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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year 2014!

Eurohistory ends the year with nearly 100 more subscribers than where we started back in January. We also we published 5 books, 6 magazines, organized 2 conferences and I traveled to Europe five times (57 days in Europe in a year, fantastic!).

I hope that with lots of work, a good effort and the support of our ever-growing list of readers and clients, 2014 will be even better as I plan at least 6 trips to Europe, hope to publish 6 or 7 books and 6 magazines, organize two conferences and maybe even a tour of royal Europe for Eurohistory subscribers.

I wish you All much health and happiness in the New Year!


Best wishes to all, Arturo Beéche


The last sunset of 2013 from my neck of the woods!

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

King Michael of Romania's Christmas Message 2013

Christmas Message given by King Michael of Romania to his people...

http://www.familiaregala.ro/news/3928/120/Mesajul-video-al-Majestatii-Sale-Regele-Mihai-I-pentru-Craciun-si-Anul-Nou/


Christmas Message of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

The 2013 Christmas Message given by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.

http://www.kungahuset.se/kungafamiljen/aktuellahandelser/aktuellt2013oktoberdecember/hmkonungensjultal2013.5.4ea495e313c19c119aadeef.html


King Willem-Alexander's Christmas Message 2013

The Christmas Message of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands to his subjects.

http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/foto-en-video/Kersttoespraak-2013-19313


King Philippe of the Belgians' Christmas Message

His Majesty King Philippe's first Christmas Message to his subjects.

http://monarchie.be/en/


King Juan Carlos of Spain's Christmas Message 2013!

His Spanish Majesty, king don Juan Carlos of Spain, spoke to the Spanish nation today.

One hopes that 2014 brings the Spanish Royal Family better times indeed!

http://www.casareal.es/ES/Actividades/Paginas/actividades_actividades_detalle.aspx?data=11760


The Queen's Christmas Message 2013!

I once knew someone who spent a year in a plaster cast recovering from an operation on his back. He read a lot, and thought a lot, and felt miserable.

Later, he realised this time of forced retreat from the world had helped him to understand the world more clearly.

We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock. Be it through contemplation, prayer, or even keeping a diary, many have found the practice of quiet personal reflection surprisingly rewarding, even discovering greater spiritual depth to their lives.

Reflection can take many forms. When families and friends come together at Christmas, it’s often a time for happy memories and reminiscing. Our thoughts are with those we have loved who are no longer with us. We also remember those who through doing their duty cannot be at home for Christmas, such as workers in essential or emergency services.

And especially at this time of year we think of the men and women serving overseas in our armed forces. We are forever grateful to all those who put themselves at risk to keep us safe.

Service and duty are not just the guiding principles of yesteryear; they have an enduring value which spans the generations.

I myself had cause to reflect this year, at Westminster Abbey, on my own pledge of service made in that great church on Coronation Day sixty years earlier.

The anniversary reminded me of the remarkable changes that have occurred since the Coronation, many of them for the better; and of the things that have remained constant, such as the importance of family, friendship and good neighbourliness.

But reflection is not just about looking back. I and many others are looking forward to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year.

The baton relay left London in October and is now the other side of the world, on its way across seventy nations and territories before arriving in Scotland next summer. Its journey is a reminder that the Commonwealth can offer us a fresh view of life.

My son Charles summed this up at the recent meeting in Sri Lanka. He spoke of the Commonwealth’s “family ties” that are a source of encouragement to many. Like any family there can be differences of opinion. But however strongly they’re expressed they are held within the common bond of friendship and shared experiences.

Here at home my own family is a little larger this Christmas.

As so many of you will know, the arrival of a baby gives everyone the chance to contemplate the future with renewed happiness and hope. For the new parents, life will never be quite the same again!

As with all who are christened, George was baptised into a joyful faith of Christian duty and service. After the christening, we gathered for the traditional photograph.

It was a happy occasion, bringing together four generations.

In the year ahead, I hope you will have time to pause for moments of quiet reflection. As the man in the plaster cast discovered, the results can sometimes be surprising.

For Christians, as for all people of faith, reflection, meditation and prayer help us to renew ourselves in God’s love, as we strive daily to become better people. The Christmas message shows us that this love is for everyone. There is no one beyond its reach.

On the first Christmas, in the fields above Bethlehem, as they sat in the cold of night watching their resting sheep, the local shepherds must have had no shortage of time for reflection. Suddenly all this was to change. These humble shepherds were the first to hear and ponder the wondrous news of the birth of Christ - the first noel - the joy of which we celebrate today.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas. 

Watch...



Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all our faithful readers, book buyers and supporters...without your interest, we would not be here!


Thursday, December 12, 2013

Waldeck-Pyrmont: Recovery of the Hereditary Prince Ongoing

Hereditary Prince Carl-Anton continues to recover from the very serious injuries he suffered earlier this year.

During a swim, the young man fractured a vertebra after hitting a rock head on on the River Main. The injuries he suffered have, for now and the time being, destined him to the permanent use of a wheelchair.

A student at the time of the accident, Carl-Anton was born in 1991. He is the firstborn of three sons of Fürst Wittekind and of his wife Cecilie (née Countess von Goeß-Saurau).

The Fürst of Waldeck-Pyrmont was born in 1936, the child of then Hereditary Prince Josias and of his wife Altburg, née Oldenburg. The princely couple had four daughters as well. Josias succeeded his father as Head of House in 1946 and served in this position until his own death in 1967.

Josias was the son of Fürst Friedrich, who married Princess Bathildis of Schaumburg-Lippe. He was the brother of many famous royal ladies, among them Queen Mother Emma of the Netherlands and the Duchess of Albany, great-grandmother of Prince Andreas of Saxe-Coburg & Gotha.

An ardent supporter of National Socialism, Josias served in the SS and was an Obregrüppenführer. It is not an exaggeration to point to the fact that he was infamous. In the Buchenwald Trials, Josias was convicted to life in prison, but he was released due to health reasons after serving three years. His victims were not shown such mercy, unfortunately.

Unlike his father, Fürst Wittekind has shied away from a political role in the post-WWII German Federal Republic. He is a kindly gentleman who is much liked by those who know him and has extended his hospitality to many of us royalty watchers who visit his fantastic residence, Schloß Arolsen.

In 1988 he married Countess Cecilie, who is twenty years his junior. Carl-Anton arrived three years later, much to the delight of his hopeful parents. A two more sons, Josias and Johannes, were born in 1993. The five Waldeck-Pyrmonts have formed a united and cohesive family known for their zest for life and a happy disposition. Surely, the challenges posed by Carl-Anton's accident have caused them much concern. The family's 2014 Christmas card shows Carl-Anton on a wheelchair surrounded by his younger brothers, all smiling toward the future. How inspirational!


Fürst Wittekind of Waldeck-Pyrmont
(b. 1936)

Fürst Wittekind, Fürstin Cecilie and their three sons in less challenging times.

Fürst Josias of Waldeck-Pyrmont
(1896-1967)


Fürst Friedrich of Waldeck-Pyrmont
(1865-1946)

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Saxe-Coburg & Gotha: an expected pregnancy

Hereditary Princess Kelly of Saxe-Coburg & Coburg is expecting her first child.

The delivery date is sometime in the late Spring 2014.


Saturday, December 7, 2013

THE COBURGS OF EUROPE – Yet another positive review

Imagine this...you are thousands of miles away from home, family and work...awaken in a cold European city, turn your laptop on and find yet another positive review of your life's work...

That is exactly what happened to me this morning when I read another review of my latest book, THE COBURG OF EUROPE:

"By Leslie on December 6, 2013
Mr. Beeche has achieved a lifelong dream with the publication of this outstanding book. It is loaded with information on how the Coburgs populated and influenced European history. It is also a good source of personal bits of information on them. Mr. Beeche's friendship with many Coburg family members, especially Prince Andreas, gives the book a special and personal touch. The family trees, which are so necessary in a book like this, are invaluable. The amount of research and knowledge contained in this book makes it the definitive European royal history book, especially since almost all the royal families of Europe are descended from the Coburgs. The photographs are amazing. Rarely a page goes by without at least one photograph and many are rare. Especially interesting are the informal family snapshots. The royals become "real people" with smiling faces and informal poses, just like any other family. Buy this book. You won't be sorry."

Thursday, December 5, 2013

The Coburgs of Europe – Book Signing at Hoogstraten in The Hague!

Hoogstraten Booksellers in The Hague will be hosting Arturo Beéche on Saturday, December 7, from 2:00-5:00pm for a signing of copies of his latest book, THE COBURGS OF EUROPE!

Do come join us to what promises to be a very exciting and interesting informal gathering at Europe best royalty bookstore!




http://www.hoogstraten.nl/theshop/index.php

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

EUROHISTORY – Issue XCV Begins Printing Today!

The latest installment of EUROHISTORY began printing early this morning. Inside, readers will find the following articles and features:

1. A Rarity – Three Direct Heirs and A Living Sovereign, by Katrina Warne.

2. Who's in the Photograph – A Gathering of Coburgs, by Ilana D. Miller.

3. Books Reviews.

4. A Day Full of Joy – The Wedding of Prince Jaime of Bourbon-Parma and Viktória Cevernyák, by Netty Leistra.

5. The Marriage of Prince Arthur of Connaught and the Duchess of Fife, by Marlene A. Eilers Koenig.

6. Paul and Alexandra – A Tragically Short Marriage, by Coryne Hall.

7. Royal News