Firstly, many thanks for your continued interest in and support of my Blog. I do appreciate all the visitors and comments, and try to answer any queries as quickly as possible. I am pleased to see a continued shared interest in heraldry in general and, specifically here, in Royal Heraldry. Long may it continue!
Secondly, I achieved my goals in looking at the following subjects:
- The Children and legitimate Grandchildren of HM King George III and Queen Charlotte
- Frederick, the King who never was, and his children
- Illegitimate Royal Offspring
- The Battenbergs and Mountbattens
- The Saxe-Coburgs
- Swedish Royal Dukedoms (before HM The King of Sweden slimlined the number of Members of the Royal House without, thankfully, withdrawing any ducal titles...)
We also marked the passing away of HRH Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and HRH Princess Christina of the Netherlands. News came through that Ari Behn, ex-husband of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, sadly took his own life on Christmas Day. I am not aware that Mr Behn was granted a Coat of Arms because he was never made a knight of any order of chivalry. I would, nevertheless, like to extend my condolences.
On a happier note, I also marked the birth of a son, Archie, to TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and HRH THe Duchess of Cambridge's appointment to the Royal Victorian Order. Also, the Enthronement of the new Emperor of Japan and the Wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor to Mr. Thomas Kingston.
The big news on the heraldic front this year was the decree from HM King Phillipe of Belgium in July and the return of the Inescutcheon of Saxony to the Arms of the Belgian Royal Family, plus an array of Labels and Bordures. No doubt an update was felt necessary, but I am still awaiting the decree's practical use. I am also awaiting a rendering of the Arms of HRH The Duchess of Brabant after being appointed to the Order of Leopold on her 18th Birthday this year.
I finished the year off with a look at the various Royal Crests, past and present. In large part they have been replaced with a simple Crown above the Shield even if the Helm has been retained. We did, nevertheless, see a couple of surprises on that front...
Please look through the Archive Listings for the Blogs as direct Links would be too numerous and complicated. However, please feel free to leaf through my musings.
Next year should see me catch up with further posts on the British Royal Family and will see at least one Royal Wedding, namely of HRH Princess Beatrice of York. With the new Emperor this year, I did mention in passing a possible branch out, past the shores of Europe, and a look at the Japanese Mon system of heraldry. Any suggestions otherwise would be gratefully received.
Happy New Year!