While most of their European counterparts deliver their year-end speeches to their people, Norway’s King Harald V and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark give their speeches on New Year’s Eve. They both discussed the hard times their country’s faced in 2011, and urged optimism for 2012.
Click here to read the Queen's speech (in Danish)
Queen Margrethe talked about how many Danes are still struggling with the poor economy. She called for them to keep their heads held high.
“We have faced adversity before and we’ve seen before how we could get through a crisis by biting the teeth together, support each other and not give up,” she said.
“We can not leave it to others or to chance, how we should proceed. We need to make sure you get where we can find a starting point. This applies both mentally and concretely.”
“Also many of the young, the situation is worrisome. They can not really hold, because they can not find work or because they do not get the education that can improve their chances of finding employment. It can give confidence to recede, making it more difficult to get started, find a foothold and move on. This is serious, not just for the individual young person but the entire community. For it is the young who must lead our society forward, they are the ones that our future must be based.”
The Queen also talked about the troops in Afghanistan, whom she personally went to visit earlier this year. “We all know that they are doing a great and good effort, but with my own eyes to see how they live, to talk with them and gain an insight into their everyday lives is something I will never forget.”
Her Majesty then went on about her own family, and increasing number of grandchildren. This year saw Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary have twins, and Princess Marie is due to have a second child next month.
“We are pleased and touched by everything that happens in our family. I could wish for all families that they could experience as much joy as we: to see their children grow up and develop, and their grandchildren thrive and spread joy.”
With that, Queen Margrethe ended her speech with the traditional, “God save Denmark”.
Over in Norway, King Harald V had the somber duty of healing the country still reeling from the terror attacks in Oslo and Utøya back on July 22nd.
Click here to read the entire speech (in Norwegian)
“Those directly affected should be processing strong emotions and a heavy loss in their own way and at their own time. In this slow adaptation to the rest of us to be fellow human beings,” he said.
“‘When all is no longer with and carry, it becomes harder for us,’ said one of the survivors of Utøya two months after the tragedy. Here is a challenge to each and every one of us. A challenge to show care and provide assurance. We must not forget the children. They might be sitting back with more and stronger impression than we realize.”
“2011 has been a dramatic year,” the King went on to say. “The tsunami that struck Japan took twenty thousand lives and caused widespread nuclear contamination. In the Horn of Africa and elsewhere have natural disasters hit the poorest and most vulnerable hardest. In our own wealthy European debt crisis threatens to close youth out of work – to an extent we thought belonged to the past. But there have also been many positive: the so-called Arab spring. Nobel Peace Prize award to female democracy activists in Africa and the Middle East. Let’s hope this is what will stand out as milestones in history when the long lines to be drawn.”
Harald went on to mention Norway’s fight against racism, and how a program that was started this year saw native Norwegians be invited to the homes of immigrants. Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were invited to an Iranian family’s house for tea as a result of the program. “The conversation with his neighbor over a cup of coffee or tea will also help us to understand differences and appreciate the resources inherent in diversity. At the same time it gives us the opportunity to hone ourselves to each other. We must dare. When the call is an even more important way forward.”
King Harald then ended his speech by saying, “Every person has a great power in themselves – that can carry us through what we encounter in life. But we can not do it alone. And I’m not alone would be to cope with life’s greatest challenges.”
With that, His Majesty wished all Norwegians a happy new year.
Sources: Kongehuset.dk, Kongehuset.no
Dear Readers, I would like to take this time to wish you all a Happy New Year! 2011 was very eventful, both in the royal sphere and beyond. Let’s make 2012 a great year! – Megan
Iñaki Urdangarin, the son-in-law of Spain’s King Juan Carlos, is due to appear before a judge in early February because of his alleged ties to a corruption scandal.
Click here for related photos at Daylife.com
Urdangarin, known as the Duke of Palma and married to Infanta Cristina, is being investigated for abusing public funds he received on behalf of a non-profit organization he ran between 2004 and 2006. But the exact accusations have not yet been revealed.
The AFP is reporting that the King forced the Duke to step down from Instituto Noos in 2006.
“(The King) ordered him to stand down from his activities and he sold his shares,” said an official, who works at the royal palace’s press office.
“He was told he shouldn’t work for himself and it would be better if he worked overseas.”
Iñaki now works for Telefonica, a telecommunications company, and is based in Washington, DC.
In addition this week, the Spanish royal family exposed their budget on their website.
King Juan Carlos is paid €292,752 annually by the state and pays 40% tax on his income.
The heir to the throne, Prince Felipe, gets €146,376. Queen Sofia and the three princesses – Infantas Elena, Cristina and Princess Letizia – get €375,000 each. The total budget for the royal family was €8.4 million this year.
The royal palace denies the family were obligated to reveal their finances and insist the royals did so for the sake of modernization.
While 2010 may have been a celebratory year for the Swedish royal family, 2011 has been difficult.
Click here to view the website of the Swedish Royal Court
So says Queen Silvia and her eldest child, Crown Princess Victoria. In an interview with the SVT program, Året med kungafamiljen – or, The Year with the Royal Family, the two talked about how the media reported on the scandal involving King Carl XVI Gustaf and his alleged affairs and visits to strip clubs.
“It makes a lot of pain when your parents are publicized at the brusque way that actually has occurred,” Victoria told SVT.
Following the publication of the book The Reluctant Monarch, it was widely rumored there were photographs of the King at the strip clubs. Also, there were allegations that he was linked to the Serbian mafia operating in Sweden.
“There is a media drive if I get honest. Actually, I would not go into that. It is extremely hurtful. It is a situation when you are totally powerless. There is always someone else who has the final say,” Queen Silvia said.
She went on to say, “There are some who say why don’t you deny it?. Yes, but you can not deny all every day. It’s hard. Then it is not credible either. It then depends on the writings, if I may call them so, at what level they are. Should I go down to the same level to be able to comment on that?”
There were also rumors that the Queen was on the brink of nervous breakdown due to the reports. This she denies.
“They have recently written that I am close to collapse, soon I will be depressed, soon I will have thoughts of suicide, I’ve hit the wall and so on. I see these headlines. Then let me just say that yes, I am disappointed and yes, I’m sorry. But what shall we say? It might have strengthened me.”
Crown Princess Victoria, who is expecting her first child in March, voiced her concern about the media intrusion and how it would effect her child as it grows up. She claimed the media is a lot more intense than it was while she was young, and wondered if the media will ever give her family a chance for privacy.
But at the same time, she agrees with her mother about how this family crisis effected the royal family.
“When I think back, it is also something that has strengthened us as a family.”
To view the SVT program, click here (its in Swedish).
A recent poll found that nearly eight of ten Danes enjoy their monarchy and would rather have that than a republic.
Click here for original source of photo
The Megafon poll found 77 percent of the people support Queen Margrethe II and her family, while only 16 percent would want to abolish the institution.
“That’s a lot more than for the other European monarchies,” commented Copenhagen University lecturer Lars Hovbakke Soerensen.
According to Soerensen, those other European monarchies see about 50 – 60 percent support from their people.
That may be because the Danish royals have modernized at a reasonable pace than the British royals, whom some say have adapted to changing times too slowly. But at the same time, the Danes have not modernized as quickly as their Norwegian counterparts, whom might have done so too quickly.
In addition, the money it costs Danish taxpayers to finance their royals – between 40-54 million euros – can be considered reasonable, says Soerensen.
The poll was conducted ahead of Queen Margrethe’s 40th anniversary as head of state next month.
On Tuesday, Spain witnessed the opening of the Xth legislature, of democracy or its opening of Parliament. King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia, Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia were in attendance for the event.
Click here for more photos at Zimbio
Not in attendance for the first time since 1979 were the King’s two daughters, Infantas Elena and Cristina. Many wondered if their absence was linked to Cristina’s husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, and his ties to a corruption scandal. Urdangarin has been excluded from the royal family because of it.
“They did not accept their invitation (to attend) for different reasons,” a royal palace communications official said. “It is their decision.”
In his speech to the new legislature, King Juan Carlos reiterated what he said during his Christmas Eve speech to the nation – such as its “responsibility to strengthen trust in the institutions” of Spain. He also added that no public figure was above the law, another echo of the previous speech.
His Majesty also spoke about the high unemployment rate. “All of you, deputies and senators, are united in the obligation to contribute with decisiveness and efficacy to getting over this crisis and its negative effects on citizens,” he said.
Right before Christmas, on December 22nd, the House of Habsburg announced two engagements in Brussels, Belgium.
Archduke Christoph and Archduke Imre, the sons of Archduke Carl Christian and Archduchess Marie Astrid both announced their intention to marry their respective girlfriends – Adélaïde Drapé-Frisch and Kathleen Walker.
Christoph and Imre both gave their fiancées sapphire and diamond engagement rings. While they might appear to closely resemble the same ring that once belonged to the late Princess Diana, and Prince William gave to the Duchess of Cambridge, it should be noted that the rings were modeled after the one the two men’s father gave to their mother. It is a family tradition.
The two men are not members of the Habsburg family, which once ruled Austria, but also the nephews of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, through Marie Astrid, who was born a Princess of the Grand Duchy. They are also the younger brothers of Archduchess Marie Christine, who married Count Rodolpe of Limburg-Stirum back in December 2008.
For Christmas Eve and Day, most of the reigning heads of state in Europe spoke to their people. They wished them a good Christmas, reflected on 2011 and talked about what to look for in the following year.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II’s televised message spoke mainly of the state and goodwill visits she and her family made this year. She brought up the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s visit to North America, her historic state visit to Ireland and the recent tour of Australia.
Click here to read the Queen's Speech in its entirety.
“The spirit of friendship so evident in both these nations can fill us all with hope,” Her Majesty said. “Relationships that years ago were once so strained have through sorrow and forgiveness blossomed into long term friendship. It is through this lens of history that we should view the conflicts of today, and so give us hope for tomorrow.
“Of course, family does not necessarily mean blood relatives but often a description of a community, organisation or nation. The Commonwealth is a family of 53 nations, all with a common bond, shared beliefs, mutual values and goals”
The Queen then mentioned briefly the two weddings the House of Windsor saw this year – Prince William’s and Zara Philips’.
“The importance of family has, of course, come home to Prince Philip and me personally this year with the marriages of two of our grandchildren, each in their own way a celebration of the God-given love that binds a family together.”
Finally, Queen Elizabeth touched on the need to forgive one another. “Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love.”
Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf spoke about this year’s state visits from Estonia and to Botswana. He also mentioned visiting Swedish troops in Afghanistan. “After one such trip, I am even more convinced that we must not give up. We must continue to problems and conflicts should be resolved. Peace and reconciliation are powerful forces that can win over hatred and violence.”
Read the King's Speech here (its in Swedish)
The King also talked about something he mentioned in his Christmas message two years ago. In it, he brought up how he and Queen Silvia wanted to open a forum to discuss children’s issues. 2011 saw the second such forum in Stockholm at the palace.
“Over 400 participants listened to representatives of various child rights issues,” His Majesty said. “It was an important day, the whole palace was filled with dedicated people who talked about how children’s rights can be strengthened in practice.”
King Carl Gustaf went on to discuss the importance of monarchy in Sweden. “My ambition is that the Royal Palace to be alive and help to tell us about our heritage and history of our country. We continuously organize exhibitions, seminars, lectures and tours of the castle. This past year we have had almost one million visitors. The royal palaces in Sweden, I would like to be open so that everyone has an opportunity to take part of our shared history.”
“Sweden is a small nation. To build a sustainable society is the importance of working across borders. That is when we reach the big goals.”
The King then ended his message with a nod to Crown Princess Victoria, who will deliver her first child next year.
King Juan Carlos of Spain’s speech was broadcasted Christmas Eve. In it, he discussed the difficulties the country has experienced with its economy and high unemployment rate.
Click here to read (in Spanish) the King's speech
“We have several years mired in a severe economic and financial crisis whose complex causes are not always easy to understand, but whose negative effects are evident to all. For many, sadly too obvious by their hardness. It is a crisis that is likely to modify call habits and economic and social behaviors,” His Majesty told his people.
“If Spain has achieved in recent decades the highest levels of progress and welfare of its history, we now recognize with humility to know what were the behaviors in which, as individuals and as a group, we could be wrong. Only after this recognition, and the best values of our society before we can begin to overcome this crisis.”
In addition, Juan Carlos touched on the distrust many Spaniards have for what he said was “some of our institutions”. Some translate this as him giving Spain his thoughts on the recent scandal involving his son-in-law, Iñaki Urdangarin.
“I also greatly concerned about the distrust that seems to be spreading in some sectors of public opinion regarding the credibility and prestige of some of our institutions. We need rigor, professionalism and exemplary in every way. Everyone, especially people with public responsibilities, we have the duty to observe appropriate behavior, exemplary behavior.
“When misconduct occurs that do not conform to the law or ethics, it is natural that society reacts. Fortunately we live in a state of law, and any objectionable act should be tried and punished under the law. Equal justice for all,” said the King.
To end his message, King Juan Carlos talked about the recent elections, his heir Prince Felipe’s efforts in representing Spain and gave his condolences to the victims of terrorism.
Over in the Netherlands, Queen Beatrix voiced her concern for stewardship of the earth and the distribution of wealth. “Our precious planet is handled carelessly and what they give us is badly distributed,” she told the Dutch people.
Click here to see video and read the speech (in Dutch)
She went on to talk about how personal gain and abusing the environment undermine the world’s sense of community. But she was optimistic.
“Everywhere people are already taking their own initiatives to a more conscious way of life. This offers hope for a new perspective. It is the youngsters who encourage us to do so today,” said the Queen.
“Entrepreneurs focus more and more responsible production and take into account the climatic effects. Many people work towards the conservation and teach children closely at the irreplaceable treasures of the earth. For the connection between agriculture and environment put many will enthusiastically. In all these possibilities, we can address each other. Old and new media information and call us to take responsibility, each at their own level. What starts in the small can grow into a new culture of concern for the future. Who wants to change the world, must simply begin with himself.”
Her Majesty also quoted Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi – “The earth has enough for everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed.”
With that, Queen Beatrix wished the Dutch a happy Christmas.
Sources: British Monarchy, Kungahuset, Casa Real, De Telegraaf
NOTE: Once the English versions of the speeches are available, I will link them.
It announced not too long ago that Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was rushed to the hospital due to chest pains.
View more photos of the Duke here
The 90 year old Prince was taken to Papworth Hospital in Cambridge for “precautionary tests.” The hospital is Great Britain’s main heart and lung transplant center, as well as its largest specialist cardiothoracic facility.
Philip was with the Queen and her family at the Sandringham estate in rural Norfolk for the Christmas celebrations.
BBC reporter Peter Hunt said it was not clear if Philip will stay in overnight.
Former BBC royal correspondent, Jennie Bond, noted how quickly Buckingham Palace informed the public about the Duke’s health.
“Either this is more serious and therefore they felt they really must issue a statement, or they’ve simply moved with the times and it’s going to get out in social media.”
Note: I will keep you informed for the rest of the day about anything new about Prince Philip and his health.
Sources: AP, BBC
UPDATE 6:22pm – Buckingham Palace released a statement saying the Duke of Edinburgh underwent an operation for a blocked coronary artery. It was treated by a coronary stent.
The Emperor of Japan marked his 78th birthday Friday by appearing on the palace balcony to wave and speak to a large crowd of well-wishers. Emperor Akihito also released a statement which mainly looked back on the year, with many ups and downs not only for him, but for the Japanese people.
Click here for more photos
“Looking back on this year, I must say this has been a truly distressing year, dominated by disasters,” His Majesty said.
“However it has been encouraging to note that the people in the afflicted areas are enduring the harsh conditions in evacuation and that many people are volunteering to support the victims. I feel that the Japanese people have come together as a nation to squarely face the disaster and do what they can to be of help for the victims.”
The Emperor discussed the Great East Earthquake, which struck on March 11th and caused a massive tsunami. 20,000 died as a result.
“My thoughts go out to the people who lost members of their families and loved ones. Their sorrow must be truly heart-rending. My heart goes out to those who lost their homes and livelihoods and those who can no longer live in the places they used to live because of the nuclear plant accident,” he said.
“In the aftermath of the disaster, the Empress and I visited the areas afflicted by the disasters and the evacuation centres for the victims in many areas to offer comfort and encouragement to them. On all of these visits we were most touched to see that, in spite of the sadness and hardships they must be facing, the people never seemed to lose their composure and, with a strong sense of solidarity, they were trying to overcome their hardships by helping each other.”
The Emperor expressed his gratitude towards the Self-Defense Forces, the police, the firefighters, the Japan Coast Guard, as well as all international help and condolences. But his mind is still on those suffering from the March disaster.
“The afflicted areas will soon be facing a bitter cold winter. I am concerned about the health of the survivors, especially the elderly, who live under inadequate living conditions. It is my sincere hope that they will remain in good health through the cold winter.”
Akihito also talked about natural disasters elsewhere, particularly in Thailand where major flooding has taken a toll on the country. “The disasters in Japan and the floods in Thailand remind us once again that we live in a world today in which our lives are closely linked with the lives of peoples of other countries.”
Finally, the Emperor brought up his recent hospital stay for bronchitis.
“I would like to express my gratitude to all the people for their concern and compassion regarding my health when I was hospitalized last month for mycoplasma infection. It has now been several weeks since I left hospital and I have been able to resume the official state duties that I had entrusted to the Crown Prince and I now feel that my physical condition is back to how it was prior to my hospitalization. I shall take good care of my health as I resume my works from now on through various events related to the coming of the New Year.”
“Only days remain before the end of the year. My heart will be always with the afflicted people in the coming new year as has been the case thus far. I sincerely hope that the coming year will be a better year for everyone.”
To read Emperor Akihito’s reflection in its entirety, click here.
…besides Prince William’s marriage to Catherine Middleton.
Yes, that was the biggest royal news story of 2011. But what else? This was a big year for royalty! Everywhere, it seems royals all over the world were making news. There were plenty of royal weddings, for starters. There was a funeral, a pregnancy announcement, births, and a scandal. And let’s not forget how some monarchies were forced to reevaluate themselves in the midst of demonstrations.
So, let’s take time to reflect on this year and see which royal news story was the biggest!
Note: You can only choose one option, but you do have the option to type in something that was not on the list (Just in case something big happens from now until 12/31).
NOTE: If you’re one of the 11 people who voted for Prince William’s wedding, I apologize for altering the poll. I did not do it because of bias or favoritism. I did it because it is too obvious the William and Catherine’s wedding was the biggest story.
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