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Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco returned to South Africa earlier this week for a series of events to attend. The country is Charlene’s homeland and it is where the couple spent a good part of their honeymoon following their July wedding.
 See more photos of the couple in Durban here On Tuesday, the couple attended the United Nations Climate Change conference (COP17) in Durban. There, the Prince gave a speech as part of the COP17′s opening.
The next day, Albert was among 200 who received the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from the MTN Group at the Business Leaders Network Reception, also in Durban. As part of winning the RECs, the Prince is to donate his to rural areas in KwaZulu Natal, a province of South Africa. The RECs are about the same as one megawatt-hour (MWh) of green electricity, which is enough energy for a family of four residing in an urban area for about a year. Since people in rural places use less electricity, it is expected the RECs will last longer for them.
Also on Wednesday, Albert and Charlene a UNEP event called “One Billion Trees” at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. For this occasion, a tribute was made to 2004 Nobel Peace laureate Wangari Maathai, who was on the board of directors of this foundation.
For Thursday, the Prince and Princess met with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, whom they previously met back in July. This time, they met to discuss ways to run various charities Charlene is setting up in South Africa. The couple also took the time to give Tutu a check to the Giving Organization Trust. The Trust will give the money to 10 charities including the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation in Cape Town.
While meeting with the Archbishop, Albert and Charlene met with local children, who entertained the royals by singing, “If You’re Happy And You Know It, Clap Your Hands.”
Also on Thursday, the couple attended the presentation of the Polaris project by the Polar International Foundation at the Clock Tower.
Source: 4-traders.com, Palais de Monaco, OryxMedia,
 Click here for more photos This Thursday saw Crown Prince Willem Alexander of the Netherlands inaugurated a Fujifilm Factory in the town of Tilburg.
His Royal Highness officiated the opening not by cutting a ribbon, but by stepping his foot into green clay along with CEO Shigetaka Komori. The two did this to demonstrate that the new factory is 100 percent CO2 neutral.
The plant cost 100 million euros and is the most modern factory for production of offset plates.
Source: RTL, Brabant Dagbladet
Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark finished their seven day official visit to Australia Saturday. The last three days of their tour took them to Melbourne and a town called Broken Hill.
 See photos of Day 4 here at Zimbio For Wednesday, Frederik and Mary went to Melbourne’s version of the Sofitel Hotel, to open the State of Green – Join The Future. Think Denmark conference. Before entering the hotel, the couple were greeted by 7 year old Catherine Babie, who was born the day before they married in May 2004. Catherine’s mother, Rachael Oliphant, had flown with her to Melbourne in hopes of meeting the Australian-born Mary, and with luck it worked out!
“Hello Prince Frederik, hello Princess Mary, these flowers are for you,” Catherine said as she handed the Crown Princess a bouquet of chrysanthemums, gerberas and lilies. She then curtseyed to the royals.
“She’s fairly young, she has children, she’s well presented, she’s from Australia and someone to admire,” Ms. Oliphant described Mary. She also explained that her daughter collects magazines of the Crown Princess.
Inside the hotel, Crown Prince Frederik discussed green technology, which is the point of this official visit.
“We’re here to develop the existing strong commercial relationship between Australia and Denmark in areas of mutual interest such as smart cities, clean energy, fruit and meat technology,” he said.
“Climate change and scarce resources impede us to continue business as usual. Both our countries are looking to reduce their dependency on oil, gas and coal.”
“At the same time we’re not willing to compromise our economic prosperity in order to do so.”
After the conference, Mary teamed up again with chefs Rasmus Kofoed and Matt Moran to demonstrate Danish-Australian cooking. Following that, she and her husband went to the Denmark House, where they presented scholarships.
 See images of Day 5 here at Zimbio Next, Frederik and Mary toured the Corporate Culture facility, where they gave out a Danish Export Association honorary diploma and HRH Prince Henrik’s medal of honor before having a business dinner at the Docklands.
On Thursday, the royals went their separate ways. The Crown Prince toured the George Weston Foods production facility in Castlemaine while Crown Princess Mary visited the Pakenham Springs Primary School. There she saw one of its buildings being fitted by Danish eco-friendly technology.
In the afternoon, the couple teamed up again for a reception for the opening of the LeoPharma Pharmacueticals Australian division. As always, they were greeted by large crowds and many offered flowers, though the attention was mainly on Mary.
Next, Frederik and Mary went to a children’s activity center at Birrarung Marr to see kids use LEGO toys to build a city. One of the children gave the Crown Princess a LEGO version of the Danish flag. As she tried to leave, a couple of girls hugged Mary, preventing her from leaving on schedule. But she took it in stride.
For the final hours of their fifth day, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess took part in the naming of the Svitzer Marysville tugboat at Melbourne Harbor, and a business dinner at Federation Square.
 Click here to see photos of Day 7 Friday saw the Crown Princely couple again split up. Mary went to tour the Royal Flying Doctors Service base in Broken Hill, while her husband checked out the Macarthur Wind Farm in southwest Victoria. The farm will install 140 Danish windturbines and will become the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere.
Late the afternoon, the couple reunited to attend a reception hosted by the Governor of Victoria, Alex Chernov at Government House.
On Saturday, Their Royal Highnesses were at the Alannah and Madeline Foundation event in Broadmeadows where she discussed cyber bullying and eSmart, which is to be enrolled in all Australian schools.
‘‘eSmart is a world-leading system and one which Australia should be extremely proud of and one which I’m sure, and I’ve no doubt myself will take home, and with inspiration from here, talk with the actors in Denmark that are already active in the area that maybe can use a little bit of extra inspiration,’’ Mary said in a speech.
In the evening, Frederik and Mary attended the Starry Starry Night charity ball which raised money for the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.
Thus ends the whirlwind seven days touring Australia. Throughout, Crown Princess Mary wowed everyone who caught a glimpse of her.
“She’s just so beautiful, the way that she held herself, what she was wearing, she’s just stunning and she was just so nice to everyone there,” said Annie Turner who was one of the many people in the crowds during the final leg of this tour.
The royal couple will remain in the country for a few more days, spending private time in Mary’s native Tasmania.
Sources: The Herald Sun, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, ABC, The Australian
Denmark’s future King and Queen are currently on a six day official visit to Australia – Crown Princess Mary’s native country. This is the first time the couple have been Down Under since 2008. The purpose of this visit is to promote Danish eco-friendly technology.
 Click here for images of Day 1 Crown Prince Frederik and his wife arrived in Sydney Friday, the city where he and Mary met at a pub back in 2000. Their first stop was to the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition at Bondi Beach. There, they were met by Barry O’Farrell, the premier of New South Wales, who gave them a tour of the art exhibit.
Frederik and Mary then went to another exhibition, this time the Curating Cities: Sydney-Copenhagen, which aims to show alternative energies. The couple took turns to try an “energy-generating bike” which is designed to power a smoothie blender.
Later in the day, the royals took a boat trip across the Sydney harbor to meet with Governor-General Quentin Bryce and her husband, Michael, at the Admiralty House for a barbeque. They took the time to pose for the media not just with the Bryces’, but with their 10 month old twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine. The babies have accompanied their parents on this trip while older sibling, Prince Christian and Princess Isabella are staying in Denmark.
 Click here for photos from Day 2 On Saturday, Frederik and Mary were still in Sydney and were still promoting green technology. In the morning, they went to the Sofitel Hotel for the State of Green – Join The Future – Think Denmark conference. Upon arriving for the event, Mary was welcomed by three young girls who showered her with bouquets and compliments.
“She said thank you for the beautiful flowers, and it was really, really, really nice,” said Evi Karagorge. “And she wasn’t just pretty, she was glamorous!”
Inside, Frederik gave a speech about how both Denmark and Australia are working together to make a more environmentally friendly world.
“Both our countries are looking to reduce our dependency on oil and gas and coal. At the time we are not willing to compromise our economic prosperity in order to do so,” the Crown Prince said.
“My country has shown that it is possible to maintain economic growth and job creation (and) at the same time move towards a more climate friendly and green economy.”
 Click here for images of the Sydney dinner gala
After the conference, the Crown Princess went to the kitchen of the Sofitel to learn how to make a seafood salad and a white chocolate and jelly dessert by Australian chef Matt Moran and Danish chef Rasmus Kofoed.
Afterward, Frederik and Mary went their separate ways – he went to the Darling Quarter while she headed for the Westmead Hospital. The Crown Prince was given a tour of the Commonwealth Building, which uses energy-saving tools and methods.
At the hospital, his wife was honored by its cancer center by renaming it after Her Royal Highness. Its director, Professor Paul Harnett, said the center built a strong relationship with the Danish health system over the years. During her stay, Mary met with the staff and patients, and was given a tour of the facility.
In the evening, Frederik and Mary reunited for a black tie dinner at the Doltone House in Pyrmont. 400 guests were there, as well as the Australian String Quartet, which had played for the Crown Princely couple’s wedding reception in 2004.
The next day, the royals headed for Canberra, Australia’s capital. There, they went to the Parliament House after meeting with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. They also toured the National Gallery of Australia and National Portrait Gallery. At the National Arboretum, Their Royal Highnesses planted a Field Maple tree, native to Denmark. About 500 locals were chosen to attend the planting and get a glimpse of the Australian-born Mary.
There was a better chance of seeing her when she and her husband laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial afterward.
“For the children particularly I think they love to see royals and Prince Frederik and Princess Mary have a strong affiliation with Australia,” said the War Memorial’s Carol Cartwright.
In the evening, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess attended a children’s charity gala.
Sources: News.com.au, Telegraph.com.au, Sydney Morning Herald, Herald Sun, ABC.net.au
Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik attended the opening of the Global Green Growth Forum in Copenhagen Tuesday morning. The conference is an annual event in which 200 leaders from the sectors of the world’s business, finance and public institutions are selected to participate in.
 View more photos here The Crown Prince gave a speech with started off the forum.
“Climate change, scarce resources and a population which continues to grow, makes it untenable to continue, as usual,” he said.
“To make us less dependent on oil, gas and coal demands that we develop a new framework for the use of alternative energy and green solutions. To achieve this goal, the public and private sectors need to cooperate.”
Frederik was among other dignitaries at the conference. They included U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt.
While nothing was definitely agreed on during Global Green Growth, there were some proposals made. Those proposals will be discussed more deeply during the COP conference next month in South Africa.
Source: DR.dk
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden spent Monday outdoors as she attended a seminar called “Sustainable Seas”. The event brought together leading researchers about the state of the Baltic Sea, which Stockholm borders.
 Click here to see more pics at Kungahuset.se The researchers were from Stockholm University and they collaborated with members of the World Wildlife Fund, Baltic Sea 2020 and Baltic Sea Action Group for the seminar. They discussed that more knowledge is needed to study the sea.
Victoria received high marks for her knowledge about the environment.
“She gets the top rating of us. She is both dedicated and knowledgeable,” said Göran Lindstedt, one of those at the seminar.
“She is interested and involved in these issues. I was the moderator and she asked several questions,” said Håkan Wirtén.
Her Royal Highness ended the event by untying ropes that were holding the ship, Tre Kronor, at dock and let it sail to Mariehamn and Turku, Finland. She was able to do this while wearing high heels and being in the early stages of her pregnancy.
The Crown Princess has spoken often about the importance of environment. When how impending motherhood affects her attitude towards the issue, Victoria said she can’t think of the environment enough.
Source: Kungahuset, Aftonbladet
On Wednesday and Thursday, Crown Princess Victoria traveled up north near the Arctic Circle to Jokkmokk, a town in the Lapland province, where Sweden’s indigenous Sami live. She was there to attend the town’s winter conference which was called “Indigenous Perspectives on Sustainable Development”.
 Fredrik Sandberg/Scanpix The Crown Princess arrived in the afternoon and almost immediately was at the conference’s round table discussion (she went to a hotel first to get prepared). Victoria was given the chance to give a quick speech for the conference, saying, among other things, that “Jokkmokk Winter Conference has a strong focus to raise awareness about climate change, energy and sustainable development in a regional context”.
Continuing, the Crown Princess said she “is confident that meetings such as this are essential, but what is really needed is for us as individuals to take action, and to live with greater awareness and to sustainability in our everyday lives.”
Afterward, it was time for some fun for Victoria for the remainder of her two day stay. Right after the conference, she inaugurated the 406th edition of the Jokkmokk market. She arrived at the site via sleigh drawn by reindeer and lit a fire which symbolized the market’s opening.
 Charles Hammarsten/Svensk Damtidning “Jokkmokk’s market includes much more than when it was created,” Victoria told the people gathered around the market. “It is a week of not just goods that are bought and sold, but also an extensive program of cultural, conferences, church services, entertainment, good food and much more.”
Once that part of her stay was completed, the Crown Princess was whisked away in a sled drawn by dogs. She took time to get to know the dogs, telling them she wished she could take them home with her.
The next day, Victoria was at the Sámi Duodjilän. There, she saw an exhibit of Sami handicrafts and art.
Afterward, she attended the second day of the winter conference. Later, Victoria saw a reindeer race and met with a cosmetics producer which manufactures skin care products exclusively of organic and biological ingredients.
Jokkmokk, population nearly 3,000, is in Norrbotten County, part of the Sami territory. The Samis are indigenous to Norway, Sweden, Finland and northeastern Russia.
Source: Svensk Damtidning, Kungehuset.se, Wikipedia
At the heels of the success of her first children’s book, Dutch Princess Laurentien is now hoping for a similar success for ”Mr Finney And The World Upside Down” in Spain. Her book, which focuses on environmental issues, will be published first in Catalan – the language of Cataluña – and then next year in Castillan Spanish in 2011. 
Laurentien was in Barcelona this week presenting her book and character to the local media.
“Finney was born in August 2007 when we saw the news that the Russians had placed a flag at 4,000 meters depth in the North Pole.,” she explained.
”For me, the world stood up and raised many questions as why we do this, is it an act of territorial claims in the Middle Ages?”
Her quest for answers came in the form of Mr. Finney, a half human, half fish character who is an ”excellent platform” to share such environmental topics. He will be “asking many questions about the way we live on our planet and how we manage it.”
Mr. Finney will realize that the ”sustainability of the world is everyone’s responsibility and that no one can be absolute master of nowhere.”
Laurentien admits it is “idealistic” because “a book will not solve the problems,” but is “a modest contribution to dialogue and better understand the world around us.”
The best compliment she had received for the book, said Laurentien, came from a politician who said: “We have to find Mr. Finney in all of us.”
“Mr Finney And The World Upside Down” is the first for the Princess’ series on the charcter. The first Dutch version was published in 2009. The second book, “Mr. Finney And The Other Side Of The Water” will come out in February 2011.
Source: EFE, Noordhollands Dagblad
On Wednesday, Monaco’s ruler Prince Albert II and his fiancee Charlene Wittstock, went to Japan together where the Prince took part in a couple of function regarding environmental issues. This was the first time the engaged couple went on an official visit together – something Charlene will do a lot of when she becomes a Princess next July.
 AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye In the city of Nagoya, Albert attended a dinner reception hosted by Japan’s Environment Minister Ryu Matsumoto for the ministeral segment of the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The next day, both Albert and Charlene went to the event, “Monaco and Marine Protected Areas” which was on the sidelines of the Conference. Senior officials from nearly 200 countries met to set new goals for 2020 to fight animal and plant extinctions after they missed a goal for a “significant reduction” in losses of biological diversity by 2010.
For Friday, the couple went to Tokyo, where they met with Princess Takamado at the BirdLife International banquet. BirdLife is an international organization for the protection of birds, their habitats and global biodiversity conservation.
It is believed the Prince and his fiancee will meet eventually with Empress Michiko. That may occur on the last day of their trip, Monday, November 1st.
Princess Takamado was born Hisako Tottori. She married Prince Takamado, a cousin of Emperor Akihito, in 1984.
Source: The Royal Forums
The sister of the King of Morocco, Princess Lalla Meryem, chaired the opening of the 7th annual Children’s Parliament this past Saturday. The event, held at the Kingdom’s Parliamentary headquarters, focused on the environment as this year’s topic.
 Maghreb Arabe Presse As part of the meeting, Lalla Meryem read a statement from King Mohammed VI to those in attendance. In it, the monarch praised the achievements from the past two years, through the regional sessions and the field studies held by the Children’s Parliament. Those studies were done by monitoring of the actual situation of children’s rights in all constituencies, in towns and villages across Morocco.
The King also commended the actions of the members of the Children’s Parliament, whom have raised environmental awareness through campaigns. He added that their actions would soon lead to the preparation of the National Charter for the environment and sustainable development.
After reading her brother’s statement, Princess Lalla Meryem received praise from Speaker of the House of Representatives Abdelouahed Radi, who applauded her initiatives and efficient approaches in the different areas.
“The Children’s Parliament has a become an institution focusing on the concerns and expectations of the upcoming generations in terms of a democratic participation based on citizenship, commitment to the rights and duties of human beings, and awareness of the virtues of dialogue, openness and tolerance,” said Radi.
The Princess received more praise when child MP Dinia Belmahjoub gave a speech where she hailed efforts made by Lalla Meryem to promote the situation of Moroccan children.
Next, Lalla Meryem began a question session with the ministries of Interior, Justice, Energy, Mines, Water and Environment, Health, National education and Moroccan expatriates.
Source: Maghreb Arabe Presse
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