The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will tour Canada from June 30 to July 8, visiting Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, as well as the national capital region. The Royal Couple will be welcomed to Ottawa by the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada and will participate in the noon Canada Day show on Parliament Hill. Further details will be included in the final itinerary to be released closer to the actual tour. (www.royaltour.gc.ca).
On July 1, 2011 newlyweds Prince William and Kate Middleton will preside over Canada Day festivities in Ottawa as part of their first foreign visit as a married couple.

A diamond tiara topped by 11, rare, pear-shaped emeralds weighing more than 550 carats. is on sale at Sotheby’s grandest “Magnificent & Noble Jewels” auction in Geneva. The organizers of auction are hoping to fetch over $10 million for it. This tiara is over 100 years old and it used to belong to Princess Katharina Henckel von Donnersmarck. These 11 magnificent emeralds are also believed to have been in the personal collection of Empress Eugénie (the wife of Napoleon III).

There will be other Royal and Noble gems on sale May 17.

Тиара, инкрустированная 11 грушевидными изумрудами, весом более 500 карат, была изготовлена для Принцессы Катарины Хенкель фон Доннерсмарк, а теперь выставлена на аукционе Sotheby's в Лондоне. По слухам эти изумруды принадлежали самой императрице Евгении - жене императора Наполеона III.

Всего за 10 миллионов долларов вы сможете стать счастливым обладателем и императорских изумрудов и самой короны! Аукцион состоится 17 мая в Женеве.

Ever wondered where did Royal surname "Mountbatten-Windsor" come from? Did you know that at one point British Royals had no surname?

Well, British Royal Family name has long history... Prior to 1917, members of the British Royal Family had no surname, but only the name of the house or dynasty to which they belonged. However, in 1917 King George V changed the Royal Family name from German-sounded (and German by origin) Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor and abolished all German titles held by his family. Remember, it was during First World War and in Britain there were strong anti-German feelings among British citizens.

In 1960 The Queen of England and the Duke of Edinburgh decided to have their own direct descendants be named differently, thus distinguishing them among other Royal Family members (yeah, too many Royals in the word :)

So, what they did - they included Duke's surname to create new Mountbatten-Windsor dynasty. Now, all of the Queen's direct descendents will carry this surname (unless they are His or Her Royal Highness or Prince/Princess).

(from LondonPass)

Prince William and his fiancée Kate Middleton have chosen historic Westminster Abbey in London for their wedding.

The abbey is deeply embedded in the history of the monarchy, with 38 kings and queens crowned there beginning with William the Conqueror in the 11th century. There are also 17 monarchs buried at the site.

Other famous names buried or commemorated in the abbey include literary legends Geoffrey Chaucer and Jane Austin as well as gravity theorist Sir Isaac Newton and the founding father of evolution theory, Charles Darwin.

The funeral of prince William's mother, princess Diana, was also held here when he and his brother were young boys.

With the royal wedding set to take place on April 29th 2011, no doubt the public will be visiting the abbey in droves.

Panic during Remembrance Day ceremony in Amsterdam Tuesday 04 May 2010. 

Dozens of people were injured after panic broke out during the Remembrance Day commemorations on Amsterdam's Dam square on Tuesday evening when a man began shouting during the two minutes silence. Most of the injured had either broken bones or scrapes and bruises received when parts of the crowd began moving following the shouts. At least one safety barrier fell during the crush.

Queen
Queen Beatrix was ushered away from the ceremony during the incident but returned a few minutes later after order had been restored. The ceremony was then resumed.
Before the two minutes silence, wreaths had been laid by the queen, crown prince Willem-Alexander, political leaders and Amsterdam's acting mayor Lodewijk Asscher.

Prime minister
In a speech, prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende spoke about Miep Gies, the women who helped Anne Frank hide from the Nazis during World War II and who died a few months ago. Gies did not consider herself a hero, but said her history was the 'story of ordinary people in terrible times,' he said. 'We are those ordinary people,' the prime minister said. 'We keep the memories of all Dutch victims alive.'

Королева Елизавета Вторая покидает концертный зал «Cymru Arena» в валлийском городе Лландудно. Королева и герцог Эдинбургский были с визитом в Северном Уэльсе. (Chris Jackson/WPA/Getty Images)

Llandudno is Wales's largest resort, uniquely situated between the Great and Little Ormes with two wonderful beaches, the award winning North Shore and the quiet, sand duned West Shore.

 Llandudno has kept its Victorian and Edwardian elegance and splendour, despite its modern attractions.

В Торонто прошла имитация рыцарского турнира 14-го века со всеми необходимыми атрибутами, в соответствующей обстановке. Облаченные в латы участники сражались на мечах, копьях, бердышах или кинжалах, отдавая дань старинной традиции, зародившейся в средневековье.

Knight's Tournament was held recently in Toronto. Fighters in real metal outfit

АНДРЕЯ ТОЛСТОГО-МИЛОСЛАВСКОГО запросто можно встретить в лондонской подземке — даром что граф. Время-то нынче другое… Будучи потомком знаменитого аристократического рода, тщеславие он считает пороком. «Важны не титулы, главное — это корни, история — в этом стержень всей жизни». Предками своими Андрей Дмитриевич гордится. И гордость эту старается передать своим детям.