Unlike the facetious Countess Caroline Goess, the White Lady of Telč thought only of doing good. She had the unusual name Perchta. She had married a count of Liechtenstein, a namesake but entirely unrelated to the principality. He was a wicked, brutal man whose odious methods often forced her to seek refuge at her brother’s home.
She believed that a calming, a reconciliation would occur when her husband decided to construct a new castle at Telč. He already had a respectable number. It was entirely to the contrary; he oppressed and mistreated the workers. She, for her part, could think only of paying them better and feeding them better. Faced with her “weakness”, her husband exploded with rage, but this time, she stood firm; she had learned her lesson. She was in pain, but she would not back down.
At Easter, she prepared a meal for all of the workers and those employed by the family. Her husband, for once, did not dare oppose her benevolence. She cooked the masterpiece of the lunch herself, a honey-based broth of incomparable taste. She invited everyone but her husband.
The feast was such a success that Countess Perchta decreed that, from now on, it would be repeated each year. Upon her death, she bequeathed a considerable sum to finance it. Her husband not only respected the wishes of the wife he had so mistreated while living, but also, as soon as she had disappeared, he too began to wither.
The castle stayed in the family and at the beginning of the 17th century belonged to Count Slavata. He had the honour of being one of two deputies of Emperor Ferdinand II
to be defenestrated from Prague’s royal castle by the Czechs revolting against imperial tyranny. As everyone knows, they didn’t die because they landed on a pile of manure at the bottom of the wall. The provocation nevertheless triggered the appalling Thirty Years’ War that ravaged Central Europe.
Protestant Swedes allied with Protestant Czechs captured the Catholic Telč. As the chronicler says, they drank Bohemian beer and Moravian wine; they stole, pillaged and teased the women. With Easter coming, the chatelain explained his ancestor’s custom to the Swedish commander. The occupier abruptly refused to allow the feast to take place. Instead, he imposed a fine of one gold ducat on each resident.
At midnight, on Easter night, a frightening storm suddenly arose. Thunder shook the windows, and whirlwinds of sand, coming out of nowhere, penetrated the halls, stunning and blinding. The lightening mingled with the storm, bringing down soldiers’ swords. All at once, the chimneys began spitting out clouds of soot, filling an invisible hand playing ball.
It was too much for the Swedes who fled in every direction, abandoning the castle of Telč to the elements. Only their commander, probably forced by alcohol, continued to snore through it. When morning came, he awoke in the empty, devastated castle to the irresistible scent of the honey broth prepared by the White Lady. Then, recounts the chronicler, the devil appeared, grabbed the Swede by the neck, and took him to hell. The fact is, the commander disappeared that morning without explanation and never again gave any sign of life.
Having developed an appetite by the success of her intervention, the good Countess Perchta made a habit of appearing from then on. She would leave through the door of a room on the first floor. The fact that she had been walled in since did not bother her one bit. She always wore the outfit she was painted in and in which she was buried; a heavy Renaissance dress of white brocade, with long sleeves, a high collar, and a cap embroidered with jewels.
She walked everywhere, keys in hand, through the grand staircases, the Italianate loggias, the rooms decorated with admirable Scafitis, the ballrooms with extraordinary, multi-coloured wooden ceilings, and the secret passages. From the ornate balconies, she contemplated her fair city of Telč, one of the most beautiful in the world, with its unusual square lined entirely with baroque houses.
Fortunately, like any good ghost, she was insensitive to temperature, for it was abominably cold in Telč, nicknamed the “Siberia of Moravia”. Her husband, too, made a few appearances, his moustache erect, grumbling offensive curse words. But Countess Perchta perfectly managed to limit his interventions. He was master of Telč while they lived, but she was Telč’s only mistress now. A typical woman, she disappeared shortly after midnight.
Many generations of chatelains, servants, and visitors have described her, and above all, her moods. When she sang or emitted a small laugh, it was an excellent omen. When she appeared with a veiled face, it meant difficult times were ahead. But worst of all was when she would stop appearing, that meant war was not far off.
Attached to her home and her descendants, she defended them tooth and nail, as she had done for her workers against her husband. Her ghost once slapped a conspirator and threw a paperweight at the head of a lazy, deceitful manager. Her favourite targets were the communists who, upon taking power in Prague, unlawfully expelled her family from Telč. She did not content herself with merely terrorising the guards of the castle-come-museum. She also played a thousand tricks on them, turning off their stoves in the middle of winter nights, cutting the electricity, locking them in, and other childish pranks.
The wife of the last owner of the castle, a direct descendant of the White Lady, Countess Lydia Podstatzki could have reclaimed the castle with her husband and taken the place of Countess Perchta. Yet, every attempt was met with a thousand difficulties. Forty years of communism did not fade away in a day, nor did those who profited from it.
Countess Lydia, who possessed a characteristic beauty inherited from her Russian grandmother, was fully aware of the responsibilities and problems she would have had had she taken possession of the castle in Telč. The White Lady thought it too. She would have liked to spare her descendants the pain, yet what joy would she not feel if they occupied the family home again, for then, the tradition of the Easter meal would finally be reborn.
Υψηλότατε!
Ονομάζομαι Ευάγγελος Κυριαλάνης , ειμαι 33 ετών , απο την Παραδημή Κομοτηνής και είμαι Βασιλόφρονας απο μικρό παιδί . Αγαπώ πάρα πολύ την Ελληνική Βασιλική Οικογένεια και τον Βασιλέα Κωνσταντίνο Β’ των Ελλήνων καθως και την Βασίλισσα Αννα Μαρία . Ειμαι φίλος με τον Διάδοχο Παύλο στο Facebook και θα ήθελα πολύ να γνωρίσω κι Εσάς . Γνωρίζω οτι είσαστε ενας επιτυχημένος Συγγραφέας και ενας πολύ καλός άνθρωπος . Σας θαυμάζω και Σας αγαπώ πολύ οπως και την συζυγό Σας την Μαρίνα που ειναι εξαιρετική ζωγράφος !
Θα ηθελα πολύ να Σας γνωρίσω απο κοντά , γιατί γνωρίζω οτι εισαστε εγγονός του Μακαριστού Εθνομάρτυρα Βασιλέως Γεωργίου Α’ των Ελλήνων ,, που τον αγαπώ πάρα πολυ ! Ευχομαι ο Θεός να Σας ευλογεί πάντοντε!
Θα χαρώ πολύ αν μου αποστείλετε μια φωτογραφία Σας υπογεγραμμένη με την υπογραφή Σας και μια αφιερωση στο ονομά μου , αν επιτρεπεται αυτο φυσικα . Η ταχυδρομική μου διεύθυνση ειναι
Evangelos Kyrialanis
Paradimi Komotinis
Postal Box 1084
Zip Code 69100
Komotini
Rodopi
Greece
Κλεινοντας το μηνυμα μου , θα ήθελα να Σας ζητήσω συγγνώμη για τον ενθουσιασμό μου και αν κατι απο οσα Σας εγραψα Σας φανηκε παραξενο η υπερβολικο . Θελω να Σας εκφράσω τον σεβασμό μου και την αγάπη μου προς το προσωπό Σας , γι’αυτο λοιπόν υποκλίνομαι ταπεινά στην Υψηλότητα Σας με σεβασμο .
ο Θεός να Σας ευλογει
Μετα τιμής , αγάπης και σεβασμου
Ευάγγελος Κυριαλάνης
ΥΓ πατώντας κλικ στην διευθυνση της ιστοσελίδας μου θα δείτε το προφίλ μου στο Facebook . Αν εχετε κι Εσεις προφιλ στο Facebok θα χαρω πολύ αν μου κάνετε αίτημα φιλίας για να τα λέμε !
best wishes
DELIGHTED TO SEE AND READ THIS, BRAVO MICHEL!!
Dear Michel,
What a delight to find this glorious piece of writing. And the very good photographs too. It is that quiet time of the day before the world really awakes, when thoughts assemble easily and without interruption. So I steal into your website out of the early morning silence of my mind, with only the occasional and oddly autumnal sound of birds reminding me of the day ahead . A real pleasure of unfolding curiosity and satisfaction.
So thank you for bringing this personal Journey through life into our own experience in such an engaging and of course expectedly elegant style. My bags are packed already, and I am on my way……..
Yours ever, Robin
What an absolute pleasure your website is Michel! I have no idea how you have time to do this and am so delighted to be able to share all this with you. It is wonderful and makes me want to return to Greece immediately. Bravo! All love from Christabel xxx
Dear Michel. Thank you for a wonderful journey into unknown Greece. I have always said that Greece is not all ‘μαύρη πέτρα και ξερό χορτάρι’. You have discovered Arcadia. I will be moving on now to your other journeys of discovery. Love Daphne
Darling Cousin,
I live your Website – what wonderful Photos
Dearest Michael ,
How wonderful !! I love it.
Angelika
Michel de Grece is one of my favourite authors! Always breathtaking wellwritten, sometimes even with lots of humour, articles, books, posts, about old times, royals, ghosts, memories, history persons-sometimes relatives at the same time! Pls accept my congratulations YRH!
This is indeed a great story, so much more since it was told long before the actual craze provided by films, TV serials and so on.
What I truly enjoy too, is that it is told in this website, the owner of which I know has a great connexion with places and their past.
Anyway, let me say I really enjoy this site.
Since I absolutely believe in life after death and having had some personal experience of the same kind, I can fully understand and accept what you experienced!!!
First of all thank you, Monseigneur, for showing us these rare photos.
I had never seen any picture of Count Bruno d’Harcourt before. The Family of the Duc de Guise was just beautiful.
As for the Negus, he had the most wonderful eyes I have ever seen.
Un site magnifique, d’une grande élégance, avec des photos inconnues pour voyager dans l’histoire du XXe siècle et la Grèce d’aujourd’hui.
Dear Michel
Many congratulations I very much enjoyed your website. It was fascinating and very well done.
Much love,
Alexander
Very nice, I am very interested in history, so you are also a cousin to Prince Philipp of Edingburgh, because his sister, the Markgräfin von Baden, was living in Baden-Baden, when he was a young man, he was in my hometown which is Gaggenau. I once had a photo of his stay, but I have lost it. So, Quenn Olga (Konstantinovna) was your grandmother. Her sister Vera von Württemberg was living in Stuttgart and there was a very nice exhibition lately in Stuttgart.
Efachisto and my regards, Gudrun Herrmann
Merci Monseigneur de nous permettre de voir ces magnifiques photos, La princesse Françoise de France est magnifique et j’apprécie beaucoup la photo de la Famille de France de 1925
Passionnant.
Merci mille fois, Monsieur, d’accepter de partager vos souvenirs de famille.
Bravo pour votre publication Monseigneur. Nous pouvons ainsi partager (un peu) de vos souvenirs en particulier sur les Famille de France et de Grèce qui, par vous sont intimement liées.
I love the words of Michael of Greece and all his books. He guide me in the history ; and I love Cythera, visited in 2013. Thanks.
I love your short and precise travel reports! Very good texts and fabulous photos!’
Can’t wait for more!
HV
Thank you for sharing these beautiful images. Much needed on this gloomy Winter day .
AS
Lovely to spend the morning reading your blogs and escape to such a beautiful place, if only for a few minutes, thanks for sharing!
DF
l Loved it. And furthermore, I learned a few things which is always nice. Great reading on such a grey day. Thank you so much. VM
Dear Michel, This is all so interesting and so personal at the smae time.. A pleasure to read. Lois
Oh Michel, These photo are spectacular as is the writing. I love reading the history in combination with the personal stories. It’s a delight.
Your travelogue is a gift. Thank you.
Your Highness
The Stories and these wonderful historic pictures are very enlightening and a glimpse in a bygone era please continue posting more.I am a fan of your work and i would like to ask you when are you going to write about later life in Greece when you returned at the age of 18 if am not mistaken in 1960.Since i consider my self a part time historian i would love to read your views of that period, you being a member of the Greek Royal Family, and a first hand witness of that period. Please keep up the great writing, it would be my sincere honor and pleasure to meet Your Royal Highness one day maybe in Athens.
Sincerely yours, Nikolaos Logothetis
432 Larkspur Dr
Joppa MD,21085
USA
Great stuff ! I enjoyed it a lot and wish it could be seen by everyone.
Love,
L
I felt I just took a holiday with you in ancient Greece, wonderful!
And so, as a result of personal determination, the entire world was plunged into war, and the lives of nearly everyone changed forever. Imagine that. One personal intention, one single emotional act one feeling of the heart. And look at the outcome…..
Bravo, more writing please. And in the meantime Happy Christmas to you and to Marina, Christian and Robn
I only wish I was able to travel with you! Robin
Cette histoire est si touchante, et terrifiante dans ses conséquences…
Benno et moi avons aussi beaucoup aimé le si joli et étonnant “voyage en Turquie”!
Michel et Marina Joyeux Noel et Bonne Année
Benno et Ghislaine.
Un autre beau voyage! Merci…
Ghislaine.
thank you cher Oncle for sharing these treasured moments… so personal and so delightful….xoxox e
Dearest Michel ,
Thank you for giving me such pleasure with your wonderful pictures and stories of ancient Greece !
I already Look forward to your next story !
Dear Michel,
Lisa and I are having so much fun with your wedsite from the vantage of snowy New York.
Dear Michel:
Thank you so much for these wonderful stories and pictures. They are livening up a “snow day” in New York.
Happy 2015!
Sophie Chotek was a very much loved first Cousin to my grandfather Franz Kinsky , who was one of the few who attended her Wedding with the Achduke !
I love Ella and Johannes Hohenberg !!
Your family was on the right side of world affairs. Thank you for sharing these photos and histories.
Dear, dear Michael – It was wonderful to see all these photographs and wonderful to read the captions. A veritable forest of humans and their connections and interconnections. I miss seeing all of you and look forward to seeing you sometime soon – would you be in Paris at the end of January when I think I might be coming again? Love to you and happy happy new year from Bill
Nice Blog, thanks for sharing this kind of information.
Hi, I check your blog daily. Your writing style
is awesome, keep doing what you’re doing!
L’élégance c’est la lumière qui rayonne autour d’une personne, une aisance, une légèreté
En un mot l’élégance ne se résume pas à de la mode et à des vêtements c’est un état d’esprit un lien entre le corps et ce qu’on porte qui révèle la personnalité : c’est ta maman…
je fais toujours suivre …
marie
Dear Michel
I enjoyed very much your Santorini essay. Marinatos was a friend and his daughter is today. When Marinatos started digging he was overwhelmed with the 45 feet of ash covering the ruins. At the time I was very close to the head of the Caterpillar company. I offered to try to get them earthmoving equipment as a gift. Marinatos was horrified. “We archaeologists don’t use bulldozers.” But of course in the end he realized it was the only practical solution. Today I understand geologists believe that Santorini displaced 3-5 times more material than Krakatoa — anyway it appears to have been a lot bigger than Krakatoa.
All the best to Marina
Bob
Merci! C’est une histoire fascinante…
Merci infiniment Monseigneur pour ces émouvants souvenirs , si exceptionnels !
Je suis une de vos “fans” , appréciant toujours votre sensibilité , votre objectivité , votre sérieux en tant qu’Historien , votre talent d’Ecrivain !
Merci de partager ainsi votre prestigieux passé et celui de votre famille !
Bien respectueusement !
Brigitte Boudé
Your photos are gorgeous, fueled by your passion and excitement. I love following you around. Xxj
Monseigneur,
Merci infiniment pour votre blog que je viens de découvrir grâce à “Point de Vue”.
Votre famille, très étendue, ,m’intéresse au plus haut point, étant présente dans toute l’Europe,
jusqu’en Russie, et les photos que vous joignez à vos récits, pour moi, sont inédites.
J’ai lu tous vos livres et en suis une inconditionnelle.
Merci pour le temps agréable et instructif que vous me faites passer.
Veuillez agréer; Monseigneur, l’expression de ma vive et respectueuse admiration, ainsi que de mes sentiments les plus distingués.
Catherine KILLY PHILIP
quelle beauté ces paysages, c magnifique je suis heureuse de voyager avec toi , j’espère en faire voyager d’autres …
marie
Adore your stories and feel priviledged to receive them…thank yyou xoxox
Dear Michel:
Lisa and I are so much enjoying your site on a cold snow day in New York! We went to Gythion last summer and loved it. Happy 2015!
Dear Michel,
Very nice pictures and comments of a wonderful, beloved small continent. Have you ever been in the Peloponnesus ‘s ancient Orhomenos? It’s what the German call a “Geheimtipp “.
Happy 2015!
Tassos
CHER MICHEL
MERCI DE NOUS FAIRE PARTAGER TOUS VOS BONS MOMENTS A TRAVERS L’HISTOIRE AVEC DE SUPERBES PHOTOS !!
VOUS M’AVEZ REPLONGÉE DANS MON ENFANCE AVEC CE RÉCIT SUR LA COMTESSE DE PALMYRE QUE J’AVAIS RENCONTRÉE PLUSIEURS FOIS .
PERSONNAGE ÉNIGMATIQUE ET INTÉRESSANT.!!
FELICITATIONS POUR VOTRE SITE . SUPERBE IDÉE .
A BIENTÔT POUR D’AUTRES AVENTURES . ;!!! ET ENCORE MERCI;
xoxo
BEAUTUFUL
Les photos sont vraiment incroyablement belles, et les bijous… Merci!!!
Délicieux !
Dear Prince Michael, I wish to congratulate you for your very interesting and inspirational website !
Your selection of photos specially caught my eye.
I have read many of your writings over the years and have always enjoyed your style and delivery.
So I love to be able to read your recent posts !
Amazingly I used to know members of the Melli Lupi di Soragna family ages ago and I always found their ghost ” Cassandra ” fascinating : explained by you, this chapter of their history is even more
gripping ! Looking forward to your additions …
Dear Michel, You are such a gifted storytweller! This is a charming story. I want to know what hapened next?
Always fascinated with inside stories told by HSH Michael Of Grecce
Absolument passionnant.
Merci Monsieur.
Magnifique voyage! Nous rentrons de Marrakech, et j’ai ete voir la maderessa Ben Youssef, tellement belle!
His Royal Highness…. Not HSH
Niki de Saint Phalle’s « Un rêve plus long que la nuit » of 1975 is not just a film. With its enigmatic allusioons, it is a life-changing experience!
Thank you.
I am delighted to receive these e-mails.
Beautiful and thoughtful.
Jan Hashey
What a.lovely story!
And what beautiful pictures, thank you
Encore un joli voyage..Merci!
These memories are complex and marvelous. Many thanks.
C’est une histoire tragique mais si romantique!
Your Royal Highness,
The “rubbed out” eyes of the angel are quite a common sight in Cyprus, and no pun was intended. The eyes of the great Pantocrator of the Encleistra of Ayios Neophytos Monastery near Paphos have suffered the same fate. In the past, Orthodox believers, considering the icon to be sacred would take pigment from the eyes and mix it into a paste for those who were going blind. I am sure it no longer happens. Of course, in the Turkish taken part of the island, icons and frescoes have either been destroyed wantonly or else stolen and passed to auction houses. An irreparable loss to which most of the international community turned a politic blind eye.
Thank you for sharing Julian.
What an interesting and beautiful story.
So sad for the human discovery world that dear Professor Klaus Schmidt passed away without
finishing his work… Who will have his immense personnality and dedication to Göbekli Tepe ??
Please keep us posted !
ca y est, j’ai repris la lecture de tes histoires, ça me manquait j’adore ça m’emmène dans une autre vie…
marie
Requiem est le mot: http://www.tdg.ch/monde/ei-exploser-larc-triomphe-palmyre/story/21937512
Could you post something about your cousin, Princess Helen of Greece and Denmark, Queen Mother of Romania; She and her sisters were the most beautiful of Greek a Princesses of the generation and also had tough lives however very interesting.
You are absolutely right! I will let you know if I post about Princess Helen in one of my Family Portraits. Thank you for your interest.
Wonderful pictures! Thank you for sharing these precious shots.
Great read! I love your blog
Behind Tsar Nicholas II are two of his uncles, Alexei Alexandrovich and Sergei Alexandrovich, as well as his brother-in-law, Prince Louis of Battenberg, later First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy.
Of course…an act of tyranny, but the Orléans were far smarter!
As you know, but your readers may not, the Orléans (with the assistance of many of their supporters, as well as several French banking houses) organized a series of fake sales to avoid Napoleon III from completely bankrupting them.
That was an incredibly clever move that guaranteed the Orléans not only a life of ease in exile, but also access to financial means necessary to continue their political maneuvers from exile!
Thanks for the blog. I find it exquisite to read about the Royal Families history and their magnificent lives. Eventhough I am from America, I love Europe’s history. After all, our ancestors came from the Old World.
Merry Christmas!
monseigneur,
J’ ai beaucoup apprécié votre site ainsi que bien évidement vos romans. Votre ouvrage concernant les joyaux des tsars est une pure merveille.Etant particulièrement intéressée par l’histoire russe et
l’abdication du Tsar Nicolas 2 pour laquelle je me pose beaucoup d questions.Pensez vous que vous pourriez m’éclairer? Dans tout ce que j’ai lu à ce sujet,je ne m’explique pas la rapidité de cet acte ni pourquoi il y a eu un deuxième télégramme non envoyé qui déclarait SAI le Tsarévitch Alexis empereur.D’autre part sachant la très malheureuse situation du Tsarévich pourquoi n’y a t’ il pas eu d’abrogation de la loi salique avant ces douloureux évènements? Veuillez agréer,monseigneur mes sincères salutations
Je crains malheureusement de ne pas pouvoir vous éclairer sur cette question.
Thank you for your kind words and interest.
¡Qué hermosas fotos! … La historia plasmada en imágenes.
¡Gracias por compartirlas!
Bravo Papa! Fascinant, charmant, personel, instructif et original! Thanks for sharing!
What a nice way to grasp the day. This new category looks very interesting, I look forward to read more.
Merci pour ces belles images qui me donnent le premier aperçu de l’intérieur de ce beau château ayant appartenu aux Saint Leger, mes ancêtres irlandais. Le capitaine Montgomery est il toujours joignable ? J’aimerai aussi beaucoup le visiter.
Je suis sincèrement ravi que vous ayez pu apercevoir le château de vos ancêtres. Malheureusement, je n’ai pas idée de si le capitaine Montgomery est encore joignable.
Grazie!
Μου αρεσε η ευγένεια και η ηρεμη απόσταση που κρατούσε η Μαρίνα τότε που ολοι είχαν εκπλαγεί με την σχέση σας. Και τώρα μου αρέσει που εκτίθεσθε σε μια εποχή που μόνο για Πρίγκιπες δεν είναι.Επίσης βρίσκω ενδιαφέρων την εποχή που περιγράφετε και κάποιες από τις ιδέες σας.
Quelle belle histoire
michel
je suis toujours fan de toi et de tes histoires…j’ai eu un long moment sans regarder tes chroniques en fait , ça me manquait
j’ai rencontre un jeune homme qui m’a dit avoir lu un livre dans sa vie : c’était un livre de toi… il a adoré
tu as les plus belles histoires, que j’aime lire
je les garde…
ça m’a manqué de ne pas regarder ton site c’est les seuls moment ou on s’évade dans tes histoire avec
une sorte de paix…
je t’embrasse
marie
je fais suivre au garçon qui a lu un seul livre dans sa vie …un des tiens….
I love your way of writing stories , here , as in your books , its a fascinating one .
Thank you, I truly appreciate your interest.
Πόσο λίγο ξέρουν οι έλληνες την ιστορία της Βασιλικής Οικογένειας…..
Χαίρομαι ιδιαίτερα για όλα αυτά που εξιστορείτε και μ αρέσουν ιδιαίτερα οι έρευνές σας σχετικά με τα μέρη που έχουν φαντάσματα
Οταν ζούσα στη Γαλλία, έχω πάρει όλα τα βιβλία σας
Αντιγόνη Μπρούσαλη
Eυχαριστώ Πάρα πολύ.
Lovely illustrations !
Beautiful story, Prince Michael. All my respect to the garbage man of Patmos and his donkey, both incogniti. A humane burial, more than just a Christian burial, perhaps A culture that had Antigone fight for the right of burying her brother Polynices perpetuates a sense of justice and humanity for whatever later religious shape or form the respect for the dead takes. Quite moving, and thanks for sharing. Nice read at 5am after a sleepless night, jetlagged in New York 🙂 The Greek respect for the dead is a nice contrast to lack of respect for the living, in NY. One arrives at the hotel, and before any sign of politeness, not even a little effort to call the client by his or her name, the receptionist says ” your credit card and a piece of identity”. Implying: All I care is your money and the certainty I will get it… Something to think about…
I’m happy this article helped you get through your day.
I am afraid you retail a myth. Christian X of Denmark did not “stroll daily through Copenhagen, famously wearing the yellow star”:
http://forward.com/opinion/184231/king-christian-and-the-yellow-star/
http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10008043
I know it is a myth, but such a beautiful story to tell! Thank you for sharing these really interesting links.
This is such a unique perspective on historical events, so intimate yet with wide ranging implications. Please continue in great detail!
I still look at your wonderful photo album.
Bravo Papa, well said!
Est ce que tu voudrais envoyer cet article de ton blogue a Roberto, le gentil mari d’Allegra, comme il a une fondation qui justement soutient des gens et des oeuvres comme Pepe Marmor a Naples?
Et puis tu pourais envoyer l’article a Pepe Marmot lui meme, je pense qu’il sera particulierement touche.
Youpi!
Merci de me dire si tu as reçu ce commentaire svp.
Alexandra
C’est une excellente idée! Je leur enverrai, j’espère que l’article leur plaira.
Tres sympa, tres beau…j’aurais peu etre mis quelques autres humains dans l’histoire? Et justement un tout petit peu d’histoire du site? Peu être faire un commentaire sur le present du site?
Bravo pour l’anglais qui est parfait.
Et tu reçois ce text la aussi?
Baci,
Alexandra
Il n’y a plus de problème par rapport aux commentaires, ils sont seulement contrôlés donc n’apparaissent pas tout de suite. Merci beaucoup pour tes remarques et conseils!
Merci cher Michel de nous faire partager ces merveilleuses histoires passionnantes .
Vous racontez si bien !!! On ne se lasse pas de vous lire .c’est un enchantement à chaque fois.
Je vous embrasee.
Je vous remercie pour ces mots et votre enthousiasme.
how true, how true!!
please keep up your stories
Thank you, I still want to share a lot of other stories!
Ben Jelloun a écrit un beau livre sur cet endroit étonnant. Mais la générosité de Peppe Marmo et son dévouement sont encore plus touchants!
Un conte sans fantôme mais avec un homme-fée qui redonne vie à un lieu endormi.
Merci, cher Michel, pour cette belle histoire vraie
PS. Deux de mes amis normands (respectivement professseure à l’Université de Caen, et traducteur) voudraient recevoir votre blog. Comment les inscrire? Je ne trouve pas de case prévue à cet effet sur votre site.
Leurs noms: Philippe et Danièle Delamare
ph.d@orange.fr
d.d@orange.fr
I found your analysis on UK’s attitude towards other monarchies during and after Second World War most interesting. I could join several facts concerning the fall of the Italian monarchy. I always enjoy reading you on books or on other means like this blog. Congratulations.
Many thanks for your kind words.
Cher Michel,
Je n’ai jamais visité l’Albergo dei Poveri, lors de mes nombreux séjours à Naples. Je pensais que sa dégradation l’avait fermé au public. Cette entreprise humanitaire comportait une “succursale” à Palerme que j’ai vue il y a un mois.
J’aime beaucoup le personnage de Charles III. Il est un exemple pour tous les gouvernants de la terre: au service, en service. Le privilège et la position ne se conçoivent pas autrement.
Je vous emmènerai voir un tableau d’Antonio Joli, place du Palais Bourbon où l’Albergo figure.
Avec mon amitié,
Ralph Toledano
Cher Ralph, je vous remercie chaleureusement!
Dear Prince Michael
I do not want my comment published are you able to email me I would like to ask you some questions
Regards Sandra N
Dear Sandra,
You can ask me your questions on my Facebook Page (not profile) : https://www.facebook.com/Michael-Of-Greece-1213941811954501/?ref=hl
All the best.
Monseigneur,
Veuillez me permettre de vous dire combien vos “histoires”sont agréables à lire.C’est une excellente initiative,tellement interessante.Votre livre mémoires insolites a fait le délice de mes vacances ! concernant les fantômes,je souhaiterais savoir si il existent en Russie,plus particulièrement dans les palais ayant été habité par la famille Romanov.Pensez vous écrire sur les sujets FIodor Kouzmich ainsi que la fameuse lettre de Vassily Vassiliev ,le mage Abel?
Vous remerciant pour pour les beaux moments de lecture,je vous prie d’agréer mes salutations
Je sais que ces fantômes existent, mais je ne les ai jamais rencontrés!
I want to to thank you for this very good read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit
of it. I have got you book-marked to look at new things you
I’m glad you liked it.
YRH,
Isn’t that Queen Olga with her father and brothers, and not their mother?
Regards!
You are right!
Michel, That is very touching. I so much enjoy reading your reflections.
Thank you, I truly appreciate it.
Michel ,how wonderful to get these photos.
On the family photo of GD Constantine who is his son Nicholas who was sent to Taschkent?
Love Helen
Dear Helen, it is his eldest son.
Grazie! Bellissimi questi racconti!
Prince M,
You are a great inspiration and source of strength , thank you
Thank you really much!
I think Prince Bernhart of the Netherland came out of WWII very well and added to the prestige of the Dutch monarchy. A very interesting blog.
*Netherlands*
Aré There copies available of The film
Beautiful recollection and we’ll written. ….
Quelle belle histoire. Un peu triste,mais tellement bien écrite . On vous suit comme narrateur et on la vit avec Vous, Monseigneur.J’ai connu ici à Lisbonne, le Roi Humberto di Savoya , un bel et charmant homme …Très jeune fille , j’étais très heureuse de l’avoir connu. Fascinant l’épisode du Pape Pio XII et toute la pompe et circonstance du Vatican de l’époque. Merci de partager.
Απίστευτο! Ευχαριστούμε πολύ για την ιστορία!
Papa, this was a beautiful story and I also found it very touching – thank you!
your devoted eldest daughter
Thank you.
President Truman was a friend of Ecumenical. Patriarch Athenagoras I.
In Danish this is known as forbrand (pre-fire) and will be spotted a week or a year before a devastating blaze, down to the hour of the spread of flames.
Your Royal Highness,
Thank you for sharing these fascinating moments and facts of your life.
All of the photos are truly remarkable! Of all, I must say, I am mesmerized by the photo of your Grandmother. She looks so regal. It is no wonder the crowd called out to her. I also cannot help but notice the graceful way the ladies all seem to be walking.
Best wishes from Canada.
Thank you for your interest and nice words. I am truly fascinated by all these pictures, and I like to share my personal collection.
So sorry you had to live through that horrific time but so glad you survived. Bless you & your gift for words & your coresgeous spirit 💕❤️💕
Michel de Grèce sounds like a perfect “nom de plume” for a writer, but in your case it is your real name. How come?
And how said it is to witness that same beacon of freedom and liberty fall under the spell of a racist demagogue like Mr Trump.
The U.S. miraculously appears as if it will survive Obama.
Such good memories of us all together at the Baron Hotel. One of my favorite trips ever , and heartbroken at what has become of it
It is a poinsettia…not a hibiscus.
Thank you for correcting me. It is indeed a poinsettia.
Brilliant.
Dictators existed for a reason. They knew, unfortunately, their people would massacre each other without a central force to prevent this and enforce their position. .
Then came the righteous Americans, who threw out Saddam, not a good person, by all count but then came ISIS. Far worse.
Graham Green, in his novel “The Quiet American” described it best.
L’enfer est pavé de bonnes intentions.
Nous voilà mieux.
Love your blog. Thoughtful, magic, epic, stories of an almost by-gone World, Thank you !
This is almost a fable, don’t you think?
Ces coïncidences ´qu’a la légère on nomme fortuites !
Great reading! I Just loved MacMillan’s remark about Makarios, and the Ravensbruck’s story , perfect with a surprising and excellent fall.
Thank you for sharing with us your so personal storytelling on History.
.
what an amazing parable! that sign! very telling!
Incredibly authentic, subtle as always, I really admire your approach to events … Thank you for sharing memories and thoughts with us!
Thank you for the kind thoughts.
Ευχαριστούμε πολύ για τα άκρως ενδιαφέροντα που γράφετε.
A very interesting read.
Monseigneur,
Splendide histoire,quel destin! il m’étonnerait fort que “les brit’s”rendent cette pierre,et si oui,comment la partager entre l’Inde et le Pakistan? sait t on ou cette pierre a été taillée?La De Beers,je suppose.Quel plaisir de lire vos histoires !
J’ignore exactement où la pierre a été taillée, j’en suis désolé. Merci beaucoup, je suis ravi que mes histoires vous plaisent.
bonjour Monseigneur,
Vous donnez une très belle explication du métier de roi,j’aime beaucoup les mots de “thankless nature job”cela me parait tellement exact.Encore une fois, merci pour le très instructif article sur le fabuleux destin do kho i nor n’est pas passé
Sinecures salutations
Marie Caroline Blomme
Pleace,
if you are Michael, Prince of Greece you must have you site, also in greek language.
If you feel pround to be Greek.
Μιχάλης Παπαβασιλείου από τη Ρόδο.
good read Your Highness. in all walks of life, men at the very top are always lonely and reserved… part of the job; forced/have to be. sincere regards, r.m..
the true name of our country is Hellenic Republic…so you can’t be a prince of Greece since we are a republic, your family was given a fake throne and you were imported from Denmark or wherever….the only true ancetor of the byzantium empire was Otto and even him wouldnt’ hav
Thank you for your encouraging and polite comment, and above all so deeply historically accurate.
Une histoire extraordinaire qui a été magnifiquement rendue par la piece de théatre écrite par Ronald Millar – je ne sais pas si elle est toujours jouée… Merci pour nous avoir rappelé cette histoire, ca me donne envie de la relire a nouveau !
На этой фотографии не все дети этой семьи
HRH,
Thank you for this website – it’s a wonderful source of information and historical photos.
Can you tell us what occasions are the one in which you a pictured with King Pavlos, King Mihai of Romania and then Crown Prince Konstantinos as well as in the one you are receiving what looks to be a baton from King Pavlos?
Thank you again.
Best regards,
This photograph was taken during the Orthodox Holy Saturday Liturgy, sometime between 1960-65. We were on a platform outside the Cathedral of Athens. The second photograph pictured the presentation of my Officer’s Sword, at the Athenian Royal Palace, in 1962. Thank you very much for your interest.
Votre Altesse Royale,
Quels sont les ordres dynastiques qu’arborent Monseigneur et Madame les ducs de Guise, et Monseigneur le comte de Paris ? On dit souvent que le comte de Paris n’arborait jamais d’ordres dynastiques étrangers afin de ne pas avoir à attribuer l’ordre du Saint-Esprit dont Il était Grand-Maître, car seul un Roi sacré et en fonction pouvait attribuer cette médaille, est-ce vrai et avez-vous quelques anecdotes à ce sujet ?
Cordialement.
Malheureusement je l’ignore.
Thank you for bringing these exquisite images to life! As a resident of Istanbul, I appreciated reading your stories about these beautiful and enigmatic mosaics.
Thank you for your kind words and interest.
Wonderful article- beautifully written and so interesting
Thank you so much for your interest, I truly appreciate it.
love this story, thank you.
Thank you for your interest.
Wonderful story. Particularly the ghost-train. I will send it to Daniel day-Lewis who is still not free of Abraham Lincoln. Thank you. Love Daphne
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful article. Thank you for supplying this info.
I am glad you liked it, thank you.
Merci pour cette histoire passionnante, on comprend que la reine s’évanouisse en voyant Abraham Lincoln! Ma grand mère disait que les fantômes sont des âmes en peine et qu’il faut prier pour elles…
Appreciate you sharing, great forum.Much thanks again. Michelet
Prince Michael
I know nothing of your life but it makes me so angry that everything you ever had as family was pilfered, How can this happen The Greek Royal Family and probably many more Royals throughout the world of which you are part of are exactly the same.
The atrocities of looting and murdering are so outrageous. Who are the demons that do it?
It staggers me the evil in the world.
Thank you for your message.
Bellissimo e troppo divertente.
Mou aresi para poly na diavazo afta pou grafete.
Verissimo.
Always a great pleasure to read your blog. History in a family context. Interesting, inspiring, and moving. Thank you.
Αριστοτεχνικά γραμμένο !
Très intéressant,je suis passionnée par l ‘histoire et particulièrement par la chute de l’empire,n’ayant jamais compris pourquoi il y eu si peu de soutien en faveur de Nicolas2,d’accord ses initiatives ou le manque de celles ci n’ont pas été des plus heureuses mais quand même….J’ai lu énormément de mémoires,témoignages et biographies à ce sujet et cela m’étonne toujours.La nature humaine est décidément bien influençable..je n’arrive pas à éclaircir les positions de Rodzianko ,les témoignages
de la noblesse sont entièrement contre lui (comtesse Kleinmichel,Princesse Paley etc..) et l’opinion des biographes et de ses mémoires personnelles qui sont totalement différentes quand à sa loyauté envers Nicolas 2.L’autre personnage qui m’intrigue très fort est le général Alexeiev,a t il vraiment transmis les télégrammes de Rodzianko à l’Empereur juste avant l’abdication ? D’autre part quel fut le role exact de Voiekov il me semble que dans son témoignage à la commission d’enquête extraordinaire,il me semble qu’il se donne le beau rôle…Concernant Nicolas 2 est il possible d’être a ce point faible ..il me semble que là nous atteignons des sommets et pourtant dans le mémoires de Mossolov , de Nicolas de Basily qui étaient pourtant bien placés l’on se voit presque forcé d’y croire. Quand aux lettres de Marie reine de Roumanie elles y décrivent une option de L’Impératrice effrayantes,tout cela confirmé dans les mémoires de l’aumônier général des armées,le père Chavelsky qui je suppose est crédible.Pauvre Russie
bribe par Kerensky aux bolcheviks…Je pense que vous en savez certainement plus sur ces évements et je serais, si je puis me permettre ,ravie de vous rencontrer,cela peut vous paraitre présomptueux de ma part,mais sait t’on jamais..Avec tout mes remerciement pour le plaisir que vous nous offrez par la lecture de vos ouvrages je vous salue bien sincèrement.Marie Caroline Blomme
Je vous remercie pour votre message et toutes ces informations passionnantes, vous en savez bien plus que moi.
Thank you for the beautiful description. I should like to known the place of the pictures
It is indeed absurd that the cradle of the ‘Rus would like to part and equally absurd that many think it’s right. Thanks for putting these facts in their historical accuracy.
Regards,
La propriété appartenait aux princes de Patarna qui avaient confié aux Rotschild de Naples la vente de leur domaine (350 ha), acquis en 1852 par le duc d’Aumale.
Cher Prince Michel de Grèce.. Toujours aussi réjouissantes vos chroniques que je lis comme les contes d’autrefois avec gourmandise.. Merci…
Je suis ravi que mes chroniques vous plaisent. Merci beaucoup.
Christ est ressuscité !
Monseigneur ,
Permettez moi de vous remercier très chaleureusement d’avoir pris l’initiative de créer ce site et de nous faire partager vos souvenirs , vos voyages , vos réflexions .
Toutes ces anecdotes , magnifiquement racontées , sont d’un grand intérêt pour moi qui croit que l’Histoire est faite aussi et peut être surtout par des hommes et des femmes exceptionnels , elles sont aussi un grand dépaysement dans un monde qui semble s’enfoncer dans la médiocrité .
Veuillez agréer , Monseigneur , l’hommage de mon profond respect .
Je vous remercie sincèrement pour l’intérêt que vous portez à mon travail.
A most interesting story, who indeed would have imagined the future of that boy a harsh defender of private propeerty become what we know of how he turned up. There is not only a story in that but History .
Many thanks for sharing,
With warmest regards
Alan K-Ch
Le nom de Metternich reste associé pour toujours aux Habsbourg. Le prince de Metternich a joué un rôle majeur dans la succession de l’empereur François!
Vient de paraitre une biographie consacrée à Ferdinand d’Autriche (1793-1875) qui fut empereur de 1835 à 1848, date de son abdication et de la montée sur le trône de son neveu François Joseph. Fils de l’empereur François II et de la princesse Marie Thérèse de Bourbon-Deux-Siciles, Ferdinand d’Autriche subit les conséquences génétiques des mariages au sein de la famille Habsbourg.
: « Vienne, 1793, le palais de la Hofburg, la naissance de l’héritier de l’Empire austro-hongrois. En principe… Ferdinand a de l’eau dans la tête, il est rachitique, il souffre d’épilepsie, il est un peu attardé… La consanguinité ! Survivra-t-il suffisamment de temps pour accéder au trône des Habsbourg-Lorraine.
Monter ou descendre un escalier, se servir d’une carafe, signer de son nom… Autant d’épreuves ! Durant des mois, sa laideur doit rivaliser avec la beauté de l’Aiglon.
Son père Sa Majesté François hésite. Lui succédera-t-il ? Le Prince de Metternich veut sa marionnette ! Avec Ferdinand, il la tient… Il le forme, le modèle, le marie à la princesse Marie-Anne de Sardaigne. Nuit de noces mouvementée !
Ferdinand s’intéresse peu aux choses de la politique. Ses seules passions : le jardinage, les sciences… On le prend pour un débile !
Le peuple l’aime. Il le surnomme Ferdinand le Bon. Le peuple le méprise. Il l’appelle du sobriquet de Ferdinand le Fini…
La période est troublée. Le puzzle de l’Empire austro-hongrois menace de se disloquer. La femme de son frère, l’archiduchesse Sophie avide de pouvoir manœuvre pour que la couronne des Habsbourg revienne à son fils François-Joseph, qui deviendra l’époux de Sissi ! Vous croyez tout connaître des Habsbourg ? »
« Ferdinand le débile », Jean-Luc Dousset, Editions Jeanne d’Arc, 2016, 298 p 17 euros
https://www.amazon.fr/Ferdinand-Debile-Jean-Luc-Dousset/dp/2362620573
Efhatistoume parà poly. Ola afta pou mas dirigiste ine oreotata .
I’m curious to see where this series is going to lead you too, what conclusions you will offer.
For some, the current economic disorder that lead to this uneven share of powers results fro the Nixon decision to free the dollar from its gold equivalency. This is when the financialisation of everything started, including the economy with its production/consumption duo. Then REagan and Bill Clinton, by deregulating nearly all rules, added to the devastation.
Capitalism was fine and still is as long as it is in human hands but as I’m sure you are aware, now robots in the form of algorithms work shares and values at such speeds that no trader can honestly claim to control the incessant coming and going of financial assets.
I am curious about the photos … JB
Isn’t it about Control which ultimately gives the Power and Wealth to a select few, I am closing in on the end of my life and there is nothing that trillions of ordinary people can do to stop anything so you keep going I worry more for my children It is a far worse world I will one day leave them in, and I thought my childhood was bad The evil and corruption that exits today is almost unbearable.
You Prince Michael have at least an insight into what goes on and Who Why and How our World is falling apart.
Yes, money rules our world. But what of religions and fanaticism?
Thabk you for your blog: i always learn something and there is always food for thought!
Thank you for your nice comment and your interest in my work.
I agree as I love American people…
Your photgraphs are magic and intriguing??
As Prince Christopher explained, “That was her story, and, fantastic as it was, there were many who believed then ? and still believe ? in her, among them one or two members of the Imperial Family.”
Príncipe Michael, que anedota deliciosa! Gosto muito das postagens de Vossa Alteza Real. Parabéns pelo site!
Cordiais Saudações desde o Brasil.
Att.,
André Santos
I have seen Prince Michael in a couple of royal documentaries on You Tube. He has a wicked sense of humour. Thank you for sharing this.
Isak Dinesen would make a wonderful story of the King’s adventure. Love it !
About the “traditional” medicine the “pharmaceuticals” are trying to suppress, does this include Tiger and Rhino parts?
Regarding “Who is Big Money?”, it goes without saying that oftentimes powerful politicians are in cahoots with Big Money. One often observes politicians who enter into positions of power with no prior significant personal wealth somehow amass a fortune overnight. The questionably-obtained riches are then just as quickly whisked across borders and shrouded in ever-increasing veils of financial secrecy.
Interessante! Grazie!
Thank you for this story about the beguiling Koh-i-Noor diamond. India was the ultimate “Jewel in the Crown” of the British Empire, and the magnificent Koh-i-Noor remains perhaps the ultimate symbol of that colonial relationship.
Like many others Prince Michael I love your intriguing stories.I would like to tell you my families
ancestral story.You may or may not find it interesting We find it amazing however I do not want other people to see it If I were to write it on this site does it get published or should I write to you at the Monaco address.
Regards to you Sandra N
It’s always a pleasure for me to read stories people want to share with me. You can write it here and I’ll make sure your comment won’t be published. Or you can also contact me via my Facebook page “Michael of Greece”.
An excellent piece…Bravo Michael…JOHN BILIMATSIS
jbilimatsis@televida.biz
Splendid story! I loved reading it- thank you dear Cousin
Splendid story! I loved reading it- thank you dear Cousin
It is indeed a very good piece describing an undeniable fact of our times. However in my opinion there is a reason that lead to this unfortunate situation and it is no other than uncontrolled capitalism.
At a time when all values have been substituted by the one and only value of money why would somebody expect the politicians that are fully controlled by the major capitalist players to resist.
As you said correctly the ones that try to resist cannot even achieve ten percent of their policy program.
The rest are employees that follow orders and have no power or vision. Therefore unless capitalism redefines itself fast things will only get worse and it is very dangerous to have the masses discredit their leaders because that slowly will lead to global anarchy.
Excellent text. I subscribe entirely. Thank You so much for sharing your thoughts and opinions!
Excellent text that I fully subscribe. Thank You so much for sharing you thoughts and opinions.
Hear, hear, no truer words in these days of global decadence – thank you, Michael.
I love the Imperial Palaces in St Petersburg. I visited a few : Pavlovsk, Peterhof, Tsarskoe Selo, the Hermitage and Winter Palace. But Pavlovsk was one of my favourites.Lovely. Beautiful photos .Tank you so much for sharing.
Thank you for sharing the diary and the interesting photos! The first is really a wonderful portrait…
Sadly, I have to agree.
Wonderful as always. I agree so much about the very rich being extremely boring and as a child I used to find their homes very depressing too. Paneling and obscure Dutch masters. Love Daphne
Your Highness,
Especially in Greece corruption has been the general rule since PASOK came to power in 1981. It is not limited to persons in high places but goes deep into everyday life and transactions.Corruption starts from the tavern owner who wines and dines the tax inspector and transcends all strata of society to Prime Ministers leading lives impossible to explain by their income or fortune.Moreover,corruption does not have any more the moral castgation of the many;the latter mainly hope to join the club and enjoy its benefits. The priblem cannot be resolved in a police manner. Only education still gives some hope…
Who is the rather short gentleman, second from right in dark tails and black top hat on the last photo?
Michel, it is wonderful of you to share these rich and animated family stories and memories with us. I love reading them, and marvel at how complicated it must be to sort your enormously complex family roots across so many countries and so much history. As a European historian myself, I particularly appreciate seeing that history from a personal angle of vision. I wonder if you manage to trasmit this love of history to your children and grandchildren. It is so difficult these days when history is no longer taught in schools, or only very superficially. I was shocked when our youngest daughter passed her Bac that “history” had been limited to post-1945.
Thank You , dear Michel , for your wonderful and interesting Stories ! I Love Reading them and am always excited for The next one to arrive !
Grazie. Sempre molto interessanti le notizie che ci da.
Very good And interesting photos.
Merci de partager toutes vos photos avec nous: j’aime tant l’histoire et vous la faite vivre pour nous. Passionnant!
Prince Michael
What do you know of the Kings of Wurttemberg?
Sandra Nomikos
Santorini is where my Father in laws family originated
Let me point out the exceptional photographs that illustrate your stories and interconnect in a magnificent abstract way with the text.
P.S. Regent Paul of Yugoslavia was kept in house arrest in Kenya.
Συμφωνώ απόλυτα μέ τίς απόψεις σας , τί λύση προτείνετε;
You’re such a knowledgeable man Prince Michael and I thoroughly enjoy reading your blogs!
This is a brilliant very personal summary of the state of the State that every citizen can relate to. Well done. The solutions are complex, but it will begin by the dismantling of the “client state” that you adeptly describe which everyone acknowledges is a problem in Greece, but is actually just as bad in the U. S. and in many European countries. As far as education is concerned, home schooling and charter schools are making great headway in the U. S. – the free market for education is part of the solution but public schools require radical reform to return to the quality of 40 years ago! Don’t get me started on public transportation. Let’s go back to regulating the airlines – deregulation is a failed experiment both for the public and the airlines.
I read with a profound interest your remarks. Thank you.
Thank you Prince!
The Greeks should invite the Monarchy back then. They ve got to have more dignity and genuine concern for their people than the series of idiots Greece has suffered these last years.
Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!¡
Quite interesting! How did you come about this?
Thank you for the very interesting and informative story. I guess we should all run back from time to time to our “Little Arthur’s” history book so we can remember or learn history facts!
Well spoken!
Such a sad story !
But is goes todayt, on for the Carlistas!
Fascinations faces! Tank you
And all this for a fake! ? Its value is that: first, it has served well as a motive for a fascinating story and 2) it seems to be a stone that befits the crown of ‘la perfide Albion’ — so true to its French nickname these days…. Jokes apart, I loved the story! Pls continue sharing your jewel-stories with us, P M, as those we know are not ‘fakes’ and hold true value! Kindest regards and enjoy the Summer!
This is fascinating! A moral as well as historical tale, well told, of ego and greed.
The global metality has corrupted all facets of society, not limited to the media and education. Though, in America, a Turk named Gulen has co-opted Charter Schools, 148, and has begun a mission of Muslim proselytizing. This in return for a massive contribuion to Hillary Clinton, via her Clinton Foundation, and going back to her role of a corrupt Firsy Lady. Gulen is wanted for radicalism in Turkey.
Knowledge is power. Take back our world and our Christian principles!
FYI M. Rhodes, Gulen is much reviled by secularists in Turkey too which is probably why he has been sitting in the US all these decades.
Next stop for those in charge the Internet. We need to protect free speech which has been destroyed by the PC Police Types!
How true!I absolutely agree.
This is a fascinating story, and could make a wonderful historical novel. It’s blood-soaked origins and bad karma have not, thank God, caused the same evil luck on the last six sovereigns of my country.
This problem of a weak media is no more apparent today than in Turkey where you have journalists being jailed and ISIS militants remaining free.
Adorable story.Not so surprising for me , with my Mac-Mahon very strong blood….Thank You so much, for sharing.
The site of the Pan-Athenaic (all-Athens) Stadium (2nd century B.C.), was excavated indeed at the initiative of King George I to reveal only its matrix, as the marble have been calcified.
The Stadium was re-marbled in Pendelic marble, by the sole donation of George Averoff a Greek billionaire of Alexandria.
The first modern games were hosted in 1896 attended by the then Prince & Princess of Wales.
In 1906 games of a Meso (between-two) Olympiad took place in the same venue, also attended by Edward VII and Alexandra, this time as a King and Queen.
Stupendo!
Thank you!
Its fantastic as your other posts :D, appreciate it for posting.
Your Royal Highness,
Thank you for bringing to the world the wonderful chronicle in sepia photographs of your family’s history.
Your website is magnificent.
In gratitude,
Eunan O’Donnell
Dear Prince Michael
I love to read about the Royals of Europe and all your recollections on History. When we were children the only gifts we ever received were books and we loved them, but times have changed with the introduction of computers now children spend their time either on social media {as I do] or playing games, I love my books and never have enough time to read.
I am going to write a book on my life to leave my sons. My siblings and I have had such an interesting but ordinary life, one of my sisters has been researching our family Ancestry [over the past 20 years]which is amazing,You and all the Royals of Europe are on our tree with so many other incredible people.The connection is through {1] man on one line If we could just find the name of his daughter We are also connected through [2] other Great Aunts of my mother or Sisters of my Gr Gr Grandfather.My Grandfather changed his destiny by coming to Australia in the 1800’s but if he hadn’t we would not be here.This is all only of interest to my[5 siblings] and I but will write to you at the address given.It may be of interest to you It may not
Regards Sandra
Prince Micael
I love the tree,
Sandra N
Well said! I noticed when my children were at school that history as a field of study had lost it’s importance. They were taught bits and pieces, and had no understanding of the long term results of the isolated events they studied. I had to teach them myself the things I thought important. We are about to learn in the world today, the truth of the saying that those that forget their history are bound to repeat it.
Cou cou Papa,
C’est passionant cet article, peu etre tu l’as écrit après les gaffes a dinner de Tigran et moi. Nous méritons ceci en tous cas.
Juste pour que tu saches il y a 1 fautes de frappes et une faute d’orthographe dans cet article.
SVP email moi pour me dire si tu as reçu cet email ci.
Bisous,
A
Synfono apolytos!
Dear Sir
“Keeping up appearances” is very well chosen as a title considering tha attitudes of the princesses, never varying in their dislike, hatred of the Regime, great , admirable ladies,
Thank for sharing these telling pictures….
Yours Sincerely;
Alan Korutos-Chatham de B
Sobering reality. Very well writtem, from a compassionate and global perspective. Be well
Very interesting pictures indeed. Not only from the historical point, but also as pure photography (noticeably the first one, with Mussolini and the heir of the italaian throne)
You systematically point out the mutual dislikes of the characters, which is quite fun. I guess eveybody was destabilized at the time and the nobility, not knowing their real status anymore, had to maintain a apparent harmony.
Thanks for sharing
I’m afraid the loss of depth of History is an open gate to pupulism and all the darkness that goes with it.
To think that twenty years ago we hoped the internet would provide knowledge to everyone… Alas, it seems to have led to instant gratification of the mind, meaning rumours and conspiracy theories, simplification, loss of fact-checking rule the main roads.
So very true
I too have faith in man, but first we must make a gigantic effort to adjust our way of life!
Amazing photos of such incredible ancestors. Thank you so much for sharing and telling their stories.
Fascinating photos that tell so much about European History around the Second World War. Very happy to see my Dear Queen Amelie of Portugal, to whom I am related , whose figure I admire so much!
Another wonderful, nostalgic post. Thank you for this personal look at Italy’s history.
Lovely pictures and information. Appreciated it !
I absolutely agree!
Thank you for this! Hope springs eternal.
Excelent. Thanks
Thank you for your great stories and inspiring insights. I cannot but agree with you when it come to our contemporary society being so driven and controlled by money alone. It is so very sad. I hope and pray that your wise words will be heard and that the world will change for the better.
Thank you
How very true ,and well said. ,how many though
feel” secure” without all that …..?????
It is a great pleasure to hear from you, my Dear Friend, in such an inspiring way. You make us reflect.
Am I also that way?
Merci de partager ces photos historiques et fascinantes.
Ces précisions sont très intéressantes mais je n’oublierai pas que le roi d’ Italie et sa famille n’eurent guère de compassion pour le plus “royal” et le plus intelligent des souverains de leur époque : l’Empereur d’Ethiopie Hailé Sélassié .
J’avoue que j’ai pour sa personne et sa mémoire le plus profond respect et même de la vénération.
Aussi ne prenez pas ce commentaire en mauvaise part.
J’apprécie énormément le ton si différend de votre blog et le talent de ceux qui illustrent vos articles.
Very troubled and sad times for the European Royal Families!
Good evening,
Those historical events through the familial side are so much interesting ! they were all actors of the
“big” Story which was happening ! we forget very often how bound were the different royal families !
most of them occupied a central place in the war’s strategy ! I love very much your family’s pictures which are for most of them unknown ! Sincerely yours Philippe PRIOL, Writer and Poet.
Sire,
It is a very sad story you are telling; please continue to share it with us, because we do live similar things, in the former communist Europe…. perhaps we can become wiser and act more cautious. Who knows?
Your Royal Highness’ post is appreciated. I found it very straight forward and poignant. I also believe that much of its fundamental content is true and much needed to be said. Thank for your sincerity and boldness in speaking out.
You are so right, Prince. I feel it the same way, and I had this cultural shock in Pakistan when I was Ambassadress of my country , early nineties, and became close friend of late Mrs Benazir Bhutto,attending Parliament sessions each time she intervened as leader of the opposition and also when I could meet some Princesses and a Prince from the Royal Family of Afghanistan.Talking with them anf facing the daily local reality convinced me of the worst dangers that were to come and that our Christian Civilization had to face , and for that our world was not prepared!!! So we live now in a tremendous anxiety facing the incapacity of the west leadership!
All the postings and photographs are very interesting. One often wonders what were the fates of various European royal families during and after WWII. I lived and worked near Darmstadt, Germany for a period of time. It was always interesting to catch a glimpse of 20th &21st Century German royalty going about their daily lives near their estate at “Wolfsgarten.”
But even as pixels replace print, and as newspapers undergo wrenching surgery, necessitating deep cutbacks, reallocation of remaining reporters, and the slashing of decades-old overhead, some observers remain optimistic.
Splendid photos. Loved the one of my King Carlos I de Bragança.
Interesting the one with the Infanta Eulalia and the sign she is doing…
Special the one of the French Royal Family in Scotland , and beautiful the one of the young Visconti, that are my relatives.
Thank You so much for sharing these private albuns, Prince.
Merci pour cet article d’une grande justesse de ton.
Mais entre les attraits de l’Islam humaniste que vous avez connu et les rigueurs judiciaires de l’Eglise Catholique Romaine je ne vous apprendrai pas qu’existent la justesse et la chaleur des Eglises d’Orient.
Je suis pharmacien , reçu dans l’Orthodoxie depuis quelques années et je vous assure que je ne renoncerai pas à la croix grecque !
La consultation de votre “blog” est un moment de paix et de vraie réflexion .
De par votre lignage vous avez beaucoup reçu , merci de nous faire partager une partie de votre savoir et de vos réflexions.
Indeed,Prince. Brilliant article,a condensation of your thaughts. Indeed we live in an incredible paradox!
I agree
A lot of informations but no dialogue
I agree with you, hélas !
Thank you for your ideas and old photographs always so interesting.
I’m deeply touched by Your article today.
They are my favourite Portuguese Royals and my family ( both my mother and father sides) was in great connection with them and belonged to the small group of gentry families that usually helped and financed the royal Charities during the reigns of both Kings : D.Luis I and his son D.Carlos I.
Maria Pia came to Portugal ,15 years old to marry King D.Luis, ater having lost her mother when she was only nine.
During the Second World War my mother, then quite young, used to go riding to the horse ring that belonged to Queen D.Amélia before, at the Royal Palácio da Necessidades in Lisbon, and she saw in some windows of the Palace :” Non mi piace Luigi”, traced on glass by Maria Pia , surely with some diamonds…That she never forgot and so se told me , since I was a young girl.
Thank You so much YRH for you kindness of sharing these wonderful stories .
All my very best wishes!
I’M ENCHANTED!!! Thank you so much for this beautiful article about my last kings!
Tank You for your familles histories which are vers intresting for me.Good evening.
Thank You so much for opening a little more the window of this secret that always has been intriguing me, since my childhood.
Impressive article and even more impressive and rare photos.
Thank You so much, again, for sharing your Family story and opening such interesting windows to those difficult times.
http://geneall.net/pt/nome/266576/ana-isabel-de-sacadura-botte-lobato-de-mello/
could make for an interesting film…
what a fabulous story! Sounding almost like fiction! Thank you for this small and so eloquent cine-roman!
His father died when he was a year old, leaving Michael an only child, and his mother died in 1953 when he was 14, leaving him an orphan.
Très utile et pertinente analyse que je partage entièrement et sans réserves.
Beaucoup de gens interviennent sur des forums internet pour donner leur avis et moi même n’y ait pas souvent résisté .
Que de temps gâché de ma part !
La plupart des choses que j’ai écrites ou que j’aurais voulu le faire se trouvent dans vos articles qui ont quelque chose de la concision des Haïkus japonais alliée à la légitimité de l’observation directe et personnelle .
I like very much the way you present the situation in the world nowadays .
It is so human ,romantic ,poetic too.
It is urgent to change our attitude to the misfortunated human beings .
More compassion and love is needed .
It’s really amazing to observe world’s changes with a high level approach and view…
I really enjoyed this short story
Also the previous article above.
True interesting , fascinating worrying and sad ,
But reasuring and good to find so many of one s thoughts and worries put together in such a structured and beautiful way
I m always so happy toread your pieces !
An insightful weaving of global History, social psychology & economics, into a realistic pattern of our times. Narrated as if it was written in the future by a Timeless Historian who observes panoramically how humanity moves on the quasi predictable graph-curves of statistical prophesies.
Wonderful article! Our company is linking to the great post on our website.
Keep up the fantastic writing.
Your Royal Highness,
thank you sharing these very interesting stories and pictures with us. I have read your biography of your early life leading to your arrival in Greece .As a fellow student of history I would like to ask you when are you going to share with us your experiences in the 1960,growing up with Greek Royal Family and experiencing all those turbulent events that shaped our lives and that of Greece.
Thank for your time
Nikolaos Logothetis
Your Royal Highness
My two most favourite members of the Greek Royal House are Queen Olga and the magnificent Prince George. In light of the turbulent and mostly unfair and unforgiving events that shaped the history of the Royal family, did their love for their country ever diminish?
Recently , I came across a book that Prince George wrote, “The Cretan Drama”, based on his experience as the High Commissioner of Crete, but I have not been able to get my hands on a copy in print. Sir, are you familiar with the book?
With respect
Suzanna Kalerandes
I´ve enjoyed this story very much. Thank You !!!!. Best wishes from Buenos Aires.
Superbe !
very … mmmm revealing photo… the queen’ s gaze… welll…..
I lived 6 month in Peru in 1958, my favorite country in Latin America. I visited Macchu Picchu in 1958. 1982 and 2005 it is one of my favorite place on earth. Thank you for your story Michael. Warm regards. Stephane
Indeed i herd about this history a while agoo. Thank you to refresh my memory.
A very strange exiting history.
I´VE ENJOYED VERY MUCH YOUR STORY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE. BESIDES I DO LOVE CUZCO AND MACHU PICCHU.
BEST REGARDS FROM BUENOS AIRES.
I.O.
Corneliapoupard@me.com
Dear Sir,
Thankyou for sharing this story.
Regards,
Cornelia Klara Poupard
So interesting !
The walls of Sacsayhuaman in the above photo reminded me of the “cyclopean” walls of Mycenae where Schliemann was involved as well.
Bonjour,
Ecrivain et veneur de lièvre, j’ai lu que, selon M. Labbé, la Duchesse de Chartres aurait eu en Angleterre vers 1870 ou 1890, une petite meute de harriers pour le lièvre, pourriez-vous me le confirmer et si vous avez des informations à ce sujet avoir l’amabilité de me les faire connaitre..
Avec ma sincère considération et mes remerciements
A very proper answer! He was quite an eccentric king, poor old Ferdi, but certainly not a stupid one!
Delicious, eminently Italian !
Your grandmother was so beautiful ! there is something common between you and your grandfather, the sames eyes perhaps, something I recognize without to be able to say what …. Have a god night, my dear Prince !
Texte et photos adorables. C’est mon époque préferée.. Merci de partager , Monseigneur.
Super Papa j’adore – surtout la photo de toi dans le fameux tank!
Bravo and thanks for sharing!
A
A well written article. However, did you know the Albanians still claim that their first “ruler” the Prince of Wied went away with the albanian…treasury, whatever that maybe? It was claimed to me a over ten years ago by not else than “King” Leka at a reception in Rogner Hotel in Tirana.
I believe that the woman you identify as Princess Alice is actually the Princess Royal, and the woman identified as Princess Mary-Adelaide is the Queen of Spain.
Mon cher Prince,
J’ai beaucoup aimé cette rétrospective princière à travers l’oeil de votre lorgnette personnelle…. c’est l’histoire européenne qui défile sous nos yeux, mais c’est aussi votre histoire familiale. Savez vous que je cousine lointainement avec les WITTELSBACH, lointains descendants de la famille de LEZONGAR, originaires de Cornouailles bretonne, précisément d’Esquibien (29) à proximité d’Audierne… inouïs les méandres de l’Histoire mêlés à ceux des familles. Beaucoup de tragédies et de gâchis aussi dans ces destins soumis à la raison d’Etat, souvent pour rien… Bien à vous, Philippe PRIOL.
La Belgique etait deja surrealiste……
On peut imaginer cette scène cocasse au Palais royal de Bruxelles ! very amazing !
Vraiment une histoire drole!
Sorry to contradict but think the photo is Maria Pavlovna the elder and wife of the Grand Duke Vladimir
The Maria Pavlovna on the picture is the grand duchess Wladimir, here wearing the circle tiara now in the possession of queen Elizabeth II !
You are quite right, I will update the caption shortly.
It’s very interesting to see how big are the royal families. They had also many children, but only some of them are known by the public… the others had a discret life ans sometimes very far from the splendor of the power’s area in which lived the oldest of them…. Sincerely, yours Philippe PRIOL.
I should like to show you some pictures of my own family. Some of them look as the russian family. But I don’t know how to join you. Have a good afternoon. Yours Philippe PRIOL.
Dear Prince Michael of Greece,
probably a small mistake – or the picture was changed?
This is the Grand Duchess Vladimir, the “other” Maria Pavlovna – born Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
Anyway – I love to read your short stories….
You are quite right, I will update the caption shortly.
Your Royal Highness these petit conte pour enfant sage are delightfull. They should be publish in a small book. From the bottom of my heart many thanks
Could it have been the church the Empress builyt in which to bury Rasputin..?
Dear Sir, this is not a comment but just a note to say that since July, I have not been receiving your chronicles at my email address. If possible, kindly add me back to your email list. Thank you very much.
What a marvelous story! Thank you for sharing it.
Very interesting….as usual !
Dear Prince Michael: I thought that you were Orthodox! I am Orthodox.
Thanks for your thoughts, books and knowledge.
Marcela
Superbe
Cher Prince,
Très belle et envoutante région qu’est le Yucatan. J’y ai passé plus de 2 semaines cet été, entre Cancun, Valladolid, Chichen Itza, Mérida, Felipe Carillo Puerto et Tulum. Son peuple, son architecture, son histoire, ses couleurs, ses temples, sa végétation, sa faune, sa flore… Un émerveillement!
J’ai mis 1 semaine pour en revenir psychologiquement 🙂
A très bientôt!
Respectueusement,
I love The photographs, they bring historique to life.
Charmantes photos…
le chien et le tsar ont exactement le même regard perplexe.
D’où va donc venir le danger… ou la balle?
Quite revealing!
HRH, thank You so much for sharing, always such interesting stories about amazing royal personalities of the XIX century, my favourite time.
Wonderful and magical.So brilliant that we can see the scene, like in a movie. Superb!
Thank You so much, HRH.
Beautiful: when phantasy meets reality!!!!
It gave me la chair de poule.
Thank You so much. Always a great pleasure reading You, YRH.
It seems I’ve known You for ages….
Le Roi De Grece en exile en Suisse ,il y a un siecle exactement baptise lui meme si il accepte la demande ou avec un representant?
(voir question et reponse sur Quora.com : “King of Greece baptize himself or someone in his place “My family ‘s example
Your Royal Highness,
My two most favourite members of the Greek Royal family are Queen Olga and the magnificent Prince George. What I would like to know is if their love for Greece ever diminished, in light of the turbulent and in many ways unforgiving events that shaped their country’s destiny over the years.
Recently, I discovered that Prince George was author of a book called “The Cretan Drama”, in which he described and commented on the events that took place while he was High Commissioner of Crete, but I have been unable to find a copy in print. Are you familiar with this book Sir?
With great respect
Suzanna Kalerandes
You stated: “The Duke of Cambridge, the uncle of Queen Victoria and general of the English army”
I believe that the Duke of Cambridge in your photograph is Queen Victoria’s first cousin George, the 2nd Duke of Cambridge. Adolphus, The 1st Duke of Cambridge (Victoria’s uncle) died on 8 July 1850 well before that photograph was taken.
How interesting! How well you tell this stories… for our delight! Thank you!
Yes, indeed that was the case!
Fascinating as always.
Very funny!
Fascinating
Very interesting indeed!
The Duke of Cambridge in the photograph is the cousin of Queen Victoria, not the uncle of Queen Victoria.
Queen Victoria’s uncle, Adlophus, Duke of Cambridge, died in 1850. His son, George, second Duke of Cambridge died in 1904. More likely, this is George.
Thank you Sir for this interesting article!
A very interesting article on that part of Romania. More please.
another strange story! and a beautiful photo.
Lovely story
As usual a fascinating story!
Thank you.
This is such a lovely story! Thank you dear Michel for teaching us so many things
Love from Helen
belle anecdote que je ne connaissais pas ….merci
Il est des patronymes que leurs porteurs devraient demander à changer auprès du Conseil d’état!
The bearers of certain names should try to change them!
Quelle joie de pouvoir Vous lire à nouveau et quelle surprenante histoire , celle des débuts littéraires du jeune Alexandre Dumas.
Merci beaucoup de ce partage.
Je Vous souhaite une heureuse année 2017.
Tous mes respects
Ana Isabel
Magnifique. Merci de partager, Monseigneur.
I must say you have very interesting articles
here. Your blog should go viral. You need initial boost only.
How to get it? Search for; Etorofer’s strategies
Belle histoire. Parmi nos contemporains il y a peut être une destinée semblable, qui sait !
Michel !
Como me gusta recibir estas crónicas! Son muy interesantes e divertidas. Llegan inesperadamente como un regalo a mi mail y las disfruto con interés y alegría !
Un abrazo Gola
Michel J adore tes histoires elles m’enchantent !
Muchísimas gracias
Mon Cher Prince, toutes vos histoires sont intéressantes et belles…Merci pour la fraîcheur que vous apportez à nos soirées. Sincèrement en vous lisant nous oublions beaucoup de nos problèmes quotidiens….Veuillez agréer, cher Ami, nos sentiments (nos: correspond à toute notre famille) les meilleurs ….
Very good. Thank you
Thanks for sharing it.
Wow! Very nice to know the whole story of these beautiful emeralds!
But at least we have the pics of Queen Ena with these enchanting jewels. I am sure and I hope that they will be found someday.
Very interesting ..
Cher Michel, ravi de vous retrouver sur Face Book vos recits sont toujours passionnants . Amicalement .Stephane
my wonderful storyteller Prince, The sky has send to us to give has the Dream. We are very thankful! Yours Grazia
je suis une inconditionnelle de son Altesse Michel de Grèce, dont je lis inlassablement tous les livres et dont je conseille la lecture à tous les “amis” de l histoire et du gotha.
Une fois encore je suis enchantée de ce site.
Comme toujours édifiant!
merci Monseigneur.
Dearest cousin Michel,
Your article on Queen Ahilya is simply fascinating and I can’t wait to share it with my grandchildren.
Thank you for your wonderful chronicles – when I finish one I can’t wait for the next one to arrive!
Love and thanks
Helen
I was very interested to read the story of the young sailor and the german on Patmos. Thank you!
A
La structure et les contenus de votre nouvelle présentation est une très grande réussite. Cela deviendra ma ma lecture régulière, (complète ou nom ) pleine d’intérêt !
C’est une réussite ! Bravo !
Humbert
This was a great story to find those emeralds years later..wow just wow
What a charming & sad story Thx for sharing🌹
What a wonderful story and photos!
Dear Michel,
I am always delighted to see that there is a new, unpredictable story from you and I am never disappointed. You have a talent for discovering strange twists of history, family secrets, lost cities, ghosts and all.
Thank you, again.
Daphne
Chi di spada ferisce di spada perisce.
The vultures die of their sin; they eat corpses instead of respectfully let them go back to dust; what they eat makes them die.
Power rarely rhymes with victory.
A beautiful portrait that CAN be Deen at the fabulous exhibition of Al Thani’s moghul jewels.
Wonderful story. Thank you
Loved it. Thank you.
The 2 portraits stand at the fabulous show Joyaux from the Al-Thani collection at the Grand Palais
Nice and sad Story especially for the old lady
I adore this story! Thank You,Lisa
What a great story!
Si non è vero e ben trovato!
Me réjouis déjà des prochaines histoires.
Big kiss
Saskia v B
Un jour mon petit garçon a demandé si j’avais peur des fantômes et je lui ai répondu que je craindrais plus une vraie personne si je la rencontrais le soir au coin d’un bois ou d’une rue déserte. Mais l’histoire évoquée ici est très terrifiante et étonnante, ces pauvres âmes n’ont-elles donc pas de repos ?
Very good story this AM.
Ever fascinated by this stories
Une très intéressante histoire , elle pourrait être drôle si elle n avait pas un si tragique aboutissement….Merci!
What a great story!
Thank you!
Merci pour ces chroniques étonnantes, toujours intéressantes. CM
merci Michel pour l’histoire du piano, dans la nuit, qui joue seul moi aussi je l’entend. Grazia
Most inspiring – thank you dad- you show us less familiar sides of Greece!
Dear Michel,
Your stories are always a joy to read. I always feel I am around a dinner table and hearing you tell the story live. Pure bliss!
Hoping to see you in patmos this summer when I can be back There!
All the best
Antoine
Quelle beauté!
J’adore vos histoires de fantômes….
J´aime tellement votre vie, votre belle famille…avoir la reine Olga comme grand-mère, est génial. Je suis très heureuse pour vous. Vous avez bien fait d´appeler votre fille, Olga. Veuiller, síl vous plaît accepter, Altesse , l´expression de mes sentiments les plus sincères.
This was a very nice, captivating article. I greatly appreciated the legends and your explanation of their source.
I also really liked the top picture of the post.
Beautiful photographs too!!
Hello! Thanks for the nice pictures shared today. Is it possible to know the dates of them? At least the years. Particularly I’m interested in those showing Queen Olga and Princesses Helen and Victoria Luise. Thank you very much
Merci pour cette belle histoire…
Wonderful Tale, could it be True? Do our dreams bring us a reality we had another time and place??
Very interesting and charming story. I am waiting for others. Tank you for your kindness.
Yes, Your Royal Highness, it’s a lovely opera with excellent music and, if the cast is good as the one we had in Rome last year, it can be rewarding, but it is still a very boring story !!However, Dalrymple is a great writer, especially about India.
Yes, Your Royal Highness, it’s a lovely opera with excellent music and, if the cast is good as the one we had in Rome last year, it can be rewarding, but it is still a very boring story !!However, Dalrymple is a great writer, especially about India.
I absolutely find your love of history wonderful.Thank you for your dedication,and hard work to imform the public of these marvelous stories.Thank you Prince Michael
Wonderful
Dear Prince Michael.
As a constant reader of your highly interesting blog, I cannot help but send a serious correction of the text to the picture of the Austro-Hungarian imperial family, as the text provided is more than just wrong. The text should say:
The Austrian imperial dynasty. From left to right: Emperor Franz Joseph, his brother Emperor Maximilian of Mexico, his sister-in-law Charlotte of Belgium, Empress of Mexico, who went mad after the murder of her husband by revolutionary forces in Mexico. Then the brothers of Franz Joseph: Ludwig Viktor, a raving homosexual and Karl Ludwig, a religious fanatic who died from drinking typhoid infested water from the river Jordan during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He was by the way the father of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, murdered in Sarajevo in 1914. Sitting are Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sissi, with her son Rudolf, the Archduchess Sophie of Bavaria, his mother, and her husband, a man of no importance.
I just felt like I couldn’t help send you this, well aware that you of course know these facts already. But I find the tale of the last generations of the Austro-Hungarian Habsburgs a very fascinating story. A mad family that brought the world its first world war, that changed everything that used to be.
Thank you for your interesting blog.
Thank you for your extremely interesting articles and fotos, history is so fascinating………
Empereur Maximilien was Franz Joseph ‘s brother
Regards
Je suis apparenté aux WITTELSBACH. Il descendent d’un couple de la noblesse bretonne -Roland de LEZONGAR x Amice du HAFFOND- qui sont aussi mes ancêtres. ILs demeuraient au fin fond de la Bretagne, du côté d’Audierne.
Dear Prince Michael of Greece
Your amazing photographs are brilliant, it is only a dream for most people to have the chance to look back on family history in pictures. So a huge thank you for allowing everyone to have the chance to see them
Many Thanks
Suzan.
Such a sad tale written so beautifully.
Bonjour monsieur
J’ai toujours été un grand admirateur,j’ai coiffer votre épouse et votre fille plusieurs fois ici à nyc,
Jadores lire vos livres et article,
Merci,,,,
Jean francois pilon,
Interesting as always.Thanks for sharing .
Wonderful piece, thank you!! The European Aristocracy saw so many tragedies during the mid to late 19th century. Such a curious time.
Very touching and amazing …..
Excellent comment vous racontez l’Histoire Altesse. J’ai quelques livres de vous ici à Paris et chez mes parents en Espagne, J’arrive à vous suivre plus ou moins dans le temps; Bien cordialement, Antonio
Une histoire émouvante. et fascinante.
Merci, comme d’habitude vos histoires sont passionnantes!
Ghislaine.
Monsieur,
C’est très émouvant, encore des histoires intéressantes, étranges. Merci encore de nous les faire partager.
Avec mes salutations.
CM
This story relates the facts without dramatic embroidery, but it is all the more chilling for that. Thank you Prince Michael!
This story relates the facts without dramatic embroidery, but it is all the more chilling for that. Thank you Prince Michael!
Marie Laveau is still well known in the deep south (I am from Alabama) and is a bit of a legend, especially along the Gulf Coast in places like Mobile, Biloxi, and of course New Orleans. Thank you for sharing her history!
Merci pour ce passionnant historique sur Marie Laveau et le vaudou.
Merci pour ce passionnant historique sur Marie Laveau et le vaudou.
John Lennon should have known…..
Thank you, dear Michel, for introducing us to some US ghosts, much less traditional than the scottish or english ones, but unfortunately with as sad a destiny
Etrange et étonnant ! le portrait est beau ; le lieu est magnétique… les vitraux sont d’une grande beauté ! j’aime !
Going to visit Bannerman Castle now does not involve moonlight swims or clandestine trespassing. The island is owned by the State of NY, and is under the care of the Bannerman Castle Trust. There are walking tours available, outdoor performances and volunteer opportunities available. The buildings are still ruins, but the gardens are being tended as, hopefully, the money is raised to shore up, and possibly restore the structures. It’s not quite as romantically mysterious, but I’m glad this little piece of history is not being allowed to crumble away! http://www.bannermancastle.org/index.html
Dear Michel,
What a joy it is to receive your stories of places, people and ghosts, at a time when beautiful, mysterious places are either abandoned or overrun by tourists, people are afraid to be original or ‘different’ in any way and poor ghosts have nowhere to go. Still ‘we beat on, boats against the current, born back ceaselessly into the past’ and what a wealth of wonders there are there.
Thank you
D
Les vitraux sont très beaux et l’endroit fascinant, et j’aime l’idée que le fantôme essaie de vous empêcher de rentrer dans “sa” chambre.
C’est toujours un enchantement de recevoir votre newsletter. Un moment de charme et de
grâce dans un monde qui en manque terriblement.
Merci.
Mais vous vivez d’ incroyables aventures ! Comment faites-vous ? C’est pour mieux partager avec vos lecteurs.
Avec mes salutations.
the beauty of the villa! unthinkable! thankyou Michel for this other “image” to make me dream…
Absolutely fascinating ……
I was fascinated by the Lincoln story. Daniel Day-Lewis who did not ‘play’ Lincoln, but ‘was’ Lincoln, told me the dream story, but he also told me he knew that Lincoln would have died from exhaustion within the year, even if he had not been assassinated. It was just a matter of time and the mourners were already there.
Thank you again.
Daphne
L’événement est connu mais cette préméditation et l’acte font encore froid dans le dos.
Brilliant article on Lincoln!
Thank you Darling cousin
Thank you for your interesting articles, I would very much appreciate receiving them on a regular basis, is that possible?
Many thanks!
L’histoire est toujours passionnante… celle-ci représente un chapitre important de l’histoire hispanique.
Cependant les mariages entre cousins étaient fréquents et, beaucoup plus tard, n’a-t-on pas dit que la reine Victoria était la grand-mère de l’Europe ?
How fascinating and intriguing. It makes one want to go exploring the palace and tap on a few walls.
Tank you for this fascinaging story of Duchess of Alba. I always
admired her for her fantasy corage and love of the life
Fascinting story about a wonderful lady. Thank you Sir
Bonsoir Monsieur,
Quelle incroyable histoire ! J’ai l’impression parfois de lire des contes fantastiques, les êtres qui les peuplent sont très attirants même s’il ne faut pas trop les approcher.
CM
I just love reading your stories …….and luckily they seem to never end !!
Than you
This is even more interesting, Sir. Please keep the stories coming!
Toutes vos histoires sont fascinantes!
Merci.
Passionnant – romanesque!
Dear Michael,
I LOVE your chronicles!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR
And hope to see you soon in
2018
BACI from freezing New York
Fabulous find Your Royal Highness. I can see a huge resemblance with all your relatives in this painting. Superb!
This is a brillant story about the” infernal Lauzun” – thank you dear Michel – it revived our Christmas holidays!
Thanks for sharing this!
Darling,
I’ve spent the day in bed reading your wonderful blog.
It’s 41C here in Sydney today so it’s been a delight to rest and stay cool while being entertained by your thoroughly enjoyable outlook on the world.
I have really enjoyed your contributions to documentaries so I was delighted to find you had created this wonderful website.
I just wanted to say Thank You.
Yours faithfully x
Je croyais que les restes des époux royaux avaient été exhumés en 1815 du cimetière désaffecté de la Madeleine pour être transférés au caveau des Bourbon de la basilique Saint-Denis. Aucune mention d’une réinhumation à la chapelle expiatoire. Avez-vous une meilleure source ?
Magnifiques documents et commentaires que j’attends toujours avec impatience
Cher Michel, j’adore vos recits. Merci. Je crois que cela va faire 20 ans que nous ne nous sommes plus vu. ( diner avec Yaguel apres la mort de Diana )
I nearly fell over when I read this!
La Princesse Palatine etait une femme formidable . Ses lettres sont très intéressantes et amusantes.
Your Royal Highness Prince Michael,
I really enjoy all the interesting facts in your chronicles.
Thank you for such an enjoyable read whilst learning historical facts.
Yours sincerely,
Suzan
You are not riding the bicycle Your Royal Highness, but merely beside it 😊
in fact you did look rather puzzled looking at your new bycicle… Le Comte de Paris great aviator was related to Bianca d’Aosta? there is a resemblance in the eyes or l am inventing! .. La Princess Mathilde married Anatoly Demidoff? She did look imposing in your beatiful photograph! Allways so special to share with you your mémoirs.. Thankyou.. Grazia
J’attends la suite avec impatience !
Quelle histoire incroyable qui met mal à l’aise. J’avais hâte de lire la suite mais il y a trop de noirceur, à oublier.
Michel, This is too funny!!
Eh bien ! quelle histoire !
A ne pas lire avant d’aller se coucher…
Ces contacts doivent être fascinants mais aussi parfois dangereux !
c’est tout à fait charmant, merci MGR !!!
come sempre, meraviglioso Principe, scosti un tenda e appaiono realtà inimmaginate… grazie! Grazia
quelle élégance absolue.. Vôtre Mère, cher Michel… et Vous quel regard intelligent vivacissimo attento e felice!
Your Royal Highness,
Thank you so much for all of your contributions to the wonders of history and the magic of charity.
I hope this finds you in good health.
Kind Regards
Your cousin
HSH Archduke Gino Neil Lupini
Oh ! Comme dit la chanson “boire un petit coup etc. etc…”
J’espère que ce monsieur a ensuite regagné une dernière demeure plus classique.
Le temps passé, ce temps qui passe, que de nostalgie…
La destinée des peuples tient, parfois, à peu de chose..!
The physical resemblance betweenYour Royal Highness and Grand Duke Nicolas Constantinovich caught my eye immediately. It is striking. And what a fascinating story!
The book about our uncle the Granduke Nicholas is brilliant and one instantly wants to go to Tashkent to visit his palace to understand more about his life. Thank you Michel for giving me much pleasure reading this fascinating book.
Mon Dieu, que d’histoires incroyables ! Quels destins !
Merci cher Michel, j’adore vos histoires de famille…..
Vos histoires sont passionnantes et amusantes;
Merci.
Always very interesting.
Thank you
All this is fascinating ! I love reading about the pre revolution era of Russia! Thank you very much .
Fascinating! I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Intriguing…
From the description, I do believe the ghost is Tsar Nicholas II. Why at the service staircase ?
I am not sure.
Beautiful diamond!!
Yes, it is.
I never believed Mrs. Anderson to be Grand-Duchess Anastasia N. ROMANOV. I do believe in the Native American Spirit. Thank You for all those stories.
A very interesting history-thank you
This is an amazing story. Thank you — and for all your stories. They always fascinate. Sending much love to you and Marina, Adele (and John Guare)
How interesting ,sad ..and happy !
Both of you must have felt lucky that you had that last chance to meet …
I never knew the details
Thank you for all these fascinating stories !
Thank you for your insight on this famous /infamous person.
Kind regards
V
Bonjour,
Je suis toujours étonnée par les destins humains. Pourquoi elle, lui, pourquoi cette vie ? Pourquoi ces différences au sein d’une fratrie ? D’une famille ? Chaque être a un destin à vivre, son destin. C’est parfois heureux, c’est souvent injuste.
CM
La Russie démesurée, attirante, mystérieuse. Quelles merveilles !
It is a beautiful story but sad at the end. Thank your for sharing this remarkable Lady.
Thanks you Dominique
What an incredibly beautiful story this is,very moving indeed.So glad Your dear cousin met You.Always intrigued by the often sad or funny but always captivating bits of precious history You share with us.
The story of your distant cousin Talya is very interesting, Your Royal Highness.
I read several of your books, including Mémoires Insolites, and I enjoyed very much….I love anecdotes and biographies. Bravo!!!!
Cordialement,
Carlo V Ginatta
What a wonderful story! Thank you Your Royal Highness for sharing it with us!
Fantastyk!
Une histoire très intéressante, mais aussi très touchante . Évidemment une femme remarquable.
Me encanta todo sobre su familia, adoro estas historias. Le agradezco que las haga públicas. Saludos. PD en Uruguay vivió la princesa catalina Romanov, hija de Ioan y la princesa de Montenegro
Thank you so much for sharing this very interessting story.
Thank you so much for sharing your precious memoirs!
I really admire the Romanov family for having suffered.
Very interesting and pleasant.
She was absolutely wonderful women with courage and dignity. I remember her very well. Thank you for the article.
Thank you, Your Highness, for share your cousin’s story.
Très amusant et inattendu !
Merci!
Ce genre de destin est fascinant. Savoir anticiper, croire en sa chance et la saisir à temps, forcer la destinée, ce personnage a connu une vie exceptionnelle. Je me demande souvent pourquoi certains êtres ont cette force et/ou cette chance qui manquent à tant d’autres ?
Cher Michel,
quelle histoire hilarante. Je pense qu’il existe aujourd’hui le moyen d’effacer les tatouages. Je l’espère en tous les cas pour cette multitude de jeunes qui traitent leur peau comme un morceau de canevas, ne prévoyant pas qu’un jour leur corps sera flasque et qu’aucun muscle ne viendra plus gonfler ces horribles dessins ou inscriptions, les rendant encore plus affreux.
Merci sans cesse pour ces merveilleuses anecdotes que vous nous offrez avec une générosité renouvelée.
Ralphxxxxx
en commençant par la 3ème raison il aurait s’éviter les 2 autres. On peut dire que le Cardinal avait de l’humour à revendre et que le ministre avait le vin qui lui obscurcissait la vue . ha ha ha
It is so rewarding to laughed wholeheartedly.
Merci Michel.
Ralph
Thank you for your fascinating story of Jane Digby. It is a valuable complement to « a Scandalous Life » , her biography by Mary S. Lovell, a richly illustrated book I once found in a Dutch bookshop, years ago. Could the Greek hero be the colonel Hadji Petros?
Very appealing story telling!
How sad and how romantic.
REading your excellent article on photos of the Spanish royal family, I have a question and I would appreciate if you could answer this for me.
You mention that the first two sons of King Alfonso the XIII (I suppose ALfonso and Haime) were haemmorophilics. What is the name of his third son who you mentioned was deaf and mute? The fourth son was Juan of Bourbon.
What an interesting little story! Thank you for posting it!
Merci trés trés intéressant , j’ai lu avec plaisir 3 de vos livres
Thank you for this educative Post, Michael.
Interesting to learn that Vlad was perhaps not as monsterous, as he has ubiquitously been portrayed.
Many thanks for so many more interesting and captivating accounts on your Web Site; I am an avid reader for a while now and have profited handsomely from your resourceful historic treasure trove
;0)
Dear Michel
It is such a huge pleasure to discover a new story today. How wonderful to read your beautiful and elegant language and to go to sleep with the suspense in the air…
I hope you and Marina are well and heathy and send you both much love.
Saskia vB