love thursday: all hail the prince(s)
This year’s Easter Sunday celebrations brought a special visitor to my village:
Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, Prince of Piedmont and Venice
This is the prince* at his wedding to French actress Clotilde Courau in 2003.
But no, I don’t have a photo of the prince’s visit to my village.
How’s that possible?
Well my very own Principe P and I were busy enjoying a gorgeous, lazy Sunday morning capping off a gorgeous, lazy weekend starting from Friday afternoon when these photos were taken:
Fairy tales can be fun, but the real thing is fabulous.
Happy Love Thursday everyone!
*Italy was ruled by the royal family, the House of Savoy, until the monarchy was voted out in a controversial election in 1946. In the Constitution of the new “republicca” all of the Savoia family’s male descendants were exiled from the country.
This provision was removed in 2002 when Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples, the last claimant to the House of Savoy, renounced all claims to the throne.
Just a year later, Prince Emanuele Filiberto, son of Vittorio Emanuele, married his bride in Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and Martyrs.
Six years later he came to my village. And I missed it.
45 Beans of Wisdom to “love thursday: all hail the prince(s)”
Michelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived.
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oh, you guys looks adorable together! and who needs prince emanuele filiberto when you already have a prince of your own? =)
Odessa’s last blog post..happy easter!
Thanks Odessa…and I was thinking the same thing 😉
You both did better than the prince & his bride! I have a feeling that you will be in the next wedding picture that you post here?
Hmm…we’ll see Gil 😉
I think our friend Gil has the right idea!!!!
Heh heh heh….
the real thing is so much better 🙂
is it just me, or does she look about 20 years older than him? (maybe she is, I don’t know these people) 🙂
erin’s last blog post..cinque terre & easter
Yeah he’s definitely still rockin’ the boyish charm thing; from my Wiki research, she’s a few years his senior (like me and P–I’m 2 years older), but not quite 20 😉
That marriage is inexplicable. She: socialist, perhaps communist, successful actress, is said to be intelligent, although how does an intelligent women end up pregnant by him? He shows no dangerous signs of intelligence or political thoughts but would like the Italian people to pay him back for things he claims were wrongfully taken from him. Mind you, he will allow his grammy’s jewelry to remain in a museum in exchange for the hundreds of millions of euro he wants. Grammy’s jewelry has not been outside a vault since the Thirties and no one claims they are not his.
So, what was the first thing he did when allowed back into the country of his father’s birth? He made a TV commercial for olives. Very royal and statesmanlike, I think.
I think we connect turned up noses with youth. He looks like his mum and will want loads of surgery to not look too weird as an aged person with baby features.
OTH, I understand the urge to the other marriage quite well.
Judith in Umbria’s last blog post..Hot crossed buns for Easter
Well love is blind, and as my mom adds “deaf and dumb.” Who knows? They took back that claim about reparations, didn’t they? So not a smart move. Although it would fund that future plastic surgery….
Do you ever see them making fun of him on Striscia la Notizia? Poverino….
Yup, I’m with Judith. I think both EF and his mommy look kind of like monkeys and the whole trio creeps me out! Nice pics of you and your prince!
Joanne’s last blog post..The Ulitmate Blog Party and the Festa Italiana – cleaning up after the guests go home.
Oh the poor psuedo-royals! Thanks for the compliment though 😉
You guys look great together. Nice photo.
running42k’s last blog post..Recap
Thank you 🙂
What FABULOUS pics! You are adorable together! I thought P didn’t like having his picture taken … and you managed to get several this time! Woohoooo!
Dory’s last blog post..What’s in a name?
Yeah I don’t know what got into him, but I had to take advantage b/c who knows when this will happen again 😉
The Savoia family reeks of fromage. And EF’s mom reminds me of a cross between Joan Rivers and Ornella Vanoni. Blech!
You and your principe are sweet!!
Linda’s last blog post..My Memey Easter
The royals are taking such a hit here today! They’ll never come back to my village 😉 And thanks Linda 🙂
You know I have to say an “awww..how cute!” 🙂
Maryann’s last blog post..Pepino and Other Italian Mice
Thanks Maryann 🙂
Sounds like missing it was by far the best thing to do!
jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..Wijvenweek/What’s Cooking Wednesday: The Ideal Man
We definitely had a nice Easter weekend even without the presence of royalty 🙂
What a beautiful couple you guys make!
Yes, the real thing is fabulous!
Thank you Jody 🙂
So nice to see your cute faces together in the same foto. What were the ex-royals doing there? Were there crowds and a big fuss?
Just making a visit to some friends, apparently–although I don’t think his wife was here.
You can see an interview with him in Badolato here–around the 10 minute mark is where the Prince appears…just steps from my door! Gah!
Royalty….something that’s difficult to fathom why the world has not yet put it behind us. American tabloids (and even reputable newspapers) are *filled* with news of the only “royalty” we’ve ever known – movie”stars”, which is just as sad and silly. But, at least U.S. “royalty” can’t demand a price for Oma’s jewels or be sent into exile. And, even though all the castles and palaces over here are cool to visit and all, it’s still nice to come from a place where we never had any….per se.
BTW, the cool looking couple in the schwarz-weiss photo? I’d much rather hang with them for an afternoon than the stiffies in the wedding get ups. 🙂
Tschuess!
Yeah I was never into the whole royalty thing either (I thought I was the only person who didn’t simply adore Princess Diana, may she rest in peace). The nostalgia of it is pretty cool, yes, but it all does seem rather outdated at this stage in the world, I agree.
And thanks. You and Austrian hubby are welcome anytime…but I guess you knew that 😉
Sognatrice,
I meant to send this link with my beans: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrity_worship
Crazy man….
Yeah! The more beans the merrier!
Also, this is all rather funny in light of my listing PerezHilton.com on the little questionnaire you sent me this morning 😉
It looks as though you were having a better time without him anyway.
Diane Mandy’s last blog post..I’m not rubbing it in, really
I think that’s safe to say Diane 🙂
2 more beans: But I know you read it (mostly, eh?) for laughs. She’s an easy target – as she’s set herself up to be. Oh, such the squeaky wheel that one!
Oh but there’s so much more there! It covers all the star gossip from the unique point of view by someone who calls himself Perez Hilton…too funny!
What bella photos! I was going to ask if P had eyelash extentions but remembered you live in So. Italy not So. California. 🙂
nyc/caribbean ragazza’s last blog post..Terroni, tears and “this sucks.”
Hah! That’s hilarious, particularly if you knew P. He won’t even let me watch Dr. 90210 anymore because it disgusts him. Same for me, but you know how it is…guilty pleasures 😉
You two make a great couple! Great shots, and yes, the real thing is so much more wonderful.
Bren’s last blog post..Miss Attitude, Mr. Manners, Baby Cutie Pie, Late Night Monkeyman, and Monkeymama Meme
Thanks Bren 🙂
Okay, I REALLY need to mind myself a prince. Sigh. I would have loved to be Princess of Venice. How in the world did I miss out on THAT casting call?! 😉
Christina Arbini’s last blog post..Wax On, Wax Off
Hah, could be because he was in exile when the “call” was put out 😉
Wow – I can’t believe P let you post his picture! It is nice to see your cute couple-ness on the blog =) I am a big fan of the Italian “princes”. ::wink::
Happy Love Thursday!
PS – is there a date set?
stacy’s last blog post..Conversations with S…. and Chuck Norris
He doesn’t know..shh! And no, no date worth mentioning….
Ahhh, who cares about the other Prince…when you have a Prince Charming of your very own!! Cute shots 🙂
My Melange’s last blog post..Plume Plume
Thanks Robin 🙂
Your prince is much more handsome and you two look like you were enjoying your weekend.
Tammy’s last blog post..3WW / Thursday Love
Was definitely a gorgeous weekend; thanks Tammy 🙂
Aaaaand, this post is fabulous!
Liz’s last blog post..Love Thursday: Smile, you’re on candid karma!
Aw, thanks Liz 🙂
I used up all my Ws on Flickr, so I’ll just say “complimenti!”
And speaking of Flickr… this pic summarises my thoughts on the royal family quite succinctly.
Paolo’s last blog post..Roberto Saviano meets Donnie Brasco
Hee hee hee hee….
You look like you were having a lovely time! Who needs royalty when you can revel in love…..
Gill’s last blog post..Cape Trip – Part One
Lovely indeed! Nice to see you Gill 🙂
Well, that’s certainly a good enough reason to miss the prince methinks. I love those pictures, especially the last one. You two are a great looking couple! 😉
Karina’s last blog post..Not Gonna Do It! – Thursday Thirteen #48
Thanks Karina 🙂
Aw, that was so sweet. What nice pictures.
Erin’s last blog post..CAUTION: please read post BEFORE you freak out and email or call me…I didn’t cut my hair and not tell you!
Thank you Erin 🙂
Is he from your village?
Where they not in exile in Switzerland for a while? Or AM I confusing my royals?! 😉
I love the photos of you and P
SabineM’s last blog post..Playing Nurse
My P is from my village, yes–the prince, not so much 😉
And yes, the Savoy family were in exile from 1946 to 2002.
What a lovely surprise. It may sound weird but because you don’t often post photos of yourself, or P for that matter, it’s a real treat. Not that we’d grow tired of you two, never. I’d have to agree you have your own prince. You two are great together. I read most of the comments and it seems royalty is a subject that many have something to say about. Who knew? I have a few thoughts of my own. It is an interesting “fascination” and iconic symbol of much of Europe, of course England standing out in front.
xo
cheeky’s last blog post..Bush By Foot
Yes royalty does seem to be a provocative subject, for lack of a better term. I really don’t know all that much about it or the families as I’ve never really been drawn into learning about it, but now I’m getting curious. Glad you enjoyed the photos 🙂
Che bella coppia! (You & P.). P. definitely has that southern simpatico, misterioso look, could even pass for one of my cousins. You’ll make beautiful bambini.
Hah! Thanks Carole; he’s definitely a southern Italian, that’s for sure 🙂
The real thing is better! Happy LT!
Thanks Shalet; hope you had a great LT too 🙂
Looks like y’all were having a lovely time all on your own! Who needs a prince?
Michelle Potter’s last blog post..Wordless (Friday): My New Bag!
My thoughts exactly Michelle 🙂
You guys are just way too cute! I am sorry, but you are! And I must agree the real thing is so much better! Fairytales are REAL!
JennDZ_The Leftover Queen’s last blog post..Finest Foodies Friday : Your Favorites!
No need to apologize Jenn 😉 Your day is almost here!
I see a princess and a prince in your images — yet steeped in a real love.
All that is missing, of course, is that damned wedding.
witnessing am i’s last blog post..Father
Hah! I like that term for it too 😉
You are so wise, dear girl. I don’t want to know if it is your thought or someone else’s, but I’ve just found my motto.
I quite like the young couple of Savoia. I don’t like his parents, though. Fake and repulsive. Sorry.
Irene’s last blog post..The Olympic Flame
No need to apologize to me Irene; glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
SO perfect for Love Thursday 🙂 You two make a great couple!
Thanks Janet 🙂
Oh, but this is so much better. I am way more interested in your love story than his (though the political backstory is very intriguing indeed). Also, I would much rather see pictures of beautiful you two having a “gorgeous, lazy weekend” and being happy the way only us common folk can (I know; speak for myself) than gawk at royalty or movie stars.
Though they are not included in the view, I can imagine the puppy girls cavorting and lazing just out of frame along with you.
Real life, real love. A much better photo op, IMO.
Happy to be common folk here–you speak for me too 🙂
Awww! Very sweet photos. I have some dusty old ones like that around here somewhere….;)
I think both “Princes” are cute, though I am a little more partial to yours.
Susan at Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy’s last blog post..Pistachio-Crusted Flounder with Minneola-Ginger Buerre Blanc
Why thank you Susan–me too 😉
I love the quote you wrote:
Fairy tales can be fun, but the real thing is fabulous.
It indeed is. I love the two of you in pictures. You all are creating your very own “real” fairy tale 🙂
Jen @ One Moms World’s last blog post..The Hair Results Are In
Thank you Jen, and thanks for stopping by 🙂
Wat a lovely couple and I don’t mean the Savoia’s.
What brought them to your village btw?
Bella Baita View’s last blog post..Mini Spinach Picnic Pot Pie
Actually it was just the Prince, and I’m told that he was visiting some friends–assuming he knows quite a few southerners, actually, since so many of the guys from down here go to Switzerland for work….
Ah, wonderful post. Our own princes and princesses are always the best! 🙂 Nice pics.
Seamus’s last blog post..A Shameless Graffito (N°7)
Thank you, I agree, and thank you 🙂
Love Thursday and I missed it??????
I thought everyday in Italy is a love day!
Well every day everywhere should be love day, but we *always* celebrate on Thursdays 🙂
I think you got the real prince!
YAY!!!!!
Love the photos, as always.
XO
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
Wanderlust Scarlett’s last blog post..Write about that!
Thanks Scarlett, as always 😉
Beautiful picture of you two! : )
Anali’s last blog post..Homemade Bread Pledge – The End
Thanks Anali 🙂