sense to put some of the money away for hard times, but this is Constantine we're talking about and he's not known for his financial acumen (he apparently lost loads on some failed business ventures in the 70s or 80s).

Lol!You're SO right.I think it was 1992 when Greece's former President of Republic Konstantinos Mitsotakis helped him a lot by sending many masterpieces of Art from the Greek palace in London.He(Constantine)gave them for a great amount of money but he has absolutely nothing now.He actually used to work in London for the late Giannis Latsis(i think i'm not sure..)At least Pavlos is a good Economist

[Jo]

A dowry is seen nowadays as a gift to the bride and bride-groom by the bride's family (it can money or property) The irish still give a drowy to the bridegroom and bride. It is not a selling of the bride to the bridegroom. People in upper society still give dowries when a daughter marries. It's just a tradition.

[branchg]

Constantine and Anne-Marie have plenty of money and are certainly very well-off. We don't have to worry about them.

[Lady Marmalade]

I think the most ironic thing about their Majesties, is even without crown and country, they are certainly VERY royal. If you look at their blood lineage, it is extremely impressive.

Their children are certainly wholly royal and not half...like the heirs of Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and The Netherlands.

[kelly9480]

Originally Posted by branchg

Constantine and Anne-Marie have plenty of money and are certainly very well-off.

They are financially dependent on other people. That's not my definition of "having plenty of money" or being "very well-off". They aren't worrying where their next meal will come from, but, by royal standards, they aren't wealthy at all.

Their eldest son, however, is a different story altogether...

[Lady Marmalade]

Oh to have married an American heiress....

Taking a cue from the some of the British nobility in the 19th century..

[Wallis]

There was a mention of the royal family in the January 2006 issue of Majesty. It mentioned that the Greek culture ministry recently announced plans to restore Tatoi,the former private residence of the Greek monarchs. The house has been boarded up for 38 years and is in a dilapidated condition. According to the writer, "The house still contains many of the royal family's personal possessions, although the government claims that they 'belong to the people'. This seems unfair--it is one thing for the authorities to claim the official palace in Athens but Tatoi was always the personal property of the monarch, much like Sandringham and Balmoral...It is reported that the tombs are overgrown and have been vandalised."
Can you believe that! I really feel sorry for King Constantine. Imagine having your family burial ground vandalised! Is there no respect!?!

[branchg]

Originally Posted by kelly9480

They are financially dependent on other people. That's not my definition of "having plenty of money" or being "very well-off". They aren't worrying where their next meal will come from, but, by royal standards, they aren't wealthy at all.

Their eldest son, however, is a different story altogether...

The only European royal houses that have true wealth are the Windsors, the Grimaldis, and the Grand Dukes of Leichenstein and Luxemborg. The rest of the European royal houses are not well-off at all, with the possible exception of one or two German families who were lucky enough to invest well in post-war West Germany.