Latest news with #GrandDuchessMariaTeresa
South China Morning Post
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Why some royals wore white to the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV, from Queens Letizia to Sofía – but what unconventional shade did Queen Elizabeth wear to meet Pope Francis?
It is customary to wear black in front of the pope, and as politicians and Europe's royals gathered in St Peter's Square in The Vatican on May 18, most adhered to the tradition. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and first lady Olena Zelenska both opted for dark attire, while US Vice-President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha Vance also chose sombre shades, with the second lady also wearing a black mantilla, the traditional veil worn by women during mass. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (centre) receives applause from attendees as Pope Leo XIV mentions the situation in Ukraine during his inaugural mass in Vatican City on May 18. Photo: EPA-EFE Advertisement So why were a handful of the women from Europe's royal families clad in virgin white? The answer is a long-held custom held by the Catholic Church called the 'privilège du blanc' – the privilege of white – that permits select Catholic queens and princesses to wear white in the presence of the pontiff. Currently, there are only seven women in the world who can exercise this right: Princess Charlene of Monaco, Queen Sofía and Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Paola and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg , and Princess Marina of Naples. Here are some all-white looks the royals have worn in the pope's presence. King Felipe VI (right) and Queen Letizia of Spain attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV. Photo: IPA via Zuma Press At the pontiff's inaugural mass, Queen Letizia wore a white Redondo dress along with a white lace veil. Monaco's Prince Albert and Princess Charlene arrive for the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV. Photo: Reuters Princess Charlene of Monaco, the first Monégasque princess to wear white in front of the pope, also wore a white veil and an icy hued midi-length Elie Saab dress.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Baby joy for the royal family as they announce a princess is pregnant
The Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg has revealed her 'delighted' after announcing that she is expecting a second child. The royal, 34, married Nicolas Bagory in 2023 at Luxembourg Town Hall, before they went on to welcome their first child last May, a daughter named Victorie. Now, the couple have revealed that their family is about to grow even larger after revealing that Princess Alexandra is pregnant. The loved-up pair released a statement via the institution's official Instagram page on Thursday evening. It read: 'Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess are delighted to announce that Princess Alexandra and Mr. Nicolas Bagory are expecting their second child. 'The Grand Duke, the Grand Duchess, and members of both families share in the joy of their children.' The family also unveiled the timeline of the birth and said that the new infant is expected to be born in the autumn season. In 2011, the Luxembourg Succession Rules were revised to allow women in the line of succession - which added Princess Alexandra along with her future children. The social media post soon racked much excitement for royal fans who commented their best wishes to Alexandra and Nicolas. One wrote: 'Sincere congratulations to the happy parents.' Another penned: 'Congratulations to Princess Alexandra and Mr Bagory,' while many others wished the happy couple congratulations. Alexandra is the daughter of Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg. As well as being an active working royal, Princess Alexandra - who is sixth in line to the throne - also works as a professional linguist. Meanwhile, Nicolas, who grew up in Brittany, France, works on social and cultural projects in Paris, where he is based. Up until her 20th birthday, Princess Alexandra was excluded from the line of succession until 2011, when Grand Duke Henri adopted Absolute Primogeniture, meaning that all his descendants could be in line for the throne, regardless of gender. She was nine when her father ascended the throne in 2000 after her grandfather abdicated in his favour. According to her online biography, Alexandra speaks four languages fluently, including Luxembourgian, English, French and Spanish. She can also hold her own in German and Italian. Throughout her studies - which she pursued in the US, France and Ireland - the Luxembourg royal expressed a keen interest in international relations and conflict. She even interned for the United Nations in New York when Luxembourg was one of its non-permanent members. She dedicates her time to volunteering with refugee associations and loves sports, being a keen skier, dancer and tennis player. It comes after Grand Duchess Maria Teresa revealed the reason behind her husband Grand Duke Henri's shock decision to abdicate the Luxembourg throne. The monarch, 70, made the announcement in December during what will now be considered his last ever annual Christmas broadcast, bringing his 24-year reign to an end. His son, Prince Guillaume, 43, will officially take the throne from October - and has already assumed many of his father's duties in recent months. He will be the second European monarch to step down in recent years. In January 2024, Queen Margrethe of Denmark decoded to give up the throne after 52 years, with her son Frederik taking over as King. In an exclusive interview given to HELLO! Magazine at her impressive home in Berg Castle, the Grand Duchess has revealed the real reasons behind the change in plan. She said that, unlike other monarchies, abdication is a tradition in the Luxembourg royal family. "It's a family tradition that goes back to Henri's grandmother, Grand Duchess Charlotte,' the Duchess explained. 'Then his father Jean did the same. What is special and doesn't exist in other monarchies is the transition period we have, which makes things smoother.' In 2000, Grand Duke Henri took to the throne when his father, Grand Duke Jean abdicated. Duchess Maria Teresa added: 'So the abdication isn't something radical. After reigning for 25 years, at our age and with such a well-prepared heir, we're able to pass on the baton and enjoy some rest.' She said that there will be a one-year transition period as the reins are handed over, with the Grand Duke remaining as head of state but delegating some of his powers. In October, the royal couple will retire to the Fischbach Estate to make way for their heirs, Prince Guillaume and Princess Stephanie. The Duchess herself, who has been married to the Duke for 44 years, grew up in Cuba but was forced to flee due to the Castro revolution in 1959. The couple share five children: Guillaume, Felix, Louis, Alexandra and Sebastien. Unlike other monarchies, Luxembourg is helmed by a Grand Duke, rather than a king or queen. The current house is Nassau-Weilburg, dating back to a family pact in 1783. During the broadcast in December, the outgoing Grand Duke said he was 'proud' to have served his country for a quarter of a century. He said: 'It has been a period during which Luxembourg has undergone great changes, and I am proud to have been able to, together with the Grand Duchess, walk this path with you.' While explaining that 'the Grand Duke is above political parties and does not interfere in political debates,' he said, 'nothing prevents me from speaking out when the fundamental interests of the country and its citizens are at stake.' He continued: 'This is what I have strived to do over the past 25 years, paying particular attention from the outset to the diversity of our population, the need for coexistence, and sustainability in all areas of our society, so that we can leave our children a healthier country.' Henri had hinted at stepping down in June this year when he announced his son would become Lieutenant-Representant. After the announcement, the Grand Duke appeared very moved and kissed his son whilst the room applauded. According to the official Palace website, 'designation of the Lieutenant-Representative traditionally occurs in the process of change of reign'. 'This is the beginning of a next chapter for our monarchy,' Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden told local media at the time. While the move over the summer on the country's National Day came as a shock to the public, Frieden said it had been mulled behind closed doors for a while. 'We have been talking about it for some time, and I think that on the national holiday it was the right moment, because the Grand Duke is the symbol of our nation,' he said. Grand Duke Henri is the eldest son of the five children of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte and took to the throne in 2000, after his father abdicated following a 36-year reign. Following his birthday last year, he admitted that he 'intends to retire at some point' in an interview with French publication La Libre. 'All this is planned in family consultation. I find that it is very important to give young people a perspective.' 'There are plans, it will happen,' the Grand Duke continued. Last year, Queen Margrethe of Denmark decided to give up the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over as King on 14 January. In a statement revealing the news, the former Danish monarch said: 'I have decided that now is the right time. 'The 14th January 2024 - 52 years after I followed my beloved father - I will step back as the Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son the Crown Prince Frederik.'
