News and Pictures of the Grand Ducal Family, Part 5

[Oppie]

I don't think this was a state visit, I think it was either an official or private visit (really I don't know the difference but I think a state visit is longer and the Grand Duchess would have been wearing a tiara).

As for the veil that Princess Alexandra is wearing. (I don't think it is a matillia but someone can confirm that). It would be an old tradition/sign of respect. In the past women always covered there hair when going to a Catholic Church. I remember hearing stories from my teachers when they were students they would have to bobby pin a paper towel to there head if they forgot there veil on a mass day at school

[suturegeisha]

Originally Posted by soCal girl

Is she wearing a black mantilla? And what purpose does the mantilla hold or is it just a courtesy thing? (sorry for my ignorance on the subject)

I think she was just wearing a black lace veil.

In a Catholic church, your head and arms should be covered at all times as a sign of respect. A lot of cathedrals in Europe will turn away tourists if they aren't wearing at least something to cover their arms.

[lisamaria]

Check out this conversation: Royal look-a-like
So far, Jack Wagner has been suggested to play Henri and Mia Maestro the young MT. By and by, contribute.

-L

[Kelly]

Would they ever do a movie about the ducal couple?

[drimal]

This morning I had a rather unusual experience.

I was awaiting my bus at Luxembourg city at the bus station at half nine and all of a sudden a police motor bike drive past with speed and a flashing blue light and it was followed by at least six more motorbikes! I was surprised and expected a cycling race because these white motorbikes are accompanying cycling races but then I saw a black Daimler with the royal flag driving past followed by a dark Audi.

In the back seats of the Daimler I recognized the Grand Duke who was obviously going to an official meeting. :)

[HRH Mims]

Wow! For moment like this I should live in Luxembourg!

[pallas athina]

It's nice to see thewhole family together.

[Heiress Victoria]

Originally Posted by drimal

This morning I had a rather unusual experience.

I was awaiting my bus at Luxembourg city at the bus station at half nine and all of a sudden a police motor bike drive past with speed and a flashing blue light and it was followed by at least six more motorbikes! I was surprised and expected a cycling race because these white motorbikes are accompanying cycling races but then I saw a black Daimler with the royal flag driving past followed by a dark Audi.

In the back seats of the Daimler I recognized the Grand Duke who was obviously going to an official meeting. :)

woowww.. lucky you.. was it the first time you saw the royals personally??.. I don't know how is it in luxembourg.. but I remember seeing pictures of princess mary taking her dog for a walk in copenaghen (sp?) .. just like anybody else...

[Genevieve]

Originally Posted by lisamaria

Hullo!

The Royal family met the Pope yesterday - there is an article about it in Wort. Also, a few pictures were released by GEtty Images. Alexandra has sure grown! Louis was also there, but for some reason is just cut out of the first picture.

-L

It's interesting that so soon after Gabriel's birth Louis is off to visit the Pope. I wonder if Pope Benedict had any words with Louis about pre-marital or out of wedlock sex. I know that Louis is part of the family but considering that Louis violated or at least disregarded such a major belief of the Catholic church it seems indifferent that he would visit the Pope at the Vatican.

[MyAdia]

Originally Posted by Genevieve

It's interesting that so soon after Gabriel's birth Louis is off to visit the Pope. I wonder if Pope Benedict had any words with Louis about pre-marital or out of wedlock sex. I know that Louis is part of the family but considering that Louis violated or at least disregarded such a major belief of the Catholic church it seems indifferent that he would visit the Pope at the Vatican.

Are you serious?

Do you think that Louis is the only royal (or any other person) that have visited the Pope that has had pre-marital sex? Do you think his older brothers are virgins? What about Leti and the others that visited the Pope (or not visited the Pope) before their marriages, do you think they were virgins and thus need a lecture from the Pope or should have stayed at home?

The child is one sure indication that Louis has had pre-marital sex. I hope you are are not assuming that those singles who haven't had an out-of-wedlock child, haven't had pre-marital sex. In the Catholic belief, the sin is the pre-marital sex, not the child. The child is a result of irresponsible (or no birth control). Plus, contraceptives are sinful also according to the Vatican.

[Genevieve]

Originally Posted by MyAdia

Are you serious?

Do you think that Louis is the only royal (or any other person) that have visited the Pope that has had pre-marital sex? Do you think his older brothers are virgins?

I never said that I thought everyone else who has visited the Pope was a virgin. I never mentioned anyone else in fact.

Originally Posted by MyAdia

What about Leti and the others that visited the Pope (or not visited the Pope) before their marriages, do you think they were virgins and thus need a lecture from the Pope or should have stayed at home?

By Leti I presume you mean Princess Letizia of Spain. Letizia was married before Felipe so any sex she might have had would have been with her husband so that certainly isn't the same as what Louis and Tessy did.

Originally Posted by MyAdia

The child is one sure indication that Louis has had pre-marital sex. I hope you are are not assuming that those singles who haven't had an out-of-wedlock child, haven't had pre-marital sex. In the Catholic belief, the sin is the pre-marital sex, not the child. The child is a result of irresponsible (or no birth control). Plus, contraceptives are sinful also according to the Vatican.

I never said that Louis and Tessy are the first couple to ever have sex out of marriage. I just said that it seemd liked a contradictory example to be baptising your out of wedlock child as a teenager one week and a few weeks later be visiting the Pope who represents all things sacred and pure.

No need to attack me for my comment please.

[MyAdia]

Originally Posted by Genevieve

By Leti I presume you mean Princess Letizia of Spain. Letizia was married before Felipe so any sex she might have had would have been with her husband so that certainly isn't the same as what Louis and Tessy did.

Again, you are assuming then that she and Felipe (of course I am not talking about her first husband) didn't have sex before they got married (which by the way is the desired behavior in the Catholic teachings and many other religious teachings). If they did, would you rebuke them?

Originally Posted by Genevieve

No need to attack me for my comment please.

I did not attack you, I commented on your extremely hypocritical comment. Please show me what words that I wrote which were a personal attack on you.

If Louis wanted forgiveness for his sins (and any other of his siblings that may have had pre-marital sex), then the Vatican is the right place to be. I do hope you uinderstand the simple fact I am trying to convey to you.

I'll spell it out.

1) Yes, an out-of-wedlock child is definite proof that Louis engage in pre-marital sex - which is a sin in the Catholic belief.

2) Just because neither of his siblings (which you DID NOT questioned their right to be there) has not produced an out-of-wedlock child DOES NOT mean they haven't engaged in pre-marital sex - which is a sin in the Catholic belief.

This is all I was trying to convey. I'll leave and let you continue with your rebuke of Louis..

[lisamaria]

Originally Posted by Genevieve

it seemd liked a contradictory example to be baptising your out of wedlock child as a teenager

Ladies, please Now, I think the Catholic church is basically against any sin of any form, but they have never turned away children born outside marriage, so I guess there are sins and then there are sins. For example, I think GD's brother Jean is probably not welcome in the Vatican as he is divorced. BTW, there has been every now and then whispering about Henri and MT's marriage, and I think that the religion is perhaps the strongest thing to keep them on trying. He couldn't rule a country and be excommunicated, not at least in this case. Again, no offence meant.

-L

[Kelly]

Here's a interview that GD Maria Theresa gave to Revista Vanidades:
http://www.esmas.com/vanidades/nobleza/534148.html

Note: it is in spanish

[grandempressxx]

What's the interview about I can't understand it.

I know its in Spanish but can anyone translate it into english.

Thanks for post Kelly.:)

[Heiress Victoria]

It's very long to translate it all but I'll try...
It starts off talking about Luwembourg being a jewel lost in the middle France, Belgium and Germany.. and says something about its economy and then starts with MT and the DG's marriage.. that they had decided to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary in private with their 5 children.. they are considered a exemplary couple.. they got married on St. Valentine's in a veeerrryy cold day and that thousands of people companied them in the streets.. he was the hereditary DG and direct descendant of the kings of belgium while her family was from cuba.. with a good economic position.. they emigrated to USA.. she studied in the best shools in USA and switzerland.. "she represented the èlite of the adolescents of the 70's".. they met at university.. he made himself called "henry of Clairvaux" but yet he couldn't disguise his title...in his marriage day henry said "I can say she is my true love, the love of my life".. they have a lot of things in common.. she says he is a wonderfull man...MT explains how her marriage changed her life.. that difficult and different situations are presented everyday but fortunately she had 20 years.. since her marriage to her assumpion to get prepared to be the Grand Duchess... she is asked if guillaume had received a different education as he is the heir to the throne.. and she says that the stong values and principles and the education are common in all the children.. but as he is the future GD.. he has more responsibilities as being member of the state council.. companying his parent on state visits.. etc.. but he has total support of his siblings.. (there is a veeeryy brief biography of guillaume.. nothing new).. she is asked if she sees her sibling often.. and MT replies "as often as I can".. and adds that he sees more often her brother Louis and his wife Nicole.. and her sister Catalina.. who they all live in Geneva.. and she misses a lot his brother Antonio, who she rarely sees as he lives in Florida (USA)... she is asked about her experience when visiting old people's home while studying at university and she says that she lhas oved that experience.. thas she was moved to see their happiness when she went to see them.. and the amazing life experiences they told to her.. then it says that MT is a Unesco Godwill (?) ambassador and lists all the organizations she supports... and the people she has met for this cause such as women, in Bangladesh, who once went to ask her for a microcredit to feed their child and send him to school.. and years later (when she returned) that same child was preparing himself to go to university.. she is asked for the music she likes.. and says that she leaves clasic music for the GD and that she likes modern and Cubanian (?) music.. and sometimes even changes CDs with her children..lastly the reporter askes her if she wants to return to Cuba sometime... and she says thay obvipusly.. that when she went in 2002 with her sister Catalina, her eldest niece also called Catalina, Guillaume and Felix it was a very emotive visit becauste although she has left Cuba when she was very young and she can't remember much, the most beautiful things in life happen during the first years of life.. and that when she manages to return to cuba with her husband and her 5 chuldren.. her dream has finally come true..

Well.. here is a good and complete summery of the interview.. I hope it helps..

[grandempressxx]

Thanks very much Heiress Victoria........

your a star........

[melusine]

tks a lot for translation

[Heiress Victoria]

your welcome.. can anybody post photos of MT's family??.. the siblings that she names in the interview..antonio.. becuase people say that guillume is very much alike to his uncle antonio..

[Kelly]

Antonio, where does he live? Is he the one living in florida or geneva?