We’re big fans of royals here at the Macau Lifestyle HQ. There’s always been a fascination towards the lives of royal families around the world. From the beautiful ball gowns to the stunning tiaras and stylish ensembles worn on state visits, these royals are not just champions of causes but fashion inspiration to many. Here’s a throwback to the most glamorous royals who have not just visited Hong Kong through the years but have ties to this charming city.
Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece
Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece is married to Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece. While the monarchy was abolished in 1973, the style icon is still a Danish princess by marriage because her husband is a male-line descendant of Christian IX of Denmark. The blonde-haired beauty was raised in Hong Kong where she attended The Peak School until she was 9 years old. It’s been said the the royal couple were introduced to each other through a blind date just like another modern royal couple we know about. And guess what, Marie-Chantal often visits Macau too and The Venetian Macao to be exact as seen on her Instagram feed.
Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg
Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg is the first wife of Prince Joachim of Denmark, the younger son of Queen Margarethe of Denmark. She actually lived in Hong Kong until she met Prince Joachim. They were married and had two boys before their divorce. The stunning royal is of English, Chinese, Czech, and Austrian ancestry. She was christened at the Cathedral of Saint John, Hong Kong and she attended Quarry Bay Junior School, Glenealy School and Island School which are all in Hong Kong. The royal couple was said to have met at a party in the city when the Prince was working for a Danish shipping company. It was a whirlwind courtship that saw Prince Joachim propose to Alexandra with a diamond and ruby engagement ring while the couple holidayed together in the Philippines.
Princess Haya of Jordan and UAE
Princess Haya bint Hussein is the daughter of King Hussein of Jordan with his third wife, Queen Alia, and the half-sister of King Abdullah II. Princess Haya is a junior wife of the United Arab Emirates’ prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and they have two children together. The Oxford University graduate is also an accomplished equestrian who competed in international show jumping competition and is the two-term President of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI). Her role has seen her visit Hong Kong in addition to her active role in a variety of charitable activities.
Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle
Before she met Prince Harry, Meghan Markle visited Hong Kong when she was still playing the role of Rachel Zane for the TV series Suits. Meghan is also an outspoken feminist tackling issues of gender inequality on her then lifestyle website “The Tig” before closing it down. In 2017, she announced her engagement to Prince Harry, grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, and moved to London. She retired from acting, closed her related social media accounts, and started undertaking public engagements as part of the British royal family. She became Duchess of Sussex upon her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018 and recently gave birth to a son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.
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#tbt to some serious daydreaming going on here. Pre-wedding vibes! @harpersbazaarus @alexbramall
Princess Eugenie of York
Princess Eugenie of York is a member of the British royal family, and the younger daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York. She was also married the same year as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Jack Brooksbank. The couple had been dating for seven years and were first introduced by friends on a ski break in Verbier, Switzerland, where Brooksbank was working. Princess Eugenie was said to have actually worked on the design of her engagement ring featuring the salmon-pink Padparadscha sapphire surrounded by a halo of diamonds, set on a gold band, with two further diamonds on the shoulders. She has visited Hong Kong in support of charitable institutions.
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Wishing a very happy 93rd birthday to Her Majesty The Queen! Credit: 📸PA
Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II is Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. She is the longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch as well as the world’s longest-serving female head of state, oldest living monarch, the longest-reigning current monarch, and the oldest and longest-serving current head of state. She was the first reigning British monarch to ever visit Hong Kong in 1975.
The Duke of Cambridge first visited The @PassageCharity as a child in 1993 with his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, and has made additional visits at various points over the last twenty-five years. pic.twitter.com/XCHqccfRSf
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) February 13, 2019
Princess Diana of Wales
One of the most iconic royals in history and fashion is Diana, Princess of Wales. She was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, and the mother of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. As Princess of Wales, Diana undertook royal duties on behalf of the Queen and represented her at functions overseas. She was celebrated for her charity work and for her support of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Diana was involved with dozens of charities including London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for children, of which she was president from 1989. She also raised awareness and advocated ways to help people affected with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and mental illness. She died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
