While most of their European contemporaries give their year-end speeches during Christmas, the monarchs of Norway and Denmark do theirs on New Year’s Eve. King Harald V and Queen Margrethe II sat down before their Kingdoms to talk about 2010 and what are their thoughts and hopes for in 2011.
“Be greater as a human being!” the Norwegian King opened his speech with. “This I think tonight when we go into a new year.”
“Growing as a human being, I believe, among other things, is about daring to take on challenges, to stand for what we believe. By standing by our choices and opinions, we are more whole and safer. My experience is that we rarely regret what we have to push ourselves a little too daring. It is often what we did, we regret. As I get older, I have become less fearful of the reactions to my choices and actions. We must see ourselves in the mirror in the morning and say that we are trying to be the best of ourselves.”
King Harald talked about treating others with dignity, something his son and heir, Crown Prince Haakon, works extensively on.
“I think everyone can get into how difficult it is to be seen just a small part of everything we are as human beings. A man from Afghanistan may have had a good job, position, and a rich social life in their homeland. So he comes to Norway as an asylum seeker – and is suddenly a stranger – without language, without a job, with few opportunities to contribute. Then it is easy to start thinking small thoughts about themselves.
“Every person has the resources to use in our community – regardless of nationality, health status, life experience, age and social conditions. We just help each other to see them, and prepare to use them. A resource I hope employers are increasingly know how to appreciate, is the multicultural competence that many in our country possesses. Norwegian youth born of parents with different cultural backgrounds have an experience and an insight that is becoming increasingly important for us in a smaller world.”
The King also gave his thanks to the Norwegians who work to make the world a better place, no matter how they do it.
“Thousands of Norwegians are always engaged in international service out there. I will tonight especially greet Norwegian women and men who work for peace, stability and development – in the military, foreign service and humanitarian organizations. It’s great to give up domestic security – and choosing the risk it means to serve in a conflict area. My thoughts are also with everyone at home who miss them out there. And among those who mourn after losing one of their loved ones.”
Harald closed his speech with an urge for his people to look after each other for the sake of one another.
“I wish that we can look each other in the new year. Be there for each other. We all know life’s vulnerability. We know that it alternates between light and darkness, between joy and sorrow, despair and hope. In this whole, we can dare to meet each other: In a room that is generous – and where its own security means freedom of others.
“We must act boldly and do what we think is right. As we grow as people. As we grow as a nation.”
“I wish everyone a happy new year”
Across the Baltic Sea, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark gave her own New Year’s Eve speech. Done live, instead of taped, she discussed the economic crisis that hit her country hard, but not as much as others.
“It is worrying, because many have lost their jobs, stores earn less money when customers have less to spend, and crisis global scale means that companies are hit by lower sales both home and away,” Margrethe said.
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“Nevertheless, Denmark is among the nations that the crisis has hit less hard.
“Throughout the crisis has helped us that we in Denmark have had wealth and savings to eat out. But what we have to resist with is not only our robust material wealth. We have an entrenched community that we are proud of. It goes far, far back in our history, back to the free constitution, yes, even longer, because the Constitution of 1849 can just be seen as a confirmation of a community that already existed.”
The Queen went on to highlight the importance of society’s evolution into a more safer place, economically and socially. But that shouldn’t mean anyone ought to forget one another.
“We human beings live in mutual dependence. It is true today, as yesterday, and at all times. Earlier, it was perhaps more evident when people lived in small villages, where many tasks had to be solved jointly, and when several generations often lived under the same roof, and all had their tasks to perform for each other. It was a relationship that was obvious to everyone. Today we left for society to cope with many of the obligations that were once everyone’s job. Often it goes so far that we completely forget or overlook the fact that the society is really ourselves, and that it does not work if we do not each make an effort and feel a commitment to both our loved ones, as for those we do not run on a daily basis,” she said.
Towards the end of her speech, Margrethe gave her condolences to the Danish troops who died in Afghanistan this year, and those who suffered physical or mental injuries from their service.
“Some of our soldiers have returned home badly wounded, and others are labeled mentally by their experiences. For all of them that they deserve all our care and recognition. In the fall I had the opportunity to meet some of our wounded soldiers during their rehabilitation at University Hospital. All show a spirit and an incredible will to overcome their disabilities, which made a big impression on me, and which can only arouse admiration.”
At closing, the Queen said: “In good times, we must remember that prosperity is not a foregone conclusion and that there are always some for whom everyday life can be cramped. When times are bad, we must not forget our good mood and that a smile helps to carry us through everyday, even when it is gray.
“So let’s meet the new year with confidence and let’s show each other confidence in its level in the fine print. It must be my wish for year 2011.
Last night, Princess Anne’s daughter-in-law, Autumn Phillips, gave birth to a girl at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. The little baby weighed 8lbs 8oz, but her name has not yet been released. Peter Phillips, the Princess’ son and eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, was present for the birth.
“The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal, Captain Mark Phillips and Autumn’s family have been informed and are delighted with the news,” said a statement from the British royal court.
This baby is now both the first grandchild for Princess Anne and also the first great-grandchild for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
She will be 12th in line to the British throne.
Her parents married in May 2008 at Windsor Castle after dating for several years.
Denmark is feeling a bit shaken today with the news that five men were arrested for planning to carry out terror attacks against the newspaper, Jyllands-Posten at Copenhagen City Hall. Despite the news however, Crown Prince Frederik carried out an engagement at the City Hall with no fear in mind. There had been rumors that an attack on the future King was part of the plan.
“No. Otherwise I would not have been here if I had felt that it was a threat to me or as such, “said the Crown Prince to TV 2 News upon arriving for the Year Fund 2010 in the Danish sports event.
“I feel good and am looking for a good night in the sport character,” he added.
Police in Copenhagen even said that there were no planned attacks on Frederik.
“There is nothing in our investigation indicates that the Crown Prince has been the target of a terrorist act. It is our assessment that it’s Jyllands-Posten that have been targeted for terrorist attack and that it had to be implemented aimed at JP / Politiken Hus in Copenhagen,” PET chief Jakob Scharf said.
On Tuesday, ten of Kuwait’s opposition lawmakers filed a bid to rid the tiny Gulf state of its prime minister, Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah, a senior member of the ruling family. This comes after over four years of political turmoil since the Sheikh was appointed premier by his uncle, Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah.
REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
The motion to file the bid came after Sheikh Nasser was drilled for eight hours by the government over allegations of breaching the constitution and suppressing freedoms. It was the second time he was questioned by lawmakers. In December 2009, Nasser faced corruption charges.
The vote to remove the Sheikh will come on January 5th. If it passes, Emir Sabah would have to either appoint a new prime minister or dissolve parliament and hold new elections.
This recent turmoil started earlier this month during a public rally when Kuwaiti forces used batons to assault MPs and citizens. Four of the politicians were injured.
Opposition lawmakers also claimed the government was looking to amend the constitution to suppress public freedoms.
While oil-rich Kuwait was the first Arab state to allow parliamentary democracy in 1962, since Sheikh Nasser was appointed in 2006, it has been rocked by constant difficulties. The Emir has dissolved parliament three times, while the cabinet quit five times.
U.S. President Barack Obama gave the King of Saudi Arabia a phone call Sunday to congratulate Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud on the progress he has made since his back surgery back in late November.
REUTERS/Saudi Press Agency-Handout/12.22.10
During his vacation in Hawaii, President Obama called Abdullah “to wish him well, and to congratulate him on the progress that he has made toward a full recovery,”
The 86 year old King spent one month in a New York City hospital before leaving on December 22nd. Following his initial surgery on a debilitating herniated disc complicated by a hematoma that put pressure on his spine, the King received another procedure to repair some vertebrae.
King Abdullah is now at an undisclosed New York location where he is recovering from his operations. It is not known when will he return to Saudi Arabia.
In return for the President’s phone call, the King congratulated Obama for securing Senate approval of a new nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia.
“The president thanked him and told him that he looked forward to working closely together in the coming year,” the White House statement said.
“The two leaders underscored the importance of our bilateral relationship, and agreed to continue cooperating closely on a range of issues.”
Belgium’s Princess Mathilde recently sat down with the Dutch magazine, Onze Taal (Our Language) to talk about learning and speaking her country’s other official language. The interview comes as a rarity, as Belgian royals rarely do such things. At the same time, it sparked curiosity for Belgians who might have been wondering how their future Queen, didn’t learn Dutch until age 12, has coped with the language differences of the country.
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“I realize I have a French accent,” Mathilde told the magazine, who even said learning the language was “not easy”.
But the Princess tries to improve herself. She reads Dutch newspapers, listens to Dutch radio, television and speaks Dutch with her advisor, assistants and friends.
While Mathilde and her husband, Crown Prince Philippe, speak French at home, their children attend a Dutch speaking school.
“The homework is obviously in Dutch. I adapt myself accordingly. The kids just think in Dutch,” the Princess said.
She also talked about her relationship with Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, who lives in Brussels because of husband’s Prince Constantijn’s job with the European Union. Both women are advocates of literacy, and Mathilde turns to Laurentien for advice on which Dutch books to read.
Language is major issue in Belgium, which has both French and Dutch as its official tongues. It has led to ethnic and political tensions between the groups speaking either language. Mathilde’s father-in-law, King Albert II has been dealing with a political crisis in Belgium because of the parliamentarians being unable to compromise in order to form a government.
Onze Taal‘s issue with Princess Mathilde will be on newsstands in January.
There’s video of Prince Joachim behaving what many consider to be “rude” and “snobby” towards a Danish reporter. The video is becoming quite popular with Scandinavian viewers, seeing proof of Joachim’s reputation of being arrogant.
During the Christmas weekend, the Prince and his wife, Princess Marie, went on a small yacht where they were approached by a reporter from Denmark’s TV2. Instead of referring to Joachim in the formal “you”, the journalist used the more informal Danish “you”. The Prince corrected him, and even asked the reporter to repeat his question with the correct pronoun.
The one most comfortable with the situation was Princess Marie, who deliberately turned away, not knowing what to do.
As residents of the central Swedish town of Ockelbo packed a local church during midnight Christmas mass, they were given a surprise when hometown boy, Prince Daniel, got up during the service to say a speech. It was preplanned, with Kajsa Cedervall Westerman, curate of the church, asking the husband of Crown Princess Victoria to say a few words.
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“There was no one who knew him to speak, so when the priest was finished she suddenly said that she wanted to give the floor to Prince Daniel, “said one of the 400 attendants.
With his parents looking on, Daniel gave his thanks for all the support and gifts he and Victoria received for their June wedding. He revealed that he felt nervous about the nuptials, because Daniel knew all of Ockelbo would be watching.
The Prince also reflected on how loyal his neighbors have been towards him and Victoria when it comes to the paparazzi. Over the summer, when the couple were visiting Daniel’s parents, a photographer was parked outside the house waiting for them. A neighbor decided to scare him off by turning on the water sprinkler and directing it towards the car. That was met with loud laughter from the audience.
Finally, Daniel talked about how the year’s events made him feel love and loyalty towards Sweden, and especially Ockelbo.
With that, he ended his speech and the people of Ockelbo gave him a lengthy applause.
“He is an amazing talented speaker. He speaks from the heart. I feel it was honestly, lovingly and freely,” said Kajsa Cederwall Westerman.
While Christmas Eve saw three European monarchs give their annual speeches, Christmas Day saw another three deliver theirs. Queen Elizabeth II, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Beatrix had previously recorded their speeches, and they aired on national television on one of the most festive times of the year.
REUTERS/John Stillwell/Pool
For the British Queen, it was a moment to talk about how sports could unite people and create communities. She was referring to this year’s Commonwealth Games, or even the London Summer Olympics which are less than 2 years away.
“During this past year of abundant sporting events, I have seen for myself just how important sport is in bringing people together from all backgrounds, from all walks of life and from all age groups,” the 84-year-old monarch said.
“We see this vividly at the Commonwealth Games, for example, which is known to many as the Friendly Games and where I am sure you have noticed that it is always the competitors from the smallest countries who receive the loudest cheers,” she said.
Analysts of the Queen’s Christmas speech say she might have been criticizing the government’s decision to cut funds for school sporting programs.
To the north in Sweden, King Carl XVI Gustaf had plenty to say about what has been a busy year for his family and country. He referred to the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the House of Bernadotte. But mostly, the King talked about the June wedding of his eldest daughter and heir, Crown Princess Victoria to Daniel Westling.
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“It was a glorious day of celebration,” said King Carl Gustaf. “And our joy was shared with all those hundreds of thousands who had gathered along the motorcade route and below the castle, and with all the millions who followed the wedding on television all over the country and abroad. I want to express my and my family’s heartfelt thanks for all the appreciation and warmth that has come to Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel.”
His Majesty also mentioned Sweden’s economic growth after troubled following the world economic crisis. “In Sweden we can for now rejoice in the strong economic growth. Exports are growing and employment has begun to increase. But we have reason to respect for those in the financial turmoil abroad and what it can get for the consequences.”
He also touched on the environment, mentioning the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and the fragility of the earth by pointing out the earthquakes in Haiti, China and Turkey, and even the volcanic eruption in Iceland.
“Our planet is vulnerable. I tend to think of Earth as an apple – with the crust as thin as an apple peel,” the King said. “If the Earth is an apple, so is life on the planet – humans, animals and plants – as delicate as the dew on an apple that can be easily rub off on your sleeve. We must do everything to protect Earth’s environment and promote sustainable development. We must succeed in reconciling the poor countries for economic development with the need for measures to ensure our common future on Earth.”
No where in the King’s speech did he mention stepping down in favor of Crown Princess Victoria, something a recent poll says most Swedes want to see done.
To the south in the Netherlands, Queen Beatrix gave a speech about living in harmony with others. This may have been a reflection of this past year’s political crisis after Dutch politicians failed to create a government for most of the year.
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“Every person needs a safe place and a life in harmony with others, together we are part of a society,” she said. “Therefore we must ensure the base remains strong and balanced proportions. Fear of change leads to vague unrest and uncertainty about the future. Then comes the social fabric under tension. When people no longer recognize the familiar, distrust grows. But patience, respect and solidarity can counterbalance. It comes down to social solidarity. The challenge is always to each other in solving problems. Anyone who feels participant, is also strengthened in the sense of self.”
Beatrix used World War II as an example of people being brave in the face of disharmony. “The stories from World War II, we know impressive examples of personal courage, when people themselves are not considered brave, but stood for their principles. Their choice had serious consequences for others and for themselves. Despite fear and despair they felt after all the strength to remain true to their faith in human solidarity.”
“Divergent views together of course with an open society. We can not deny the differences, but they see it as a starting point for social dialogue. It is not necessary to persuade each other to endure. That is the basis of mutual respect.”
There were some who felt Queen Beatrix was referring to Geert Wilders, a Dutch parliamentarian who leads the anti-Islam Freedom Party, as she talked about respect for one another.
Wow, was this a big year for royalty! From weddings and engagements to engagements being called off, plus so many other stories, royalty was happening in 2010!
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