Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Royal Review - Royal Weddings by Friederike Haedecke and Julia Melchior

While there are many books on royal weddings, Royal Weddings by Friederike Haedecke and Julia Melchior is different. Looking at the cover with the famous photo of Diana on her wedding day, you could be forgiven for thinking of this as just another book focusing on British royal weddings. But such a nod and cover photo is necessary, if only because Diana is the most globally recognizable. Aside from Princess Grace of Monaco, the other brides may be completely foreign to those outside of their respective countries. But the cover is also somewhat misleading. Those expecting a book about Diana or other British royal brides are in for a surprise. This is no ordinary book on the subject.


Of the fourteen weddings, this book starts off with the most controversial one: Prince Haakon of Norway to Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby. For those who are not familiar with this story, prior to her wedding Mette-Marit was a single mother with an illegitimate child. Not your typical Cinderella. Despite the schmaltzy chapter title: Victory of Love, their relationship and wedding is covered in a way it would be for any other royal wedding. The couples are presented as real people in remarkable settings, sharing their special day with the rest of the world.

This book is beautiful, with full page color photos. The couples and their weddings are presented as real people, in remarkable settings, sharing their special day. There are some interesting bits of trivia: Princess Mary of Denmark's bridal bouquet was placed on her mother's grave in Scotland. Queen Silvia of Sweden's handkerchief was attached to her wrist with a rubber band. Not to mention the 44 pound wedding dress of Soraya Esfandiary, second wife of the Shah of Iran.

The weddings are grouped together, Scandinavian (Norway, Sweden and Denmark), Greek, Spanish, Monaco, British and Dutch. Those of Japan, Iran and Brunei stand out and make interesting inclusions if only to see how royal weddings are celebrated outside of European traditions. While the focus is very much on the current royal couples, there are some weddings from previous generations such as Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus, Princess Sophia of Greece and Don Juan Carlos of Spain, Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip. The oldest wedding is that of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert but the inclusion of Charles and Diana is somewhat predictable. However it's the weddings we only get a glimpse of that could have been very interesting additions, such the current King and Queen of Norway or even Queen Margarethe and Prince Henrik of Denmark.

Were it not for this book the details of these weddings, such as the wedding dress designer, locations of ceremony, guests, royal traditions, would otherwise be lost to the sands of time. Now the information is compiled in one place. The book is well researched but mentioning that Queen Victoria was 5'8" is questionable when most sources list her at 5 feet. Otherwise the book is a treat for the eyes and for those who love the ultimate in royal pageantry.

© Marilyn Braun 2009

Saturday, May 23, 2009

The Royal Report for Sunday May 24, 2009 - Should Kate Middleton wait?

On this episode I discussed a potential job opportunity for Kate, whether Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie should use protection, how to get Kate-haters out of your basement and the pros and cons of Kate waiting for a proposal vs cutting her losses and running.

You can listen to the episode here

The Royal Report is now available for download on iTunes

Publications discussed

Hello! Canada No 130 June 1 2009

There will be no show next week. Tune in LIVE via webcam to the next episode of The Royal Report on June 7th, 2009 9:00PM ESt. Topic yet to be determined!

© Marilyn Braun 2009

Saturday, May 16, 2009

The Royal Romance Report for Sunday May 17, 2009

On this edition of The Royal Romance Report I discussed what the recent photos of William and Kate at the polo match really mean, the Royal Family Crop Circle cover-up, and how YOU can help William and Kate get married.

You can listen to the episode here

Note: The Royal Report is available for download on iTunes!

Publications mentioned

Vanity Fair - June 2009 Article: Fortune's Children by Bob Colacello

Kate: Kate Middleton - Princess in Waiting by Claudia Joseph

Blogs and Websites mentioned

British Royal Wedding

World of Royalty

Tune in LIVE via webcam to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday May 24th, 2009 9:00PM EST.

The topic will be: Should Kate Middleton wait?

© Marilyn Braun 2009

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

When you care enough to send second best

The Queen was obviously busy.

Prince Charles was going head to head with architects.

What's a royal to do when a 109 year old woman complains about her birthday card?

Send Prince William instead.

The second in line to the throne made a surprise visit to one of his grandmother's subjects to personally apologize for a Hallmark faux pas. Born in 1899, Catherine Masters has seen it all. Obviously nothing gets past her. Including the fact that the Queen has worn an identical yellow dress in all five birthday cards she has sent to Mrs Masters. Prince William laid on the charm for 40 minutes and thrilled Mrs Masters, who will obviously remember the visit for the rest of her lifetime.

Now your Majesty, about that yellow dress...

© Marilyn Braun 2009

Sunday, May 10, 2009

The Royal Report for Sunday May 10th, 2009 - Even More Royal Blogs!!

On this episode I discussed several royal blogs that you should definately add to your Google reader!

You can listen to the episode here

(Note: The Royal Report is now available for download on iTunes!)

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 128 11 May 2009

Websites mentioned

World of Royalty

Blogs mentioned

British Royal Wedding

Royal Romance

Mad Hattery!

Enchanted by Josephine

Royal Travel Blog

Royal Musings

The Norwegian Royals Report

Tune in LIVE via webcam to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday May 17th, 2009 9:00PM EST.

The topic will be: The Royal Romance Report - May edition

© Marilyn Braun 2009

Thursday, May 07, 2009

The Royal and The Clueless - Episode 15



On this episode of The Royal and The Clueless, Kate sits at her desk at work. She has just finished listening to her favorite podcast - The Royal Report. Kate thoughtfully ponders the topic of the recent show - Why are people so fascinated by Kate Middleton? She starts searching on the Internet for the answer when Enrique, still smouldering, comes up behind her.

Enrique: What are you doing?

Kate: Marilyn did a great episode this week called Why are we so fascinated by Kate Middleton? And I started thinking. Why are people so fascinated with me? So I'm just looking for some answers. I want to understand it better.

Enrique: What have you found so far?

Kate: Well there's this blog which is discussing the topic intelligently. But now I've found this forum...

Enrique: Wow, do those forum* members have lives?

Kate: *Sigh* I don't know. I don't understand. They've never met me yet they hate me so much...

Enrique: Hmmm...What does it say there?

Kate: It says they want me dead.

Enrique: They can't possibly be serious?

Kate: It must be a figure of speech.

Enrique: No, I don't think so. They must not know the definition of the word dead.

He grabs a dictionary and starts to read

Enrique: 'Having lost life, no longer alive..no longer in existence'

Kate: Do you think they're jealous?

Enrique: They say they aren't but obviously they doth protest too much. I guess they don't know the definition of that word either?

Enrique flips to the definition of jealous.

Enrique: 'Having to do with or arising from feelings of envy, apprehension, or bitterness'. It looks like they really enjoy bashing you..page after page..entire threads devoted to bashing you..

Kate: I guess I'm not the only one without a job

Enrique: Ain't that the TRUTH!

On the next episode of The Royal and The Clueless, Kate decides to make better use of her time.

© Marilyn Braun 2009

* Any similarity to any particular forum threads is purely a coincidence.

Friday, May 01, 2009

The Royal Report for Sunday May 3rd, 2009 - Why are we so fascinated with Kate Middleton?

On this episode I asked the question - Why are we so interested in Kate Middleton? I also discussed the merits of personal hygiene for men, and a recent dream I had about William and Kate's relationship.

You can listen to the episode here

( Note: The Royal Report is now available for direct download on iTunes!!)

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 127 4 May, 2009

The Queen Observed - Edited by Trevor Grove

The Country Life Book of the Royal Family by Godfrey Talbot

William's Princess: The Love Story that will change the Royal Family Forever by Robert Jobson

Websites mentioned

World of Royalty

Tune in LIVE via webcam to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday May 10, 2009 9:00PM EST.

The topic will be: Even More Royal Blogs!!!!

© Marilyn Braun 2009