Moniek Bloks, Author at History of Royal Women

Five royal uncle-niece marriages (Part four)

Saturday, 18 January 2025, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 1

Read part three here. Royal uncle-niece marriages happened several times over the years. These marriages often happened for strategic reasons, such as land or power, but also because of rank and status. There simply weren’t enough others of high enough rank for marriage. The offspring of such marriages often suffered from genetic abnormalities, such as [read more]

The Baden Palmette Tiara

Friday, 17 January 2025, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

The Baden Palmette Tiara, with its heart-shaped palette motifs, is part of the collection of the Danish royals. It was probably made in the middle of the 19th century by the jeweller Koch. It was reported to be a wedding gift from the future William I, German Emperor, to his daughter, Princess Louise. Louise married [read more]

Taking a look at Princess Michael of Kent

Wednesday, 15 January 2025, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Baroness Marie-Christine Anna Agnes Hedwig Ida von Reibnitz was born on 15 January 1945 as the youngest daughter of Günther-Hubertus Freiherr (Baron) von Reibnitz and his second wife, Countess Maria Anna Szapáry von Muraszombath, Széchysziget et Szapár. She has an older full brother, Friedrich and an older half-sister, Margarita (died 2012). Marie-Christine was born in [read more]

Book News Week 3

Sunday, 12 January 2025, 0:00 Moniek Bloks 0

*contains affiliate links* Book News week 43 – 13 January – 19 January 2025 Secrets of a Suitcase: The Countess, the Nazis, and Middle Europe’s Lost Nobility Hardcover – 15 January 2025 (US)

Five royal uncle-niece marriages (Part three)

Saturday, 11 January 2025, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Read part two here. Royal uncle-niece marriages happened several times over the years. These marriages often happened for strategic reasons, such as land or power, but also because of rank and status. There simply weren’t enough others of high enough rank for marriage. The offspring of such marriages often suffered from genetic abnormalities, such as [read more]

The Dutch Aquamarine Parure Tiara

Friday, 10 January 2025, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

The Dutch Aquamarine Parure Tiara was given to the future Queen Juliana in 1927 as a birthday present from her parents, Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Henry. The tiara consists of pear-shaped briolette and square-cut Brazilian aquamarines and diamonds. It was made by van Kempen, Begeer and Vos Jewellers. Embed from Getty Images The tiara has [read more]