Drakensteyn Castle, Queen Beatrix’s Home, Will Wow You!

Drakensteyn Castle

It is in Drakensteyn Castle where the former Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands wishes to live happily ever after, writes Global Post. Drakensteyn is not the usual abode one would expect the status of Princess Beatrix to choose. But choose it she did anyway. After all, her unassuming and warm personality endeared her to the public.  

Drakensteyn is a small castle built from 1640–1643 for a certain van Reede Läm. However, as early as 1359, a manor house of the same name is believed to have existed in the castle present location.

The castle changed owners from the 17th through the18th centuries. In 1807, the castle came into the possession of Paulus Wilhelmus Bosch, mayor of Utrecht, and it remained with his family until his descendant, Frederik Lodewijk Bosch van Drakestein sold it to Princess Beatrix in 1959.

She started living here in 1963, even after her marriage in 1966 to Prince Claus. It was in Drakensteyn where her three sons were born. In 1981, Beatrix’s mother, Queen Juliana, abdicated, and she succeeded as Queen. The family had to transfer residence to The Hague but the castle remained a weekend getaway or a temporary home for guests.

But it was in Drakensteyn where Queen Beatrix enjoyed "the happiest years of my life."  

Hein van Oosterom, a fourth-generation resident and restaurant owner in Lage Vuursche, recalls the good old days in the castle.

"As a child I remember things being pretty informal. We used to go there over Christmas and sing carols and always got a cup of hot chocolate," he said in an interview with AFP.

However, everything changed when Beatrix became queen.

“She was really looking for privacy and was not that involved in the village any longer," he said.

Aside from its royal connection, the castle is classicist in style and is hailed for its unique octagonal shape and its moat that can be crossed via a bridge.  

In February 2013, Queen Beatrix decided to return to her beloved Drakensteyn shortly after she abdicated. Finally, she’s home. 

Winnie the Pooh Meets the Queen – and Prince George too!

Queen Elizabeth II meets Winnie the Pooh

In celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday, a new Winnie-the-Poohadventure was released featuring “the bear of very little brain,” and, course, the queen and Prince George.

In the story, Winnie the Pooh and his beloved pals Piglet, Eeyore and Christopher Robin all go to Buckingham Palace after receiving a "Most Urgent" letter informing them of the Queen's special day.

The adventure takes them to an open-top bus, on which they see Trafalgar Square before reaching the royal residence where they get to see the queen. Then, Pooh and friends had the chance to present their special birthday gifts to Her Majesty.

Prince George also makes his special appearance, described in the book as "much younger than Christopher Robin and almost as bouncy as Tigger." Piglet gives him a red balloon and he pats the adorable character on the head. He also tickled Pooh in the ears.

Prince George meets Piglet

The new Winnie-the-Pooh tale was written by Jane Riordan and illustrated in the familiar E.H. Shepard style.

Winnie-the-Pooh is believed to be the queen’s favorite when she was a child. In fact, A.A. Milne dedicated his poetry book, Teddy Bear and The Other Songs From When We Were Very Young, to her when it was released in 1926.

Grab your copy of Winnie-the-Pooh and the Royal Birthday here for free. An audio-video download is also available, narrated by Jim Broadbent.

These 3 Private Residences of the Dutch Royal Family Will Make You Want to Say “Mooi!”

As Sovereign of the Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander has on his disposal three state-owned palaces: the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, which is used for entertaining and official functions, the Noordeinde Palace, which serves as the king’s workplace, and Huis ten Bosch, the king’s principal residence. But there’s more. The Dutch Royal Family also owns impressive residences. Remember these are privately owned by the House of Orange.  They’re not only homey but definitely impressive and you’ll definitely fall in love once you see them!

Villa Eikenhorst and the De Hosten Estates

Villa Eikenhorst. Image: Wikimapia

The property has been in the ownership of the House of Orange since 1845. Prince Frederik, the second son of King Willem I,  purchased the estate and had it landscaped by landscape architects Petzold and Zocher. After his death, it was passed on to his daughter Marie von Wied until Queen Wilhelmina purchased the property. Here, Queen Wilhelmina would spend her quiet time painting. The property passed to Queen Juliana after her death. The 17th century farmhouse-inspired Villa Eikenhorst in the estate grounds was built between 1985 to 1987. Since 2003, it serves as home to King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and their children.  Until 1996, Queen Beatrix’s younger sister Princess Christina lived here until they vacated the place for renovation.

Drakensteyn Castle

Drakensteyn Castle

The private home of Princess Beatrix, Drakensteyn was built from 1640–1643 and was purchased by the princess from the Bosch family in 1959. This served as the home of her family until she became Queen in 1981, when the royal family had to move to The Hague. She returned to the castle after her abdication.

Villa Rocco dei Dragoni

Villa Rocco dei Dragoni

Villa Rocco dei Dragoni is a private family estate in Tavernelle, Italy. The property was bought by Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus for their three sons in 1975. The former owner was the Count De Vicini, who also owns 600 hectares of land in the area which is used for raising olives and for the production of Chanti Classico.

Chelsea Flower Show 2016 Gathers Royals, Celebrities, and Beautiful Flowers Altogether

Queen Elizabeth II at the New Covent Garden Flower Market display. Image: Telegraph

No other flower show in the world attracts as much attention as the Chelsea Flower Show does. Also known as the Great Spring Show, Chelsea Flower Show is organized by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in Chelsea, London and lasts for five days every May. The first garden show took place in 1912 and has since then attracted visitors from all continents. An added attraction is the presence of the Royal Family, who themselves are lovers of beautiful gardens.

In fact, the Royal Family have not missed since it was first launched. Queen Elizabeth II is a patron of the Royal Horticultural Society and frequently attends the opening of the show. One of the most remarkable displays in the show’s history was the Coronation Empire Exhibition in 1937, designed in honor of the coronation of the queen’s parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The exhibit highlighted plants that came from all over the Commonwealth.

This year’s Chelsea Flower Show never fails to wow the crowd. The grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea have once more been turned into an astonishing home to lovely plant displays. Also a marvel are unique and cutting-edge garden designs.

Aside from Queen Elizabeth II, other members of the British Royal Family also graced the event, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie marvelling the beauty of the RHS Greening Grey Britain Garden. Image: Telegraph

Prince Andrew with Julia Sergeant in Modern Slavery Garden. Image: Telegraph

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the gardens. Image: Telegraph

Chelsea veteran Prince Harry tours Prince William and Kate around. Image: Telegraph

Here are some of the highlights in the show (from RHS.org.uk):

• Photographic exhibits and a floral arch to celebrate the 90th birthday of the RHS patron, HM the Queen
• A 60-foot carriage from Belmond British Pullman, which forms part of the 6,000sq ft planted-up station in the Great Pavilion
• The RHS Garden for Health, Happiness and Horticulture designed by Ann-Marie Powell, and the Modern Apothecary Garden designed by RHS Ambassador Jekka McVicar
• The memorable poppies tribute by Phillip Johnson at the entrance to the show
• The return of horticultural showman Diarmuid Gavin with The British Eccentrics Garden, featuring bizarre garden gadgetry that comes to life every 15 minutes
• An acoustic garden inspired by world-leading percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie which is playing musical notes to visitors
• Horticultural inspiration from around the world, including Jordan, the Netherlands, Cambodia, Japan, Chile, Australia and more.