Moniek Bloks, Author at History of Royal Women

Queen Sālote Tupou III’s meeting with Pope Pius XII

Sunday, 20 July 2025, 0:00 Moniek Bloks 0

After attending the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in London, Queen Sālote went on a two-week tour of Scotland, the Isle of Man and Ireland. She and her daughter-in-law, Mataʻaho, then travelled to Paris and Rome, where they had an audience with Pope Pius XII on 20 July 1953. Queen Sālote wrote about the meeting [read more]

Taking a look at Hanako, Princess Hitachi

Saturday, 19 July 2025, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

The future Hanako, Princess Hitachi was born on 19 July 1940 as the fourth daughter of Count Yoshitaka Tsugaru and Hisako Mōri. Hanako was born at her family’s home in Tokyo. As a child, she attended the Gakushūin School all the way through high school. She graduated from the Gakushūin Women’s Junior College in 1961. [read more]

Queen Alexandrine’s Fringe Tiara

Friday, 18 July 2025, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Queen Alexandrine’s Fringe Tiara was a gift to Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia upon her marriage to the future Friedrich Franz III, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, in 1879 from her uncle, Tsar Alexander II of Russia. Following Anastasia’s death in 1922, the tiara was inherited by her eldest daughter, Alexandrine, who was the Queen [read more]

New photo of Queen Camilla for 78th birthday

Thursday, 17 July 2025, 7:48 Moniek Bloks 0

Buckingham Palace has released a new photo of Queen Camilla for her 78th birthday today. The photo was taken this month in the garden at Raymill, which is Queen Camilla’s private home in Wiltshire. The photo was taken by Chris Jackson. Queen Camilla was born Camilla Rosemary Shand on 17 July 1947 as the daughter [read more]

Book News Week 29

Sunday, 13 July 2025, 0:00 Moniek Bloks 0

*contains affiliate links* Book News week 29 – 14 July – 20 July 2025 The Graces: The Extraordinary Untold Lives of Women at the Restoration Court Hardcover – 17 July 2025 (UK & US) The Last Tsar: The Abdication of Nicholas II and the Fall of the Romanovs Paperback – 17 July 2025 (UK) Sophie: Saving [read more]

Princess Noriko’s Wave Tiara

Friday, 11 July 2025, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Princess Noriko’s Wave Tiara was given to Princess Noriko of Takamado when she celebrated her 20th birthday in 2008. This is the age of majority in Japan. Princess Noriko is the second daughter of Norihito, Prince Takamado and Hisako, Princess Takamado. Her late father was a first cousin of Emperor Akihito. The tiara has stylised [read more]