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Entries tagged with 'Royalty'
Posted Apr. 10, 2008,
Lucky in Love for the Countess of Frederiksborg
By Mickey Boardman
Things are still super lovey dovey for the Countess of Frederiksborg and her sexy hubby photographer Martin Jorgensen. They've been married a year and look happy as aristocratic clams!
Photo from Hello Magazine
Posted Jan. 31, 2008,
King Juan Carlos: His Life in Pictures
By Mickey Boardman
It was recently King Juan Carlos of Spain's 70th birthday and Hola put 70 images from his life on their website and you lucky MMBloggers get to see MM's favorites. This is a shot of JC as a child with his brothers and sisters. It's not such a great picture but I think it's a very cute shot of his mother Maria de las Mercedes, Countess of Barcelona. She should have been Queen but wasn't!
Posted Jan. 28, 2008,
Kate Middleton, Mario Testino's New Intern
By Mickey Boardman
It's not breaking news but we're excited Kate Middelton is working as an intern for superstar photographer Mario Testino in New York in March. Testino was a favorite photographer of the late Diana, Princess of Wales and has photographed Christmas cards for Charles, Prince of Wales. How glamorous!!!
Photo from Royal Anecdotes
Posted Jan. 28, 2008,
Queen Elizabeth Says: "That Shit's Bananas!"
By Mickey Boardman
"That shit's bananas," as MM's close friend Gwen Stefani says. Although it might not be proper etiquette to curse when writing about her Maj, Queen Elizabeth II was presented with some nice bananas when she visited a hospital. Betty Taylor explained that when she was a four-year-old during WW II, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (the late mum of Elizabeth II) came to the hospital and brought bananas which were super scarce during the war, as a treat for the patients. Betty, now 69, thought she'd repay the favor. Sadly they look a bit on the mushy side -- the bananas not the ladies! Meanwhile, MM hears that Prince William of Wales gave his granny Nintendo's Wii for Christmas and she's obsessed! Rule Britannia!
Photo from Royal Anecdotes
Posted Jan. 8, 2008,
The Little Royal Belgians
By Mickey Boardman
Here's a cute photo of the Duke & Duchess of Brabant with their little nippers. The Duchess (aka Crown Princess Mathilde of Belgium) is pregnant with number four! She's poppin out like a good Catholic!
Photo from Hola.com
Posted Jan. 7, 2008,
Happy Birthday King Juan Carlos!
By Mickey Boardman
January 5th was the 70th birthday of one of MMBlog's favorite royals: King Juan Carlos of Spain. The official celebration is January 9th at the Palacio del Pardo, but Queen Sofia had JC blow out the candles on a cake on the actual date. Juan Carlos has had a very interesting life and has been a wonderful King. MM could go on and on but for now let's just focus on wishing the King Feliz Cumpleanos!
Photo from Hola.com
Posted Jan. 7, 2008,
New Look for the Princess of Asturias
By Mickey Boardman
The Princess of Asturias has a new look. She unveiled her new bob at a recent royal appearance. Personally, Mr. Mickey is not a fan of her look in general with or without the bob. We love hard-hitting news here at MMBlog!!
Photo from Hola.com
Posted Dec. 5, 2007,
Royal Booty Call for Chelsy & Bubble!
By Mickey Boardman
Here is a shot of royal girlfriend Chelsy Davy the way we like her! She's with her pal Olivia Perry (aka Bubble) and they're on their way to Clarence House, home of the Princes of Wales, William and Harry. The photo was taken at 3 a.m. after a night of clubbing and the girls SPENT THE NIGHT at the Palace! Just because you're a Prince doesn't mean you don't need booty calls!
Clarence House has a rich Royal history. It was the London childhood home of Queen Marie of Roumania, the first married home of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip (then Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, interesting since Marie of Roumania's parents were the previous Duke & Duchess of Edinburgh!) and the longtime widowed home of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
Photo from Aristrocracy Anecdotes!
Posted Dec. 5, 2007,
Future Emperor: Prince Hisahito
By Mickey Boardman
Here is a nice family shot of little Prince Hisahito who will one day be Emperor of Japan. He's with his family celebrating the 42nd birthday of his father Prince Akishino, brother of the current Crown Prince Naruhito. With the Prince are his wife Princess Kiko and their two daughters 16-year-old Mako and 12-year-old Kako.
After the jump is a super cute shot of six-year-old Princess Aiko, the only child of Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Masako. You MMBlog readers know that MM is very sad that Aiko will not be Empress because of the Salic Law in Japan which forbids females from inheriting the throne. There was talk of changing the archaic law when it looked like there would be no male heirs in the current generation and then Princess Kiko had little Hisahito.
Posted Oct. 12, 2007,
Little Royal Nippers!
By Mickey Boardman
You MMBloggers know that Mr. Mickey loves keeping track of the next generation of royals. Here is a cute shot from Barcelona of little Irene & Carlos. Irene is the youngest child (and only daughter) of the Duchess of Palma de Mallorca and Carlos is the son of Princess Alexia of Greece ( a first cousin and BFF of the Duchess of Palma). Alexia is about to give birth to her fourth child. These royals are having big families these days!!!
Photo from Hola!
Posted Sep. 14, 2007,
Engagement of Charles-Phillipe d'Orleans and the Duchess of Cadaval
By Mickey Boardman
Talk about a glamorous engagement MMBloggers!!! Prince Charles-Phillipe d'Orleans announced his engagement to the lovely Portuguese Duchess of Cadaval, Diana Alvares Pereira de Melo. The two went to the glamorous Chateau d'Eu, home base of the Orleans family to announce the happy news. The Prince was a participant on the French reality show I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here which is not exactly distingué but such is life. The wedding is next June in Portugal and brings to mind the former Franco-Portuguese union of King Carlos and Queen Amelie (former Princess d'Orleans).
Posted Sep. 14, 2007,
Chelsy Davy Hits the Town!
By Mickey Boardman
Now that Chelsy Davy is in London, she's hitting the town! And not always with Harry. Here she is out with the girls. Chelsy is going to be getting her Masters Degree at Leeds University. We hope they have lots of clubs in Leeds! Go Chelsy!
Photo from Hello! Magazine
Posted Sep. 14, 2007,
Baby Number Two for the Countess of Wessex
By Mickey Boardman
Mr. Mickey has been so busy obsessing over all things fashion, he's had no time for royalty news! (Not that you MMBlogaholics care, but MM is a devoted Monarchist!). Anyhoo, MM didn't even know that the 42-year-old Countess of Wessex is excecting her second child! She and her husband Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex have a little daughter, Lady Louise. Here's a shot of Sophie getting some flowers from a little lady. Congratulations!!!
Photo from Hello! Magazine
Posted Sep. 11, 2007,
Harry & Chelsy's Airport Reunion
By Mickey Boardman
Prince Harry and his girlfriend Chelsy Davy had a reunion after not seeing each other for months. The happy coming together happened at Heathrow Airport when Chelsea flew to London from Johannesburg. Harry came to the airport to pick up Chels, but was an hour late making his lady love twiddle her thumbs till he got there. Many royalty-watchers insist Harry and Chelsy are heading to the altar and that Chelsy will become a royal princess before Kate Middleton! Mr. Mickey likes Chelsy, but thinking about it from an adult and responsible perspective, one has to ask: Are these two wild children good for each other?
Photo from Hola!
Posted Aug. 30, 2007,
Elizabeth of Romania's Kittens!
By Mickey Boardman
Mr. Mickey was hanging out at a very interesting website called Tom's Place and stumbled upon this fun visual. Tom is apparently a devotee of Romania and its fabulous royal ladies including Queen Marie and Princess Ileana. Tom (unlike MM) is a fan of the first Queen of Romania, Elizabeth, née Princess of Wied, who's penname was Carmen Sylva. She was a fascinating figure but she tortured poor Missy (Queen Marie) so much that MM can't really be a fan. Anyhoo, Tom's site has TONS of amazing materials: books, articles, photos etc. and that's where Mr. Mickey found this photo of Queen Elizabeth's kittens. How cute are they?
Posted Aug. 30, 2007,
Diana is Still #1 in UK
By Mickey Boardman
If there was any doubt in our minds if Diana was still number one in the hearts of Britons, Hello Magazine has done a survey of its readers and 90 percent say that "no modern day celebrity has come close to replacing the late Princess on the world stage."
As if we didn't know! She's still regularly on the cover of every royalty magazine and Diana-loveres are only surpassed by Elvis in devotion.
Posted Aug. 29, 2007,
Sexy Madeleine of Sweden and Boyfriend Jonas
By Mickey Boardman
You MMBlog regulars know Mr. Mickey's favorite royal couple is Kyril and Rosario of Bulgaria but when it comes to sexy young cuties, there aren't any royals who can come near to Madeleine of Sweden and her longtime boyfriend Jonas.
How sexy are they?
Posted Aug. 24, 2007,
Charlene Is All Up in the Monégasque Princely Family
By Mickey Boardman
Charlene Wittstock is really part of the family in Monaco. She showed up with her boyfriend's sister Caroline of Hannover and husband Ernst at the Salzburg Festival in Austria. Things are looking super serious with Albert and Charlene which could ruin my plans for Andrea Casiraghi to be the next sovereign Prince of Monaco!!!!
Photo from Hola!
Posted Aug. 14, 2007,
Peter Phillips Engaged!
By Mickey Boardman
Peter Phillips, the hunky grandson of Elizabeth II, is officially engaged to girlfriend Autumn Kelly. They're a super sporty duo and we're excited!!!!
Photo from MerryRoyals.com
Posted Aug. 7, 2007,
Kalina of Bulgaria en Familia
By Mickey Boardman
We just stumbled upon this picture of Kalina of Bulgaria with her husband Kitin Munoz and their son Simeon. We haven't run a picture of Kalina, who loves to make a bold fashion statement, in ages. It's sweet that she named her son after her father, the former King Simeon.
Photo from Hola!
Posted Jun. 25, 2007,
Royal Ladies at Ascot, plus We Love Goga Ashkenazi!
By Mickey Boardman
The royal ladies of Great Britain love love love getting horsey and hat happy at Royal Ascot and this year it was business as usual, which is how we like it. The Queen's granddaughter, champion equestrian Zara Phillips, knocked em dead in her leopard print millinery creation. Could it be by anyone other than Philip Treacy? Here's a shot of Zara with Her Maj (that's pronounced Madge as in Majesty).
Meanwhile Andrew, Duke of York hung out with a lady we've never heard of but who seems pretty glamorous, Goga Ashkenazi. How is that for a name? MM loves love loves it. Must she be an Ashkenazi jew? Could there be a Lala Ladino or a Sally Sephardi out there somewhere? Gorgeous!!!
Photos from Hello! magazine.
Posted Jun. 14, 2007,
If Diana Had Lived Would She Have Tina Brown's New Face?
By Ann Magnuson
I did a double take when I first saw this publicity shot of Tina Brown (in last Friday's New York Times review of The Diana Chronicles). Wow, did she have 'work' done? Or is that just the weirdness that Photoshop bestows on most women of a certain age? There is something vaguely Mongolian going on there. Or maybe it's more northwestern Siberia? I meant to comment on this earlier in the week but couldn't find this particular photo online. Thanks to Gawker, it's now part of the viral community! I can't help but wonder if Princess Diana might look like this had she lived? Me, I'm holding out for the more advanced technology. Something that might make one look a little less like this. Then again, that is The New Look. And we could all use some 'freshening up'!
Posted Jun. 12, 2007,
Queen Camilla?
By Mickey Boardman
Not long ago Mr. Mickey read reports that those close to the Prince of Wales say the Prince is firm in his plans to have Camilla made Queen once he himself takes the throne. Now Mr. Mickey feels 1950s enough even talking about the monarchy because it's so un-modern but MM really feels like a Republican housewife (the political party not the anti-monarchy form of government) when he talks like he's about to talk. Now Mr. Mickey thinks everyone deserves to be happy and MM knows that Charles didn't ask to be born the heir to the throne. Still, we all have to play the hand we're given. And making Camilla the Queen is JUST WRONG according the rules of the royal family.
MM could go on and on and one but is getting upset even typing out this blog so let's just leave it at that!
Photo from Hello Magazine
Posted Jun. 3, 2007,
Charlene Is Definitely Back!
By Mickey Boardman
As previously reported at MMBlog (how funny does a real journalistic sentence sound here at MMBlog?), Charlene Wittstock is back and tighter than ever with Monaco's Prince Albert. If you had any doubt take a peek at this photo from Hello magazine! Mr. Mickey really hopes this doesn't mean our hopes for Andrea Casiraghi to inherit the throne will be thwarted!!!
Posted May. 21, 2007,
Happy (Belated) Anniversary to the King and Queen of Spain!
By Mickey Boardman
Happy 45th Anniversary to Mr. Mickey's favorite reigning sovereigns Juan Carlos and Sofia of Spain. They were married in Athens on May 14th, 1962 at a ceremony attended by a deluge of royals! Those of you unfamiliar with royal history might like some background information. The Spanish Monarchy was in exile during the Franco era and Juan Carlos's father Juan, Count of Barcelona didn't get along so well with the Generalisimo. Sofia was the elder daughter of King Paul of the Hellenes (that's Greece to you pedestrians) and his wife the former Federica of Hannover.
Since JC was a Catholic and Sofia was Orthodox, some finagling was needed to let the marriage even happen. The couple's titles were Prince and Princess of Spain. Eventually Franco named Juan Carlos as his successor (skipping the Count of Barcelona in the succession). Sofia is universally considered the most popular Queen Spain has ever had.
Here are a few photos from the wedding including a cute shot of them with a very young Charles, Prince of Wales.
Photos from Hola!
Posted May. 19, 2007,
New Baby for Louis of Luxembourg and Tessy Anthony
By Mickey Boardman
Prince Louis of Luxembourg set some tongues wagging when he married his pregnant girlfriend Tessy Anthony last year. Well the unofficial word is that Tessy is pregnant again so their little son Gabriel will soon have a brother or sister. Here are photos of Louis and Tessy at a recent public appearance.
Photos from Hola!
Posted May. 17, 2007,
Frederick and Mary of Denmark's Anniversary
By Mickey Boardman
Posted May. 15, 2007,
Morocco's Royal Children
By Mickey Boardman
Since we seem to be on a baby kick here at MMBlog, Mr. Mickey thought it would be cute to put up a picture of the Morrocan Royal Family. King Mohammed and his wife Lalla Salma (Lalla is a prefix given to all princesses -- sort of like Dona or Don in the Spanish royal family) have a four-year-old son Prince Moulay al Hassan and an infant daughter Lalla Khadija. It was tough to find a picture of little Khadija but here she is with her sexy daddy!
Mr. Mickey only wishes that the King of Morocco and Jordan, both very attractive and enlightened by western standards, would bring true democracy to their Kingdoms. The Arab world needs some democracy and it would be better for it to come from above!!
Posted May. 14, 2007,
Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock: Together Again?
By Mickey Boardman
Chronic bachelor Albert of Monaco popped up with what MMBlog thought was his ex-girlfriend, South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock. They began hanging out in public around the time of the 2006 Olympics in Torino and tongues wagged that Charlene would achieve that which parades of beauties before her had sought: the title Princess of Monaco. Then Charlene disappeared from the scene. And now she's back! MM naturally wishes these two the best, but if we're being perfectly honest, MM must admit that he hopes Albert never marries and the throne passes to the children of his sister, Caroline, Princess of Hanover. MM is sorry but the idea of a Prince Andrea is too good!!!!
Photo from Hola!
Posted May. 11, 2007,
Scandinavian Royal Jamboree
By Mickey Boardman
How's this for a royal line up? The King and Queen of Sweden visited their royal cousins in Copenhagen with Crown Princess Victoria in tow. In the photo we see the royals at a gala dinner offered by Queen Margrethe. From left to right: Prince Hendrik, King Gustaf Gustav, Queen Margrethe, Queen Silvia and Crown Prince Frederick. The King of Sweden and Queen of Denmark are cousins, sharing a grandmother, Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden, born Princess of Connaught.
More photo after the jump.
Posted May. 9, 2007,
New Royal Babies!
By Mickey Boardman
Oh the stork has been busy at the royal palaces of Europe!! We've been slack in welcoming the Infanta Sofia, new daughter of the Prince and Princess of Asturias. The new little princess is named after her grandmother, the Queen, who is widely regarded as the most popular consort Spain has ever known. Little Sofia joins her older sister Leonor, who, thanks to the progressive laws in Spain, will one day be Queen (some less enlightened nations require male primogeniture).
In other baby news, the Danish Crown Princely couple welcomed a new daughter, whose name hasn't yey been revealed. She joins an older brother Christian. Aren't these a couple of cute and nice looking families?
Posted May. 1, 2007,
Say Hi to Frederick, Marquess of Bristol
By Mickey Boardman
In his travels on the Internet, Mr. Mickey has stumbled upon some exciting British aristocracy develpments in the form of Frederick, Marquess of Bristol. Frederick is the youngest Marquess in all the UK (he's 28). His sisters Lady Victoria and Lady Isabella Hervey are in some ways the Hilton sisters of London and get lots of tabloid attention. We're always so excited to stumble onto cute young artistos here at MMBlog and we know you are too!
Photo from The Tatler.
Posted May. 1, 2007,
Beltran Gomez-Acebo and Laura Ponte
By Mickey Boardman
One of Mr. Mickey's favorite Spanish glamour couples is Beltran Gomez-Acebo (son of the Duchess of Badajoz, nephew of the King) and his wife, former model Laura Ponte. Here they are at the Laureus Awards in Barcelona. These awards honor excellence in sports. In the photo Beltran and Laura are chatting with dancer Joaquin Cortes. MM thinks it doesn't look like Joaquin but that's how he's identified in Hola! where MM got this image.
Some of you might be asking yourself why Mr. Mickey showcases so many Spanish cuties. Well the answer is that Mr. Mickey lived for two years in Madrid, and Spain is still very close to MM's gay heart! Still, Mr. Mickey is always looking for cuties of other nationalities to serve up to you loyal and devoted MMBloggers!!!
Photo from Hola! magazine.
Posted Apr. 30, 2007,
Boozed up Beatrice of York
By Mickey Boardman
Normally, Mr. Mickey, being a devoted royalist, tries to steer clear of these kinds of stories and photos but in this case, it's to editorialize a bit. Princess Beatrice of York was spotted all boozed up coming out of the London club Boujis at 3:15 a.m. according to the Daily Mail. Drunkeness aside, Beatrice looks pretty great. Now Mr. Mickey understands that the kids want to have a good time, but it looks bad for the family business to get hopped up in public and create a scene. Beatrice is certainly not giving Prince Harry a run for his money. Harry's behavior has been pretty shocking with his drunken attack on paparazzi. Yes the photographers overstep their bounds and are practically stalkers. Still, if these royals want to get drunk or carry on, they can do the dirty work in private. Mr. Mickey is not saying they don't deserve to have fun, MM just wishes they wouldn't be a mess in front of the cameras.
Posted Apr. 30, 2007,
Cute Royal Look of the Day: Crown Princess Mathilde of Belgium
By Mickey Boardman
Mathilde of the Belgians is one of Mr. Mickey's favorite Crown Princesses and you can see why here. Look at the leopard print. What about that bold accessory choice?
Photo from Hello! magazine.
Posted Apr. 20, 2007,
Spain's Sexy Hermanos: Luis and Rafael Medina
By Mickey Boardman
Here is a scrumptious snap of Spain's sexiest brothers Luis and Rafael Medina. MMBlog readers are no strangers to Rafael (who is the Duke of Feria, on the right in the photo) because MM has been desperately in love with him for ages!!! Mr. Mickey loves a sexy European with a large nose. Throw in some major family history and Mr. Mickey is ready to do the kinds of things that are still illegal in 14 states!!! Both boys are un-married so call Iberia Airlines and book your tickets to Spain senoritas!!!!
Photo from Hola! magazine.
Posted Apr. 18, 2007,
The Netherlands' New Princess
By Mickey Boardman
Here's a cute shot of Crown Prince Willem Alexander of the Netherlands showing off his new baby daughter. It's his third little girl after the future queen Amalia and her sister Princess Alexia. The name hasn't been revealed yet. MM loves the Netherlands because the oldest child inherits the throne regardless of gender. MM hates sexism of any kind so let's hear it for the House of Orange!
Photo from Hello! Magazine
Posted Apr. 17, 2007,
Prince Joachim of Denmark's New Girlfriend
By Mickey Boardman
Prince Joachim has a new girlfriend! Her name is Marie Cavallier and she's French. This is her second time hanging with her boyfriend's family, as she spent a ski trip with Joachim and the kids. You devoted MMBloggers know that Joachim is divorced from the lovely Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg. Alexandra just got remarried to a hunky photographer. Oh these royals are so modern with their marrying outside the caste and divorcing!!! Mr. Mickey misses the old days, but we have to be modern and remember royals are just people!
photo from Hello! Magazine
Posted Apr. 16, 2007,
Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy in Barbados!
By Mickey Boardman
Headline grabber Prince Harry was in Barbados two weeks ago with his Zimbabwean girlfriend Chelsy Davy. They went to the cricket world cup and lounged in what will be their last days together before Harry, who is a soldier, heads off to Iraq. Newspapers reported recently that Harry was making out with some hussy in a club but Chelsy seems to not be bothered by the scandalous publicity they both receive.
Mr. Mickey must say that he really has a warm spot in his heart for Chelsy. She's fun and cute and modern. Sadly her father is in bed with one of the biggest scumbags today, Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe.
Harry, the younger son of the late Diana, Princess of Wales is lovable but has a habit of doing really stupid things like wearing a Nazi uniform to a costume party and getting wasted in public and accosting photographers. Ah the kids today!
Photo from Hello Magazine
Posted Apr. 14, 2007,
Prince William and Kate Middleton are Over?
By Mickey Boardman
Is it really over? Reliable sources (People Magazine and Perez Hilton!) are reporting that the world's most eligible bachelor, Prince William of Wales and his girlfriend of 5 years, Kate Middleton, have broken up! Too bad for the souveneir companies that had already produced truckloads of commemorative dishes celebrating the engagement that never happened. Here at MMBlog we like Ms. Middleton and we're excited about the possibility of a wedding for Wills at a young age. Well now maybe he can go out with Charlotte Casiraghi!!!!
Photo from People.com
Posted Mar. 20, 2007,
Is Zara Phillips Secretly Engaged?
By Mickey Boardman
MM has been spending a lot of time recently at his favorite blog for upper crust British tidbits, Aristocracy Anecdotes, which is where he picked up this little nugget of info. According to Mail on Sunday writer Katie Nicholl, a 'mole' in the Palace reports that the Queen's granddaughter and BBC sport personality of the year Zara Phillips is secretly engaged to her hunky rugby player boyfriend Mike Tindall. According to Nicholl, the mole says the couple has been talking to the Palace about the appropriate time to make the announcement and it looks like August is the time. Zara, a successful equestrian, hopes to compete in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Posted Mar. 20, 2007,
Call Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Grandmama!
By Mickey Boardman
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, wife of the Prince of Wales is going to be a granny! Her son Tom Parker Bowles announced that his wife Sara Buys is three months along. Camilla is recovering from an hysterectomy so hopefully this news will cheer her up. Now this might not be as major as a pregnancy in the royal family, but we here at MMBlog are tickled pink nonetheless.
Tom and Sara are pictured at right.
Posted Mar. 14, 2007,
Prince William and Kate Middleton at the Races!
By Mickey Boardman
MMBlog has been a longtime supporter of the William of Wales and Kate Middleton match-up and they seem closer than ever. Wills being so serious about his lady is in contrast to daddy, the Prince of Wales, who was 32 when he married Lady Diana Spencer and who had been linked to a cavalcade of cuties. Kate seems to be the only serious gf William has had and we at the MMBlog think that's great. Meanwhile, William is really looking like his dad in this image, don't you think?
Photo from Hello! Magazine
Posted Mar. 11, 2007,
Trouble in the House of Savoy
By Mickey Boardman
Mr. Mickey must confess that though the Italian royal house is not his favorite royal house, historically, it does have some charm. One big problem is the current head of the house, Victor Emanuele, son of the last King of Italy Umberto II and Queen Marie Jose (of whom MM is a big fan).
Mr. Mickey is a super liberal and thinks people should live their lives as they see fit, still when you're a royal, you have a certain level of dignity to maintain if you want to be respected. Well Victor Emanuele, also known as the Prince of Naples, has not exactly lived up to the those standards. He was put on trial in France for murder after shooting someone in the groin (he was cleared of the murder charge but found guilty of a firearms offence). Last year he was arrested in Italy on charges of criminal association, corruption and exploitation of prostitution. His son Emanuele Filiberto married a very pregnant french actress Clotilde Corau a few years ago. Well the Prince of Naples' cousin, the Duke of Aosta, has taken the P of N to court over who is head of the family. The Duke of Aosta, who has the support of many of his royal cousins, including the Prince of Naples' sister, Princess Maria Gabriella, claims that the P of N lost his rights as head of family when he married a commoner without his father's permission.
It's nice that things are being handled in the courts since the cousin's last run-in, during the wedding festivities for Crown Prince Felipe of Spain (Felipe's mother, Queen Sofia of Spain is the first cousin of the Duke of Aosta). The Prince of Naples punched the Duke in the face. Again, not very regal behavior. Still Mr. Mickey tries to remember that just because an heir is an asshole, that doesn't mean you can kick him out of the line of succession. Still the Duke has a good case and Mr. Mickey would not be sorry to see him win.
The photo of the Prince of Naples, standing before a painting of his later father King Umberto II, is from Hello Magazine.