Some time ago, the spokesman for Maria Vladimirovna announced that “The Imperial House intends to return to Russia. We don’t know when the time will be right, but we are certain that it will happen in near future, as it has already happened in many civilized countries, like Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania and Hungary. The former Royal Houses that returned to their countries of origin now actively take part in their respective countries’ social lives, and so far, no harm has come out of it.

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On the contrary, it is only beneficial, because it helps to unite the people, develop national awareness and helps strengthening the position of those countries on the international level. It is too soon to discuss the possibility of return: the Imperial Family must live up to certain expectations and arrangements must be made for it. We are currently in talks with the Russian Government concerning the issue”.

As an answer to Maria Vladimirovna’s statement; on July 28, 2009 the Romanov Family Association released an official announcement. “Members of the Romanov Imperial Family, who are currently residing in different parts of the world, are indeed considering a return to Russia. However, under no circumstances they are going to ask for any privileges or special treatment from the Russian Government,” announced the official spokesman for the Romanov Family Association, Ivan Artzishevski.

He also released an official announcement by Prince Dimitri Romanov, the brother and Heir to the prerogatives of Prince Nicholas Romanov (the Head of the Romanov Family Association and Claimant to the Headship of Imperial House of Romanov), which addressed the same issue. The translation of the complete proclamation of Prince Dimitri Romanov reads:

“During my last visit to St. Petersburg, representatives of various news agencies asked me to comment on the announcement made by the spokesman of my relative, Maria Vladimirovna.

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Marsel Russian Royals Maria Vladimirovna, Prince Dimitri Romanov, Prince Michael of Kent, Prince Nicholas Romanov, Prince Rostislav Romanov, Romanov Family Association

Image from TRF Avatar Collection

 The engagement between HRH Prince Michael of Kent and Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnitz was announced on 30th May 1978. The official pictures were taken by Lord Lichfield. image The couple were unable to marry in an Anglican chuch because she was divorced and the Catholic Church also refused to recognise the union. The Queen had given her consent to the couple’s marriage and it was announced that Marie-Christine would become Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent. However by marrying a Catholic, Prince Michael had to give up his rights to the throne – in 1978 he was 15th in the line of succession. An English civil marriage that involved a member of the Royal Family was not allowed at the time thus they choose to marry in Vienna, Austria. The couple married in the town hall in Vienna on 30th June 1978 surrounded only by close family. Princess Anne, the Duke of Kent, Lady Helen Windsor (now Taylor) and Princess Alexandra with her husband Angus Ogilvy were the only members of the British royal family to attend. image Marie-Christine wore a simple cream suit by British royal designer Hardy Amies. image

Following the civil cermony, a ball was held that night in Schwarzenberg Palace for the couple. The bride wore a Bellville Sassoon cream silk crepe gown. The dress had a pin tucked bodice, a deep neckline with see trough panel and lace trim. image There was a small train and the skirt of the dress had inserts of Chantilly lace. image Read more…

PrincessofEurope British Royals Fashion, Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent, Wedding Anniversary

On Thursday, Prince Michael of Kent was invited to be the guest of honor at the Alberta Aviation Museum in Canada. It was a very special visit for the Prince, who also happens to be a pilot, and an enthusiastic fan of aviation history, according to a report from IAviation.

During his tour, Prince Michael was able to practice his flying on a DC-6 flight simulator, which featured technology developed exclusively by the Alberta Aviation Museum. He also checked out the cockpit of a Boeing 737, and tried out other interactive exhibits. The most personal part of the visit came when Prince Michael was presented with photographs taken of his father, the Duke of Kent, during a visit to the facility that is now the museum, in the World War II years. When the Duke of Kent visited, the building was part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

To learn more about the Alberta Aviation Museum, please visit this website.

To read about, and to discuss Prince Michael of Kent, please visit the Forum.

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