Moniek Bloks, Author at History of Royal Women

Augusta of Cambridge – A contemporary of Queen Victoria (Part four)

Saturday, 2 May 2026, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Read part three here. Augusta became very fond of her niece, Mary (the future Queen Mary), and Mary often wrote to her to keep her informed. The Teck family frequently had financial troubles and had been forced to spend some time on the continent to save money. By 1885, they were regularly back in England, [read more]

The glittering tiaras of King Carl XVI Gustaf’s birthday celebrations

Friday, 1 May 2026, 9:45 Moniek Bloks 0

During last night’s gala, the royal ladies showed up in their finest tiaras. Queen Silvia of Sweden Embed from Getty Images Queen Silvia wore the Braganza Tiara, which came to Sweden through Josephine of Leuchtenberg, Queen of Sweden, who inherited it from her sister, Amélie of Leuchtenberg, Empress of Brazil. It came with matching earrings, [read more]

The Luxembourg Diamond Vine Leaves Tiara

Friday, 1 May 2026, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

The Luxembourg Diamond Vine Leaves Tiara was made in the second half of the 19th century, but its creator is unknown. The tiara is made of diamonds and it is set in yellow gold and silver with a vine leaf motif. Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte reportedly only wore the tiara once, but Grand Duchess Maria Terese [read more]

Augusta of Cambridge – The daughter of her mother (Part three)

Thursday, 30 April 2026, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Read part two here. Frederick William and Augusta were now the reigning Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Researchers looking back at their reign would describe Frederick William as having a “pathological stinginess” which “hindered necessary investments in all areas.” However, he had inherited a considerable debt, which he managed to pay off within [read more]

Augusta of Cambridge – Dear, old England (Part two)

Wednesday, 29 April 2026, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Read part one here. Augusta quickly fell pregnant, but their first child – a son – was stillborn. A second son was born two years later, but he did not survive his first birthday. Their third son, Adolphus Frederick, born on 22 July 1848, survived to adulthood. Shortly before his birth, Mary Adelaide wrote, “You [read more]

Wedding of the Heir Tsarevich Alexander Nikolaevich and Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna

Royal Wedding Recollections – Marie of Hesse and by Rhine & the future Alexander II of Russia

Tuesday, 28 April 2026, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

In 1839, Tsarevich Alexander Nikolaevich, the future Alexander II of Russia, visited Darmstadt and was instantly attracted to the 14-year-old Princess Marie of Hesse. She was the daughter of Princess Wilhelmine of Baden and Louis II, Grand Duke of Hesse, who had acknowledged her as his daughter; however, it was more likely that August von [read more]