The Royal Correspondent

On June 7, 2011, Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway two-day visit to the county of Troms located near the northern tip of country.  The reigning couple began their journey on their royal yacht and soon were docked in the port of Skånland.

They were greeted with cheers, applause, hugs from the locals, and of course flowers.  Once things had settled down King Harald and Queen Sonja visited a volunteer center.  Here they met with various representatives and finally the king gave a nice speech whereupon he noted:

Our visit to the volunteer center clearly shows that it means much for many to have a meeting place for activities and socializing. It creates well-being, and it creates a sense of belonging. The panel engaged in individual projects and working with many of the municipal associations.

Soon, they were off to sail to the island of Hamnvik Ibestad were once again they were warmly greeted by the local people including the mayor.  The reigning couple attended a reception on the pier where they ate wonderful local Norwegian food.  And, then another performance as well as a speech by His Majesty King Harald.

Tomorrow the reigning couple will board the royal yacht and said to Gratangen and other town that I cannot think of at the moment.

To view photos from today’s activities please click the link here. (to see all of the photos please click where it says Neste bilde)

Source and photo courtesy of:  Kongehuest.no by Terje Bendiksby/Scanpix

In today’s edition of newspaper, Monaco-Matin, there is an interesting short story about the history of the Grimaldi family. Essentially, it is a mini digital archive containing bios about the entire princely family of Monaco.

Click here to view; then click the play button on the second graphic and use your mouse to scroll and read (it’s in French, by the way.)

Source and photo courtesy of: Monaco-Matin

Recently, the future Princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock, gave an interview to journalist from SABC3 in South Africa as part of their upcoming special about the princely wedding.  The German television network, ZDF, aired a portion of the interview from SABC3 weeks before their own two-part documentary entitled, Eine Fursten fur Monaco: Die Hochzeit von Albert & Charlene, that will air on June 21 and 30, 2011.

Here is a snippet from the SABC3/ZDF interview where Charlene speaks about her “second” wedding in Durban, South Africa, her dress, her future role, and other stuff.   Click here to watch. 

Thanks to journalist Thinus Ferreira from South Africa for the last photo.    

Read more here.

If you haven’t heard by now, there is a wee bit of a problem in Sweden regarding His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf.  Apparently, he was a naughty king up until a couple of years ago.  As a result of this Swedish uproar, His Majesty gave a frank interview about his “… future as King and the monarchy…”  The king also addresses questions regarding the latest controversy about his alleged strip club activities in Atlanta, Georgia (I guess he visited the now closed infamous Gold Club with many of his friends eons ago) as well as in Slovakia; moreover, his alleged ties to meanie weenie Swedish gangsters.

With that being said, you can read His Majesty’s interview, in English, here.  Or, you can watch the televised version, in Swedish, here.  

To learn more about King Carl XVI Gustaf’s minor problem please click the link here.

Source: The Local.se

On June 7, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands attended the “I’m In” national summer activities at the Wibaut College in Amsterdam.

The purpose of the “I’m In” event was to encourage the youth to not drop out of school after their summer holidays are over.  Who knew there was a high drop-out rate in the Netherlands… hmmm.  Furthermore, this event also promotes the youth to get involved in summer activities (I guess so they will stay of out trouble.)

To view photos of the awesome Princess Maxima participating in this great event please click the links here and here. 

Photo courtesy of: Koninklijkhuis.nl

On June 6, 2011, H.R.H. Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, along with various members of his family, attended various stages of the Tour de Luxembourg.  Unfamiliar with the Tour de Luxembourg?  Well, it’s a bike race that takes place in — you guessed it — Luxembourg.  The race is also considered to be a prepping point for those who participate in the famous Tour de France.

Any way, there are several photos of the Grand Duke, who is looking quite healthy these days, so please click the link here to view. 

Source and photo courtesy of:  Cour Grand Ducale de Luxembourg by Paul Hinger

Yesterday, June 6, 2011, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II and H.R.H. Prince Henrik of Denmark began their six-day tour of the United States.  The reigning couple began their visit to Washington D.C., where they attended a reception in their honor at the Danish Ambassador’s residence.

The couple were warmly greeted by the attendees where Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II was given beautiful flowers by one of the government workers.  The purpose of this visit is to, “… strengthen Danish-American relations… the visit will primarily focus on cultural activities and company visits…” notes the Danish magazine Billed Bladet.

On June 7, 2011, the reigning couple began their packed day of events. First, Her Majesty visited the Smithsonian Institution Museum of American History where “…she observed the exhibit ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ and the maritime exhibit, ‘On the Water: Stories from Maritime America.”  (source)

Meanwhile, H.R.H. Prince Henrik toured the Danish company, Mil-Tek, at the company’s U.S. headquarters in Ashburn. According to Bryan Wingfield, CEO of Mil-Tek:

The Prince will be a part of the worldwide launch of Mil-tek’s new recycling solution. We are honored to have His Royal Highness focus on our company to demonstrate Mil-tek’s business solutions and applications during the Danish Royal Visit to the United States. Prince Henrik will lead the debut and demonstration of Mil-tek’s polystyrene reducer. Polystyrene is large, cumbersome packaging material that takes up excessive amounts of space in the waste stream and doesn’t break down in our landfills. Mil-tek’s compacting machine reduces existing waste costs by up to 80 percent. (source)

At noon, the reigning couple met up at the presidential yacht, USS Sequoia, where a luncheon was held in their honor by Ditlev Engell, CEO of Vestas (another Danish energy company.)  After a lovely lunch Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II and H.R.H. Prince Henrik visited the Library of Congress.  Here observed they Hans Christian Andersen collection in the Wilson Room and much more.

From there Her Majesty arrived at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  Here she met with the Royal Danish Ballet who have been on tour in the United States for the past several weeks.  Anyway, after her meeting the queen sat down for tea with Mrs. Victoria Reggie Kennedy.  What they discussed is unknown and private.

Tonight, the reigning couple will attend the première performance (in Washington D.C., that is) ‘A Folk Tale’ by the Royal Danish Ballet at the J.F.K. Center for the Performing Arts.  A reception for the Danish royal couple will follow.

Tomorrow, is another full day for Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II and H.R.H. Prince Henrik of Denmark which includes mid-morning tea with the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.

To view photos from today’s events please click the links here, here, here, here,  and here. 

To watch a video please click the link here.

Sources: Kongehuest.dk, Loudoun Times, Vestas, and Billed Bladet

Photo courtesy of: Daylife by Paul Morigi/gettyimages

On June 7, 2011, H.R.H. Crown Princess Mary of Denmark attended the Danish Refugee Council Conference at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen to honor the 60th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention.

The crown princess has been a long time patron of the Danish Refugee Council, and it was no small surprise that she opened up this event with a speech to a large audience that included the UN HIgh Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres.  According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, today’s conference:

…aims to discuss how Denmark, the EU, and the international community pledges future refugees functions — globally and in Europe.  And, how the Refugee Convention the next 60 years may represent a more comprehensive framework for a binding international cooperation in the field.

To view photos please click the links here and here.

To learn more about the Danish Refugee Council please click here.

Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Billed Bladet

Photo courtesy of: Billed Bladet by Hanne Juul

With less than three and a half weeks until the princely wedding in Monaco between H.S.H. Prince Albert II and Miss Charlene Wittstock, the German television network, ZDF, has released their programming schedule for the wedding.

Phew… long sentence.  Sorry about that.  

On June 21 and 30, 2011,  ZDF will air a two-part documentary about the couple entitled, Eine Fursten fur Monaco: Die Hochzeit von Albert & Charlene.  Part One will focus on Miss Wittstock, her life in South Africa, her swimming career and much more.  The commentors in the documentary include many of Miss Wittstock’s close friends and family.  Part Two, entitled Countdown: To the Fairytale Wedding (something like that)  which focuses on the couple’s relationship and of course their upcoming nuptials.

On July 1, 2011, ZDF will have a special about the civil wedding.  Then on July 2, 2011, the television network will show the entire religious wedding in Monaco beginning at 2:30pm hours before the ceremony is to begin hosted by Karen Webb and Norbert Lehmann.

To read more, in German, click the link: Wedding schedule 

Photo courtesy of:  TF1.fr