75th birthday for A GREEK-BORN, SERBIAN 'PRINCESS' - KATERINA BATI, aka 'Crown Princess of Yugoslavia'.

The wife of the last Crown Prince of Yugoslavia has turned 75 last November 13. Born into a Greek commoner family as Κατερίνα Μπατή (Katherine Batis), she married to former Crown Prince Alexander (who claims kingship under the name of Alexander II Karađorđević, in case of the restoration of Serbian monarchy) in 1984, and is known for her notable charitable contribution since the former Royal family resettled in Serbia in 2001. Her Jubilee was celebrated in private with her immediate family, while the nexe day (November 14), she & here husband were among royal guests attending the Buckingham Palace banquet (in UK) for the 70th birthday of Charles, Prince of Wales. They have very close ties with the British Royal family, as Crown Prince Alexander was born in London shortly before the abolition of Yugoslavian monarchy (with the UK government temrorarily declaring the hospital room he was born a Yugoslav territory, so he would receive his country's citizenship by birth), with his godparents being the current Queen, Elizabeth II & her late father, King George VI. Her Royal Highness (Crown Princess Katherine) thanked everyone who extended her birthday wishes, while the royal family's official website published an annual film, about her activities in the past year (which is the first video bellow).

Attending the 70th birthday banquet of Charles, Prince of Wales,
the day after Katherine's actual 75th birthday. 

Katerina Bati was born on 13 November 1943 in Athens, a daughter of Robert Batis & his wife Anne (nee Dosti). She was educated in Greece & Switzerland, and studied business in the US (Universities of Denver & Dallas) later working there in that field. In 2007 she also received a honorary degree in Doctor of Letters, from the UK' University of Sheffield.

Bati was married to the late Jack Walter Andrews from 1962, until their divorse in 1984. Together they have two children (David & Alison), and five grandchildren. Both her son & grandson (David's son Alexander) are godchildren of the current President of Greece, Prokopis Pavlopoulos. She met Crown Prince Alexander (also a divorsee & with three sons) in Washington, DC in 1984, and married in London, (both civilly & religiously) on 20 & 21 September 1985. Their best man was former King Constantine II of Greece & the late Prince Tomislav of Yugoslavia (Alexander's uncle) acted as a witness. In her more than 30-year-marriage, they saw a lot of happy moments within their family, like the wedding of Alexander's middle son, the birth of his first grandson, & the marriages of some of Katherine's grandchildren as well.

As a titular 'Crown Princess', Katherine became involved in numerous charitable acivities, mostly related to children, elderly & generally those in need. Her patronges to humanitarian organizations include the Lifeline Humanitarian Organization with offices in Chicago, New York, Torondo, London & Athens. In 2001 she expanded her contribution to this organisation, creating The Foundation of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine, a similar organization in Serbia. The one is headed by Crown Princess Katerina, with its main office located in Belgrade, and branches in UK, US & other countries, as well. In 1991, the former Serbian Royal family first visited Belgrade, being warmly welcomed by local monarchists. After the 2000 Revolution in Serbia, the Crown Prince with his wife (Katerina) & three sons returned permanently to Serbia (2001), and were settled in the Royal Palace of Belgrade, the residence of Karađorđević dynasty, returned to them by the government.

Princess Katherine is still active with her charities & accompanying her husband in royal & national affairs (he participates in), both in Serbia and abroad. She is a polyglot, speaking in Greek, English, French, Serbian & Spanish, while her interests include music, books, cooking, theatre & skiing. In the last years, Princess Katherine has been vocal on vital issues of those in need (eg the Mediterranean refugees), visiting herself hospitals and rehabilitation centres she supports. Her Foundation keeps in frequent contact with Serbian ministries that play a crucial role in those issues, while also providing scholarships in cultural institutions, organising activities and other initiatives, that raise money for medical equipment (in children's hospitals) and other contributions, and inviting children from Orphanages to visit the Royal Palace each Christmas & Easter. The Mission of Crown Princess' Foundation is that "We work for the benefit of all those in need, regardless of ethnicity or religion since we believe that there are no borders in suffering.", something she also seems to support & be lifelong dedicated.

Relative videos (Crown Princess Katherine's activities this year & last year's interview of the Royal Couple by 'Royal Central'):

& Additional links of information:

http://www.royalfamily.org/hrh-crown-princess-katherine-celebrates-her-birthday-4/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine,_Crown_Princess_of_Yugoslavia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander,_Crown_Prince_of_Yugoslavia

http://www.royalfamily.org/royal-family/hrh-crown-princess-katherine/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kara%C4%91or%C4%91evi%C4%87_dynasty#Current_claims_to_the_throne

http://www.lifelineaid.org/about_us/

https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/crown-princess-katherine-of-serbia/

A 'USEFUL' & ACTIVE QUEEN: SOFIA OF SPAIN AT 80.

Queen Sofía, the former Queen Consort of Spain & mother of current King Felipe VI, had her 80th birthday on Friday, November 2. Her jubilee was celebrated on the actual day with a private lunch at Zarzuela Palace, attended by her family and some foreign royal relatives. She also posed with her husband, former King Juan Carlos, their children & grandchildren outside the royal residence for an official photo, released later that day. The same evening the former Queen along with her husband and other royals of the 'elder generation' - including her siblings former King Constantine II of Greece (with his wife, Queen Anne-Marie) & Princess Irene, sister-in-law Princess Pilar de Borbon, 'Queen' Margarita of Bulgaria (wife of former Tsar Simeon II), Dowager Empress Farah of Iran, Dowager Queen Noor of Jordan, Prince Michael of Greece & Denmark (with his wife), & Anne, Dowager Duchess of Calabria - attended a gala concert in ocassion of the jubilee at the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía (a cultural foundation named after the Queen who dares it very much). Prior the actual birthday, the former Queen was also honored that Thursday at the Royal Theatre of Madrid, with an ovation dedicated to her royal service, with actress Ángela Molina expressing her gratitude on behalf of the Spanish people.

Sofía was born on 2 November 1938, in Athens, as a Princess of Greece and Denmark. She is the first of three children of King Paul & Queen Frederica of Greece. A part of her childhood was spent in exile in Egypt & South Africa, before her family returned home after the end of WWII. Following her primary education in Germany, Princess Sofia studied childcare, music and archaeology in Athens (and later attended Cambridge University). She was also involved in sports, and represented Greece in the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics as a reserve member of the sailing team (headed by her brother, then Crown Prince) that won a Gold Medal. Sofia married Don Juan Carlos de Bourbon Dos Sicilias (then a claimant to the abolished Spanish throne), on 14 May 1962 in a dynastic marriage (consisting of three ceremonies: a civil, an Orthodox & a Catholic) in Athens, giving up her Greek (& Danish) Royal titles and conversing to Catholicism. They have three children together: Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo (b. 1963), Infanta Christina (form. Duchess of Palma de Malorca; b. 1965) & King Felipe VI (b. 1968). In 1969 Spanish dictator Francisco Franco declared Don Juan Carlos his successor; following his death in 1975 Juan Carlos ascended the throne as King, making Sofia Queen consort, and restoring monarchy in Spain (while also gradually paving the way for a Parliamentary system after 36 years of dictatorship). As a Queen, Sofia launched her own foundation in 1977 (bearing her name), supporting Alzheimer research, women's entrepreneurship and social welfare (among others), while also she has often worked for UNICEF, advocating children's rights and causes around the world. Following the abdication of her husband in favour of their son (the Prince of Asturias) in 2014, Sofia (now Reina Emerita) is still active in these causes, continuing to represent Spain inside & abroad, while also spending free time with her sister, eight grandchildren and those, close to her.

Her Majesty has been very popular in Spain over the course of her life & consortship. She seemes still tireless and energetic having recently said that her mind is still thinking like at 50, denying the retirement option for the task to "be useful to Spain". The former Queen remains "committed to a number of cultular awards schemes" in oranisations she founded, while her honorary patronage of high-profile international charities (like Unicef & The Red Cross), have recently passed to her daughter-in-law, Queen Letizia. With the latter she seems to keep good relations, however there were a lot of speculations about a possible tense between them, with the most recent case - a footage with her granddaughters after Easter Service, whith Letizia (their mother) trying to interrupt it - getting viral by Spanish and foreign media. Queen Sofia hardly tried to retain the 'picture' of a united family, despite any criticism towards herself. She showed support to her second daughter, Infanta Christina - whose husband, Iñaki Urdangarin was acussed for embezzlment of €6 million from public founds & sporting events (via their former title of Dukes of Palma de Malorca) and therefore imprisoned - continuing ties with her family even after monarchy's popularity fell significally due to her allegation (and she was stripped from her titles by her brother in 2015). Sofia's husband of 56 years, on the other hand, had also her support during his reign, inspite of notable infidelities from his side, receiving much attention by the press. King Juan Carlos has many times expressed his gratitude to his consort, however his extramarital affairs and gradually differing way of life & activities led their Golden Wedding anniversary not to be celebrated, and eventually them living separately (without divorsing) and meeting only in important family or public events (at his 80th birthday, this January, Sofia was by his side, as did he for her jubilee). Another case of controversy Queen Sofia experienced was book, bsed on her interviews (released in 2008), in where she expressed her conservative views, criticizing same-sex marriage, and opposing abortion and euthanasia. But on the other side, Sofia is also vocal about ecological causes and plastic pollution, raising awareness on those issues as well. A vegetarian since 1964, she have admitted to adore animals, being totally against bullfightings (her husband and other family members are funs of). A granddaughter, daughter, sister, wife & mother of sovereign Kings, Doña Sofía has always stressed the importance that "it is not enough just to be, one has also to do", the lifetime promotion of which will certainly be a major part of her legacy.

Video tributes & jubilee dedications:

& Additional links of information:
https://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain/31086/sofia-of-spain-queen-turns-80
http://royalcentral.co.uk/europe/spain/queen-sofia-celebrates-80th-birthday-with-private-lunch-with-family-including-infanta-cristina-111282
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Sof%C3%ADa_of_Spain
https://www.thisisinsider.com/queen-sofa-of-spain-life-2018-11
https://www.thisisinsider.com/queen-sofia-scandals-2018-11#in-2012-queen-sofas-face-was-used-on-the-online-adultery-agency-ashley-madison-2

'Former Titular' Queen of Egypt turns 70

The former wife of Egypt's last monarch has her 70th birthday today. 'Princess' Fadila was married to former King Fouad II for 20 years, and is the mother of his three children. In the last 10 years, after the dissolution of their marriage, she lives a private life, and is not seen in any family photos, or in public. So let's see more about this woman!

Dominique-France Loeb-Picard (as her first name is) was born on 23 November 1948 in Paris, into a wealthy family of Jewish, French and Swiss ancestry. Her original religion was Judaism. She studied literature, and was reportedly writing her doctorate at the Sorbonne university on psychology of women in The Thousand and One Nights at the age of 29. Fadila met Fouad II (the 11th and last King of Egypt and the Sudan from Muhammad Ali dynasty, who was deposed by Gamal Abdel Nasser at the age of 17 months) in Switzerland. After some time of courtship with the former monarch (3 years her junior), they married on 16 April 1976, at a civil wedding in Paris. Dominique converted from Judaism to Islam, changed her name to Fadila and assumed the claimant title of 'Queen' of Egypt (even though monarchy here had been abolished since 1953). A year later and a half, in October 1977, King Fouad and 'Queen' Fadila married religiously at the Princely Palace of Monaco. Fadila choose a Turkish yashmark as her bridal headcraft, symbolising her convertion to her husband's religion. Together they are blessed with two sons and a daughter, while through their elder son Muhammad Ali, Prince of Sa'id (& his wife, Princess Noal Zaher Shah of Afghanistan) they have two grandchildren (a grandson & a granddaughter), twins, born in January last year.

The former King of Egypt bought an appartment on Avenue Foch (in Paris) for his family, where they lived a lavish life, while also travelling a lot and maintaining close ties with the royal dynasties of Saudi Arabia, Libya and Morocco. In 1996 Fouad and Fadila's marriage ended with divorse. When the legal procedures began in 1999, the King reportedly left his wife and three children in France, moving himself to Switzerland. According to a Swiss Court order, he should have payed her an allowance of £750 per-month, which Fadila said she never received. The Queen also stated that in the years after the separation the only resources her family received for living were those from the Saudi and Moroccan Royal families. She also took a loaming of £500,000 from a French bank just before the divorse (1995), but later failed to make the repayments, which resulted the seizure of her £2m (10-room, 280 sq metre) Paris appartment, which she was outsted from in 2002. Ever since then, they are not any reports about where does she currently live. Although some Egyptian monarchists still prefer to refer Fadila as Her Majesty Queen Fadila of Egypt, her official title was considered as Her Royal Highness Princess Fadila of Egypt by the former Royal family from 1996, while after the divorse proceedings finished in 2008, her royal titles were removed, and she became a commoner once again. Dominique-France/Fadila possibly maintains her relationship with her children, but only in private, while the official site of King Fouad II doesn't make references about her at all.

Additional links & information:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominique-France_Loeb-Picard

http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,915643,00.html

http://www.theroyalcouturier.com/2013/08/king-fouad-and-fadila-wedding-and-issues.html

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/1407397/Bank-seizes-Paris-flat-of-penniless-Egyptian-queen.html

http://royalcentral.co.uk/international/former-king-of-egypt-becomes-grandfather-for-the-first-time-74943

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/sep/16/paulwebster

BREAKING: PRINCESS THEODORA OF GREECE ENGAGED to Marry - Friday, 16 November 2018.

Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark, the second daughter of the last King & Queen of Greece has announced today her engagement to Mr. Matthew Kumar. The announcement (first made via her instagram account) was later confirmed by the private office of His Majesty the former King. Further details about the wedding are to be announced in due course, and it is not yet known whether it will be held in Greece. It is also quite possible that a brother of the bride will walk her down the aisle, instead of her elderly father (whose moving abilities have been weakened in the recent years).

Princess Theodora was born on June 9, 1983 in London, UK; the fourth of five children & younger daughter of the deposed King Constantine II of The Hellens (/Greeks) & Queen Anne-Marie (born Princess of Denmark. Her godparents are: former Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, late King Michael I of Romania, and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (her maternal aunt); while she has baptized her nephew, Prince Achileas-Andreas (third child of 'Crown Prince' Pavlos). Theodora was educated in England and Australia, & attended the  Brown University in USA, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in 2006 in Theatre Arts (also attending the Boston's Northeastern University). She also undertook graduate studies in the Central Saint Matin's College of Art and Design (in England). In 2010 she begun her acting career in Los Angeles with the stage name Theodora Greece (as she is popularly known today). She has been since performing various roles in cinema films & TV series, like: The Bold and The Beautiful, Killer Assistant, Little Boy, and others...

Princess Theodora has been dating with Matthew Kumar for about two years now. Mr. Kumar, 34, was born and grew up in Southern California, US, to Sam and Lonnie Kumar. He is a practicing attorney, specialized in compensations for victims of natural disasters. He also reportedly has his own firm, a debt collective service. The pair now live in Los Angeles, where they both work. They travelled together in some exotic countries, and spent last Summer with Theodora's parents at their current residence in (Porto Cheli,) Greece. Matthew has known his future wife's family for quite a while now, and seems to be very close to her younger brother, Prince Philippos, 32. 

This publication is to be extended if more information about ongoing events, related to the ocassion will become available soon.

Additional links related to this story (the last one in Greek):

https://www.greekroyalfamily.gr/en/press/press-releases/579-arravones-prigipissas-thodoras-me-matthew-kumar.html?fbclid=IwAR29rY-EcVv03I0DcUaYY0Urw1HAhW_PFEUtD-ocY4D3-esEXyRg9u58viw

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Theodora_of_Greece_and_Denmark

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2018/11/a-royal-engagement-princess-theodora-of.html

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a25167479/princess-theodora-greece-matthew-kumar-engaged/

http://www.royalchronicles.gr/princess-theodora-mat-engagement/?fbclid=IwAR3dNxLyseVqnUn-AaxJTbk6zXqfV-nMMZPKS6zWe9Lj2HlKay9DqdkaRq0

BREAKING: DEPUTY YDP AGONG APPOINTED ACTING KING (2/11/2018).

Sultan Nazrin Shah, the Sultan of Perak & Deputy Head of State of Malaysia has been appointed the country's acting Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in effect from November 2 until the end of this year (Dec. 31). He is replacing the current Yang di-Pertuan Agong (~Federal King/Supreme Head of State), Sultan Muhammad V (of Kelantan), who will be absent abroad during that period, resting following a treatment. The appointment took place on Friday, November 2, at Istana (/palace) Hinggap (in) Perak, the same day the Ruler's official birthday is celebrated in Sultanate. Sultan Nazrin signed the instrument of his declaration, previously read by the Prime Minister (Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad), also in the presence of Deputy PM (Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail), Chief government' Secretary & chief Justice; assuming immediately his role as acting Head of State.

While discharging these duties the Sultan will have to frequently visit the capital Kuala Lumpur, with less time left for his Sultanate. So, he gave his consent on Sunday, November 11, to appoint a Regency Council in Perak, that will represent him for this period. The Heir of the throne (/Raja Muda) of Perak, Raja Jaafar Ibni Almarhum Raja Muda Musa (77) was announced as Head of the Council, while its other members would be RTD Tan Sri Dr. Mohd Zahiri Zainuddin and Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib. All three took their oath of office the same day at Istana Iskandariah (Kuala Kangsar, Perak) in the presence of Sultan & Sultanah, and other senior royals as well. Sultan Nazrin Shah, 61 (turning 62 on Nov. 27), an Oxford educated, Dr. in Political Economy & government (among others), & passionate reader, has been Sultan of Perak since 2014 and was elected Deputy YDP Agong in 2016. He is married to commoner Zara Salim Davison (now Permaisuri Perak) from 2007 and together they have two children. The present King of Malaysia, Sultan Muhammad V, 49 (whose official birthday in his state Is on Nov. 11), the youngest among current Malay monarchs has been on the throne of Kelantan since 2010, being elected the 15th YDP Agong in 2016, serving for a five-year-term (till December 2021).

(Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah - left, YDP Agong XV (Kelantan) Sultan Muhammad V - centre, & ... guess whom are they pictured with - at right? - the previous blog-publication will help you!! : https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2018/11/royal-wedding-in-pahang-malaysia.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR3X7ESNCwMPE7SgqVkZ7P5iW0frg02RruWYaKO_uUksxDchG9o0kojHDeE)

Malaysia is the only case of Federal elective monarchy in the world today. It has nine subterritorial monarchies (most of them Sultanates), every which from a ruler is selected as the Supreme Head of State (equal to constitutional King), in a successive rotation system based on the states' seniority order (established with the office in 1957). A previous publication of this blog refers also some features of Malaysian monarchy & its history (https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2018/10/malay-royal-history-is-repeated.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR0JFhW1RxYK572yZqcoTP03dzx2OydD7iQAuPT05fkcLiwfHfta8_4w_mE). The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (as he is titled in Malaysia) is (s)elected by the Conference of Rulers (consisting of the nine Malay monarchs) every five years (or when the position becomes vacant), and his ceremonial duties include the appointment and dismissal of Cabinet members & Judges, as well as the Supreme Commandership of the Armed Forces. According to the article 33 (of the federal Constitution) the Timbalan (/Deputy) Yang di-Pertuan Agong (elected with the Agong for the same term) can assume the duties of Head of State, when the (actual) Yang di-Pertuan Agong is unable to conduct his role due to illness, or absence from the country for at least 15 days. Also, the Deputy Agong takes the role of acting King when the position is vacated early (in case of death, deposition, or abdication within the 5-year-term), and remains in the post until the next YDP Agong is elected.

Short Video (in Malaysian) of Sultan Nazrin Shah's appointment:

& additional links of information:

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/02/sultan-nazrin-shah-proclaimed-acting-king/

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/11/02/sultan-nazrin-shah-to-be-acting-king/

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2018/11/11/sultan-nazrin-gives-consent-appoint-perak-regency-council

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/02/ruler-with-the-people-at-heart/

https://publicholidays.com.my/sultan-of-kelantans-birthday/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perak_Sultanate#Line_of_succession_to_the_Perak_throne

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_di-Pertuan_Agong#Order_of_seniority_of_states

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Malaysia#Article_32_%E2%80%93_The_Head_of_State

ROYAL WEDDING IN PAHANG (, MALAYSIA). 

In Ausust & November 2018 another Royal wedding was held in the Malaysian Sultanate of Pahang. Yang Mulia Tengku Puteri (/Princess) Iman Afzan (26), the elder daughter of Pahang's Regent & Heir Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah with his second wife (veteran actress) Julia Rais, married to her 32-year-old first cousin once removed. The groom, Yang Mulia Tengku Abu Bakar Ahmad Bin Tengku Arif Bendahara Tengku Abdullah, is Tengku Abdullah's first cousin. His father, (also named) Tengku Abdullah, Tengku Arif Bendahara (the fifth most senior member of the royal family) of Pahang, & younger brother of the current Sultan, died on August 13 at the age of 78, from cancer. Sultan Ahmad Shah (the bride's grandfather), now 88 & reigning since 1974, is the oldest & longest reigning living Malay ruler, and had served as Yang di-Pertuan Agong (~Federal King) of Malaysia from 1979 to 1984. While Ahmad Shah is the titled Sultan, he has retired from much of his public duties, giving his place to his elder son, who has been Regent since the end of 2016.

Tengku Abdullah (Regent) - above & Sultan Ahmad Shah - bellow (in the wheelchair)

Wedding Ceremonies:

Akad Nikah (above) & Bersanding (bellow):

The actual wedding (Akad Nikah) took place on August 24 (just 11 days from the death of bridegroom's father) and was a private affair, attended only by the couple's family & close friends. Tengku Mahkota (Crown Prince) Tengku Abdullah reportedly solemnized himself the marriage vows between his first cousin and daughter. The elderly Sultan (not in the best of his health) wasn't seen attending the wedding at all. The final and most festive Bersanding ceremony (an evening reception in big halls with the newlyweds sitting on elevated chairs & the relatives pouring water & droping rice on their hands) was transfered a few months later, being celebrated on Monday, November 5. This reception took place in a luxury hotel, with the Princess wearing a glittering dress & jewellery, and local celebrity present. Some of the snap photos taken from the event were published few days later by Iman via her instagram account. She thanked her family for helping to organise this wedding and being always by her side, especially her mother and four younger sisters.

Videos featuring the royal wedding:

And additional links (last three in Malay - no media article in English was written about the wedding):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tengku_Abdullah#Family
http://www.dirajapahang.my/portaldiraja/?page_id=7283
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/08/13/tengku-arif-bendahara-of-pahang-passes-away/
https://malayweddingservices.com/malay-wedding/
http://www.gempak.com/artikel/13034/indahnya-majlis-resepsi-pasangan-diraja-tengku-iman-abdullah-tengku-bakar
https://www.hangat.com/2018/46039/gambar-pernikahan-anak-gadis-julia-rais-tengku-puteri-iman-afzan/
https://www.hangat.com/2018/49979/tengku-iman-abdullah-nikah-neelofa-julia-rais-pun-hadir/