The Royal Correspondent

In today’s edition of the Spanish newspaper, El Mundo, well-known journalist, Pilar Eyre, reports that His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain has allegedly kicked his longtime and controversial mistress, Princess Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, to the curb!

Adiós, senorita!

The old king allegedly ended his relationship with the tarty German princess after the infamous Botswana Affair which resulted in the massive backlash against him from the people of Spain and from around the world.  I suppose he’s trying to rehabilitate his reputation as a responsible dude as well as loving husband.

Any way…

The blonde and busty princess has apparently fled to Monte-Carlo, Monaco where she will remain in hiding indefinitely.  She has also hired a “… prestigious lawyer from Germany, Mr. Matthias Prinz…” According to Pilar Eyre, the reason why the blonde princess hired Mr. Prinz is to “… track all international media in search of information that can damage the honour of his client…”  

Too late.  

Sources: Vanitatis and La Voz Libre via El Mundo

On May 12, 2012, the Imperial Household Agency released a statement from His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan regarding Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations:

It is with great pleasure that together with the Empress I will visit the United Kingdom to attend a luncheon in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to which she has invited monarchs of various countries. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Her Majesty for this invitation.

The Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was held soon after World War II, in June 1953, the year after the Treaty of Peace with Japan went into effect. At that time, being 19 years old, I attended the ceremony representing Emperor Showa, and taking that opportunity, visited quite a few countries in Europe and North America, a trip during which I learned and experienced so much.

To read the statement in its entirety please click here. (in English)

Source: The Mainichi via the Imperial Household Agency Press Release.

It was announced that Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, and Her Majesty Queen Anne-Marie of Greece will attend the funeral of the late Count Carl Johan Bernadotte of Wisborg in Båstad, Sweden on May 14, 2012.  Following the service the royal trio will attend a reception at the Hotel Båstad.

On May 15, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, and Her Majesty Queen Anne-Marie of Greece will attend a commemoration service for the late Count Carl Johan to be held at the Slottskyrkan in Stockholm.

In other news, Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg recently gave an interview with On Sport.dk.  Click here to watch the video. (in Danish)

Source: Kongehuset

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark continued their fun-filled official visit to South Korea on Friday, May 11, 2012.

Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary began her day with a visit to the Samsung Medical Center located in Irwon-Dong of Gangnam-Gu.  Whilst there the future queen of Denmark met with hospital staff as well as patients from the pediatric Cancer center.

Across town, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik, along with the Minister for Development Cooperation, Mr. Christian Bach, participated in the Global Green Growth Summit Conference held at the Lotte Hotel.  According to the Danish royal court, the conference:

…brings together top economists and environmental experts to discuss ways of intensifying international cooperation to support the countries that attempt within the green growth.

Sounds like fun.

Moving on…  

Later in the afternoon, the crown princely couple attended an exhibition by the late Danish architect and interior designer, Mr. Finn Juhl, at the Daelim Museum.  Whilst there they stared at furniture and generally had a fabulous time.  

Soon, Their Royal Highnesses were hungry… so they attended a luncheon, held in their honor, with South Korean President, Mr. Lee Myung-bak and his lovely wife, First Lady Kim Yoon-ok.

The hectic day ended when the crown princely couple participated in a  “… donation ceremony by Danish company Coloplast…” at the Shilla Hotel.  I’m not sure what the exact purpose of the event was for, but whatever.  From there Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, along with the Minister for Business and Growth, Mr. Ole Sohn, attended the opening ceremony of EXPO 2012 in Yeosu.  Click here to read more about the event in Yeosu (in English).

Click the links below to watch a video as well as to view photos.

• VIDEO
• Gallery One
• Gallery Two
• Gallery Three

Sources: Kongehuset and Embassy of Denmark, Seoul

Photo courtesy of Kongehuset

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the gala celebration, Our Greatest Team Rises, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London.  During the event the duke gave a speech and told a slightly funny joke.

Yay.

Click here to view photos.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, was Kilmarnock on May 11, 2012. The future king visited the North West Youth Project and Community Center.  Afterward, he “… re-opened the Johnnie Walker Bond Building…” and then attended the inauguration of the “… new Anaerobic Digestion Plant…” in North Ayrshire.

Click the links below to watch a video as well as to view photos.

• VIDEO
• Gallery One

Source: Princeofwales.gov.uk

His Royal Highness Prince Philippe of Belgium attended a presentation and conference with young entrepreneurs on May 11, 2012 in Brussels.  The theme of today’s event: Financing Growth and Risk management Strategies.

In the afternoon, Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde attended the exhibition The Golden Age of China: Treasures of the Tang Dynasty (610-907 A.D.) in Maaseik. This unique exhibition was developed in collaboration with the Musea Maaseik and the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands.

For more information about the exhibition please click here. (in English.)

Click here to view photos.

Source: La Monarchie Belge and Degoudeneeuwvanchina.be

On May 11, 2012, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg held an audience with representatives from the United Nations at the Grand Ducal palace.  These representatives are participating in a seminar entitled, ‘Diplomacy, Development and Defense: The Importance of a Holistic Approach to the Maintenance of Peace and International Security’ according to the Cour Grand-Ducale de Luxembourg.

Meanwhile, Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline of Hanover was in Baden-Baden, Germany on May 11, 2012, to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the Margraviate of Baden (became a Grand Duchy in 1806-1918.)  According to a press release regarding the celebrations, the House of Baden is:

… the oldest and influential in German history and has influenced greatly both Baden-Württemberg and Baden.

Again and again the House Baden remained throughout its history with major challenges, threats, even before the end.  And, time and again the house has managed to survive.

For more information about the celebrations please click here. (in German)  Click here to learn more about the history of the house.

Click here to view photos.

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Sources: Cour Grand-Ducale de Luxembourg and Presse Stammhaus Montfort