12 « May « 2009 « Royalty in the News

Prince William Apologizes on Behalf of Queen

It was revealed Wednesday Prince William dropped in on nursing home, and apologized to a British subject on behalf of his grandmother, the Queen.

: AP

The person was 109 year old Catherine Masters of Stanford, England.

What had the Queen done wrong to this centenarian?

Well, like all Britons over the age of 100, Ms. Masters receives birthday cards from Queen Elizabeth II. But the problem was, for the last five years, the photos of the Queen Ms Masters’ has been getting showed the British monarch wearing the same yellow dress. Masters eventually wrote a complaint to Buckingham Palace.

So, it was the Queen’s 26 year-old grandson who stopped by to see Masters to personally apologize for the repeat outfit. Prince William also promised his grandmother would wear something different for Masters’ next birthday card.

The Prince stayed an hour drinking tea with the centenarian. The two chatted about his late great-grandmother, the Queen Mother, and cooking.

“He told me he liked making shepherd’s pie and said he used a masher to mash the potatoes, but I told him he was doing it wrong — he should use a fork to fluff the potatoes,” said Masters.

When the Prince first showed up, Masters had a difficult time believing it was really him.

“It was a total shock, and Catherine was speechless. Prince William came in and she asked if he was real. She squeezed his hand to check,” says Wendy Mead, a senior nurse manager.

Also surprising – and exciting – the lucky great-grandmother is that she has been invited to Buckingham Palace for a tea party with the Queen in July.

“She’s off to buy a new dress and hat,” Mead said

Sheikha Mozah Honored in Lebanon

Sunday saw Qatar’s Sheikha Mozah bin Nasser al-Misnad in Lebanon, where she met with Lebanese leaders and helped build the national library. mozah-lebanon

Although her official visit lasted only one day, the wife of the Emir of Qatar’s visit meant a lot to Lebanon.

At a dinner banquet honoring Mozah and her Qatari delegation, President Michael Suleiman celebrated his country’s brotherly ties with the Gulf nation.

“These days last year, when Lebanon was in the center of a strong storm and in the heart of darkness that suffocated the homeland’s breath, His Highness the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani took the initiative by inviting the Arab brethren and the Lebanese leaders who held the Doha summit which put an end to the then serious division and laid the foundation stone for a stage of calm, dialogue and the return of constitutional institutions.”

Suleiman went on, thanking the Sheikha for laying a foundation stone for the National Library in Beirut, which is linked to her work in education.

“That is not strange to your persistence activity to promote knowledge, intellectual and cultural openness which led to your selection by UNESCO as its special envoy for basic and higher education and as a member of the UN High-Level Group for Alliance of Civilizations which was welcomed and appreciated.”

In return, Sheikha Mozah thanked the Lebanese President for his remarks which she said reflected the ties of fraternity, appreciation and unity of objectives between the two brotherly countries.

She also added how Lebanon is a country famous for its good morals and its pluralism and democracy. But, she said, its thought is Lebanon’s most valuable asset.

Later, the Lebanese President put the Order of Merit’s Grand Cordon on Sheikha Mozah for her role and contributions.

Six Royals Gather for Opening of Plant

Six royals from two different countries were in Wales, Tuesday for the opening of the LNG (liquified natual gas) terminal.

: AP

The terminal is a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum, ExxonMobil and Total.

Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and Prince Andrew were on hand to represent the British. As for the Qatari royals, there was Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, and Sheikha Hind Bint Hamad Al-Thani.

The plant, said to be the largest in Europe, is the first time Qatar has gotten involved in Britain’s gas industry, which is said to be growing rapidly.

In an opening speech the Queen said, “one of the most positive aspects of human nature the world over is how much can be achieved when you work in partnership.”

She went on to say that the project’s “advantages flow both ways.”

There’s has been some concern over the plant affecting the environment. But Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, says not so.

“It fits into the environment very well, as you know it’s been dug into the environment.”

The Duke went on to call the terminal “very impressive” and “very important to the U.K.”

Maxima Hands Out the Apples of Orange Prizes

ANP

Tuesday saw Holland’s Crown Princess Maxima give out the annual Apples of Orange at Noordeinde Palace. It was her first public appearance following last week’s national mourning after the tragedy of Queen’s Day, April 30th.

Dressed in a white top and bright orange skirt, the Princess awarded those who have had success in the fields of Dutch society. In other words, the winners are those who promote harmony between various citizens of the Netherlands.

The prize is 15,000 euros, plus a sculpture of an orange made by Queen Beatrix herself.

The Dutch royal family has been enjoying immense popularity following the Queen’s Day attack. A recent poll said 81% approve of Queen Beatrix.

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