HI&RH Archduke Imre of Austria & Miss Kathleen Walker: 8 September 2012

[An Ard Ri]

Is Kathleen Irish-American?

[claypoint2]

Luxarazzi reported yesterday that Archdukes Christoph and Alexander will serve as groomsmen at Imre and Kathleen's wedding. Archduchess Gabriella will be one of the bridesmaids, along with two of Kathleen's sisters and two friends. Another of her sisters will serve as flower girl, and a friend will be maid of honor. Two of her brothers will serve as ring bearers.

Luxembourg: Tomorrow's Wedding

[Blue_]

Originally Posted by suztav

I thought it was an early afternoon wedding.

pictures on royalmusing blog

[suztav]

I thought the bride looked lovely and her bridesmaids were in "Blessed Mother blue" ... appropriate for someone with such traditional Catholic leanings considering today is the Blessed Mother's birthday. (That's not an editorial opinion, just a comment).

I also think the Groom's mother looked much more approrpriate than she did at her daughter's wedding (yes, that was an editorial opinion!)

[MarleneKoenig]

These photos are mine. Please do not copy or use without my permission.

Do not expect any local news coverage in DC -just the wedding photographer, a photographer from Luxnews and me outside .. the other two were inside ...

Originally Posted by Blue_

pictures on royalmusing blog

[LaPlusBelle]

Originally Posted by Blue_

pictures on royalmusing blog

Regardless of what is said about the bride, they look happy and she looks radiant in that GORGEOUS dress.

Congrats to both of them.

[Al_bina]

It is nice that some of the royals attended, especially Archduchess Marie Christine and Count Rodolphe. Archduchess Kathleen looked all right. I wonder where the bride's father was.

[HRHHermione]

Regardless of my opinions on the bride's personality and opinions, I will say that she did look lovely and it looked like a happy wedding.

[Blue_]

She's gorgeous and she looks really happy. Congratulations Katie and Imre.

[Marengo]

I am not an expert n the Habsburgs, but it seems that there were very few members of the other branches. Only natural perhaps as for most Imre is a second cousin. Marlene states however that Archduke Simeon and his wife Maria of the Two Sicilies were there too.

And no Belgian royal either, doesn't Archduke Amedeo live in the US?

I note that prince Jean of Luxembourg was also absent, were his children too?

[bertie5252003]

I agree the bride's situation shall we say is odd... to say the least but she looked lovely and the flowers really pretty .. but gosh she brings "stuff" wit hher no doubt there .. wonder if she will now remain "quiet now or will she continue her crusades?

[mybags]

Originally Posted by Marengo

...I note that prince Jean of Luxembourg was also absent, were his children too?

I believe, Prince Jean's eldest son, Prince Constantin, was posing with his cousin, Prince Josef-Emanuel of Liechtenstein.

[christinacg]

I'm not a fan of Kathleen and her views, but I adore her dress and she looked pretty today.

[claypoint2]

I do think that the bride looked lovely. The top of her wedding dress reminded me of Catherine Middleton's -- lace over a sweetheart-neckline bodice -- although the skirt was fuller and not an A-line. Like others, I recognize that my distaste for Kathleen's views and the manner in which she expresses them has nothing to do with the fact that she was indeed a lovely bride.

It may be difficult to become accustomed to the idea that she is now an Archduchess of Austria (only 25 years ago this would have been unimaginable... the marriage would have certainly been morganatic), but it is what it is. And I suppose that it's healthier for the couple - and especially for any children they may have - to be fully integrated into the family and not be made to feel that they are "lower."

As for the guests, I was pleasantly surprised to see Archduke Simeon and his wife María Paloma, née Princess of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. I was even more surprised - but perhaps should not have been - by the fact that no principal member of a reigning house was in attendance, including the groom's uncle Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, his wife Grand Duchess María Teresa, or anyone from the Belgian royal family (whom one might have expected to see, given the close bonds between the families and the fact that the groom's maternal grandmother Joséphine-Charlotte was born Princess of Belgium... and his paternal grandmother Yolande was born a princess of Ligne, one of Belgium's high nobility of the Salon Bleu).

Perhaps the bride's vocal positions may have made it politically tricky for reigning monarchs or their heirs to attend the wedding, even if they privately agree with her views. On the other hand, there may be other explanations for the absence of the Luxembourgs, such as the death of Alix, Countess of Lannoy, mother of the Hereditary Grand Duke's fiancée Stéphanie.... Or perhaps they were present but not photographed? Of course, all speculation!

[rominet09]

Gorgeous dress. Pity Tessy wasn't present (or did I miss her).
Pity the pix are not bigger !

[Fanvanmaxima]

Kathleen looked lovely today. Gorgeous dress, beautiful bride.

[MidnightSonatta]

There will be more higher-quality pictures to come from Revue/Tageblatt, according to Marlene.

According to Marlene Koenig, who was there, Guillaume and Stephanie were not there because they are still in mourning.

Katie's make-up looks nice, but, I don't like the dress. I only like the lace part of the dress.

[claypoint2]

I thought that Princess Guillaume of Luxembourg (née Sibilla Weiller y Torlonia) looked wonderful!

[Pranter]

Loved the dress and the rest of the wedding party looked great too!

LaRae

[claypoint2]

Originally Posted by MidnightSonatta

According to Marlene Koenig, who was there, Guillaume and Stephanie were not there because they are still in mourning.

This makes sense to me.... but why not Grand Duke Henri - who is the groom's uncle - or his wife the Grand Duchess?