As their countrymen prepare to mark Christmas Eve with friends and family, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg and the Kings of Belgium and Spain sat down for their annual speeches, televised live on national television. It is a time to reflect on the previous year and talk about hope for the coming one.
REUTERS/Thierry Roge
For King Albert II, it was an opportunity to plead for national unity. 2010 marked the longest Belgium has gone without a government as the crisis between the Flemish and Walloons continued, and the King, who acts a mediator between the two groups, urged for compromise.
“The time has come when the real courage is to seek the compromise that brings together firmly, not to exacerbate the opposition,” said the Belgian sovereign.
“It seems that in our country, we have somewhat forgotten in recent years the art of compromise. Hence my concern and my commitment to launch an appeal to all our leaders and all citizens,” he added. “This call, I will formally launch. We must have the courage to be peacemakers.”
As of Friday, Belgium has gone for 194 days without a government. An election was held in June, but no compromise has been created between the politicians representing rival ethnic groups.
In Spain, King Juan Carlos had to comfort a nation reeling from a 20 percent unemployment rate. In his speech, the King called for respect for those who struggled to find work or had to face difficult decisions. In his view, they – being “employees, freelancers, professionals, businessmen, pensioners or officials” – all deserve the “broader support” because “their multiple daily labors and those of millions of families have our deepest gratitude for contributing to the good of all.”
Terra Noticias
Juan Carlos also touched on a common topic of his Christmas Eve speeches – terrorism, which remains a threat for Spaniards.
“We should miss determination to end this scourge. Honor and bundled up with all our love and sympathy to the victims of terrorist violence and their families,” he stressed.
The King also mentioned some of Spain’s highlights, such as the winning of the FIFA World Cup this summer. As he talked, the monarch had a photo frame containing a photo of him posing with the Spanish football team.
King Juan Carlos then ended his speech with hope that 2011 will bring “new achievements and advances in many fields. ”
Over in the tiny country of Luxembourg, Grand Duke Henri also talked about the troubled economy and urged his citizens to
Cour grand-ducale/LuxPress/Jean-Claude Ernst
show kindness to those unemployed and struggling financially, especially during Christmas.
Henri quoted Nobel laureate Amartya Sen of India on how to fix the economic crisis and what to learn from it.
” ‘The modern economy has been greatly impoverished by the distance that the economy away from ethics. The economy must serve people, not vice versa.’ For this reason, we must find an answer to two major questions: How should we live? What society do we want?” he said.
The Grand Duke then urged the people of Luxembourg to take responsibility for themselves and be good to others. “Only a society where man can live and work in dignity allows ensure lasting peace. Therefore I urge everyone to ensure, in its quest for profit, not to lose sight of the “common good” and to reach out to those in need.”
His Royal Highness added that he does expect to “see a new boom that offers a perspective and a real security.”
With that, Grand Duke Henri wished all of Luxembourg a Merry Christmas on behalf of his family.
Sources: AFP, Europa Press, Cour Grand Ducale de Luxembourg
The princely family of Liechtenstein may be one of the quietest families on the royalty sphere, but that doesn’t mean their works go unnoticed – especially during Christmas. In the days leading up to the holiday, members of the family have been visiting those in need and taking part in Christmas traditions.
Paul Trummer/Volksblatt
On Monday, Princesses Marie and Sophie went to visit the elderly at St. Florin in Vaduz. There, the two women went around the main room, meeting with their tiny principality’s senior citizens.
That same day, Princess Marie visited patients at the Landesspital Hospital.
Princess Marie is married to Prince Hans Adam II, who is the head of state, though he has given many of his day-to-day powers over to his eldest son, Prince Alois, the husband of Princess Sophie.
Paul Trummer/Volksblatt
Tuesday saw Hans Adam and his wife accept the Light of Bethlehem, given to them by boy scouts. Its a tradition each year to accept the light since 1986. It is lit in Bethlehem, where Jesus is said to have been born, and flown in an explosion-proof lamp to Vienna. From there, it is distributed to several European countries, including Liechtenstein.
There have been some changes to one of next year’s biggest royal events – the marriage of Monaco’s Prince Albert II to Charlene Wittstock.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/FILE
On Wednesday, the royal palace announced that the couple’s civil ceremony would take place on July 1st in the Throne Room at 5pm in the afternoon local time.
But the biggest and most exciting change is for the religious service. That will take place July 2nd, at 5pm local time, in front of the palace!
A red carpet will be rolled out for Charlene to walk with her father up to her husband-to-be and the Archbishop of Monaco, Bernard Barsi, who will marry them. The Monegasque royal guards, the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince, will be guarding the ceremony.
Furthermore, giant screens are being planned to be set up around the palace square, where an estimated 4,000 guests would watch the nuptials. Prince Albert is also planning the wedding to be broadcast live around the world, so millions more could see the event – the biggest in Monaco since his parents married in 1956.
After the service, Albert and Charlene will walk towards the gates of the palace and then towards the Sainte-Dévote chapel. From there, the new Princess will throw her bouquet to the crowds below.
If anyone is wondering about the weather conditions, the Prince has reportedly said he forbids that it will rain on that day.
Thursday marked the 100 years since the birth of the mother of King Juan Carlos. The entire Spanish royal family, including Juan Carlos’ sisters and grandchildren, gathered at the chapel in the royal palace for the mass commemorating Doña Maria de las Mercedes de Borbon y Orleans.
REUTERS/Borja/Pool
Born in Madrid on December 23, 1910, Maria was the third of four children of Prince Charles of Bourbon (widow of the Infanta Maria de las Mercedes, eldest daughter of Alfonso XII), and Princess Louise of Orleans, daughter of the Count of Paris.
She married Don Juan de Borbón, Count of Barcelona, with whom she had four children: Infanta Pilar, Infanta Margarita, the Infante Alfonso, who died accidentally in Estoril in 1956, and Prince Juan Carlos, now the King of Spain.
Maria died on January 2nd 2000, at the age of 89, while spending Christmas with her family at the residence of La Mareta, Lanzarote.
REUTERS/Borja/Pool
For Thursday’s mass, in the rarely used palace chapel, military archbishop Juan del Rio officiated the service. The national anthem was played before the ceremony began.
REUTERS/Borja/Pool
Over a hundred people attended today’s service, including those who worked for the late Doña Maria and those who head her charity foundation.
After the service, the Spanish royals held a reception in which glasses of wine were toasted.
The commemorative coins of engagement between Prince William and Catherine Middleton have been released…and not everyone is pleased.
REUTERS/The Royal Mint/Handout
The coin depicting the couple is being criticized for not resembling them very much, particularly Ms. Middleton.
Some are saying the coin shows Catherine looking heavier and older or not looking like her at all.
“This coin is of historical importance, to get it so wrong seems ridiculous,” said Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty Magazine.
Even Prince William’s depiction is being criticized, with some noting his hair looks like an Elvis Presley quiff.
“Some people will look at it and say, ‘It looks nothing like that person,’ and others will say, ‘Well, that’s not bad.’ I’ve seen it and it’s not brilliant but it’s a reasonable effort,” said Dickie Arbiter, a royal commentator and former press secretary to Queen Elizabeth. “The artists didn’t get it wholly right, but you have to give a bit of licence. It’s extremely difficult.”
Despite the complaints, the coin is going through. Orders are already being taken, and prices start at £9.99 (about $15.40) and go all the way up to £1,550 (about $2,400) for the gold proof version.
If anyone is interested in buying the coin, click here.
The Emperor of Japan celebrated his 77th birthday Thursday, and with that came thoughts of his age and how it affects him.
In a press conference, Emperor Akihito discussed this issue as well as others when it comes to aging.
REUTERS/Issei Kato
“I have become somewhat hard of hearing, so when I receive people,” he said. “I ask those around me to tell this to them and to ask them to try to talk to me in a louder voice. When watching the news and other programs on television, I can understand what the announcers are saying but when it comes to listening to the other people’s conversations on TV, I find myself often relying on subtitles.”
He even pointed out that during a summer vacation with his son, Prince Akishino, and eldest granddaughter Princess Mako, Akihito needed their help while climbing Mount Sekison in Nagano Prefecture – something that has never happened before.
The Emperor also talked about Japan’s 230,000 missing centenarians. “It has now become evident that, among those elderly who were thought to be well and sound, there are some whose fate and whereabouts are unknown, which is most regrettable.”
“It is my sincere hope that there will be further understanding of the needs of the elderly and that more and more attention will be paid to make buildings and towns better equipped to serve the needs of the elderly.”
Akihito then went on to discuss his family and his concerns for the Crown Princess Masako and her daughter, Princess Aiko. Aiko made headlines this year when she skipped school because of anxiety from bullies. As for her mother, Masako continues to suffer from a stress related mental illness.
“It is my hope that she will strive first and foremost to regain her health.”
On Thursday, Masako did make an appearance with her husband, Crown Prince Naruhito, her in-laws, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, and of course, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, on the balcony of the Imperial Palace. Everyone waved to the hundreds of well wishers congratulating the Emperor on his birthday.
Nearly six weeks since they set out for a family journey around the world, Norway’s Crown Princely family invited the media to join them in Sikkim, in northeast India, so they could show their country what they are up to, plus send Christmas greetings.
The family began their three month global tour in Istanbul, Turkey. There, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette Marit took their three children – Marius Borg Høiby, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus – to see Hagia Sophia, which was once the seat of Eastern Christendom before it became a mosque when the Ottoman empire was established.
Next stop was Jordan before the family went to India. Their first stop was in Jodphur before they went to Dzonghu, Sikkim, which borders the Himalayan mountains and Tibet.
In the valley, the royals stayed with another family as it is done in Dzonghu. Haakon, Mette Marit and the children ate and lived just as this family did.
The area is only for the indigenous Lepcha tribe, and permission must be granted to enter the region. The people there live simply, with little electricity or telephones.
Earlier Tuesday, the British royal court announced the engagement of Zara Phillips – daughter of Princess Anne – to longtime boyfriend Mike Tindall. The couple have been dating for nearly seven years.
Reportedly, Tindall popped the question last night at the couple’s home in Gloucestershire. Zara, 29, said she was “shocked” by her boyfriend’s proposal but “very happy”.
Zara is a professional equestrian competitor while Tindall is a rugby player.
This is turning out to be a great way to end 2010 for Princess Anne. Her son, Peter Phillips, is due to be a father any day now with wife Autumn ready to give birth to their first child.
And now Anne’s daughter is finally going to tie the knot!
With cousin Prince William set to get married in April 2011 and now another royal wedding in the works, it looks like an exciting year for the House of Windsor!
Although she was absent from this year’s Nobel Prize ceremony, Princess Madeleine of Sweden was present for this year’s annual Swedish Royal Academy meeting on Monday at the Stock Exchange. She was there with the rest of her family, with the exception of Prince Carl Philip.
Svensk Damtidning
Founded in 1786 by King Gustav III, the Swedish Royal Academy is a cultural institution meant to promote Swedish language and literature.
The tabloid, Expressen, noticed a frosty relationship between Princess Madeleine and her father, King Carl XVI Gustaf during the meeting. Supposedly, she is angry with the King that he forced her to end her engagement to former fiancée Jonas Bergström after a Norwegian model went public about her affair with Bergström
Expressen is also reporting Madeleine is not on the royal calendar of events in the coming months.
But rival newspaper, Aftonbladet, says the Princess has put behind her break up with her fiancée, and may stay in Stockholm in for a long while.
Sources: Expressen, Aftonbladet, The Royal Forums Blog
The Dutch Crown Princely family is already on its Christmas break, and they are spending it in Princess Maxima’s native country of Argentina. The family is staying at Villa la Angostura, a resort town in the Andes mountains.
At one point, Willem Alexander and Maxima invited the press to take photographs of their three daughters. Catharina Amalia, who just turned 7, Alexia, 5, and Ariane, 3, wore matching outfits as they spent time picking flowers as the media shot away.
The family had difficulty getting to Villa la Angostura due to the snowy conditions in Europe. They almost didn’t make their connection from Paris to Buenos Aires on Friday night.
The girls have been to Argentina before, having spent the summer of 2009 skiing in the country’s mountains. Since Argentina is in the southern hemisphere, it has winter while the Netherlands has summer.
It was also during that vacation that Willem Alexander, Maxima and Catharina Amalia were photographed while skiing by the Associated Press. That led to a major lawsuit because the couple felt the news outlet did not respect their daughter’s privacy.
Perhaps this photo session was an attempt to feed the media’s curiosity of the three princesses instead of having a breach of privacy.
To see more pics of this happy family, click here.
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