Just presume you hit the jackpot. Now, you've thousands of bucks to spend. The problem is that whichever the sum, you cannot come out with a good idea about your dream house. Are you searching for some good advices from the people, whose blood is blue?Would you like to spy out the right location to build upon? Copy Margrethe II of Denmark.
You've no idea about the guest room decoration? Ask Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden.
You'd like a way to let your distant friends know that you're at home? Prince Albert II has the right idea.
Are you looking for advices about gardening? King Carl XVI of Sweden can help.
You're trying to figure a nice balcony? Are you looking for a good iron-smith? Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, is the right one to address to...
It is during winter that Margrethe of Denmark lives at Amalienborg, a complex of four palaces, which is amongst the most outstanding buildings of Rococo architecture in Denmark. If the interiors all varies, either the structures or the external façades are identical and look down to an octagonal courtyard, where the equestrian statue of King Frederik V - founder of Amalienborg - is. The royal family moved there in 1794, when the castle previously occupied was destroyed by fire. In that occasion, the king bought the complex of Amalienborg from the aristocracy, which had - since then - used it as town mansion. Under its balconies, the parading of the guards takes place. Similarly, the courtyard is crowded with Danish people on April 16th, when they sing a heartfelt "happy birthday" to their beloved Queen.
click here to view Amalienborg panoramaOpposite the Parliament, The Royal Palace of Belgium in Brussels, is where the king performs his duties as Head of State. Albert II is usually there from 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. during working days, when he leaves the Belvedere to consult his staff, receive the PM, representatives of business, representatives of the cultural and social world, or Heads of State. The Palace includes the State Rooms, used for large receptions, and the apartments for the representatives of other countries, in visit to Belgium. The Palace of Brussels was built by William I, king of the reunited Netherlands, in 1815 on previous buildings that had served in the past as royal residence. The several transformations ended in 1903 with Leopold II. Only with the death of Queen Astrid in 1935 the royal family decided to move its residence to the castle of Laken.
click here to view the Royal Palace of Belgium in BrusselsThe Palais Princier of the ruling Grimaldi family was built in the 13th century, on the grounds of a Genoese fortress. Its Grands Appartements, which can usually be visited, have outstanding features, such as the boiseries of the Salon Mazarin and the Renaissance fireplace of the Salle du Trône or the frescoes of the VXI century, with mythological figures. When S.A.S. the Prince Albert II is...at home, a flag on one of the towers indicates his presence.
click here to view Palais Princier panoramaKungliga Slottet...it's exactly here that you can watch the changing of the guard or the royal parades. The palace can be visited: today it's used only as an office by the King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, but it's still where official ceremonies take place.
click here to view the Kungliga Slottet, Royal Palace StockholmOtherwise, the royal family lives at Drottningholm Palace, the official residence since 1982. Designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder, Drottningholm has a park which exemplifies both French Baroque and English romantic landscaping ideals.
click here to view Drottningholm Slott Gothic Tower and parkHenri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg and MariaTeresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, reside in the Palais grand ducal. The building hosted in the past the city hall, which had been built between 1572–1574. After its destruction by fire in the XVI century, it was erected again in a Spanish Renaissance style and became - from 1890 - the official residence of the Grand Dukes. Here, Henry either lives or works. The building is famous for its iron wroght balcony, which runs between the two polygonal towers at the first floor.
click here to view the Palais grand ducal in Luxembourg view all the Palais grand ducal panoramasHave you taken some good ideas? ...Yes?
... Not yet? In that case - just have some patience - more royal residences are due in the next issue of VRMAG...
Links:
Arounder Copenhagen
Arounder Brussels
Arounder Monaco
Arounder Stockholm
Arounder Luxembourg
