Wonderful Weekends (The Punk Princess and Marquis D'Bacquemme Portrait)

After his very recent  elopement the normally camera shy Marquis D'Bacquemme agreed to what may be considered an official portrait. We post that here in our normal weekend portrait slot. The Marquis' new wife, the Princess Von Hohen und Silberstein, is said to have convinced her media avoiding husband to step out a bit more and pose for the public. The result was phenomenal and history in the making as the public never got treated to a religious wedding ceremony. The couple eloped in secret and wed  in a civil service at the office of a judge in a rural town. This photo is all we might get as a commemoration of their wedding.

The stunning portrait shows the photogenic Princess with her husband and pretender to the Monagask throne. The couple seemed very happy during the shoot and exuded an almost naughty atmosphere as the Princess coaxed her shy husband into his formal pose. The "Punk" Princess was uncharacteristically regal and opted to wear the Von Hohen und Silberstein Sapphires with a very sleek silver evening gown. The family sapphires haven't been seen for decades and made for quite a display of Royal rank and privilege. The Marquis D'Bacquemme is very closely related to many of the Europan Royal Houses and is first in line to the dissolved Principality of Monagask. He has always vehemently protected his own privacy but has now more than ever come out of his shell since the inception of his relationship with the Princess. 

Fascinating Fridays (Countess Cartwright Interview and Castle Tour)

Country living forms a major part of the Royal/Noble lifestyle. Aside from Royal Families employing the use of holiday retreats in the form of vast hunting estates or villas by the coast, many Noble Families also own country houses and the like. For many of these Noble Families the house may even be the original seat where the family permanently resided many ages ago as representatives of Royal Authority in distant parts of the Kingdom. Countess Cartwright granted this blog a special interview featuring her as the newly wed Countess and mistress of Cartwright Castle. Since popularity for the aristocracy is increasing in the democratic countries of Scotney and Britania we thought we would take a look at this boomingly popular Noble Lady. Let us take the tour and also get to know the new Lady Cartwright. 

We were welcomed right in front of the slightly foreboding medieval residence of the Earls Cartwright. The original castle was built more than 650 years ago but has undergone many alterations eventually ending up as a vast country mansion. Hints of the original towers remain but it has long since lost any of its genuine ability as a fortress. Lady Cartwright has enjoyed moving into her new home as she is a history scholar and relishes the great opportunity her new husband has afforded her as "caretaker" of this family treasure. 

Some of the castle interior like the chapel has seen almost no alteration since it was built, as can be seen in this photo. This part of the castle has great historic significance as it displays medieval building techniques like very few others on the island of Scot-Britania. The Coumtess has decided to make the castle available for architecture student tours by appointment. 

The historic lounge of the castle is in essence a museum and as such is never actually used. All the period  furniture is extremely old with documented histories. This is Lady Cartwright's favourite room as her studies in histories centered around historic furniture and its development. She has considered doing her thesis using this room as a starting point. This room is also famous for 400 year old tapestries and other original decorative features.

Castle Carwright's armoury has been altered into a relaxing lounge as can be seen in this photo. Modern couches blend strangely well with original wood fittings and suits of armour. The room's angle allows for very pleasant sun in winter making it the Carwright's favourite room in the castle. 

Married now for a mere nine months Mairi D'Bacquemme, of Noble decent herself, did find it daunting to marry into the formidable Carwright Family with its close ties to the Imperial Family of Scot Britania. The tumultuous history of Scot-Britania was not unfamiliar to her and her own Family's rough past but her exceedingly Continental upbringing was decidedly more worldly than that of her conservative husband. However love always prevails and in this case will endure as these opposite characters seem to have made for a match in heaven. In this photo Lady Cartwright poses in the castle's vast and very ancient library. This library is the only one in private ownership that has been declared and International Heritage Site in its own right and may never be sold. The Carwrights are obliged to preserve it for posterity and failure to do so will divert ownership of it to the state. 

The original medieval vineyards, long since abandoned as a commercial viability have been "repaired" and altered into a formal garden behind the stately home. The Countess felt it would serve as a quaint link with the castle's distant history as Scot-Britania's then only wine producing farm. The vineyard allows for long strolls and grape snacking in season. There is also a maze and a water fountain where relaxing moments may be spent on park benches.

Especially for our blog the new Countess donned the Carwright Amethyst Tiara and a formal dress for this portrait in the castle's entrance hall. Its seems the former red carpet addict has come a long way since her jet setting relationship with Viscount Hayz but has retained her sophisticated glitz. Now the married and settled Countess Cartwright has seemingly found her niche alongside her husband and his Scot-Britanian Noble heritage. 

What's Up Wednesday (News Flash Elopement)

The Marquis D'Bacquemme and Princess Oktavia Von Hohen und Silberstein have eloped! They are reported to have married in a small town in southern Franconia without the attendance of any family or the media. This happy albeit shocking occurrence has been named by some as the most romantic Royal event of the year and has sparked a frenzied media inquiry into the matter. Official records from the town council of Nize, have revealed the event to be fact. 

An alert Royal watcher snapped this photo in a crowd one evening in a small resort town near Nize Franconia. The photo taken on the same weekend as the purported civil wedding conducted by a local judge led to questions which has now pierced the very private Marquis' secret. The odd couple seem to once again prove that opposites attract. The Marquis shuns the public eye whereas the Princess has seen the cover of many tabloids and once earned the title "Punk Princess". Last year saw the couple attend the Christmas Ball in Scotney and that was the first official event attended by the Marquis. 

This magazine cover from 2009 shows the Princess in her wilder years. She has seemingly calmed down and now will settle into married life we hope. Perhaps her calming has also led to the Marquis becoming more active on our red carpets. We wish them both the best. Perhaps a church ceremony may be on the cards but we will not hold our breath.

What's Up Wednesday (Marlboro D'Bacquemme Wedding)

Today we report on yet another D'Bacquemme wedding following close on the heels of the Earl Cartwright's happy day less than a month ago. On the 1st of September 2013, the sister of the Marquis D'Bacquemme, Madame Francine, was wed to His Grace the Duke of Marlboro. The wedding has been on the cards for a while as the couple has been officially "dating" for over a year.

After the official year long courtship, having appeared at many public functions together, the big day finally came as autumn announced its arrival in Europa. The event was held at the D'Bacquemme family residence, Chateaux Dumont in Franconia. As with the previous D'Bacquemme wedding held in August, the Marquis again refused to be photographed for publicity photos.

After the ceremony, which is rarely photographed in the case of Royal and Noble weddings, the guests gathered for their photos before the private celebrations began. Her we see the new Duchess and her husband, Duke Winston, the 12th Duke of Marlboro.

Wearing the Marlboro Family Tiara has become a nuptial tradition for Marlboro brides and here we see Her Grace photographed in it coupled with her plain yet impressively voluminous dress.

The full gathering of family can be seen here with the notable absence of The Marquis D'Bacquemme and the Earl Cartwright (husband of the former Mairi D'Bacquemme, niece of the bride). The Earl Cartwright couldn't attend due to  business obligations. From the left; The Countess Cartwright, The Dowager Marquise D'Bacquemme, the bridal couple, The Duke and Duchess of Toledo (brother and sister in law of the groom)

Her Grace the Duchess of Marlboro poses for this shot of her and her beautiful dress. 

What's Up Wednesday (Cartwright D'Bacquemme Wedding and Swann Engagement)

Since the wedding of Queen Gloria of Normandia last year we have had what seems to be a tsunami of weddings. Here is yet another wedding, this one of the Earl Cartwright and Madame Mairi D'Bacquemme and more to come in the next two weeks as well.

Many of the Nobility with close ties to the Imperial Family observed the official time of mourning for Empress Crystobel. Some took it so seriously that they even moved important events in their private calendars in order to observe it. The Earl Cartwright being a distant cousin of the The Crown Prince Imperial went so far as to postpone his wedding by two weeks. It thus took place on 17th August 2013.

Royal weddings can be very elaborate affairs but this was sleek and very private held at the Ritz Pariseum Hotel in Franconia. Only close family were invited, partly due to the subdued atmosphere and also since strictly speaking these were the nuptials of  "former" nobility only. However the Pariseum media were granted this photo shoot.

The new Earl and Countess Cartwright. The very simple and modern wedding dress was designed by renowned designer Madame Frumsetta. The Countess Cartwright opted for her  mother-in-law's Family Aquamarine Tiara as her "something blue". The groom looked the part of a handsome new husband perfectly. 

The full compliment of family, from left we see the soon to be wed Duke of Marlboro and his fiance Madame Francine D'Bacquemme, then the mother of the bride the Dowager Marquise D'Bacquemme, the bridal couple, the mother of the groom the Dowager Countess Cartwright and the groom's sister and her husband the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Serbieski.  

The bride and groom flanked by their respective mothers.

We wish the couple all the best for the future.

Elsewhere at Sorgenfrei Castle, another private function took place this past weekend and was announced to the press. Princess Marie-Elizabeth, sister to the Duke of Swann is engaged to the Arch Duke Otto Von Fulco D'Este. The happy event took place on a private weekend away in the Switzer Confederacy. Even though Princess Marie-Elizabeth is of high rank and the Arch Duke is the pretender to the historic dynasty that ruled Fulco D'Este, we will for the time being have to be content with very small events in the wake of Empress Crystobel's death. Most Royals will continue to observe a level of subdued decorum. We are fortunate that since the Princess is the highest ranking female of a reigning dynasty that official photos have at least been released.

The event carries the official sanction of the Duke of Swann who released his statement of consent and well-wishes in the Swanobian press today along with this press photo set.

Princess Marie-Elizabeth wears a red gown from the South African Designer Stephanie Swart coupled with the Fulco DÉste Ruby Parure. It is protocol for a Royal bride to show her acceptance of an engagement by wearing jewels from her husband-to-be's family.

The wedding date is expected to fall in early 2014 considering the current mood. This is in concert with even this year's traditional Imperial and Swanobian joint Birthday Ball being cancelled in favour of small and private events.

We can however look forward to what will be a wedding celebration to remember. 

Wonderful Weekends (D'Bacquemme Family Portrait)

I haven't posted a State or official portrait in ages! I have run out of portraits it seems but at least current ones are done brand new every once in a while. We are treated today in this post with one of the most private people amongst all of the Royals. The Marquis D'Bacquemme doesn't even allow any photos and vehemently pursues infringement of his privacy with legal action. However, today's photo is an official release and legally posted exclusively on our blog.

This is the 2013 official Family Portrait of the Franconian D'Bacquemme family. Clockwise from top left; Madame Mairi D'Bacquemme (sister to the Marquis), His Lordship the 11th Marquis D'Bacquemme, Madame Francine D'Bacquemme, (aunt to the Marquis) and Her Serene Highness Princess Beatrix, the Dowager Marquise D'Bacquemme (mother of the Marquis).  Princess Beatrix is from the Princely House of Thurn und Taxis in Syldavia.

They hold the defunct Marquisate of D'Bacquemme in the Higher Nobility of the former Kingdom of Franconia. Of far greater importance however, due to the vast dynastic shifts caused in the lines of hereditary succession by the 96 Revolution, they also hold the legal claim to the Princely throne of the small Principality of Monagask. The Principality was absorbed into the Democratic Republic of Franconia after the 96 Revolution and currently is legally seen as a municipality within Greater Franconia. The Marquis has never proclaimed himself officially "in pretence" to the Monagask throne but could do so and would then be titled, His Serene Highness Prince Gerard of Monagask.

What's Up Wednesday (Engagement Cancelled)

This blog does attempt to give the news concerning the Royals as it happens and the news is often not always good news. We love to report on happy events like weddings and glamorous occasions like balls and banquets. However thing do go wrong and this week we have to report the sad news of the separation of an engaged couple. Where we were anticipating another glitzy wedding to perhaps take place before the end of 2012. It is with disappointment that we share the news of the end of the engagement between Lady Mairi D'Bacquemme and the Viscount Hayz.

The last photo of the couple leaving a nightclub earlier this year.'

The news was already rumoured for over two weeks but we could not report on it until it was officially announced. We received and email at our news office here in the Principality of Swann from the Viscount stating the facts that the relationship had come to a final end. He cites the irreconcilable difference of Lady Mairi not accepting his business dealings with ARC International and its owner the Lady Archwhite. We also have it from independent sources that the young Viscount has been working successfully with ARC Investments and was due to expand his contract due to the natural gas contracts being established with the Syldavian Province of Serbieski. The supertitious might believe that this break-up speaks of the dubious intentions of ARC Investments in Serbieski and should be counted as a bad omen. There has yet to be a statement from Lady Mairi but this might not come due to her family's avoidance of media attention and this not being a divorce is 100% a private affair.

They weren't often seen at official events and tended to stay out of the limelight but when they did show face like at the 2011 Christmas ball, they certainly knew how to turn heads.

We are sad to report this news but wish both parties all the best for the future.

“To be or not to be” Thursday (The Viscount Hayz and Madame Mairi d'Bacquemme)

Ok, so I decided we needed a bit of a break from the excitement in Syldavia and that we also needed a break from just profiling female Royalty and that we needed a break from discussing only individuals on a Thursday. Wow, what a mouthful, here is the point, we will discuss a couple, not from Syldavia but the gentleman is from what used to be the Empire of Scot-Britania. His fiancé is from Franconia but like many others is, due to the lives lost in the revolution, second in line of succession to the throne of the Small Principality of Monagask. I present to you the young and very trendy, engaged couple; His Lordship the Viscount Sean, 9^th Viscount Hayz and Her Ladyship Madame Mairi d’ Bacquemme. In regular speech one refers to all nobility from Scot-Britania by using the prefix title of Lord, thus the Viscount Hayz would be reffered to as Lord Hayz. If the monarchy in Monagask was restored madame Mairi would be Her Serene Highness, the Princess Mairi of Monagask, Madame d’ Bacquemme.

The glamorous couple was snapped by a paparazzi photographer leaving an A-list nightclub earlier this year.

Lord Hayz and Madame Mairi met each other 2 years ago on a skiing holiday in the Switzer Alps. The story goes that Madame Mairi lost control of her skis an careered into the unsuspecting Lord standing to one side with a group of friends. His next memory was of opening his eyes to what he thought was an angel but was Mairi leaning over his hospital bed. The Lord Hayz had sustained a minor concussion and a fractured elbow but what he gained in the long run was apparently worth the “suffering".

They started dating before he even left the hospital and invited Mairi to join him upon his return trip to Americania a few weeks later. Both the Hayz and D’Baquemme families were greatly affected by 1996 Revolution but in opposite ways. The Hayz’s had been living in the United States of Americania and lost almost all their wealth. The Lord Hayz’s father died of a heart attack two months after their arrival in the States and although of Noble origin the new Lord Hayz and his mother were relegated to a typical “single mom” lifestyle. However Sean, as he was known in college struck it big in the I.T. industry and soon was a high flying millionaire in his own right.

In attendance at the 2011 Christmas Ball with the Hispanian Duchess of Aragon on the far right and her daughter Donna Hernanda at her right. Madame Mairi wears a tiara from the D'Bacquemme collection.

The D’Baquemme’s had the flip side of the coin. The Franconian monarchy was toppled many years before the revolution and for very different reasons, so Madame Mairi grew up in Franconia with full knowledge of her Noble heritage but living like normal upper-class citizens. The family had wealth but not on an aristocratic level, they had some ancestral jewels and some property. She had a normal upbringing for her social standing with equal education. The revolution however struck and as it turned out due to genealogy; her brother is now first in line to become a Sovereign Prince if things turn out like they did in Normandia and Syldavia. This would put a great burden of responsibility on her as she could become a Princess in an independent country. Even though there isn’t talk of a restoration in Monagask, the genuine reality has completely thrown the D’Baquemme family for a loop.

Sean and Mairi are now engaged, immersed in their careers and living a fantasy life of their own. It’s strange to think that for other people, the fantasy is to be a Prince or Princess, for these two the fantasy is just to have a happy normal life. They are not seen at Royal events often but will always be invited to the large scale get-togethers. We saw them at the Christmas Ball of 2011 and at the Crown Prince Imperial’s Birthday in the same year. They are regulars on the fashion scene as well and sometimes support charity events. Personally I look forward to the eventual wedding as the Hayz jewellery collection, if it’s still in the family ownership hasn’t been seen in almost 20 years.

Madame Mairi d'Bacquemme with her close friend Lady Loelia Jennings at a charity function in 2011. 

Life will, regardless of your choices, put before you opportunities and challenges but your attitude in dealing with them is where you will always be free to choose. Time will tell what is put before our trendy couple but their choices will show where they end up.