A "Royal Wedding" ... without Royalty!!. Sunday 30/09/2018

A special wedding took place a month ago in Romania's mountainous Sinaia. Nicolae Medforth-Mills, a handsome, tall, darkhaired 33-year-old British-educated young man, grandson of the last King of Romania (through his mother) tied the knot with Alina-Maria Binder, a 30-year-old beautiful native Romanian, he had been engaged with since Summer last year. The orthodox religious ceremony was held at the local Church of St. Elijah, being officiated by Calinic, the Archbishop of Arges and Muscel, and a group of local priests. Hundreds of people lined the streets outside the church to see the couple arrive & leave, and to watch the ~1 ½ hour service from two giant screens outside. After it ended at around 4pm, the newlyweds rode in a fairytale-style open horse-drawn carriage, for 2 km route to the local Sinaia Casino, where they hosted their wedding party later that evening for 200 invitees. The first official photos, mostly reproduced by local Ostafi journal, were published in the next few days. Everything seemed perfect... from the properly dressed high profile guests to the bride's outfit (made by a compatriot designer) of subtle popular motifs... from cheering crowds bearing the former royal flag & chanting the couple's names to singing the national anthem of Romania's kingdom after the couple exited the church, but... what about Royalty?

Yes, no matter of how bizarre might it seem, there were no royals present at the service. At least nobody with a clear royal title in use. Not even the bridegroom's mother (who, according to the non-reigning royal house's rules, is titled a "Princess of Romania"). She informed him by phone that she'll not attend. His aunt, titular Crown Princess Margareta, who is the current Head of the defunct Royal House (& Custodian of the Romanian Crown) received an invitation, asking her to be a wedding witness (or Koumpara as it's called in orthodox tradition)... the invitation was returned unoppened. The only relative of the groom in attendance & a bridesmaid was his sister, Elisabeta Karina, not a member of the royal famly, but in-line of succession to the former throne, recognised in the Household's rules. So why such a cold atmosphere & rejection from the own ex-Prince's family? 

Nicholas Medforth-Mills once was very popular both for Romanian royal family and its remaining royalists. The son of 'Princess' Elena & late British professor Robin Medforth-Mills, and a senior grandson to former King Michael I, he grew up and was educated privately in Switzerland and England. He first came in the spotline at the age of seven, when the former royal family was legally alowed to visit Romania for the first time since the fall of Communism, joining his grandfather at a hotel balcony in Bucharest with the latter speaking in front of thousands of crowds. Gradually the Royal family received a permanent permission by the government to come back, with their citizenship being restored and some residences returned. Nicholas grew up and became an attractive person, close to the public, involved in charities and taking part in sports initiatives. His popularity, along with that of the royal family grew up in the eyes of many monarchists, who considered them as beacons of moral values & national unity, principals they found in question among the present political & ruling elite.

King Michael, who helped to overthrow a fascist regime in Romania during WWII, but lost his throne to communists back in 1940s, used this "popular acceptance" to stabilise the royal house's position in present and open it up to a future perspective of being restored. He created a document (signed in 2007), called the "Fundamental Rules of the Royal House of Romania", describing the former Royal family's independent position in Romanian society, creating a new succession order for the Household's headship, as well as a hypothetical line of succession to the former throne (in case monarchy would be re-established), based on agnatic primogeniture, and so allowing females to succeed if there was no senior male heir. His five daughters were named Princesses of Romania, while his grandson, Nicholas, became a prince (with the style of Royal Highness) at the age of 25 (in 2010). Now the third in line of succession (after his aunt - the Crown Princess - and mother), Prince Nicolae became more involved in so-called "royal duties", with some of the conservative population seeing him as a King-in-waiting. He attended official functions, traveled across Romania, participated in sporting events and charities (like cycling across Romania to raise funds for vulnerable children). All seemed perfect for him, until the 'beautiful day' of August 1, 2015.

That day, in an official palace statement, Michael I announced the withdrawal of royal status from his grandson, stripping him of his royal titles and priviledges. The announcement stated that "His Majesty asserted that the Royal Family and Romanian society of those times will need a modest reign, well balanced, with moral principles, and always thinking about others" and that he hoped Nicholas would find a right path to realise himself in his life. His mother received a private letter on the topic & the Royal Householf declines to comment further. 

Following that, a confusion begun about the relations within the royal house, especially spotted by local media. Some sources said that this decision was made because of Nicholas' alleged relationship with a Romanian woman, that resulted an extramarital child (a daughter, born in early 2016), that the former Prince failed to recognise. Medforth-Mills himself accepted this affair, but not his paternity, declaring that he was ready to find out the truth via a DNA test, something the young mother declined. Other sources told about a possible tention between Nicolae and his aunt (Margareta) with her influential husband Radu Duda (former Romanian actor and once a candidate in Presidential elections) for the claim to the defunct throne, as the aged former King was gradually withdrawing from public life. This has not yet been proven.

Nicolae Medforth-Mills was close to his Royal grandfather for the most of his life. They shared the same interest in collecting & driving old model cars & jeeps. He spent a lot of time at Michael's residence in Switzerland (where he lived a very simple life), and even after his exclusion from the royal family, the King reportedly told him that he was still a member of His own family, and despite being no more a member of the royal house, Nicholas was always acceptable in private. When Medforth-Mills announced his engagement to Alina Binder, a Romanian journalist, in August 2017, King Michael (then retired from activities due to illness) & the rest of the Royal family sent their congratulations and blessings. But the rift with the rest of his family was yet to be shown. In November (2017), the former King (battling with leukemia for a more than a year) was in serious condition, with his entire family gathering at his bedside. Not entire family, but entire royal family. Medforth-Mills tried to pay him a visit, traveling directly to his residence from London, but failed to do it. The same day the royal family filed a complaint to the local police against Nicholas alleging that he tried to force his way into his grandfather's home. In a statesment the palace said he "physically and verbally assaulted three staff members", with his mother expressing her disappointment about her son's actions, stating that he disregarded the King's privacy, suffering & dignity, clarifyign that His Majesty didn't wish to see him "due to his lack of moral principles". Nicolae responded through his facebook page (& an interview) that he won't take part in this "dirty game". He stated that he just wanted to see his grandfather, maybe for the last time (something proper for a grandson & christian at such difficult moments), accusing his royal relatives of stoping him to do so and discrediting his name (he declined the physical assault). Moreover, the former Prince declined the palace's claim that he agreed with the abrogation of his royal title, reporting that "there has never been any understanding, or signed agreement of my departure from Romania and the condition that I will not return to the country", stating that he'll legally challenge this exclusion. That's what we know from reported information... Nicholas would never again see his grandfather. King Michael died on December 5, at the age of 96. He was the last living state leader from the Interwar and his passing and farewell drew high attention not only in Romania, but across Europe & beyong. Nicolae and Alina (who had married civilly in a secret ceremony that October) were allowed to participate in the state funeral and memorial services for the last King.

And then the time "comes back" with a more clear explanation of everything. It's Summer. Wedding preparations are made, detail-to-detail. Invitations are being sent. As time comes closer, everything is calculated, so all the security measures to be taken for a "grand event". A "royal event". In a country without monarchy for 70 years. And even without "Royals" (/or at least royal claimants) in attendance. So why this pomp? Why this attention? The ceremony is being held in a "traditional" mood. All Orthodox rituals are completed, Archbishop Calinic makes an extended speech about King Mihai (who concecrated this church), Queen Ana & Queen Maria, the crowds outside cheering for "our future King", choir performing Trăiască Regele (=Long Live the King - the Royal anthem)... etc, etc, etc. Nicolae and Alina accepted the warmth of the public & showed them their warmth & love. The next two days they paid tributes... to fallen soldiers & former Kings. While the current "Custodian of the Crown" (who is styled Her Majesty according to her Household's fundamental ruler) was in France paying tribute to soldiers who fought in WWI and contributed to the Greater Romania a century ago. Princess Elena wasn't spotted paying a public tribute this day. But unlike her daughter, she also decided not to go... So now, what we have? Two sides of royal claimants, concuring for a potential restoration? A "royal family" considering this wedding as a "private affair" and "boycotting" it... while this private wedding receives more than  royal attention and popularity? Or/And a mother born to a former monarch in exile, who receiving a "handwritten" royal title & name, accused her non-royal son of immorality, and... refused to attend his own wedding!? At the end everybody was delighted! Or, at least shaw that in public! In private we don't know. We shouldn't... But this leaves us the space to re-think... to re-think and re-consider... what really matters, and what no. So, a "Royal Wedding in Centennial (Great) Romania", or a private wedding of two popular young people, or even a "Royal Wedding" without royalty, its meaning is in more than a royal status, or royal values & morality... but in Real ones. Those of a human heart & soul, able to accept, forgive and stay higher than any prejudices and iconic principles in such circumstances. So (for me) A MORE THAN ROYAL WEDDING.

Some videos (including the full broadcast) of(, or related to) the wedding:

Additional links & information:
https://www.romania-insider.com/hundreds-sinaia-wedding-former-prince-nicolae/
https://www.economist.com/europe/2018/09/29/a-near-royal-wedding-in-romania
http://business-review.eu/lifestyle/the-first-official-photos-from-former-crown-prince-nicolaes-wedding-photo-gallery-186407
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Medforth-Mills
https://www.romania-insider.com/prince-nicolae-charity-bike-tour/147314/
https://www.romania-insider.com/romanias-king-michael-withdraws-his-grandsons-royalty-status/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_succession_to_the_former_Romanian_throne
http://familiaregala.ro/familia-regala/normele-fundamentale-ale-familiei-regale-a-romaniei
https://www.romania-insider.com/scandal-romanian-royal-house/
https://www.romania-insider.com/prince-nicolae-title-withdrawn/
https://www.romania-insider.com/former-prince-nicolae-challenge-exclusion/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_I_of_Romania

"MALAY ROYAL HISTORY IS REPEATED - INSTALLATION OF SULTAN SALLEHUDDIN OF KEDAH."

Malaysia saw its royal traditions performed again last Monday (Oct. 22), when the Sultan of the state of Kedah was enthroned. The 76-year-old Sultan Sallehuddin (son of the late Sultan Badlishah), who ascended the throne in September last year was officially declared the 29th Ruler of his state, in a colorful palace ceremony of local customs, combined with muslim rituals, in front of representatives of Malay royalty & government. The honorary sobriquet: Al Aminul Karim was bestowed upon him on his enthronement. For many Kedahans (/Kedah's people) it was a unique opportunity to observe such a historical event, as the last one occurred here 59 years ago, when Sallehuddin's half-brother (& predecessor), the late Sultan Abdul Halim was installed back in 1959.

 

Preparations for the Installation (Mal. Pertabalan) were made ever since Sallehuddin's proclamation
as Sultan of Kedah on September 12, 2017 (the day after the death of Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adazam Shah at the age of 89). The Sultan proclaimed his elder son, Tengku Sarafuddin Badlishah the new Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of Kedah on the 26th November, with his second son, Tunku Shazuddin Ariff being named Tunku Laksamana (second in seniority after the Raja Muda) in a joint ceremony at the Anak Bukit palace. He installed his wife, Sultanah Maliha Tengku Ariff, as Sultanah of Kedah in the same place on his birthday (April 30) this year. Thence, five major events/ceremonies were being organised, leading to the Sultan's enthronement. They were all broadcasted live by the Malaysian Radio Television and took place by the next order: Istiadat Letak Kerja (launching ceremony) on September 20, Istiadat Ziarah Makam (visit & pilgrimage at the predecessors' tombs, in Langgar Royal Mausoleum) on October 5, Istiadat Siram Tabal ('royal bathing ceremony' when
'spring' & 'Zam Zam' waters from the first ceremony were poured on the Sultan & Sultanah from earthen pots) on October 14, Istiadat Perarakan (royal parade, participated by the Sultan & his consort, who drove across the street's in a Golden Chariot, used for special ocassions) on October 20, and the Istiadat Pertabalan (or Installation ceremony) on October 22. Additionally, the Royal couple made many tours & travels in all the districts of Kedah during the Summer, to greet local people, ahead the installation itself.

THE INSTALLATION
The ceremony itself was steeped in Royal tradition, but with more attention to its Islamic status, rather than customary elements of mysticism. It was the first installation taking place in the Balairung Seri (/throne hall) of Istana Anak Bukit (as all the previous were held in Istana of Alor Setar) and the second one in more than a century (because al-Marhum Sultan Badlishah wasn't installed due to Japanese occupation at the beginning of his reign). The entire royal family of Kedah was in attendance, while the eight other monarchies of Malaysia were represented by their Heirs, Regents, or Rulers' sons. The four Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Supreme Leaders/Governors) from Malay states without monarchy were also in attendance. Malaysia's 93-year-old Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad (originally coming from this Sultanate), his son & Kedah's Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) Mukhriz Mahathir (with their wives), Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah & her husband former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, the Crown Prince of Brunei & his wife were present as well.

Guests began gathering at 8:30 am local time, while the ceremony started with the entrance of TRH the Sultan & Sultanah to the Balairung Seri just before 11am. They were escorted by regalia bearers with the: sceptre of religion (Cogan Agama), sceptre of the world (Cogan Alam), mace (Cokmar), swords, laces & waist buckle. On the entrance the “selawat” salutation prayer was recited, accompanied by a 'nobat' traditional orchestras tune. Their Royal Highnesses sat on the thrones and the Head of the ceremony, who led their procession inside, asked for the Sultan's permission to begin the ceremony. He accepted and then local chieftains proceeded to place installation' instruments on a special table in front of the Sultan. These items included the Holy Quran, letters of proclamation & royal oath of office, state 'keris' (assymetrical dagger), golden headgear (tengkolok), and a container of items, symbolising the power & richness of the ruler. 'Doa' prayer was recited by Kedah's Mufti, the Head of ceremony presented His Royal Highness the copy of Quran (symbolising monarch's religious authority), and the Sultan kissed it & placed it to a specially prepared place. Then Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir read the proclamation document, Sultan Sallehuddin stood up & read his royal oath, after which he was presented the state keris (symbolising his right of sovereignty), and kissed it three times. Hence, the Head of the ceremony announced that Sultan Sallehuddin ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah has been installed as the 29th Sultan of Kedah (receiving the honorary sobriquet: Al Aminul Karim). He concluded shouting trice "Daulat Tuanku" (=Long Live the Lord), which, per custom, was repeated by all attendants.

Nobat orchestra played ceremonious tunes, performing the state anthem of Kedah (Allah Selamatkan/save the Sultan), followed by 21-gun salute. After that Raja Muda (Tengku Sarafuddin Badlishah) read the congratulatory message on behalf of the royal family, followed by that of Mukhriz (Mahathir), on behalf of the people & state. A final recitation of 'doa' prayer followed, before the Head of ceremony declared - with Sultan's permission - the Installation ceremony ended. That was the exact order of the main event. Five days later on Saturday (27/10/2018) night, Sultan Sallehuddin & Sultanah Maliha hosted a palace banquet, attended by members of government & state leadership, and this time by the most of actual Malay Rulers and the Sultan of Brunei, as well. 

Seri Mahkota 

Among other unique parts of Sultan Sallehuddin's attire for this installation, was also his tengkolok (headdress). It was designed similarly to the headdress of the late Sultan Badlishah, and matched to the traditional, yellow baju sikap state attire Sallehuddin wore for the enthronement. The headdress, named Seri Mahkota, was made of a one-metre long silk material, hand-woven from a gold thread, symbolisinf the Sultan's noble qualities and characteristics. As it usually happens, every part of royal regalia, used for the enthronement of a Malay Sultan, plays an important symbolic role (representing either religious authority, or state sovereignty, richness, national unity, rule above law, etc).

Nobat

An integral part of royal regalia in many Malay states (including Kedah) is considered to be the Nobat, or "Royal Musical Ensemble", usual for the invertitures of Sultans. In Kedah, nobat performs tratitional songs at royal installations, weddings and funerals. Like few other states of Malaysia, Kedah has its own Nobat ensemble, playing everyday before prayers except the public holidays. Nobat consists of three gendang (two-headed drum) instruments, one or two serunai (flute or clarinet), a trumpet (nafiri) and a small gong (caklempong). Kedahan nobat also includes a velvet-covered sceptre, nahara drums, and a medium-sized mounted gong. There's also a popular legend, considering the nobat as sacred. It insists that for the abdominal lining of the first nahara drum a pregnant woman was sacrifised, providing cure for ailing children, whose mothers make a beeling to nobat Tower (in central Alor Setar), plegding an offering for their recovery. Ever since people claim to hear a wailing baby when nobat is played. Here the Mahaguru (conductor of Nobat) is responsible for the musicians, the wellbeing of instruments, and holds the namesake of velvet covered mace as well.

Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah

His Royal Highness (whose full name is Mahmud Sallehuddin), was born in 1942, the 9th of the 14 children of Sultan Badlishah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, & third child of Sultanah Asma binti Almarhum Sultan Badrul Alam Shah (Badlishah's second wife). His father reigned over Kedah in 1943 & from 1945 to 1958. He grew up without the expectation to ascend the throne, as his elder half-brothers from Sultan Badlishah's first marriage were first in line. On the death of their father (1958), Sallehuddin's elder half-brother (Abdul Halim) became the Sultan, while two other brothers were closer in line of succession than him. Tuanku Sallehuddin underwent his military career in the early 1960s in India & Thailand, and was promoted to the rank of Colonel. He married Tuanku Maliha binti Almarhum Tengku Ariff in 1965, and they were blessed with two sons and two grandchildren (through their elder son). In 1981 Sallehuddin was proclaimed Tunku Temenggong of Kedah. In 2011 Sultan Abdul Halim was selected for the second time as Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Supreme King/Head of State) of Malaysia for a five-year term. During this tenure he appointed a council of regency over Kedah, that included Sallehuddin, and was led by his elder full-brother, Tunku Annuar. After Annuar suddenly died in 2014, Sallehuddin was left the senior member of regency council and took over as its head. Tuanku Abdul Halim had only daughters (who are not allowed to inherit the throne), and his heir (Raja Muda) was his younger full brother (Sallehuddin's half-brother), Tunku Abdul Malik, incapacitated due to old age. He died childless in 2015, aged 86, leaving Mahmud Sallehuddin the first in claim to Kedah's throne. In December 2016, the 89-year-old Tuanku Abdul Halim finished successfully his tenure as King of Malaysia, and returned to Kedah to reassume his duties as Sultan. Regency council was immediately dissolved, and among the first acts of the elderly ruler was to name Tunku Mahmud Sallehuddin as Raja Muda & the direct heir of the throne. Abdul Halim passed away nine months later with Sallehuddin becoming Sultan at the age of 75.

KEDAH DARUL AMAN 

This Malay state with "Abode of Peace" (which its last two names mean) and one of the earliest Sultanates in the country has a rich history, beginning more than a thousand years ago. Its first sovereigns were Hindus, dated back reportedly to the 4th century AD. Islam came here in 1136 when the then King of Karadam, Durbar Raja II conversed to muslim faith, changed his name to Muzzafar Shah and adopted the title of Sultan. Kedah Sultans are listed unstoppably ever since then, longer than in any other current monarchy in Malaysia. They have in many ocassions used the perception about the Sultan's wisdom, including that of Muhmmd Jiwa Zainal Abidin I, who reportedly paved the way towards the end of feudalism ~500 years ago. Kedah was occupied by Siam (current Thailand) from 1821 to 1909, a challenging time for its hereditary monarchy. From the end of the occupation & right until today its Sultans have been cherished for unselfishness (& aiming the welfare of the people) despite any external circumstances. Following the end of WWII Kedah's monarchy was briefly abolished, when it entered the Malayan union, but was quickly reinstated when the union evolved to the Federation of Malaya (& later Malaysia). Sultans of Kedah are also known for their record-long reigns. Even the late Sultan Abdul Halim, who ruled over Kedah for 59 years, was just its third longest-reigning monarchs. Finally, Kedah's royal family is also popular, as the first Prime Minister of the Independent Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, was an uncle of Sultans Abdul Halim & Sallehuddin.

MALAYSIAN MONARCHY

But the most intriguing part in the Malay monarchy, is that of its form today. Following the Independence of Malaysia from the United Kingdom in 1957 (& its gradual formation as we know it today), it is consisted of nine sovereign states and four non-monarchies. So it it was decided (at the very beginning) that Malaysia would be a Federation with Independent parliament & an elective, constitutional monarchy. The only elective monarchy - with the monarch's role limited - in the world. Well, it isn't exactly "elective", but rather 'selective' monarchy. Every five years the Conference of Rulers of Malaysia (participated by seven Sultans, a Raja & a Yang di-Pertuan Besar - all state monarchs) selects one of them as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, something like a Constitutional monarch, or King. He is installed in a nationwide ceremony, settles in capital, Kuala Lumpur, performs his official state functions (of limited role), enjoys the privilegde of a King, and leaves his office on the end of his five year's term (to be succeeded by the next one). Up until now the line of selection of Malay monarchs as Yang di-Pertuan Agong followed a concrete rotation system, launched by seniority of rulers, and being currently repeated for the second time in order all the Malay states to be represented. But even this can't be predicted, as there is always a possibility the rulers to select a more popular of them who won their confidence, breaking the established (de facto) "line of succession". During his term the Agong can't fullfil his 'duties' in his state (where he may have more "royal authority"), so he appoints a regent, or a regency council, to replace him during his term. Also along with the actual YDP Agong, a Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong (usually the most preferable successor) is elected (also among the rulers), to replace him, when needed. In case of Yang di-Pertuan Agong's death or depisition, while in office, his Deputy take the role of acting Agong until the selection of the next King. Yang di-Pertuan Agong's term is not fixed on special dates, so if he leaves is position before the scheduled time, new dates of reign's start & end is established. As of yet, Kedah has also to be proud for another unique 'achievement' of its Sultans in national level, as the late Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah lived long enough to oversee the rotation system of Agong's selection repeated, being the only Malay ruler as of now to reign as King of Malaysia for two full five-year terms, in different periods. He was the 5th Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1970 to 1975 and the 14th from 2011 to 2016. His latter successor, Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan, is the current, 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.

(Almarhum Tuanku/Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah)

(KDYMM SPB YDP Agong XV, Sultan Muhammad V)

A video from the installation, full video & videos from some additional events (in Malay):

& more links/sources of information!!:

http://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=1656463

https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2018/10/423371/new-sultan-kedah?fbclid=IwAR16_N8MjcjRWiba6UZ7FOjVFkIrFQkSEjFq16MKXRKBRFy2XjMD2Rzc5rM
https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/448269?fbclid=IwAR1T9tinP7iVOon8Y554FYrMTxCD-sPIuVc7zZiA4mpQRKVBO9fI6DDrV0o
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regalia_of_Malaysia#Nobat
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kedah_Sultanate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sallehuddin_of_Kedah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badlishah_of_Kedah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_Halim_of_Kedah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_di-Pertuan_Agong

BREAKING: Second son for Charlotte Casiraghi (UPDATED II - Monday 14/1/2019)

Princess Caroline of Hanover, the elder sister of Prince Albert II (the Sovereign Prince of Monaco), has become a grandmother for the seventh time last Tuesday (23/10/2018), when her elder daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi gave birth to a little boy in Monaco. The baby was safely delivered, reportedly at Princess Grace hospital (in Monte Carlo), weighting 7 lbs 2 oz (~4,450kg), and is the second son of Casiraghi, the first child with her current partner, Dimitri Rassam. The newborn - who was reportedly named BALTHAZAR -, can't follow his mother & grandmother to the line of succession of the Monegasque Princely throne, unless his parents would legitimise him through marriage. So... who they are?

Charlotte Casiraghi was born in 1986, the middle child & only daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco and her second husband, Italian industrialist Stefano Casiraghi. Her mother was the first child of then-reigning Prince of Monaco, Rainier III & the late American actress, Grace Kelly (Princess of Monaco by marriage). Charlotte's full-brothers are Andrea & Pierre Casiraghi. Her father was killed in a boating accident when she was just four, and she was grown up in her mother's family. In 1999 Princess Caroline married for the third time to Ernst August, Prince of Hanover, through whom Charlotte has two stepbrothers & a half-sister, Princess Alexandra (born in 1999). Casiraghi was educated in French state schools, obtaining her baccalaureate from Lycée François-Couperin in 2004. She earned a licence of Philosophy in 2007 and completed two internships later that year. Charlotte was made an ambassador of the Club des Habits Rouges (an equestrian voluntary organisation) for Monaco by her grandfather, Prince Rainier III, at a young age, and is ever since involved in equestrian sports, being herself an amateur show jumper. She is also a journalist & magazine editor, founder of a Monegasque group of Philosophical affairs (Les Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco), and honorary member of several charities, educational & sports' organisations in Monaco & abroad.
While she is a private citizen, Casiraghi often attends official public events, including the Annual Bal de la Rose (/Rose Ball) with the Monegasque Princely family, raising money for the educational Princess Grace Foundation.

From 2011 to 2015, Charlotte Casiraghi was dating with a French actor, Gad Elmaleh, from whom she has a son, Raphael Elmaleh (b. 2013). Raphael can't join the line of succession to the throne of Monaco, as his parents have never married. Charlotte met with Dimitri Rassam in late 2016 and is in relationship with him ever since. Rassam, 36, is the son of actress Carole Bouquet (known for her Bond girl' role in the James Bond film For your eyes only) and Jean-Pierre Rassam, a French-Lebanese film producer. His father also died when he was four years old, from a drug overdose. Dimitri has a half-brother, Louis Giacobetti from his mother's relationship with a photographer. He finished a secondary school in France, studied political sciences, began working in a Paris byssiness company, and later obtained a degree in history. Rassam is a film director, and at the age of 23 founded his own production company ("Chapter 2"). He is still producing films of warious popularity, including "Playmobil The Movie" (due next year). He was married to the Russian model Masha Novoselova from 2010 to 2016 (when they ceparated), and has fathered a daughter, Darya, born in 2011.
Charlotte Casiraghi & Dimitri Rassam were reportedly engaged in March 2018, though they never officially confirmed it. However, at this year's Rose Ball, they appeared together, with Charlotte wearing a diamond ring (he likely gave her), and visible signs of pregnancy. According to some sources they were planning to marry in 2018, but postponed their wedding until the birth of their child. As of yet their wedding is thought to be held sometime in 2019, with the civil ceremony taking place in Monaco, and the religious at the Italian island of Pantelleria, a property of Dimitri's mother. In early January 2019 some verifiable reports emerged, talking about the alleged cancellation of Casiraghi & Rassam's marriage, just two months after their son was born. However, these rumours were soon declined by a joint formal statement of the Couple, that warned legal proceedings against all the "unsubstantiated rumours of separation" (Update).
But... Why the birth of a child to commoners is reported as breaking story among Royal events??

Well Charlotte Casiraghi is a commoner from a royal mother. Her uncle is the reigning Prince of Monaco. Usually commoners are not counted among important royals, unless they are direct descendants (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren) of a currently reigning monarch. But in the Monegasque royal family it is not exactly the same. The Principality's succession law is based on male preference cognatic primogeniture, which means that females are allowed to succeed the throne, only if none of their male siblings (& his descendants) is alive. Until 2002 only the direct descendants of a Prince (even adopted) could succeed the throne. And as the then Hereditary Prince Albert was the sole heir to the throne (his two sisters, including Princess Caroline would lose their succession rights after his accession), amid fears that after his death the 800-year-old Grimaldi dynasty would extinct - and if it could not be replaced by another, Monaco would lose its sovereignity - changed were made in Constitution, regarding the succession law. Now the line of succession could include siblings of a reigning monarch and their descendants, but not his/her adopted children, born out of the wedlock. Prince Albert - who succeeded his father in 2005 - had two illegitimate children he recognised, but couldn't anymore make his heirs. So, Princess Caroline of Hanover, became Hereditary Princess of Monaco (after her father's death), and the crown was expected to pass on her & her non-royal descendants, if Albert wouldn't produce any legitimate heir during his lifetime. Eventually he married Charlene Wittstock in 2011 & fathered twins in 2014 (including a son Jacques, who since then has replaced Caroline as heir of the throne). But until then, Caroline's elder son (& Charlotte's brother) Andrea Casiraghi was highly considered as the future Monegasque monarch, and her children (all included in line of succession) would become royals in case she ascended the throne. And while an extramarital child of a monarch could not succeed the throne, the extramarital offspring of any other heir can join the line of succession if his/her parents marry. The latter can happen with Balthazar Rassam too, should his parents legalise their union through marriage (meanwhile Balthazar five maternal first cousins, two of them born also in 2018, are among the first heirs of the Monegasque throne).
Casiraghis are unlikely to join the Princely family, but their established succession rights will remain upon them (unless the constitution changes again, or somebody of them declines his/her position in future).

links about this breaking story & further information:
https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2018102463824/charlotte-casiraghi-welcomes-second-child-royal-news/
https://www.harpersbazaar.com.au/celebrity/charlotte-casiraghi-baby-name-17553
https://people.com/royals/charlotte-casiraghi-welcomes-baby/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Casiraghi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimitri_Rassam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Succession_to_the_Monegasque_throne
https://us.hola.com/en/royalty/2019010213352/charlotte-casiraghi-breaks-dimitri-rassam-engagement/
https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2019010266110/charlotte-casiraghi-calls-off-engagement-after-baby-born/.
http://royalcentral.co.uk/europe/monaco/charlotte-casiraghi-denies-rumours-that-she-and-fiance-dimitri-rassam-have-split-114044

"A light among Iran's darkness" Empress Farah Pahlavi

Last Sunday (October 14), Farah Diba Pahlavi, former Empress of Iran & widow of its last Shah celebrated her 80th birthday. Photos were published from a private, family celebration, together with her living children and grandchildren, in a relatively happy atmosphere. But the same time with a deep inner pain in her heart, a nostalgia for the "glorious" past (vanished four decides ago), and for her beloved Iran, she dedicated her life for and spent a lot of time to open it up to modernization, with a fundamentalist revolution & a lifelong exile in response. Let's find out more about the life & work of this Empress!!

Farah Diba was born in October 1938 into a wealthy, upper-class Iranian family. Her father, an officer of Azerbaijani origin, died when she was just nine, and her mother (a native Iranian from a Caspian coast) took full custody in her education, amid financial problems within the family. The young Farah was sent to the Italian school in Tehran, before enrolling to the French Jeanne D’Arc School. Then she studied architecture in Paris, under state Sponsorship, where in 1959 she met her future husband, the wealthy & powerful Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, 21 years senior & twice divorced, who soon 'asked for her hand'. The young & beautiful 21-year-old accepted it from love and (the same time) duty sence. Their engagement was announced on December 1 the same year, while on December 20 they married, with the wedding taking a worldwide press attention.

As the new wife of the Shah, Farah became Queen-consort of Iran. In this deeply concervative & slowly progressive society, her original role was clear - to produce a male heir to the throne (which the Shah's previous two Queens failed to do). In this task she was successful. In 1960, 10 months after their wedding, their first son, Crown Prince Reza, was born. He was followed by Princess Farahnaz (* 1963), Prince Ali Reza (1966-2011) & Princess Leila (1970-2001). Privately their family was raising according to a western approach, but publicly the supreme place was to be always upon the Shah from each aspect. Mohammad Reza, who was shorter than his wife, so he wore elevator shoes during their joint public appearances, while in official family photos they posed either on stairways (with him staying upper), or with Farah sitting on a chair. Through the 1960s the Shah launched a series of reforms (so-called the White Revolution) leading Iran towards a rapid westernization. To reassure his leading role & connect himself with that progress, Shah Mohammad Reza decided to proclaim himself Emperor of Iran, receiving the ancient title of Shāhanshāh (or "King of Kings") in a lavish Coronation ceremony on 27 October 1967 in Tehran. He crowned his wife as Shahbanou (/"King's Lady"), the first to receive such a title in more than two thousand years. The celebrations of Persian Empire's 2,500 years, that followed in 1971, reafirmed the monarch's ancient heritage and provided (Shia) Iranians a non-Islamic indentity.

While the first years of Farah's consortship were limited behind the palace walls, following her promotion to Empress things begun to change. She herself described her coronation as representing "the crowning of every woman in my country—a milestone marking just how far we had come in the struggle for equal rights". Her husband designated her a regent over their son, in case the Shah would die before the Crown Prince comes to age (at 21), something very pioneer for a Muslim country such as Iran. She also was the first woman to publicly donate blood in an Islamic state. Farah became quickly involved in charitable work and development programs for many fields, including gender equality (and women rights), health, eduction, sport, culture, sciences and arts. Especially in the chapter of Arts, Her Imperial Majesty contributed the revival of artistic treasures throughout the long Persian history, as also the exhibition of modern and contemporary artworks from inside and abroad in Iran. Her Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (inn. 1977) hosted a large collection of Iran's modern and contemporary artists, and western masterpieces of modern art from around the world (including works of Van Gogh, Picasso, Bacon, de Kooning, Rothko, Dalí, & Warhol...), most of which are still safely exhibited there. She also was a patron of the annual Shiraz Arts Festival, combining traditional Iranian arts (eg: weaving, singing, & poetry recital) with western expressions (like theatre). As a former architecture student she appreciated both local and western building styles, so her royal palace in Niavaran (build 1968), designed by Mohsen Foroughi, was a mixed complex of traditional Iranian & modern western architectural design. She was keen about each form of creativity, and had a collection of 22,000 books in her library (most of them about art). Empress Farah worked towards those causes a lot, spending about 12 hours in her office each weekday (though soon she got many advisers in all topics, who made her work easier). Additionally she used to visit charities & people she supported and see their progress in everyday life. Always insisting in a development of moral principles, against corruption and inequality, promoting more liberal views to go forward - and even without hesitation of being involved in politics and go against her husband's advisors, and powerful members of Royal family - Farah represented 'a drop of light' in the 'far & deep dark tunnel' Iran was trying to get out from.

However, as a faithful wife and Queen, she still supported her husband, campaigned (through her contribution) for his popularity and never actually influenced or seriously disagreed with his opinions. They represented an authocratic system, maybe pro-western (and politically supported by the US), but the same time an absolute, oppressive, and brutal to the opponents regime. Their bid towards modernization and secularization, but with the lack of functional stability, caused strong reactions and demonstrations by Iranian islamists, who gained the support by leftists and students' movements, leading to the non-violent Islaming revolution of 1979, and the establishment of a theocratic fundamentalist republic, where human rights and gender equality are violated like in the past. Of course the Shah, understanding that he and his family were in danger, and having experienced overthrows first hand - his father came and left the throne through deposition -, left the country the last moment (with revolutionaries abolishing the monarchy just few weeks later). Empress Farah still claims that Iranian people were ungrateful towards her husband and "failed to appreciate all He had done for them", while also blaming the western powers, who "failed to support him", the media for not being impartial, politicians, who failed in their duty, and so on... Of course this events were very dramatic for her (and remain so), while a more tragic part of her life was yet to follow...

 

Mohammad Reza was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (a serious form of blood cancer) in 1974. Though he kept it secret for many years even from his wife, his health began to deteriorate rapidly following the revolution and deposition. The former imperial family resettled many timed during their first year in exile, searching for a permanent safe place, where they were not in danger to be arrested and extradited back to Iran. They travelled from Egypt and Mocorro to Panama and USA, but no government could offer them a guaranteed asylum. In early 1980, and as the Shah's health worsened, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat (and his wife Jehan) agreed to grant them an ensured asylum. They traveled to Egypt that March, where they were treated as personal friends of the President. The former Shah died on July 27 at the age of 60 and received a full-state funeral, being buried at the Al-Rifa'i Mosque (the burial place of his relatives and the former Egyptian royal family). After the Shah's death, the Dowager former Empress and her family were allowed to stay at a luxurious palace, and lived there until Sadat's assassination, in October 1981. Then Empress Farah moved to USA, and settled in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Her two youngest children died of an alleged suicide in 2001 & 2011, with depression, nostalgia for their birth country and loneliness being the most likely causes.

Following the death of her younger daughter (2001), Farah resettled to Maryland (near Washington, D.C.). She is very close to her elder son, former Crown Prince Reza (and pretender to the defunct throne of Iran), his wife Jasmine and their three daughters (the younger of whom is named after her). She also has another granddaughter, through her second, late son, Prince Ali Reza, born after his death in 2011. The former Empress now divides her time between Washington & Paris, making every year a pilgrimage at her husband's mausoleum in Cairo, on his death anniversary. She is still very active in promoting Iranian culture and arts, supports charities, visits museums and exhibitions, attends ocassional royal events (like weddings), and has written her memoirs and authobiographies.

Farah Pahlavi still believes that monarchy in Iran should be restored. Her son, the former Crown Prince is head of the Iranian Imperial dynasty in exile, as well as the founder of the National Council of Iran for Free Elections, an exiled opposition group, campaigning for the overthrow of the current Iranian government and then to claim Reza's headship of state in Iran (either as a monarch, or as President) through democratic, desperate elections. He is becoming widely popular among some young Iranians, who opose the current government's totalitarian rule and protest against it. Empress Farah and the former imperial family do support these protests, in a bid to restore their trust among the people and light up a higher support towards their restoration. In a recent statement, at the end of last year, she quoted: “I am convinced that the people of Iran, like the mythical Phoenix, will rise again from the ashes and overcome the current challenges facing them. I am certain that light shall prevail over darkness”. She has been too a beacon of hope among Iranian darkest times.

Short video about her involvement in arts:

& more, additional links:
https://www.historyofroyalwomen.com/the-royal-women/empress-farah-pahlavi-widow-shah/
https://robbreport.com/muse/discoveries/empress-farah-pahlavis-new-iran-modern-book-by-assouline-2823190/
https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/02/books/the-last-empress.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farah_Pahlavi
http://royalcentral.co.uk/international/empress-farah-pahlavi-i-am-certain-that-light-shall-prevail-over-darkness-94379
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahbanu
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehran_Museum_of_Contemporary_Art
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_Revolution
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Background_and_causes_of_the_Iranian_Revolution
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_monarchs_of_Persia#Pahlavi_Empire_(1925%E2%80%931979)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Council_of_Iran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_n-8zOxegs&t=25s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylEeJu7QL18