There is a lot of information available online, and I cannot possibly give you everything you might want to know about the royals. Instead, I will keep the posts in this series concise and easy to read, with basic biographical information such as birthdates and the names of their immediate families.

I will start with the British royal family, and have, in fact, already written about Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. The rest of the week, we’ll get to know Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and the members of their families. After this, I’ll cover the Danish and Spanish monarchies, and then the rest of the European royal families.

I will also compile these posts as resource pages, which you will eventually find on the sidebar. If you know a little-known fact about your favorite royal, I would love to hear about it! Email me at maricar-at-b5-media-dot-com.

Post from: TheGloss

If there is one Olympic sport that Britain’s Princess Anne isn’t going to miss, it’s the Equestrian event. She was there as a member of the International Olympic Committee and also to support the British team as they competed in Beijing.

The Princess Royal might be feeling bittersweet about the whole experience. Her daughter, Zara Phillips, should have been at the Olympics had it not been for an injury sustained by her horse Toytown just a few weeks shy of the Games.

Nevertheless, the Princess found a lot to cheer about, as the British Equestrian team will be taking home the bronze in The Team Eventing.

Post from: TheGloss

Prince Harry and some of his mates board a ferry for Robben Island

Prince Harry’s tour of Africa is almost over. The British prince has been spending time with members of his Blues and Royals regiment. While in Africa, they have helped with various projects at a community school in Lesotho. This project is supported by Sentebale, Prince Harry’s charity dedicated to helping AIDS orphans in Lesotho.

The visit has not been all work for the group, of course. Some of them, including Harry, also found time to try the world’s highest bungee jump, 700 feet from the ground.

The group is scheduled to go back home to Britain later this week. One of their last stops is at the prison cell where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his life. The seven foot by eight foot room “sent a shiver” down Harry’s spine. Harry, who has yet to meet Mr. Mandela, has read his autobiography and is an admirer of the former president of South Africa. The visit to Robben Island, a former leper colony, included a talk by a former political prisoner there.

Nelson Mandela recently celebrated his 90th birthday with a concert at Hyde Park, which was attended by Kate Middleton.

story via Telegraph; image used with permission from Newscom

Post from: TheGloss

Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, with Iceland’s President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson and his wife Dorrit Moussaieff, on a visit in May 2008

Another princess which I missed on my first list of Vanity Fair’s Best-Dressed Women was Princess Mary of Denmark. Princess Mary is one of my favorite royals. In the list, she is Number 16, though I think she should be higher.

Here are a couple more of her recent fashion statements:

top image used with permission from Newscom

Post from: TheGloss

In the complete list, Princess Letizia of Spain is Number 2 among the best-dressed women of the world. She really does deserve to be in this list. Princes Letizia is always impeccably dressed, no matter what the occasion is.

Thanks, Frank, for the heads-up!

Post from: TheGloss

Crown Princess Mathilde of Belgium (shown on the right), with her tailored dresses and suits.

Prince Heinrich von Und Zu Furstenberg of Germany, whose personal style is labeled timeless.

Count Manfredi Della Gherardesca, whose favorite clothing purchase of 2008 was a batik-inspired J. Crew jacket.

Rafael Medina, The Duke of Feria, along with his brother Don Luis Medina of Spain.

Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, who favors business attire.

UPDATE:  Also on the list of Best-Dressed Men and Women were Crown Princess Letizia of Spain, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Princess Alexandra of Greece, Monaco’s Charlotte Casiraghi, Princess Olga of Greece, Princess Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis, Britain’s Prince William and Prince Harry, and Viscount David Linley.

Post from: TheGloss

Kate Middleton (center) with two unidentified guests at the wedding of Lady Rose Windsor and George Gilman.

The Vanity Fair article cites the following tidbits about Kate’s fashion faves:

Signature look: Tailored jackets, boots, and Philip Treacy hats. Frequented boutiques: Ralph Lauren and Topshop. Sunglasses: Chanel. Notable 2008 ensemble: Black suit and Philip Treacy hat worn to the Order of the Garter service.

Here’s the outfit that earned the “notable” distinction:

Prince Harry and Kate Middleton at the service conferring the Most Noble Order of the Garter on Prince William at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

images used with permission from Newscom.

Post from: TheGloss

King Juan Carlos skippered the royal yacht Bribon for the event, one of the most popular among the elite international yachting community. His granddaughters, Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia, were in the thick of the action, as were their parents Crown Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia.

The week was not all play and holiday from King Juan Carlos. He also met with several dignitaries in Mallorca. Among those he hosted were Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Spain’s own Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero.

Post from: TheGloss

* Britain’s Prince Charles to star in TV documentary (via M&C)

* Japan’s Prince Naruhito sees off Japanese Olympians (via Royal Blog)

* Monaco’s Princess Stephanie and Charlene Wittstock at AIDS charity (via Hello)

* The Duchess of Cornwall meets British equestrians before Olympics (via PoW)

* Royal family prepares kingly training plan for Prince William (via Hello)

* Prince Charles invites burlesque dancer to Prince Harry’s birthday (via M&C)

* Queen Elizabeth donates pigeons to Wetherby Young Offenders Institute (via Wetherby News)

Post from: TheGloss

The Prince of Wales was an image of coolness despite the sizzling weather. He wore a cream sports jacket and trousers and the requisite sunglasses at the event at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park. The weather was so warm it prompted three men to strip to their birthday suits, royal audience not withstanding.

After the event, Prince Charles drove away in his car (no driver!).

image used with permission from Newscom

Post from: TheGloss