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Its been five years since Crown Princess Masako of Japan has been seen doing any official royal duties. She has not accompanied her husband, Naruhito, on any official foreign visits, and she has not taken part in simple royal tasks. Her last outing on Saturday to the photo exhibition, ‘Empress and her children” at Takashimaya department store in Tokyo was the first time Masako was seen in public in months. 
This is because the Crown Princess is said to be suffering from depression, due to stress brought on by being a member of the Imperial family.
But, the princess has reportedly been seen shopping and dining at ritzy stores and restaurants. She is doing these, while she should be performing her duties. Stories like that has led to national sympathy for Masako to wane, and increasingly, some are wondering whether the crown princess is really ill at all.
This has led to a crisis of legitimacy for the Imperial family, a family once seen as dieties before World War II.
“Royal families around the world can no longer take for granted their legitimacy,” a palace source said last week. “In the 125th generation [of the present Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko], legitimacy is earned through hard work and humility. But we worry about the 126th generation.”
That worry will highlighted when Japan receives two royal visits towards the end of the year. The first will be from Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, next week. That will be followed by a November visit from the King and Queen of Spain.
Masako is expected to be present for the British visit, but not for the Spanish. “What logical explanation can we give for that?” a palace insider asks. “That the British are healthy but the Spanish make her ill?”
Such growing discontent towards Masako has led to the inevitable yet controversial question: Should the Imperial family divorce Masako, and set her free?
In May a magazine ran an article by Kanji Nishio, a right-wing academic and champion of the Imperial Family. He urged that Princess Masako’s family “take her back” – a euphemism for divorce – because of the damage that she is doing to the Imperial Family. “The members of the Imperial Family are the passengers of the ship named the Imperial System, but not its owners,” he wrote. “If one individual gets seasick and cannot stay on board, then there is no alternative but to disembark.”
“Nishio has started a debate that people with common sense want to participate in,” Tomoko Seo, an editor at the magazine, said. “People are frustrated and angry with Masako for making many private outings, although she cannot carry out official duties.”
This past July, Masako’s husband Crown Prince Naruhito issued a statement, saying his wife was doing all that she can to recover from her illness. This week to mark her 74th birthday, Empress Michiko said she was standing by her daughter-in-law, though she did not go into detail about her sickness.
Spain’s version of the Nobel Prizes were handed out today, in the northern Spanish city of Oviedo. The heir to the Spanish throne, Crown Prince Felipe, personally handed the prizes to each recipient. The awards are named after his official title, the Prince of Asturias. 
Before giving the awards out, Prince Felipe told the audience the reasons why the recipients were chosen this year. They were picked for their “spirit of sacrifice, for their exceptional qualities, but also, for their human values,” said the Prince.
The recipient for the award for Sports was the number one ranked tennis player in the world, Spain’s very own Rafael Nadal. He was all smiles as he received his award. Prince Felipe called Nadal a ”great tennis player” and “a great human being.”
“Rafa has stated that the important thing is not to be a good athlete, but a good person.”
Other winners include Google, for the Communications prize. Four African organizations were rewarded for their fight against malaria with the Award for International Cooperation, and Bulgarian philosopher Tzetan Todorov received the prize for Social Sciences.
Venezuela’s Youth and Children Orchestra was awarded the Prince of Asturias prize for the Arts, which was picked up by its president Maestro Jose Antonio Abreu. Canadian author Margaret Atwood was rewarded for her work with the Letters Award. The Scientific and Technical Research Award went to one Japanese and four US scientists for their innovative work in nanotechnology.
 But the highlight of the ceremony was when the Concord award was given out. That went to former Colombian presidential candidate, Ingrid Betancourt. Earlier this year, Betancourt was released from the jungles of Colombia after six years being held hostage by rebels.
“For a hostage, Christmas is the worst time of year,” she said. “Some of my friends are calling for everyone around the world to march altogether on one day, before Christmas, on the 28th of November, to call for all of Colombia’s hostages to be freed. From here, a world where we have everything, I am asking for you to reach out to those who have lost everything,” said Betancourt, to loud applause.
The Prince of Asturias awards have been handed out since 1981. A committee chooses the winners based on their qualities as human beings, and their contributions to their fields.
The King and Queen of Jordan have wrapped their tour of Latin America today in Brazil. The royal couple was supposed to continue on to other countries in the region, but issues back in Jordan are calling them home early. 
Just as it was in Chile and Argentina, King Abdullah met with leaders to discuss economic and diplomatic ties with Jordan. This time it was with Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The two leaders also talked about Mid-East peace talks, and the Jordanian king praised Brazil as a model for Jews and Arabs, as the two groups live peacefully together in Latin American nation.
“Brazil provides an example of regional cooperation and peaceful coexistence. Its multicultural society is an example. Its Arab community is the largest in Latin America and one of the largest in the world. This conveys a message to my region,” said the King.
He also praised the role of the Brazilian president in the first Summit of South American and Arab Countries (Aspa), held in Brasília in 2005.
Along the same lines, Lula claimed that the Jordanian king is admired as the leader of the main efforts for peace in the Middle East. “His dedication is a source of inspiration to all of those who believe in peace,” said the president. “His coming to Brazil strengthens a political dialogue that cannot be postponed, between two countries committed to a future of peace and well-being in the Middle East,” he stated.
 While Lula and the King discussed relations between the Israelis and Palestinians, Queen Rania continued her work for UNICEF by visiting a school in Sao Paulo that is funded by the United Nations organization. Just like in Argentina, the Queen wore slacks and a UNICEF T-shirt to the school. Back in September, Rania vowed to expand education resources for children in struggling nations. Although Brazil has made leaps economically, there is still an issue of poverty there.
There was no gala dinner for the King and Queen, just a simple luncheon. The two will be back in Jordan Saturday.
President John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana was invited to the kingdom of the Netherlands by Queen Beatrix this week. It was meant to honor the relations between the two countries, as well as discuss economic ties.
But a state dinner confronted the Netherlands’ very undiplomatic past with the west African nation.
During the 1600′s, the Dutch came to Ghana, first for gold and other resources. But then turned to the native people for something far more horrific – the slave trade.
Queen Beatrix, in her toast to her Ghanese guests, said the Netherlands looks back at its role in the “inhumane” slavetrade “with horror”. She praised the contribution of the Ghanese diaspora in Holland to the Dutch fabric. Kufuor in turn hailed Royal Dutch Airlines KLM for never having lost faith in Ghana, by always keeping its route to Accra open. “The most dependable airline and country”, Kufuor said of the Netherlands and KLM.
“I have received many invitations, but this was one I could not turn down”, he told Queen Beatrix at a government luncheon at the majestic Trêves Hall, normally the meeting room of the Dutch government. At the state banquet Tuesday evening at Noordeinde Palace, he elaborated on the good relations between the two countries, urging the Dutch to invest more and to join forces with Ghana.
The King and Queen of Jordan arrived in Brazil earlier today, shortly after it was announced they will be cutting short their visit to the Latin American region. 
King Abdullah and Queen Rania were to go to Honduras, Costa Rica and Cuba following their time in Brazil, but for supposedly domestic reasons, they will be leaving the region early instead.
The point of the trip is to broaden Jordan’s economic and political ties with Latin America. It is the first time Abdullah and Rania have toured the area.
Yesterday saw the royals stop by Buenos Aires, Argentina. There the King and Argentine President Cristina Kirchner discussed FTA (free trade agreement) between their two countries. King Abdullah underlined a genuine opportunity for both countries to increase trade volume and investment cooperation in vital sectors such as mining, pharmaceuticals and food industries.
In the presence of the King and Kirchner, officials from the two sides signed agreements designed to boost cooperation in the fields of technology, trade and economy, culture and agriculture.
 Kirchner welcomed a plan to hold Jordan Investment Forum in Buenos Aires on October 27. A similar event was organised by the Jordan Investment Board in Chile on Tuesday during the first leg of the King’s Latin American tour.
While Abdullah was meeting with Kirchner, his wife Queen Rania visited the Paula Albarracin de Sarmiento school in Buenos Aires. Unregally dressed in a UNICEF t-shirt and jeans, the Queen showed just how down-to-earth and modern she is as she interacted with the students.
Now, the royals are in Brazil. They are expected to continue expanding their economic ties with the growing Latin American nation, and then return home to Jordan. It is unknown if they will ever make up for not being able to go to the previously mentioned countries.
Marking her 74th birthday on Monday, Empress Michiko of Japan released a statement, talking about the joy of her four grandchildren and concern for her husband’s health. 
Michiko talked especially about her granddaughter, 6 year old Princess Aiko, the daughter of her eldest son Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Crown Princess Masako.
‘‘It was Aiko’s turn to start school this year, making this a happy year indeed,’’ the empress said in a written reply to questions from the Imperial Household Agency press corps.
‘‘I sometimes think that perhaps the way we perceive and what we find amusing may be quite similar.”
‘‘On hearing certain expressions or sounds of words from those around us that I think she may find funny, I glance at her and I have caught her looking at me with laughter in her eyes,’’ she said. ‘‘Moments like this make me feel very happy.’’
Michiko also commented on her only grandson, 2 year old Prince Hisahito, who she says is “growing up in sound health”
What is worrying the Empress is her husband, Emperor Akihito, who has been experiencing some health problems recently. He was diagnosed with increased risk of developing osteoporosis and has been under hormonal treatment since he underwent surgery for prostate cancer in 2003.
The empress said that she joins the emperor in early morning walks and other exercises, which doctors say are helpful in fighting the side-effects of the hormonal treatment. ‘‘The doctors have advised us to increase the amount of exercise’’ the emperor should take, she said.
When asked about the health of her daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Masako, Empress Michiko refrained from giving away too much information. She simply said, ‘‘The crown princess is a precious person for the crown prince as well as for our entire family and there is no change in my earlier words that I will ‘continue praying for the full recovery of the crown princess, and will watch over her and give her my support.‘’’
Masako has been suffering from depression for several years. The Harvard educated diplomat has rarely been seen in public, and has not accompanied her husband on foreign visits since 2005. Like Masako, Empress Michiko was a commoner who married the heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
If there was one thing the Empress perhaps wishes for most, is to spend more time with her family.
‘‘Each household has its own schedule and circumstances,” she said, ‘‘[But] if we could continue to see them as often as our schedules permit, it would make us truly happy.’’
In late February, Imperial Household Agency chief Shingo Haketa advised Crown Prince Naruhito to visit his parents along with his family more often at the palace. Emperor Akihito has said it was ‘‘unfortunate’’ that he had not had many opportunities to meet Princess Aiko.
The King and Queen of Jordan are in South America for the start of their six day tour. This is so Jordan could strengthen its ties with the region in terms of political, economic and other aspects. In fact, several Jordanian businessman are accompanying the royal couple as way of broadening economic ties. 
On Sunday, King Abdullah and Queen first arrived in Chile. President Michele Barchelet greeted them, and led them to the La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago for some talks.
One of the issues addressed in the meeting between Barchelet and the King was the need to consolidate competitive trade infrastructure, such as ports and logistics, to reduce the cost of trade and facilitate business.
Other issues discussed included research and development investments in transport and energy infrastructure, as well as environmental standards.
Chile is the first Latin American country the King and Queen are visiting as part of their tour of the region. Other countries they will be touring include Cuba, Brazil, Costa Rica, Honduras and Argentina.
The future Queen of Sweden appears to be having a spectacular time in India. Besides meeting with dignitaries and representing her country, Crown Princess Victoria is taking time to enjoy the sights and sounds of Indian history and culture.
This weekend saw Victoria stop by India’s most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal in Agra. Although she saw the site alone, Victoria was reminded of a time when her parents visited the monument of love years earlier.
“It’s fantastic to be here. My parents have been several times before and I had talked a lot of the country, “said the Princess, according to the Swedish magazine Svensk Damtidning.
After that, Victoria met with Raoul Gandhi, grandson of the assassinated Indira Gandhi.
Monday saw the princess move on to the city of Pune. There, she received a beautiful red scarf by the mayor Rajlaxmi Bhonsle during the official welcoming ceremony in the Aga Khan palace.
Later in the day, Victoria met with the Swedish Ambassador to India, Lars-Olof Lindgren, and Ashok Pathil, the headmaster of the Vikhe Pathil Memorial School. The three were entertained by the students of the school, who performed traditional Indian dancing and music. 
Afterwards, Victoria helped plant a tree on the school’s grounds.
The Crown Princess still has lots to do for the remainder of her tour. Next she moves on the Mumbai and Jodhpur. Mumbai should be a particularly exciting for Victoria, as she might get to meet some Bollywood movie stars!
Not one day into her trip to Ukraine and already it looks as if Crown Princess Mette-Marit will not be able to fulfill her visit .
Earlier today, the princess fell on some stairs and hit her head so hard, scans show she is now suffering from a concussion.
Mette-Marit was meeting with the organization All-Ukrainian Network, for people who live with HIV or AIDS.
Now because of her accident, the Norwegian crown princess will have to cancel many engagements for the remainder of her trip, as doctors are telling her to rest for two days. Mette-Marit’s visit is to last until Wednesday.
This is not the first time Mette-Marit had to cancel on an official foreign visit. One of her first official visits, to Germany, was cancelled after she suffered severe sunburn during a TV interview. Earlier this year a scheduled trip to Chile was canceled after she fell ill.
Her trip to Ukraine is part of her role as a special envoy for the United Nations. It’s her fourth trip for UNAIDS, the organization that coordinates HIV/AIDS work in the UN. She earlier has traveled to Canada, Nicaragua and Malawi to encourage tolerance and acceptance of HIV/AIDS patients.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit is in Kiev for a three day trip on behalf of UNAIDS. The princess, as well as her husband Crown  Prince Haakon, is very much involved with the UN charity that helps those with the HIV virus in disadvantaged countries. Mette-Marit was appointed a representative of UNAIDS in 2006.
Since then, she and her husband have visited Malawi, Nicaragua, and Toronto, Canada. Ukraine is Mette-Marit’s first stop on her own to an AIDS affected country.
Ukraine is the European country most devastated by HIV. 450,000 of the country’s 46 million inhabitants are HIV-positive.
The Norwegian crown princess will meet with those with HIV, and visit organizations that help them.
She will be in Ukraine until Wednesday.
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