Monthly Archives: September 2014

Christopher O’Neill, husband of Princess Madeleine of Sweden

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

photo: Brigitte Grenfeldt, Swedish Royal Court,

Christopher Paul O’Neill was born on born June 27, 1974, in London, England. He is the only child of Paul O’Neill (1926–2004), an American investment banker who came to London in the 1960s to set up the European head office of Oppenheimer & Co, and his second wife, Eva Maria Walter (born 1940 in Austria). Christopher has dual United States – United Kingdom citizenship. He has five half-sisters: From his mother’s side – Tatjana Schoeller who married John Henry Erland d’Abo and Natascha Loeb (born 1968 in Munich Germany) who married Ernst, Graf (Count) von Abensperg und Traun; From his father’s side – Stefanie, Annalisa, and Karen.

Chris ONeill_birth family

Christopher O’Neill with his parents; Photo: Swedish Royal Court

While growing up in London, Christopher attended Eaton House School and then Westminster Under School. In 1988, he began his studies at the Institut auf dem Rosenberg, an international high school in St. Gallen, Switzerland, graduating in 1992.

In 1992, Christopher began his university studies at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations with a minor in Business in 1996. While he was at Boston University, he worked part-time for various financial firms to develop work experience and to gain a practical understanding of the financial industry. In 1996, Christopher returned to the United Kingdom and worked in the mergers and acquisitions department of NM Rothschild & Sons, before moving to an early-stage venture capital firm, VennWorks LLP. After spending six years working in the United Kingdom, Christopher returned to the United States and attended the two-year, full-time MBA program at Columbia University Business School in New York City. After graduating from Columbia in 2005 with an MBA degree, Christopher worked for Steinberg Asset Management and Noster Capital, where he was a partner and head of research.

Christopher first met Princess Madeleine of Sweden after she had moved to New York City in 2010 following a broken engagement to work for the World Childhood Foundation, a charitable organization founded by her mother, Queen Silvia. The couple was first seen in public in January 2011. Their engagement was announced by the Swedish Royal Court on October 25, 2012.

Madeleine_engagement

Engagement Photo; Photo: Swedish Royal Court

Princess Madeleine and Christopher O’Neill were married on June 8, 2013, at the Palace Church at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

Chris ONeill_wedding

Photo: Zimbio

Princess Madeleine and Christopher O’Neill have two daughters and one son:

  • Princess Leonore, Duchess of Gotland (born 2014 at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York, New York)
  • Prince Nicolas of Sweden, Duke of Ångermanland (born 2015 at Danderyd Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden)
  • Princess Adrienne of Sweden, Duchess of Blekinge (born 2018, at Danderyd Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden)

Unlike his brother-in-law, Prince Daniel, Christopher is untitled and undertakes no royal duties, since members of the Swedish Royal Family must hold Swedish citizenship, which O’Neill has declined. He remains a private US-UK citizen, can continue his career in finance, and the couple continued living in New York. Shortly before his engagement, Christopher quit his job at Noster Capital, but remains a consultant and is involved in other entrepreneurial ventures. In an interview at the time of his engagement, Christopher said, ” To continue my career is really important for me. I chose to not receive a title that would have prevented me from my dream of continuing my work. Of course, I consulted with Madeleine and the King and Queen. It was important for me to have their blessing.”

After their marriage, Madeline and Christopher resided in New York City, and their first child Princess Leonore was born there. In early 2015, the family returned to Sweden. Shortly after the birth of Prince Nicolas, the family moved to London, England. In August 2018, it was announced that Princess Madeleine and her family would be moving to Florida, in the United States. In March 2023, it was announced that the family would move back to Sweden in August 2023. However, it was announced in June 2023 that the family’s move to Sweden was postponed until June 2024.

On October 7, 2019, the Swedish Royal Court announced that King Carl XVI Gustaf had decided to make changes regarding the children of his son Prince Carl Philip and his daughter Princess Madeleine. At birth, the children of Carl Philip and Madeleine were styled as Royal Highness and were members of The Royal House. As of October 7, 2019, their children would no longer be members of The Royal House but would continue to be members of The Royal Family. Prince Alexander, Prince Gabriel, Princess Leonore, Prince Nicolas, and Princess Adrienne would no longer enjoy the style of Royal Highness but they would retain their titles of Duke and Duchess previously granted by King Carl XVI Gustaf. They will remain in the line of succession to the Swedish throne. In the future, they will not be expected to perform any royal duties. They will be styled Prince/Princess <Name>, Duke/Duchess of <Geographical Area>.

On the day of the change, in a Facebook post, Princess Madeleine explained the reasoning and said that the change had been planned for a long time.

“Today the Court announced that Leonore, Nicolas and Adrienne should no longer belong to the Royal House, while remaining part of the Royal Family. This change has been planned for a long time. Chris and I think it is appropriate that our children will now have a greater opportunity to shape their own lives as private individuals.

We were honoured when my parents bestowed upon Leonore a royal title when she joined Estelle as the 2nd grandchild of our Swedish Royal Family. We have always believed in giving our children the freedom to choose their future, that’s why we welcome this decision wholeheartedly. I will continue with my royal responsibilities by supporting my parents and my sister.”

Christopher with his family, 2018. photo: Anna-Lena Ahlström, Swedish Royal Court

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Princess Leonore of Sweden, Duchess of Gotland

by Susan Flantzer

photo: Erika Gerdemark, Swedish Royal Court

Princess Leonore, Duchess of Gotland was born on February 20, 2014, at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York, New York in the United States. She is the first child of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O’Neill. Before her birth, the Swedish Royal Court announced that Princess Madeleine’s children would have the style Royal Highness and the title Prince/Princess and be in the line of succession to the throne. To be eligible to ascend the throne, Princess Madeleine’s children must be brought up in Sweden and be members of the Church of Sweden (Lutheran).  The infant princess was named Leonore Lilian Maria:

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On October 7, 2019, the Swedish Royal Court announced that King Carl XVI Gustaf had decided to make changes regarding the children of his son Prince Carl Philip and his daughter Princess Madeleine. Their children would no longer be members of The Royal House but would continue to be members of The Royal Family. Prince Alexander, Prince Gabriel, Princess Leonore, Prince Nicolas, and Princess Adrienne would no longer enjoy the style of Royal Highness but they would retain their titles of Duke and Duchess previously granted by King Carl XVI Gustaf. They will remain in the line of succession to the Swedish throne. In the future, they will not be expected to perform any royal duties. As a result, Leonore will be styled Princess Leonore, Duchess of Gotland.

In mid-April 2014, Princess Estelle of Sweden met her new cousin, Princess Leonore, during a trip to the United States with her mother Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

Leonore_Estelle

Princess Leonore and Princess Estelle; Photo: Swedish Royal Court, Crown Princess Victoria

Princess Leonore was christened on June 8, 2014, her parent’s first wedding anniversary. The Church of Sweden (Lutheran) christening was held at the Royal Chapel at Drottningholm Palace near Stockholm. Her godparents were:

  • Crown Princess Victoria, her maternal aunt
  • Tatjana d’Abo, her paternal aunt
  • Count Ernst Abensperg und Traun, her paternal uncle by marriage
  • Patrick Sommerlath, her maternal first cousin once removed
  • Alice Bamford, a friend of her parents
  • Louise Gottlieb, a friend of her parents
Leonore_Christening

Photo source: Hello

Leonore_godparents

Princess Leonore with her parents and godparents; Photo: Swedish Royal Court

At her christening, Princess Leonore received the Royal Order of the Seraphim from her grandfather, King Carl XVI Gustaf.

Leonore_after christening

Princess Leonore after her christening wearing the badge and the sash of the Royal Order of the Seraphim; Photo source: svt.se

Leonore became a big sister when her brother Prince Nicolas, Duke of Ångermanland was born on June 15, 2015, and again when her sister Princess Adrienne, Duchess of Blekinge was born on March 9, 2018.

In 2018, Princess Leonore’s family moved to Florida in the United States. Early in 2020, the Swedish Royal Court confirmed, “Princess Madeleine resides in Florida. Right now and for the near future, they will remain in Florida. This means that the children will also attend school in Florida.” It is expected that Leonore will start school in Florida during the fall of 2020.

Princess Madeleine of Sweden

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Photo: Kungl. Hovstaterna / The Royal Court of Sweden

Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland was born on June 10, 1982, at Drottningholm Palace near Stockholm, Sweden. She is the youngest of the three children of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and his wife Queen Silvia (née Silvia Sommerlath).

Madeleine has an older sister and an older brother:

Princess Madeleine was christened at the Palace Church at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on August 31, 1982. She was given the names Madeleine Thérèse Amelie Josephine. Her fourth name, Josephine, is in honor of her ancestor, Josephine of Leuchtenberg, the wife of King Oscar I of Sweden and the granddaughter of Empress Josephine (Napoleon’s first wife) and her first husband Eugène de Beauharnais. Madeleine’s godparents were:

Madeleine_christening

Princess Madeleine’s christening; Photo source: http://hd.se

Princess Madeleine attended Västerled Parish Preschool in Stockholm, Sweden from 1985-1989. Beginning in 1989, she attended Smedslättsskolan (link translated from Swedish), a municipal elementary school in the district Smedslätten in Bromma, Stockholm, where he completed his junior level. In 1989 she continued on to the intermediate level at Carlssons School (link translated from Swedish) in Stockholm. In the autumn of 1998, Princess Madeleine began her senior-level studies at Enskilda Gymnasiet, a prestigious independent secondary school in Tegnérlunden, in central Stockholm, and graduated in 2001.

Princess Madeleine lived in London during 2011 where she studied English and returned to Sweden in 2002 to study Swedish law and computer literacy. In 2003, she enrolled at Stockholm University studying art history and ethnology. Madeleine completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in January 2006 and continued her studies with postgraduate courses in organization and leadership (international humanitarian work) and child psychology.

In 2006, Madeleine began a work experience at the headquarters of UNICEF in New York. She focused on children in institutional care, children in areas of conflict and vulnerability, and sexually exploited children. This prepared her for the work she continues to do at the World Childhood Foundation, founded by Madeleine’s mother, Queen Silvia of Sweden, in 1999 to reach and support children at risk around the world.

Madeleine childrens fund

Princess Madeleine visiting a project, supported by the World Childhood Foundation, to keep teenage mothers in school in Ohio; Photo: Swedish Royal Court

Princess Madeleine is the patron of My Big Day, the Swedish equivalent of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The organization’s goal is to make dreams come true for children in long-term hospital care.

Madeleine_Min-Stora-Dag

Princess Madeleine attends a music show with Ena, whose dream was to spend a day with Madeleine and be photographed with her; Photo: Swedish Royal Court

On August 11, 2009, Princess Madeleine announced her engagement to lawyer Jonas Bergström, her boyfriend since 2002. After many rumors in the media, it was announced on April 24, 2010, that the engagement had been called off. It was at this time, that Madeleine moved to New York to begin work at the New York office of the World Childhood Foundation. While in New York, Madeleine met Christopher O’Neill, a British-American businessman. The couple was first seen in public in January 2011. Their engagement was announced by the Swedish Royal Court on October 25, 2012.

Madeleine_engagement

Engagement Photo; Photo: Ewa-Marie Rundquist, Swedish Royal Court

Princess Madeleine and Christopher O’Neill were married on June 8, 2013, at the Palace Church at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

 

Princess Madeleine and Christopher O’Neill have two daughters and one son:

  • Princess Leonore, Duchess of Gotland (born 2014, at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York, New York)
  • Prince Nicolas of Sweden, Duke of Ångermanland (born 2015, at Danderyd Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden)
  • Princess Adrienne of Sweden, Duchess of Blekinge (born 2018, at Danderyd Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden)

After their marriage, Madeline and Christopher lived in New York City, and their first child was born there.  In early 2015, they returned to Sweden. In August 2018, it was announced that Princess Madeleine and her family would be moving to Florida, in the United States, where the Princess will continue her work with the World Childhood Foundation. In March 2023, it was announced that the family would move back to Sweden in August 2023. However, it was announced in June 2023 that the family’s move to Sweden was postponed. Madeleine and her family moved back to Sweden in June 2024.

On October 7, 2019, the Swedish Royal Court announced that King Carl XVI Gustaf had decided to make changes regarding the children of his son Prince Carl Philip and his daughter Princess Madeleine. At birth, the children of Carl Philip and Madeleine were styled as Royal Highness and were members of The Royal House. As of October 7, 2019, their children would no longer be members of The Royal House but would continue to be members of The Royal Family. Prince Alexander, Prince Gabriel, Princess Leonore, Prince Nicolas, and Princess Adrienne would no longer enjoy the style of Royal Highness but they would retain their titles of Duke and Duchess previously granted by King Carl XVI Gustaf. They will remain in the line of succession to the Swedish throne. In the future, they will not be expected to perform any royal duties. They will be styled Prince/Princess <Name>, Duke/Duchess of <Geographical Area>.

On the day of the change, in a Facebook post, Princess Madeleine explained the reasoning and said that the change had been planned for a long time.

“Today the Court announced that Leonore, Nicolas and Adrienne should no longer belong to the Royal House, while remaining part of the Royal Family. This change has been planned for a long time. Chris and I think it is appropriate that our children will now have a greater opportunity to shape their own lives as private individuals.

We were honoured when my parents bestowed upon Leonore a royal title when she joined Estelle as the 2nd grandchild of our Swedish Royal Family. We have always believed in giving our children the freedom to choose their future, that’s why we welcome this decision wholeheartedly. I will continue with my royal responsibilities by supporting my parents and my sister.”

Madeleine with her family, 2018. photo: Anna-Lena Ahlström, Swedish Royal Court

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Prince Carl Philip of Sweden

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Embed from Getty Images 

Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland was born at the Royal Palace of Stockholm on May 13, 1979. He is the only son and the second of the three children of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and his wife Queen Silvia (née Silvia Sommerlath).

Carl Philip has an older and a younger sister:

In 1979, the Riksdag, the Swedish legislature, introduced an Act of Succession that changed the succession to absolute primogeniture, meaning that the eldest child of the monarch, regardless of gender, is first in the line of succession. This Act of Succession became law on January 1, 1980, making Sweden the first country to adopt absolute primogeniture. The previous 1810 Act of Succession allowed for only males to inherit the throne. Carl Philip had been born Crown Prince and retained his title and first place in the succession for seven months until January 1, 1980, when his elder sister Victoria became Crown Princess and heir apparent.

Prince Carl Philip was christened at the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on August 31, 1979. He was given the names Carl Philip Edmund Bertil and his godparents were:

Christening of Prince Carl Philip; Credit – sunnygirl2.blogspot.com

Prince Carl Philip attended Västerled Parish Preschool in Stockholm, Sweden from 1984-86. He then attended Smedslättsskolan in Bromma a municipal elementary school in the district Smedslätten in Bromma, Stockholm, where he completed his junior level. Next, Carl Philip attended Ålstenskolan, a municipal elementary school in the district Ålsten in Bromma, Stockholm, and completed the intermediate level.

The prince then attended Enskilda Gymnasiet, a prestigious independent secondary school in Tegnérlunden, in central Stockholm.  In 1994, Carl Philip moved to the United States for two years to attend Kent School in Kent, Connecticut, USA. Upon returning to Sweden, he followed a science program at Lundbergs Upper Secondary School in Värmland, Sweden, graduating in 1999.

Prince Carl Philip completed a two-year course in Graphic Design at Forsbergs School of Graphic Design in Stockholm in May 2006. He continued his studies with an internship at the National Geographic Society in Washington D.C., USA, during the autumn of 2006. Carl Philip then studied at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island, USA where he participated in a competition to create the best logo for Martha’s Vineyard Museum in Massachusetts. He won the competition in the spring of 2008 with a proposal that he submitted under a pseudonym.

Carl Philip_logo

Prince Carl Philip’s award-winning logo; Photo Credit: Resume.se

In 2009, Carl Philip began his studies at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Alnarp, Sweden, and graduated in 2012 with a diploma in Agricultural and Rural Management.

Prince Carl Philip completed his military service in the Swedish Navy with the Amphibious Battalion of Vaxholm’s Coast Artillery Regiment and is trained as a combat boat commander. In 2001-2002, he completed a naval officer training course. He was promoted to midshipman and then was promoted to the rank of sub-lieutenant in 2004. In 2007 and 2008 he went to the Swedish National Defense College and was promoted the rank of captain in the Swedish Navy.

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Carl Philip in naval uniform; Photo: Swedish Royal Court

In April 2010, Prince Carl Philip was linked in the press with model Sofia Hellqvist, and in August 2010, the Swedish Royal Court confirmed the relationship.

Carl Philip_Sofia

Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist; Photo: Swedish Royal Court

On June 27, 2014, the couple’s engagement was announced and the wedding took place on June 13, 2015, at the Royal Chapel in the Royal Palace of Stockholm.

photo: Mattias Edwall/Swedish Royal Court

photo: Mattias Edwall/Swedish Royal Court

On October 15, 2015, the Swedish Royal Court announced that Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia were expecting their first child.  In early April 2016, Carl Philip and Sofia moved from their apartment on Djurgården to Sjoflygeln (Lake Wing) on the grounds of Drottningholm Palace.

source: Swedish Royal Court

Carl Philip and Sofia with their first son Alexander – source: Swedish Royal Court

Carl Philip and Sofia have three sons:

  • Prince Alexander, Duke of Södermanland (born 2016)
  • Prince Gabriel, Duke of Dalarna (born 2017)
  • Prince Julian, Duke of Halland (born 2021)

On October 7, 2019, the Swedish Royal Court announced that King Carl XVI Gustaf had decided to make changes regarding the children of his son Prince Carl Philip and his daughter Princess Madeleine. At birth, the children of Carl Philip and Madeleine were styled as Royal Highness and were members of The Royal House. As of October 7, 2019, their children would no longer be members of The Royal House but would continue to be members of The Royal Family. Prince Alexander, Prince Gabriel, Princess Leonore, Prince Nicolas, and Princess Adrienne would no longer enjoy the style of Royal Highness but they would retain their titles of Duke and Duchess previously granted by King Carl XVI Gustaf. They will remain in the line of succession to the Swedish throne. In the future, they will not be expected to perform any royal duties. They will be styled Prince/Princess <Name>, Duke/Duchess of <Geographical Area>.

Prince Alexander, Princess Sofia, Prince Julian, Prince Carl Philip and Prince Gabriel on the occasion of Prince Julian’s christening; Credit – Photo: Elisabeth Toll, Kungl. Hovstaterna / The Royal Court of Sweden

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Infanta Sofía of Spain

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Infanta Sofia of Spain, 2024

Infanta Sofía was born on April 29, 2007, at the Ruber International Clinic in Madrid, Spain. She is the younger of the two daughters of King Felipe VI of Spain and his wife Queen Letizia (born Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano).

 

Infanta Sofía was baptized on July 15, 2007, in the gardens of Zarzuela Palace. She was named after her paternal grandmother Queen Sofía, and also was given the additional name of de Todos los Santos (of All the Saints), a Bourbon tradition. Her godparents were:

Leonor’s family: King Felipe VI, Infanta Leonor, Infanta Sofia, and Queen Letizia

Infanta Sofía has one older sibling:

Sofía’s sister Leonor is the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne and Sofía follows her in the line of succession. Currently, Spain’s succession law is male-preference cognatic primogeniture. This means that Leonor, as the elder of King Felipe’s two daughters, is first in line to inherit the throne, and she is the heir presumptive. However, if her parents have a son, he would be the heir apparent, Leonor would forfeit the title of Princess of Asturias and other titles to her brother, and both Leonor and Sofía would each move down a step in the line of succession to the Spanish throne. There have been discussions of changing the succession law to absolute primogeniture, where the eldest child, regardless of gender, inherits the throne, but no legislation has been forthcoming.

On September 15, 2010, Sofía began her formal schooling at Santa María de los Rosales School (link in Spanish) in Madrid, Spain, where her father and sister attended until they were 16. In August 2023, she began studying a 2-year International Baccalaureate program at the UWC Atlantic College in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales.

 

On June 2, 2014, King Juan Carlos, Infanta Sofía’s grandfather, announced his intention to abdicate the throne in favor of his son. On June 18, 2014, King Juan Carlos signed the formal instrument of abdication and Sofía’s father Felipe ascended the throne at midnight. King Felipe VI was sworn in and proclaimed as king on June 19, 2014, in a ceremony in the Congress of Deputies, the lower house of the Spanish legislature.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Ari Behn, former husband of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Ari_Behn

Photo: Wikipedia

Former husband of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, Ari Behn, whose birth name was Ari Mikael Bjørshol, was born in Århus, Denmark on September 30, 1972. He was the eldest child of Olav Bjørshol (born 1952) and Marianne Solberg Behn (born 1953), both teachers of the Waldorf School philosophy. Ari had two younger siblings, Anja Sabrina Bjørshol and Espen Bjørshol Solberg, a film director. In 1996, Ari changed his name to Ari Behn when he took his maternal grandmother’s maiden name.

When Ari was young, his family moved to Plymouth, England for five years where his father trained and worked as a photographer. The family then moved to Norway in 1977. Ari attended the Waldorf School and Kirkeparken Videregående Skole (secondary school) in Moss, Norway.  He then received a Bachelor’s degree in history and religion from the University of Oslo.  Ari spent several years traveling in Africa, Asia, and the United States.

Before he had success as an author, Ari worked as a truck driver, bartender, and in a preschool. He had his literary breakthrough in 1999 with his collection of short stories, titled Trist som faen (Sad as Hell) which sold over 100,000 copies. He subsequently published two more books and in 2011 made his debut as a playwright with Treningstimen (Training Hour) which was staged at Rogaland Teater.  His books have been translated into six languages: Swedish, Danish, German, French, Hungarian, and Icelandic.

In addition to his writing, Ari also had other artistic and creative projects. Along with Baron von Bulldog, a fashion design company in Oslo, he launched a collection in 2004.  In 2007, he launched a very successful collection of glasses and dishes called “Peacock” for Magnor Glassworks.  In addition, he made documentaries for television and worked as a writer for various publications including Dagbladet and Aftenposten.

Ari Behn_wedding

Photo source: Svenskdam

On December 13, 2001, Ari became engaged to Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, the daughter of King Harald V of Norway. The couple was married in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway on May 24, 2002. In August 2016, it was announced that the couple separated. They divorced in 2017.

Embed from Getty Images 
Norwegian Royal family on the occasion of King Harald V’s 25th anniversary on the throne in 2016: Front: Queen Sonja, Prince Sverre Magnus, King Harald V; Back: Ari Behn, Princess Märtha Louise with Leah Isadora Behn and Emma Tallulah Behn, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Crown Prince Haakon, Maud Angelica Behn, and Princess Ingrid Alexandra

Ari Behn and Princess Märtha Louise had three daughters: Maud Angelica (born in 2003), Leah Isadora (born in 2005), and Emma Tallulah (born in 2008).

Sadly, Ari Behn died by suicide on December 25, 2019, at his home in Lommedalen, Norway. He was 47-years-old. His manager Geir Håkonsund made an announcement on behalf of his family: “It is with great sadness in our hearts that we, the closest relatives of Ari Behn, must announce that he took his own life today. We ask for respect for our privacy in the time to come.”

Behn’s funeral was held on January 3, 2020, at the Oslo Cathedral, with services conducted by Kari Veiteberg, Bishop of Oslo. His former brother-in-law Crown Prince Haakon was one of the pallbearers. The other pallbearers were his father Olav Bjørshol, his brother Espen Bjørshol, his brother-in-law Christian Udnæs,  and nephews Ask and Isak. During the funeral service, Behn’s parents, his siblings, and his eldest daughter Maud Angelica Behn shared memories of their son, brother, and father. Ari Behn was buried at the Cemetery of Our Saviour in Olso, Norway.

Crown Prince Haakon, second from the left, was one of the pallbearers at the funeral of Ari Behn; Credit – http://www.royalcourt.no/

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Princess Märtha Louise of Norway

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

 

Princess Märtha Louise was born at Rikshospitalet in Oslo, Norway on September 22, 1971. She is the elder of the two children of King Harald V of Norway and Queen Sonja (born Sonja Haraldsen).  Märtha Louise has one younger brother:

Princess Märtha Louise was christened on October 19, 1971, at the Royal Chapel of the Royal Palace in Oslo. Her godparents were:

 

The princess is named after her grandmother Crown Princess Märtha of Norway, born Princess Märtha of Sweden, and her great-great-grandmother Queen Louise of Denmark, born Princess Louise of Sweden. Märtha Louise is a descendant of the eldest son of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII of the United Kingdom via his youngest daughter Maud who married King Haakon VII of Norway.

When Märtha Louise was born, as a female, she was not in the line of succession. In 1990, Norway’s succession law was changed to not only include females in the succession but also to allow absolute primogeniture in which the eldest child succeeds to the throne regardless of gender. However, it was decided that this would apply only to those born after 1990, so even though Märtha Louise was older than her brother Haakon, he remained ahead of her in the line of succession.

Märtha Louise began her primary education at the Smestad School, a public school in Oslo, Norway. She completed her secondary education at Kristelig Gymnasium in Oslo in 1990, with an emphasis on languages. Growing up, Märtha Louise sung in a choir, played the flute, was a member of a folk dancing group at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, and was an avid equestrian.

 

In the autumn of 1990, Märtha Louise moved to England to improve her equestrian skills at Waterstock House Training Centre and to study literature at the University of Oxford. She later trained at Arena UK to perfect her skills as a showjumper. The princess competed on the Norwegian National Show Jumping Team, retiring from competition in 2000.

When she returned to Norway in 1992, Märtha Louise studied at Bjørknes Private School in Oslo for a year and then enrolled in a physiotherapy education program at Oslo University College.  In December 1997, she was awarded her formal qualification as a physiotherapist and in 2000, she qualified as a Rosen Method therapist.

Martha Louise_reading

Princess Märtha Louise reading from her Norwegian fairy tales book; Photo source: The Princess Letters Project

Since 2002, Princess Märtha Louise has had a business in which she conducts cultural work and her work as a Rosen therapist. She has been active in spreading traditional Norwegian fairy tales to a wider audience, starred in a storytelling series on Norwegian television, authored several books and audiobooks, and participated in the production of television programs for children.

Princess Märtha Louise became engaged to the author Ari Behn on December 13, 2001. The couple was married in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway on May 24, 2002.  In August 2016, it was announced that the couple separated. They divorced in 2017. Sadly, Ari Behn died by suicide on December 25, 2019, at his home in Lommedalen, Norway.

Queen Sonja, King Harald, Princess Märtha Louise, Emma Tallulah Behn, Leah Isadora Behn, and Maud Angelica Behn in July 2017

Princess Märtha Louise and Ari Behn had three daughters who are untitled and follow their mother in the line of succession to the Norwegian throne.

  • Maud Angelica Behn (born 2003)
  • Leah Isadora Behn (born 2005)
  • Emma Tallulah Behn (born 2008)

Durek Verrett and Princess Märtha Louise of Norway attend Starlite Gala on August 11, 2019 in Marbella, Spain

Märtha Louise has often faced criticism in Norway for her claims of being clairvoyant and for commercially exploiting her title of princess. In May 2019, she announced that she was in a relationship with an American citizen, a shaman named Durek Verrett who has faced strong criticism in Norway and has been characterized by Norwegian media and other critics as a conman. Together Märtha Louise and Verrett have held seminars titled “The Princess and the Shaman,” which also were widely criticized. In August 2019, Märtha Louise stated that she would no longer use the princess title in commercial contexts.

Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett; Photo: Daryl Henderson / NTB

On June 7, 2022, Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett announced their engagement with the following official announcement from the Royal House of Norway:

Her Highness Princess Märtha Louise and Mr. Durek Verrett announced their engagement today, 7 June. Their Majesties The King and Queen extend their heartiest congratulations to Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett, and wish the couple all the best for their future together. Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess and their family extend their warmest congratulations. They send their best wishes to the whole family for a happy future.

On November 8, 2022, the Royal House of Norway announced that Princess Märtha Louise of Norway had renounced her official duties because she “wishes to differentiate more clearly between her own activities and her relationship to the Royal House of Norway.” Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett “will not employ the title of Princess or refer to members of the Royal House in their social media channels, in media productions or in connection with other commercial activities” with the exception of the princess’ Instagram account. King Harald V of Norway, Princess Märtha Louise’s father decided that his daughter will keep her title. The press release also stressed that Durek Verrett “will become a part of the Royal Family” and “attend family-related gatherings, such as birthday celebrations, as well as certain major sporting events that the Royal Family traditionally attends together.”

 

On September 13, 2023, the Royal House of Norway announced that Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett would marry. King Harald V states: “The Queen and I are delighted that Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett have announced their wedding plans today. We are happy to include Durek Verret in our family and look forward to celebrating the big day with them. We wish Märtha and Durek all the best.” The couple were married in a private ceremony on August 31, 2024, at the Hotel Unio in Geiranger, Norway.

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Prince Nicholas Romanov dies at the age of 91

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Photo Credit – www.nashagazeta.ch

Prince Nicholas Romanov, a disputed claimant to the head of the House of Romanov and President of the Romanov Family Association, died on September 15, 2014 at the age of 91 at his home in Tuscany, Italy. At the time of his death, he was the oldest member of the Romanov family.  For more information about the claimants to the former Russian throne, see Wikipedia: Line of Succession to the Former Russian Throne.
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Russia Beyond the Headlines: Prince Nikolai Romanov dies in Italy at the age of 91
The Moscow Times: Oldest Member of Russia’s Romanov Dynasty Dies at 91

Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg: Credit – © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg

Prince Sébastien Henri Marie Guillaume of Luxembourg is the youngest son of Grand Duke Henri and Maria Teresa Mestre y Batista-Falla. He was born on April 16, 1992, at the Grand Duchess Charlotte Maternity Hospital in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.

Sébastien was christened on May 28, 1992, at Fischbach Castle in Luxembourg. His godparents were:

Embed from Getty Images 

Prince Sébastien has four older siblings:

Following nursery school in Angelsberg, near the family home at Fischbach Castle, Sébastien began his schooling at St. George’s International School in Luxembourg. He then studied at Summer Fields School and Ampleforth College, both in the United Kingdom, before graduating from the International School of Luxembourg, in Luxembourg City, in 2011. He then studied marketing and communications at Franciscan College of Steubenville, in the US, graduating in May 2015. He is fluent in Luxembourgish, French, English, and German and has some knowledge of Spanish.

Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, uncle, two brothers, and several cousins, Sébastien attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom and graduated on August 12, 2017.  He was then sworn in as an officer in the Luxembourg army. Prince Sébastien has commanded a platoon of the Irish Guards, a regiment of the British army in which his grandfather, Grand Duke Jean served during World War II.

Prince Sebastian during the Sovereign’s Parade with King Abdullah II of Jordan at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom; Credit – Grand Ducal Court / Lola Velasco

Prince Sébastien often participates in official events and functions in Luxembourg, such as National Day, held in June each year.  He also serves as patron of the Luxembourg Federation of Swimming and Lifesaving.  Prince Sébastien enjoys climbing, skiing, swimming, and especially rugby. After participating in rugby at the club level for several years, he was selected for the Luxembourg U18 rugby national team, as well as for his university team.

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Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg

Princess Alexandra Joséphine Teresa Charlotte Marie Wilhelmine of Luxembourg was born February 16, 1991, at the Grand Duchess Charlotte Maternity Hospital in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. She is the fourth child and only daughter of Grand Duke Henri and Maria Teresa Mestre y Batista-Falla.

Alexandra was christened on March 23, 1991, at Fischbach Castle in Luxembourg. Her godparents were:

Alexandra has four brothers:

Following primary school in Angelsberg, near the family’s home at Fischbach Castle, Alexandra attended the Lycée Vauban in Luxembourg City where she graduated with honors in 2009. After studying psychology and social sciences at Franciscan College of Steubenville, in Ohio, Alexandra moved to a school in Paris where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in philosophy. In 2017, Alexandra received a Master’s Degree in interreligious studies from the Irish School of Ecumenics with a specialization in conflict resolution.

Until 2011, Luxembourg followed Semi-Salic law regarding the to succession to the throne. This meant that females could only inherit the throne in the absence of any other male descendants. However, Grand Duke Henri issued a decree on June 20, 2011, establishing absolute primogeniture beginning with his descendants, and Alexandra then had a place in the line of succession.

Princess Alexandra (far right) at the christening of her niece, Princess Amalia of Nassau, July 2014 photo: © Grand Ducal Court / Guy Wolff

Princess Alexandra (far right) at the christening of her niece, Princess Amalia of Nassau, July 2014
photo: © Grand-Ducal Court / Guy Wolff

Princess Alexandra is often in attendance at important events in Luxembourg, such as National Day, as well as family functions. She is the godmother to her niece Princess Amalia of Nassau and her nephew Prince Gabriel of Nassau.

Photo Credit – © Grand Duke’s House / Sophie Margue https://www.facebook.com/courgrandducale

On November 7, 2022, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Theresa of Luxembourg announced the engagement of their daughter Princess Alexandra to Nicolas Bagory. Nicolas was born on November 11, 1988, and grew up in Brittany, France. After studying political science and classical literature, he now works on creating social and cultural projects.

 

Alexandra married Nicolas in a civil ceremony in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg on April 22, 2023, followed by a religious ceremony at Saint Trophy in Bormes-les-Mimosas, Var, France on April 29, 2023.

They have one child, a daughter:

  • Victoire Bagory (born 2024)

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