Prince Edward's Official Photograph on his 50th Birthday

The Earl and Countess of Wessex with their two kids. Image: BBC

Here's Prince Edward and family's photograph released during his 50th birthday. The image was taken in the dining room of Bagshot Park, their home in Surrey, by Millie Pilkington, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's private wedding photographer.

Royal Events this Week - January 19-25, 2014

Check out this week's royal events that you should never miss!

Princess Margriet of the Netherlands

January 19 - Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, daughter of Queen Juliana, celebrates her 71st birthday.

The Countess of Wessex

January 20 - Sophie, Countess of Wessex, wife of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II, celebrates her 49th birthday.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium

January 20 - Queen Mathilde of Belgium celebrates her 41st birthday. She was born Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz.

Infant Princess Ingrid Alexandra with her father.

January 21 - Princess Ingrid Alexandra, daughter of Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette Marit celebrates her 10th birthday.

Princess Caroline of Monaco, Princess of Hanover

January 23 - Princess Caroline of Monaco, Princess of Hanover, celebrates her 57th birthday. She is the sister and heiress presumptive of her brother, Prince Albert II.

Princess Charlene of Monaco

January 25 - Princess Charlene, wife of Prince Albert II of Monaco, turns 36. She was born Charlene Lynette Wittstock in Bulawayo, Rhodesia. 

Court Circular 9 June 2013

BUCKINGHAM PALACE: The Earl and Countess of Wessex this afternoon arrived at Heathrow Airport, London, from Sweden.

The Earl of Wessex, Trustee, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award International Foundation, and The Countess of Wessex this evening held a Reception for the World Fellowship.

Court Circular June 6 2013

BUCKINGHAM PALACE: Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton was received by The Queen today upon relinquishing his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff.

Air Chief Marshal the Lord Stirrup was received by The Queen when Her Majesty invested him with the Insignia of a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

The Queen was graciously pleased to invest The Duke of Edinburgh with the Insignia of a Member of the Order of New Zealand.

The New Zealand High Commissioner (Dr. the Rt. Hon Sir Lockwood Smith) was present.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh gave an Afternoon Party in the garden of Buckingham Palace.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Duke of Kent, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent were present.

Her Majesty's Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and The Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard were on duty.

The Bands of the Coldstream Guards and the Parachute Regiment played selections of music during the afternoon.

CLARENCE HOUSE: The Prince of Wales, Colonel-in-Chief, The Mercian Regiment, this morning presented new Colours to the four Battalions at the Sixways Stadium, Warriors Way, Worcester.

His Royal Highness this afternoon visited Yamazaki Mazak United Kingdom Limited, Badgeworth Drive, Worcester, and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire (Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Holcroft).

The Prince of Wales afterwards visited the Morgan Car Company, Pickersleigh Road, Malvern Link, Worcestershire.

His Royal Highness, Colonel-in-Chief, The Mercian Regiment, later received Major General Andrew Sharpe upon relinquishing his appointment as Colonel and Brigadier Andrew Williams upon assuming the appointment, and Lieutenant Colonel Philip Kimber upon relinquishing his appointment as Commanding Officer 1st Battalion and Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Carter upon assuming the appointment.

The Prince of Wales this evening attended the Ormeley Dinner in London in aid of the Aspinall Foundation, the Ecology Trust and the Rainforest Fund.

The Duchess of Cornwall was the Reviewing Officer this morning at the Annual Founder's Day Parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3.

Her Royal Highness, Patron, this evening attended a Gala Dinner at the Unicorn Theatre for Children, 147 Tooley Street, London SE1.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE: The Duke of York this morning opened the North Rail Terminal at the Port of Felixstowe and was received by Dr. Michael Lynch (Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk).

His Royal Highness, Fellow, this evening attended the Royal Society Advisory Board Dinner at 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE: The Earl of Wessex, Trustee, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and The Countess of Wessex, Chairman, Women in Business (promoting The Duke of Edinburgh's Award), this evening attended a Reception and subsequently attended a Dinner at Investec, 2 Gresham Street, London EC2, to celebrate the Tenth Anniversary of Women in Business.

The Countess of Wessex this morning attended the Pewter Live competition at Pewterers' Hall, Oat Lane, London EC2.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE: The Princess Royal, President, Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, this morning attended the Annual General Meeting at the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, and was received by Mr. Michael Galsworthy (Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall).

Her Royal Highness afterwards visited the Royal Cornwall Show.

Source: British Royal Family’s Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/TheBritishMonarchy

Court Circular January 6-10 2013

January 6 - Sandringham, Norfolk

A Divine Service was held in Sandringham Parish Church this morning officiated by the Bishop of Peterborough.

The Queen presented The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Academic Excellence at Springwood High School, King's Lynn, to Hannah Crosby.

A Sung Eucharist was held in the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace, in celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany. It was presided by the Bishop of London.

January 8 - Kensington Palace

The Duke of Gloucester attended the Worshipful Company of Poulters' Christmas Court Luncheon and Poulters' Prize Presentation at Armourers' Hall in London.  

The Duchess of Gloucester, Honorary President, the Lawn Tennis Association, received Mr. Peter Bretherton, President, and Mr. Roger Draper, Chief Executive Officer.

January 9

Sandringham, Norfolk

The Queen held a Council at 11.15 a.m. The Rt. Hon. Andrew Lansley MP (acting for the President), the Rt. Hon. Gregory Barker MP (Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change), the Rt. Hon. Mark Francois MP (Minister of State, Ministry of Defence) and the Rt. Hon. Damian Green MP (Minister of State, Ministry of Justice, jointly with the Home Office) were present. The Lord Hill of Oareford was sworn in as a member of the Privy Council after being appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

The Lord Hill of Oareford had an audience of The Queen. He kissed Her Majesty’s hands upon appointment and received from the Seals of Office.

Buckingham Palace

The Princess Royal paid a visit to Pextenement Cheese Company in Todmorden. She then proceeded to Leeds Area Group at Gaetton Hill Farm in Leeds.

Kensington Palace

The Duke of Gloucester, Colonel-in-Chief of Royal Army Medical Corps, received Colonel Simon Mellor after he relinquished his appointment as Colonel Commandant. Brigadier Alistair Macmillan assumed his post.

St. James's palace

The Duke of Kent, President of the Council, King Edward VII's Hospital (Sister Agnes), received the Lord Glenarthur (Chairman), Mr. Alan Pateman-Jones (Director General) and Mrs. Claire Samber (Secretariat Manager).

January 10

Sandringham, Norfolk

By command of The Queen, Mr. Charles Gray (Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps) called upon Her Excellency Mrs. Joan Rwabyomere at 58-59 Trafalgar Square in to bid farewell to Her Excellency upon relinquishing her appointment as High Commissioner for Uganda in London. The Marshal then called upon His Excellency Lieutenant Colonel Bizwayo Newton Nkunika at 2 Palace Gate in London to bid farewell to His Excellency upon relinquishing his appointment as High Commissioner for Zambia in London.

Buckingham Palace

The Countess of Wessex, President of Breast Cancer Haven Guardians received Mr. Nicholas Beazley after his appointment as Chairman of the Trustees. The Countess, Patron, Disability Initiative, also received Mr. Anthony Mallard who vacated his position as Chairman.

The Princess Royal visited Adwick Social Education Centre Horticultural Unit in Adwick Le Street. The Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire welcomed her. She also visited Chimo Holdings Cutlery Factory in Sheffield and opened the Exchange Brewery Adsetts Partnership Building.

From “Princess” Diana to “Duchess Kate”: The Incorrect Way of Referring to a Royal Consort

Royal consorts have been victims of incorrect references made by the press. 

Many times over, I have heard people say “Princess Diana” in reference to Diana, Princess of Wales, first wife of Prince Charles and mother to princes William and Harry. Months after her wedding, Catherine Middleton, who assumed her husband's title Princess William, Duchess of Cambridge, has been victim of the press' display of disrespect and lack of knowledge on how to correctly address a royal consort. The same is the case with the Countess of Wessex, wife of Prince Edward, who is sometimes wrongly called by the press as “Sophie Wessex.”

The late Princess of Wales was popularly but incorrectly called Princess Diana. 

To come to full understanding of what is the proper way to address a royal consort, here is a little lecture for those who find this topic a bit difficult to understand.

Royal Consorts Married to Blood Royals with Substantive Titles

Substantive title is a title of nobility or royalty that an individual holds which he either acquires by grant or by inheritance. Usually, heirs apparent are known for their substantive titles, as with the case of Prince Charles, who is known for his substantive title Prince of Wales, and Crown Prince Felipe of Spain, the Prince of Asturias.

The British press loves to call the Duchess
of Cambridge "Duchess Kate,"or worse,
 only "Kate."

The British monarchy also assigns substantive titles to the younger sons of the sovereign, which are usually inherited by their elder sons.

The younger sons of Queen Elizabeth also hold substantive titles. Prince Andrew is the Duke of York, while Prince Edward is the Earl of Wessex. The same is applied to the queen's male-line cousins. Prince Edward, being the elder son of Prince George, inherited the title Duke of Kent, meanwhile, Prince Richard, as the sole surviving son, assumed his father Prince Henry's title, as the Duke of Gloucester.

Now, let us go to the titles of their wives.

The late Princess of Wales was born Lady Diana Spencer, daughter of the 8^th Earl Spencer, a member of the British nobility. Because she wasn't born a royal, she was not entitled to carry the title “Princess” before her name. Thus, calling her “Princess” Diana is totally incorrect. The rightful reference to her should be Diana, Princess of Wales, or the Princess of Wales.

The Countess of Wessex is sometimes
 called "Countess" Sophie Wessex.

In 1996, the Prince and Princess of Wales divorced but Diana was allowed to continue using her title, although her style as Royal Highness ceased, being no longer a member of the British Royal Family. She died in 1997, and the title lay vacant. In 2006, the Prince of Wales married Camilla Parker-Bowles. Technically, she should have every inch of right to assume the title Princess of Wales, being the legal wife of the prince, but to avoid confusion and in respect to Diana, who still enjoyed the love and admiration of the Britons. Thus, she assumed her husband's second title, which is Duchess of Cornwall. Worldwide, she is popular as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, although in Scotland, she is referred as the Duchess of Rothesay, because the prince's official Scottish title is the Duke of Rothesay.

Moving forward to Prince William's wife, Cathering Middleton officially assumed the title Duchess of Cambridge upon their April wedding. As such, she should be officially referred to as either Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, or the Duchess of Cambridge, not as “Duchess” Catherine, as what most British tabloids call her. Her complete title and style is Her Royal Highness the Princess William, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, Baroness Carrickfergus.

The Baroness Marie-Christine Von Reibnitz is
popularly known as Princess Michael of Kent
 after she wedded Prince Michael, a royal
 prince who doesn't hold a substantive title.

The same is true with Sophie, Countess of Wessex. She isn't “Countess” Sophie Wessex, but the Countess of Wessex, her complete title and style being Princess Edward, Countess of Wessex, Viscountess Severn.

Royal Consorts of Princes with Territorial Suffix By Virtue of their Parent's Title

Prince Harry (official known as Prince Henry of Wales), Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York, Prince Michael of Kent, and Princess Alexandra of Kent fall under this category. These blood royals are usually younger sons or the daughters of a royal prince who happens to be the younger sons of sovereign who carries a substantive title. Prince Harry uses the territorial suffix “of Wales” by virtue of Prince Charles being the Prince of Wales. The same is true with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, daughters of the Duke of York, and the Queen's cousins, Prince Michael and Princess Alexandra of Kent, the younger son and the daughter of King George V's youngest son, Prince George, Duke of Kent.

In the case that bride weds a royal prince with territorial suffix, she assumes her husband's name and title. This is the case of Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnitz who is popularly known as the Princess Michael of Kent, after her wedding to Prince Michael. 

Countess of Wessex on hot seat for accepting jewelries

Countess asked to sell and distribute proceeds of jewelries gifted by Bahrain.

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The Countess of Wessex is criticized for receiving
gifts from Bahraini Royal Family.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex faces questions after receiving jeweleries from one of Middle East's most brutal regimes. It was reported that the Bahraini Royal Family had gifted the countess with two expensive sets of jewelries last December.

News steered public criticism.

“Given the appalling suffering and repression of the Bahraini people, it would be a fitting gesture for the Countess of Wessex to auction these trinkets and distribute the proceeds to the victims of the regime,” issued former Foreign Office minister Denis MacShane.

The countess received the jewelries while representing the Queen on a pre-Christmas trip to Bahrain, an event that placed the Royal Family at an uncomfortable spotlight.

The Royal Family has strong links with the Bahraini royalty. The Crown Prince of Bahrain has joined the Queen at the Royal Box during the Ascot and had thrown a banquet for the Prince of Wales and Duke of York. He was also invited to last year's wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, although public outcry caused him to decline the invitation.

Reference and Photo Source, The Daily Mail, retrieved Jan. 7, 2011.