Nine royal families were represented at the birthday gala of Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway on Friday. Among them were seven reigning royal families and two former royal families, including the family of Bulgaria. The opportunity was ideal to observe the children of Prince Kiril, usually very discreet, including Princess Mafalda who has just married.
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An ideal opportunity to see the royal family of Bulgaria again
On June 17, Princess Ingrid Alexandra celebrated her 18th birthday with great pomp, gathering around her nearly 40 princes and princesses from all over Europe. Two kings, three queen consorts and six heirs to the throne were present. It was a unique opportunity to bring together the new generation of royalty one day called to ascend the throne.
In addition to members of the royal family of Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain, King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway who hosted the birthday party of their granddaughter, had also invited guests from two former royal families, those of Greece and Bulgaria.
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Mafalda, Olimpia and Tassilo from Preslav very elegant at Ingrid Alexandra’s birthday
Crown Princess Mette-Marit, wife of the heiress to the Norwegian throne and mother of Princess Ingrid Alexandra, is close friends with Rosario Nadal, the mother of three children of Prince Kiril of Bulgaria. A few weeks ago, Mette-Marit went discreetly to Mallorca to attend the secret wedding of Princess Mafalda of Bulgaria, daughter of Prince Kiril. Mette-Marit was accompanied by her children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.
At the anniversary gala, female members of the Bulgarian royal family were the only ones not wearing a tiara. Prince Kiril, Prince of Preslav, is the second son of the last Tsar of the Bulgarians, King Simeon II. Kiril is separated from his wife, Rosario Nadal, a former model for Valentino who works in art in Spain. Although separated, Kiril and Rosario maintain very cordial relations and are not officially divorced. They also live a few kilometers from each other in Mallorca. Rosaria and Kiril have rebuilt their lives on their own and the Prince of Preslav has been living in a relationship with Katherine Butler for many years.
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Prince Kiril, his partner Katherine, and the mother of his children, Rosario were all three guests at Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s birthday. Rosario arrived on the arm of her son, Prince Tassilo, in a sumptuous dress with fluorescent yellow edges. Prince Tassilo’s sisters, Princess Mafalda-Cecilia and Princess Olimpia arrived together at the party.
First public appearance of Princess Mafalda since her marriage
It was the first public appearance for Princess Mafalda since her marriage a few weeks ago to Lebanese Marc Abousleiman. The princess participates in very few engagements in royal circles. The princess is a singer and pursues a career in music. Usually, it is her grandfather, King Simeon II, who represents the Bulgarian royal family at royal events. Simeon II is often accompanied by his grandson and heir, Prince Boris. Of course, it was not really an invitation here with the aim of representing the royal family but a friendly invitation, given the understanding between the two families.
Prince Kiril was also able to find King Felipe VI of Spain, who came alone to the birthday of his goddaughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra. The Spanish royal family has forged very strong bonds of friendship with the Bulgarian royal family. When they were younger, Felipe, Kiril and his brothers spent their summers together in Mallorca. King Simeon II’s four sons and daughter all married a Spanish citizen, and so did the former king.
Princess Mafalda is 28, Princess Olimpia, colloquially known as Olia, is 27 and Prince Tassilo is 20. If Princess Mafalda has a public life thanks to her job, Olimpia and Tassilo are very discreet. We have few photos of them. Prince Tassilo, above all, has changed a lot since his last appearance. The young man could become one of the princes to watch in the coming years!
The royal family of Bulgaria is descended from a branch of the family of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, like the Belgian royal family and the British royal family. Since the abolition of the monarchy in Bulgaria, the family officially uses the initial surname of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, either in Spanish (Sajonia-Coburgo y Gota) or in Bulgarian (Sakskoburggotski). The family members also bear the title of Duke and Duchess of Saxony. Each son of King Simeon II also bears a unique princely title. Prince Kiril is Prince of Preslav. His children also use it sometimes attached to their first name, like Prince Tassilo of Preslav.
