Prince George of Greece

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

Prince George of Greece; Credit: Wikipedia

Prince George of Greece was the second son and the second child of King George I of the Hellenes and Grand Duchess Olga Konstantinovna of Russia. He was born at Mon Repos, the Greek royal family’s summer residence on the island of Corfu, on June 24, 1869, and had seven siblings:

The King and Queen of Greece with their Children, c1885. Standing L-R: Prince Nicolas, Prince Constantine, Prince George; sitting L-R: Princess Marie, Queen Olga, Prince Andrew, Princess Alexandra, King George I. source: Royal Collection Trust RCIN 2907343

George spent his early years in Greece, living at the Royal Palace and Tatoi Palace, and was raised Greek Orthodox, as required by the Greek constitution. Along with his siblings, he underwent a strict regimen of education and physical activity. They learned several languages including Greek, English, French, Danish, and German. In 1883 George’s mother took him to Denmark to join the Danish Royal Navy. He was placed under the care of his grandfather, King Christian IX of Denmark, and his uncle, Prince Valdemar. The young Prince George, living with Valdemar at Bernsdorff Palace, felt abandoned by his parents and quickly developed a very close relationship with his uncle. Valdemar became the most important person in George’s life and George often professed his love for his uncle. It is widely accepted that they were lovers, and despite both of their marriages, the two maintained their bond and passion for each other until Valdemar died in 1939.

In 1888, a marriage was suggested between George and Princess Marguerite of Orleans (the sister of Prince Valdemar’s wife), however, the negotiations stalled and no engagement took place. Two years later, in 1890, George left Denmark to continue his naval training with the Russian Imperial Navy. The next year, George accompanied his cousin the Tsarevich (later Nicholas II, Emperor of All Russia) on a trip through Asia. While in Japan, one of the guards protecting Nicholas attempted to kill him with his sword. George foiled the assassination attempt by striking the attacker with his cane and saving Nicholas’s life. Although quickly thanked by the Japanese Emperor, George found himself vilified in Russia, accused of placing Nicholas in harm’s way and blamed for the attack. Despite Nicholas’ public statements of appreciation, George was forced to leave Russia and return to Denmark.

Several years later, George and his brothers Constantine and Nicolas helped organize the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, Greece in 1896. Because of his naval background, George was appointed Chairman of the sub-committee for Nautical Sports for the Greek Olympic Committee. Two years later, he was appointed High Commissioner of Crete and served until 1906. At that time, he returned to Europe, living primarily in Denmark and France and making occasional visits back to Greece each year.

Prince George and Princess Marie following their Greek Orthodox ceremony, in December 1907. source: Wikipedia

George first met his wife, Princess Marie Bonaparte, on July 19, 1907 in Paris. The previous year, George’s father and Marie’s father, Prince Roland Bonaparte, a grandson of Lucien Bonaparte, Emperor Napoleon I’s brother, had met and discussed the idea of a marriage between the two families. Following a very short courtship, the couple’s engagement was announced on August 29, 1907. Marie was quite wealthy in her own right, having been left a vast fortune by her mother Marie-Félix Blanc, the daughter of François Blanc, the principal developer of Monte Carlo and the Monte Carlo Casino.

At the time of their marriage, Marie received 800,000 francs per year from a trust, and would later inherit over 60 million francs after her father’s death. As part of the marriage agreement, George agreed to a separation of the couple’s assets and refused any financial settlement from his wife and future father-in-law. Marie retained complete control over her fortune and often helped support other members of the Greek royal family. Once the marriage contract was settled, George and Marie married in a civil ceremony at the Town Hall in Paris on November 21, 1907. The couple’s Greek Orthodox ceremony was held in Athens on December 12, 1907. Despite the arranged marriage and George’s presumed homosexuality, the couple had two children:

In 1911, George represented the Greek Royal Family at the coronation of his first cousin King George V of the United Kingdom. The following year, George and his family returned to Greece where he joined the staff of the naval ministry, as Greece was preparing for war against Turkey. He later served as an aide-de-camp to his father, and following his father’s assassination in March 1913, George returned to Denmark to handle the late King’s financial affairs.

The following years saw Greece remaining neutral initially, but later joining the Central Powers, despite the Prime Minister’s support of the Allies. Under threat of an Allied landing, King Constantine I went into exile in Switzerland on June 12, 1917, without abdicating, and was replaced by his brother King Alexander. Following Alexander’s death in 1920, Constantine I was restored to the throne but was forced to abdicate again in 1922 in favor of another brother, King George II. The new king’s reign lasted 18 months before the family was again sent into exile. Through George and Marie’s wealth, several members of the Greek royal family received financial support, including George’s brothers Andrew and Nicholas who came to Paris with their families and settled for a time in homes owned by Princess Marie.

Group photograph taken on the occasion of the 80th Birthday of Prince Valdemar of Denmark, October 27, 1938. Prince George (center, 8th from the left in the center row) and Prince Valdemar (seated in center). source: Royal Collection Trust RCIN 2927432

After many years of upheaval, Greece once again restored the monarchy in 1935 with King George II returning to the throne. The following year, George and Marie returned to Greece for the first time in 16 years, to attend the reburial ceremonies at Tatoi for the remains of King Constantine I, Queen Sophie, and Queen Olga. Upon returning to France, George learned of his son’s relationship with Irina Ovchinnikova – a twice-divorced Russian commoner. Despite his renouncement of the relationship, Peter and Irina married in 1939 – a fact that George and Marie learned from the newspapers. George was furious and refused any further contact with his son. 1939 also saw the death of George’s beloved uncle, Prince Valdemar.

In 1941, with the advance of German forces, the family was once again forced into exile. After traveling to Crete and Egypt, they settled in South Africa in July 1941. By this time, George’s health was declining. Adrift after the death of Valdemar, George finally found solace in the companionship of his wife – for perhaps the first time in their marriage.

Following World War II, George returned to Paris and often represented his nephew, King Paul, on official visits and functions. In 1947, he attended the funeral of King Christian X of Denmark and the wedding of his nephew, Philip Mountbatten (formerly Prince Philippos of Greece) to the future Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. In September 1948, he attended the enthronement ceremony of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, and in December was named as one of the godparents of Prince Charles, his great-nephew. In 1949, he returned to Denmark, where he was much loved, for a lavish celebration of his 80th birthday. At that time, King Frederik IX of Denmark appointed him Admiral of the Danish Fleet, an honor that was very meaningful to George because his uncle Valdemar had held that position.

Over the next few years, George worked on his memoirs ‘The Cretan Drama: The Memoirs of HRH Prince George of Greece’, published after his death. In one of his last major royal appearances, Prince George and his wife represented the Greek Royal Family at the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, his niece by marriage. The photo above shows Prince George and Princess Marie (center of the photo in his robes of the Order of the Bath), in the procession led by his sister-in-law Princess Alice, her daughters, sons-in-law, and several grandchildren.

In his late 80’s, George’s health began to deteriorate. He underwent surgery for a strangulated hernia and later developed hematuria. Prince George died in Saint-Cloud, near Paris, on November 25, 1957, just four days after he and Marie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Nine days later, George was buried in the Royal Cemetery at Tatoi Palace in Greece. Per George’s wishes and because she respected the relationship between George and Valdemar, Princess Marie placed a photo of Valdemar and a lock of his hair in George’s coffin. Prince George was the last surviving child of King George I and Queen Olga.

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Viscount and Viscountess

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Coronet of a Viscount. photo: By SodacanThis W3C-unspecified vector image was created with Inkscape. – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10963963

Viscount is the fourth rank within the Peerage, preceded by Dukes, Marquesses and Earls, in order of creation. There have been nearly 800 Viscountcies created in the various peerages, including 14 Viscountcies created for women in their own right. Over 330 Viscountcies are still extant, however the majority are held as subsidiary titles of Dukes, Marquesses and Earls.

The word Viscount comes from the Old French visconte, which itself comes from the Medieval Latin vicecomitem, and referred to a trusted appointee or courier, and later a count. In Anglo-Norman England, it was used as an honorific, typically referring to a county sheriff. Wives of Viscounts, and women holding a Viscountcy in their own right, use the title Viscountess.

Arms of the Walter Devereux, 1st Viscount Hereford. photo: By Rs-nourse – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30843575

The first Viscountcy was granted in 1432 when John Beaumont, 6th Baron Beaumont was created Viscount Beaumont by King Henry VI. The most-senior Viscount – known as the Premier Viscount of England – is The Viscount of Hereford. The title was created in 1550 for Walter Devereux, 9th Baron Ferrers of Chartley. The current holder is Robin Devereux, 19th Viscount Hereford. This is also the most senior Viscountcy with no more-senior titles.

The last non-Royal Viscountcy was granted in 1984, when former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was created Earl of Stockton and Viscount Macmillan of Ovenden. The last non-Royal Viscountcy, with no more-senior title, was granted in 1983 for Thomas George Thomas, a former Speaker of the House of Commons, who was created Viscount Tonypandy.

The Earl of Wessex. photo: By Northern Ireland Office – https://www.flickr.com/photos/niogovuk/16103288623/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38785243

The last Royal Viscountcy was created in 1999 as a subsidiary title when Prince Edward was created Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn. This was the first time a royal prince was granted a viscountcy since 1726, when the title was given to two of King George II’s sons:

  • Prince Frederick (later Prince of Wales) created Duke of Edinburgh, Marquess of the Isle of Ely, Earl of Eltham, Viscount Launceston and Baron Snowdon. The titles were inherited by his son, the future King George III and merged with the Crown upon his accession in 1760.
  • Prince William was created Duke of Cumberland, Marquess of Berkhamsted, Earl of Kennington, Viscount Trematon and Baron Alderney. He died without issue in 1765 and the titles became extinct.

In 1917, four Viscountcies were granted to relatives of the Royal Family when they relinquished their German titles at the request of King George V:

The Earl Mountbatten of Burma. photo: By Allan warren – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12111584

And in 1946, Lord Louis Mountbatten, the younger son of the Marquess of Milford Haven, was created Viscount Mountbatten of Burma. The following year, he was also created Earl Mountbatten of Burma, which became his senior title. Both grants allowed for the titles to pass to his daughters (as he had no sons), and the Viscountcy became a subsidiary title of the Earldom. The titles are currently held by the 1st Earl’s grandson, Norton Knatchbull, 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma.

Mary Anne Disraeli, Viscountess of Beaconsfield

There have been 14 women created Viscountesses in their own right:

  • Elizabeth Heneage Finch, Countess of Winchilsea (1556-1634) – Elizabeth was created Viscountess Maidstone in 1623 by King James I. She was later created Countess of Winchilsea in 1628 by King Charles I. Both titles were hereditary, and remain extant.
  • Anne Bayning, Viscountess Bayning (1619-1678) – the daughter of the 1st Viscount Bayning, Anne was created Viscountess Bayning, for life only, in 1674.
  • Sarah Monson Corbet, Viscountess Corbet – Sarah was the wife of Sir Vincent Corbet, 1st Baronet, an English politician who fought on the Royalist side in the English Civil War. Long after his death, Sarah was created Viscountess Corbet in her own right – for life only – in 1679.
  • Grace Granville Carteret, Countess Granville (c1667-1744) – Grace was the daughter of the 1st Earl of Bath. Several years after the Bath Earldom became extinct, Grace was created Countess Granville and Viscountess Carteret in her own right in 1715. The titles became extinct following the death of her grandson in 1776.
  • Margaret Coningsby Newton, Countess Coningsby (1709-1761) – Margaret was the daughter of the 1st Earl Coningsby, and was created Viscountess Coningsby and Baroness Coningsby in her own right in 1716. She later inherited her father’s Earldom, becoming 2nd Countess Coningsby. As she died with no male heirs, her titles became extinct upon her death.
  • Elizabeth Villiers Mason, Countess Grandison (d. 1782) – the daughter of the 1st Earl Grandison, Elizabeth was created Viscountess Grandison in her own right in 1746. Later, in 1767 following her father’s death, she was created Countess Grandison and Viscount Villiers. The titles all became extinct upon the death of her son in 1800.
  • Elizabeth Upton Rowley, Viscountess Langford (1713-1791) – Elizabeth was created Viscountess Langford and Baroness of Summerhill in her own right in 1766. The titles became extinct upon the death of her son in 1796.
  • Margaretta Amelia Burgh Foster, Viscountess Ferrard (c1737-1824) – Margaretta was first created Baroness Oriel in her own right in 1790, as a way of honoring her husband, but still allowing him to continue as Speaker of the Irish House of Commons. She was later created Viscountess Ferrard in 1797. The title remains extant.
  • Charlotte Gleadowe-Newcomen, Viscountess Newcomen (d 1817) – Charlotte was first created Baroness Newcomen in 1800, and then Viscountess Newcomen in 1803. The titles became extinct upon the death of her son in 1825.
  • Joan Scott Canning, Viscountess Canning (1777-1837) – Joan was the widow of George Canning who served as Foreign Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister before his death in 1827. Six months later, in January 1828, Joan was created Viscountess Canning in her own right. The title was inherited by her son Charles, who served as Viceroy of India, and was later created Earl Canning. All of the titles became extinct upon the Earl’s death in 1862.
  • Anne Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland, Countess of Cromartie (1828-1892) – Anne was Duchess of Sutherland by marriage. In 1861, she was created Countess of Cromartie and Viscountess Tarbat in her own right, reviving titles which had been held previously by her ancestors. The Cromartie and Tarbat titles were granted with special remainder to her younger sons, as her eldest would inherit his father’s Dukedom. The titles remain extant.
  • Mary Anne Evans Disraeli, Viscountess Beaconsfield (1792-1872) – Mary Anne was the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. In 1868, at the end of his first time as Prime Minister, she was created Viscountess Beaconsfield in her own right. The title went extinct upon her death in 1872. Four years later, her husband was created Earl of Beaconsfield, and later refused the offer of a Dukedom from Queen Victoria.
  • Emily Danvers Smith, Viscountess Hambleden (1828-1913) – Emily was the widow of politician William Henry Smith. Following his death in 1891, Emily was created Viscountess Hambleden. The title remains extant.
  • Muriel Douglas-Pennant FitzRoy, Viscountess Daventry (1869-1962) – Muriel was the widow of Edward FitzRoy who served as Speaker of the House of Commons from 1928 until his death in 1943. Following his death, she was created Viscountess Daventry in her own right by King George VI. The title remains extant.

Styles and Titles
Viscountcies are titled either using a place name, a surname, or a combination of the two, and rarely contain the article ‘of’ when using place names. The exception would be Viscountcies in the Peerage of Scotland, which were typically titled as The Viscount of XX. However, in practice, very few maintain that style, preferring simply to be known as Viscount XX.

  • A Viscount is styled The Right Hon. The Viscount XX, and is referred to as ‘My Lord’, ‘Your Lordship’, or ‘Lord XX’.
  • A Viscountess is styled The Right Hon. The Viscountess XX, and is referred to as ‘My Lady’, ‘Your Ladyship’, or ‘Lady XX’.
  • Unlike eldest sons of Dukes, Marquesses and Earls, the eldest son of a Viscount does not use any subsidiary titles.  All children of a Viscount are styled ‘The Hon (first name) (surname)’. Example: The Hon. Henry Devereux is the eldest son and heir of the Viscount Hereford.

LIST OF EXTANT VISCOUNTCIES, in order of creation:

Wikipedia: List of Viscounts in the Peerages of Britain and Ireland

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Prince Franz Joseph of Battenberg

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

Prince Franz Joseph of Battenberg; Credit – Wikipedia

Prince Franz Joseph of Battenberg was the youngest child of Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine and Countess Julia Hauke, Princess of Battenberg. He was born in Padua, Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, part of the Austrian Empire, now in Italy, on September 24, 1861, joining four older siblings:

Following his schooling, Franz Joseph received a military education in Potsdam, Kingdom of Prussia, now in the German state of Brandenburg. He then served in the Bulgarian Military, while his brother Alexander was the Reigning Prince of Bulgaria from 1879-1886.

Consuelo Vanderbilt. source: Wikipedia

While in London in 1894, Franz Joseph met the American heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt. He was one of several men who proposed, but Consuelo did not like him and refused his marriage offer. She later went on to marry Charles Spencer-Churchill,9th Duke of Marlborough.

Princess Anna of Montenegro. source: Wikipedia

Several years later, while visiting Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom while she was on holiday in Cimiez, France, Franz Joseph met Princess Anna of Montenegro. She was the daughter of King Nikola I of Montenegro and Milena Vukotić, and was in Cimiez visiting her sister and brother-in-law. The two quickly fell in love, and their engagement was announced. They married in Cetinje, Montenegro on May 18, 1897, in both Eastern Orthodox and Protestant ceremonies. The marriage was happy but the couple did not have any children.

In the years leading up to World War I, Franz Joseph and his wife spent much of their time living in Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine, now in the German state of Hesse, but were advised to leave the country when the war broke out and settled in Switzerland. As the war progressed, they found their financial situation more and more precarious, and they sometimes struggled to make ends meet. After 1920, they began to receive some financial support from Edwina Mountbatten, the wife of Franz Joseph’s nephew Louis Mountbatten, the future 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma. Until she died in 1960, Edwina continued to send money to Princess Anna.

Prince Franz Joseph died in Territet, Switzerland on July 31, 1924, having outlived all of his siblings. He is buried in the Schaffhausen Forest Cemetery in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

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.

Swedish Royal Christenings

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The members of the Swedish royal family belong to the Church of Sweden, an Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Act of Succession states: “The King shall always profess the pure evangelical faith, as adopted and explained in the unaltered Confession of Augsburg and in the Resolution of the Uppsala Meeting of the year 1593, princes and princesses of the Royal House shall be brought up in that same faith and within the Realm. Any member of the Royal Family not professing this faith shall be excluded from all rights of succession.” Therefore, the christening of a royal infant into the Church of Sweden is a state ceremony and is a necessity for those in the line of succession.

Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace in Stockholm; Credit – By Holger.Ellgaard – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14663353

Most royal christenings have been held at the Royal Chapel at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden or at the Royal Chapel at Drottningholm Palace near Stockholm, Sweden. The Royal Palace in Stockholm houses the offices of the Royal Court, as well as several museums, and serves as the setting for many official functions. It has not been used as an actual residence since 1981, although private apartments still remain there. The Royal Chapel has been in use since the Royal Palace in Stockholm was built in 1754. The chapel is used as a parish church for members of the Royal Court and their families and is also open to the public. It has also been used for many weddings, christenings, and funerals.

Drottningholm Palace Chapel during Prince Alexander’s christening in 2016; Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT https://www.kungligaslotten.se/english

Drottningholm Palace, on the island Lovön in Lake Mälaren near Stockholm, is the private residence of the Swedish royal family and a popular tourist site. Construction began in 1696 and was completed in 1728. The palace grounds include a beautiful baroque garden and other gardens featuring numerous sculptures and statues, along with several fountains and water features. The Palace Chapel is on the northern end of the palace. The Lovön Parish conducts services in the chapel on the last weekend of each month.

Swedish royal christening gown; Photo: Håkan Lind, Copyright Kungahuset.se

The white linen batiste christening gown of the Swedish royal family has been worn by every baby since 1906. The gown was first used at the christening of King Carl XVI Gustaf’s father Prince Gustaf Adolf. Underneath all the ruffles is a lining embroidered with the names and dates of the infants who have worn it.

Karl XI christening font; Credit – https://www.kungligaslotten.se

The magnificent silver christening font used by the Swedish royal family was commissioned by King Karl XI. When the font was completed in 1707, it took nearly forty years before any royal child was born in Sweden. In 1746, the future King Gustav III was born and he is probably the first child to be christened in this christening font.

Karl XI’s Cradle; Credit – Wikipedia

It is a Swedish royal family tradition to place the newly-christened infant in a cradle. In 1655, the future King Karl XI received a cradle made out of gold-plate and painted wood as a christening gift from his maternal grandparents. Another cradle was used for princesses since 1830 but when Princess Estelle was born in 2012 as the heir to the throne after her mother, Karl XI’s cradle was used.

Karl XV’s Cradle; Credit – https://www.kungahuset.se, Copyright Kungahuset.se

Karl XV’s Cradle was made before the birth of the future king in 1826. The cradle was used as an everyday cradle for Karl and his brothers Gustaf and Oscar II. For the christening of their sister Eugenie in 1830, the cradle created for Karl became the cradle used for princesses at their christenings. This cradle has been used for all King Carl XVI Gustaf’s grandchildren except Princess Estelle who will be Queen of Sweden.

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King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

Four Generations: The infant Prince Carl Gustaf held by his great-grandfather King Gustaf V. Seated on the left is the prince’s grandfather, Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf (the future King Gustaf VI Adolf), and standing is the prince’s father, Prince Gustaf Adolf; Photo: Swedish Royal Court

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Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland

Victoria with her parents; Credit – Swedish Royal Court

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Princess Estelle of Sweden, Duchess of Östergötland

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Prince Oscar, Duke of Skåne

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Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Värmland

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Prince Alexander, Duke of Södermanland

Prince Alexander in the Charles XV Cradle; Photo: Jonas Ekströmer www.kungahuset.se, Copyright Kungahuset.se

  • Parents: Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Princess Sofia, born Sofia Hellqvist
  • Born: April 19, 2016, at Danderyd Hospital in Danderyd, Sweden
  • Christened: September 9, 2016, in the Royal Chapel at Drottningholm Palace near Stockholm, Sweden
  • Names: Alexander Erik Hubertus Bertil
  • Godparents:
    • Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, his paternal aunt
    • Lina Frejd, his maternal aunt
    • Victor Magnuson, his father’s paternal first cousin
    • Jan-Åke Hansson, his father friend
    • Cajsa Larsson, his mother’s friend

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Prince Gabriel, Duke of Dalarna

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  • Parents: Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Princess Sofia, born Sofia Hellqvist
  • Born: August 31, 2017, at Danderyd Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden
  • Christened: December 1, 2017 in the Royal Chapel at Drottningholm Palace near Stockholm, Sweden
  • Names: Gabriel Carl Walther
  • Godparents:
    • Princess Madeleine of Sweden, his paternal aunt
    • Sara Hellqvist, his maternal aunt
    • Thomas de Toledo Summerlath, his father’s maternal cousin
    • Oscar Kylberg, his parents’ friend
    • Carolina Pihl, his parents’ friend

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Prince Julian, Duke of Halland

Credit – Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT www.kungahuset.se, Copyright Kungahuset.se

  • Parents: Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Princess Sofia, born Sofia Hellqvist
  • Born: March 26, 2021, at Danderyd Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden
  • Christened: August 14, 2021 in the Royal Chapel at Drottningholm Palace near Stockholm, Sweden
  • Names: Julian Herbert Folke
  • Godparents:
    • Johan Andersson, his parents’ friend
    • Stina Andersson, his parents’ friend
    • Jacob Högfeldt, his father’s school friend
    • Patrick Sommerlath, his father’s maternal cousin
    • Frida Vesterberg, his mother’s friend

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Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland

Princess Madeleine in the Charles XV Cradle with family and godparents Photo: Jan Collsiöö Scanpix www.kungahuset.se, Copyright Kungahuset.se

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Princess Leonore, Duchess of Gotland

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Prince Nicolas, Duke of Ångermanland

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  • Parents: Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O’Neill
  • Born: June 15, 2015 at Danderyd Hospital in Danderyd, Sweden
  • Christened: October 11, 2015 in the Royal Chapel at Drottningholm Palace near Stockholm, Sweden
  • Names: Nicolas Paul Gustaf
  • Godparents:
    • Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, his maternal uncle
    • Natascha Abensperg und Traun, his paternal aunt
    • Henry d’Abo, his paternal uncle by marriage
    • Gustaf Magnuson, his mother’s paternal first cousin
    • Katarina von Horn, his parents’ friend
    • Marco Wajselfisz, his parents’ friend

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Princess Adrienne, Duchess of Blekinge

Princess Adrienne with her mother Princess Madeleine and her grandfather King Carl XVI Gustaf; Photo Credit – Swedish Royal Court, photo by Jonas Ekströmer

  • Parents: Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O’Neill
  • Born: March 9, 2018, at Danderyd Hospital in Danderyd, Sweden
  • Christened: June 8, 2018, in the Royal Chapel at Drottningholm Palace near Stockholm, Sweden
  • Names: Adrienne Josephine Alice
  • Godparents:
    • Miss Anouska d’Abo, her paternal first cousin
    • Mrs. Coralie Charriol Paul, her parents’ friend
    • Mr. Nader Panahpour, her parents’ friend
    • Baron Gustav Thott, her parents’ friend
    • Mrs. Charlotte Kreuger Cederlund, her parents’ friend
    • Mrs. Natalie Werner, her parents’ friend

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Spanish Royal Christenings

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

Members of the Spanish royal family are Roman Catholic. Having only two godparents, a man and a woman, is the usual practice in the Roman Catholic Church. The Spanish royal family’s christening gown was first used for King Juan Carlos’ christening in 1938. It has since been used by his children and grandchildren.  The same Romanesque baptismal font has been used in the christenings of members of the Spanish Royal Family since the seventeenth century.

King Alfonso XIII of Spain

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Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain (Ena), born Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg

Princess Victoria of Prussia holding her first cousin Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg by Alexander Bassano, half-plate glass negative, 1888, NPG x95917 © National Portrait Gallery, London

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Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona

Juan, in the arms of his mother, with his sister Maria Cristina; Credit – Wikipedia

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King Juan Carlos I of Spain

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Christening of Juan Carlos: Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain holds her grandson

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Queen Sofía of Spain, born Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark

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Sofia with her mother

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Infanta Elena of Spain, Duchess of Lugo

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Elena with her parents at her christening

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Infanta Cristina of Spain

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King Felipe VI of Spain

Queen Victoria Eugenie holding Felipe at his baptism, his other godparent Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona is in the middle of the photo; Credit – www.casareal.es

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Queen Letizia of Spain, born Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano

  • Unofficial Royalty: Queen Letizia of Spain
  • Parents: Jesús José Ortiz Álvarez and his first wife María de la Paloma Rocasolano Rodríguez
  • Born: September 15, 1972, in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
  • Christened: September 29, 1972, at the San Francisco de Asís Church in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
  • Names: Letizia
  • Godparents:
    • Francisco Rocasolano Rodríguez, her maternal uncle
    • Cristina Ortiz Álvarez, her paternal aunt

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Infanta Leonor, Princess of Asturias

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Infanta Sofía of Spain

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Norwegian Royal Christenings

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Palace Chapel in the Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway; Photo – Kjetil Rolseth, The Royal Court

The Royal Chapel located in the Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway is the site of many events of the Norwegian royal family, especially christenings and confirmations.  After their deaths, King Haakon VII and King Olav V lay in state in the Royal Chapel

The members of the Norwegian royal family belong to the Church of Norway, an evangelical Lutheran denomination of Protestant Christianity. Until a constitutional amendment in 2012, the monarch was the supreme governor and protector of the Church of Norway. Since 2012, the Church of Norway has been self-governing but it remains the established state church.

The traditional Norwegian royal christening gown was handmade by Princess Ingeborg of Sweden (the mother of Crown Princess  Märtha of Norway) and has been worn by most descendants of King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha, who died before her husband became king. The names of all the babies who wear the gown are embroidered on the gown.

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King Haakon VII of Norway, born Prince Carl of Denmark

Carl  (the future Haakon VII) with his mother, 1873 – Royal Court Photo Archive

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Queen Maud of Norway, Princess Maud of Wales

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Maud with her mother

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King Olav V of Norway, born Prince Alexander of Denmark

Olav,1905 Photo: Juncker Jensen, Royal Court Photo Archive

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Crown Princess Märtha of Norway, born Princess Märtha of Sweden

Märtha 1909 Photo: A. Blomberg, Royal Court Archive

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Princess Ragnhild, Mrs. Lorentzen

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Princess Ragnhild with her parents

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Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner

Astrid 1935 Photo: G.T. Sjøwall, Royal Court Photo Archive

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King Harald V of Norway

Harald with his mother; Credit – Wikipedia

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Princess Märtha Louise of Norway

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Märtha Louise with her parents

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Crown Prince Haakon of Norway

Haakon with his parents and sister; Credit – Royal House of Norway

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Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway

Credit – http://www.royalcourt.no

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Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway

Credit – http://www.royalcourt.no, photographer: Tor Richardsen / Scanpix

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Princess Marie of Battenberg, Princess of Erbach-Schönberg

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

Princess Marie of Battenberg, Princess of Erbach-Schönberg; Credit – Wikipedia

Marie Karoline of Battenberg was born in Strasbourg, France on February 15, 1852, the eldest child and only daughter of Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine and Countess Julia Hauke. Because of her parents’ morganatic marriage, her mother did not become a Princess of Hesse and by Rhine, and was instead created Countess of Battenberg in her own right. Marie and her siblings, therefore, took their titles from their mother and were not in the line of succession for the grand-ducal throne of Hesse and by Rhine. For many years, Marie said that her birth date was July 15, 1852, to hide the fact that her mother was already six months pregnant with her at the time they married.

Marie had four younger brothers:

She became Princess Marie of Battenberg in December 1858 when her mother’s title was elevated by Marie’s uncle, Grand Duke Ludwig III of Hesse and by Rhine.

Gustav Ernst, Count of Erbach-Schönberg. source: Wikipedia

In 1868, while attending the inauguration of the Luther Monument in Worms, Marie met Gustaf Ernst, Count of Erbach-Schönberg. He was the son of Ludwig III, Count of Erbach-Schönberg and Countess Caroline von Gronsfeld-Diepenbrock. They became engaged in 1870 and were married in the Darmstadt City Church in Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine, now in Hesse, Germany, on April 29, 1871.

Marie and Gustav had four children:

  • Alexander, Prince of Erbach-Schönberg (1872) – married Princess Elisabeth of Waldeck and Pyrmont, had issue
  • Count Maximilian of Erbach-Schönberg (1878) – died in childhood
  • Prince Victor of Erbach-Schönberg (1880) – married Countess Elisabeth Széchényi de Sarvar et Felsö-Vidék, no issue
  • Princess Marie Elisabeth of Erbach-Schönberg (1883) – married Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Stolberg-Wernigerode, had issue

Princess Marie, Countess of Erbach-Schönberg with her parents Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine and Julia, Princess of Battenberg, at Osborne House, July 23, 1885, for the wedding of her brother Henry to Princess Beatrice of The United Kingdom. source: Royal Collection Trust RCIN 2905692

Marie’s title changed once again in August 1903, when her husband was elevated to the rank of Prince, and Marie became The Princess of Erbach-Schönberg. Five years later, in January 1908, Marie’s husband died, and their eldest son, Alexander, succeeded him as The Prince of Erbach-Schönberg.

An avid writer, Marie published translations of several prominent works and wrote My Trip to Bulgaria, a memoir of her visit to her brother, Alexander, who was Prince of Bulgaria from 1879 to 1886. In her later years, several more memoirs were published, one of which detailed the situation of her son, Maximilian, who was mentally unstable.

The Dowager Princess of Erbach-Schönberg died in Schönberg, Hesse, Germany on June 20, 1923. She is buried in the cemetery of St. Mary’s Church in Schönberg, Hesse, Germany.

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Monaco Royal Christenings

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

Credit – Wikipedia

The Roman Catholic Monaco Cathedral (also called the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate and Saint Nicholas Cathedral) has been the site of baptisms, weddings, funerals, and burials of the Princely Family of Monaco. It was built on the site of the first church in Monaco, built in 1252, which was dedicated to Saint Nicholas. After the first church burned in a fire in 1874, the cathedral was built from 1875–1903 and consecrated in 1911.

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Princess Caroline of Monaco

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Princess Caroline with her mother

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Prince Albert II of Monaco

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Prince Albert with his parents and sister

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Princess Stéphanie of Monaco

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Princess Gabriella of Monaco, Countess of Carladès

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Princess Gabriella and her father

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Hereditary Prince Jacques of Monaco, Marquis of Baux

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Hereditary Prince Jacques with his mother
  • Unofficial Royalty: Hereditary Prince Jacques of Monaco, Marquis of Baux
  • Parents: Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene, born Charlene Wittstock
  • Born: December 10, 2014, two minutes after his twin sister at The Princess Grace Hospital Centre in Monaco
  • Christened: May 10, 2015, at the Monaco Cathedral (also called the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate and Saint Nicholas Cathedral)
  • Names: Jacques Honoré Rainier
  • Godparents:
    • Christopher Le Vine Jr., maternal first cousin of his father
    • Diane de Polignac Nigra, paternal first cousin once removed of his father, the niece of Prince Louis de Polignac who was her father’s godfather

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Earl and Countess

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Coronet of an Earl. photo: By SodacanThis W3C-unspecified vector image was created with Inkscape. – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10963962

Earl is the third highest rank within the Peerage, preceded by Dukes and Marquesses, in order of creation. There have been 979 Earldoms created in the various peerages, with over 600 different titles. These include 21 Earldoms created for women in their own right. Of the 324 Earldoms still extant, over a hundred of those are held by higher ranking Dukes and Marquesses as subsidiary titles.

The word Earl comes from the Old English word, eorl, meaning a military leader. This likely came from the Scandinavian form of the word, jarl, which meant chieftain. There is no specific female version of the word, but Countess is used for wives of Earls, and for women holding an Earldom in their own right.

The title of Earl dates back to Canute the Great’s conquest of England in 1016. He divided the kingdom into several regions, which were governed by Earls. Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, William the Conqueror created the first Earldoms in the Peerage of England. These Earldoms still represented large areas of the country. The eldest is considered to be The Earldom of East Anglia, created for Ralph the Staller in 1067, and later renamed to the Earldom of Norfolk in 1070.

The 22nd Earl of Shrewsbury. photo: By Chris McAndrew – https://api.parliament.uk/Live/photo/O2s9PcHf.jpeg?crop=MCU_3:4&quality=80&download=trueGallery: https://beta.parliament.uk/media/O2s9PcHf, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67598607

The most senior earl – The Premier Earl of England – is the Earl of Arundel, whose title dates back to c1138. Since 1660, it has been one of the subsidiary titles of The Duke of Norfolk, who is also the Premier Duke of England. The current holder is Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk.

The most senior Earl with no higher peerage titles is The Earl of Shrewsbury. The title was created in 1442 for John Talbot, Baron Talbot, an English general who served in the Hundred Years’ War. Today, the title is held by Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 22nd Earl of Shrewsbury (who is also 22nd Earl of Waterford, 7th Earl Talbot, 7th Viscount of Ingestre and 7th Baron Dynevor).

Harold Macmillan (later The Earl of Stockton) c1942. source: Wikipedia

The last non-royal Earldom was created in 1984 when former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was created Earl of Stockton and Viscount Macmillan of Ovenden. It was the first Earldom created in over 20 years. The Earl had served as Prime Minister from January 1957 until October 1963.

When a Prince of the Royal Family marries, it has become tradition that he is granted a peerage – usually a Dukedom, and Earldom and a Barony. One notable exception is Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II. Upon his marriage in 1999, he was created Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn. It is understood that he will later be created Duke of Edinburgh when the title becomes available.  Prince Edward is also the recipient of the most recent Earldom created for a member of the Royal Family – The Queen created him Earl of Forfar on March 10, 2019, his 55th birthday.

Mary Beaumont Villiers, Countess of Buckingham. source: Wikipedia

There have been 21 Earldoms granted to women in their own right. The 19 women who received these titles are:

  • Mary Beaumont Villiers, Countess of Buckingham (c1570-1632) – created Countess of Buckingham in 1618, following the death of her first husband, Sir George Villiers. She is probably best known as the mother of Sir George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. The title became extinct upon her death.
  • Elizabeth Darcy Savage, Countess Rivers (1581-1650) – Elizabeth’s father had been created Earl Rivers in 1626. Following his death in 1640, the title passed to Elizabeth’s son. The following year, she was created Countess of Rivers in her own right, in compensation for having been passed over for the hereditary title.
  • Katherine Wotton Stanhope, Countess of Chesterfield (1609-1667) – Katherine was governess to Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange, and later became one of her closest confidantes and advisors. She later served Anne Hyde, Duchess of York, and Queen Catherine (Catherine of Braganza). She was created Countess of Chesterfield in her own right by King Charles II in 1660.
  • Elizabeth Feilding Boyle, Countess of Guilford (d 1667) – a member of the Royal Household of Queen Herietta Maria, Elizabeth was created Countess of Guilford in her own right, for life, in 1660.
  • Louise de Penancoët de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth (1649-1734) – Louise was the mistress of King Charles II. In 1673, she was created Duchess of Portsmouth, Countess of Fareham and Baroness Petersfield. The titles, granted for life only, became extinct upon her death in 1734.
  • Elizabeth Bayning Lennard, Countess of Sheppey – daughter of the 1st Viscount Bayning, Elizabeth was created Countess of Sheppey, for life only, in 1680.
  • Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester (1657-1717) – Catherine was the mistress of KIng James II/VII, having first served as a lady in waiting to his wife, Mary of Modena. The King created her Countess of Dorchester, for life, in 1686.
  • Mary Stafford Howard, Countess of Stafford – Mary was the wife of William Howard, Viscount Stafford, who was stripped of his titles due to his part in the Popish Plot in 1678, and was executed in 1680. Several years later, Mary was created Countess of Stafford for life, in 1688 at the same time her son was granted an hereditary Earldom of Stafford.
  • Ehrengard Melusine von der Schulenburg, Duchess of Kendal and Munster (1667-1743) – a longtime mistress of King George I. In 1716, she was created Duchess of Munster, Marchioness of Dungannon, Countess of Dungannon and Baroness Dundalk in the Peerage of Ireland. Three years later, she was also created Duchess of Kendal, Countess of Feversham and Baroness Glastonbury in the Peerage of Great Britain. All of her titles were for life only, and went extinct upon her death in 1743.
  • Sophia von Kielmansegg, Countess of Darlington and Leinster (1675-1725) – Sophia was a half-sister of King George I. She was created Countess of Leinster in the Peerage of Ireland in 1721, and then Countess of Darlington and Baroness Brentford in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1722. These titles – granted for life only – became extinct upon her death in 1725.
  • Petronilla Melusine von der Schulenburg, Countess of Walsingham (1693-1778) – an illegitimate daughter of King George I with his mistress, Ehrengard Melusine von der Schulenburg, Duchess of Kendal and Munster. She was created Countess of Walsingham and Baroness Aldborough, for life, in 1722. She also became Countess of Chesterfield by marriage in 1733.
  • Amalie von Wendt von Wallmoden, Countess of Yarmouth (1704-1765) – Amalie was the principal mistress of KIng George II. In 1740, she was created Countess of Yarmouth, for life. Amalie holds the distinction of being the last Royal Mistress to be granted a peerage.
  • Ellis (Elizabeth) Agar Bermingham, Countess of Brandon (1708-1789) – Ellis was created Countess of Brandon in the Peerage of Ireland in 1758. The title, granted for life only, became extinct upon her death in 1789.
  • Elizabeth Cuffe Pakenham, Countess of Longford (1719-1794) – descended from the Earls of Longford from the first creation (1677), Elizabeth was created Countess of Longford, in her own right, in 1785. Unlike previous women granted Earldoms, the Earldom of Longford was created as an hereditary peerage. It is currently held by Thomas Pakenham, 8th Earl of Longford.
  • Alice Forward Howard, Countess of Wicklow (d. 1807) – Alice was married to Ralph Howard, Viscount Wicklow and Baron Clonmore. Several years after his death, she was created Countess of Wicklow in her own right in 1793. The title was hereditary, but went extinct in 1978.
  • Henrietta Laura Johnstone Pulteney, Countess of Bath (1766-1808) – a wealthy heiress, Laura was created Baroness of Bath in 1792, a nod to her mother’s ancestors having held the Earldom of Bath until its extinction in 1794. She was later elevated to Countess of Bath, in her own right, in 1803. The title became extinct upon her death in 1808.
  • Annabel Yorke Hume-Campbell, Countess de Grey (1751-1833) – a daughter of the 2nd Earl of Hardwicke, Annabel was created Countess de Grey in her own right in 1816. As she had no children, following her death the title passed to the son of her younger sister. The Earldom de Grey became extinct in 1923.
  • Anne Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Countess of Cromartie (1829-1888) – Anne was descended from the Earls of Cromartie, whose titles and estates were forfeited in 1746. In 1861, she was created Countess of Cromartie, Viscountess Tarbat, Baroness Castlehaven and Baroness MacLeod in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, by Queen Victoria. Unusually, the title was granted with remainder to her younger sons, and daughters (her eldest son would inherit his father’s Dukedom of Sutherland). The Cromartie Earldom is currently held by John Mackenzie, 5th Earl of Cromartie.
  • Anne Mathews Cave, Countess Cave of Richmond – Anne was the wife of George Cave,1st Viscount Cave, who served as Lord Chancellor from 1922-1924 and 1924-1928. It had been announced that he would be elevated to an Earldom after retiring as Lord Chancellor. However, he died on the day his resignation was accepted, so his wife, Anne, was created Countess Cave of Richmond in her own right. The title was hereditary, but as none of her children lived to adulthood, the Earldom went extinct upon her death in 1938.

Styles and Titles

Earldoms are titled one of two different ways. If the Earldom originates from a place, one is created The Earl of XX (example: The Earl of Shrewsbury). If the Earldom originates from a surname, one is created The Earl XX (example: The Earl Spencer).

  • An Earl is styled The Right Hon. The Earl of XX, and is referred to as ‘My Lord’, ‘Your Lordship’, or ‘Lord XX’.
  • A Countess is styled The Right Hon. The Countess of XX, and is referred to as ‘My Lady’, ‘Your Ladyship’, or ‘Lady XX’.
  • The eldest son of an Earl traditionally uses his father’s most senior, but lower-ranking, subsidiary title as a courtesy title. (If the senior subsidiary title is similar to the name of the Earldom, the next senior title is used).  This used without the article ‘The’ preceding it. Example: the eldest son of The Earl Spencer is styled ‘Viscount Althorp’.
    In the Peerage of Scotland, the heir is styled Master of XX if there are no other subsidiary titles.
  • Younger sons of an Earl are styled as ‘The Hon. (first name) (surname)’. Example: The Hon. Edmund Spencer is the younger son of The Earl Spencer.
  • All daughters of an Earl are styled as ‘Lady (first name) (surname)’. Example: Lady Kitty Spencer is a daughter of the Earl Spencer.

LIST OF EXTANT EARLDOMS, in order of creation:

Wikipedia: List of Earls in the Peerages of Britain and Ireland

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Luxembourg Royal Christenings

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg is Roman Catholic. Having two godparents, a man and a woman, is the usual practice in the Roman Catholic Church.

Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg

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Jean, on the left, with his mother and siblings

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Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

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Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg

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Henri and his father

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Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg

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Guillaume and his father

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Prince Félix of Luxembourg

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Félix, second from the left, with his father and his brothers Guillaume and Louis

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Prince Louis of Luxembourg

Louis and his mother; Credit – Grand Ducal Court/Private Collection

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Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg

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Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg

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Sébastien with his siblings

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Prince Charles of Luxembourg

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Charles with his parents

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