30 « November « 2011 « Royalty in the News

Prince Akishino Calls for Retirement Age for Emperors

In an interview marking his 46th birthday, Japan’s Prince Akishino made some controversial remarks about the age limits of Emperors.

View more images of Prince Akishino & family here

He said having a retirement age for monarchs is “one idea” and “discussions should be held including at what age to draw the line.”

“When you pass a certain age, it gradually becomes difficult for people to do various things,” said Akishino, who’s father, Emperor Akihito, will turn 78 in late December.

Under the 1947 Imperial House Law, a male who is a descendant of an Emperor would ascend to the Chrysanthemum throne upon the Emperor’s death.

Akishino’s comments have led many to wonder if there is a crisis going on within the imperial family. According to the Daily Yomiuri, many of the Prince’s comments reflected the beliefs held by many among members of the royals and senior officials of the Imperial Household Agency.

These remarks come just days after it was announced there will be dynastic changes to the family, particularly allowing princesses to maintain their titles after marrying commoners.

Sources: Inside Japan Tours, Daily Yomiuri

Queen Rania Stresses Education at Forum

The Queen of Jordan spoke Wednesday about the need for education at the Opening Ceremony of the Fourth High Level forum on Aid Effectiveness in the South Korean port city of Busan.

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“We are in a constant continuum of change which is altering the context of development,” said Queen Rania while stressing the need for smart aid towards education.

“Education is more than a right; its a resource,” she said. “It can combat almost every global humanitarian challenge today.”

The Queen went on to say how 67 million children worldwide are unable to attend classes, there are too few teachers and outdated curricula, and many students graduate without the skills needed for a fast changing world.

Rania also highlighted that women need to be encouraged because they “contributed more to global GDP than either new technologies or the emerging economies of China and India.”

Also on Wednesday, Her Majesty visited a teacher’s college and an elementary school in Busan. Kim Sang-young, president of Busan National University of Education, told her about the admissions process, training courses and operations.

Queen Rania was certainly impressed by the South Korean system. “Korea is a prime example of how the power of education can transform a nation,” she told Kim.

“We, Jordan, are facing similar challenges that Korea experienced decades ago. I strongly believe that the single most important element in education is the quality of the teachers.”

She also expressed her envy over how popular and competitive it is to be licensed teacher in the country, whereas in Jordan, teaching is not too many students’ desire.

The Queen was in South Korea for the 4th High-Level International Forum on Aid Effectiveness. She was one of the VIP guests along with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, U.N. Secretary General Ban ki-moon, and for British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Sources: Petra, Korea Times

Crown Prince of Albania Dies

Crown Prince Leka of Albania passed away Wednesday at a hospital in Tirana. He was 72 years old.

Check out the Albanian Royal Family website here

He was admitted to the Mother Teresa Hospital last week for heart and lung problems and went into a coma soon after.

Leka was the only son of King Ahmet Zogu, who reigned between 1928 and 1939, and Queen Geraldine.

Just days after his birth, Leka’s family was forced to flee Albania when Italy invaded. The Crown Prince would spend 63 years living in exile in Europe and Africa.

He was crowned King Leka I by the Albanian diaspora at the Bristol hotel in Paris in 1961, the year his father died.

Leka returned to his country in 1993 after the fall of communism but was prevented to stay. He tried again in 1997, this time to re-establish the monarchy by force, which failed. He would return permanently in 2002.

Albania’s Prime Minister Sali Berisha declared this coming Saturday as a national day of mourning and the Crown Prince’s funeral will have “royal attributes”.

“His active efforts and role to topple the communist system and, during transition, to heighten Albania’s national values and promote the integrating process remain alive in the nation’s memory,” said Albania’s President Bamir Topi.

Leka is survived by his son, Leka born in 1982, who works for the Albanian foreign ministry.

Source: AFP, AP

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