Royal Anthem Series: XX Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand is a constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia currently under the reign of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, Rama IX. The Royal Anthem is played frequently in Thailand, not only on occasions when the King is present but also at the begining of movies, operas and theatrical performances. All for good reason as Thais certainly have cause to be proud of their monarch who has been of invaluable service to his country.

The Royal Anthem of Thailand: Sansoen Phra Barami

Consort Profile: Catherine of Braganza

An often overlooked British Queen consort, I think Catherine of Braganza does not get nearly enough credit for the strong woman that she was. The daughter of King John IV of Portugal the Infanta Catherine was married to King Charles II of Great Britain by proxy in Lisbon in 1662 and arrived in London a month later. She faced a great deal of opposition from the outset because of her background. Catherine had been raised in a convent and was a very devout Catholic which the Protestant elites in Parliament did not like at all. However, these were the days when Portugal was at the top of its game and she brought considerable wealth with her in her dowry as well as the exotic ports of Bombay and Tangiers. Charles II himself was not too impressed with her; considering her not especially attractive and too devout for his tastes though he is said to have been taken by her distinctive accent.

As time went on she won more and more people to her side by her simple kindness, support of her husband and her determination to stay out of politics. However, she still had plenty of heartaches as she never had any children while King Charles II continued to father numerous bastards with his small army of mistresses. Queen Catherine was heartbroken and embarassed by this but she never responded in kind and remained a good and faithful wife as long as she lived which impressed many; even the King himself. When Parliament began to pressure Charles to divorce Catherine and marry a Protestant princess who could give him legitimate heirs he firmly refused to. He knew Catherine endured alot from him and while he may not have sincerely loved her, he certainly had come to sincerely respect and admire her and he refused to divorce her. When political pressure continued Charles made it a treasonable offence for anyone to suggest that he divorce his wife or question the succession of his Catholic brother James.

Her most politically difficult moment, without doubt, came in 1678 with the so-called "Popish Plot" which was a Protestant conspiracy to frame the prominent Catholics at court with trying to poison the King. Queen Catherine herself was accused of having a part in it but Charles II defended her himself, he knew it was an absurd charge and in time the charges were proven to be total fabrications. When Charles II lay on his deathbed (where he himself converted to Catholicism) he asked Catherine's forgiveness for his weakness as a husband. She must have been a very forgiving soul as when a rebellion against the new monarch, King James II, under the leadership of the Duke of Monmouth, one of Charles' bastards, she tried to convince James to spare the life of the Duke who was a result of her late husband's adultery.

Catherine had a happy enough life as a widow under the Catholic King James II but when he was overthrown by the Prince of Orange in 1688 her situation grew steadily worse. The Queen had initially been on good terms with the new Protestant monarchs but as the anti-Catholic laws increased she became increasingly treated like a prisoner and was finally obliged to return to her native Portugal in 1692. Nonetheless, she still supported Anglo-Portuguese friendship and even acted as regent of Portugal for her brother King Pedro II. She died in 1705 and is perhaps most remembered today as the Queen who introduced the custom of tea drinking to England.

Monarchist Profile: Marshal Jan Smuts

Jan Christiaan Smuts is one of those rare individuals who came to fame as a republican fighting against a monarchy to become one of the most staunch monarchists in the world of his time. Smuts was born in 1870 in the Cape Colony of South Africa and grew up to become a lawyer. At one point he even represented the famous British imperialist Cecil Rhodes, which earned him the criticism of many of his fellow Afrikaaners. In time however, the expansion of British power in southern Africa at the expense of the Boer republics turned Smuts into an ardent enemy of Great Britain and a staunch defender of President Paul Kruger of the Transvaal.

At the outset of the Second Boer War Smuts acted as a liason officer for President Kruger as well as stirring up the Afrikaaner population to support the war against Britain. As the war went on Smuts himself became a front-line soldier and led Boer commandos in numerous attacks and raids against the enemy which would forever change the nature of irregular warfare. Finally, however, the losses of the Boers and the horrific suffering of the Boer civilians the British had herded into concentration camps convinced Smuts that the war should be ended. There were problems with the British rule naturally, but overall everyone was surprised by how well the British treated their defeated foes. In time they would prove as generous in peace as they had been harsh at war and a majority of the Boer population was won over to support the British Empire including Jan Smuts.

The loyalty of the Boers was tested in World War I when South African forces were charged with conquering German Southwest Africa (Namibia) but had to deal with a rebellion in their own country first by pro-German, anti-British Boers. In the end, without the help of outside forces, the loyal South Africans defeated the rebel Boers and then went on to make German Southwest Africa their own colony. Smuts, now a general, then went on to lead the war effort against German East Africa and the brilliantly unorthodox General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck. Smuts emerged as a British war hero and was a major force in the organization of the League of Nations (no one's perfect) and was one of those who foresaw future problems for Britain with Japan.

Smuts got back into politics in the inter-war years and was a close ally of Winston Churchill and a staunch defender of the British Empire. During World War II he returned to service and became the first South African to attain the rank of Field Marshal in the British army. His prestige had reached such heights that some even suggested him as a possible successor to Churchill as Prime Minister of Great Britain. Supposedly even King George VI favored the idea. He returned to politics after the war again, opposed Ireland leaving the British Commonwealth and opposed India remaining after becoming a republic for fear that it would encourage republicans in his own country which was a horrific idea to the firmly monarchist Smuts. He was prominent in the organization of the United Nations and supported the foundation of the State of Israel. He died in 1950 as one of the most famous and widely respected South Africans in history.

Possibly the greatest phrase ever spoken by Marshal Smuts: "If a nation does not want a monarchy, change the nation's mind. If a nation does not need a monarchy, change the nation's needs." Truer words were never spoken Marshal Smuts.

Grimaldi in Car Accident

According to reports Charlotte Casiraghi, daughter of HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover and Hereditary Princess of Monaco, was involved in a car accident last night near Verbania, Italy. Sources say Charlotte is okay though and only suffered some minor injuries (bumps & bruises) and damage to one hand. Whatever the severity this sort of incident for this particular family must be very hard on the nerves. One can imagine that Princess Caroline's heart skipped a beat when she was first informed. The thoughts and prayers of The Mad Monarchist go out to young Charlotte for a swift recovery.

Royal Anthem Series: XIX Sweden

The Kingdom of Sweden is a symbolic monarchy in the Scandinavian region of Europe currently under the reign of HM King Carl XVI Gustaf. Although a relatively minor country today, Sweden was once a major regional power that dominated northern Europe and even had a colony in North America.

The Royal Anthem of Sweden: The Song of the King

Royal Guardians Profile: The Leib Guard

The Russian Imperial Guard was founded to replace the Streltsy which was considered too politically unreliable by Czar Peter the Great. He started with 50 close friends he had known since his youth and followed closely the example of the Prussians and so the Russian force was often known as the Leib Guard and all members had the title of "Life Guard" attached to their ranks. Throughout the life of the Russian Empire the Leib Guard distinguished itself in many battles in many wars across Europe alongside their first duty of protecting the life of the Czar of all the Russias.

Early on the Leib Guard was known more for parade ground precision and as a way to prepare Russian nobles for military command in combat units. They remained behind, for example, drilling in the squares of St Petersburg while other Russians units fought in the Seven Years War. Aristocrats traditionally predominated in the Leib Guard although it was open to all levels of society. Czar Paul enforced stricter guidelines on the Guard and his son, Czar Alexander, took them into the field as a front-line unit. During the Napoleonic Wars they really gained their reputation as an elite fighting force in the Imperial Russian Army. They performed heroically, for example, at the epic battle of Borodino. After the battle of Austerlitz, though it was a defeat, no one would ever again think of the Leib Guard as parade ground troops.

Every regiment of the Leib Guard had a Romanov as honorary colonel-in-chief and was a common sight on battlefields throughout Europe with the Russian military. The end of the Guard came in World War I in which, as happened in virtually every other army involved, this elite corps of troops was decimated in massive frontal attacks against storms of German and Austrian machine gun fire. In 1905 it was troops of the Leib Guard who fired what many consider the first shots of the Russian Revolution when they killed 96 out of a crowd of 80,000 protestors at the Winter Palace. The disaster that was the Russian Revolution hit hard in 1917 and, unfortunately, the Leib Guard was not immune. The Pavlovsky Regiment mutinied and had a shoot out with Russian police forces and thereafter one guard regiment after another mutinied as well to join the forces of the horrific revolution. The Palace Grenadiers of the Moscow Regiment were the last to remain loyal to the Czar and when Nicholas II ordered them to leave the Winter Palace so as not to make it a potential battleground the unit simply dissolved on its own and not long thereafter Czar Nicholas II abdicated and the ancient, proud Russian Empire came to an end.

June 6 Monarchism Events

Today His Majesty Albert II, King of the Belgians, turns 75-years-old. He was born in 1934, the second son of HM King Leopold III. He succeeded his older brother as King of the Belgians when King Baudouin died suddenly in 1993. This birthday makes Albert II the longest living monarch in the history of the Kingdom of Belgium. The Mad Monarchist wishes the Belgian monarch a happy birthday. June 6 also marks the anniversary of the Allied invasion of Nazi occupied Europe at Normandy in 1944. Although the U.S. especially has maintained a foreign policy hostile to monarchy it is worth remembering that the Allied war effort (the bulk of which in the west was made up of U.S. forces) liberated and enabled the restoration of the Nazi-occupied monarchies of Monaco, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. It is only unfortunate that so many other monarchies around the world were either destroyed by the war or dissolved soon after as a result.

Monarch Profile: HSH Prince Louis I of Monaco

Louis I may not have been one of the most "hands-on" sovereigns of Monaco but he was certainly one of the most interesting, accomplished and stylish. Louis was born in Monaco on July 25, 1642 to Prince Hercules and Princess Aurelia Spinola of Monaco but the greatest influence on his life was his grandfather and predecessor the Sovereign Prince Honore II. Since 1524 Monaco had been a protectorate of the Kingdom of Spain but that had begun to change during the reign of Prince Honore II who was a zealous Francophile. After building up the principality Honore II drove out the Spanish and made Monaco a protectorate of France in return for which he was awarded titles in the French nobility. As part of his campaign of goodwill toward France Honore II sent his grandson Louis to represent him at the lavish court of the French king where he proved to be quite popular. In 1660 Prince Louis married Catherine-Charlotte de Gramont, daughter of Antoine III de Gramont, who was a Marshal of France.

Prince Louis was an accomplished soldier who fought for King Louis XIV in his wars against England and Spain. Louis had the unique position at the French court of being both the representative of a foreign power, the Principality of Monaco, as well as a member of the French nobility as the second Duke of Valentinois. In 1662 Honore II died and his grandson succeeded him as Sovereign Prince Louis I but he spent most of his time in France, usually in Paris or at the court of King Louis XIV at Versailles. Another reason for his good graces with Louis XIV was probably the attractiveness of his wife Princess Catherine-Charlotte who, for a few months, joined the ranks of the many mistresses of Louis XIV before he moved on to the favors of the famous Madame de Montespan. Prince Louis I, himself not exactly a chaste man, prudently made himself scarce during these periods, going off to war for Louis XIV.

Although he may have been popular in France, Louis I of Monaco was not such a big hit in Great Britain which he visited in 1677. King Charles II was outraged by the way Louis I showered gifts on Hortense Mancini, one of the many mistresses of Charles II. He later fought against England in the War of the United Provinces and earned further favor with Louis XIV for his bold leadership on the battlefields of Flanders and Franche-Comte at the head of his regiment the Monaco Cavalry. Personal tragedy struck in 1678 when Princess Catherine-Charlotte died at the age of 39. She had, however, given Louis I six children; two sons and four daughters so the Monegasque succession was quite sure for the time being. In any event, Louis XIV was so impressed by the distinguished service of Prince Louis I of Monaco that he decided to name him as his official ambassador to the Holy See. It was a very reasonable move since Louis I's Grimaldi family ties in Genoa and across Italy would serve him well while in Rome.

It was in Rome at the papal court that Louis I could have made his greatest impact on history as he was chosen for the important assignment with the intention of representing the interests of Louis XIV in the critical issue of the Spanish succession. It was Louis I of Monaco who tried to bring about an agreement between the two bitter sides of what would prove to be a very costly war. Typically for a Monegasque prince though, when not engaged in diplomatic work, Louis I was well known for his stylish entertaining and lavish lifestyle. Unfortunately for his successors he went rather too far and was soon forced to sell off the awesome art collection of Honore II to pay his debts. He spent his family into the poor house to the point that Monaco was virtually bankrupt and, unfortunately, Louis I died before the issue of the Spanish succession could be settled on January 3, 1701. Had he succeeded in arranging an international agreement on Spain to the favor of King Louis XIV he almost certainly would have earned great rewards for himself. As it was, he left the Monegasque throne to his son Prince Antoine with nothing but empty pockets and a reputation for grand parties and military glory.

Belgian Birthday Wishes

The Cross of Laeken reports on the birthday of HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium. The Mad Monarchist joins in wishing Her Royal Highness a happy birthday and the hope of many, many more to come!

Cinema Royals

In the fall of 2003 Japanese TV Asahi released a made for tv movie about one of the greatest (yet overlooked) royal romances of World War II. The mini-series was Ruten no Ohi - Saigo no Kotei and featured actress Takako Tokiwa in the starring role as Princess Hiro Saga, the Japanese wife of Prince Aisin-Gioro Pujie, brother of the last Emperor of China who was then reigning as Emperor of Manchukuo. A moving film that manages to avoid the most extreme politics it is a true story that no fiction writer could top and Takako Tokiwa plays the part to perfection. Lady Hiro Saga was a young woman pushed into an arranged marriage to strengthen Manchu-Japanese ties and yet she comes to have a deep and abiding love for her husband. The two weather fiercer storms than most couples could imagine and the film gives a sympathetic portrayal of the royal pair throughout the tempestuous years in Manchukuo, Pujie's arrest and their heart-breaking years apart ending with their happy reunion in old age. It is worth pointing out in light of Tokiwa's wonderful performance that she actually went to school with Hiro Saga's grandson. If you like true stories of royal drama that pull at the heart strings this is one to check out. For a short overview see the clip here accompanied by a beautiful song by Huang Yida called "The Last Princess". See a royal match that truly stood the test of time.

Royal Anthem Series: XVIII Swaziland

The Kingdom of Swaziland is an absolute monarchy in southern Africa, bordered by South Africa on three sides and Mozambique on one side. The current ruling monarch is HM King Mswati III. Swaziland is a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations.

The National Anthem of Swaziland: Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati

Mad Rant: Obama and Islam

Obama has made his much hyped speech to Islam in Cairo, Egypt and he has mauled the truth as only someone of his leftist talent can. Whereas during the campaign he played down or silenced his Muslim background, now he is lifting it up as a benefit (during the course of his political career his father has gone from being an "atheist" to an "agnostic" to a "Muslim"). He also sang the praises of the religion of Mohammed, crediting Islam with giving the world or furthering the magnetic compass, algebra, the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. Not true. The ancient "Middle Kingdom" of China invented the magnetic compass, algebra has its roots in the ancient empire of Babylon (who were not Muslims at the time -Islam had not been invented yet), the Renaissance was not a result of Islam it was the rediscovery of classic civilization (Greek, Roman) by Europe. As for the "Enlightenment", I don't see how Islam furthered that nor would I consider it to be a credit to Islam if it did. The "Enlightenment" did not bring new light to Europe but rather a new darkness by stamping out the divine in human understanding.

That is not to say that the Islamic world is without accomplishments -by no means. However, a distinction that must be made is that all of the Islamic contributions to the betterment of the world came from the Muslim monarchies -not the fanatical, theocratic republics that are all too in vogue today. Turkey was never greater in learning or culture than when it had a Sultan, Iran was never greater in learning, culture and progress than when it had a Shah, Afghanistan was a much greater country when it had a king than when it had the Taliban. The Islamic Republic of Iran, the Taliban regime in Aghanistan, the secularist regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq or the terrorist state in Syria are all totally opposed to any sort of legitimate, benevolent progress. These were not and are not centers of great learning or flowering culture but are places of fear, repression and overall small-mindedness.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia could easily fall into this category as well but it is clear that as bad as things may be they could be alot worse. We should not forget that Usama bin Laden, a native of Saudi Arabia, is an avowed enemy of the Saudi monarchy. I have no doubt that if the House of Saud ever falls it will not be replaced by a more benevolent monarchy but rather by a Wahabi Islamic republic. Why on earth the government seems to be encouraging their people in this direction is beyond me but for all of the failings of Saudi Arabia its fall would be a disaster in the same vein as the fall of the Iranian monarchy (which is not to say that the Pahlavi and Saudi monarchies are anything alike). The significance of the fall of the Shah of Iran cannot be overstated. A pro-western, modern-minded monarchy was replaced by a horrific revolutionary regime; the first time that the worst, fanatical elements of Islam were able to take over a state. Until that mistake is recognized I cannot hold out much hope that the current crisis can ever be effectively dealt with at its roots. Obama may wow the crowds but he will never be able to bring about peace between Islamic fanatics and leftist, anti-religion liberals in the west. Only a true return to sincere religion, cultural understanding and traditional authority can accomplish that.

Trying to reason with people who are, by definition, unreasonable is surely a mark of insanity and the continuing denial of the facts of history and republican revolutionaries ongoing weakness for buying in to their own propaganda are all further reasons why I remain The Mad Monarchist.

Today in Nepalese History

It was on this day in history that HM Gyanendra, the last King of Nepal, came to the throne in 2001 following the infamous "Royal Massacre" in Kathmandu. Obviously, few monarchs and probably none in the world today, have come to the throne under such horrific circumstances. The killing spree that brought down the previous batch of royals is still a subject of hot debate in Nepal today with a great many people denying the official story. However, one thing that should be kept in mind but is often not is that the reign of King Dipendra was not exactly trouble-free. The absolute monarchy had ended, democracy was introduced (King Gynanenda would restore the absolute monarchy as a matter of necessity) and the Maoists who eventually succeeded in bringing down the monarchy were making trouble even under the very popular Dipendra.

The Kingdom of Nepal was in trouble long before King Gyanendra came to the throne, the last in the row of dominoes that were the Himalayan monarchies to fall. 1959 saw the expulsion of the Dalai Lama of Tibet, in 1975 Indian troops conquered the Kingdom of Sikkim and in May of last year the Maoist dominated government of Napal declared their monarchy abolished. It makes one wonder just how nervous the loyal souls of Bhutan must be these days as concerns their own fate, especially with the enforced transition from absolute monarchy to parliamentary democracy. The loss of the monarchy in Nepal was a disaster (for the world) on a number of levels; historical, political and cultural. It saw the death of the one and only remaining Hindu kingdom in the world and it saw the victory of ultra-communist revolutionary republicans of the very worst order. Needless to say things have been chaotic in Nepal ever since. Trying to placate communist revolutionaries is a fool's game; their entire ideology is geared toward totalitarian communist rule and they will never be satisfied with anything less. Compromise is not something they ever enter into with any sincerity.

Royal Anthem Series: XVII Spain

The Kingdom of Spain is a constitutional monarchy in Western Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The currently reigning monarch is His Catholic Majesty King Juan Carlos I who took the throne following the death of Generalissimo Francisco Franco and led the transition to democracy.

National Anthem of the Kingdom of Spain: The Royal March

Consort Profile: Empress Doan-Huy

The last Empress Dowager in Vietnamese history, Tu Cung was born on January 28, 1890 to Ho Dac Trung, one-time Minister of Public Instruction. In 1913 she married Prince Nguyen Buu Dao (she was his second wife) who, in 1916, became Emperor Khai Dinh. Over time she advanced in rank and took the name Doan-Huy. Emperor Khai Dinh had two wives, four secondary consorts and ten concubines and elevation depended on who produced an heir to the throne. Doan-Huy had a leg-up going into the Forbidden City in this regard as, the same year she was married to Khai Dinh, she gave him his only son and heir Prince Nguyen Vinh Thuy; the future Emperor Bao Dai. When Emperor Khai Dinh passed away Doan-Huy became Queen Mother or Empress Dowager, traditionally a very powerful position, and she was known as for staunch defense of Viet traditions, court power, her love of gambling and her religious devotion (according to one source she was a priestess of the Cao Dai sect).

This meant that she was often at odds with her more modern-minded, French-educated son Emperor Bao Dai. She did not approve of him having only one official wife, she did not approve of this wife being a Catholic and she did not approve of his western habits. All of this made it very easy for the Empress-Dowager to be criticized then and now, but it must be remembered that she was a product of her own time and place. She wanted to preserve the Vietnamese ways as they had been and her defense of the harem is a simple result of the fact that, under the system she grew up in, this was the only way women attained power and influence at court. Nonetheless, when her son made his decisions she usually went along with them, even if she had first been opposed. He was her son, and he was the Emperor after all; as little political power as he had throughout the country and in the government, behind the walls of the Forbidden City he was still the Son of Heaven, the absolute ruler who must be obeyed without question.

With all the turmoil that gripped Vietnam throughout the 40's and 50's Empress Dowager Doan-Huy remained steadfastly the same as she always had been. Even after the communist takeover she refused to leave her palace quarters and while the Cold War raged outside the thick citadel walls of the "Great Within" her life went on just as it always had. After her son abdicated and was living in France she had on at least one occasion to sell off some imperial antiques to help him pay his gambling debts in Monte Carlo (he inherited his mother's habit). Even as the country descended into civil war she remained in place and as fierce as the fighting was neither side wished to confront the formidable Empress-Dowager.

This stalemate finally came to an end with the famous "Tet Offensive" of 1968 in which the old Imperial capital of Hue was a primary target. Viet Cong troops invaded the Holy Citadel and fierce combat broke out inside the Forbidden City itself. Still, Doan-Huy refused to leave. It was not until the South Vietnamese authorities in Saigon authorized the U.S. to bomb the Forbidden City to eliminate the Viet Cong threat that something had to be done. Defiant to the last, Doan-Huy had to be bundled up in harness on the back of a relative who ran her out of the combat zone on foot. Radio messages were sent to both sides announcing the presence of the Empress-Dowager so she could be avoided. The inner-palace of the Forbidden City was completely destroyed and Doan-Huy spent the rest of the war in a mansion in Saigon and for a time it was the turn of her son to send her money to sustain herself.

After the war and the communist-takeover of Vietnam no one still had any stomach for making trouble with the old woman and for the most part left her alone. Empress-Dowager Doan-Huy returned to Hue and lived in the tomb of her father-in-law, Emperor Dong Khanh, where she carried out the traditional duties of a widow to keep the memory of her venerated husband alive. She remained there and lived to the ripe-old-age of 91 when she died on November 9, 1980.

Royal Anthem Series XVI: Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an Islamic absolute monarchy on the Arabian peninsula, home to the holiest cities of the Islamic religion; Mecca and Medina. The ruling monarch is HM King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of the House of Saud.

The National Anthem of Saudi Arabia: The Royal Salute

Monarchist Profile: Marshal August von Mackensen

Field Marshal August von Mackensen was one of the most successful commanders of World War I. Born a commoner in 1849 in the Prussian province of Saxony he joined the military and soon rose through the ranks to command the elite Life Hussar Regiment. Justly proud of such an accomplishment, for much of the rest of his life Mackensen could be easily spotted in the black and silver uniform of the Life Hussars. A decorated veteran of the Franco-Prussian War he later joined the Imperial German General Staff and was considered as a potential successor for the famous Field Marshal Alfred von Schlieffen. This was not to be and Mackensen was given a corps command and posted to the 8th Army in East Prussia.

During World War I, Mackensen served entirely on the Eastern Front and was involved in almost every major campaign. By this time his accomplishments had caused him to be enobled as August von Mackensen and he distinguished himself in many victories against the Russians, earning numerous honors and decorations such as the Pour le Merite (aka 'Blue Max'), the Order of the Black Eagle and he was one of only 5 individuals of World War I to earn the Grand Iron Cross. He helped clear Poland of Russian troops, led a multi-national force in the final conquest of Serbia, won victories in Albania and Macedonia. However, he never had contempt for his enemies and even dedicated a monument in honor of the courage of the Serbs who died defending Belgrade.

Promoted to General Field Marshal, probably the greatest moment in the career of August von Mackensen was his part in the near flawless conquest of Romania when that country was persuaded to join the Allies with promises of Hungarian territory. He was serving as a military governor in Romania when the end came and he was captured by the Allies and held prisoner for a short time. After the war, with his active military career behind him, Mackensen became more known on the political scene. He was from first to last a staunch monarchist who supported the return of the German Empire with all of its princes and its Kaiser. He had at first refused to lend his prestige to political causes but this changed as things grew worse in Germany and he could often be seen in his distinctive uniform at conservative-monarchist political functions.

Some have falsely accused Marshal von Mackensen of being a Nazi Party supporter but, although he was sometimes seen at functions of the Nazi regime, this was most certainly not the case. Mackensen openly endorsed and supported his old commander Marshal von Hindenburg for President rather than Hitler and he was a vocal critic of the Nazi Party because of their political killings and massacres in Poland. The Nazi heirarchy would have liked to have gotten rid of him but as the last living Imperial Field Marshal and celebrated hero of the Great War he simply had too high a profile to touch. He also angered Nazi authorities when he appeared in full dress uniform at the funeral of Kaiser Wilhelm II in Holland which Hitler had ordered boycotted. In the end, the monarchist Marshal Mackensen survived them all. He died at the age of 95 in 1945 just after the Allied victory and the collapse of Nazi Germany.

Air France Disaster Claims Prince

The blog for The Royal Forums reports that the Air France flight which disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean had among its passengers HIH Prince Pedro Luis of Braganza-Orleans, third in line to the throne of the former Empire of Brazil. The Prince is the grandson of Princess Alix de Ligne of Luxembourg where he works as a banker. His Imperial Highness was on his way back to Luxembourg after visiting relatives in Brazil. The air bus experienced an electrical failure, possibly a result of a lightning strike, and has vanished. So far, all reports are grim and the general opinion is that the aircraft went down and there are likely no survivors. The Mad Monarchist sends condolences and earnest prayers to the Brazilian Imperial Family and all those who lost friends and loved ones of the 228 people on the flight.

Royal Guardians Profile: The Thai Royal Guard

Visitors to the magnificent palace complex in Bangkok in the Kingdom of Thailand will be quick to notice the Thai Royal Guards, standing proud and alert in their smart uniforms and spiked tropical helmets. The King's Guard was founded in 1859 by the famous King Chulalongkorn the Great (who was crown prince at the time) who were, at first, little more than servants with ceremonial guard duties who spent most of their time in less than glamorous roles such as scaring crows away. When Chulalongkorn became king he picked the cream of the crop to form a 24-man bodyguard unit for himself known as the Taharn Songlow.

Soon the Royal Guard became an elite unit within the regular Thai Royal Army. In 1870 the King's Guard Regiment was formed and entrusted with the protection of the King and Royal Family, the Royal Palace and providing security for the monarch while travelling across his realm. The Thai Royal Guard are top-of-the-line combat troops and hold the most honored position within the Thai Royal Army. They are a sight to see and of the remaining monarchies left in the world any would be hard-pressed to compete with the impressive ceremony and court ritual still on display in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Royal Anthem Series: XV Qatar

The State of Qatar is an absolute monarchy in the Persian Gulf currently under the reign of HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Emir of Qatar.

The National Anthem of Qatar: As Salam al Amiri