Elisabeth's Eighteenth, Enthronements, and The Crown
"I will always remember this special moment." - Princess Elisabeth of Belgium
Welcome back! Let’s dive in.
Elisabeth Turns 18
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Duchess of Brabant, turned 18 on Friday. Time passes so quickly — I remember when she was a tiny little baby face and now she’s an adult.
She’s the first young heir to reach her majority—now she can stand in for her father, King Philippe, if necessary (though I think the priority is her education: she’s in her final year of study in Wales and will likely attend university in the fall).
She gave a short speech (translated from Dutch):
In the past eighteen years I have had many enriching moments. They made me who I am today. Becoming eighteen is a transition to more maturity. A moment where I reflect on everything I have been given and all the opportunities that have been offered to me. And here I only feel gratitude.
Her parents, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde looked so touched throughout her speech. Mathilde could be seen wiping away tears.
Elisabeth also said this:
Eighteen years ... A step that I take with great optimism. I realize that I still have a lot to learn. I will also focus on that in the coming years: trying to understand the world better - and helping to improve it, by giving the best of myself.
The country can count on me.
She was invested with the Order of Leopold for the occasion, though no tiara. Yet.
And her father gave a speech, saying:
Dear Elisabeth,
Your mother and I are very happy that you are our daughter. We are proud of you, how you look at life. Do not be afraid to go full out for life, to tackle the challenges with both hands. They are just as many opportunities to get to know yourself and others better. You have so much charisma, so many qualities - I am sure you will bring happiness to the people around you.
If you want to know more about her, I wrote this profile about her for Royal Central a few years ago: “Who is Princess Elisabeth?”
Future Queens
Is anyone else ridiculously optimistic about the future? This year alone, we’ve seen Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway; Princess Leonor, Princess of Asturias; and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium give public speeches and slowly transition into more visible roles.
Here’s Princess Ingrid Alexandra speaking at her confirmation last month:
Here’s Princess Leonor speaking at last week’s Princess of Asturias Awards:
The future of Europe is female. We’ve also got Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, and her little heiress, Princess Estelle, who are rockstars; and Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, who is a little sweetheart.
I can’t wait to watch them all grow up.
Emperor Naruhito Enthroned
Big news out of Japan: Emperor Naruhito was enthroned last week in a very historic, very auspicious ceremony. I’m going to admit that I don’t really know a lot about their ceremonies, but The Fug Girls shared the Wikipedia link to Japanese Enthronements that was very helpful, so I’ll share it here too.
Full video:
If I’m being totally honest, I don’t follow the Japanese royals as closely and a large part of it is because they (the government, the Imperial Household, etc.) can’t and won’t change the succession to allow women to inherit the throne.
(Ditto Monaco, although Prince Albert has more power there to change the succession and he didn’t. In Monaco’s case, I’m much more interested in Princess Grace and the Casiraghis than anyone else.)
It just bugs me that in the year of our Lord 2019, Princess Gabriella and Princess Aiko won’t inherit their respective thrones.
ANYWAYS. There were tiaras everywhere:
Glam all around!
For a more detailed roundup, check out The Court Jeweller (Part 1 and Part 2).
The Times They Are A Changin’: The Crown Season 3
FINALLY.
I stan Olivia Colman (go watch her utterly charming Oscar acceptance speech). I love her so much. Helena Bonham Carter is just fabulous (in general, but also as Margaret). Josh O’Connor looks just like young Charles; we got a wee glimpse of Camilla. Ditto one of Anne. I think Tobias Menzies’ eyebrows are waaay too light, but I’m willing to overlook it because it’s Tobias Menzies playing Prince Philip.
I’m also interested if anyone can point out all of the other royals in the lineup around 0:20-0:23. The Queen Mother? Andrew? Edward? David and Sarah? The Kents? The Gloucesters? Someone fill me in! I’m presuming this is during the silver jubilee?
The Crown season three premieres November 17 — just in time for my birthday!
Elsewhere
King Felipe and Queen Letizia paid a State Visit to South Korea following their trip to Japan for Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement. (Photo: Casa de S.M. el Rey) More details at the Spanish Royal Family’s website here.
Her dinner dress the first night was a look:
She’s getting edgier with her style and I love it so much.
William and Kate hosted the BBC Radio 1’s Teen Hero finalists earlier this month at Kensington Palace, though photos were only available this week:
Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia launched their booklet on parenting in the digital age. I love that cyberbullying is part of their platform.
Meghan looked like a modern-day Joan Holloway at the One Young World/Queen’s Commonwealth Trust roundtable on gender equality:
Camilla got cheesy at a visit to a cheese farm:
And finally, how friggin cute is this?
Click to watch the video of little Prince Oscar finding “plastic in nature!”
William on a Swing
I’m teetering towards giving up any pretense of finding a new dork every week—unless someone does something spectacularly dorky—and committing to always ending this newsletter with William on a swing, because let’s face it: this is the tops.
Anyways, here’s William on a swing!
See you next week!