Prince Jean d'Orleans, Duke of Vendome's Wedding

lovetripper.com ^ | Saturday, May 2, 2009 | staff

[Cincinna]

Already pronounced husband and wife in a March 19th ceremony at the town hall in Paris' 7th arrondissement, the union between Prince Jean d'Orleans, Duke of Vendome and Philomena de Toros y Steinhart was blessed during a religious ceremony held on May 2, 2009.

Well-wishers standing outside Senlis Cathedral in Senlis, France witnessed a steady stream of royals, including Prince Guillaume and Sybille of Luxembourg, the Duke and Duchess of Wurtemberg, The Infanta Pilar of Spain and Prine Philippe and Mathilde of Belgium, stroll by before the bride stepped upon the blue aisle runner which would lead her to the altar.

Wearing an ornate Christian Lacroix creation accented with gold embroidery, a dainty blue bow sewn onto the garment harmonized with the baby blue outfits worn by the tiny attendants, who cared for the gown's train and the lace-edged veil which clung to the turquoise tiara atop the bride's blonde tresses.

Following the exchange of vows, the newlyweds and their guests gathered at Chateau de Chantilly for the reception.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Is this prince the current Pretender, oops, King of France!

[PennsylvaniaMom]

When I clicked the link, the first photo, looked to me...in my snarky way of looking at the world...like the Michelle Obama ‘cardigan with everything’ fashion manifesto had applied. Then I noted the turquoisey tieraey thingy...I’m just not feeling the whole look.

Pretty bad when even royals disappoint...

[Mmogamer]

There’s still nobility in France?

[ops33]

If I remember my college history prof correctly, the French recognise 2 pretenders to the throne. One is the descendants of the Bourbons and the other is the descendant of Napoleon. I’m guessing that this article refers to the Bourbon descendant.

[Pining_4_TX]

Royalty is make believe. There is nothing special about them.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

No...I don’t think so. But when you have media attention on your wedding day, well...I expected ‘more.’ They both (to me) look a little long in the tooth to have a ‘fairy tale’ wedding. I guess its the little sweatery thingy over the gown that put me in mind of Fashionista MO...

And what’s the story with that tiera?

[stayathomemom]

Okay, those pictures were fun to look at. Looks like a couple of the guys attending couldn’t be bothered to shave for the occasion. I didn’t care for the turquoise tiara and I wondered if they suggested the guests wear either turquoise or salmon/orange?

[RobbyS]

The word “decadence” comes to mind. Also, “seedy.”

[April Lexington]

Royalty is make believe. There is nothing special about them.

I can understand countries that still have a monarchy. They need kings and queens and princes and princesses and stuff. But, how do these "royal" families in the deposed places keep on going? Who pays for these delusions of grandeur? Maybe they all still have power behind the curtain or something?

[April Lexington]

Plus, the guy looks like a Republican accountant to me... some king!

[Ditter]

Look at the second picture of them both close up, they look like brother and sister. Same nose, same mouth, same brow, different eye color but the features look so much alike it makes me wonder.

[Cincinna]

*** FRENCH POLITICS AND CULTURE PING LIST *** FREEPMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO JOIN ***

COPY TO FASHION PING LIST

The pretenders to the throne of France fall into two groups, the French Orleans family, and the Spanish Bourbons.

The religious marriage of Jean d'Orleans, aka Jean de France and Philomena de Toros y Steinhart took place at the Cathedral of Senlis. The reception followed at the Chateau de Chantilly.

FRENCH ROYAL WEDDING AT SENLIS CATHEDRAL

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

The European Royalty has been intermarrying for hundreds of years. They are all cousins, usually not too close.

[Ditter]

You know I thought about that after I posted. Don’t you see the resemblance?

[GOP_Lady]

Wow. Beautiful.

Thanks for the PING, Cincinna! :-)

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

As I understand it the Spanish Bourbons are the senior surviving branch of the family. The Orleans branch is descended from the despicable Philippe D’Egalite, who was part of the Revolutionaries who killed his cousin. However the Spanish Bourbons had to give up any claim to the French throne, had a nasty little war, the War of the Spanish Succession to settle this. That was the war which the Three Musketeers fought in.

[Paved Paradise]

They are not very young, are they? But the pictures were beautiful all the same. Thanks for the post.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Don’t you see the resemblance?

Absolutely, he also resembles King Juan Carlos of Spain, head of the Bourbon family. Looks a bit like Louis XVI of France too.

[MinuteGal]

Aw, no one has romance in their souls anymore. Always looking for evil and hidden motivations in innocent pictures of royal weddings.

The blue accents in the tiara, gown, his vest, etc. undoubtedly have some historical meaning, not to us, but to them. It's THEIR country and THEIR lineage for which I'm sure they're as proud of as we are of our own.

The hand embroidered wrap is exquisite and undoubtedly has heraldic or historical meaning also. The veil is gorgeous and I think I see the French fleur de lis embroidered on it.

The bride is beautiful and carries the whole thing off with French sophistication and elegance, which Michelle could never accomplish.

We're so used to seeing the all the boobs-revealing, cookie-cutter bridal outfits on Bridezillas and other TV wedding shows that anything different or unusual becomes sinister and unattractive.

They make an attractive, happy couple, he's not bad, she's charming and friendly-looking, they're not communists for gawd's sake, and they contributed to the income of many of the country's needy artisans, dressmakers, florists and caterers.

Lighten up and be happy....vive l'amour and all that good stuff!

Leni