Queen Maxima Opens Conference in Amsterdam

  December 7, 2017 at 4:02 pm by

As special advocate of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Inclusive Finance for Development, Dutch Queen Máxima opened today, Thursday December 7, the 5th edition of the IGNITE conference at the conference centre Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam. The conference, entitled “Rebuilding Futures” and organized by the Dutch development organization SPARK, was focused on improving access to higher education, developing entrepreneurship, promoting sustainable leadership amongst young people in conflict-affected regions … Continue reading →

Dutch Royal Family Present Prince Claus Award 2017

  December 6, 2017 at 6:13 pm by

Today, Wednesday December 6, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, Princess Beatrix, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien, and Princess Mabel attended the 2017 Prince Claus Prize Award ceremony held at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. This year the award went to the Brazilian filmmaker and rights activist Vincent Carelli and the Chinese new media designer and environmental activist Ma Jun. As Honorary Chairman of the Prince Claus Fund, Prince Constantijn presented … Continue reading →

King Michael of Romania – An Obituary

  December 5, 2017 at 2:20 pm by

King Michael of Romania, who died today at the age of 96, was born on 25 October 1921 at Foișor Hunting Lodge, part of the Peleș Castle estate. He was the son of King Carol II (then Crown Prince) and Princes Elena of Greece and the grandson of Ferdinand I. When Michael’s father renounced his rights to the throne in order to pursue a life with Elena Lupescu, Michael became … Continue reading →

Romania’s Last King, Mihai I, Passes Away Aged 96

  December 5, 2017 at 8:26 am by

The Romanian Royal Family has announced a short time ago the death of former King Mihai I. He was 96. King Mihai passed away today at his home in Aubonne, Switzerland, at 1pm Romanian local time. His youngest daughter, Princess Maria, was at his bedside. The former King – one of only three living World War II heads of state – had been in ill health for some time. He … Continue reading →

Lalla Meryem Inaugurates in Rabat The Diplomatic Circle Charity Bazaar

  December 4, 2017 at 8:28 am by

Princess Lalla Meryem, the eldest sister of King Mohammed VI, inaugurated on Sunday December 3 in Rabat the annual charity bazaar organized by the diplomatic circle, gathering the spouses of ambassadors accredited to Morocco, held under the high patronage of HM King Mohammed VI. After cutting the symbolic ribbon, the Princess was given details on the projects carried out by the Diplomatic Circle in social and cultural fields, as well as … Continue reading →

Lady Frederick Windsor Severely Injured In Car Crash

  December 4, 2017 at 2:31 am by

Lady Frederick Windsor (previously Sophie Winkleman) was severely injured in a car crash resulting in the breaking of her back and foot. According to reports the crash occurred when Sophie was in the passenger seat of a chauffeur driven car when another driver swerved to avoid a deer, causing them to collide with Sophie’s car. Sophie was admitted to a hospital in Cambridge but soon transferred to her local hospital; … Continue reading →

Dutch King and Queen End Official Visit to the Dutch Caribbean

  December 2, 2017 at 3:11 pm by

On the third and final day of their official visit, Saturday December 2, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were in St. Maarten. Upon their arrival to the Princess Juliana International Airport, the Royal Couple was welcomed by Eugene Holiday, Governor of St. Maarten, and his wife. Then the King and the Queen moved to the headquarters of the Red Cross where they met with students of Simpson Bay School. Following … Continue reading →

Princess Marie Brings Henrik and Athena to World AIDS Day Remembrance Event

  December 1, 2017 at 7:58 pm by

On Friday evening, Princess Marie of Denmark took her two children, Prince Henrik and Princess Athena, with her as she attended the annual remembrance event held on World AIDS Day in Copenhagen’s Old Square. The trio lit candles alongside other representatives of the AIDS Foundation and Positive Group, who arrange the event where candles are lit for every person who has lost their life because of AIDS in Denmark. Marie became … Continue reading →

Dutch Official Visit to the Caribbean Continues In Saba

  December 1, 2017 at 5:26 pm by

The King and Queen of the Netherlands’ official visit to the Caribbean islands continued today, Friday December 1st, in Saba. On the occasion of the celebrations of the 42nd Saba Day, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima attended a church service held at the Christ Church in The Bottom, the capital of Saba, where they were welcomed by Jonathan Johnson, Lieutenant Governor of the island. The celebrations then moved to the … Continue reading →

Mad About Meghan: Prince Harry’s Fiancee Makes Enthusiastic Debut On Visit To Nottingham

  December 1, 2017 at 1:38 pm by

Prince Harry and his new fiancee Meghan Markle visited Nottingham to attend a series of engagements, including a fundraising fair for the Terrence Higgins Trust to mark World AIDS Day, on December 1. This was the first time Ms Markle has been on an official engagement with Prince Harry, and Meghan proved to be very popular with the crowds, as all ages shook hands with her and handed her flowers. Harry … Continue reading →

Sweden’s Prince Gabriel Christened at Drottningholm

  December 1, 2017 at 9:07 am by

The youngest member of the Bernadotte clan, Prince Gabriel, was christened today at the Royal Chapel at Drottningholm Palace by Archbishop Emeritus Anders Wejryd, who was assisted by the Chief Court Chaplain, Bishop Johan Dalman, and Pastor of the Royal Court Parish, Michael Bjerkhagen. Prince Gabriel arrived in the arms of his mother, Princess Sofia, alongside his father, Prince Carl Philip, and older brother Alexander. The infant’s godparents were announced yesterday as Princess Madeleine (paternal aunt), … Continue reading →

The Duke of York Appointed Colonel of the Grenadier Guards

  December 1, 2017 at 8:25 am by

Buckingham Palace announced this morning that Queen Elizabeth has appointed The Duke of York as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, the most senior regiment of infantry in the British Army. The Duke takes over the role from his father, The Duke of Edinburgh, who held the post from 1975. The Queen was also Colonel of the Grenadier Guards from 1942 until her accession, when she became Colonel-in-Chief. Previous royals who were … Continue reading →

Emperor Akihito To Abdicate In April 2019

  December 1, 2017 at 5:42 am by

Following a meeting of the Imperial Household Council on Friday morning, the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, has announced that Emperor Akihito will abdicate the throne on April 30, 2019. His son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will succeed the throne the following day, May 1. Emperor Akihito, who will be 85 when his abdication comes around, announced his wish to abdicate in a video broadcast to the Japanese people in August 2016. … Continue reading →

Crown Princess Mary Hosts Christmas Reception For The Mary Foundation

  November 30, 2017 at 5:03 pm by

Dressed in a colour-apt frock, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark hosted a Christmas reception at Amalienborg on Thursday afternoon for staff and collaborators of The Mary Foundation. The Crown Princess used the event to thank those who have contributed to the work of the Foundation, which she launched in September 2007, over the past year. Earlier in the day, Mary had visited Frederiksberg where she attended a tennis day hosted … Continue reading →

Red Cross Volunteer House Opened By Denmark’s Crown Prince

  November 30, 2017 at 11:26 am by

On Thursday November 30, Crown Prince Frederik performed the inauguration of the new Red Cross Volunteer House in Copenhagen. He joined volunteer Jonna Møllemand in a unique ‘ribbon-cutting’ ceremony to mark the opening – instead of physically cutting a ribbon as is usual custom, the pair instead worked together to tie a bow in the ribbon, to symbolise the Red Cross’s ability to “tie people together”. Prince Frederik was later given … Continue reading →

Dutch King and Queen Begin Official Visit to the Dutch Caribbean

  November 30, 2017 at 10:44 am by

On Thursday November 30, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima started a three-day official visit to St. Eustatius, Saba and St Maarten, islands of the Dutch Caribbean. Upon their arrival at the F. D. Roosevelt Airport on the island of St Eustatius, the Royal Couple was received by Julian Woodley, Lieutenant Governor of St. Eustatius. Then the King and the Queen paid a visit to the St Eustatius Solar Park. This solar park … Continue reading →

Grand Duke Jean Joined By Next Generation At Joséphine-Charlotte Memorial Concert

  November 30, 2017 at 5:05 am by

At the Philharmonie Luxembourg on Wednesday evening, the 12th annual concert arranged in the memory of Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte was held. The 96-year-old Grand Duke Jean was present, accompanied by his grandson, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, with his wife Stéphanie. The concert was performed by the Orchestra des Champs Elysées, conducted by Philippe Herreweghe. Grand Duke Jean,Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie attended the 12th concert organized in … Continue reading →

Belgian King and Queen Visit the Province of Flemish Brabant

  November 29, 2017 at 3:16 pm by

Today, Wednesday November 29, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde paid a visit to the Province of Flemish Brabant. The first stop was in the municipality of Grimbergen, where they visited the biofarm Den Diepen Boomgaard. This farm is a social workplace that focus on sustainability and aims to give opportunities to people to gain work experience and expertise. La ferme bio Den Diepen Boomgaard: social ét durable #VisiteProv #Grimbergen pic.twitter.com/UOfjjDZm6e … Continue reading →

Dutch Royals Present Erasmus Prize 2017

  November 29, 2017 at 7:12 am by

Yesterday, Tuesday November 28, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, along with Princess Beatrix, attended the Erasmus Prize Awards at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.  The theme of this year was “Knowledge, Power and Diversity”. The King presented this year’s prize to Canadian scientist Michèle Lamont. Michèle Lamont, Professor of Sociology and of African and African American Studies and the Robert I. Goldman Professor of European Studies at Harvard University, dedicated … Continue reading →

Harry, Meghan To Wed In May At St George’s Chapel

  November 28, 2017 at 6:10 pm by

Kensington Palace has announced that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding will take place at St George’s Chapel, Windsor next May. The exact date of the wedding has yet to be confirmed. The couple are “grateful to the Queen for granting permission for the use of the Chapel”, with Windsor being a “very special place for Prince Harry”. The couple have “regularly spent time there” during their courtship, palace spokesperson Jason … Continue reading →