The Abdication and Inauguration of King Albert II and King Philippe of Belgium

Yesterday, during the Belgian National Day, the Duke and Duchess of Brabant became the King and Queen of Belgium. After the Abdication Ceremony and the Inauguration ceremony, the Royal Family took part in the Belgian National Day Ceremony. At the end of the day, there was a firework show to celebrate the new King and Queen.

Abdication Ceremony

Soon-to-be Queen Mathilde arrived with soon-to-be King Philippe. Mathilde appeared in a white custom made Natan dress for the Abdication ceremony.

Queen Paola arrived at the Royal Palace in Brussels wearing a green Natan dress and matching coat. She arrived with her husband, King Albert II.

Princess Claire wore a printed white dress by Natan and an orange-yellow jacket. She arrived with her husband, Prince Laurent.

Other members of the Royal Family that was present at the Abdication ceremony was Princess Astrid and her husband, Prince Lorenz. As well as Queen Fabiola.

The Swearing Ceremony of King Philippe

Next, the Royal Family took part in the Swearing Ceremony for King Philippe. King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, King Albert, Queen Paola, Prince Laurent, Princess Claire, Princess Astrid, Prince Lorenz, Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel Prince Emmanuel, Princess Elenore, and Queen Fabiola. 

Catherine Gave Birth to a Baby Boy! *

After much waiting, the Duchess of Cambridge has finally given birth. It's been said that both Catherine and the boy are doing well. The Royal baby was born at 4:24 pm weighing at 8 lbs. 6 oz. It has been said that Catherine will be staying over night at St. Mary's Hospital in London while it is most likely that William will go back to Kensington Palace.

No name has been announced for baby boy, the name with likely be announced in a couple days. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will most likely leave St. Mary's Hospital tomorrow at noon.

Prince Charles had said him and his wife, Camilla are "overjoyed". The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Harry have been told of the news and are delighted by the birth.

William was present during the birth. Following the birth, William called his family. Prince William is also said to make a statement later today.

Updated: 

Catherine and William left St. Mary's Hospital on the 23rd of July and stayed over at Kensington Palace. 

The next day, the couple along with their son left to Berkshire. 

The name was announced and his name is: 

George Alexander Louis

The Duchess of Cambridge's Maternal Style

Little Baby Cambridge could come out any moment now. So I'm taking the time to share with you the maternity style of the Duchess of Cambridge (also with names that I think Baby Cambridge will have). According to What Kate Wore, due to the fact that Catherine is delivering in mid-July, Catherine was probably pregnant in mid-October. So that's where we start. Note: I do not include weddings, shopping trips, or the Cheltenham Festival.



(Dates from left to right: October 9; October 10; October 11; October 23; November 8; November 11)

October 9, 2012: Along with Prince William, they visit St. George's Park to see the Opening of the Football Park. Catherine wore a repeated Reiss coat from Christmas in 2011.
October 10, 2012: Catherine visited Newcastle and Stockton alone. Catherine wore a repeated coat from Christmas 2011 and a Whistles red dress.
October 11, 2012: Catherine and Prince William went to a Mayfair Club with friends.
October 23, 2012: Catherine and members of the British Royal Family had a Team Great Britain Palace Reception for their work at the Olympics. Catherine chose a modified version of an ALICE by Temperley dress.
November 8, 2012: Catherine and Prince William attended a Saint Andrews Gala in London. She wore a repeated Temperley dress seen earlier that year for the premiere of War Horse.
November 11, 2012: Catherine took part in Remembrance Sunday in London. She wore a repeated DVF jacket from last year's Remembrance Sunday and a repeated Philip Treacy hat from 2006.

(Dates from left to right: November 24; November 27; November 28; November 30)

November 24, 2012: Catherine and Prince William attended a rugby match. She wore a repeated LK Bennett coat that was seen last year while the couple were in Denmark.
November 27, 2012: Catherine visited the Natural History Museum for an opening of a new Gallery. She wore a repeated Mulberry dress seen the previous year. She also rocked some amazing fringe.
November 28, 2012: Catherine and Prince William made their first official visit to Cambridge. Catherine wore a MaxMara Ccoat (with the belt upside down).
November 30, 2012: Catherine visited her old prep school, Saint Andrew's, Pangbourne. She wore a tartan dress/coat (made by McQueen) due to the fact that it was Scotland's National day.

(Dates from left to right: December 6; December 16; December 25; January 11; February 19; March 5)

December 6, 2012: Three days before, Catherine's pregnancy was announced. She was released from the hospital on the 6th with William by her side. She wore a DVF coat.
December 16, 2012: Despite suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum, she appeared at the BBC's annual Sports Personality of the Year awards where she presented an award to Bradley Wiggins, Jessica Ennis, and presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Lord Sebastian Coe. She wore a green McQueen dress with a slit in the front.
December 25, 2012: Catherine spent Christmas day with her family and William in Berkshire. Catherine wore a repeat coat from Liverpool back in February.
January 11, 2013: Catherine and Prince William visited the National Portrait Gallery to see the official unveiling of the Duchess of Cambridge's first portrait.
February 19, 2013: Catherine visited the Hope House. It's a program that helps women recover from substance abuse and compulsive disorders. She wore a patterned MaxMara dress.
March 5, 2013: Catherine visited Grimsby. It first started off with a delay that kept the helicopter grounded. Catherine wore the jacket from Christmas 2012 as well as a Great Plains patterned dress.

(Dates from left to right: March 17; March 19; March 20; March 22; April 4; April 5)

March 17, 2013: Catherine and Prince William celebrated St. Patrick's Day with the Irish Guards. Catherine wore a Emilia Wickstead coat from last St. Patrick's Day. As well as a Lock & Co. hat seen last March when she visited Leicester.
March 19, 2013: Catherine and Prince William visited the headquarters of the Child Bereavement Center. Catherine wore a Goat Fashion Coat and a Topshop Dress. You can see Catherine wearing the dress here.
March 20, 2013: Catherine along with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited the Underground (which is just a Underground train system). Catherine wore a Malene Briger coat that also has been seen on Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. Catherine wore a repeated Whiteley hat from a wedding she attended in January of 2011.
March 22, 2013: Catherine attended the volunteer training with the UK Scouts despite the snow.
April 4, 2013: As the Earl and Countess of Strathearn, Catherine and William visited Scotland. Catherine wore a Moloh Coat.
April 5, 2013: Catherine and William continued their tour of Scotland and brought the Duke of Rothesay along (Prince Charles)! Catherine wore a repeat Armani coat from 2006.

(Dates from left to right: April 21; April 23; April 24; April 26; April 29; May 22)

April 21, 2013: Catherine attended a National Scouts Parade at Windsor Castle. Catherine wore a Mulberry Coat and a Whiteley hat that I think was last seen at the Order of the Thistle.
April 23, 2013: Catherine visited the Willows Primary School in Wythenshawe, Manchester. Catherine wore a Erdem dress.
April 24, 2013: Catherine attended the Art Room Charity Event at the National Portrait Gallery. Catherine wore a light blue modified Emilia Wickstead dress.
April 26, 2013: Catherine, Prince William, and Prince Harry visited the Warner Brothers Studios Leavesden. Catherine wore a polka doted dress from Topshop. She also wore a black jacket last seen in December of 2011.
April 29, 2013: Catherine visited the Naomi House Children's Hospice on her second wedding anniversary. She wore a coat by Tara Jarmon.
May 22, 2013: Catherine wore a patterned yellow jacket from Emilia Wickstead to wear for one of the Queen's Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace. Catherine wore a repeated Jane Corbett hat from Order of the Garter last year.

(Dates from left to right: June 4; June 13; June 15)

June 4, 2013: Catherine wore a Jenny Peckham dress for the 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation. Catherine wore a repeat Jane Taylor hat that she wore last year for the Queen's Jubilee Thanksgiving Service.

June 13, 2013: Catherine wore a Hobbs coat for the official naming of the Royal Princess (Boat) in Southampton. She wore a black Lock & Co. hat for the occasion.

June 15, 2013: Catherine wore Alexander McQueen for Trooping the Colour which was her last official public appearance. She also wore a repeat Jane Corbett hat from one of the Queen's Garden Parties from 2012.

 

Now, we just have to wait patiently until Baby Cambridge is born. I would love to hear the guesses for his/her name. So you could post them in the comments below.

 

Information: WhatKateWore



Princess Estelle Got a Pony

"Victoria, Daniel and Estelle can now move to their house in Solliden. The Planning Board of Borgholm inspected the house on June 27th. The house, which is beautifully situated in a scenic area, secluded by trees and surrounded by pastures and meadows, is a one-storey house of about 300 square meters in size. A planning permission has been granted to the carport and next to the house there should be a 42 square meters large pool. The house is built entirely from natural materials and is quite understated in style, explains Director of Administration of Solliden, Leo Eriksson.

Lisbeth Lennartsson, the Mayor of Borgholm, tells that the Crown Princess and prince Daniel are very excited about the new house, they are extremely pleased with the work done by the artisans of Öland and invited last week in all of them at a housewarming party to show their appreciation. Queen Silvia told her that the house is very well liked, is is bright and clean and they are very happy with the build.
There is still lot of work to do in terms of finalizing the roads, storage building and gardening - and decorating the house of course. Leo Eriksson tells that they will not take the help of any interior designer, Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel are really good at that stuff themselves, and vastly interested in interior design.

Borgholm gave the green light for a deviation from the shore protection, which means that the house is only a few hundred meters from the beach. Which is perfect for little Estelle, thinks the Mistress of the Robes, Alice Trolle Wachtmeister. She thinks that Estelle will have a wonderful time on the island of Öland, children are children and love to sit on the beach and make sand cakes. Solliden is very child friendly with its pedestrian areas and she remembers how the royal children played in the park and swum and picked berries. Now it’s Princess Estelle’s turn to toddle around on the grass and splashing in the waterside.

Kay Wiestål, friend of the royal family and the arranger of Victoriadagen, says that islanders are extremely anxious to let the royals to be in peace during their annual summer vacation.
- What’s great with the Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel, and the whole royal family is that they have always been protected on Öland, they can move anywhere. About a week ago, they went and bought bikes and helmets. And Estelle has got a pony.
The Marshal of the Court visited the stables and familiarized himself with the pony.
- She was liked, so I’ll deliver the horse this weekend. I don’t know if Estelle is there then, but one can hope, says Birger Ramnebrink.

One that also keep his fingers crossed on seeing Estelle is Kay Wiestål, preparing the Victoriadagen concert. So far it is to his great joy confirmed that the entire royal family will attend the festivities on July 14, including Chris O’Neill.

- We would hope for the little charmer too. We like little princess Estelle so much, it would be nice if she will attend. She seems like a very fun girl, says Wiestål.
The court can’t give any information regarding Estelle’s possible attendance during Victoriadagen.
- That is something her parents decide and it is not planned in advance, but she will be with them with if that feels good, said Bertil Ternert."

-Expressen.se

Information: Tumblr (crownprincely)

New About the British Royal Family

Zara (Phillips) Tindall is Pregnant!

As I've announced before, the Duchess of Cambridge (due any day now) and Lady Frederick Windsor (due in August) are expecting. This time, Zara Tindall, the eldest granddaughter of the Queen is expecting her first child with her husband, Mike Tindall. Here's the official announcement:

"Mr and Mrs Mike Tindall are very pleased to announce that Zara Tindall is expecting a baby in the New Year.
The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips, Mr Phillip and Mrs Linda Tindall, and members of both families are delighted with the news.
This baby will be the first child for Mike and Zara and the third grandchild for The Princess Royal."

—	THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

Mr. and Mrs. Tindall were at the Wimbledon Final yesterday to watch the final between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. Andy Murray won the match, making him the first British man to win the cup for the first time in 77 years!

Mike Tindall posted on Twitter today, thanking everyone:
"Thanks for all the kind messages, we are very excited and I agree with you all that hopefully he/she won't have my nose ;) #Glawsfamily"

Information: TumblrPhotos: Google Search (Key Terms: Mike Tindall Zara Phillips), Tumblr

Royalty 101: Abdications

Since we have had two Abdications in one year, I'll go over some of the rules about Abdications. 

Abdications are more common in some countries than others. For example, most monarchs of the Netherlands abdicate. While, most monarchs in Great Britain reign until the pass away. It all depends on the country and the situation. 

For King Albert II, he decided to abdicate because he turned 80 last month and he questions how well his health is. Most of the time, the cause is because of age. 

Also, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani has abdicated in favor of his son the Crown Prince, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. 

It's not certain how many more Abdications will be this year (or how soon any other ones will happen). We'll just have to find out. 

2013: The year of Abdications! 

King Albert II of Belgium is Abdicating

King Albert II plans on stepping down from the Belgian throne on July 21 Belgium's national day. The whole Belgian family is going to be at the coronation to see Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde become King and Queen.