Living Inside My Head

A painting depicting the ill-fated Queen Anne Boleyn in the Tower of London right before her execution, by Edouard Cibot.

Portrait of Catherine Cornaro,  Queen of Cyprus

Margherita of Savoy, Queen of Italy

 I went to a bookstore that sells second-hand books today and was happy to find a rather interesting book - Queen Eleanor: Independent Spirit of the Medieval World . It is a biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful, influential and remarkable women of the Middle Ages. I don't know much about this lady, but after browsing through the first few pages of the book, Eleanor already come up as an interesting figure, and I'm pretty sure that I will enjoy this book thoroughly. The book is highly readable, not complicated and not too detailed, which is an advantage for me since this is the first time that I will reading a biography of Queen Eleanor. I'm going to start reading this book tonight.

This is an enchanting portrait (and one of my favorites) of the beautiful Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia , a granddaughter of Britain's Queen Victoria. Elizabeth or "Ella", as she was affectionately called, was married to Grand Duke Serge Alexandrovich of Russia, a younger son of Tsar Alexander II. The belle of the Russian court, Ella was photographed here in all her splendor when she was in her early 30s - at the height of her beauty - wearing the Russian Court Dress made of silver. She was also wearing a kokoshnik or a traditional Russian headdress, adorned with emeralds, diamonds and pearls, and a necklace of big emeralds and diamonds. She was such a lovely sight to behold!

The beautiful and courageous Queen Louise of Prussia , commanded universal respect and affection, and nothing in Prussian history is more admired than the dignity and unflinching courage  with which she bore the sufferings inflicted on her and her family during the war between Prussia and France. Queen Louise influenced her contemporaries and modern Germany probably more than any other woman.  She was often called the “Queen of Hearts” because she impressed those around her with her charm, charisma and cheerful, friendly nature. The royal couple’s comparatively simple, down-to-earth way of life and their caring relationships as spouses and parents were the reason for the Queen’s popularity, particularly among the middle class. This popularity and Louise’s premature death in 1810 at the age of 34 soon led to cult-like adulation of the Queen that continues to the present day. The French court painter Elisabeth Louise Vigee Lebrun painted Queen Louise in ...

Finally got my copy of "Born to Rule: Five Reigning Consorts, Granddaughters of Queen Victoria" by Julia Gelardi this morning. I started devouring the first two chapter and I'm on the third chapter already, and so far, I'm utterly loving this book! It's refreshing to know more about Queen Victoria's lesser known granddaughters who became consorts of European monarchs. I've read so much about Alexandra of Russia, and it's a good thing that more attention is placed to the other granddaughters. My next few days will be less boring because of this wonderful book. :)  On a side note, I went to a local bookstore a while ago and I got my very first copy of Majesty Magazine. It's an interesting magazine, all about royalty of course. Hopefully I'll be getting more copies of this in the future. ;) Another precious book to join my ever-growing collection of royalty books. 

A poem to celebrate the arrival of  Princess Alexandra of Denmark in Britain, as the future bride of the Prince of Wales. It was written by Lord Alfred Tennyson in 1863. A Welcome to Alexandra Sea-kings' daughter from over the sea, Alexandra! Saxon and Norman and Dane are we, But all of us Danes in our welcome of thee, Alexandra! Welcome her, thunders of fort and of fleet! Welcome her, thundering cheer of the street! Welcome her, all things youthful and sweet, Scatter the blossom under her feet! Break, happy land, into earlier flowers! Make music, O bird, in the new-budded bowers! Blazon your mottos of blessing and prayer! Welcome her, welcome her, all that is ours! Warble, O bugle, and trumpet, blare! Flags, flutter out upon turrets and towers! Flames, on the windy headland flare! Utter your jubilee, steeple and spire! Clash, ye bells, in the merry March air! Flash, ye cities, in rivers of fire! Rush to the roof, sudden rocket, and higher Melt into st...

I have been eying these following books for the past few weeks, but I keep on restraining myself from buying another royalty book without yet receiving the book I have purchased from Better World Books last month. Jeez, what is keeping this book so long? I'm so excited but the excitement is slowly building into anxiety already. Hopefully this week I will be able to receive it already. A book about the magnificent jewels and the unparalleled riches of the Romanovs. Judging from its size, weight and the quality of the photos inside, it's the perfect coffee table book, and perfectly befitting any history buff...just like me. Truly an eye-candy! :-) A more recent biography of dear Ella. I think this book offers new insights about the interesting life of this wonderful woman, who had a beautiful character to match her lovely face. 

The Empress Elizabeth of Austria , widely known as 'Sissi', is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful women in history. Her slender figure, her glorious ankle-length chestnut hair, her impeccable taste in fashion and her skills as an equestrian made her a legend. Despite her fairytale wedding and being the empress of one of the most powerful ruler in the world, Elizabeth was a deeply unhappy and restless woman. Her pursuit of happiness was all in vain and her tragic death ended a life full of bitterness. But her memory and reputation survived up to the modern age, and people can't help but feel fascinated about her, just like the times when she was still alive. To read about the Empress and her life, click this link: Elizabeth, Empress of Austria Some portraits of the tragic empress: This is probably her most well-known portrait. It was done by the German court painter, Franz Xaver Winterhalter in 1865, when the Empress was 27 years old. In this portrait, the artist ...

I've always had a penchant for beauty and a high regard for beautiful women. So it's no wonder that I'm again an adorer of another beautiful woman, whose pictures I've been seeing a lot since these past days. Recently, I find myself falling in love with the lovely Princess Alexandra of Kent , The Hon. Lady Ogilvy. She is the youngest granddaughter of George V of Britain, and a cousin of the current Queen. With her classic beauty and innate elegance, Alexandra is the quintessential princess, and I find her rather irresistible. I don't know but the princess's face has a soothing effect on me. She actually reminds me of her great-grandmother and namesake, Queen Alexandra of Britain, who's a noted beauty as well. Just a trivia, a new specie of rose was named after the Princess.

Portrait of Queen Alexandra of Great Britain by Franz Xaver Winterhalter when she was still Princess of Wales. Alexandra's ravishing beauty was perfectly captured here by the artist. Beautiful, elegant, charming, and possessing a good nature, these qualities befitting a princess and a future queen, quickly endeared her to the British people the moment she arrived from her native Denmark, and this affection held to her would last until after her death.

A perfect poem for this season of love by German poet Heinrich Heine . You are as lovely as a flower, So pure, so fair to see I gaze on you, and sadness Comes stealing over my heart. I had gladly folded my hands Upon your soft brown hair, Praying that God may keep you So lovely, pure and fair. This poem reminds me so much of the lovely Grand Duchess Elizabeth of Russia. ^_~

Portrait of Queen Victoria  on her wedding dress and veil. It was done by Franz Xaver Winterhalter in 1847 as a present for her husband, Prince Albert.

Swirling clouds and white mists reflect in her eyes of saxe blue. As pure as a white lily, she emanates a lovely scent for all mankind. ...A beacon of hope for a land torn by war and suffering. Like an apparition, she came to the world arrayed in radiance and goodness. She was God's beautiful present for the world but, alas, some people failed to see and appreciate her worth. Who could, or would, in her time, have done what she did? Giving up her place in a world of comfort to be with the people who were labelled 'outcast' or 'God's wretched creatures', and walking humbly in places of filth and squalor to give love and comfort. Touching only the hem of her dress is a divine experience for the hopeless, and those who neither despise nor like her dared not to lay a harmful hand on her. But people are immature and they only care about themselves and so they failed to love her. Yet, her love remains true. Perhaps the world did not truly deserve someone as beautiful ...