DEATH of a former Malaysia's Queen - TUNKU PUAN ZANARIAH, Dowager SULTANAH of Johor (1940 - 2019)

Tengku Puan Zanariah binti Almarhum Tengku Ahmad, the former Sultanah-consort of Malaysian state of Johor has died at the age of 78. She passed away on Sunday, 17 March 2019, at 11:47pm. Her demise was announced at 8:15am Monday (March 18), via the official facebook page of her son-in-law, Sultan Ibrahim of Johor.

The post of announcement via Sultan Ibrahim's official fb-page

The publication included a picture during her time as 'Queen' in black & white, with her name & title (with the additional first-word: Almarhumah, which means the late, acquired for females), and the (customary for such ocassions) muslim prayer Al-Fatiha(h) headline in bold scription.

She was born on 5 July 1940 in Pasir Mas, Kelantan Sultanate(, Malaysia), the seventh of nine children of Tengku Panglima Raja Ahmad bin Tengku Abdul Jaafar (state's royal) and Che Puan Hajjah Fatimah binti Dato Abdul Hamid. Paternally she was a great granddaughter of Sultan Muhammad II of Kelantan (r. 1836-1886).

Tengku Zanariah studied at elementary & secondary schools in Kelantan (1946-49 & 1952-54) and in capital Kuala Lumpur (between 1950 & 1952). In 1954 she went to England to pursue further her studies at the Upper Crime School, Isle of Wight.

Official portrait as Malaysia's Queen-consort

In 1960 she was the winner of the first edition of Miss-Malaysia and could participate in the first Miss International Pageant the same year, but (then) she wasn't placed in the pageant.

While studying in the UK, Zanariah met her future husband, Tunku Mahmood Iskandar. By then the Heir to the throne of popular Malaysian state of Johor, he was already married & had 4 children.

Mahmood Iskandar (second row, far left)
with his second wife & all children

However Iskandar quickly divorsed his commoner (English) wife, having already married Zanariah in 1961. Together they had six children (including a son, though her stepson was his father's heir).

Her husband was eight years senior her, while her elder sister, former Sultanah Nora (Ismail), born in 1937, had been married to Zanariah's father-in-law, Sultan Ismail (1895-1981) from 1977!

Iskandar succeeded his father as Sultan of Johor in 1981, and Tengku Zanariah became Sultanah (replacing her sister). Although they were never crowned (as is customary in Johor), her Royal Consort's titles were in full-use as long as she was married.

After Sultan Iskandar was elected the 8th King of Malaysia (according to the country's unique rotation system), Sultanah Zanariah served as Raja Permaisuri Agong (or ~'Queen' consort to the Head of state) from 1984 to 1989.

She founded (in 1982) & supported the Women's Council of Johor (MAWAR). The institution distributes donations to the less fortunate or victims of natural disasters, & organises religious activities.

Tunku Zanariah also was passionate in the arts, cooking, reading, history & sports. She undertook various exercises in her free time, like equestrianism, golf, tennis & water skiing, having moreover been the only royal consort to climb the entire Gunung Ledang (the highest mountain in Johor) while in her younger days.

The Sultanah was additionally the Chancellor of Malaysia's University of Technology (while a royal consort) & a patron of the Iskandar Puteri foundation.

Sultan Iskandar (centre) & Sultanah Zanariah
(right), attending Kedah's (late) Sultan Abdul
Halim's (left) Golden Jubilee of reign (2008)

 Following the death of her husband in 2010, Zanariah become the Dowager Sultanah of Johor. However in 2011, the titles of Sultanah were removed from both her & her elder sister (along with their royal priviledges) and replaced by the honorary namings Tunku Puan, or Tunku (shortened).

Enche Besar Hajjah Khalsom binti
Abdullah, Sultan Ibrahim's mother
(on the wheelchair, pulled by her grandson),
died on June 1, last year, aged 82.

In 2013 Tunku Zanariah received a divorse letter from her late husband, dated back in 2009, and reportedly in act since 2010 (despite Sultan Iskandar died that January). She appealed to the high court, however it ruled out that the (posthumous) divorse was valid.

Tunku Puan Zanariah led a private life in her later years. She died less than a year following the Sultan's mother (& first wife of her late husband) passed away (on June 1, last year). It was the first death of a Raja Permaisuri Agong since January (24,) 2015.
She is survived by her children, grandchildren, stepchildren (& step-grandchildren), at least a living sibling & her extended family.

Her mortal remains were placed in a cascet (drapped by Johor's flag) on Monday morning, March 18 (2019), and taken to an audience room (the Balai Mengadap) of the Sultan's royal palace (Istana Bukit Serene) at 10am, for funeral prayers.

Malaysia's current King (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) Sultan Abdullah (Pahang) & Queen (Raja Permaisuri Agong) Tunku Azizah (also her stepdaughter), along the former Head of state (Agong)'s couple Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin & Tuanku Tengku Fauziah (Raja & Raja Perampuan of Malaysian state of Perlis) were here to pay their last respects. Talkin and tahlil prayers were performed by Johor's Mufti.

Then the deceased was brought by a private ambulance of Sultan Ibrahim to the Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum (the Johor royal family's necropolis) for burial. She was laid to rest at about 2pm (Monday) with Sultan Ibrahim, Permaisuri Raja Zarith Sofiah (her successor as Johor's royal consort) & their living children present.

Her grave is located in the same row with that of her mother (Che Puan Fatimah). The funeral was not a state affair, neither a public one (like the Sultan's mother, whose coffin was carried in a wheeled royal pedestal, pulled by soldiers) - flags were not flown at half-mast. However, two of the state celebrations, marking the Sultan's official birthday (March 23) were cancelled soon after Zanariah's death (though officially this wasn't the cause of their cancellation).

Almarhumah (/the late) Tunku Puan Hajah ZANARIAH binti Almarhum Tengku Panglima Ahmad (5/07/1940 - 17/03/2019), Sultanah of Johor (11/05/1981-22/01/2010), Tunku Puan (2010-2019), 8th Raja Permaisuri Agong (~Queen-consort) of Malaysia (26/04/1984-25/04/1989). Al-Fatihah!

UPDATED ON THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019.

A recently-made previous publication, somehow related to this topic (about her stepson):
https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2019/02/a-beloved-father-ruler-of-irreversible.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR3ZHRsRAw9x6XQKF5NaL1F2NteCPYZxxKX6cN5K6UKmVhj_3eu2PrZMEQ0

Video, including pictures of the deceased:

& additional, further links of information:

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/03/470296/tengku-puan-zanariah-johor-passes-away

http://mole.my/johor-sultans-step-mother-dies-at-78/

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iskandar_of_Johor#Personal_life

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ismail_of_Johor#Personal_life

https://web.archive.org/web/20110219155227/http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/2rou/Article/
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/265129

http://theindependent.sg/johor-sultans-stepmother-passes-away-at-age-78/

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/03/18/former-raja-permaisuri-dies/

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/03/470556/tengku-zanariah-laid-rest-mahmoodiah-royal-mausoleum
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/johor-sultan-iskandar-cancels-birthday-pasir-gudang-pollution-11357830

BREAKING: Saudi charitable Princess BANDARI Al-Faisal HAS DIED

 

Yesterday, Friday March 15 (2019), the Royal Court of Saudi Arabia, announced the death of a member. Princess Bandari bint Abdul Rahman Al-Faisal, a paternal granddaughter of King Faisal (r. 1964-75) & maternal granddaughter of King Khalid (r. 1975-82), passed away at a relatively young age. Her cause of death wasn't announced, though it was revealed that her private funeral muslim prayers would be held today (Saturday), at Imam Turki bin Abdullah' Mosque in Riyadh, after Asr (afternoon) prayers.

Princess Al-Bandari has been described at a pioneer in her Kingdom's philanthropy & social work. A University graduate with Bachelor degree in Arts & English literature (1994), she obtained her master's in public policy from a Harvard's Government School (US), in 1998, and soon after started her charity work. In a time when domestic abuse was not given much attention, and women & children's wellbeing was a private matter, Bandari was among the first to seek awarness & provide a resultive solution to those issues.

The Princess had managed the charitable King Khalid Foundation (KKF), as its director-general from its inception in 2001. As its Chief executive officer, she promoted new solutions to the social & economic challenges the kingdom faced, bidding efforts to eliminate poverty & campaigning against domestic abuse. The latter move received international attention and in 2013 suggested & promulgated a law, punishing those who abused women & children physically or psychologically. The foundation, joined the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2016, to launch "Shaghaf" (meaning passion) - a fellowship program, "attracting and empowering young Saudis" in charitable work, providing them seasonal lessons in non-profit organisations' management.

The late Princess was also a member of "Al-Nahda Philanthropic Society for Women", The "ADHD Society and Support Group" (AFTA), the "Voice of Down Syndrome Society" (SAUT), & numerous other non-profit organisations, which she frequently contributed to. Her death was met with sorrow & tributes by her royal relatives & compatriots (members of her charities & officials). They called her the "leader of charitable work", prayed to Allah to improve "her grades and reward", & told that she had "served so many of the needy, did so much good for many, and have wiped the tears of many an orphan"; mourning her passing.

Further links of additional information: http://www.arabnews.com/node/1434986/saudi-arabia

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/561317/SAUDI-ARABIA/Princess-of-charity-Bandari-Al-Faisal-passes-away

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/features/2019/03/16/Saudi-Princess-Al-Bandari-A-lifetime-dedicated-to-philanthropy-women-s-rights.html

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

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1899581

http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/509841/Saudi-Princess-Al-Bandari-Al-Saud-mourned.

The Last KING to be Buried! - CAROL II of Romania is LAID TO REST (Saturday, March 9, 2019)

Last Saturday, March 9, a monarch's re-internment took place! King Carol II of Romania, father to the last King Mihai, was buried at the New Cathedral of Curtea de Arges, next to the rest 3 Kings.

His "funeral", donated by the Romanian state, included religious & military ceremonies with full military honours. It was broadcasted live on national TV, in presence of former Royal family members.

The farewell begun on Friday (March 8), with the former King's coffin - drapped in Romanian royal standard with a bouquet of white flowers above - was transfered from a nearby chapel (where it lay from 2003) to the main monastery temple.

Two short religious masses were read before & after the transportation - with 11 soldiers of a local Battalion carrying the coffin; with the husband of King Carol's elder granddaughter Margareta (Prince Radu), & two of his younger granddaughters (Princesses Sofia & Maria) in attendance.

At Curtea de Arges' main Cathedral's funeral service - Saturday, March 9, 2019 (~12pm).

The official service started Saturday noon. The same members of former royal family attended, along with the King's disinherited great-grandson (Nicolae Meddforth-Mills) & several officials. His granddaughter, Margareta (the dynasty's current Head,) was absent.

After the major Orthodox service (described by the Romanian media as 'emotional' & 'historical'), Carol II's remains were carried by the 30th brigade guard of "Mihai Viteazul", from Cathedral's nave to its royal necropolis, with a royal fanfare' salute outside. 

King Carol was laid to rest privately, in a specially prepared grave, close to those of his son, Michael I & daughter-in-law, Ana (buried there following their deaths in 2017 & 2016, respectively).

He died in exile in 1953, in Portugal. His coffin was placed inside the royal pantheon of a local monastery São Vicente de Fora, before being returned back to Romania in 2003, with that of his third wife.

Carol II (right) as a child with his father, Ferdinand
(left) & great-uncle, King Carol I (centre)

King Carol was the son of King Ferdinand & great-nephew of King Carol I (who established Hohenzollern dynasty in the newly-created Kingdom of Romania). Born in 1893, he was the first of the country's four Kings, born & educated in Romania according to the orthodox doctrine, and speaking Romanian as his mother language.

From early on he took controversial decisions on morganatically marrying his first wife (Zizi Lambrino) in 1918. This marriage was annulled a year later, and his elder son born from it (Carol Lambrino) lost his succession right (claiming it for his entire life).

King Carol II (left) with his son
Crown Prince Mihai in the 1930s

He was married to Princess Helena of Greece & Denmark in 1921, with their only son, Mihai born the same year. However Carol soon begun another affair with Magda Lupescu, and choose to give up his right of succession to the throne (he was then Crown Prince), leaving with his mistress abroad (& being divorsed by Helena in 1928). Thus following the death of his father (King Ferdinand) in 1927, his underage son Mihai became King.

Nonthenless Carol returned to Romania in 1930 & assumed the throne via a coup d'etat, as King Carol II. In the decade of his reign the constitution was amended, with a royal dictatorship, of anti-semitic laws and alliance with Nazi Germany gradually imposed. In 1940 he was forced by his powerful Prime Minister, Ion Antonescu, to exile, being succeeded again by his son, Mihai (by then 18).

When Antonescu established his own dictatorship, Carol desired to form a commitee for Romania's liberation from Mexico. He even tried to spread a pro-Jewish propaganda, and join the Alliance Forces in the end of WWII. None of his alternatives were successful, while (within the monarchist circles) his son's popularity gradually overshadowed his own one.

Following the deposition of Romanian monarchy (1947) Carol II still made efforts to reaffirm himself as the rightful claiming King.

Carol II & Magda (Elena) Lupescu in 1947

He and Lupescu were married in 1947 (with her taking the name Elena) and lived in Portugal & latin America up until his death.

Elena Lupescu (/Von Hohenzollern) outlived Carol by 24 years, and was temporary interred beside him (at the Royal Pantheon of Portuguese House of Braganca); when their remains were returned (2003), Elena was buried in Curtea de Arges' monastery cemetery (as a commoner) while Carol II remained unburied for 16 years.

The King's remains, contained in his coffin with the Royal
standard of the Kingdom of Romania, lay in a monastery
chapel of Curtea de Arges' Cathedral from 2003 to 2019.

King Michael - who never saw his father since 1940 - missed both Carol's funerals (in 1953 & 2003). In the 2003 ceremony (also held with former Head of state's honours), Michael's elder daughter (Margareta) represented him. As the current claimant to the throne (following Mihai's death), she also decided not to attend this year's internment ceremony (being represented by her husband & sisters).

Carol's senior granddaughter, Margareta, was represented (on his funeral) by
her husband Radu (centre) & her younger sisters, Sofia & Maria (seen righter)

All the other modern Romanian monarchs were buried in Curtea de Arges' necropolis following their deaths. Thus, Carol II is the last King to be permanently laid to rest here. The remains of his wife, 'Queen' Helena & brother, Prince Mircea (interred in Switzerland & Bran' castle, respectively), are the only ones yet to be reburied here.

Video (in Romanian) from the re-burial ceremony:

& Additional links (in English & Romanian) of information:

https://www.actmedia.eu/daily/earthly-remains-of-king-carol-ii-reinterred-on-saturday-in-the-new-archbishopric-and-royal-cathedral/79962

https://www.romania-insider.com/carol-ii-reburried-curtea-de-arges

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magda_Lupescu#In_exile

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

http://stiri.tvr.ro/ceremonie-pentru-regele-carol-al-ii-lea-la-curtea-de-arge----tvr-a-filmat-in-exclusivitate_842625.html#view

http://stiri.tvr.ro/moment-istoric-la-curtea-de-arge----osemintele-regelui-carol-al-ii-lea-au-fost-reinhumate-in-noua-catedrala-regala_842638.html?fbclid=IwAR00-0G853TCe8BoIK8DI1luGY1LIvwALedswnynGVqp8EwYRZb__O3wM9s#view

BREAKING: Earl of Wessex CREATED with EARLdom OF FORFAR on 55th Birthday (10/03/2019)

Yesterday the fourth & youngest child of the British Queen & her consort, turned 55 years old. Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, is the third son of Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He was born on March 10, 1964, and is 15 years younger than his eldest sibling, Charles, Prince of Wales.

On the ocassion of her son's birthday, the Queen has granted him a new royal title, his first one in Scotland. He will be here known as the Earl of Forfar. His wife, Sophie (Countess of Wessex), will be subsequently styled Countess of Forfar (while in Scotland).

The earldom of Forfar was first created in 1661, but become extinct in 1715, after just two occupants. It comprises a part of the Scottish peerage, in the country town of Agnus with ~14,000 of population.

Royal standard of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex & Forfar

It includes Glamis Castle, property of Edward's maternal grandmother's (Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother's) family.

Prince Edward is the only of Queen Elizabeth's male children, not to receive a Dukedom upon his marriage (1999). He was instead the first English Prince(-by-blood), taking an Earldom (instead of a Duchy) since the Tudor dynasty (1485-1603).

Prince Edward (centre front) as a child with his parents & siblings

The Earl of Wessex (at 50) with his wife & children in 2014

His two children (Lady Louise Windsor - b. 2003, & James, Viscount Severn - b. 2007), are also styled as an Earl's children & not with the status of Royal Highness & Prince/ess of the United Kingdom they are entitled to.

Edward is expected to succeed his father as Duke of Edinburgh posthumously. However the titles' succession is a complicated matter, and if his elder brother is on the throne at the time of their father's death, the duchy of Edinburgh could merge with the crown.

Although if the titles are passed over as planned (no matter whether the present Queen will be on the throne or not), Edward's son James will succeed him as Earl of Wessex by courtesy.

The (current) Earl of Wessex is a full-working member of the British Royal family, undertaking numerous Scottish charitable, cultural, sporting & educational organisations. Following his father's retirement (in 2017) he took over much of his duties as a Trustee in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Further links of information:
https://www.royal.uk/title-earl-wessex
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Edward,_Earl_of_Wessex
 http://royalcentral.co.uk/uk/wessexes/the-queen-grants-the-earl-of-wessex-the-additional-title-of-earl-of-forfar-117403
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_of_Forfar
http://royalcentral.co.uk/uk/wessexes/why-is-prince-edward-an-earl-not-a-duke-2-117413. 

Second ESwatini Queen Dies in less than a year - INKHOSIKATI Nothando LaDUBE (1988 - 2019)

'Queen' LaDube, the 12th wife of Swazi King Mswati III, has died earlier this week at the age of 31. The death was first reported last Thursday (March 7, 2019) and confirmed Saturday (March 9) to the kingdom's Broadcasting service by a Governor. Nothando Dube, who mothered 3 of the King's ~23 children, but didn't saw him for the last 8 years, reportedly passed away in a South African hospital, where she had been treated for a form of skin cancer. She is the second of the Africa's last abdolute monarch's 14 wives to die within a year. The millionaire King provides each of his wives a lavish palace life, isolated from the rest of the world under his close supervision, in a country with high-ranked poverty & increased percentage of HIV/AIDS diseases.

NOTHANDO DUDE was reported to be born in February 1988 (other sources say in 1987). Her father is from Barberton, South Africa. Nothando studied to a local high school when she met her future husband (20 years her senior), at a birthday party organised for one of his children. She soon participated the Miss Teen Swaziland pageant, when she went to be a finalist, and later (in August 2004), was chosen as the King's future wife at the age of 16, during the Reed Dance ceremony.

The Reed dance (or Umlahanga) is an annual event observed by Swazi and Zulu people. It occurs in August each year and (in Swaziland) takes place at Ludzidzini Royal village, with an 8-day-duration. Hundreds of thousands of virgin young women & teen girls are gathered from the entire country, and perform traditional dances bare-breasted in front of the King & Queen Mother (who shares power with her son). At the end, the King has the right to choose his next wife among these virgins - a tradition, continuing to this day.

Eventually Mswati (Ngwenyama/Ingwenyama, or "lion King" of Swaziland since 1986 & the world's youngest monarch until 2006) married Nothando on June 11, 2005, made her his 12th Royal Consort, styled Inkhosikati laDube, and granted her a luxurious palace, with staf personel and "a fleet of cars". She gave birth to three of his children: Princess Makhosothando Dlamini (b. 2005), Prince Betive Dlamini (b. 2007), & Princess Mahlemalangeni Dlamini (b. 2009). Although they were recognised as members of the ruling House of Dlamini, Dube would later report that King Mswati didn't knew even their dates of birth, and she was raising them completely by herself.

In 2010 Queen laDube became the subject of an adultery case. She was caught to have an extramarital affair with Swaziland's justice minister (and King Mswati's childhood friend,) Ndumiso Mamba. It was during a King's official visit abroad, when her guards mentioned a person in officer's uniform leaving the palace at nights and departing by a waiting car to an unknown destination. Once guards followed the car, they reached a hotel 10km from the palace, and found out the Queen (dressed up as officer) in a private hotel room, and the justice minister, trying to escape into the lower mattress of the bed! Mamba was forced to resign from his office and temporary detained, though Dube was placed under house arrest, with her husband denying to see her again, and her family never allowed to contact her personally. Ever since then her noticed public appearances ceased.

In 2011 the Queen contacted with british press and complained of isolation. She said that she was feeling a prisoner in her own palace; every contact with the royal family was cut-off, her own guards beheaved abusively & literally assaulted her when she tried to leave, and even in urgent situations (eg: the need of a doctor), she had to wait those she needed to enter the palace. These reports led to pressure by some pro-democracy movements within the kingdom (& human rights' organisations from abroad). However, a senior official of the kingdom, denied laDube's reports of assault.

In November 2011, it was sourced that the (23-year-old) Ikhosikate was forced to leave (her) Ludzidzini royal residence, after a tension with a security guard. Queen Nothando had to take her younger, two-year-old daughter to a doctor (after she injured herself while playing), while the guard member physically prevented her to exit the palace. She thus pepper-sprayed his eyes, and managed to get out. This was reported to her mother-in-law ('Queen Mother' Ntfombi Tfwala, officially titled Ndlovukati, or: The Great She-Elephant), who decided that act as disrespectful & ordered laDuba to "pack and leave". A month later reports wanted her to be 'dumped at her maternal grandmother's home', with no food & (even) bedding, separated from her three young children (still recognised as the King's offsprings). In 2012 information emerged that she had escaped to South Africa.

Inkhosikati laDube's death was announced through ESwatini' Broadcasting & information service by Governor Lusendvo Fakudze. The cause of her death (skin cancer) was confirmed by the King's elder daughter (Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini) along with further tributes. She is thought to have died in the early hours of Thursday, March 7, at a South African hospital (that was not revealed). According to the official announcement, Queen laDube's funeral took place on Sunday, 10 March 2019, after a vigil the previous night at Ludzidzini Royal residence. She was laid to rest privately.

Inkhosikati Senteni laMasango (1981-2018)

Nothando laDube is the second of King Mswati III's wives to die. The first was Inkhosikati Senteni laMasango (1981-2018), who commited suicide in April last year. laMasango, who struggled with mental health issues and attended her sister's funeral without the King's consent, took her life after a suspected amytriptyline overdose, being abandored by her husband for years. However, the King still celebrated his 50th birthday in pomp later that month, renaming the kingdom from Swaziland to Eswatini. Both Queens died tragically in their 30s, having suffered at the palace.

Swaziland/Eswatini is an independent country since 1968. But it lacks of constitution since 1973, with the government - (a) King's puppet, and politics & media dominated by the polygamic monarch, whose lavish lifestyle and repressions have been 'tightly' criticized by international independent organisations. The misstreatment within the palace walls have also been a part of those repressions. Two of Mswati's 14 wives have already successfully escaped (& 'deleted' from the royal family), other two now have died, while His Majesty is already (since 2017) planning to marry his 15th wife (to be). But whether he choses to follow his father's footsteps (who had more than 200 wives in his 82-year-reign), or tries to come in terms with the reality & context of his time (trying to limit his unhappy marriages), may not be dependent even on him.

INKHOSIKATI NOTHANDO laDUBE (6/02/1988 - 7/03/2019), Queen-Consort of Eswatini/Swaziland (2005 - 2019), as the 12th wife of King Mswati III. May She Rest in Peace!

Video-tribute shared by Princess Sikhanyiso:

& Further related links of information:

http://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/king-mswatis-12th-wife-has-died/

http://royalcentral.co.uk/international/swaziland/king-of-eswatinis-12th-wife-dies-117391

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

https://allafrica.com/stories/201903080814.html

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

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umhlanga_(ceremony)

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

https://nehandaradio.com/2010/08/11/minister-caught-redhanded-with-kings-wife/

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

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/swaziland/8686424/I-am-a-prisoner-says-Swazilands-Queen-No-12.html

https://mpumalanganews.co.za/353717/king-mswatis-12th-wife-passes-away/

https://africandailyvoice.com/en/2019/03/09/eswatini-mourns-the-death-of-king-mswati-iiis-12th-wife/

https://owlcation.com/social-sciences/The-King-of-Swaziland-His-Misbehaving-Queens-and-the-Less-is-More-Quandry.

INFANTA MARGARITA, Spanish blind, polyglot & 'rocker' Princess, TURNS 80 (Wednesday, March 6, 2019)

Infanta Margarita with her husband & daughter

The youngest sister of Spain's former King celebrated her 80th birthday, last Wednesday! Infanta Margarita, Duchess of Soria & 2nd Duchess of Hernari, was accompanied by her 75-year-old husband, who pulled her wheelchair on the way towards a restaurant for a jubilee lunch, and their 43-year-old daughter holding an umbrella over her parents' heads, amid the rainy day.

Alfonso Zurita attending his mother's birthday party

Infanta Elena, Margarita's niece, attending the party

Queen Sofia (also 80), attending the Party

Their 45-year-old son, royal nieces, and other relatives & friends joined them later in the afternoon at their residence for private celebrations. Infanta's sister-in-law, former Queen Sofia, also attended, but neither the latter's husband (King Juan Carlos), nor Margarita's eldest sibling (Infanta Pillar) were in attendance. 

Pillar, who is now 82, recovers from a recent hospitalization, while the former King, 81, was at a friend's residence, in Florida, at the time. However, both of her siblings were represented by their children (except King Felipe VI), celebrating their aunt's milestone.

Infanta Margarita was born on 6 March 1939 in Rome, the younger daughter of Don Juan of Bourbon & Maria Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (later Count & Countess of Barcelona), then claimants to the abolished Spanish throne. She also had a younger brother, Infante Alfonso (born in 1941), who was tragically killed by his elder brother in a gun accident in 1956. His death was a shock for the family, but forced Margarita to become more emancipated.

With her parents & siblings, when they were young

Her blindness was discovered when she was two months old, and after four years of efforts to cure her & even a pilgrimage to the Virgin of Fatima by her mother, it was found out that she will never be ever able to see. This though didn't stop her from having an active childhood and developing various interests and skills.

Margarita evolved her passion in music by playing piano, and hearding classical (& later rock) compositions. Over the years she began to hear various artists, including: Miguel Ríos, El Canto del Loco, Ricky Martin & Bon Jovi, and even visiting night clubs (something very radical for a Princess of her time,) earning the nickname of la Infanta Rockera (the ~'Rocker Princess')!

She also has been a charismatic linguist and from early on spoke fluently in about 10 languages! Following an education within a special group for blind people, the Infanta moved to Spain in 1956, and begun working in a children's nursery care & teaching english.

Margarita found the love of her life at a party; he was Carlos Zurita y Delgado, a physician & medical professor, 5 years her jounior. Their relationship was kept secret for some time, with a modest wedding without royal pomp on October 12, 1972. Together they went on to have two children: Alfonso and Maria, and just last year, a grandson, Carlos (from their daughter, born through in vitro fertilization). They are still married with her husband assisting her.

Margarita & Carlos Zurita with their children in ~1980s

Following the restoration of Spanish monarchy in 1975, Margarita's surviving brother, Don Juan Carlos assumed the throne, while she and her husband became members of the extended royal family.

However, she gave up her rights of succession upon her marriage, & thus neither herself, nor her children can succeed the throne.

But neverthenless she and her husband (as her male-consort) were given some noble titles. According to the will of a deceased cousin she inherited in 1979 the Duchy of Hernari (becoming its second Duchess), while in 1981, her Sovereign brother created her Duchess of Soria (a Spanish city), with her husband receiving the same male titles, as well (Duke of Soria and Hernari). Infanta Margarita's Ducal names are accompanied by the noble title of Grandee of Spain. She is additionally a honorary president of Madrid's UNICEF' delegation & supports some other charities.

With her husband in their younger years

Additional links of information (most in Spanish):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infanta_Margarita,_Duchess_of_Soria

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Zurita,_Duke_of_Soria

https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2018-04-30/maria-zurita-embarazo-primer-hijo-prematuro-fecundacion_1557076/

https://www.revistavanityfair.es/realeza/articulos/infanta-margarita-ciega-hermana-juan-carlos-peregrino-a-fatima-para-curar-sus-dulces-ojitos/36773

https://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/20190306138524/infanta-margarita-comida-familiar-cumpleanos/

https://www.bekia.es/realeza/noticias/margarita-borbon-hermana-desconocida-rebelde-rey-juan-carlos/

https://look.okdiario.com/casa-real/motivo-planton-rey-juan-carlos-margarita-636462

https://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/galeria/20190306138535/infanta-margarita-80-cumpleanos-fiesta/1/.