The Royal Correspondent

On May 10, 2012, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark began their six-day official visit to South Korea.  The crown princely couple are accompanied by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Ms. Pia Dyhr, the Minister of Business and Growth, Mr. Ole Sohn, the Minister for Research, Innovation and Higher Education, Mr. Morten Østergaard, and a large Danish business delegation.

The purpose of the visit is “… to create visibility around Danish companies export and cooperation opportunities in South Korea.”   The visit also focuses on “… economic and cultural activities designed to strengthen the bilateral relations between Denmark and South Korea.”

The day began with a visit to the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul where the crown princely couple laid a wreath in honor of fallen soldiers.  Then they viewed:

… the model of the famous Korean warship known as ‘the Turtle Ship’ and they beat an enormous drum, the drum strokes symbolizing the friendship between Korea and Denmark, harmony and wishes to a successful visit. source

Soon, Their Royal Highnesses attended an official welcoming ceremony held at the Government Building in Seoul.  And, finally after a long hard day Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary attended a gala dinner, held in their honor, hosted by  Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik.

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Sources: Kongehuest and FB Embassy of Denmark in South Korea

Their Royal Highnesses Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg participated in the 2012 ALFI Responsible Investing Conference: Making a Difference on May 10, 2012.

The event, held at the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Kirchberg, focuses on microfinance and responsible investing.  During today’s conference Her Royal Highness Grand Duchess Maria Teresa gave a speech, “…on the theme of ‘Luxembourg’s role in responsible investing’.”

Sources: ALFI.lu and Cour Grand-Ducale de Luxembourg

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited the BBC Scotland headquarters in Glasgow to celebrate the network’s 60th anniversary.

During their visit the royal couple met with BBC Scotland employees and were given a tour of the studio.  Afterward, the Prince of Wales was “… invited to read a specially written weather bulletin with references to royal residences in Scotland.”

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Later on in the afternoon, the Duchess of Cornwall hosted a reception for locals at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh as part of the Big Jubilee Lunch.  Afterward, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited the City of Glasgow College where they meet participants involved in the Prince’s Trust Get Into Cooking Program.  The purpose of the program is “… to give youngsters the skills and experience needed to work in the hospitality sector.”

Click the links below to watch a video and to view photos.

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Sources: Princeofwales.gov.uk and PA

On May 10, 2012, His Majesty King Albert II of Belgium visited the European Council, in the Justus Lipsius building, in Brussels. Whilst there the king met with Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the EC.

Meanwhile, Her Majesty Queen Paola visited the Centre for Palliative Care to celebrate their 25th anniversary and “… the 15th anniversary of the Palliative Care Unit and the 10th anniversary of Heidehuis, three sections of the network of palliative ‘Noord West – Vlaanderen.’”

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Source: La Monarchie Belge