Madeleine & Jonas: On the Rocks?
Expressen writer Johan T. Lindwall wrote recently that Princess Madeleine of Sweden and her fiancé, Jonas Bergström, have been experiencing a rocky patch in their relationship — one that has actually been going on since before their engagement last summer.
Lindwall writes that the “deep crisis” in their relationship “began in the spring,” when Madeleine became concerned that career-oriented Jonas was too focused on his work as a lawyer and was not making their relationship a priority. His proposal in Italy in June was, then, a huge surprise for Madeleine — and that Jonas had been motivated to ask for her hand when he “realized he was about to lose his great love.”
But Lindwall believes that the engagement has not solved all of their problems. He writes that their romance was “really shaky” during the autumn months of 2009 and that Madeleine “questioned their relationship,” even going so far as to consider postponing their wedding.
The official date for Madeleine and Jonas’s wedding has yet to be announced, and the Swedish royals have not commented on the Expressen story. If there’s an element of truth to it, let’s hope that Madeleine and Jonas work out their differences before they walk down the aisle!
Read more from Expressen (in Swedish).
Bachelor Watch: Carl Philip Rallies
My own personal favorite royal bachelor, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, was enjoying one of his favorite sports, motor racing, this weekend at Rally Sweden in Karlstad, Sweden. Carl Philip is both an enthusiastic spectator and participant in racing, though on this occasion, he seems to have contented himself with cheering.
We’ll likely see much more of cheerleader Carl Philip this week, as he and his parents, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, are all slated to attend the current Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. The royal trio will reportedly be at the Games from the 18th to the 27th of February.
William & Kate: Valentine’s Day Date
Prince William and longtime love Kate Middleton spent a low-key Valentine’s Day in Berkshire, where the two popped in to a pub for a romantic bite to eat.
The two were photographed walking in to The Pot Kiln in Frilsham, Berkshire, accompanied by an older man, likely William’s protection officer. The pub is located only minutes from Bucklebury, the small Berkshire village where the Middleton family lives.
The Pot Kiln was refurbished by Mike Robinson and was the filming location for the cooking series Heavens Kitchen. The pub’s website touts, “If you are searching for Heaven on Earth, look no further than this beautiful corner of rural England and in the midst of this country setting is the kind of English country pub of which dreams are made.”
See more photos of William and Kate on Valentine’s Day at Zimbio.
Felipe & Letizia: Cathedral Couple
Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia looked to be having quite the amusing time on a visit to Jaca Cathedral last week. During the visit, the two paused, and Letizia peeked out from behind her tall husband to smile at the gathered crowd.
Jaca Cathedral, built in the 11th century, is considered one of the most important examples of religious architecture in the Pyrenees region of Spain. The city is located quite close to the French border, in the Aragon region of the country. The cathedral itself is dedicated to Our Lady of the Pillar (Nuestra Señora del Pilar).
Albert & Charlene: Sporty Sweethearts
Prince Albert II of Monaco and companion Charlene Wittstock kicked off their Valentine’s Day weekend with a bang: they attended the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver on Friday evening. The couple stood and cheered when the Monegasque athletes entered the stadium and chatted to each other during the show.
Both Albert and Charlene are old hat when it comes to the Olympics. Albert is a five-time Olympian, having compted in the bobsled competition in the ‘88, ‘92, ‘94, ‘98, and ‘02 Winter Games. He is now a member of the International Olympic Committee. Charlene, a swimmer, competed for South Africa in the 2000 Summer Games. They also attended together the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Games in Torino, Italy.
Victoria & Daniel: Barbie Goes Royal
We all know that princesses get some pretty amazing wedding presents: jewels, castles, you name it. But how’s this for a truly unusual wedding gift — a personalized Barbie doll!
Mattel, the company which makes Barbie dolls, has produced a one-of-a-kind Crown Princess Victoria Barbie doll for the annual toy fair in Nuremberg, Germany. The doll features Victoria wearing the Baden Fringe Tiara and the gown she wore to the 2005 enthronement ceremony for Monaco’s Prince Albert II.
Unfortunately, if you’d like a Victoria Barbie of your own, it won’t be stocked on store shelves. There has only been one doll made, and it is to be given to Victoria herself in honor of her big royal wedding this June.
No word on whether her groom, Daniel Westling, will get his very own Ken doll, complete with signature glasses…
Bachelorette Watch: Eugenie’s “Virgin” Valentine?
Looks like the most eligible single girl in the British royal family may be off the dating market: the Daily Mail’s Richard Kay reports this week that Princess Eugenie has a new boyfriend.
The lad in question is 24-year-old Otto Brockway, a polo player, filmmaker, and nephew of Virgin entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson. Kay writes, “The pair are said to have met at the Sussex Polo Club through a group of party-loving pals that revolves around the wealthy Pearson family – owners of the 17,000-acre Cowdray Park.”
The royals are no strangers to the Branson family. Princess Eugenie’s older sister, Princess Beatrice, has been dating one of Sir Richard’s employees, Dave Clark, for some time now. Sir Richard’s daughter, Holly, is also one of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s pals. Holly was once even pipped as a possible future bride for William.
It seems that more than just proximity and polo has drawn Eugenie and Otto together, however. Kay’s unnamed source notes, “Eugenie and Otto get on fabulously. He is good fun - a real party animal, rather like Eugenie herself.”
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