Random royal stories or facts

[JustAnotherWhinger]

A random fact about King Harald of Norway got me think about all the random/interesting/bizarre stories and facts about royals and thought a thread of them could be interesting.

Harald, who died today, was the first monarch to be born in Norway for over 600 years.
His grandfather, Prince Carl of Denmark, was selected to be the new King of Norway in 1905 (he became King Haakon VII.

Another Danish prince, George, was selected to be the King of Greece in 1863 and reigned until he was assassinated in 1914. He was Prince Philip’s grandfather.

Not Catholics like Nicholas and Paola. They are separated, but according to friends they won't divorce because of their beliefs.

I know a lot of divorced Catholics in Ireland where I live!

So does Newcastle

Newcastle tribute to King Harald

Ok. Once again; not Paola and Nicholas, who have very strong religious beliefs which may or may not be in line with the majority of Catholics.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have two grandchildren who are part Maori. I saw one of them at an event with the Duchess.

Did you use a link from Facebook? It takes me to my Facebook but it sort of slides past something about Newcastle (which Im assuming should be the link)

I wonder how many other places in the UK get a tree?

Queen Elizabeth II was on the Canadian 20 dollar note as a child in 1935, before she was known to be the future Queen.

They were the first votes from the bank of Canada and featured several royals and former prime minsters.

Good question. It's very generous of Norway. I've only ever seen the Trafalgar Square one.

I've just googled this and found the following ~

London (from Oslo)
Edinburgh - Sent by the people of Hordaland/Vestland.
Aberdeen (from Stavanger),
Lerwick (from Maløy)
Kirkwall.
Newcastle

They also send trees to Washington, D.C. (placed in Union Station), New York & Antwerp

Edinburgh’s tree no longer comes from Norway. It’s a Norwegian tree grown in Scotland and still gifted by them. It’s to lessen the travel impact of a tree from Norway.

The tree gifted to Sunderland by Stavanger was planted on the 50th anniversary of the tradition to give a permanent tree for similar reasons.

I was there by chance in Trafalgar Square when the tree was presented by the Prince of Norway.
He seemed to be wearing a naval uniform with white cap.
It was quite moving esp knowing the history.
Perhaps people in and around London are more familiar with this tradition.

And through legitimate lines, unlike descendants of Charles II.

The Duke of Gloucester is also descended from Charles II through his mother, who was a daughter of the Duke of Buccleuch.

@Wibble128

can confirm - my husband had a stand up row with him. He’s quite the spoilt prince - hearing “no” a catalyst here also.

Yes - sorry it didn't work.

It was the Newcastle City Council page.

Briefly, there are historic links between Newcastle and Norway.
Because of that, King Olav V came with then Crown Prince Harald in 1968 for the opening of the new Civic Centre.
Forty years later, King Harald returned and received the Freedom of the City.

The passing of Harald yesterday means only 5 of Edward VII’s 11 great grandchildren are still around.

Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner. Harald’s elder sister.
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent.
Princess Alexandra.
Prince Michael of Kent.
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester. He is the youngest great-grandchild of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra at 82.

i wondered why Duke of Gloucester is more involved lately but not his sister Alexandra, but have just read she now uses a wheelchair and is nearly 90.

Alexandra is the Duke of Kent’s sister. She’s very frail and has been mostly in a wheelchair for a few years. In the photos from Charles’ coronation she is basically holding on to Sophie and Edward for balance in the standing photos.

She is the sister of the Duke of Kent, who is also very elderly and has had health problems. Their brother is Prince Michael of Kent.
Prince Richard of Gloucester is their cousin. Comparatively young at 82.

The Duke of Kent has two younger siblings, Princess Alexandra & Prince Michael

The Duke of Gloucester doesn't have any siblings as, sadly, his elder brother Prince William was killed in a plane crash in the early 1970's

thanks to all

they are cousins

This is the first time in history the continent of Europe has had five Crown Princesses who will be Queens and cannot be displaced by a brother.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange
Princess Elisabeth Duchess of Brabant
Leonor, Princess of Asturias
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway

Thats quite a change when you consider that as a young child Victoria was briefly displaced by her younger brother before the Swedes changed the rules. In their parents generation Elisabeth and Ingrid Alexandra would have been bumped down behind their brothers as well.

And when Crown Princess Victoria becomes Queen of Sweden, her daughter will become Crown Princess

I think the other four princesses are all of a fairly similar age, early - mid 20's so I would hope we have some interesting Royal Weddings to look forward to in the next decade

Actually, Spain hasn't changed it's succession law so Leonor could technically be displaced by a younger brother. But chances of this happening are slim to none unless Felipe and Letizia split and he marries someone 25 years younger!

I wonder if the King of Sweden thinks about abdicating like some of his contemporaries have? Unlike her fellow crown princesses, Victoria is pushing 50 and more than capable of ruling. But apparently her father resented the law change as he felt it wasn't fair to make her brother crown prince and then demoted him, so who knows!