Super QUEEN'S MESSAGE 2016

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/12/26/queens-message-worlds-problems-pulls-8-million-viewers-christmas/

Unusual #Swedish #RoyalWedding #Monarchyonline #London

UNUSUAL SWEDISH ROYAL WEDDING 4.30pm SATURDAY 13 JUNE. Richard Fitzwilliams, royal commentator, is available on 07939 602 749 (www.richardfitzwilliams.com)

When Prince Carl Philip of Sweden marries former topless model Sofia Hellqvist in the Royal Chapel, Stockholm, the lack of controversy over the match in Sweden is a sign how far monarchies have become more relaxed in contemporary Europe. Prince Carl Philip is third in line to the throne, having been superseded by his sister Crown Princess Victoria who married her personal trainer Daniel Westling in 2010 and has a daughter Estelle, owing to a retrospective law in 1980 giving the first born right of succession regardless of sex, Europe’s first such law. They have been living together since 2010 and the public have got used to what would formerly have been a highly controversial match.

The marriage will be followed by the traditional carriage ride and then a dinner and dance. There will be a 21-gun salute. The Swedish monarchy is purely ceremonial after changes to the constitution in 1974 and seems popular.

It was Norway’s King Harald who married Sonja Haraldsen in 1968 and subsequently Sweden with King Carl Gustav who married Olympic hostess Silvia Sommerlath in 1976, who pioneered the marrying of members of the royal families into the middle class and for love, the norm having been previously that royalty married royalty in both countries. Marrying outside royalty and aristocracy is now usual in Europe with the British royal wedding being the most recent high profile example.

When Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon married Mette-Marit Holby in 2001 it was initially highly controversial that she was a single mother and linked with the use of drugs but she has become extremely popular. There was controversy when Crown Prince (now King) Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands married Maxima Zorreguieta as her father had been a member of the Argentine military junta of General Videla and when his mother Crown Princess (later Queen) Beatrix married Claus von Amsberg who was German in 1965. It would once have been thought improbable that Spain would have a divorced Queen but Queen Letizia is divorced. She and her husband King Felipe are attempting to rebuild the popularity of the monarchy in Spain after King Juan Carlos’s abdication last June.

Monaco is unique as the Oscar-winning actress Grace Kelly’s marriage to Prince Rainier in 1956 was so high profile but their daughters Princesses Caroline and Stephanie’s disastrous love lives made the gossip columns for years. The heir Prince Albert had two illegitimate children which he has publicly acknowledged though his marriage to Princess Charlene now seems a stable one. The “sunny place for shady people” has its international profile largely because of its royal family.

There are still over 40 monarchies in the world. More recently, laws have equalized the sexes, most recently in Britain and the 15 Commonwealth realms and in all European countries save for Spain, Monaco and Liechtenstein. The institution can go through troubled times as Britain’s monarchy did in the 1990s and Spain’s is now but its ability to adapt and change rigid rules and protocol, as shown by the forthcoming Swedish royal wedding, is undoubtedly a pivotal reason for its survival and continued popularity.

Italian Navy Helps Amazing Aragonese Castle in Taranto Italy. #Navy #ItalianNavy #ArgoneseCastle

The Monarchyonline.org team were most fortunate to have a special private tour of the Aragonese Castle in the Naval port of Taranto with officers from the Italian Navy. Naval officers that led the tour first showed an amazing film about the history of the castle then led a private tour explaining about the excavations and what had occurred since the castle was built between 1487 and 1492.

Many artifacts and even skeletons have been uncovered during the excavations that will probably continue for around 10-15 years. The Italian Navy still use this castle and cherish the church where the King of Naples got married. Complete Greek & Italian kitchens have been discovered and you can see in the pictures along with many coins and ancient artifacts.

The Castel Sant'Angelo di Taranto, better known as the Aragonese castle, has a long history, as evidenced by recent excavations. The previous structure Greek, Byzantine and Norman-Swabian-Angevin are still legible and visible during the tour. The new era Aragonese castle was rebuilt in the years between 1487 and 1492, according to the new criteria imposed by the refinement of the artillery. It seems that the reconstruction project, created by the king of Naples, Ferdinand of Aragon, was made with the director, more likely, indirectly the great Sienese architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini. The characteristic cylindrical towers and walkways inside. Interesting is the Renaissance chapel of St. Leonard inside. 

IIt was amazing to have such a wonderful tour and also see the bridge open to allow a Navy ship through as you can see in the pictures. The bridge now electric and a real delight to see opening as many locals rushed to watch from the roadside.

 

We all learned so much from our amazing visit on a sunny afternoon in December 2014. Our special thanks to the Naval Officer pictured below from us all at Monarchyonline.org. 
Additionally, encourage you to think about a visit if you are able as such a wonderful place to visit in Southern Italy, Europe. Roll on our next visit!

Check out the website http://www.castelloaragonesetaranto.com/

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