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The heir to Japan’s Chrysanthemum throne marked a milestone Tuesday. Crown Prince Naruhito turned 50 years old, and he believes he still has a lot in learn in life.
 AP Photo/Imperial Household Agency “On the one hand, I am astonished that I am already 50, on the other, I have so much more to devote to my self-improvement that it feels like it’s only just the beginning,” he said during a press conference.
“The Confucian saying ‘to understand your Mandate of Heaven’ means to understand your destiny … In other words, I believe it means knowing how to devote yourself to other people.”
“I would like to look to the past lessons learned in order to mold the future of the Imperial family.”
According to Naruhito, the Imperial family has changed with the times. Once seen as living deities, they are now figureheads who have little political power.
When asked about the role of the Emperor as the symbol of the state, the Crown Prince said it would be important for him to share “the joy and sorrow of the people and hoping for their happiness.’‘
Naruhito spoke about his wife, Crown Princess Masako’s mental health and discussed her recovery. “There has been steady progress towards better health … She is still in need of treatment. And for my part, I intend to take the advice of the doctors and do all I can to support her.”
Last year, Naruhito spoke at length about water-related issues. This time, he said he would like to also focus on the environment, children and the elderly.
Ingrid Alexandra, the daughter of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, celebrates her sixth birthday today. According to the Norwegian Royal Court, the little Princess will have a private celebration at home with her family.
 kongehuset.no Ingrid Alexandra is the first female to be in direct line to the Norwegian throne. In the past, males went before any elder sisters, as in Haakon’s case. But a law was passed in the early 1990’s to allow whoever is the first child – male or female – to be the heir to the throne.
Norway’s future Queen may be just six, but she is already becoming famous around the world. On a recent episode of the U.S. animated sitcom, The Simpsons, Ingrid Alexandra was mentioned as a famous princess to admire. One of the teachers on the show’s teachers announced to the class, “Okay. So far for inspirational women day, we’ve had 1 Princess Anne, 15 Dianas, 2 baby Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway and 1 Princess Leia.”
To mark her special day, Ingrid Alexandra had royal photographer Jo Michael come to the royal palace Skaugum in Asker.
Click here to see the photos.
The Emperor of Japan marked his 76th birthday by appearing on the balcony of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Hundreds of well-wishers cheered and waved Japanese flags as Emperor Akihito waved and gave a brief speech. He was joined by wife Empress Michiko, and later the Crown Princely couple, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko.
 REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao In his speech, the Emperor touched on the issues close to many in Japan, such as the economy which has taken a hit like many other countries this past year.
“The severe economic conditions have led to many difficulties. There seem to be many people who are struggling. I hope the coming year will be even a little better.”
Akihito also told the crowds that his health was doing better compared to last year. Back then, he suffered from a stomach ulcer brought on by stress.
One thing the Emperor did not do this year was hold a press conference marking his birthday. He likely did this because in November, Akihito held one in honor of his two decades on the Chrysanthemum Throne. He did, however, release a statement where again, he talked about the issues many Japanese are facing.
“The first thing that comes to my mind is the plight of the many people who are facing difficulties due to the severe economic conditions in our country, triggered by the global financial crisis,” the birthday statement said.
“It grieves my heart that there are people who have even lost their homes.”
“In autumn, there was an increase in the number of patients infected by the new strain of influenza H1N1… I am concerned as to how the situation will turn out in the coming year.
“I am hoping that preventive measures such as the implementation of the flu vaccine will prevent a pandemic.”
In Japan, the Emperor’s birthday is a national holiday. Many politicians, including Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, stopped by the Palace to congratulate Akihito in reaching 76 years of age.
On the day she turned 46 years-old, Japan’s Crown Princess Masako released a statement promising that she will continue to fight a stress-induced adjustment disorder she has been battling for nearly six years.
 AP Photo/The Imperial Household Agency of Japan “I would like to continue my efforts to recover, with the help of people around me,” Masako said in the statement. “Under the guidance of my doctor, I have been doing my best, step by step, to regain my health, mentally and physically.”
Since being diagnosed with the mental illness, the wife of Crown Prince Naruhito has rarely been seen doing any official duties. Her last appearance was during Emperor Akihito’s ascension anniversary.
“I am deeply grateful that their majesties have always been looking after me carefully, and I also appreciate the encouragement and support I receive from the Crown Prince every day,” Masako said.
During the Crown Princess’s birthday, there is usually a statement released by a team of doctors giving updates of her conditon. But this year, it was not released. “It has taken longer (than usual) to prepare the statement because we have been trying to give explanations in an easy-to-understand manner,” an official said.
Thailand was in a festive mood on Saturday as it celebrated its beloved King’s 82nd birthday. Thousands donned pink outfits and waved flags in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, but were mindful of his fragile health.
 REUTERS/Royal Household/Handout The world’s longest reigning monarch has been hospitalized since September 19th for inflammation of the lungs. Doctors say the illness is not serious, but the report was enough to make Thailand nervous. King Bhumibol is seen as a great unifier in a politically divided nation.
The King made his first public appearance in over a month at the Grand Palace, where he gave a nationally televised speech to the country. Last year, he was unable to do this due to another illness.
The King told his people that his happiness came from prosperity, security and calm in Thailand. He urged Thais to do socially beneficial works.
 REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang He then met with various members of the royal family, including his son and heir, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn. Afterward, Bhumibol returned to Siriraj Hospital, looking very much tired.
Because of the King’s fragile health, Thailand is often worried. When he dies, many expect the monarchy to be thrown into upheaval. This is because the Crown Prince is viewed as not being politically savvy as his father.
There’s another birthday being celebrated within Japan’s imperial family this week. Princess Aiko, the only child of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako turned eight on Tuesday. The Imperial Household Agency released some photographs of the young Aiko with her parents.
In the pictures, the princess is practicing her kanji, or writing Chinese characters incorporated into Japanese writing.
Despite being the daughter of the Crown Princely couple, Aiko cannot inherit the Chrysanthemum Throne. After her father, her uncle, Prince Akishino, is next in line. After the Prince comes his son and the only male grandchild of the Emperor – Prince Hisahito, who is three years old.
 AP Photo/The Imperial Household Agency of Japan
The man who is second in line to Japan’s Chrysanthemum Throne turned 44 Monday. Prince Akishino gave a press conference to mark this occasion.
 AP Photo/The Imperial Household Agency of Japan One of the things he mentioned during the conference was how the Japanese taxpayers would benefit from a smaller imperial family. Under current regulations, the number of people who belong the family will decrease.
“From the point of view of the financial burden on the country, it is no bad thing,” Akishino told reporters.
He did point out, however, that there would be less people able to carry out engagements.
Japan is now dealing with a deep debt and is making budget cuts of over $1 trillion. The government is trying to prevent another recession.
In addition, Prince Akishino suggested during the press conference that members of the imperial family should have their say in its future. ‘‘I think it might be necessary to have the process of listening to the opinions of the crown prince and other parties concerned.”
As Japan’s Empress Michiko celebrates her 75th birthday, she has one wish: that the world would have no more nuclear weapons.
 AP Photo/Imperial Household Agency of Japan “I think Japan, the country that has been hit by atomic bombs, needs to seek broader and deeper understanding of this in the international community,” she said.
“The horrors of nuclear weapons are not only the magnitude of their destruction but also the serious and tragic effects of radiation that leaves victims suffering long” after their exposure, she said in written remarks issued on her birthday.
Empress Michiko praised U.S. President Barack Obama for his efforts to ban nukes, and believes that is what earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.
Also on the Empress’ mind is the Japanese economy, which has been struggling in ways not seen since World War II.
“Many people lost their jobs and homes, had to give up on higher education or had hiring promises canceled. This was the most serious concern in this past year.”
Michiko married the then Crown Prince in 1959, with this year marking their 50th wedding anniversary. 2009 is also the 20th year for Emperor Akihito’s ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne. The Empress wishes him “good health and various events associated with the commemoration of his enthronement this fall will be carried out without any incident.”
The youngest son of Dutch Queen Beatrix celebrated a milestone today. Prince Constantijn turned 40 years old, and said he does not feel a day older.
 Het Koninklijk Huis “I feel young”, the Prince said in De Telegraaf newspaper.
Constantijn’s birthday was observed at the Queen’s home at Huis ten Bosch, located in the Hague. Last night, he held a party with friends and family, some of them European royals themselves.
The Prince, who is 5th in line to the Dutch throne, married Laurentien Brinkhorst in May 2001. The couple have three children: Eloise, age 7, Claus-Casimir who is 5, and Leonore is 3 years-old. The family lives in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.
Prince Constantijn works for as an advisor for the European Communications at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which explains why a Dutch Prince would live in Belgium. He is also the head of RAND Europe’s Europe Office, a position he was promoted to in 2008.
Britain’s Prince Harry is celebrating his 25th birthday today. The ginger-haired Prince, who is third in line to the throne, will be celebrating with friends and family as he marks this milestone.
 Reuters He will also inherit a large sum from his mother, the late Princess Diana’s, estate.
When the Princess of Wales died in 1997, she left behind what is believed to be an estate of $35 million. With $13.31 million taken away in taxes, there was $21.6 million left to be divided between Prince Harry and older brother William.
With this inheritance, Prince Harry could be worth around $46 million, according to a report by the Sunday Times in April.
Both William and Harry will gain access to the capital of their inheritance when they are 30 years old, so Harry has to wait a few years.
Former royal spokesman and now a commentator, Dickie Arbiter, said Harry’s increased wealth is unlikely to change his life.
“I doubt whether he’ll touch the money because he manages quite well with his Army salary. What does he need to spend it on? Very little,” Arbiter told Sky News.
Prince Harry earns about $50,000 a year for being an officer in the British military.
The Prince has been through plenty of ups and downs over the years. He grew up in his brother’s shadow, endured the very public divorce of his parents, and faced tragedy when his mother was killed in a car crash. Harry also came under fire for experimenting with marijuana, wearing a Nazi uniform to a party, and saying racial slurs on video.
But at the same time, Prince Harry has charmed people everywhere he goes. He reminds many of Diana, Princess of Wales, due to his approachfulness, warm smile and sense of fun.
Between late 2006 and early 2007, the Prince served for ten weeks in Afghanistan.
He is currently training to be a helicopter pilot.
Prince Harry is believed to be single, although there are rumors he might be reconciling with former flame, Chelsy Davy.
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