On this family Thursday, the day after Christmas I'd like to post on the life of my sister Princess Marie-Elizabeth.
Her Royal Highness Princess Marie-Elizabeth of Swann was born in 1984. She is the younger and only sister of the current Duke of Swann. Her early years like most of her contemporary peers was a life of privilege coupled with the disciplined preparation for duty as a Princess. She showed an interest in animals almost immediately and displayed an unusual knack for interacting with them.
The Princess had a far more successful relationship with her father than her elder brother ever did but it was still more volatile than one would classify as normal. She was known even before she reached the age of 7 to be capable of random bouts of tantrums normally triggered by being frustrated from owning every little animal she set her eyes on. She would also sometimes be exasperated by her father. These were remarkably self controlled and manipulative tantrums belying the Princess' intelligence but she never brooded for long and almost manically returned to a happy-go-lucky animal lover.
Her Royal Highness Princess Marie-Elizabeth of Swann was born in 1984. She is the younger and only sister of the current Duke of Swann. Her early years like most of her contemporary peers was a life of privilege coupled with the disciplined preparation for duty as a Princess. She showed an interest in animals almost immediately and displayed an unusual knack for interacting with them.
The Princess had a far more successful relationship with her father than her elder brother ever did but it was still more volatile than one would classify as normal. She was known even before she reached the age of 7 to be capable of random bouts of tantrums normally triggered by being frustrated from owning every little animal she set her eyes on. She would also sometimes be exasperated by her father. These were remarkably self controlled and manipulative tantrums belying the Princess' intelligence but she never brooded for long and almost manically returned to a happy-go-lucky animal lover.
Here we see Princess Marie-Elizabeth with her elder brother and her cousin, Prince Dillon at the 2012 Christmas Ball. The Princess isn't overtly interested in fashion and style but normally manages more than merely the correct look for every occasion.
Her childhood soon entered the teenager phase but this naturally difficult time in a persons life in her case was completely overshadowed by the 1996 Revolution which struck when she was just 12. Not only did she lose both her parent but for security she was separated from her brother and was raised by an extended family member in Americania till she reached the age of 18 in 2002. She did go through an initial two year phase between 1996 and 1998 that dropped her in deep bouts of depression. Growing up without her parents led her eventually to a suicide attempt where she overdosed on her prescription sleeping tablets. Her brother was flown to her side in hospital and after a lengthy visit, some serious counselling and a relaxing of security protocols, over time her depression was dispelled as the memories of the revolution faded into the past.
Apart from all the stress these events caused the Princess coped relatively well adjusting to her "new" life. She didn't excel at school or sport but that was due to lack of interest more than anything else. Her mind was always on horse riding.
After school she attended a business management course whilst working part time on a horse ranch in Canadium. It was here that her interest in animal assisted depression therapy was sparked. A program was established on the ranch where depression sufferers where allowed to interact with the horses and as time passed were allowed to ride. This process assisted greatly in there treatment, some claiming to be fully cured.
Her childhood soon entered the teenager phase but this naturally difficult time in a persons life in her case was completely overshadowed by the 1996 Revolution which struck when she was just 12. Not only did she lose both her parent but for security she was separated from her brother and was raised by an extended family member in Americania till she reached the age of 18 in 2002. She did go through an initial two year phase between 1996 and 1998 that dropped her in deep bouts of depression. Growing up without her parents led her eventually to a suicide attempt where she overdosed on her prescription sleeping tablets. Her brother was flown to her side in hospital and after a lengthy visit, some serious counselling and a relaxing of security protocols, over time her depression was dispelled as the memories of the revolution faded into the past.
Apart from all the stress these events caused the Princess coped relatively well adjusting to her "new" life. She didn't excel at school or sport but that was due to lack of interest more than anything else. Her mind was always on horse riding.
After school she attended a business management course whilst working part time on a horse ranch in Canadium. It was here that her interest in animal assisted depression therapy was sparked. A program was established on the ranch where depression sufferers where allowed to interact with the horses and as time passed were allowed to ride. This process assisted greatly in there treatment, some claiming to be fully cured.
Princess Marie-Elizabeth was a stranger to the world of Royalty regardless of the fact that her brother was a ruling Prince. The Duke of Swann never pressured her into Royal duties or to make public appearances. He allowed his sister to initiate her "red carpet" involvement as he felt she was doing more than enough already with her charity work that involved several animal charities, and even a rural education program in Ophiri. The day came however in 2011 when their cousin, The Princess of Wallachia was to make a State Visit to Swann when Princess Marie-Elizabeth asked her brother if she could attend the banquet officially as the "first lady of Swann". This of course was appropriate as her brother, remains to this day unmarried. The Duke of Swann agreed happily and so she made her first red carpet appearance. The Princess followed on her debut by attending the 2011 Christmas Ball.
In 2012 officially represented her deceased mother at the opening of the new Swann Opera House. The project being originally initiated by her mother more than 15 years earlier. For the event, pictured above, she wore her mother's Dowry Parure in honour of her memory. Here we see at the Swann Opera House a bevy of high ranking Royals with whom the Princess by right brushes shoulders with. From left; Princess Augusta of the United Empire, The Dowager Grand Duchess of Hanoveria (aunt to the Duke of Swann), Princess Marie-Elizabeth of Swann (patron of the Swann Opera), The Empress Crystobel I of the United Empire (aunt to theDuke of Swann), The Crown Princess Imperial of the United Empire and Grand Duchess Alice of Hanoveria.
Since then Princess Marie-Elizabeth has been a regular representative of the Swanobian Monarchy and balances her Royal duties very successful with her charity work.
As we look forward to 2014 and the upcoming wedding we reflect on the Princess'most famous quote made during her speech at the opening of her Riding Center in Aid of Victims of Depression in Swann: "Let us think of those in need and not just in the physical monetary sense. Sometimes a person just needs a visit or a hug or a phone call. Simple connection is the most basic need and often the least considered."
We wish Her Royal Highness a bright and blessed future as she endeavors to serve as only a Princess can.
Since then Princess Marie-Elizabeth has been a regular representative of the Swanobian Monarchy and balances her Royal duties very successful with her charity work.
In 2013 the engagement of Princess Marie-Elizabeth to the Arch Duke of Fulco D'Este was announced. Their 2014 wedding promises to be the most dazzling since the nuptials of the Crown Prince Imperial. This wedding will be an official Swanobian Royal Event with an accompanying public holiday and national celebrations.
A new Coat of Arms was also officially designed by the Swanobian Heraldic Society as per Royal custom. The Crest combines those of Swann and Fulco D'Este as she is a Royal Princess becoming the Consort of the Head of another Royal Dynasty albeit one in pretense.
As we look forward to 2014 and the upcoming wedding we reflect on the Princess'most famous quote made during her speech at the opening of her Riding Center in Aid of Victims of Depression in Swann: "Let us think of those in need and not just in the physical monetary sense. Sometimes a person just needs a visit or a hug or a phone call. Simple connection is the most basic need and often the least considered."
We wish Her Royal Highness a bright and blessed future as she endeavors to serve as only a Princess can.
The princess is a "real" person - without pretence or an air of importance. I think her past has aided her in becoming a down-to-earth person who really cares for people as she herself has not been through the easiest of times in her own life. Good luck to her and may her future endeavours and marriage be blessed!
ReplyDeleteHello from Spain: beautiful pictures. I like the Royal Stables in Swann. Good luck to the princess. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Keep in touch
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