Royal Families: Crown Prince Haakon & Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway

Crown Princess Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit in
2001 and 2016

     Everyone loves a good Cinderella story or at least a story that reminds us of Cinderella. A young obscure woman who catches the eyes and eventually captures the heart of a handsome and honorable prince. And while royal families over the years can boast of their own Cinderella inspired relationships nothing can really hold a candle to Norway's Crown Prince Haakon and his wife of fifteen years Crown Princess Mette-Marit. 

      So every Cinderella story has a beginning and so does Haakon (pronounced hawk-uhn) and Mette-Marit. Prince Haakon Magnus was born in 1973 to Crown Prince Harold and Crown Princess Sonja of Norway. He had one older sister, Martha Louise, but because of Norway's primogeniture law at the time, he was considered heir presumptive to the throne. Haakon lived a quiet life as a good student, went to Berkeley, joined the Navy and seemed to have no controversial playboy lifestyle at all. In 1991, King Harald ascended to the throne and Haakon was now crown prince. 

      Fast forward to 1999, Haakon is at a concert and meets a beautiful blonde haired woman named Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby. The handsome prince is smitten, but this woman is hardly royal material. Mette-Marit has lived a controversial lifestyle of partying, using drugs and has an four year old illegitimate son from a previous relationship where the father is a convicted drug user. Any self respecting royal would be told to stay away, however, Haakon takes a stand and defends Mette-Marit proving his love for her and her son and even moves in with them during their eight month engagement.  

     Haakon's family, especially his father, were in support of the relationship because this was nothing new to them. King Harold himself had to fight for ten years to be able to marry Sonja who was a commoner. Yet, during Haakon and Mette-Marit's engagement, the royal family's popularity hit an all time low when the news of Mette-Marit's drug use in the past was released. Like any good prince from a fairytale, Haakon soldiered through and would not allow the people or the media to deter him from from marrying the woman he loved. 

The Crown Princely Family of Norway from 2001 to 2016

      On August 25, 2001 Crown Prince Haakon wed Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby in small, but beautiful wedding ceremony. Never one afraid of breaking from tradition, Haakon met Mette-Marit at the doors of the church and they both walked down the aisle together. Together they have two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra (January 2004 -- heir to the throne after her father) and Sverre Magnus (December 2005). Mette-Marit's first son, Marius (now 19), has lived quietly in the background and is accepted by the royal court and the people, but will never be seen as a royal and will live in secondary status to his younger siblings. 

      Unlike his distant relatives from other European monarchical countries, Crown Prince Haakon was not a rebellious or wild prince growing up. He didn't live the playboy, jet-setting lifestyle and always stayed out of trouble. So for him to choose a woman with such former scandalous life and who also had an illegitimate son must have proven to be a great shock to the people of Norway. 

Haakon did not just rebel against tradition and reform, 

he demolished it all together. 

      Marrying a single mother with such a shady past had never been done before in any royal family. Yet, Haakon has proven to be the stuff of true storybook princes' and found his princess among rubble of past mistakes and regrets. This is why he has been considered not only one of the best royal dads, but also one of the most well loved crown prince of his generation. Mette-Marit has found love and acceptance, not just in Norway but worldwide for her charity work, duties as a devoted mother and modern thinking. 

      To quote the famous last line from Ever After, 

"And while Cinderella and her prince did live happily every after, the point [gentlemen] is that they lived."

    And how Haakon and Mette-Marit have lived and loved. No other royal couple in history has had a real life Cinderella story so perfectly lived out

The Wedding of Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Mette-Merit Tjessem Hoiby
August 25, 2001

"Strong" from Cinderella (2015) covered by Ellie Swisher
(I had to!!)

Royal Families: Crown Prince Frederik & Crown Princess Mary of Denmark

Frederik and Mary in 2004 and 2015

     My absolute favorite royal couple! Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark have a love story that is the stuff of modern day romance films. I first found out about them when I saw their wedding photos on the internet several weeks after their May wedding in 2004 (May 14th, to be exact). From that point on I have followed their early marriage and their growing family of four children.

      Before they met, Crown Prince Frederik had been a typical playboy, party prince who had no desire to take his royal duties as the crown prince (he actually got so out of control that the Danish people wanted his younger brother Joaquin to take the throne instead if him). Mary’s family was originally from Scotland, but moved to the tiny island of Tasmania where she and her older sisters and brother were born and raised. Mary grew up loving horses and sports; she went to college and became a real estate agent.

Frederik and Mary with their children

     After a several years of reckless antics, Frederik grew up and started taking his role of Denmark’s future king seriously. In 2000, he decided to hit the Sydney Olympics with his younger brother. Mary was an avid sports fan and flew to Sydney as well. They were then introduced through mutual friends…at a local bar. They exchanged numbers and really that was that. A year later, Mary moved to Denmark and got a job. The press soon caught on to the secret romance and Mary became the hottest news in Denmark. After several years of dating and speculation, it was announced in October of 2003, that Frederik and Mary planned on marrying.

      On May 14, 2004 after almost two months of festivities Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark wed Mary Elizabeth Donaldson of Australia in a beautiful spring wedding. A year later, Prince Christian was born and the line of succession was secured. In 2007, Princess Isabella was born and in 2011, unexpected twins Vincent and Josephine arrived. Like most royal couples, Frederik and Mary are devoted to charity work and international causes that they want to bring to the world’s attention.

     Frederik has made a name for himself for his work in military and environmental causes and Mary works tirelessly for women’s rights and the welfare of women and children all over the world. It’s not unusual to see both of them with at least one of their kids with them. Frederik and Mary remain one of the world’s most popular and well loved couples for their warm and friendly natures and how they have been brilliant representatives of Denmark’s history and future.

Wedding Day - May 14, 2004 --Waiting for Mary to arrive.

Royal Families: The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge

Will and Kate's journey from 2003 to 2016

Happy Five Year Anniversary Will and Kate!!

     I can remember the moment when my friend told me that Prince William had a new girlfriend and her name was Kate...or something like that. I'm happy to say that I have followed Prince William and Princess Kate's whole relationship from their first appearance while skiing to the engagement, the wedding and now their growing family life. Although Catherine Middleton may not have seemed like royal material in the beginning, she slowly grew from obscure girlfriend to princess-in-waiting.

     While the world was forever harping on Prince William to get married, he and Kate took their time. A lesson learned from William's own parents who hardly knew each other and had a very whirlwind courtship which led to a disastrous ten year marriage, a messy divorce and no small amount of scandal from both sides. So, it's only natural that William and Kate take their time, get to know one another and even took a break from each other for a small period of time. 

The Cambridge family

     Then in October 2010, the royal court announced the engagement of Prince William and Catherine Middleton and the whole world was in an immediate royal frenzy. The wedding was on! For months, all that was talked about was the dress, the church, the bridesmaids, anything and everything pertaining to a right and proper royal wedding. I'm not ashamed to admit that my mom and I got up at 3 a.m. to watch the wedding and it was worth it! Kate was a stunning bride and seemed at ease, but very much excited for the day that was about her and her new husband.

     Now, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have settled quietly into royal life with their two children, Prince George (2) and Princess Charlotte (11 months). They do a variety of charity work and travel a great deal as well. Like most young royal families, Will and Kate have balanced traditional duty to the royal family with their own modern day parenting of their two small children. Although they are still a young couple, William and Kate have quite the royal ride with one another as well as with the royal family, the media and the rest of the world. They have a great dynasty resting upon the two of them, but as of right now, they're probably content with just being called Mum and Dad.

William and Catherine's Wedding -- April 29, 2011

Royal Families: Crown Princess Victoria & Prince Daniel

     If anyone was born to be queen than it would be crown princess Victoria of Sweden. Born in 1979, Victoria was not the original heir to the throne. Due to the primogeniture laws at the time, that honor was given to her younger brother. However, a few days after he was born, the law was changed and now the oldest child would ascend to the throne, regardless of their gender. Since then, Victoria has dedicated her life to her country and to her people. 

      In 1996, though, it was revealed that Victoria was suffering from anorexia due to the intense stress of royal duties and living in the public spotlight. Her condition had gotten so severe, that she moved to California to get treatment and attended college at Yale University. While there, Victoria was able to live an anonymous life as well as taking better care of herself. At that time, it was unheard of for a royal to admit to a personal health disorder, especially one as severe as anorexia

Victoria in 1996-1997 when she suffered from anorexia

     Fast forward to 2001 and Victoria has returned home, healthier and decides to hit up a gym. There she meets Daniel Westling, the handsome gym owner who becomes her personal trainer. Pretty soon the media catches on that the crown princess has a new boyfriend....and they are not thrilled and neither is Victoria's father. Daniel was a gym owner, a commoner, middle class management. There was no way he could fit into royal life. 

      Victoria and Daniel kept their relationship out of the public eye as much as possible, but it was hard with the press constantly hounding Victoria on where her real loyalties lie. Overtime, Daniel won over the family and the people when they saw how much more confident Victoria was when she was with him. His relaxed nature and likable personality was noticeable and he seemed to be someone who can handle royal duties very well. 

     On February 2009, Daniel received permission from the royal court to ask Victoria to marry him (this is common procedure in several royal families). And on June 19, 2010, Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling were married and were given the titles of the Duke and Duchess of  Västergötland. 

Victoria and Daniel with their children, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar

     Victoria and Daniel have two children. Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland (February 23, 2012) and Prince Oscar, Duke of Skåne (March 2, 2016). Crown Princess Victoria is one of most respected royals of her generation. She has balanced traditional beliefs with modern day thinking and has become an inspiration for girls and women all over the world. She and Daniel often appear together at royal engagements and both are renown for their tireless charity work in Sweden. They are wonderful representations of a modern day royals and a modern royal family. 

Christmas cookie making - 2014

Decorating the Christmas tree - 2014

Christmas baking - 2015 (Victoria is pregnant with Oscar)

Royal Families: Princess Caroline & Stefano Casiraghi

Left: Stefano and Caroline on their wedding day in 1983
Right: Stefano and Caroline shortly before Stefano's death

     Considered one of the most beautiful and yet, tragic love stories in royal history. Princess Caroline of Monaco had already dealt with her fair share of tragedy, first with the ending of her marriage to playboy Philippe Junot in 1980, followed by her mother's death in 1982. The she is introduced to handsome Italian socialite and businessman, Stefano Casiraghi in 1983 and the clouds begin to lift.

     Although 3 years younger than her, Stefano was a perfect match for Caroline. She was reserved and by the book, but he enjoyed life to the fullest. However, he was also a private person and protective of Caroline as well. In December of 1983 (and Caroline 3 months pregnant with their first child), Stefano Casiraghi and Princess Caroline Grimaldi were wed in a civil ceremony. 

   Caroline's father, Prince Rainer, and the rest of Monaco were suspicious of Stefano joining the family. He was too young, too inexperienced, and wouldn't be able to handle the pressures of royal life. Stefano proved everyone wrong and in a matter of a couple of years, he not only won over his father-in-law, but the whole principality. He was charming, generous, and a brilliant businessman. He stayed out of the media and spotlight, was very supportive of his young wife.

    Pretty soon, the young couple had their hands full with three children born in rapid succession. Andrea in 1984, Charlotte in 1986 and Pierre in 1987. The three new royals were a breath of fresh air for the royal family that only seemed to produce scandal. The paparazzi never missed an opportunity to capture the family on their outings, and their was an element of real and genuine happiness for Princess Caroline. Look at any pictures of Caroline and Stefano during their marriage and it doesn't take a genius to see the love they had for each other or for their children. 

     Sadly, the fairytale ended in 1990 when Stefano was killed in a speeding boat accident. Caroline was now left to care for her three small children alone. She went through intense grieving for almost ten years, hiding herself away from the public and never letting her children too far from her sight.

     

      Although they were only married for seven years, Princess Caroline and Stefano Casiraghi gave the world a real life marriage that was built of mutual trust, friendship and love. She was a princess, he was a businessman; it may not have made sense at first, but it was right to them from the beginning. And many believe that Caroline (although she remarried and had another child) will always consider Stefano her one true love.

Stefano and his children

     Stefano adored his children and it's clear as day in the many pictures that were taken. Andrea, Charlotte and Pierre are now grown with families of their own. They are commonly known as the Casiraghi Trio and have managed to avoid the scandals and tabloids of royal life, due to their mother's tireless work to keep the paparazzi away. 

Princess Caroline's Interview with Barbara Walter (1985)

Part 1

Part 2

      Princess Caroline rarely gives interviews, but she allowed Barbara Walters a private interview in 1985. She's so beautiful : )

Royal Families: Greek Royal Wedding (1964)

(Possible new blog series about my favorite royal families!)

       Like most royal families, I've always had a general interest in the relaxed and down to earth former royal family of Greece. On September 18th, 1964, 18 year Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark married the newly crowned King Constantine of Greece. They met when the royal family of Greece was on a state visit to Denmark and after spending time with 13 year Anne-Marie, Constantine told his parents that he was going to marry her. 

     In 1967, the family had to flee Greece after an unsuccessful counter-coup against the military junta. Since then they have lived in exile in England. King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie have five children and nine grandchildren. Due to their exile, the royal family of Greece have lived relatively undisturbed by the media and all members are praise for their tireless charitable works. I found these wedding videos online and the quality is stunning!

Part One: Pre-wedding celebrations

Part Two: Wedding ceremony