14 February 2016

Sunday Tidbits for February 14: Skiing and State Visits and More

Small programming note: Tomorrow's a bit of a holiday, so the blog will be back on Tuesday.

I suppose it's appropriate to kick things off on February 14th with some wedding anniversary adoration...

--Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary (which is today) with new photos. If you're in a flashback mood, I wrote about Maria Teresa's Balmain wedding dress when they marked their 30th. [Luxarazzi]

--Stepping up like champs to fill the void left in our lives by the cancellation of the Spanish/British state visit, the Belgian monarchs have invited Germany over for a state visit March 8-10. [Belgian Monarchy]

--But before they get back to work, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde are enjoying a family ski break, photocall included. [ParisMatch]

--Princess Ingrid Alexandra lit the Olympic flame and Crown Prince Haakon went curling as the Norwegian royal family donned their jazzy team pants for the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer. Also last week, Crown Princess Mette-Marit got suited up for a Girls and Technology conference in Oslo. [Zimbio]

--The King and Queen of Bhutan have released the first official photos of their new baby, The Gyalsey. He's held here by his grandfather, the previous King, who abdicated in 2006. [Facebook]
His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Facebook

--The celebrations thrown in 1971 by the Shah of Iran to mark the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian monarchy were so decadent, they contributed to the fall of the dynasty. BBC Four takes a look at the party and its consequences with Decadence and Downfall: The Shah of Iran's Ultimate Party, airing tonight. [BBC]

--Over at the Jewel Vault, the Queen returned to London and returned to confusing brooch identifications after her Sandringham break.

--And finally, unrelated to royal stuff but amusing nevertheless: The Dowager Countess’ Finest Burns on Downton Abbey. [Slate]

We shall return on Tuesday...
at 7:00 AM
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