The Daughters of the House of Windsor

 

On July 17th 1917, George V issued a royal proclamation changing the name of his royal house and family to Windsor. It was the beginning of dynasty that would set records and change the concept of modern monarchy. And it's a house built on and by women. Four women have been born to the monarchs of the House of Windsor, all of them hugely important. This is a piece I first wrote in 1917 for the centenary of the dynasty but I really like it so I am sharing it again. Here are the daughters of those who have worn the Crown in the 104 years and counting of the House of Windsor.

More than lace and ribbons

The Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen was filled with lace and ribbons as the Queen of Denmark held a banquet for the President of Turkey and his wife who are on a state visit.  All the ladies of the royal household were in evening gowns which, in three cases, involved lace and all four had on the sashes of the royal orders to which they belong, meaning there was lots of blue ribbon to be seen.

Margrethe II of Denmark arriving at a state banquet given in honour of the President of Turkey and his wife

Queen Margrethe II, Princess Marie and Princess Benedikte all wore dresses with lace trim.  It was only Princess Mary who went against the trend in a pale pink satin dress.  But all the ladies along with their princes wore the distinctive blue ribbons of the Order of the Elephant.  The order is the most distinguished in the country and has been bestowed on around 890 people since it began with 68 of them receiving the honour in the reign of Queen Margrethe.  It is usually only given to royalty or to heads of state and on three special days in the year, it is worn on a collar rather than the blue ribbon sash seen at the state banquet.  It is worn at the most important occasions in the Danish calendar when, despite the tiaras and the necklaces, there is much more to see than just lace and ribbons.

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark on her arrival at the state banquet in Copenhagen given for the President of Turkey and his wife

Mary's mission for 2014

The New Year is barely a week old and Crown Princess Mary is off on her travels.  The princess is beginning a three day visit to Myanmar where she will again spend time learning about the plight of those displaced from their homes as she works with the Danish Refugee Council on a visit to Rakhine state on the Bangladesh border.  The princess last year made a high profile and controversial visit to a camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Princess Mary of Denmark is in Myanmar from 10th to 12th January 2014

The princess will also see projects linked to another cause she has promoted - women's rights.  One day of her three day visit will involve seeing a Danish organisation which is helping women with HIV and AIDS.  Princess Mary has never shied away from controversial areas when it comes to picking the areas she most visibly supports and sometimes she has drawn criticism for it.  But her presence, with her international reputation, helps shine a light on some of the most deprived parts of the globe bringing help from others with it.  And this visit to Myanmar shows that Mary's mission for 2014 is the same as 2013 - to keep highlighting the causes she feels most passionately about.

Royal round up, week ending January 4th 2014

The Christmas holidays and New Year have been a quiet time for Europe's royals - here's a round up of all they've been up to in the week ending January 4th 2014

Denmark

The Danish royals had the busiest time between Christmas and New Year.  On January 1st 2014, the whole family was at the traditional New Year banquet at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen.  Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik hosted the event which has its roots in the 16th century but which has been changed several times in the intervening years.  

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and her consort, Prince Henri, arrive at the Amalienborg Palace on January 1st 2014 for the traditional New Year's Banquet 

They were accompanied by Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary and Prince Joachim and Princess Marie at the banquet which is traditionally attended by the Prime Minister and government officials.

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark at the royal family's New Year banquet in Copenhagen

The evening before, New Year's Eve, Queen Margrethe II had given her annual festive message.  In her speech this year she spoke of the importance of community and an inclusive society.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark giving her annual New Year's speech, December 31st 2013

On December 27th 2013, Queen Margrethe and Prince Henri had attended a poetry reading at the ArOS art museum.  Prince Henri read several of his own poems in French at the event.

Prince Henri of Denmark reading one of his own poems, in French, at a reading at the ArOS art museum on December 27th 2013

Norway

King Harald of Norway also delivered his annual festive message on New Year's Eve and focused his speech on the peaceful effects and legacy of the Norwegian constitution, drawn up in part by his grandfather, Haakon VII at the start of the 20th century.  He also spoke of the importance of society pulling together and of the hope and freedom that love brings.

King Harald V of Norway prepares to give his New Year's address on December 31st 2013

Sweden

The Swedish royal family spent part of the wee ski-ing with Princess Estelle showing off her skills on the slopes with the help of her father, Prince Daniel.

Princess Estelle of Sweden ski-ing with her father, Prince Daniel, at the end of 2013

Estelle's mother, Crown Princess Victoria, had to be taken to hospital after she fell while ski-ing and hurt her leg.  Doctors gave her the all clear and she rejoined her family soon afterwards.

Spain

King Juan Carlos of Spain surprised many by appearing on the front cover of Hola! magazine at the end of 2013.  In a special edition to mark the publication's 70th anniversary, the king gave a special interview and posed for official photographs.

King Juan Carlos of Spain on the front cover of Hola! magazine which described him as the most influential person in the history of the publication

At the end of the week, Queen Sofia resumed her public duties after the Christmas break by visiting a music workshop in Madrid where children learn to make and play musical instruments from recycled items.  The queen saw how some of the instrument are made and heard a recital.

Queen Sofia of Spain at the recycled music workshop where director, Fabio Chavez, explained how some of the instruments are made.  The queen visited on January 4th 2013

Belgium and the Netherlands

The royal families of Belgium and the Netherlands continued their Christmas holidays away from the spotlight.

United Kingdom

Despite much speculation in the international press over the Christmas and New Year break that an announcement of a second pregnancy for Kate, Duchess of Cambridge was imminent, the festive break was very quiet for the British royal family.  The Queen attended Sunday service at Sandringham on December 29th 2013.

Queen Elizabeth II attending the church service at Sandringham on December 29th 2013

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are reported to have taken Prince George to stay with the duchess' parents for the New Year break.  And as 2013 came to an end it was announced that the Duke of Cambridge would spend the first three months of 2014 attending Camrbridge University on a bespoke course on land management to help him understand how to run the Duchy of Cornwall when it passes to him when his father, Prince Charles, acceded the throne.

Monaco

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco also gave a New Year's address in which the royal couple passed on their best wishes for a happy 2014.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco during their New Year's address released at the end of 2013