The Royal Correspondent

On November 28, 2011, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands held an audience with the President of Slovenia, Danilo Türk, at Huis ten Bosch Palace in Den Haag.  President Türk is in the Netherlands on a working visit.  During his time in the country he will visit the International Court in Den Haag as well as attend various meetings with Dutch companies.

To view photos please click here. 

Source: Niews van Nederland

Photo courtesy of: Het Koningkijk Huis

H.S.H. Prince Albert II held a meeting with Mr. Luiz Figueiredo, under-Secretary for the environment, energy, Science and technology of Brazil, to the Palais Princier on November 28, 2011. During their meeting they discussed bilateral issues and the upcoming Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.

To learn more about the upcoming conference please click here.

Source and photo courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco

Her Royal Highness Grand Duchess Maria Teresa awarded the 2011 Prix Grand-Duc Adolphe to three talented artists at a ceremony held at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg.   This award aims to “…improve and promote artistic creation in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg…”  

To view photos please click here. 

Source: Cour Grand-Ducale de Luxembourg

H.R.H. Princess Astrid of Belgium is currently in Abu Dhabi as part of the delegation for “Roll Back Malaria” (RBM) to raise awareness for the global fight against Malaria, Tuberculosis, and AIDS.  The princess is accompanied by Dr. Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund to fight against AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, and by Prof.. Dr. Awa Coll-Seck, Executive Director of Partnership “Roll Back Malaria”.  Princess Astrid and her delegation will also visit Kuwait and Qatar in the coming days.

To view photos please click here and here.

Source: La Monarchie Belge

On November 28, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands attended the 2011 Prince Berhard Cultuurfonds Award  in Amsterdam.  Held at the Muziekgebouw (Music Building) this year’s prestigious award was given to filmmaker and photographer, Anton Corbijn.  According to, NOS, Mr. Corbjin won the prize:

…because he’s an important image-maker and shaper of popular culture of his generation. He serves as an international example for photographers, designers and art directors.

During the festivities there were performances by Bono, Chris Martin and Herbert Grönemeyer.

To view photos please click the links below:

• Gallery One 
• Gallery Two

Source and photo courtesy of: NOS.nl

H.R.H. Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark began his official visit to Vietnam on November 28, 2011.  The heir to the Danish throne met with the Vice-President of Vietnam, Nguyen Thi Doan, at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi.

During his meeting with Vice-President Doan the Crown Prince Frederik expressed his  interest at the development of friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in economics, trade and investment, development cooperation education and scientific research.

Per the Vietnamese newspaper, Tuoi Tre News:

[During the meeting they also]… spoke highly of the establishment of a Vietnam-Denmark strategic partnership in climate change, environment, energy and green growth.

Vice President Doan thanked Denmark for its ODA provision for Vietnam, which she said has helped the country reduce poverty and successfully implement many Millennium Development Goals (MDG) set by the United Nations.  She also expressed her thanks for Denmark’s commitment to providing more ODA for Vietnam, focusing on climate change, scientific research and development of environmentally friendly technologies.

Crown Prince Frederik said that his delegation, including representatives of nearly 80 businesses and more than 30 educational organizations, reflects Denmark’s determination to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in economics, trade investment, education and training.

After the meeting, Vice-President Doan and Crown Prince Frederik witnessed the signing of four cooperative documents on water supply and rural environmental sanitation, maritime preservation, building a quality management system and intellectual property services, and a public administration and administrative reform program for the 2012-2015 period.

Later in the afternoon day, the Crown Prince was received by President Truong Tan Sang, who said that Vietnam needs to benefit from the experience of developed economies, including Denmark, as the country is attempting to shift itself to a new stage of development with a focus on quality growth.

Crown Prince Frederik also expressed a wish to share experience with Vietnam in developing high-quality human resources.  On the occasion, the Prince invited President Sang to visit Denmark at an appropriate time.

At a reception for the prince later on in the afternoon, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung spoke highly of the Danish guest’s visit, which is taking place on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties, saying that the visit will help deepen bilateral cooperative relations in all aspects.

After the reception, Prime Minster Dung and Crown Prince Frederik witnessed the signing of the Vietnam-Denmark Joint Statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership in climate change, environment, energy and green growth.

To watch a video as well as to view photos from today’s events please click the links below:

• VIDEO
• Gallery One

Source: Tuoi Tre News

Photo courtesy of: Daylife/Reuters

M: 40 år På Tronen (M :40 years on the Throne) is a new biography about Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II by Jens Andersen, literary editor of the Danish newspaper, Berlingske Tidende.  Sources used include extensive research and analyzation Queen Margrethe II’s speech manuscripts from the past 40 years,  unlimited access to various archives, and interviews with former ministers, present politicians, artists, historians, scientists, and businessmen.  There are also interviews with Queen Margrethe II, Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Joachim, Princess Benedikte and Queen Sonja of Norway.

The book is not only a portrait of the monarch it is also a chronicle of Denmark, the Danes and their relationship to the royal family for 40 years.

M :40 years on the Throne is available now throughout Denmark as well as online bookstores.

To view rare photos of Queen Margrethe II please click here. 

Source and photos courtesy of: Lidtmere.dk