Saturday 31 December 2016

New Year Post: Births & Deaths

2016 has been a year of many royal births and a sad death for the Japanese monarchy. On 27th October 2016 we saw the passing of Takahita, Prince Mikasa of Japan. The almost 101 year old uncle of Emperor Akihito was the 5th and final person in line to The Chrysanthemum throne.



We also saw the death of Thailand's beloved monarch, King Bhumibol who passed away on October 13th. 



On a happier note we had a number of special births this year;

16th January 2016 - Lord Frederick Windsor and his wife Sophie Winkelman, Lady Frederick Windsor welcomed their second daughter and child, Isabella Windsor. Isabella is a grandchild for Prince Michael of Kent and Marie, Princess Michael of Kent. Baby Isabella is a first cousin, twice removed from Queen Elizabeth II and is 48th in line to the British throne.

17th February 2016 - Prince Faisal bin Hussein of Jordan and his third wife Zeina had their first child together (Faisal already has four from his first marriage), a son named Prince Abdullah bin Faisal. Abdullah is the nephew of King Abdullah II of Jordan and 5th in line to the Jordanian throne.

2nd March 2016 - Prince Malik of Brunei and his wife Raabiatul had their first child, a daughter, Princess Muhee'ah. The Princess is a granddaughter for Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Queen Saleha. Her father is 4th in line to the throne but she is not as only men inherit in Brunei.

2nd March 2016 - Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband Prince Daniel had a son, Prince Oscar, Duke of Skane. Prince Oscar is their second child and a grandson for King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. The Little Prince is currently 3rd in line to the throne. Whilst he is the same number in succession as Prince Moulay Ahmed of Morocco, I consider this the most high profile birth of 2016 as he is the son of a Crown Prince and his position can only be replaced by the descendants of his older sister, Princess Estelle.

19th April 2016 - Prince Carl Philip and his wife Princess Sofia gave birth to their first child, Prince Alexander of Sweden, Duke of Sodermanland. Prince Alexander is a grandson for King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. Prince Alexander is 5th in line to the throne.

17th May 2016 - Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este and his wife Elisabetta gave birth to Archduchess Anna Astrd of Austria-Este. Anna might only be 7th in line to the throne but she has the honour of being the first of her generation, the first of King Albert II and Queen Paola's great grandchildren and the first grandchild for Princess Astrid of Belgium and Prince Lorenz, Archduke of Austria-Este.

23rd June 2016 - Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco and his wife Oum had their first child, a boy, Prince Moulay Ahmed. Ahmed is the nephew of King Mohammed VI and is 3rd in line to the Moroccan throne. He ties with Prince Oscar of Sweden for the highest ranking royal birth of 2016. However I consider Prince Oscar more high profile as his mother is a Crown Princess. Prince Ahmed's position can be replaced by more children via his uncle as well as his cousin, Prince Moulay Hassan.

28th November 2016 - Prince Felix of Luxembourg and his wife Princess Claire had their second child, a little boy, Prince Liam of Nassau. Prince Liam is a grandson for Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. The young prince is currently 4th in line to the Luxembourg throne.

What a year it has been!!! We've had a whole range of births from the son of a Crown Princess to a little girl who can't inherit the throne. I welcome all the little Princes and Princesses to into the world and hope they grow up to be wonderful leaders. I look forward in 2017 to the announcement of a new baby in the Monaco royal family, hopefully an engagement of Princess Eugenie of York, and much more happy news. 

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