Portrait published on November 22 (2018), ahead of Queen Silvia's Jubilee
Just before Christmas of 2018, Queen Silvia of Sweden turned 75. The wife of current King Carl XVI Gustaf, and Sweden's longest-serving Royal consort, marked her actual birthDay, December 23, privately with her husband, three children & seven grandchildren. Additional events however, including a seminar (familiar to her charity work) & a palace reception for high profile authorities took place in the week bwfore the Jubilee, while Her Majesty also spoke openly for the first time about the controversial issue of her German father's participation to the Nazi party, in an extended interview she gave to the Swedish state Television (SVT).
Celebrations:
Birthday celebrations, leading up to the Jubilee were announced a month earlier with the Queen's new portraits published by Swedish Royal Court. The events kicked off on Tuesday, 18 December (2018) with a 'seminar for invited guests' at Stockholm's Oscar Theatre. Special tributes were paid by the attendees to Her Majesty's contribution through charities and special initiatives to current issues, related to the wellbeing of children, young people & the elderly on a global level. It featured "a tribute show for Her Majesty the Queen" including moving tributes by her children and entertainment provided by artists from the musical "As It Is in Heaven" and pupils from the (country's) Junior Academy Music School. It was a behind-close-doors event, filmed and later broadcasted on TV.
Celebrations continued the next day with a reception at the Royal Palace (Stockholm) for members of "authorities, organisations and the(ir) equivalent", who congratulated Queen Silvia in person. Meanwhile, the same day (Wednesday, December 19), the Royal Palace's "Kingdom Hall" opened to people who wished to leave a birthday message to their Queen Consort, from noon till 3pm (local time). Congratulatory wishes were also available online. Finally, the Queen requested the wellwishers in lieu of gifts to donate into three organisations of her royal life's contribution: the "World Childhood Foundation", "Mentor Foundation" and "Silviahemmet".
Charities:
Queen Silvia (sitting) participates in a seminar
(in Brazil), with its topic, related to children
Queen Silvia has been actively involved in charities, especially ever since the 1990s. She established "Mentor International" in 1994 (in collaboration with UN's World Health Organisation). It is an international youth development NGO, preventing use of drugs & substance abuse and aiming to use mentoring as a way to inspire & motivate young people towards healthy choises in life. She is now the honorary board member of this foundation, along with other fellow royals, including Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg and (dowager) Queen Noor of Jordan. Silvia also founded The World Childhood Foundation (or simply Childhood) in 1999, supporting children who are victims of sexual abuse and exploitation, street children, children facing alternative care, or from families at risk. Over the last 20 years, it has supported at least 115 programs in 17 countries worldwide, playing still an active role, while engaging to a long list of corporate sponsors. The Queen is the charity's head & hopes to pass on this position to her younger daughter, Princess Madeleine, when the time comes. Furthermore, Her Majesty is the co-initiator of her husband's Global Child Forum, defending children's rights (according to the UN convention) & advancing them in business. She is additionally a honorary member of 37 organisations and has commited herself with dementia patients in memory of her mother, who also suffered from this ailment at the end of her life. SilviaHemmet is an initiative of the Queen to make hospitals & elderly caring centres more friendly for people with dementia.
Controversy:
Silvia (as a child,) pictured with her father
However, Queen Silvia's reputation didn't escape controversy. In 2002 sources arised that her German father (deceased in 1990), was involved into the foreign branchof German Nazi Party (NSDAP/AO) while working in Brazil to a (German) steel company. After it was proven that Walter Sommerlath (Silvia's father) joined the Nazi party in 1934 and seized the factory of a Jewish businessman in 1939 (as part of then Nazis' Aryanisation of properties' program), the Queen became subject of harsh criticism and international accusations by of having not spoken out about it since her marriage in 1976. She initially denied the knowledge of these facts (as her father did with the entire fact he was involved at all during his lifetime), and tried to indicate that he wasn't active either way in war actions (during WWII). Hovewer, after this subject's attention increased, and the truth became clear in the turn of years, Silvia wrote a complaint letter to a producer of documentary about her father's alleged past, accusing him of trying a "character assassination". In 2011, Queen Silvia published a report, commissioned from WWII expert Erik Norberg, concluding that Sommerlath recompensed (Jewish businessman) Efim Wechsler with a cofee plantation for the (traded) factory and helped him to escape from Germany. This report, thouth, was dissmissed by American Gathering of Holocaust survivors, citing that Norberg was a royal family's ally and comprising it to a "whitewash" from HM's side.
Jubilee Interview!
The Queen (left) with two of her grandchildren
& her daughter-in-law (Princess Sofia)
In an extensive interview to the Swedish television, broadcasted Monday, December 17 (2018), Silvia referred on this topic, for the first time openly to the public. She said that it came as a "big shock" when it became evident. The Queen also added that now, as time passed and things came out, she doesn't try to detract from reality, and justified her father as not an active member, who made his choice without expecting what happened afterwards. This interview featured Queen Silvia's lifetime in a hourly documentary, called "Drottning Silvia 75 år". Among others, Her Majesty expressed her adamant will not to retire and continue working in every fields as long as possible. She also told about their common determination with her husband the King, to continue perform their royal & state duties and let their elder daughter, Crown Princess Victoria to enjoy her time with her husband and two little children as much as possible. Silvia has always shown delight in her grandchildren, describing them as "the dessert of life" (a phrase probably previously used by her mother), tries to spend a lot of quality time with them, and has their photos even on the case of her cellphone!.
OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY PORTRAIT
'THE MODERN DANCING QUEEN'
Silvia Renate Sommerlath (as she was originally known) was born on 23 December 1943, the only daughter of Walter & Alice (née Soares de Toledo) Sommerlath. Her mother was of Brazilian origin, and she has three other brothers (two of whom still living). Silvia (who was born in Germany) and her family moved to Brazil in 1947 and stayed there for 10 years. Here she attended a bilingular college/school (with both German and Portuguese implemented). Being already bilingual from early on, Silvia later learned more languages and now also speaks English, Swedish, Spanish and French, bein also fluent in Swedish Sign language, used by the country's deaf community. She graduated from a girls' high school in German city of Düsseldorf(1963) and then studied at the Spanish-majority Munich School of Interpreting (1965-69), before working at city's Argentinian consultate.
The King & Queen at their wedding
Here in 1972, during the Summer Olympics where she worked as a translator and hostess, Silvia Sommerlath met her future husband, then Crown Prince Carl Gustaf of Sweden. The latter claimed in a later interview that their 'just clicked' from their very first meeting. Silvia is 2 years older than Carl Gustaf. In 1973 he succeeded his grandfather (Gustaf VI Adolf) as King (Carl XVI Gustaf), while by 1974, Silvia Renate had already moved to his sister's appartment in Stockholm (, Sweden). Their engagement was announced on 12 March 1976, with Silvia (who wasn't yet so fluent in Swedish) being assisted by her future husband during their joint interview that day. The King gave her the engagement ring of his late mother (Princess Sibylla). At the Royal Variety Performance - the day before their wedding - the popular group ABBA performed their new hit "Dancing Queen" in its first live (& domestic) performance, as a tribute to the upcoming Queen. Carl Gustaf and Silvia married on 19 June 1976, with the latter becoming the first commoner Queen consort in Swedish history. It was a royal wedding of major interest (as no Sovereign monarch of Sweden had married while on throne after 1797), with the reception being broadcasted live worldwide to over a million of watchers. The bride & new Queen wore a gown designed by Dior with her veil dating back to the 1850s. Together the King and Queen have three children: Crown Princess Victoria (b. 1977), Prince Carl-Philip (b. 1979) & Princess Madeleine (b. 1982) - all of whom have married commoners - and through them seven grandchildren (all of whom do have a royal title at the time being).
With her entire family (of then-5 grandchildren) in Summer 2017's photosession
Queen Silvia of Sweden pioneered being the first commoner to wed a Swedish sovereign and becoming his consort. She also saw the change of Swedish Act of Succession, implemented on her children's generation, with male-preferenceprimogeniture turning into absolute (primogeniture) from 1980, and thus her eldest daughter becoming Crown Princessin her own right instead of her only son. With her husband reigning for 45 years, but becoming just last-year Sweden's longest-reigning monarch, Queen Silvia has already been the kingdom's longest-serving Royal consort since surpassing Queen Sophia (Carl XVI Gustaf's great-great-grandmother) in 2011. The Queen was often described as a down-to-the-earth human being, close to her Portuguese roots, who initially found it difficult to get accustomed of royal life, but has all along been thankful to the Swedish people for having accepted her. She enjoys concerts, operas and music, as well as gardering & sports (in which until recently, she was very active), shares the King's interest of nature & outdoor walks, and likes history of art too (though she had never learned it). Her Majesty is decorated with numerous national and foreign honors, having also received various awards and (honorary) doctorates (from both Sweden and abroad). Living at the palace, but enjoying privacy, being regular in her official duties, & causual in everyday life with a harmonious aura within her, she is indeed a modern 'dancing Queen'!
At a centenary event of Norway's separation from Sweden
The former Imperial House of Ethiopia lost a member last Sunday (February 17, 2019). Princess Sara Gizaw, Dowager Duchess of Harar passed away at the age of 90. She was the widow of Prince Makonnen, Duke of Harar, the second son of Ethiopia's final legitimate Emperor, Haile Selassie I. Her death was confirmed by local media sources, close to her family.
Princess Sara was born in 1929, the daughter of a civil governor from Axum (Tigray, Ethiopia). She was educated at the Royal Infirmary Nursing School of Edinburgh, UK. Sara Gizaw married (in 1946) to the Emperor's favorite son, Prince Makonnen, and became Duchess of Harrar. Together they had five sons, before Makonnen was killed in a car accident (in 1957). Sara remained popular even during her widowhood, and following the death of her mother-in-law, Empress Menen Asfaw she often accompanied the Emperor on official duties, along with her sister-in-law, Princess Tenagnework. She was once considered as one of the most beautiful women in the Imperial Court of Ethiopia.
Princess Sara Gisaw with her father-in-law, Emperor Haile Selassie
With the pending abolition of monarchy in 1974, the widowed Duchess was arrested and detained by the Derg Socialist regimealong with three of her five sons (the rest two were studiying abroad). After a long-time imprisonment the Dowager Duchess of Harar and 7 other female members of former Imperial family were released in 1988 with her children following in 1989. However, just before their release, one of her sons, Prince Dawit (Makonner Makonner), was found dead at his home in Switzerland.
The princess at an official event with the Emperor (far-left)
When Derg regime fell, Princess Sara and her family were allowed to travel abroad. She settled in London, were she lived for many years, occasionally returning to Ethiopia for the funerals of prominent Imperial Family members. By the end of her life, Sara was reported to have returned to (Ethiopian capital) Addis Ababa.
Princess Sara Gizaw died here on the third weekend of February, survived by four of her five sons, and several grandchildren.
Her body lay in state at Addis Ababa's (Orthodox) Holy Trinity Cathedral, before a solemn funeral (on February 19), presided by Ethiopian Patriarch Abune Matthias I, and attended by former Imperial family members, government officials and other dignitaries. She was laid to rest at the Cathedral's Imperial Crypt (next to her husband, among other ex-Imperial family members). The Princess' eldest son, Prince Paul Wossen Seged Makonner (titular Duke of Harar) is currently the next in hypothetical line of succession to the defunct throne, after his childless cousin, titular former Crown Prince & Head of the Imperial House of Ethiopia.
Yesterday the Sultan of Malaysian state of Pahang appointed a Council of Regency in his state, consisted of his seven siblings.
Sultan Abdullah, who the current King of Malaysia for (the next) 5 years, named his brother, Tengku Abdul Rahman (& Pahang's Tengku Muda) as the council's chairman & permanent member. The Council will temporary perform the monarch's duties in the Sultanate, assisting the current Heir & Regent (Tengku Hassanal), who is undergoing his military studies until the end of this year.
Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah
Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim (Ibni Sultan Abdullah) was proclaimed the Tengku Mahkota (~Crown Prince) of Pahang last month, and currently serves as the state's Pemangku Raja (Regent), during his father's five-year-term as federal Head-of-State ("Supreme King"). During the official proclamation yesterday (February 22), Sultan Abdullah presented the members of the Council their instruments of appointment. The ceremony was held at the 'Grand audience Room' of Pahang's Istana (/palace of) Abu Bakar, in capital Pekan. Abdullah's younger brother, Abdul Rahman, 58, was appointed to chair the Regency Council in its all duration (retroactively from February 15 to December 15 this year), while their half-brother, Tengku Abdul Fahd, 25 (the Tengku Arif Temenggong of Pahang) was made its permanent member.
Sultan(/Agong) Abdullah (pic. fourth from left to right) with his seven siblings
In addition, their five sisters (Tengku Meriam, 63, Tengku Muhaini, 62, Tengku Aishah Marcella, 61, Tengku Nong Fatimah, 56, and Tengku Shahariah, 54; all daughters of Father Sultan Ahmad Shah), were named as temporary members of the council, each one for about two months.
Abdullah, 59 (who is also Malaysia's 16th YDP Agong) with his brother, Tengku Abdul Rahman (pic. cen. right).
These appointments were made in accordance with the Sultanate's state constitution, stipulating that the Ruler/Sultan, whether elected as Yang di-PertuanAgong (Supreme King), can authoritize the appointment of a regent (or regency council) until his term expires. It is supposed that Tengku Hassanal (now 23) will reassume in full his duties of Pahang's regent on December 15, following his expected graduation from UK Royal Military AcademySandhurst.
Further links of this information sources & origins:
http://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=1697453
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/sultan-appoints-pahang-council-of-regency-tengku-muda-as-chairman-JX572182
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdullah_of_Pahang
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tengku_Hassanal_Ibrahim
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmad_Shah_of_Pahang#Issue
& former publications, somehow relevant to these 'unfolding' events:
https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2019/01/new-heir-royal-consort-double.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR2A37W6r2LCVVs62kAyNS4e1VepbG3CcsvknoiXFzzHGZ4RHK4pBCh4fxs
https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2019/02/agongs-half-brother-turns-25-sunday.html?fbclid=IwAR2MtFzD_cYD2eaMq9vH2vZrx3_XnCf8Cy8488OfBwsi03GMP8fnnE4VuvQ.
On his 60th Birthday in November last year, the powerful Sultan of Malaysia's state of Johor named his 1-year-old grandson as second-in-line to the throne. A royal audience, a tea party & other semi-official celebratory events took place to mark the jubilee of one of the nation's most popular monarchs, a wealthy, influential & down-to-the-earth leader. Nonetheless anumber of misconductions from his side and unofficially noted criminal incidents which sparkled nationwide outrage (and reportedly had him involved), was all but remembered at these festivities.
Istana Besar, Johor Bahru, Johor Sultanate (Malaysia)
The main celebration took place on the actual Jubilee day, Thursday 22 November 2018, at throne hall of Istana Besar (or Grand Palace) in Sultanate's capital, Johor Bahru. 62 people received state honours from the Sultan, in conjunction of his birthday (an annual tradition across Malay monarchies), with the Chief Minister (Menteri Besar) of state first in list, granted a honorary award of Johor's crown (Darjah Mahkota Johor Yang Amat Mulia Pangkat Pertama Dato’ Sri Paduka Mahkota Johor), carrying the title of Dato (of ninth & tenth-ranked federal awards). Usually Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar officially celebrates his birthday on March 13 (the anniversary of his coronation). However in 2018 celebrations were postponed due to pending (14th) national elections and the fatal illness of his mother (who passed away on June 1). Sultan Ibrahim agreed semi-state celebrations to be held, though not to expand to a district-level & without a public holiday.
Family of Tunku Mahkota of Johor with baby Raja Muda on his mother's hands
During the ceremony, attended by the entire Johor royal family - but held behind close doors -, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar announced the appointment of his young grandson, the (then-)13-month-old Tunku Iskandar Abdul Jalil Abu Bakar Ibrahim Ibni Tunku Ismail as Raja Muda of Johor. Here this title is used for the second-in-line to the throne, while in other Malay states (eg: Kedah), the Heir apparent is referred as such. Tunku Iskandar is the second child & only son of Tunku Mahkota (=heir to the throne) Tunku Ismail Idris Ibni Sultan Ibrahim Ismail and his wife, Che' PuanKhaleeda Bustamam. The announcement was made during the Sultan's speech, in which he also advised the state government to prioritize in the development of state & the people's wellbeing, despite last year's historic (national) change of political leadership. He also urged the state's Executive Council (exco) members to put their personal interests aside, and cooperate with Menteri Besar as a team, reminding them his authority to replace them if they not carry out their duties satisfactory. The ceremony also included a religious blessing & allegiance pledging to the Sultan (by members of his family & senior officials), apart from the abovementioned investitures.
Another, more public event in conjunction with Sultan Ibrahim's 60th birthday celebrations, took place Saturday, November 24 (2018). It was a tea reception/party, held that afternoon (at 3pm) at the Hockey Stadium (Dataran Penggaram) of Batu Pahat town. The Sultan was accompanied by his consort, Permaisuri RajaZarith Sofiah, some of their children and the Menteri Besar (Datuk Osman Sapian) as well. Sultan Ibrahim saw the (presented) 26 birthday cakes, cut one of them, and also launched three recently published books related to him. The event was attended by (around) 10,000 people, entertained by a local group of state legacy preservation & popular singers, and with various foods served. Accodrding to the Royal Council announcement, the Ruler wished to host such tea parties in different areas each year, so he could easily mingle with his subjects. That Saturday morning, just before reception, Ibrahim tried to ride a new classical motor bike, presented him on his birthday.
Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj was born on November 22, 1958. He is the elder son of Johor's late Sultan Iskandar (1932-2010) & (his first wife) Enche Besar Hajah Khalsom binti Abdullah (née Josephine Ruby Trevorrow; 1935-2018), an English lady from Torquay. Ibrahim was born during the reign of his great-grandfather (& namesake) who died in 1959. His grandfather succeeded as Sultan Ismail & Ibrahim became second-in-line to the throne. Tunku Ibrahim Ismail (as he was then known) completed his secondary education at an Anglican school in Australia, and received his military training firstly in Johor (Malaysia) and secondary at two US Forts (in Georgia & North Carolina). Ibrahim was appointed Tunku Mahkota ('Crown Prince') of Johor in 1981, after his father (known until then as Tunku Mahmud Iskandar) succeeded the throne. When Sultan Iskandar was elected as the 8th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Federal King/Head of State) of Malaysia (between 1984 and 1989) Ibrahim Ismail acted as Regent. He married to Raja Zarith Sofiah, daughter of the late Sultan Idris (II) Iskandar Shah of Perak, in September 1982. Together they have six children, five sons (the middle of whom died of liver cancer in 2015) & a daughter; through their elder son, Ismail Idris, they are blessed with two grandchildren. Ibrahim was also reportedly previously married (from 1980) to Vivien Theresa Johnson before they divorsed in 1982. In 2000s he begun to take over more of his aging father's royal duties. On January 22, 2010, when Sultan Iskandar's condition worsened, Tunku Ibrahim was proclaimed once again Regent of Johor. Iskandar died the same night, and Ibrahim succeeded him the next morning (January 23), as the state's 25th (& 5th modern) Sultan. He was crowned in a lavish (british-style) coronation on March 23, 2015. The last such was that of his grandfather in 1960 (as Sultan Iskandar was never crowned).
Coronation portrait (2015) of Sultan Ibrahim his wife, (all) children & mother.
Kembara Mahkota Johor
Sultan Ibrahim Ismail is well known as a motorcycle enthusiast. He has founded the Kembara Mahkota Johor, an annual royal motorcycle tour program, in which the Royal family travels throughout the entire Sultanate, visiting fellow people in various districts and providing charity towards the pour. A constitutional monarch, but meaningful figurehead, the Sultan has notably resisted to the Arabisation of Malay muslim culture, being the same time concerned for a high quality education of his subjects (although he is the only current Malay Ruler without a tertially education). He also showed his conservatism by returning to some of his state's districts their original names (eg: Kulaijaya was reverted to Kulai district), while trying to reaffirm his Sultanate's close ties with Islamic doctrine, he transfered the weekend from Saturday/Sunday to Friday/Saturday (inspite some disruptions, caused in the private sector). Being himself a strong business dealer, Sultan Ibrahim has extended his own financial allowance (of RM 27,000 per-month) through major venture investments to companies of various themes, including power plant and property development (in his state). Among his other major decisions as Sultan are the separation of Johor's royal from the state capital Johor Bahru (with the first being transfered to the town of Muar), and bans on e-cigarettes & oversised signboards (exceeding 6.1m x 1.2 m) as well. Furthermore the Sultan of Johor holds the ranks of Collonel-in-Chief of (Malaysian Army's) Grup Gerak Khas (responsible for special warfare operations) and Commandant (Major General) of Royal Johor Military Force (the only sole state's independent defence forces in Malaysia).
Sultan Iskandar (1932-2010) in early 2000s
Ibrahim Ismail is seen as a genuine carrying ruler, close to the people and dedicated to his state & nation. This, however, does not annul his large criminal account, deliberately avoided from the public view for decades. His reputation - as well as his father's & brother's - has been tarnished for decades, with accusations of murder and physical, or verbal assault in numerous cases since the 1980s, causing a major outpouring of outrage by the media, while his lavish spendings for collections of cars & motorcycles have been overshadowed in the 2000s by the worth of his unpaid traffic fines (almost the same as his annual allowance). Moreover, a series of assaults (known as the Gomez incident), where the then Sultan of Johor (& his second son) were allegedly involved, brought out parliament discussions, which led to the amendment of national constitution, stripping Malay royal families from their immunity from the consequences of law's infringement (granted them in 1948). Traditionally, Malay rulers are yet considered to be 'above the law', preserving national unity, protecting Islam and heading major posts in army. Their opinion was always influential and until the amendments of 1993 they were powerful enough to influence directions of national politics. However their wrongdoings usually not mentioned in official sources and reports, are still covered up by actions of charity and public welfare. Thus both (the late) Sultan Iskandar (who initially protested the amendments) and Sultan Ibrahim desperately tried to save their reputations ever since their impunity was abolished (though they were not charged, such as at the time of their criminal actions they were still could not be procecuted).
As of 2019 Sultan Ibrahim is the next in line to become Malaysia's Yang di-Pertuan Agong (ceremonial Head of state, selected among the Rulers for a five-year-term and considered as King), according to the traditional order of states seniority (followed in the first YDP Agong's exchange). Although usually a Ruler "next in line" of rotation serves as the Deputy YDP Agong, Ibrahim refused his candidacy both in this year's & the previous election of head of state (& his deputy). In 2016, he cited his respect towards the rotation line (and thus didn't want to be elected as King before the next time for his state comes). The current Raja Permaisuri Agong (/Head of State's (Queen) consort), Tengku Ampuan Azizah of Pahang is his younger sister. An eccentric state ruler, with his Sultanate following a separate constitution (similar of Malaysian & extensively British) and having an independent royal court (the only one among the nine Malay constituent monarchies), Sultan Ibrahim ordered in September 2017 that in english he should be styled: His Majesty, instead of His Royal Highness (that title of other subterritorial monarchs who haven't served as Kings is translated).
Last Monday, February 11 (2019), the Royal Court of Luxembourg announced the death of a Royal family member. Alix, Dowager Princess of Ligne, passed away earlier that day, at the age of 89. She was the youngest sister of the world's oldest living monarch, Jean, former Grand Duke of Luxembourg (98), and an aunt to the current reigning Grand Duke Henri (the only Sovereign Grand Duke worldwide). So here we are looking back to her life!
Alix Marie Anne Antoinette Charlotte Gabrielle was born on August 24, 1929 at Château de Berg (official residence of Luxembourgish royal family). She was the youngest of six children (& four daughters) of Charlotte, (then) Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and her husband, Prince Félix of Bourbon-Parma. Through her parents, Alix became - by birth - a Princess of Luxembourg, Princess of Nassau & Princess of Bourbon-Parma. Her older siblings were: Jean, Elisabeth, Marie-Adelaide, Marie-Gabrielle & Charles. The princess was christened at the same castle she was born, and had her first Holy Communion (celebrated) in 1938 (shared with that of her brother, Prince Charles).
Alix as a child (front line, second from left), pictured with her siblings
Princess Alix' early childhood was spent at Château de Berg with her family. She initially received a private education at home, while her siblings attended school in Belgium. When Germans invaded Luxembourg on May 10, 1940 (during Second World War), the Grand Ducal family fled to Belgium in the last moment. There they joined some of Alix' siblings (still attending school) and later decided to flee through France, Spain & Portugal to seek safety. However, they were still close to conflict zone, and moved to the US (all except the Grand Duchess). While searching for a secure home, Alix & her family finally moved to Canada (in fall of 1940), where they were granted political assylum and settled to Quebec province (near her aunt, Dowager Empress Zita of Austria). The princess and her sisters attended here a girl's Catholic school, before they resettled in the United Kingdom, where (her mother) Grand Duchess Charlotte had been for some time. They stayed there until the end of War. Princess Alix was the only one of her siblings who wasn't actively involved into Luxembourg's liberation (as she was then still 15 years old, too young to drive an ambulance, as some of her siblings did). The entire family returned home on April 14, 1945, flown on Gen. Eisenhower's private plane.
Alix was the first of her siblings to marry. She met her husband, Antoine, (future) 13th Prince of Ligne - a Belgian noble of multiple awards & decorations of Belgian & British Armies during WWII - in 1949, at the wedding of her cousin Archduke Carl Christian of Austria to Princess Yolande (Antoine's sister). Their engagement was announced on April 18, 1950, from bridegroom's residence, Château de Beloeil. They were married on August 18 that year, both civilly (in the Grand Ducal Palace) & religiously (at Notre Dame Cathedral) in Luxembourg. Princess Alix' royal wedding was the first major royal event in the Grand Duchy since the end of war, received a great public interest both domestically & abroad. Following her wedding Alix moved to her husband's residence, and took his titles, though retaining her initial ones, and remaining (herself) a distant member of Luxembourgish royal family. Together they welcomed seven children: Michel (b. 1951), Wauthier (b. 1952), Anne (b. 1954), Christine (b. 1955), Sophie (b. 1957), Antoine (b. 1959) & Yolande (b. 1964).
In 1957 Prince Antoine (Alix' husband) was involved in an adventure with Belgian metereological team during a 17-month expedition in Antarctica, when their plane was damaged, leaving them marooned near the King Baudouin Base. They were rescued by Russian scientists and he returned home in 1959. Antoine succeeded as the 13th Prince of Ligne in 1985 (the year when Grand Duchess Charlotte died). Officially as the Princess of Ligne, Alix spent her time supporting charities (eg for ill or disadvantaged children), expanding her interest in floriculture (through flower & plant exhibitions) and travelling in various places (including South America). In their 55-year-marriage, Alix and Antoine enjoyed to the weddings of their and births of 20 grandchildren. Prince Antoine died suddenly in August 2005, at the age of 80 (of a heart attack). Alix faced another tragedy in her family life four years later - her grandson, Pedro of Orleans-Braganca was killed in a plane crash (of Air France Flight 447 in 2009). In her later years the Princess' public appearances were significally reduced, and she was confined in a wheelchair. One of her last ones was at the wedding of her granddauhter (& namesake), Alix de Ligne to Guillaume of Dampierre in June 2016.
At her granddaughter (Alix)'s wedding.
Princess Alix died on 11 February 2019, six months shy of her 90th birthday, at the (Beloeil) castle she had lived since her marriage. No official cause of death was given. She was survived by her children, 19 grandchildren, ~10 great-grandchildren, and two of her siblings (Grand Duke Jean & Princess Marie-Gabrielle) with their families, as well. Her funeral is taking place on Saturday, 16 February (2019) at 11am, at Château de Beloeil (in Belgium). Another memorial service for the late Princess will be celebrated at Église Saint-Michelin Luxembourg on a later date.
HRH PRINCESS ALIX (24/8/1929 - 11/2/2019), DOWAGER PRINCESS OF LIGNE, née PRINCESS OF LUXEMBOURG, NASSAU & BOURBON-PARMA - extended member of Luxembourgish Royalty, sister of former Grand Duke Jean & aunt of Grand Duke Henri.
Further links of information:
http://royalcentral.co.uk/europe/luxembourg/princess-alix-of-luxembourg-has-died-115858
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alix,_Princess_of_Ligne
http://www.luxarazzi.com/2016/12/luxarazzi-101-princess-alix-of.html
http://www.luxarazzi.com/2019/02/princess-alix-of-luxembourg-passed-away.html
http://www.monarchie.lu/fr/actualites/evenements/2019/02/11022019-decesprincessealix/index.html
Last Sunday the youngest brother of the new Malaysian King (Sultan Abdullah), Tengku Abdul Fahd Mu'adzam Shah, turned 25.
Abdul Fahd was born on 10 February 1994 to Pahang's Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Ahmad Shah & his second wife, Sultanah Hajah Khalsom binti Abdullah. He is Sultan Ahmad Shah's last child & the only one of Khalsom.
Abdul Fahd with his parents at a (muslim feast) celebratory card
His father was Sultan for 44 years & also served as the 7th King (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) of Malaysia between 1979-1984, being now the oldest living Malay monarch. His mother (néeAnita Abdullah) is of Pakistani origin & was made the Sultan's consort (of non-royal lineage) in 1992 (after marrying him in 1991). He has seven half-siblings (2 brothers, including Abdullah & 5 sisters), from his father's previous marriage to the late Tengku Ampuan Afzan Tengku Panglima Muhammad (dec. 1988).
Tengku Arif Temenggong of Pahang (pic. left) attendin a royal charity event
Tenku Abdul Fahd was first educated in a local school in Kuantan (Pahang), before continuing to a UK college & eventually pursuing his studies at Princeton University (USA).
He is a secondary member of Pahang's Royal family & has the royal title of Tengku Arif Temenggong of Pahang since 2002. As of yet, there is no public information about his personal life. He was reported to celebrate this jubilee through participating in a tree-planting initiative, along with students from a local district.
Further links of information (some in Malay):
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be_zF9Mlldh/?hl=el
https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tengku_Abdul_Fahd_Mu%E2%80%99adzam_Shah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmad_Shah_of_Pahang
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultanah_Kalsom
https://www.facebook.com/pertubuhansukarelawanvn37/posts/2459669034105650?__xts__[0]=68.ARA50gyNPWUj0MDlk5dUD2gSLDO1zCqz8QimH5A6EF7q5drksNcDPSkjk8mnmTSV3AfuPE8wmpm3khJ8M3PwLvtxCKU7hyY-tOTPqEPoWmhUeqKBfbjvpOqBoT1mNvdg-OKvP7c9QW8cWgtMe3nUDNgikIwGdBuOlJLOMAx8IKasDH5wO-isfhRGk6sNJMEYJ3YtClRkmYxElAYTN5mRJ5bCrYu0qrCn8kPq6qh96oJF0Eg3dhYLJo2CnJ_iTomP2cgErvm8gCh5HZ15dcdJGO2yolQWg-7r8LPQ2ps0s-_IJV4FMboJn2i0TNca57G3vPcC&__tn__=-R - facebook source of the abovementioned event.
Sultan Abdullah, pitured centre-front, leaving Balairung Seri of Istana Negara, along with other Malay monarchs, after the Conference of Rulers' 252nd Special meeting, which saw him being sworn-in as Malaysia's Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVI.
Malaysia got its 16th King at the end of January, as the newly proclaimed Sultan of Pahang was sworn in office of Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Sultan Abdullah, 59, was elected as Head of state by the Conference of Rulers on January 24 (2019), to succeed Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan, following his unexpected abdication earlier this month. Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak, who served as acting King during the interegnum took the office of Deputy Agong for the second time. Under Malaysian monarchy's unique rotation system, one of the county's nine hereditary rulers is chosen as YDP Agong for a five-year-term, in a succession line qualified on the seniority of their respective states (during the first rotation). Abdullah's consort, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, filled the position of Raja Permaisuri Agong (King's consort), which had been vacant during his predecessor's term.
(Abdicated) Yang di-Pertuan Agong XV, Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan
YDP Agong Sultan Abdullah (left) & his Deputy, Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak (right)
Abdullah of Pahang & his consort Azizah, the new Raja Permaisuri Agong.
THE 'MAIN DAY' STEP-BY-STEP:
Royal Standard replacement:
The five-year term of Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah al-Musta'in Billah as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, formally begun on the midniht to Thursday, January 31. It was signed with the replacement of the Sultan's personal flag with that of the King's standard, which was raised outside the Abdulaziz palace (in Pahang) after 11:45'pm on Wednesday (January 30). Thursday had been declared a public holiday in the Sultanate.
Departure from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur:
Yand di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah being farewelled by people before departing from Kuantan's Air Force base.
The new YDP Agong departed from the palace with his consort (the new Raja Permaisuri Agong) soon after 7am (on Thursday), with more than 260 policemen stationed at the trafic lines in (state capital) Kuantan for the motorcade procession to the local Royal Malaysian Air Force base. Thousands of Pahangians from all walks of life lined the streets to see their Sultan becoming the country's King, the second such ocassion in their history, with the first having ocurred 4 decades ago. It was expected to take 30 minutes for the entourage to arrive. At the air base, Sultan Abdullah received a salute from the guard of honor, followed by the performance of national anthem Negaraku and firing of 21-gun-salute. Prayers led by the state's Mufti conducted the short ceremony. The King & Queen, wearing a traditional songket attire of light blue (turquoise), greeted their people, and then boarded to the special aircraft, flying to the capital.
Departing from Kuantan's Royal Malaysian Air Force base
Arriving at KL International Airport & escorted by members of Selangor Royalty (including the Raja Muda/Crown Prince, pictured in yellow behind Tunku Azizah)
Welcoming ceremony at Parliament Square:
The aircraft, bringing Sultan Abdullah & (his wife) Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah, arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 9:10am. Members of Selangor (Sultanate)'s royal family & other officials escorted the King & Queen at the airport, before they headed to the Parliament Square for an official welcoming ceremony. Here Their Majesties were welcomed by the Prime Minister (Mahathir Mohamad), his wife (Siti hasmah) and his deputy (Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) after 10am. Then they all stayed on a special carpeted platform, while the national anthem & 21-gun-salute were performed. The ceremonial salute Hormat Diraja followed with Sultan Abdullah inspecting (the same time) the guard of honour, made up from four officers & 103 from the Royal Malay Regiment's 1st Battalion. After Abdullah returned to the royal stage, Federal Territories Mufti Datuk Seri Zulkifli Mohamad performed a (muslim) prayer recital, before Negaraku & Hormat Diraja were played once again, concluding the ceremony. The Yang di-Pertuan & Raja Permaisuri Agong's entourage then left for the national palace (Istana Negara) for the 252nd Special Meeting of the Conference of Rulers & the oath-taking ceremony in its duration.
252nd Conference of Rulers' Special Meeting:
Before the Conference meeting (broadcast live on national TV), the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was welcomed by the Maharaja Lela (class frigate) Maj. General & the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal at Istana Nagara, before being greeted by attending Rulers, chief-ministers or representatives from each of the Malay 13 states. 7 out of nine monarchs came from their state, with only Pahang & Kelantan (states of the previous & ascending Kings) being represented by their regent/heirs. Then the Conference of Rulers proceeded to Balairung Seri (~throne hall) for the official ceremony in front of state dignitaries & officials. Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah chaired this meeting, converting at 10:55am.
During the ceremony, official document/"instrument of office", presented by the Keeper of Rulers' Seal, was signed first by the King and then by his deputy. Both Sultan Abdullah (59) & Sultan Nazrin Shah (62), also read their oaths of office, thus being formally sworn-in as Yang di-Pertuan Agong & Timbalan (/Deputy) Yang di-Pertuan Agong (respectively). The Sultan of Terengganu (Mizan Zainal Abidin) & Raja of Perlis (Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin) - the two most senior monarchs-by-reign & former YDP Agongs - seved as the witnesses, and signed the proclamation instruments as well. It was followed by a 'doa' prayer recitation by the Mufti of Sabah (state) for Almighty's blessing towards "Their Majesties, the people and nation". Then the 93-year-old Prime Minister (Tun Dr. Mahathir) pronounced the official letter of proclamation, thus formally beginning Abdullah's five-year reign as Head of state of Malaysia. The ceremony completed & the Conference of Rulers departed Balairung Seri; they posed for an official portrait with senior government officials, before departing the palace.
Malay Rulers, governors, state leaders & representatives, pictured together
AN URGENT 'ELECTION'
Sultan Abdullah was elected as Yang di-Pertuan Agong (directly translated as He who is made Lord) during the 251st Special meeting of the Conference of Rulers, on Thursday, January 24(, 2019). His selection was widely expected as he was the next-in-line of a rotation-based exchange of reins between the nine Malaysia's constituent monarchies, implemented since the country's independence (1957). This election meeting came urgently, following the historic first abdication of the previous YDP Agong, Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan, on January 6 (after he reportedly tied-the-knot with a Russian former Miss Moscow in November last year), having served in the position for nearly 25 months of his 5-year-term (that was scheduled to end in December 2021). The deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, usually elected from the next-in-line state for the same term, was expected to be Abdullah's brother-in-law, Sultan Ibrahim of Johor. However the latter declined his candidacy, and so the chose passed on the 'next-in-line', the Sultan of Perak (who had served as acting King during the throne's 25 days of vacancy (January 6-31). 8 out of nine Malay Rulers (except the abdicated King), attended the meeting, chaired by the Sultan of Terengganu (longest-reigning current malay ruler).
Malay monarchs attending the 251st (Conference of Rulers') Special meeting
Who is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVI?
Abdullah is currently the shortest-reigning current malay ruler, and the monarch & state leader with the most recent assumption-of-office worldwide. He succeeded his ailing father, 88-year-old Sultan Ahmad Shah (also a former YDP Agong, between 1979 and 1984) as Sultan of Pahang last January. Born July 30, 1959, Abdullah became Tengku Mahkota (Heir Apparent) of Pahang in 1975 (the year after his father assumed the state throne). A British-educated fan of sports (especially football & hockey), graduate of (UK's) Sandhurst Military Academy, he was proclaimed Regent of his Sultanate twice; first at age 19, when his father was elected as Head of State for five years, and second (time) recently, in December 2016, when the elderly Sultan's health begun to decline. Following the King's abdication last month, and in order to guarantee the traditional rotation line's continuity, providing a successor from Pahang; the Sultanate's Royal Council decided - through an amendment of local constitution - to end the reign of Sultan Ahmad Shah (too old & ill to serve a full Agong's term) and proclaimed Tengku Abdullah as the next Sultan on January 15. Thus he became a valid candidate for the subsequent election as Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Ayahanda Baginda Sultan Ahmad Shah, surrently the oldest living (former) Malay monarch
Sultan Abdullah & Tengku Ampuan Azizah
Sultan Abdullah married twice: to Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah (daughter of the late Sultan Iskandar of Johor) in March 1986 (with whom they have six children; four sons - three alive - and two daughters), and to former actress (Che Puan) Julia Rais in 1991 (with whom he has three daughters). He has also an adopted son, Tengku Amir Nasser Ibrahim (b. 1986), from whom he is a 'grandfather' of two. His senior wife, Tunku Azizah, was proclaimed the Tengku Ampuan (Sultan's consort of royal blood) of Pahang on January 29, just two days before she became the new Raja Permaisuri Agong (Head of State's Consort/'Queen'), a post which had been vacant in the past two years (as the previous King was divorsed). In the same ceremony with her, their elder son, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim, was proclaimed the new Tengku Mahkota and Regent (for 5 years) of Pahang.
Abdullah was generally described as a kind, caring Ruler, calm & very close to his people, trying to keep himself 'above politics' & not to meddle in minor conflicts (as the royal decorum states). Having patroned various sport's federations, he is also currently a member of FIFA executive commitee.
Pahang's Tengku Mahkota & Pemangku RajaHassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, pictured (centre front) after his father's proclamation
INSTEAD OF A CONCLUSION:
Sultan Abdullah becomes the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia with a father, who also served as King in the past, alive into his son's Head of state's term. His predecessor was the first ever to serve this term with his father alive. Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, with the YDP Agong's role seen as widely ceremonial, whose duties include pardoning of political prisoners, official hosts & governments' swearing-in; and despite enjoying the priviledge of a Sovereign monarch, he cannot take political decisions. The only other Agong's posts of sole leadership are those of Commander in Chief & Defender of Islam. Hence the country's governance will not have any impact left due to this change, however from now-on reins will be exchanged on another date, as terms are not fixed on a standard date of limit, but just expire five years following the YDP Agong's swearing into office. Abdullah's term is now scheduled to end on January 30 (to 31), 2024. And since last month has been a historically unique one for Malaysian monarchy (with the first-ever elected-King's abdication and a Sultan's one, decided without his will to promote his regent to the national throne' succession), unique by itself through the elective, rotational, exchange of its nine state rulers (of high-estimated moral authority) as state leaders; it is really worthy to take a deeper look toward this country (with a much different system from the rest 42 world's monarchies), its history & royal traditions; while its people currently live them, and praise their new King through the traditional glorifying chant: DAULAT TUANKU! (which means: Long Live the Lord!).
Relative topics from previous publications:
https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2019/01/breaking-sultan-muhammad-v-has.html
https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2019/01/pahangs-royal-transition-abdullah.html
https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2019/01/new-heir-royal-consort-double.html
