A Big Week For Royalty

I've been back from holiday for a while now, but when I was supposed to be writing this post yesterday, I was doing a lot of BuzzFeed quizzes instead. It was useful. I learnt that if ever a movie was made about my life, I (the main character) would be played by Emma Watson, and that if I lived in Panem, I would be a part of District 1, which is great, because then if I ever got selected in a reaping, I'd have a higher chance of survival, what with being a Career tribute and having sponsors all.

But I'm glad I didn't post yesterday, because I read some news today, which just made this the biggest week for European royalty that I have seen in a long time.

First things first: Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco are expecting their first child. Princess Charlene, of course, wore that wedding dress that I thought was the best of all ever worn by royal brides. Charlene is also one of my favourite women to marry into a royal family (My all time favourite is Kate Cambridge, obviously), because she seems like a strong woman, who stays passionate about her causes despite royal protocol's attempts to subdue her. I have no opinion about Prince Albert.

Everyone is making a big deal about how this baby is going to be a grandson for the late Princess Grace, but I think they're forgetting that Princess Grace already has a grandson. More than one, in fact, as well two great-grandsons. It must be weird for Albert to be having a child after his nephew and niece.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene's baby will be first in line to the throne of Monaco, which is, in my opinion, great news for the principality. Because while the Casiraghis are great fun, I'm sure, they don't really seem like ruling material.

And most importantly, one more royal baby!

Speaking of royal children who are first in line to the throne, Infanta Leonor of Spain (not to be mistaken for Princess Leonore, who is from an entirely different country) is going to be the new Princess of Asturias, because her grandfather, King Juan Carlos, has abdicated. Juan Carlos' son, Prince Felipe, is expected to rule next, as Felipe VI. His wife, Princess Letizia, will be Queen Letizia. Obviously.

This is the third abdication in the past year. Previously, Queen Beatrix (the Netherlands) and King Albert (Belgium), abdicated in favour of their sons, who coincidentally, will both be succeeded by daughters, as will Felipe. The world, or the monarchy any way, is getting a lot more influenced by women, and if history has proven anything, it's that women are better rulers. I may be just a little biased.

Also, abdication seems to be the new sit-on-the-throne-even-though-you-aren't-mentally-or-physically-fit-to-rule. Could Queen Elizabeth be next?

[Probably not. She, of all monarchs, would never abdicate, because, as anyone who has seen The King's Speech knows, an abdication was what caused her father so much grief and an early death. Never.]

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Images: Reuters

Baby Tiaras

On Tuesday morning, I woke up with a splitting toothache. I made a mental note to visit the dentist the next day because I was sort of busy on Tuesday, with college and exams, but mostly because I really hate dentists. My tooth hurt like the devil, but I ignored it all day, wanting to stay as far away from the dentist for as long as possible. The next morning I woke up and had my breakfast, and it wasn't until I was eating my third slice of toast that I realised that I no longer had a toothache. Just to make sure, I banged at it with the end of my brush to check for any pain, and when there wasn't, I just went about my day as usual. That tooth hasn't bothered me since.

Let that be a lesson to everyone. Don't go to a dentist unless it's absolutely necessary, and even then put it off for as long as you can. No good can ever come out of visiting a dentist.

~

Now the big news this week, obviously, is that Princess Madeleine of Sweden, who you may remember from my post about her wedding not three months ago, is pregnant with her first child with her title-less husband, Chris O'Neill.

That was quick.

This possibly untitled baby is going to be born in the March of 2014, and I am going to have a quick roundup of all the royal babies born or conceived in this year so far.

Sacha Casiraghi (21st March, 2013)

Pictured here with his mother, Tatiana Santo Domingo. Sacha's father, Andrea Casiraghi, will be the ruler of Monaco if Prince Albert dies without a legitimate heir, but because Sacha was born illegitimately as well, I'm not sure whether he will ever be able to rule. Nevertheless, he is a royal baby, which is more than can be said about the thousands of babies born every.... hour? Minute? Second?

Baby Tindall (Due January 2014)

This is one baby that will definitely be untitled, and definitely not be King, but will have Queen Elizabeth as his/her great-grandmother anyway. Good luck, kid. 

I also, for some strange reason, hope that this child is a boy and is named Augustus. I don't know why I wish that way, but if you read about Gus Tindall in the papers a few months from now, remember; you heard it here first.

Prince George (22nd July, 2013)

I've written enough about this baby as is. I'll leave him alone for now.

Baby Elmaleh (Due Late 2013)

Like Queen Elizabeth with great-grandchildren, this baby will be Princess Caroline's second grandchild born this year. Unlike her brother, Charlotte Casiraghi intends to get married to her fiance, French actor Gad Elmaleh, before thier child is born, in the autumn, so there's a royal wedding to look forward to. Sort of. 

Maud Elizabeth Daphne Marina (15th August, 2013)

I'm not sure what this child's surname is, because her grandparents are the Prince and Princess of Kent, so they don't have a surname, but their rank in the royal family isn't high enough to warrant their granddaughter a title. Her parents are Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor, but there isn't a Windsor in sight in her name, so I'm not sure at all. That's the thing with babies. It's hard to be sure with them.

Baby O'Neill/Prince(ss) of Sweden (Due March 2014)

I'm just amazed at how quickly these two decided to have children. It took Kate and William two years after getting married, and their child would be directly in line to the throne. This baby very possibly won't even have a title. But if he/she is anything like his/her cousin Estelle, this is going to be fun.

A girl would be best, in my opinion. I mean, someone needs to continue to wear Madeleine's tiaras (Imagine that. A baby sized Modern Fringe) after she can't any longer.

~

Last week, I asked you to give my vote for the GGBI and Poltimore Tiaras a thumb-up. Unfortunately, Order of Splendor went on vacation before it announced the two tiaras that had been added to the Readers' Ultimate Choice, so I don't know whether my choices won. Thank you anyway, if you voted for me. 

Yesterday was Pippa Middleton's birthday, and she turned 30. By the time her sister was that age, she had gotten married in the wedding of the decade and was carrying the future King of England. Congratulations Pippa!

Also, next week the Duchess of Cambridge is going to be making another appearance without Prince George, at the Tusk Conservation Awards, so I will be commenting on that. If I don't forget, that is.

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