Wartime Crimes

Tomorrow night - Wednesday, November 1 - the American cable channel, American Heroes (also seen on several Canadian cable companies) will have a new episode of their new series Wartime Crimes.

The episode is about the theft of jewels and other valuables belonging to the Dowager Landgravine of Hesse and other members of her family by several American soldiers in 1945.


https://www.ahctv.com/tv-shows/wartime-crime/videos/us-soldiers-loot-a-german-castles-basement

From my photo collection

Vicky and Fritz

Crown Princess Cecilie of Prussia

Princess Feodora of Saxe-Meiningen and her fiance, Prince Heinrich XXX Reuss

Prince Christoph of Hesse, one of six sons of Princess Margarete of Prussia 

Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Hesse, eldest son of Friedrich Karl, Landgrave of Hesse, and Princess Margarete of Prussia

HRH Princess Christoph of Hesse (Sophie)

Hermann, Prince of Hohenlohe Langenburg

Feodora, Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, born Princess of Leiningen, older half-sister of Queen Victoria

Prince Otto of Hesse, son of Landgrave Philip of Hesse and Princess Mafalda of Italy

Philipp, Landgrave of Hesse

Prince Georg Wilhelm of Hannover

Crown Princess Cecilie, Princess Olga of Hannover and Alexandra, Dowager Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Mafalda,  Landgravine of Hesse  with her three eldest children, Moritz, Elisabeth and Otto

Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse and By Rhine with his three grandchildren, Ludwig, Johanna and Alexander (1936)

Princess Mafalda

All of these photos are from my private collection.

If you liked these photos, perhaps you could buy me a cup of coffee

Empress Marie is sure her son is alive

Embed from Getty Images

October 30, 1927


The Dowager Empress of the Russias "refuses to believe that her son,"  Nicholas II is dead, reports the Associated Press.

She believes she will see him again.  This belief is keeping her alive, despite "the fact that she is growing steadily weaker," as she approaches her 80th birthday on November 25.

Embed from Getty Images 

 Marie Feodorovna, now in exile, in Denmark "virtually has retired to the privacy of her own room."  She rarely leaves "her quarters, even having given up her daily drive in a hired automobile" as the "slight exertion" as a "tax on her strength."

The widowed consort of Alexander III -- and a Danish princess by birth -- spends most of her day talking about her eldest son and his family with retainers who have joined her in exile.  Marie expects Nicholas to "visit her almost every day."


She is "virtually alone in her belief" that Nicholas was murdered ten years ago at Ekaterinburg.

Princess Margrethe a guest at the Danish legation

Embed from Getty Images 

 October 26, 1942


Princess Margrethe of Bourbon-Parma arrived in Washington, D.C, from New York City, earlier today, reports the Washington Post.  She is the guest of Danish Minister and Mrs. de Kauffmann at their home on Massachusetts Avenue.

Due to serious illness of the princess' great uncle, King Christian X of Denmark,  there will be "no entertaining for the princess" during her stay in Washington.  She is expected to stay with the de Kauffmann's for three to four days.

Princess Margrethe is only daughter of the late Prince Valdemar of Denmark's and Princess Marie d'Orleans.    Prior to their marriage, their parents had agreed that their sons would be raised in their father's faith, Lutheran, while any daughters would be raised Roman Catholic, which was the faith of Princess Marie.     Thus, the princess was baptized as a Roman Catholic, and her four brothers were baptized Lutheran.

On June 9, 1921, the princess married Prince Rene of Bourbon-Parma, a younger son of the late Duke Roberto I of Parma and his second wife, Princess Maria Antonia of Portugal.  He is a brother of former Empress Zita of Austria and Prince Felix of Luxembourg, consort of Grand Duchess Charlotte.

The Prince and Princess and their four children, Prince Jacques, 20, Princess Anne, 19,  Prince Michel, 16, and 14-year-old Prince Andre, came to live in New York City two tears ago.

Princess Margrethe, 47, is a woman "of great energy."  She is well known in Denmark for a number of activities, including "an active interest in the Girl Scouts."

Pope tries to interfere with Prince George of Greece's marriage

Embed from Getty Images 

October 26, 1907

The approaching marriage between Prince George of Greece and the very wealthy Princess Marie Bonaparte is causing "great discomfiture to the Holy See," according to a dispatch from the Washington Post.

The Pope has not been able to obtain from Prince George "the usual guarantee" that the children of the marriage will be raised in the Roman Catholic faith.   Prince George is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church, and his future wife w was raised as a Roman Catholic.

It now seems likely that the Pope will issue a decree "formally condemning mixed marriages" unless the couple are married "under Roman Catholic auspices and proper guarantee be given as to the bringing up of the offspring in the Roman Catholic Church.

Prince George, the second son of King George  of the Hellenes, has apparently not agreed to allow any children of his marriage to Princess Marie to be raised in the Catholic faith.

Catherine Oxenberg fights for her daughter, India

Embed from Getty Images

 I hope this story has as happy ending.   Catherine Oxenberg, the elder daughter of Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia and the late New York businessman, Howard Oxenberg,  is speaking out about trying to rescue her eldest daughter, India Riven Oxenberg, from a New York-based cult, Nxivim,  run by Keith Raniere.

The female members of the cult allegedly call Raniere as Vanguard and beg to be branded with his initials.  According to several press reports,  the woman are allowed a diet of 500-800 calories per day.

Embed from Getty Images 

 India, 26, is Catherine's first child.  Her father has never been publicly identified.



https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/17/nyregion/nxivm-women-branded-albany.html

http://radaronline.com/videos/catherine-oxenberg-daughter-cult-nightmare-trying-save-life-branded-women-nxivm/

http://people.com/human-interest/dynasty-star-catherine-oxenbergs-fight-to-save-daughter-nxivm/

  Embed from Getty Images

So what is next for Meghan and Prince Harry

Embed from Getty Images

Every day it seems there are new stories, new predictions on the where and when for the announcement of the engagement between HRH Prince Henry of Wales and Miss Rachel Meghan Markle.

The Succession to the Crown Act (2013) requires the first six in line to the throne to obtain permission to marry from the Sovereign. This legislation abrogated the Royal Marriages Act (1772), which required a lot more people to obtain permission.

Prince Harry is currently fifth in line, following his father, the Prince of Wales,  his brother, the Duke of Cambridge, and the his two young children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.  The Duchess of Cambridge expects a third child in April, and this birth will push Harry down one notch.  He will regain a notch when his father becomes king.

But Miss Markle cannot pick up and move to the United Kingdom without going through a few hoops.  Marriage to a member of the Royal Family will not exclude her from these hoops.

She will need to apply for a fiancee settlement visa.  Prince Harry will be her sponsor, and he will have to prove that he can support her.  He must earn  at least £18, 600 per year for at least six months before filing the application.   I think Harry will ace the financial requirements.

The sponsor will also need to have "suitable accommodation" in the United Kingdom.   I don't see any problem with this requirement.

  As Miss Markle comes from an English-speaking country, she won't be required to "pass a mandatory English language test" before filing the application.

If the application is approved,  Miss Markle will be granted a six month visa.  One of the requirements is that the marriage take place in the United Kingdom within the six month period (from the time the application was placed.)

During the six month period, Miss Markle will not be able to work in the United Kingdom.

After the wedding,  the royal bride will have to apply for a marriage visa.  This visa lasts for 60 months, and renewed at 33 months before she would be eligible to apply for what is known as "Indefinite Leave to Remain." 

The requirements for this application are strict, but after a year of this application,  Her Royal Highness will be able to apply for UK citizenship.

The United States does not recognize dual citizenship but accepts that other countries allows for dual citizenship.  This means that Meghan would not be required to renounce her United States nationality if she chooses to become a British citizen.  She will not be entitled to a British passport until she acquires British nationality.

I have no doubt that Miss Markle will have no issues with her visa applications.

https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/partner-spouse

On Miss Markle's religion or no religion http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2017/08/meghan-markles-religion-or-no-religion.html


http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2017/04/what-is-next-for-meghan-markle.html

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2017/09/we-just-might-have-another-american.html

Julia Ogilvy - a master's student at Harvard Divinity

Embed from Getty Images

Julia Caroline Ogilvy, a Master's of Theological Studies at Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  She and her husband, James, made a temporary move from their home in Scotland to Boston while she completes work on her degree.

James Ogilvy is the son of Princess Alexandra and the late Hon. Sir Angus Ogilvy.   He married Julia Caroline Rawlinson in July 1988 at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Saffron Walden.   The couple met at St. Andrews University.

Queen Elizabeth II, a first cousin of James' mother, is one of his seven godparents. After working for several years in London, the young couple moved to Edinburgh, purchasing a Georgian home overlooking the Forth of Firth, with the profits of the sale of their Fulham home.   The couple has two children, Flora (1994) and Alexander (1996).

Embed from Getty Images

James ran the very successful magazine, Luxury Briefing, from an office at the back of the house, while Julia, who once worked for Garrard.  But after Garrard's parent company bought Hamilton & Inches, the premier Edinburgh jewelers,  Julia was offered the position of Managing Director.  James was already living at their new Scotland home when Julia accepted her new position.  Within four years,  Julia, with "a lot of investment on Asprey's part," was able to turn the firm around.  She and three partners then staged a buyout of Annabel Jones, another firm, merging it into Hamilton & Inches.

In 2003, she gave up her vaunted position to work with Sarah Brown, the wife of Gordon Brown, as a patron of Big Brothers and Sister UK.  

Embed from Getty Images

After achieving so much success in her life, Julia Ogilvy felt it was time to give back.  She had spent time visiting council estates in Glasgow and Edinburgh and believed "more urgent action" was needed to combat poverty.

http://humansofhds.tumblr.com/post/163724185578/humans-hds-advice-my-younger-self

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1189099/I-world-feet-took-humbling-tragedy-truly-matters.html

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-ogilvy-1a7b1729/

New England is not unfamiliar to the Ogilvys as they have owned a summer home on Nantucket for many years.   James now runs a landscape design business.

http://www.ogilvylandscape.com/

Embed from Getty Images

Flora, 23, is the founder of Artviste, which promotes young artists. 

http://www.arteviste.com/

Embed from Getty Images

Alexander, 20, is a student at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Embed from Getty Images

Queen spends last day of state visit in DC

Embed from Getty Images 

 October 20, 1957


Queen Elizabeth II "ended her four-day state visit at the White House" with the statement: "It's been wonderful.   First Lady Mrs. Eisenhower told the Queen and Prince Philip, "It's been great fun having you," as the royal couple left the White House for a dinner at the Australian Embassy, reports the New York Times. 

Prince Philip smiled, and said "Come with us."

After dinner at the Embassy, the couple took the train to New York City, pulling out of Union Station at 11:31 p.m.

In the morning the President and Mrs. Eisenhower accompanied the Queen and Prince Philip to two church services, first at the National Cathedral and then at the National Presbyterian Church.

In the afternoon, the royal couple traveled to Middleburg, VA,, where they "inspected thoroughbred  yearling horses.  The owners and trainers were guests at a "small private tea"  with the Queen and Prince Philip at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon.  Mr. Mellon is the son of the late Andrew Mellon, who served for a time as Ambassador to the Court of St. James.

Here are scenes from Queen Elizabeth II's state visit to the United States.

 Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Mrs. Dudley Ward marries in England

October 20, 1937

Mrs. Dudley Ward, "one-time dancing partner of the Duke of Windsor and internationally known Mayfair hostess,"  was married today at the Marylebone Registry office to  Pedro Jose Isidro Manuel Ricardo Mones, the Marques de Casa Maury reports the Associated Press.

The bride, who is 43 years old,  is the former Winifred (Freda) Mary  Birkin, eldest daughter of the late Colonel Charles Birkin of Lamcote, Radcliffe-on-Trent, and his American wife, Clarie Howe.  In 1913, she married the Right Hon. William Dudley Ward, who served as Vice-Chamberlain from 1917 to 1922. 

The couple had two daughters, Penelope (1914) and Claire (1916) before divorcing in 1931.

The Marques is a Cuban citizen but has retained his Spanish title.  He divorced his first wife, Paula Gellibrand, in 1932.  He runs a "motion-picture theatre" in London's Mayfair area.

Nicholas and family must use food cards

Embed from Getty Images

October 19, 1917


Former Russian Emperor Nicholas II and his family must now obtain their "food supplies by the use of cards," reports the New York Times.

Local authorities in the Tobolsk district have begun to issue food cards, and Nicholas and his wife and children and their small staff, "must obtain their food the same as other citizens."

Dona's Tante Henriette is dead

October 19, 1917


Princess Henriette of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenberg died yesterday at Kiel.  She was 84 years old.

The Princess, whose full name was Karoline Christiane Auguste Emilie Henriette Elisabeth, was the seventh and youngest child of Duke Christian of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenberg  and his wife, Countess Lovisa-Sophie Danneskjold-Samsoe.    She was an aunt of Empress Auguste Viktoria, whose father, Duke Friedrich, was one of Henriette's older brothers.

Princess Henriette was born at Augustenberg on August 2, 1833.  At the age of 38, she was married on February 28, 1872, at Primkenau, to Dr. Johann Friedrich von Esmarch, one of the most eminent surgeons of his day.  The son of a physician,  Dr von Esmarch was born on January 9, 1823 at Tönning in Schleswig-Holstein.  He was a widower for some years before marrying Princess Henriette.   Dr. von Esmarch died at Kiel on February 23, 1908.

The Princess and her husband had no children.  She is survived by a stepson, Karl Friedrich von Esmarch,  her brother,  Prince Christian, who lives in London and is married to Princess Helena, the late Queen Victoria's third daughter, and numerous nieces and nephews including Empress Auguste Viktoria of Germany.


http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2008/08/princess-henriette-of-schleswig.html

A thank you from Queen Paola

A nice thank you card from Queen Paola (80th birthday).   She is surrounded by her family, children, and grandchildren and great-grandaughter ... but can you spot who is missing from the photo?

Yes, it is Prince Laurent,  Queen Paola and King Albert's youngest child, but his wife, Princess Claire and their children did take part in the photo session.  Princess Maria Luisa of Belgium is also not in the photo.

Duke of Braganza marries Brazilian princess

October 13, 1942

The first royal wedding in Brazil in 80 years was celebrated earlier today when Dom Duarte Nuno, the 35-year-old Duke of Braganza, and "pretender to the defunct throne of Portugal,  married 28-year-old Princess Maria Francisca, a granddaughter of Brazil's last emperor, Pedro II.

The civil wedding took place at the Portuguese embassy in Rio de Janeiro, reports the Washington Post

The religious ceremony with "court pomp" will take place later this week.

Has Princess Ileana eloped?

Embed from Getty Images 

October 13, 1927

London papers are reporting the "rumor of a royal romance" between Princess Ileana of Romania and a young naval lieutenant, according to the New York Times, which published the dispatch.

"An amazing, dramatic, and almost unbelievable report from Bucharest reached Vienna tonight concerning Princess Ileana, the youngest daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie of Romania.  According to this report, political as well as social circles are buzzing with the rumor that the 18-year-old Princess eloped with a young naval lieutenant, who was an aide-de-camp to the late King.

"On the other hand, it may all be gossip arising out of the fact that the two young people are old friends and recently were seen together at a Black Sea resort.  In reply to a press inquiry at Bucharest at the Ministry of the Interior concerning the story, it was officially stated that nothing was known concerning any trip of any kind undertaken by Princess Ileana.

"Some color was lent to the story, however, by the fact that the Ministry of the Royal Household today issued a decree forbidding all Rumanian newspapers to publish any item concerning the present whereabouts or trips taken by any member of the royal family.

"It always has been thought that Princess Ileana had leanings toward a freer life than is possible within the strict bounds of court restraint. and it is pointed out that her brother Carol is perhaps not the sole member of his generation whose royal blood is strongly tinged with a strain of romance.

"It is only fair to add that this charming girl has been engaged by rumor, but not in fact, during the last two or three years to any number of foreign princes, including Boris, the bachelor King of Bulgaria."

Another report states that the Princess "has been missing for two days from her usual haunts" and maybe on a yacht in the Black Sea.

Earlier this year, the Romanian Regency Council declared Princess Ileana to be "emancipated."  This degree allowed the young princess to "receive and manage" the portion of the estate left to her by her late father, King Ferdinand.

Former Grand Duke of Hesse has died

Embed from Getty Images

October 9, 1937

News reports from Berlin are reporting the death of the former Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse and By Rhine, who died earlier today at his hunting lodge, Schloss Wolfsgarten, near Darmstadt.   The Grand Duke was 68 years old.   Death "followed an attack of influenza."

Embed from Getty Images 

The former Grand Duke was the eldest son of the late Grand Duke Ludwig IV and Princess Alice, second daughter of Queen Victoria.  He was the brother of late Empress Alexandra of Russia, consort of Nicholas II, and the brother-in-law of the late Grand Duke Serge of Russia, Prince Henry of Prussia (also his first cousin) and Prince Louis of Battenberg,   He was said to be Victoria's favorite grandson.

Until November 1918,  Ernst Ludwig ruled Hesse and By Rhine, a territory about "one-third the size of New Jersey," according to the New York Times.   His main residence was a "luxurious palace" in Darmstadt, where he was born on November 25, 1868.

After his abdication, Hesse became a free state in the new German republic.  After many years of litigation," the former Grand Duke won an annual income of $400,000 from Hesse.

He was a patron of the arts.   The late reporter, William Bayard Hale, once called the late grand duke a "wise ruler and an able statesman."   After he abdicated,  Ernst Ludwig "abjured politics and made no effort to regain his throne."

Embed from Getty Images

Ernst Ludwig married twice.  On April 19, 1894, he married his first cousin, Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh, a match that had been encouraged by their mutual grandmother, Queen Victoria.  It was not a happy or successful marriage.  Victoria Melita gave birth to a daughter, Elisabeth in 1895, who died of typhoid at age eight.  She gave birth to a stillborn son in 1900, a year before the couple was divorced.

He married for a second time in 1905 to Princess Eleonore Solms-Hohensolms-Lich, who survives him.  He is also survived by their two sons,  Hereditary Grand Duke Georg Donatus, 30, and Prince Ludwig,29, and three grandchildren, Princes Ludwig, Alexander, and Princess Johanna.   Hereditary Grand Duke Georg Donatus is married to Princess Cecilie of Greece and Denmark, the third daughter of Princess Alice of Battenberg and Prince Andrew of Greece.

Princess Alice is the late Grand Duke's niece.

Ernst Ludwig is also survived by two older sisters,  Victoria, Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven, and Princess Irene, the widow of Prince Henry of Prussia.

His younger son, Prince Ludwig, is engaged to marry the Hon. Margaret Geddes next month.

Prince George of Greece to marry rich princess

October 9, 1907

Prince George of Greece is to marry Princess Marie Bonaparte, "one of the richest women in Europe, reports the Los Angeles Times.  Her fortune comes from Monte Carlo's gambling casinos.   The 25-year-old princess is the only child of Prince Roland Bonaparte and his late wife, Marie-Félix Blanc, who died shortly after giving birth to Marie. 

Embed from Getty Images

Her paternal grandfather, Prince Pierre Bonaparte, who was the son of Lucien, Bonaparte, one of Emperor Napoleon's younger brothers.  Her maternal grandfather was Francois Blanc, whose fortune was made with the operation of casinos in Monaco.

Prince George, 38, is the second son of King George and Queen Olga. 

The marriage is said to be a love match.

Looking back at Prince Philip of Serbia

I took this photo in 2005 at Crown Prince Alexander's 60th birthday in Belgrade .. the twins - Alexander and Philip.

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2011/05/interview-with-prince-philip-of-serbia.html

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2011/04/interview-with-prince-philip-of-serbia.html

And more wedding details

Embed from Getty Images 

Last night's gala reception and dinner were held in a marquee at the White Palace. The menu featured a carpaccio of beetroot, cream cheese, and smoked fish, followed by filet mignon. Dessert was a wedding cake. Earlier today, the bride and groom and their parents welcomed guests to the White Palace for a brunch. The guests included Queen Sofia and Prince Michael and Princess Ljubica, who were married in October 2016.

The second photo shows the bride and groom with Prince Philip's mother and his half-siblings,  Sol and Luna.

Embed from Getty Images

  Embed from Getty Images

Official photos of Prince Philip and Princess Danica's wedding

all photos @HRH Crown Prince Alexander

His Royal Highness Prince Philip and Miss Danica Marinkovic were married at Saborna Church in Belgrade. The wedding was officiated by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej of Serbia. The Godmother was HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Godfather was His Royal Highness Prince Peter.

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine and everyone were especially delighted that Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden came especially for the wedding. The mother of the groom Her Royal Highness Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans and Bragança, Duchess of Segorbe and her husband His Grace the Duke of Segorbe come from Spain.

The dress of the bride was created by the world reknown fashion designer Roksanda Ilincic.

Following the wedding in Saborna Church guests went to the White Palace for a reception followed by dinner. The White Palace was built by H.M. King Alexander I of Yugoslavia the great-grandfather of Prince Philip.

Later Crown Prince Alexander Prince Philip, the groom, addressed guests.
“This is one of the most beautiful days in my life and I am overjoyed to share it with you! We are here to celebrate the beginning of Philip’s and Danica’s life together, for which we wish them to be filled by happiness and love. It is my duty and privilege to welcome Her Royal Highness Princess Danica to our home. I welcome her parents, too, wishing that good luck, health, harmony and family blessings will follow the new couple and through them our homes. Dear Danica, dear Philip, please know that you can always rely on our support”, said on this occasion HRH Crown Prince Alexander.

“Danica and I thank you all for being with us on the most beautiful day of our lives so far. We are so happy to share the joy of this moment with you. We thank our parents for organizing this magnificent celebration for us here at the White palace. And above all, thank you Dana for all your love and making for making me the happiest man in the world”, said Prince Philip in his address.

A reception took place Friday, 6 October, at the Royal Palace and was followed by dinner at the White Place.

The Royal Wedding in Belgrade was attended by the Royal family – TRH Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine, Their Royal Highnesses’ children Prince Peter, Prince Alexander, Alison and David, Alison’s son Michael, David’s spouse Dr. Angeliki Andrews Margariti and their son Alexander, HRH Princess Linda Karadjordjevic, TRH Prince Mihailo and Princess Ljubica, HRH Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia, TRH Prince Serge and Princess Eleonore Karadjordjevic, HRH Prince Nikola Karadjordjevic, a large number of the members of the European Royal Families: TRH Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, HH Prince Amyn Aga Khan, HH Princess Jeet Nabha Khemka and Mr Nand, numerous friends of the Royal Family and Marinkovic families, HE Mrs Maja Gojkovic, speaker of the National Parliament, many representatives of the diplomatic corps, distinguished personalities from the world of culture, arts and politics, members of the Advisory Bodies of the Crown, as well as many citizens and supporters of the constitutional parliamentary monarchy.

His Royal Highness Prince Philip was born in Fairfax, Virginia on 15 January 1982. He is the fraternal twin of Prince Alexander and second in the line to the Throne after Hereditary Prince Peter. He is the son of HRH Crown Prince Alexander and HRH Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans Bragança. Prince Philip is the grandson of HM King Peter II and HM Queen Alexandra.

HRH Princess Danica was born in Belgrade in 1986 and has lived in Paris since 1992. Princess Danica is the daughter of Mr. Milan Marinkovic-Cile, a famous Serbian painter and Mrs. Beba Marinkovic. She finished most of her studies in Paris, where she graduated in graphic design at the Academy of Applied Arts and Slavic Studies at the University of Paris-Sorbonne. In London, the Princess completed her Master of Graphic Design at the Chelsea College of Art and Design – University of the Arts in London.

The Royal Family thanks everyone who helped to get the Royal Wedding organized: His Holiness Patriarch Irinej, Saborna church, Ministry of Interior, City Secretariat for transportation, Military Medical Academy, Airport “Nikola Tesla”, City Greenery, Tourist Organization of Serbia, Tourist Organization of Belgrade, Telekom Serbia, St. George strings, Jadranka Jovanovic, Lena Kovacevic, Talija folklore dance troupe, pianist Mrs. Nada Matijevic, Dijana Sretenovic, Marko Aleksic, Sky Music, LMJ doo, Event Service, fashion designer Roksanda Ilincic, Maruska fashion, Afrodite Mode Collection, Mona, Luna, Balašević, Fabi shoes, Zepter, Paracinka, Ivkovic, Anbora printing, Excelsior, Euro papir, “Work in progress”, DHL, Atelje Antre, Ivona flower shop, Tiny Mine Jewelry, Duska hair stylist, Sladjana Todorovic (the wedding cake), Artival chocolates, Restaurant Sapat, Nada Butchery, Moritz Ice Cream, Azzaro Club, Bean and Leaf Coffee, wineries Kovacevic, Aleksandrovic and Rajkovic, Royal Winery Oplenac, Coca-cola, Prolom voda, MG Mivela, Benisek i Veselinkovic, Stara Sokolova rakija, Pernod Ricard, Unipak, Diz higijena, TV Prva, Adria Media Group, Mr. Neil Barnett, Mr. Brent Sadler, Hotels – Hyatt Regency, Square Nine, Metropol Palace, Radisson Blu, In Hotel, Zepter Hotel, Crystal, Courtyard Marriot, Kolasin busses, Toyota, Porche, Mercedes, Budget rent-a-car, Dusko Kovacevic – Atlas Group, Fiat, Limo-star, Protecta, The College of Hotel Management, Uros Savic, Daniela Celikovic, Cristina Egger, Aleksandar Djordjevic, Milan Culic, Maria Diamondopolous, Celia Kritharioti, Nico Krithariotis, Thomas Mace-Archer Mills, Dame Mervyn Redding, Valerie Peay, Maria Tsakalou, Alexia Tsakalou, MK Group, photo and video Nemanja Petrovic, Nikola Rudic, Dragan Bogdanovic, Nemanja Brankovic, Nikola Mladenovic, Vladimir Jablanov, Zika Slika and all the volunteers and friends for their great help.

Exclusive photos of Serbian wedding

A friend of mine messaged me after he learned I was not able to fly to Belgrade for Prince Philip's wedding -- and he let me know he would send a few photos and video.  I have not been able to figure out how to open the videos, but working on it.

HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden was the Kuma and Prince Peter of Serbia served as the Kuma and Kum, the witnesses, and perhaps the godparents of TRH Prince Philip and Princess Danica's first child.

The photos were taken with a phone.  The copyright remains with the photographer.

At the dinner, the night before the wedding. Prince Serge of Serbia

Crown Prince Alexander greets a guest.

HRH Princess Anne, the Dowager Duchess of Calabria, godmother of Prince Philip

Adorable Serbian dance troupe 

Philip and Danica and Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine

In this photo  Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Peter,  Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, Prince Serge

Crown Princess Victoria, the bride and groom and Prince Peter

the groom's mother, Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans-Braganza, Duchess of Segorbe, looks up

Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine,  the Duchess of Segorbe, the bride's parents,  Princess Linda (widow of Prince Tomislav) Princess Elizabeth of Serbia and the Dowager Duchess of Calabria

the two tall young women in the middle (one is in pink) are Sol and Luna Medina, the groom's half-sisters.