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Denmark’s Royal Tea: A King, His Mother, and a Rather Danish Monarchy
The Court Circular Dearest reader, there comes a moment in every monarchy when the next generation must take its place. And in Denmark, that moment arrived with a rather unexpected twist: the queen handed over her crown, but very kindly stayed for the family photographs. Because one does not simply say goodbye to Queen…
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Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte: The Princess Who Learned to Endure
Dearest reader, Some princesses are born into a fairy tale. Others are born into a history book, which, as any sensible reader will tell you, is generally a far more complicated place to live. Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg managed to experience both. Born a Belgian princess, she was the daughter of a king,…
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The Court Circular: The Future Looks Queenly
The End of One Royal Era and the Women Waiting to Inherit the Crowns Dearest reader, There was a time, not so very long ago, when the phrase European queen conjured two particular women. One was Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. The other was Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. For decades, these…
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The Norwegian Crown Turns a Page
Dearest reader, There are moments in royal life when ceremony feels almost timeless. The carriages—or in Norway’s case, the motorcade—arrive. The uniforms are immaculate. The jewels are polished. Parliament assembles. The King takes his place. Everything appears exactly as it should. And yet, sometimes, beneath all that ceremony is the unmistakable feeling that history…
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The Ton Has Finally Found Something to Talk About: Luxembourg
Dearest reader, There are royal households that keep the Ton perpetually entertained. And then there is Luxembourg. Now, before anyone writes to the editor, we adore the Grand Ducal Family. Truly. But one must admit that the House of Nassau has never been especially inclined toward unnecessary drama. There are no endless tiara appearances.…
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When the Antique Becomes Entertainment
There are things one expects to see on a live selling platform. Jewelry being held up to the camera. Someone discovering an unusual piece in a box. A seller getting excited about an unexpected maker’s mark. Perhaps a little haggling, a little chaos, and the occasional questionable purchase. What I did not expect to…
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Queen Caroline: A Queen Remembered in Mourning
There are queens remembered for their crowns, queens remembered for their husbands, and queens remembered for the scandals that followed them. And then there is Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach. She managed, rather inconveniently for anyone hoping to reduce her to a royal wife, to be rather more interesting than all three. Born in 1683 in…
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Prinsjesdag: Duty, Diamonds, and a Little Dutch Drama
It is always nice to see the Dutch royals doing their duty. It is even nicer when they do it while looking fabulous. King Willem-Alexander looked very dapper, of course. Very kingly. Very respectable. But let us be honest, dear reader. We were not watching for the king. The real stars of Prinsjesdag—the Dutch…
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The Lady with the Ruby Antennas
Dearest reader, The ton is saddened once again. News has reached us from Norway that Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner, has died at the age of 94. And while Norway has endured more royal mourning than any nation should have to bear in such a short time, Princess Astrid’s passing deserves its own moment. She…
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The Jewel That Breathes Fire
Strolling through the shops of Edinburgh, you may happen upon a stone that looks almost magical. The sort of thing that could transport you straight into a J.R.R. Tolkien novel. A time of wizards, fairies and… Dragons. Of course, Dragon’s Breath opals are a relatively modern creation. They are essentially a recreation of the…