Moritz, Landgrave of Hesse (1926-2013)

RIP Moritz, Landgrave of Hesse, de jure Grand Duke of Hesse (1980-2013). The new head of the grand ducal house is his son Heinrich Donatus (b 1966), himself suitably married to Countess Floria-Franziska von Faber-Castell, with their son Moritz (b 2007) the new heir. The Hesse-Kassel branch has been the primary House of Hesse since the extinction of the Darmstadt line in 1968. Prince Moritz was the grandson of Friedrich Karl, elected King of Finland in 1918, and therefore could have been considered a claimant to the Finnish throne. His maternal grandfather was the actual King Victor Emanuel III of Italy. He was well known as an art collector.

 

Large minority of Serbians back monarchy

An encouraging new poll shows 39% of Serbians in favour of restoring the monarchy. While monarchists still have some work to do, this is not at all a bad showing and can be built on. If the tables were turned and 39% of a current monarchy's population favoured a republic, the media cries for change would be deafening.

Prince Harry in the US

Deep down, even Americans know that royalty bring a special magic to any event that politicians never will, as Prince Harry's visit to the United States gets off to a great start in Washington and Colorado.