Happy New Year, Royal Romance Readers!  Let’s take a look back at some of the royal milestones we witnessed in 2009…

(PS: Want more end-of-the-year events?  Check out the British royal decade in review at The Royal Roundup!)

Royal Weddings

The Duke of Vendôme and Philomena de Tornos y Steinhart

The Orléanist pretender to the French throne, Henri, Count of Paris, announced the engagement of his son and heir, Prince Jean, Duke of Vendôme, to Philomena de Tornos y Steinhart on November 29, 2008.  The couple was married first in Paris in a civil ceremony on March 19, 2009, and then religiously at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame in Senlis on May 2, 2009.

Henri, Count of Paris and Micaela, Princess of Joinville

Henri, the Orléanist pretender to the French throne, married Micaela Cousiño y Quiñones de León in a civil ceremony on October 31, 1984, but the couple did not marry religiously until this year.  Henri’s marriage to his first wife, the Duchess of Montpensier, was annulled by the Roman Catholic Church in 2008, paving the way for him to marry Micaela in a church ceremony.  The couple were wed on September 26, 2009, in Arcangues, France, one month before the 25^th anniversary of their civil wedding.

Lord Frederick Windsor and Sophie Winkleman

Lord Frederick, son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, proposed to actress Sophie Winkleman on Valentine’s Day 2009, with The Queen consenting to the marriage as required by law.  Freddie and Sophie were married on September 12, 2009, in the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace, the historic home of King Henry VIII.

Royal Engagements

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling

After nine years of dating, gym owner Daniel Westling asked Crown Princess Victoria to marry him.  The engagement was announced to the public on February 24, 2009, in a television interview with Victoria, Daniel, and her parents, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia.  The wedding has been scheduled for June 19, 2010.  After they are married, Daniel will be known as Prince Daniel, Duke of Vastergötland.

Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Jonas Bergström

Six months after her elder sister’s engagement was announced, Princess Madeleine of Sweden announced that she was also engaged, after accepting the marriage proposal of lawyer Jonas Bergström.  Jonas reportedly proposed in Italy over the summer, and the engagement was announced to the public by the couple on August 11, 2009.  No date has been set for the wedding, though it will be held after Crown Princess Victoria’s wedding.  After they are married, Madeleine will retain her present titles, and Jonas will become the Duke of Halsingland and Gastrikland.

Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark and Tatiana Blatnik

The younger son of King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece announced on December 28, 2009, that he would marry his girlfriend of six years, Tatiana Blatnik.  No date has yet been set for the wedding.  After the couple marry, Tatiana will be known as Princess Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark.

Royal Births

Prince Henrik Carl Joachim Alain of Denmark

Prince Henrik of Denmark was born in Copenhagen on May 4, 2009, the son of Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark.  Henrik is the couple’s first child together; Prince Joachim has two sons, Nikolai and Felix, with his first wife, Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg.  The baby was baptized on July 26, 2009, in Møgeltønder Church.  His godparents were Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Mrs. Britt Davidsen Siesbye, Charles Cavallier, Benjamin Grandet, and Christian Scherfig.  He is seventh in line to the Danish throne.

Prince Gaston Louis Antoine Marie of Orléans

Prince Gaston, the first child of the Duke and Duchess of Vendôme, was born on November 19, 2009, in Paris.  The baby was baptized on December 8, 2009, at the Basilica of Saint Clotilde in Paris.  His godparents were Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro, and Princess Astrid of Belgium.  He is third in line in the Orléanist succession to the French throne.

Royal Splits

Prince Kyril and Princess Rosario of Bulgaria

In October, the royal family of Bulgaria announced that Prince Kyril and Princess Rosario had decided to live separately but at present had no plans to divorce.  Kyril is the second son of King Simeon and Queen Margarita of Bulgaria.  He married model Rosario Nadal on September 15, 1989, in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.  The two have three children: Princess Mafalda-Cecilia, Princess Olimpia, and Prince Tassilo.

Infanta Elena of Spain, Duchess of Lugo and Don Jaime de Marichalar, Duke of Lugo

The Duke and Duchess of Lugo announced their separation two years ago, in November 2007.  Since then, the two have lived separate lives, caring jointly for their two children, Felipe Juan Froilán and Victoria Federica.  In November 2009, it was announced that the two would divorce, and they signed papers on November 25, 2009.