03 « April « 2009 « Royalty in the News

Monagesque Princesses Renew Vow to Help Burundi

Monaco’s two royal sisters joined force together to sign an agreement to help the children of Burundi. GAS2074769_006

As Presidents of AMADE and Fight AIDS Monaco separetely, Princesses Caroline and Stephanie signed to renew the 2008 agreement which vows to fight against poverty, help orphans and people who are suffering from HIV in the central African nation.

AMADE (Association Mondiale des Amis de l’Enfants) was set up originally by the sisters’ mother, Princess Grace in 1963, and it is dedicated to helping children around the world.

According to AMADE, there are over 800,000 Burundi children who are orphaned and live in intense poverty due to HIV/AIDS.

Since April 2008, a team of three organizations – the Princely Government of Monaco, Fight Aids Monaco, AMADE Burundi and AMADE Mondiale – have vowed to help the needy Burundi children.

This is done by giving medical treatment to those living with AIDS, reducing the transmission of the HIV virus from mother to child and giving orphans and vulnerable children access to basic services, such as medical attention, professional training and restoration of social houses.

This project is go on until 2010. By then, the amount of funds is believed to total close to 1 million Euros.

To learn more about AMADE, click here

Thai Man Gets 10 Years for Insulting Royal Family

A Thai citizen has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars for insulting the country’s revered royal family. thai-king-bhumibol

Suwicha Thakho, 34, was detained in January and confessed to editing photos of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his family.

The court did not say in its ruling Friday how the photos were changed nor where they appeared, although local media had said some of them appeared on YouTube .

Until recently, lese majeste prosecutions were rare in Thailand, and the accusation was mostly used for partisan political purposes as a means of smearing opponents.

But in recent months, lese majeste complaints have been filed against a fledgling Australian novelist, a BBC correspondent, a prominent Buddhist intellectual and an activist who refused to stand during the playing of the Royal Anthem at a movie theater.

Video of an Annoyed Queen Elizabeth II YouTube Hit

The Queen of England is now a YouTube star after video of her apparently annoyed at Italian Prime Minister Sylvio Berlusconi hit the popular website.

During an informal Buckingham Palace reception for the world leaders attending the G-20 summit, Queen Elizabeth II and the leaders gathered together to pose for a picture.

Once the photo was taken, Berlusconi can be heard calling loudly for U.S. President Barack Obama.

The Queen, who was not too far from Berlusconi, turned and said, “What is it? Why does he have to shout?”

Her reaction has been interpreted from annoyance to lightheartedness.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman told the British Press Association the reception was “warm and friendly” and said everyone involved was good-natured.

“It was loud and jolly and very jovial, there were no gaffes and no offense taken.”

Judge for yourself:

Danish Royal Family Mark Home Guard’s 60th Anniversary

The royals of Denmark were united to mark their country’s home guard’s 60th anniversary. mary-uniform1

Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim and a very pregnant Princess Marie together celebrated the guard’s jubilee in Nymindegab.

The Danish queen gave a speech before inspecting the 300 person guard and awarding those who served in it for many years.

“For my part, there are some of my best memories and happiest youth,” said the Queen about her own past in the Territorial Army. She once was a major in the Danish Air Force.

“Therefore, it is also pleasing to see that the Crown Princess has chosen to award the Home Guard, and I am proud today to see Crown Prince entered the parade,” she said.

Like her husband and brother in law, Crown Princess Mary was in uniform, and also was part of the guard’s parade. She had trained with them in 2008 and 2009.

marie-pregnant1 Earlier this year, Mary was promoted to lieutenant of the Home Guard.

Mary is now a part of the staff in Total Defence Region Copenhagen, a voluntary military unit.

Also earning media attention was Mary’s sister in law, Princess Marie. The wife of Prince Joachim had her baby bump on full display as she wore a beige trench coat. Marie’s first child is due sometime in May.

After the ceremony, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary attended a dinner for the Home Guard, still dressed in their fatigues.

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