Royalty in the News

Willem Alexander & Maxima Celebrate 10 Years of Marriage

Megan M — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:31:14 +0000

The Netherlands’ Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Princess Maxima marked a decade of marriage Thursday. Though the couple celebrated privately, many Dutch reflected on the royal wedding that took place on 02-02-02.

When it was announced that the heir to the Dutch throne was marrying Argentinian born Maxima Zorreguieta, there was immediate controversy. Maxima’s father, Jorge, was a member of the Argentine junta, or dictatorship. Parliament prevented Mr. Zorreguieta from going to his daughter’s wedding, something that of course saddened Maxima.

But she did have something to smile about. The Dutch had already accepted her as their future Queen due to her zest for life and bright smile. Prior to her wedding, she was toured Holland with Willem Alexander as an introduction to the Dutch people.

Since then, Willem Alexander and Maxima have become the parents of three daughters – Princess Catharina-Amalia 8 years old, Princess Alexia, 6 years and Princess Ariane, 4 years. The couple represent their country along with Queen Beatrix.

Below are two videos – one of the wedding ceremony, the other of the balcony scene and its many kisses!

Prince William Begins Falklands Deployment Amidst Diplomatic Row

Megan M — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:29:20 +0000

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge has begun a six week deployment to the Falkland Islands’ military base off the coast of Argentina. This has sparked diplomatic tensions between the South American county and the United Kingdom as they both went to war over these chains of islands in 1982. The Argentinians are calling Prince William a “conquistador”.

Click here for Prince William military pics

The Prince, who is a search and rescue pilot with the RAF, “will arrive on our soil in the uniform of a conquistador, and not with the wisdom of a statesman who works for peace and dialogue between nations,” the country’s foreign ministry said.

Since the announcement that William will be deployed on the Islands, both countries have been trading a war of words. Argentina accuses Britain of trying to divert attention away from its economic troubles.

“The governments should avoid the temptation of inciting debates that transform patriotism into bullying with the aim of distracting public attention from political decisions to reduce spending in the context of structural crisis and high unemployment,” the foreign ministry’s statement said.

It added, “Britain insists on ignoring U.N. resolutions, weakening diplomatic efforts and increasing the risk of more wars.”

At the same time, the U.K. is accusing Argentina of colonialism since the country also claims the Falklands.

“The key point is we support the Falkland Islanders’ right to self-determination, and what the Argentinians have been saying recently, I would argue is actually far more like colonialism because these people want to remain British and the Argentinians want them to do something else,” he said.

In response, Argentine President Cristina Kirchner accused Mr Cameron of “mediocrity bordering on stupidity”.

Prince William is of course, not expected to do any diplomatic tasks while stationed on the Falklands. He will be leaving the Islands sometime in March, right before the 30th anniversary of the war that killed more than 600 Argentine soldiers killed and 200 Britons.

His uncle, Prince Andrew, served in the war.

Sources: AP, Telegraph

Princess Charlene Opens Children’s Shelter

Megan M — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:56:56 +0000

Click here for more photos at Daylife.com

For the first time, Princess Charlene of Monaco has something in the tiny principality that bears her name.

On Wednesday, she and husband Prince Albert II opened the Princess Charlene Home for Children, a shelter intended for youths having family problems.

Dressed in a red coat, Her Serene Highness toured the facility with Monaco’s sovereign by her side. They checked out the dorms, the den, and even played a game of fooseball.

A photo of the Princely couple on their wedding day hangs in the shelter along with an abstract picture of Charlene.

Prince Emmanuel Filiberto Defeats Cancer

Megan M — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:57:00 +0000

Click here for more photos of the couple

Prince Emmanuel Filiberto of Savoy recently revealed he had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his nasal septum.

The Prince – who is a member of Italy’s defunct royal house – noticed changes in his voice late last year. At his wife, Princess Clotilde’s urging, he saw a doctor who diagnosed him with cancer.

Emmanuel Filiberto told Diva e Donna he is now cancer free and is enjoying time with his family.

He also in enjoying making reality shows. After winning the Italian version of Dancing With The Stars in 2009, the Prince is now on another show called The Beginner.

He is very popular in Italy, in a celebrity sense. There is not much chance of the House of Savoy regaining their royal status in Italy these days.

Emmanuel Filiberto is the grandson of the late King Victor Emmanuel III and would be the heir if the monarchy was still around.

Source: Royal News Examiner

Victoria & Daniel Remember the Holocaust

Megan M — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:33:46 +0000

This past Friday saw Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel go to the Raoul Wallenberg Square in Stockholm to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Friday remembered the liberation of Auschwitz in 1945.

Click here for additional photos

Victoria and Daniel met with Kofi Annan, former U.N. Secretary General, who gave a speech at the ceremony. At the beginning of it, he greeted the royal couple by saying, “Your Royal Highnesses, Victoria and Daniel, and the little one”.

But there wasn’t much room for humor during the commemoration. Annan urged those in attendance not to forget the millions who died in the Holocaust. Swedish Speaker Per Westerberg said “We humans need good role models. Role models who fights evil and gives us hope and courage.”

“It was Raoul Wallenberg’s courage, ingenuity and drive that saved thousands of Hungarian Jews from death in Hitler’s gas chambers,” Westerberg added.

The Crown Princess placed a lit candle jar at the center of the square to remember both those who died and Wallenberg’s bravery.

Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat who orchestrated the survival and rescue of thousands of Jews in Budapest during World War II. Wallenberg was captured by the Soviet Union, however, and no one knows what happened to him.

When he was asked why he risked his life to save Budapest’s Jews, he said, “I had no choice.”

Sources: AP, Epoch Times

Tongan Royal Heir Engaged to Marry

Megan M — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:22:04 +0000

Tonga’s Prince ‘Ulukalala celebrated his engagement on January 20th in Sydney, Australia. The 27 year old Prince who is second in line to the throne to due to marry 25 year old the Hon. Sinaitakala Fakafanua.

Click here to see more photos of the celebrations

The engagement celebration follows a traditional Tongan ritual known as Faitohi in July 2011. Held at “Siatapu”, Ma’ufanga Nuku’alofa, the ritual is where a man courts and woos a woman. It basically is the Tongan way of announcing an engagement.

Prince ‘Ukukalala is the son of Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka and Crown Princess Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho while Sinatakala is the only daughter of Princess ‘Ofeina-‘e he-Langi Fakafanua and the late Lord Fakafanua. The two are second cousins.

The couple will wed on May 4th 2012.

The announcement of the upcoming nuptials raises the question on how Tonga’s royals will manage to keep their blood blue as the number of eligible families shrink in the South Pacific nation. The way it used to be is that the heir to the Tongan throne of the Tu’i Kanokupolu dynasty kept its royal status by marrying members of the royal family to the descendants of the earlier dynasties, the Tu’i Tonga and the Tu’i Ha’a Takalaua.

That is no longer done and these days, there are fewer and fewer noble families to marry with. The Tongan royals now have to either marry their relatives or break with tradition and marry commoners – something most royals in the world are doing.

Sources: Taimi Online, Click Tonga Today

Monegasque Princely Family Marks Sainte Devote Celebrations

Megan M — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:31:26 +0000

On Thursday, Monaco celebrated the feast day of its patron saint, Devote. The celebrations are a big part of the tiny principality’s heritage, so its Princely family would obviously take part in them.

Click here to view gallery at Daylife.com

In the evening, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene – who marked her 34th birthday Wednesday – lit a fisherman’s boat on fire with torches on the beaches of Monaco. With them was Albert’s sister, Princess Caroline and her youngest daughter, Princess Alexandra.

This is done to commemorate the burning of a ship on the beach of Monaco, when the captain was caught after stealing the relics of Sainte Devote. Burning a fisherman’s boat has been a tradition since Prince Louis II began it in 1924.

The next morning, there was a mass held at the cathedral. Albert and Charlene then appeared on the palace balcony before the bishop and Monegasque priests.

One should remember that during her July 2nd wedding ceremony, Charlene placed her bouquet at the shrine of Sainte Devote. That is part of the tradition in Monaco.

For future reference, Albert and Charlene will be traveling to the United States in late February to attend the Academy Awards. Keep an eye out that day to see how the Princess of Monaco lights up the red carpet!

Sources: Pure People

Joachim & Marie Leave Hospital with Newborn Daughter

Megan M — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:15:05 +0000

Click here to see more photos at Daylife.com

Three days after she came into the world, Denmark’s newest Princess was taken home by her parents, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie, from Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen.

The media and well-wishers gathered at the hospital’s lobby to cheer for the latest addition to the Danish royal family. Marie looked well rested while Joachim appeared to be ecstatic.

“She has a good appetite and zest for life,” said the proud father.

Joachim also told reporters that his new daughter looks like Marie, whom said it was too early to say. However, the little girl has Marie’s dark hair.

The baby was asleep in her mother’s arms and one reporter suggested she be named “Sleeping Beauty”.

During her hospital stay, Princess Marie was visited by her parents, her in-laws, and her two stepsons – Princes Nikolai and Felix from Joachim’s previous marriage. Even the couple’s 2 1/2 year old son, Prince Henrik paid a visit and got to meet his little sister.

The new Princess is the eighth grandchild of Queen Margrethe II and Henrik, the Prince Consort. She is also tenth in line to the Danish throne.

Her name won’t be revealed until the day of her baptism, which has yet to be announced.

Already, Danish bookies are betting the princess would be named after one of her grandmothers. After all, big brother Henrik is named after his paternal grandfather!

Source: JV.dk, JP.dk

Royals at the World Economic Forum in Davos

Megan M — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:36:06 +0000

With the 42nd World Economic Forum taking place in Davos, Switzerland, many of the world’s who’s who are gathering there to discuss ways to make the world a better place. Among them are a few of Europe’s royals – the Norwegian Crown Princely couple, Belgium’s Princess Mathilde and Dutch Princess Mabel.

Click here to view gallery

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit are in Davos mainly to promote Haakon’s Young Global Leaders (YGL), which he has been involved in since it’s beginnings in 2005. But Mette-Marit took the time to chat with the press and explain to them why she recently set up her own Twitter account.

“I think Twitter is a fantastic opportunity to spread information about the exciting projects taking place around the world, especially driven by young people,” she said.

The Crown Prince does not yet have his own Twitter account, but said he might start one. “I think I’m quite active as I am. We’ll see if I get my own account. We have the joint account. Maybe I have my own later if I want.”

In addition, Mette-Marit praised Microsoft founder Bill Gates for donating nearly $1 billion to the GAVI Alliance, which gives vaccines to people in sub-Saharan Africa.

“We’re very concerned about global health. And now, Bill Gates once again placed a very good focus on this health care,” said Mette-Marit.

She also mentioned how exciting Davos can be as it draws people from all over the world to participate. “It was incredibly exciting to hear their perspectives on the world situation today. And I could have the opportunity to give them advice on how to use the World Economic Forum to promote their projects.”

Meanwhile, Princess Mathilde of Belgium is at Davos. She sat alongside the Norwegian royals during Angela Merkel’s speech Wednesday.

Also at Davos is Princess Mabel, the wife of Holland’s Prince Friso. She also has a Twitter account and has been tweeting her experiences at WEF. Among them, listening to U.N. Secretary General Ban ki-Moon point out that thousands of women still die in childbirth worldwide. Mabel voiced her dismay over that, saying “These are unacceptable, unnecessary deaths.”

Sources: BT.no, NRK

Thai Queen & Princess Celebrate Chinese New Year

Megan M — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:20:13 +0000

Click here for more photos of Queen Sirikit

On Monday, Thailand’s Queen Sirikit and her daughter, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, were in the Chinese neighborhood of Bangkok to mark the first day of the Chinese New Year.

With them was Chinese Vice Minister of Culture Li Xiaojie. He arrived in the country to express his condolences for it’s massive floods late last year.

He also brought about 170 artists from China to help Thailand’s ex-pat population celebrate one of their biggest holidays.

Festivities to mark Chinese New Year will end on January 30th. This year marks the Year of the Dragon.

Source: China.org.cn