December 2006 Newsletter: Royals A-Z

[norwegianne]

It’s December, and I have a lot of windows left to open on my advent calendar, before Christmas comes on December the 24th. This year I went with the trusted and tried advent calendar, so, ideally, behind the windows, there should be chocolate pieces waiting for me. I say ideally, because one year, my youngest sister had discovered how to open the windows, get the chocolate, and close them again without anyone noticing. Opening a calendar window, and finding nothing, can be tremendously disappointing.

What shouldn’t be disappointing is this month’s newsletter. The TRF moderating team has pulled together and produced a gigantic newsletter, filled with pieces of trivia, for your enjoyment.

The letters of the alphabet, as they are connected to royals – From ABBA, to Zorreguieta – there’s plenty to read. Instead of hiding it behind windows, and only allowing you one per day, as the producers of my advent calendar does, we’re giving it all to you in the start of December, and it is up to you if you want to read it all in one go, or space it out, with one letter for each day.

We’re also summing up the events of November, and attempting to project the events of December – so that you’ll know what to look for, and can share the events with the other members.

To those of our members celebrating Christmas – Merry Christmas, to those celebrating other holidays – Happy Holidays, and those without holidays to celebrate, I hope you all have a good December, wherever you are

Best wishes,
Norwegianne
TRF Administrator, and Editor-in-Chief of the Newsletter

[norwegianne]

As the forum keeps growing, naturally the moderating team will also continue to evolve. While we at the moment have a well-manned team, we're also always keeping a lookout for new, potential, moderators. If you have a special interest in one of our forums, and think you would be a suitable moderator, we're interested in hearing from you. Presently, we're keeping a list over applicants, so that we know who to contact should a position open.

If you think you have it in you to be a part of the team - take a look at this thread.

There have also been several changes in the TRF Moderating team.
We have welcomed Lasse Pedersen and Suonymona as new Moderators.

tbhrc and Danielle, Super Moderators, have left TRF's Moderating team because of personal reasons. The administrators and the moderators wish to thank both tbhrc and Danielle for their endless efforts and dedication to the forum and we wish them luck in all their future endeavours.

To view an updated list over TRF's moderators: click here

A reminder - the forum rules changed last month. If you haven't taken a look at them yet, they can be found here.

[norwegianne]

Birthdays:
2nd – Sofia of Spain (1938)
8th – Lady Louise Windsor (2003)
11th – Guillaume of Luxembourg (1981)
14th - Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales (1948)
15th – Peter Phillips (1977)
20th – Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (1970)
26th – Louis Ducruet (1992)
29th - A girl was born to Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Princess Anita of the Nethlerlands: Emma Francisca Catharina.

State/Official Visits:

10/29th to 11/4th - Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette Marit and the state visit to India: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...6-a-11001.html
6th to 8th - King Abdullah and Queen Rania and the state visit to London: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...6-a-11312.html
6th to 16th - Queen Beatrix visited Aruba and the Rutch Antilles: Queen Beatrix visit to Aruba and the Dutch Antilles
23rd to 25th - King Abdullah and Queen Rania and the state visit to Kuwait: State Visit to Kuwait
18th to 22nd - King Abdullah and Queen Rania and the state visit from Singapore: State visit from Singapore
22nd to 26th - Official visit of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia to Canary Islands: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...6-a-11397.html
27th to 30th - Prince Charles' visit to Sierra Leone and Nigeria: The visit of The Prince of Wales to Sierra Leone and Nigeria

Other Special Events
3rd to 4th - Dutch Royals were present at the "Make a difference Day" Dutch royals in "Make a Difference Day": 3-4 November 2006
12th - British Royal Family was present at the Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph - Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph
11th to 21st - Princely Family of Monaco celebrates: National Day 2006 - Monaco
15th - Opening of the British Parliament by Queen Elizabeth II: Opening of the Parliament - November 15
28th - Opening of Jordan Parliament: Opening of Parliament - November 28, 2006
22nd to - Mary & Frederik's Private Visit to Australia November 2006

[norwegianne]

Birthdays

1st - Princess Aiko of Japan (2001)
3rd - Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway (2005)
3rd - Duke of Anhalt (1941)
5th - King Rama IX of Thailand (1927)
6th - Prince Nikolaus of Liechetenstein (2000)
6th - Pablo Nolás Urdangarín y Bórbon (2000)
7th - Princess Bhajara Kittiyabha of Thailand (1978)
7th - Princess Catharina Amalia of the Netherlands (2003)
9th- Crown Princess Masako of Japan (1963)
9th - Prince Joachim of Belgium (1991)
13th - Prince Nicolas and Prince Aymeric of Belgium (2005)
16th - Archduke Lorenz of Habsburg-Este, Prince of Belgium (1955)
20th - Infanta Elena of Spain, Duchess of Lugo (1963)
22nd - Queen Silvia of Sweden (1943)
22nd - The Margravine of Meißen (1940)
23rd - Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (1953)
23rd - Emperor Akihito of Japan (1933)
27th - Princess Antoinette, Baroness of Massy (1920)
28th - Princess Vittoria Cristina Adelaide Chiara Maria of Savoy (2003)
29th - Princess Kako of Japan (1994)



Weddings/Anniversaries

Dec 4 - http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...999-a-265.html
Dec 12 - HRH The Princess Royal of Great Britain and Timothy Laurence
Dec 15 - http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...60-a-2023.html
Dec 31 - http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...83-a-5560.html

State Visits:

Nov 30 - Dec 2 - Visit of King Abdullah and Queen Rania to India: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...tml#post538283
Nov 28 - Dec 4 - Visit of Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia to Mexico: Visit of the Prince of Asturias to Mexico

[norwegianne]

Pregnancy is a foot in the royal circle. Join us in guessing names for the unborn babies: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...ild-11180.html, http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...ild-10921.html, or http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...irl-10920.html

Another question that seems to be surfacing more and more, as the heirs in the newest generation turn out to be females, is the question of role of the royal consort. Is it more difficult for males than females to adapt to a royal life? http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...ales-7460.html

[norwegianne]

Earlier this year, as we were brainstorming for potential topics for the newsletters, someone brought up making an A-Z of The Royal forums. At the time, some of us wish we'd known how much work it was going to be - and stayed far away from it. But, the idea lingered throughout the summer, and what you're looking at, or will be looking at, is the final result. We would like to thank the fantastic moderating team, without whom this would not have been possible, at all.

What we've done, is that the moderating team - brave souls that they are - have divided areas between them, and attempted to give some semblance of coverage. As the moderators are different people, with different priorities, they may have weighed their subjects differently in what has been included and what hasn't. It is, regardless of what might be missing, an extremely interesting read. We know we learned many new things from putting this together.

We start on A - with Swedish Pop-group, ABBA, and their Dancing Queen - and we move on through the letters until we get to Z, and Zorreguieta, family name of Princess Maxima of the Netherlands. It is learning your ABC, the Royal way.

We hope you'll enjoy this holiday gift.

Avalon, norwegianne & Zonk,
Editors

If you have an idea of a subject that could be covered in a future newsletter, or interesting threads on the forum that you think we ought to feature - send us a PM.

[norwegianne]

ABBA - Swedish Band from the 1970s. Consists of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad. They competed in Eurovision in 1974 with the song "Waterloo" and won the competition. Some of ABBA’s biggest hits were “Waterloo”, “Dancing Queen”, “SOS”. The night before the wedding of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden in 1976, the group performed "Dancing Queen" for the engaged couple, although the song was not actually written for Queen Silvia. ABBA's last appearance as a group took place in January 1986 and never officially announced the end of the group, but as the have gone by the chances of ABBA working together again became increasingly slim.

Abir Muhaisen – adopted daughter of the late King Hussein and Queen Alia of Jordan

Act of Settlement. The Act of Parliament made in 1701 which lays down the rules as to who can succeeed to the British Crown. To ensure the Protestant Succession after Queen Anne, the Act disqualified Roman Catholics and named the Electress Sophia of Hanover (a grand-daughter of King James I) and her descendants as the legal heirs. As well as its effect on the Line of Succession, the Act is significant because it specifies that the Parliament and not the Monarch determines who succeeds to the throne.

Abdication - the resignation of a throne. Queens Juliana & Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and Grand Duke Jean, Grand Duchess Charlotte, & Grand Duchess Marie-Adelaide of Luxembourg, abdicated the throne in favor of their heirs

Abdullah I - was Emir of Trans Jordan under a British mandate, King of Transjordan, and finally King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. He is also frequently called King Abdullah the Founder, since he was the founder of Jordan. He was the father of King Talal, and grandfather of King Hussein of Jordan. He was assassinated in 1951.

Abdullah II – King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. He has reigned since the death of his father, King Hussein bin Talal. Married to Queen Rania of Jordan, he is the father of Prince Hussein, Princess Iman, Princess Salma and Prince Hashem.

Adolphe I, Grand Duke of Luxembourg (1817-1905)-Born Adolph Wilhelm August Karl Friedrich. Married Elisabeth Mikhalilovna of Russia, who died less than a year later. Married Adelheid-Marie of Anhalt-Dessau.
Children: Prince Guillaume Alexandre & Princess Hilda Charlotte Wilhelmine

Aiko - Princess Aiko of Japan, born 1 December 2001 the daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako. Her official title is Princess Toshi which means, “a person who loves others.”

Ainu – Indigenous people of Japan pushed north over the last 2000 years by the Japanese people. They were hunters, fisherman and trappers who believed that spirits were present in animals and the natural world.

Aisha Bint Al Hussein – the daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan and Princess Muna Al Hussein . She is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Recently divorced, she is the mother of Auon Juma and Muna Juma

Akihito - Emperor Akihito of Japan was born 23 December 1933, the son of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagano. He became the 125th Emperor of Japan upon the death of Emperor Hirohito on 8 January 1989. He married Michiko Sh?da 10 April 1959. They have three children:
1) Crown Prince Naruhito, born 23 February 1960.
2) Prince Akishino (Fumihito), born 30 November 1965.
3) The former Princess Nori (Sayako), born 18 April 1969.
See Michiko Sh?da.

Akishino - Prince Fumihito of Akishino of Japan. See Fumihito.

Duchess of Alba
Doña María del Rosario Cayetana Alfonsa Victoria Eugenia Francisca Fitz-James Stuart y de Silva, more popularly known as Cayetana de Alba, is the 18th and present Duchess of Alba. She is the third female to carry the title in her own right. Doña Cayetana has more titles than any other noble in the world. She has eight other ducal titles, 15 marquesal titles, 19 comital titles and is 20 times a Grandee of Spain.

Al-Barakah Palace [Jordan]- In English, this would be the "Little Palace". It is situated a few steps to the north of Raghadan Palace and was built in the 1930s for the use of the then Crown Prince Talal (later King) and Princess Zein al-Sharaf. Following the latest renovation of Raghadan, this building was used in 1990 to accommodate the Royal Commission for drafting the National Charter. It was also used as working offices for His Majesty the late King Hussein and some officials of the Court. Most recently, it held the offices of the National Security Council.

Prince Albert – The consort of Queen Victoria. In 1857 the Queen persuaded the Parliament to officially grant Prince Albert title of “The Prince Consort”. After his death, the Queen remained in seclusion for many years and wore black for the rest of her life.

Albert I, King of the Belgians (1875-1934) - Born Albert Leopold Clement Marie Meinrad. Reigned from December 17, 1909-February 17, 1934. Married Elisabeth Gabriele Valerie Marie, Duchess in Bavaria, Princess of Bavaria. Died while mountain-climbing. Children: Prince Leopold Charles Albert Meinrad Hubertus Marie Miguel, Prince Charles Theodore Henri Antoine Meinrad and Princess Marie-Jose Charlotte Sophie Amelie Henriette Gabrielle

Albert I, Prince of Monaco (13 November 1848 – 26 June 1922) was the reigning Prince of Monaco from 10 September 1889 – 26 June 1922). Prince Albert was married to Lady Mary Victoria Hamilton (1850-1922), of Lanarkshire, Scotland, they had one child Louis II.

Albert II, King of the Belgians (1934-)-Born Albert Felix Humbert Theodore Chretien Eugene Marie. Current King of the Belgians (1993-) Married Princess Donna Paola Ruffo di Calabria.
Children: Prince Philippe Leopold Louis Marie, Princess Astrid Josephine-Charlotte Fabrizia Elisabeth Paola Maria, Prince Laurent Benoit Baudouin Marie

Albert II, Prince of Monaco[/font] (Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre Grimaldi; born 14 March 1958), styled His Serene Highness The Sovereign Prince of Monaco, is the head of the House of Grimaldi and the current ruler of the Principality of Monaco. He has two children born out of wedlock; Jazmin Grace Grimaldi and Alexandre Coste. - March 2005: HSH Prince Albert of Monaco

Queen Alexandra – The Queen Consort to Edward VII, Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India. Queen Alexandra was the mother of King George V. Born Princess Alexandra of Denmark.

Alexandra, Princess of Luxembourg (1991-)-Born Princess Alexandra Josephine Teresa Charlotte Marie Wilhelmine. Fourth child of Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg

Princess Alexandra Charlotte Ulrike Maryam Virginia of Hanover (born July 20, 1999) styled Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Hanover, is the only child of Ernst August V, Prince of Hanover and his second wife Princess Caroline of Monaco. - Biographies of Princess Caroline's Children

Alexandra, Princess of Denmark, Countess of Frederiksborg, née Alexandra Christina Manley June 30th, 1964. Daughter of Richard and Christa Manley. Married to Prince Joachim of Denmark from 1995 to 2005. Children: Nikolai and Felix. Awarded title Countess of Frederiksborg after the divorce, from Queen Margrethe.

Alexandre Eric Stéphane Coste (born 24 August 2003 in Paris) is the son of Albert II, Prince of Monaco, and his former lover, Nicole Coste, a native of Togo in west Africa. - Alexandre & Nicole Coste Current Events Part 1

Alexandrine Auguste, Queen of Denmark, née Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, December 24th 1879, Schwerin, Germany. Dead December, 28th 1952, Hellerup, Denmark. Daughter of Friedrich Franz III, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia. Married to Christian X.

Infante Alfonso of Spain
He was the youngest son of Don Juan de Borbón and Doña Maria de las Mercedes, thus, younger brother of King Juan Carlos of Spain. In 1956, while on summer vacation in Estoril, Portugal, Don Alfonso died in a shooting accident which also involved his brother Juan Carlos. He was buried in Portugal until the monarchy was restored in Spain, when he was buried in the Royal Crypt of the monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial, near Madrid.

King Alfonso XIII of Spain
He was the posthumous son of Alfonso XII and was proclaimed King at his birth. He reigned from 1886-1931. His mother, Queen Maria Christina of Austria, was appointed regent during his minority. In 1902, at 16, he assumed control of the government. He was the grandfather of King Juan Carlos.

[norwegianne]

Ali Bin Al Hussein– the only son of the late King Hussein of Jordan and the late Queen Alia. Married to Princess Rym and father of Princess Jalliah.

Alia Baha ed Toukan – the third wife of the late King Hussein of Jordan, she is also the mother of Prince Ali, Princess Haya and Abir Muhaisen (adopted in 1976). She died in a plane crash on February 9, 1977. The Anman airport was renamed Queen Alia International Airport in her honor.

Alia Bint Al Hussein – the daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan and Princess Dina al Hussein. Princess Alia was first married to Mr. Nasser Wasfi Mirza and has one son, H.H. Prince Hussein Mirza. She is married to H.E. Mohammed Al Saleh and the mother of two additional sons, H.E. Talal Al Saleh and H.E. Abdel Hamid Al Saleh.

Alice Heine (February 10, 1858 – December 22, 1925), styled HSH the Princess of Monaco and the Duchess of Richelieu, was the American-born second wife of Prince Albert I of Monaco, a great-grandfather of Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

Alice Keppel - The most famous mistress of Edward VII of the United Kingdom. Alice Keppel is also the great-grandmother of Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall.

Almudena, Catedral Santa María la Real de la
It's the headquarters of Madrid's diocese. It's a building with 102m of length and 73m of height. It was blessed by the Pope John Paul II on June 15th, 1993. It's the first Spanish Cathedral blessed by a pope and the first blessed by John Paul II out of Rome. The Cathedral was the location chosen by Prince Felipe to get married to Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano on May 22nd, 2004.

Amalienborg: Winter home and headquarters of the Danish monarchs. Consists of four palaces around a “town square”. Palaces are: Christian IX’s Palace, Frederik VIII’s palace, Christian VIII’s Palace, and Christian VII’s Palace.

Amaterasu - Japanese Sun goddess, a Shinto deity and the alleged ancestress of the Japanese emperors.

Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este, Prince Imperial of Austria, Prince Royal of Hungary and Bohemia (1986-) - Born Prince Amedeo Marie Joseph Carl Pierre Philippe Paola Marcus d'Aviano. First child of Princess Astrid of Belgium and Archduke Lorenz of Austria-Este.

Amsterdam: Dutch capital and location of The Royal Palace.

Andrea Albert Pierre Casiraghi (born June 8, 1984) is the eldest child of HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover and her second husband, Stefano Casiraghi. He is currently second in line to the throne after his mother. - Biographies of Princess Caroline's Children

Prince Andrew, Duke of York – The second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He currently serves as the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment.

Princess Anne, Princess Royal – The only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The hardest working member of the British Royal Family, Princess Anne as also a very successful equestrian: at the age of 21 she won the Individual title at the European Eventing Championship, 4 years later she won silver medal in both individual and team disciplines. Princess Anne also represented Britain during the Montreal Olympics.

Queen Anne – The first Sovereign of the Kingdom of Great Britain. Queen Anne was also the last Stuart Monarch.

Queen Anne (Anne Boleyn) – The second wife of King Henry VIII. In order to marry Anne, King Henry severed ties with the Pope, who refused to acknowledge the divorce between him and his first wife. However when Anne proved unable to bear a son, she was executed for charges of adultery. Anne Boleyn was the mother of future Elizabeth I.

Queen Anne (Anne of Cleves) – The fourth wife of King Henry VIII, she was the sister of the Duke of Cleves. The only politically arranged marriage of the King; it lasted only a few months and was annulled. Anne was made ‘Princess of England’, was called ‘sister’ by King Henry and had precedence over all ladies of the Kingdom, except the new Queen, the King’s sisters and daughters.

Anne-Marie Dagmar Ingrid, Ex-Queen of the Hellenes, née Princess of Denmark, August 30th, 1946. Daughter of Frederik IX and Ingrid. Married to Constantine II. Children: Alexia, Pavlos, Nikolaos, Theodora, Philippos

Princess Antoinette of Monaco, Baroness of Massy (Antoinette Louise Alberte Suzanne Grimaldi), born 28 December, 1920, is the elder sister of the late Prince Rainier III. She was married thrice (Alexandre Noghès, Jean-Charles Rey, John Gilpin) and has three children: Elisabeth-Anne de Massy, Christian Louis de Massy, Christine Alix de Massy. - Princess Antoinette and Family

[norwegianne]

Antonio I (January 25, 1661 – January 20, 1731) was the Prince of Monaco from 1701 to 1731, and the First Marquis of Beaux. He was the son of Louis I, Prince of Monaco, Second Duc de Valentinois and Catherine Charlotte de Gramont.

Apeldoorn: town in the province of Gelderland about 60 miles east of Amsterdam in central Netherlands and location of the favourite country-seat of the royal family, Het Loo Palace.

Kingdom (Crown) of Aragon
It controlled a large portion of present-day Spain in the later Middle Ages, as well as possessions stretching across the Mediterranean as far as Greece. The regime began in 1137, when the Kingdom of Aragon and the County of Barcelona merged into what was to be known as the "Crown of Aragon". In 1479, the Crown of Aragón was merged with the Crown of Castile, marking the beginning of the Spanish state.

Royal Ascot – Royal Ascot is one of the world’s most famous race meetings, dating back to 1711. The Royal Family attend the meeting, arriving in a horse drawn carriage. The hats, worn by the Ladies, often exceed the interest in the actual races.

Asem “Abu Bakr" bin Nayef - the son of Prince Nayef bin Abdullah I (a younger son of Abdullah I of Jordan) and Princess Mihrimah Sultan (grand-daughter of Sultan Mohammad Rashad of Turkey). His daughter, Noor is married to Prince Hamzah of Jordan.He is the 42nd generation direct descendant of Muhammad.

Princess Astrid of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este, Duchess of Modena, Princess Imperial of Austria, Princess Royal of Hungary & Bohemia (1962-)-Born Princess Astrid Josephine-Charlotte Fabrizia Elisabeth Paola Maria. Married Archduke Lorenz of Austria-Este.
Children: Prince Amedeo Marie Joseph Carl Pierre Philippe Paola Marcus d'Aviano, Princess Maria Laura Zita Beatrix Gerhard, Prince Joachim Carl Maria Nikolaus Isabelle Marcus d'Aviano, Princess Luisa Maria Anna Martine Pilar & Princess Laetitia Maria Nora Anna Joachim Zita

Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner – Née Princess Astrid Maud Ingeborg of Norway. Born 1932. Daughter of King Olav and Crown Princess Märtha of Norway. Married to Johan Martin Ferner. Have five children. Norway’s first lady from her mother’s death to her brother’s marriage in 1968

Astrid, Queen of the Belgians (1905-1935) - Born Princess Astrid Sofia Lovisa Thyra of Sweden. Married King Leopold III of the Belgians. Died in a car-crash in Switzerland
Children: Princess Josephine-Charlotte Ingeborg Elisabeth Marie-Jose Marguerite Astrid, Prince Baudouin Albert Charles Leopold Axel Marie Gustave and Prince Albert Felix Humbert Theodore Chretien Eugene Marie.

Asturias, Prince of
It's the title given to the heir of the Spanish throne, representing the Kingdom of Castille. The title was created in 1388, on the occasion of the wedding between the heir apparent Enrique of Castille to Catherine of Lancaster, granddaughter of King Peter I. The marriage helped to restore a semblance of legitimacy to the Trastamara line. Currently, the holder of the title is Prince Felipe.

Atocha, Presentation to the Virgin of
Tradition of the Spanish Royal Family that goes back to the 17th century. The Virgin was proclaimed the protector of the Royal Family in 1643 by King Felipe IV. All of the Infantes and Infantas of Spain are presented to the Virgin within their first year of life. The last presentation was of Infanta Leonor's, and it took place on June 7th, 2006

[norwegianne]

Badiya Bint Al Hassan – the daughter of Prince Hassan and Princess Savarth of Jordan. Married to Khaled Edward Blair.

Bal de la Rose: This is one of the major charity events in Monaco. Created in 1954, it benefits the Princess Grace Foundation. Each year H.H.R. The Princess of Hanover selects a new theme. There are always ravishing bouquets of over 25,000 roses to decorate the Salle des Etoiles in the Sporting d'Eté complex

Bal de la Croix Rouge : Shows were organized since 1948, when the Monaco Red Cross was founded, to raise founds for its actions. In 1957, the annual ball became the event we now know : it takes place at the beginning of the month of August in the Salle des Etoiles of the Monte-Carlo Sporting Club, with one or two guest stars who are introduced by an other famous artist .

Balmoral Castle – Balmoral Castle is considered the favourite summer Royal residence of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Count of Barcelona
Don Juan de Borbón was born on 20th, 1913 in Segovia. He was the third son of King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia of Battenberg. He achieved the condition of heir to the throne when both of his older brothers renounced their rights in 1933. He was the head of the Spanish Royal House and pretender to the Spanish throne from 1941 to 1977, and was the father of the current Spanish King, Juan Carlos I.

Countess of Barcelona
Doña María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Orleans was the wife of Don Juan de Borbon, and mother of King Juan Carlos. She was a fan of Bull Fighting and of the Andalusian culture. Her granddaughter Infanta Elena got married in Seville's Cathedral in part because the Countess' love for the city.

Basma Bint Talal – the daughter of the late King Talal and Queen Zein of Jordan. Princess Basma is married to Walid Al-Kurdi and has four children: Farah, Ghazi, Saad and Zein.

Basman Palace – construction began under King Abdullah I of Jordan in 1950. It was designed as a guest reception palace and additional working offices for the Royal Court, with a private wing for King Abdullah I. However, part of Basman became the private living quarters of His Majesty Late King Hussein in the early fifties, before it entirely became the working offices of the Royal Court. Currently, it serves as His Majesty King Abdullah II's offices, as well as offices for His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad. Basman is also used by the main officials of the Royal Court. BasmanPalace is located within the Royal Court compound.

Order of the Bath – The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath is a British Order of Chivalry, founded by George I. The order consists of the Sovereign, the Great Master (currently The Prince of Wales) and three Classes of members.

Baudouin I, King of the Belgians (1930-1993)-Born Prince Baudoin Albert Charles Leopold Axel Marie Gustave. Reigned from 1951-1993) Married Fabiola Fernanda Maria de las Victorias Antonia Adelaida.

Princess Beatrice (Beatrice of York) – The elder daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York. It was revealed that she suffered from dyslexia; however Princess Beatrice managed to overcome it and receive reasonably good GCSE grades.

Beatrix: the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since April 30, 1980.

Beatrixkapsel: new Dutch term for Beatrix’s signature and never changing hairstyle.

Infanta Beatriz de Torlonia
Beatriz de Borbón y Battemberg was the third child of Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia de Battenberg. She married Alexandro Torlonia, Prince of Civitella Cesi. Since her fiance belonged to a non-reigning house, she had to renounce her rights to the Spanish throne. Besides being an aunt of King Juan Carlos of Spain, Infanta Beatriz was also grandmother of Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg.

Behn, Ari – Norwegian author. Married Princess Märtha Louise of Norway in 2002. Two daughters.

Behn, Leah Isadora – born 2005. Youngest daughter of Ari Behn and Princess Märtha Louise of Norway. Last person in the Norwegian succession to the throne.

Behn, Maud Angelica – born 2003. Oldest daughter of Ari Behn and Princess Märtha Louise of Norway. First female in modern times to be born with a right to the Norwegian throne. Currently second-last in the succession.

Belgian Empire Tiara - Tiara given as a gift to Queen Astrid of the Belgians. Features 11 large diamonds, representing the 9 Belgian provinces, the Congo, and Belgians living in other countries. This tiara may only be worn by the reinging Queen.

Benedikte Astrid Ingeborg Ingrid, Princess to Denmark, née April 29, 1944. Daughter of Frederik IX and Ingrid. Married to Prince Richard zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. In line to the Danish throne. Children: Gustav, Alexandra and Nathalie

Berg Castle - Primary residence of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Located in Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg. Birth place of Grand Duchess Marie-Adelaide, Grand Duchess Charlotte, and Grand Duke Jean.

Bernadotte - The last name of the current ruling family of Sweden. The name came from the first head of the house, Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte. The Bernadotte family originally comes from France.

Bertil, Prince - Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland was the third son of King Gustav VI Adolf and his wife Princess Margaret of Connaught. Bertil was born on February 28, 1912. In 1943 Bertil would meet Lilian Davies, but would not marry her until 1976. The reason for not marrying right away was Bertil would have to renounce his rights to the throne and his older brother had recently passed away leaving a young son as his heir. Bertil passed away on January 5, 1997.

Bilderberg conferences: annual private conference hosting discussions about future European unity in the context of transatlantic relations. Persons of influent in the fields of business, academics, media or politics are individually invited. The conference was promoted by Prince Bernhard from its beginning in 1954

Bloksbjerg – King Olav of Norway’s summer house at Hankø. Currently owned by Princess Märtha Louise. Birth place of Leah Isadora Behn.

Blue Prince, The - Nickname of Prince Carl of Sweden, Duke of Westergothia. He was a cavalry officer who was often portrayed in his blue uniform, thusly, the nickname. Prince Carl married to Princess Ingeborg of Denmark and was the father of Princesses Margaretha, Märtha and Astrid and Prince Carl.

Boshin War – (1868-1869) Boshin Sensō, literally "War of the Year of the Dragon" fought between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the pro-Imperial forces in Japan. The defeat of the Tokugawa Shogunate led to the Meiji Restoration (see “Meiji Restoration” and Emperor “Meiji” below).

Battle of Bosworth – An Important battle during the War of Roses, which ended in the defeat and death of Richard and the establishment of the Tudor dynasty.

Bourbon/Borbón, A Royal House of many colours. Founded by Robert the Strong, Duke of France, who died in 866, and made into the Capetian dynasty by Hugues Capet, King of France from 987, the dynasty has endured to the present day. By the 18th century, members of the Bourbon dynasty held thrones in France, Spain and what is now Italy; other Bourbons held important duchies. In 1700 the Duc d'Anjou became the first Bourbon ruler of Spain as King Philip V. The Spanish Bourbons (in Spain the name is spelled Borbón) have been overthrown and restored several times. From the Spanish branch descend the royal lines of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily renamed the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies) and Bourbon-Parma (Duchy of Parma and Piacenza). Other present-day branches include Bourbon-Orléans (Royal House of France) and Orléans-Bragança (Imperial and Royal House of Brazil). Another potential branch is in the making in the person of Luis Alfonso, Duc d'Anjou, who is the most senior Bourbon by primogeniture. Luxembourg was nominally a Bourbon-Parma offshoot until 1986 (when the name and title were dropped) and the Grand Dukes Jean and Henri were Princes of Bourbon-Parma at birth. The Bourbon dynasty still reigns today in the person of King Juan Carlos of Spain.

Brabant, Duke (& Duchess) of. Traditional title of the Belgian Crownprince

Buckingham Palace - Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British Monarch.

Bygdø Kongsgård – Bygdø Kongsgård has been the summer residence of the Norwegian royals, since 1905. Connection with royalty goes back to when it was bought by Haakon V in the 13th century. It is presently undergoing a major rehabilitation.