Queen Elizabeth reopens Cutty Sark

The Queen reopens the Cutty Sark.

Queen Elizabeth II has officially reopened the Cutty Sark in Greenwich five years after it was ravaged by fire, reports BBC. The 94-foot vessel, decorated with gold leaf and ornately carved, harks back 200 years to when kings and queens travelled by water in opulent style. News from BBC.

Luxemburg Royals on State Visit to Germany

Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Theresa and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxemburg went on a state visit to Germany, where they attended a round of official functions, including the opening of the Luxembourg silver treasury at the German Historical Museum. 

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg is welcomed by Berlin's Mayor.

Grand Duke Henri with President Joachim Gaulk

The Grand Duke and the President inspects the honor guards

The Grand Duke of Luxembourg gives a speech at a reception held in
his honor by the mayor of Berlin.

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg with Hereditary
Grand Duke Guillaume during the silver treasury exhibit
at the German Historical Museum. 

King Carl always busy as usual

Among the latest engagements of Sweden’s King Carl XVI John include a trip to Madrid where he, together with the queen, attend the 63rd World Baden-Powell Fellowship, from April 19-22, the opening of the environmental conference Stockholm+40 last April 23, and an audience with China’s prime minister, Wen Jiabao at the Royal Palace last April 24. 

The King and Queen attends the Baden-Powell Fellowship in Madrid.

King Carl delivering his speech during the Stock+40 conference.

King Carl welcomes China's prime minister, Wen Chiabao.

The 500k pound earring

The unique, oversized pearl earrnings that once belonged
to King Carol of Rumania's mistress.

This pair of unique, oversized pearl earrings, which kept hidden inside a drawer could fetch 500,000 pounds. These earrings were gifted by King Carol of Rumania to his mistress Elena Lupescu, who in turn left it to her friend after in Wiltshire, England after her death in 1977. They eventually passed to her nephew and his wife, until they had it valuated by an auctioneer lately, who said that the earrings were the “finest in existence.” More about the news at Daily Mail.

Queen Sofia attends 'Encuadernaciones en las Bibliotecas Reales' Exhibition in Madrid

Queen Sofia attends Encuadernaciones en las Bibliotecas Reales Exhibition held at Royal Palace in Madrid last April 24. Images courtesy of Getty Images.

  

The Great Exhibition Highlights Queen Victoria's Reign

The Great Exhibition of 1851, and the success that followed it afterwards, was primarily the product of Prince Albert’s ingenuity, rather than that of Queen Victoria’s. After the old Houses of Parliament was burned down and the ensuing problems that occurred while planning the new building, Prime Minister Robert Peel thought of a royal commission that would oversee the promotion of arts and sciences. This led to Prince Albert’s proposal to launch the Great Exhibition.

Prince Albert Thinks of Holding the Exhibition

The Great Exhibition, 1851

Without consulting anyone, Albert planned the Great Exhibition with the greatest care. There have been exhibitions around the world before but he wanted to stage the grandest of them all and make it the crowning glory of the vastness and the technological advances of the British Empire. He also envisioned it to be a showcase of every country’s product – raw materials, machinery, manufacturing and mechanical invention in applied and plastic arts.

Since his childhood, Prince Albert was already an avid student of science and his capacity towards organization was proven after putting things in the Queen’s household to order, making him the most qualified person to handle the gargantuan task of planning and organizing the exhibition. Having conceived and finalized his plans, he organized a small committee to help him bring his ideas into fruition. After the committee approved his plans, work, however hard it was, began to realize his goals.

Front entrance of the Crystal Palace

Plans for the Great Exhibition

For two years, Prince Albert worked tirelessly for the Exhibition to push through. The initial stages ran smoothly with leading industrialists warmly welcoming the idea. The East India Company as well as the British dominions was sympathetic with this idea while the neighboring nations were eager to display their best. Behind Albert was Sir Robert Peel who, from the start, backed him up and the use of Hyde Park to build the massive structure that would house the exhibition he approved without hesitation. Of the 234 plans for the exhibition building, the Prince chose that of Joseph Paxton’s, whose talent in designing majestic conservatories was renowned worldwide.

Queen Victoria inaugurates the Crystal Palace at the opening of the
Great Exhibition

Exhibition interiors

Oppositions Mount Against the Great Exhibition

The road towards the realization of Albert’s dream was no easy way. Oppositions mounted over time and a great outcry suddenly burst, with The Times on the helm, against the use of the park of the exhibition. For a time, it was even decided that the monument be built at the suburb. It was only until after a series of heated deliberations in the Parliament did the use of the park become possible.

The grand opening

Then followed the lack of money to fund the project. Luckily, this was solved and L200, 000 was allocated. Indeed, there was no stopping for the enormous glass structure, aptly named Crystal Palace from over-towering and out-sizing the structures that surrounded it. But this, too, did not pass the public fury. In the House of Lords, Lord Brougham castigated the queen for allowing the construction of Crystal Palace at Hyde Park; in the House of Commons, Colonel Sibthorpe predicted that London would be invaded by foreign rouges and revolutionists who would break the morals of the land, steal the trading secrets of her people, and destroy their loyalty towards their faith and the sovereign. Subthorpe even said that he prayed for hail and lightning to strike and curse the building.

The Crystal Palace encloses trees in Hyde Park

But the Prince was not the person who could be easily put down. His unwavering perseverance and endless patience pushed him to achieve his goals. His health, no matter how affected it was from constantly sleeplessness and stressed brought about by the immensity of his duty, sustained him and permitted him to work harder and harder every day.

Queen Victoria Inaugurates the Great Exhibition

On May 1, 1851, Queen Victoria opened the Crystal Palace and officially inaugurated the Great Exhibition before a host of dignitaries awed and bedazzled by the structure. Indeed, it became a colossal success and the surplus, amounting to L150, 000 was used to build the South Kensington Museum, now known as Victoria and Albert Museum, as well as to buy adjacent land.

This article was originally published at Suite 101.

Prince Harry to be Honored in D.C.

Prince Harry to be honored this May.

Prince Harry will be honored by the Atlantic Council with the Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Leadership in recognition of the work that his and brother William’s charitable foundation has done to help rehabilitate wounded service members and integrate them back into civilian life at a dinner on May 7, reports Washington Post.

British Monarchy Slipping in Popularity

Despite the many public and charitable works and the impending Diamond Jubilee, Britain’s House of Windsor continues to dip in popular appeal. Recent polls revealed, as reported by Time, that the British “are more disillusioned with their ruling family than previously thought, with only 14% of the public claiming to be ‘very interested’ in the Jubilee. The number of people believing the country would be worse off without the royals also fell from 63% last year to 51%. The polls also reveal that the number of people replying ‘don’t know’ to the question of whether the country would be better or worse off without the monarchy has shot up from 11% to 28% this year.” 

Low-Key Anniversary for Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Wedding of the century? Last year, the whole world witnessed the fairy tale
wedding of the duke and duchess of Cambridge who will celebrate their
first anniversary this weekend.

Contrary to their televised wedding watched by over two billion people, the duke and duchess of Cambridge decides to spend their first wedding anniversary this April 29 as a low-key and private affair. After a busy week, the couple has decided to spend their anniversary in a quiet break, confirms spokesman from St. James’ Palace. 

Spain’s Royal Family in Crisis

Happy times no more? Spain's House of Bourbon in crisis.

Spain's Royal Family is in the middle of its worst crisis in years following a series of scandals, including the revelation that King Juan Carlos went on an extravagant trip to Africa despite the recession. Many people in Spain are now asking tough questions about the role of the monarchy. For full story, visit Spiegel. 

Princess Isabella Turns 5: Dons Country Look for Photoshoot

The adorable royal sports a country look with a jumper featuring a print of an owl, jeans and some fashion-forward fur-trimmed boots. More photos at Hello Magazine.

Queen Elizabeth II is a Shining Example

Queen Elizabeth II: a shining example of selfless duty.

Through the years, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been tireless in her pursuit for public service, no matter how hard or challenging times have been for her, her government, and her family. This, she reaffirmed a few months ago before Parliament after talking about “rededicating” herself to the service of her country “now and in the years to come.” She was renewing her commitment to her duties at a time of life when most of her subjects have long been enjoying the fruits of their retirement, reports The Telegraph.

Princess Katarina and Her Nine Lives

Princess Katarina recalls the depressing
part of her life.

You think cats have only nine lives? Think again. The Daily Mail writes about Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia’s close-to-death experience that she says has dramatically changed her life forever. A survivor, indeed, Katarina sliced her wrist using a broken cup, severing her artery and losing so much blood quickly. This happened after a devastating divorce last year. Her life was saved by art dealer Detmar Blow, who stemmed the blood loss while she was rushed to hospital. The princess eventually recovered and moved on, saying: “Every time I look at my horrible scar I realise all the good things in my life I have got — like my daughter, Victoria — and not the things that I haven’t got.”

Easter and LK at 14 months

I feel blessed to have spent another Easter with my favorite little bunny. Holidays are a lot more fun with a little one to dress up. Here's Lily in her Easter dress at mass...minutes before she stepped on it and ripped it to shreds, sigh. Between the ripped dress and the giant mosquito bite on her forehead, she was a bit of a hot mess, but still beautiful to me. :)

Getting professional pictures taken is addicting...especially since Paige gave us our second free photo shoot. (She is fabulous!) Here are a few of the Easter ones:

Easter eggs are for eating?

Uh-oh, I spilled my eggs

Having a good laugh at something

Sweet girl.

Lily wasn't feeling the giant bunny!

...And she had a special message for the bunny! Haha :)

I has a belly button.

I know I just posted about LK's skill set at 13 months a few weeks ago, but 14 months has brought some new 'tricks' that I want to remember:

* Lily finally learned how to drink from a straw....this is convenient for sharing drinks on the go.

  *  #2 in the Potty! Lily did this 5 days in a row and now does so every other day or so, depending how good I am about sticking her on the princess potty.

  * Kissing Game...I'll try to post the video I took tonight, its our new favorite game by far! Lily makes a kissing face and makes monkey sounds and then you kiss her and she cracks up.

*Saying "night night!" Lily just started this one last night, its precious! Now if I could only get her to say, "Love you mommy." I'm working on it. :)

Prince Harry Supports Runners in the 32nd London Marathon

Prince Harry calls the 32nd London Marathon a “fantastic occasion,” as spent time with the volunteers and presented the medals to the winners. The prince even joked that Kate and William should join next year. The event was joined in by celebrities, including Sophie Raworth, James Cracknell, and Nell McAndrew. Avid crowds donned extravagant outfits, ranging from Big Ben to ice hockey players. Visit Daily Mail Online for full story. 

Fashion Royalties: European Princesses at Their Best

Aside from getting dressed up by some of the world’s best designers, these royals also look up from one another for inspiration.

The duchess of Cambridge and Crown Princess Victoria looks fresh
in green.

The duchess of Cambridge and Crown Princess Letizia opts for no-accessories
to complement their blazing red dresses.

Crown Princess Victoria opts for a simpler version of the duchess of
Cambridge's lace monochrome dress

Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Madeleine in ruffles.

Victoria and Mary in empire line dresses.

Princess Mathilde's teal satin dress she wore during the Monaco royal
wedding looks identical to  Princess Mary's dress she wore at the
duke and duchess of Cambridge's wedding.

White ivory suit for the three look-a-like princesses.

Festivities for Queen Elizabeth’s 86th Birthday

The entire Great Britain cheered amidst celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II’s 86^th birthday. Not even a rainy day dampened the country in honoring the queen who celebrates her golden jubilee this year. While the queen spent the day in the Newbury Race Horses, a 62-gun salute was fired by Royal Gibraltar Regiment at the Tower of London, performed by the King’s Troop Royal Horses Artillery. The queen has two birthday, her actual date of birth this April and her “official” birthday in June marked by the Trooping the Colour. 

The King's Troop readies for the gun-salute.

Gun salute in honor of the queen's 86th birthday.

The Queen in mint green.

Not even a damp weather stopped the queen from smiling.

Queen Elizabeth II spent her birthday at the Newbury Race Horses. 

Buckingham Palace glows after thousands of self portraits by children from
across the UK  were projected on to the frontage of the palace to form a
montage image of  Queen Elizabeth II.