The Royal Correspondent

On May 3, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Benedikte of Denmark (Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg) travelled to Kayonza, Rwanda to “… inaugurate a new SOS Children’s Village…”, according to the Danish magazine, Billed Bladet.

The elegant princess spent five days in meeting with members of the SOS as well as the many orphaned children in and around the village of Kayonza.  Billed Bladet journalist, Preben Petersen notes that Princess Benedikte:

… also visited two other SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda. Each time she was not  just the patron by name. She was seriously interested and involved.  She asked questions about their schooling, allowed herself to be photographed on  the computer class webcam, laughed with them and were – just like any other visiting an SOS Children’s Village member – warm-hearted to discover the combination of warmth, love and a firm hand Children’s Villages provides these children who have such a horrible past.

On May 8, 2011, Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia along with H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden attended a concert.  The event was held at the beautiful Stockholm Cathedral (the venue where the crown princess married her husband last June 19, 2010.)  The purpose of this concert was raise money for the World Childhood Foundation, a charity in which Her Majesty Queen Silvia is patron.

In case you were wondering, H.R.H. Prince Daniel of Sweden did not attend nor did H.R.H. Prince Carl Philip and H.R.H. Princess Madeleine.

They were busy.

To view photos from the concert please click the links here and here. 

By the way, YES, I know the image above is not from the concert.  I was unable to use a photo from the event at Stockholm Cathedral.  

Source: Royalcourt.se

Photo courtesy of:  Zimbio.com by Pacific Coast News

On May 7, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Caroline of Hanover, H.S.H. Hereditary Princess of Monaco attended the 44th Annual Concours International de Bouquets in Monte-Carlo, Monaco.  The lovely princess was in a fantastic mood as she walked through the myriad of flowers that were spread throughout the event venue at the Casino de Monte-Carlo.

The purpose for H.R.H. Princess Caroline attending this event was to judge the floral competition.  Every year, the Monaco Garden Club, organizes this competition which allows relative amateur floral designers from “… 100 to 150 distant countries…” a chance to showcase their talents to the world. Moreover, every year there is a theme in which all participants must adhere to.  This year’s theme:  South Africa.

To learn more about the Monaco Garden Club please click the link here.  To view photos please click the links here and here. 

Two days before the 44th Annual Concours International de Bouquets the princess participated in the final selection of various Chasubles that are to be worn during the “…the centenary of the Cathédrale de Monaco consecration…”  

According to the French newspaper, Nice-Matin, Princess Caroline’s main objective and duty was, “… to evaluate and override some of the clothing.  Key criteria’s include: originality, construction, finishing and symbolism.”  The winner of the competition will have the honor of seeing their design on the Cathédrale de Monaco’s Archbishop Bernard Barsi when His Holiness Pope Benedict visits Monaco, the princely family and Archbishop Barsi in 2012.

Finally, these lovely Chasubles will be on display at the Cathédrale de Monaco until the end of May 2011.

To view photos please click the link here.

Source:  Nice-Matin and Garden Club de Monaco

Photos courtesy of:  Daylife by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe,  Zimbio.com by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe and Nice-Matin by Chavaroche Franz