The Royal Correspondent

On Saturday, July 7, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II and His Royal Highness Prince Henrik of Denmark attended a theatre performance of Hans Christian Anderson’s, The Tinder Box, held at the Pantomimeteateret at Tivoli according to the Swedish magazine, Svensk Damtidining.

Click here to view two photos.

And, finally, the Danish magazine, Ekstra Bladet, wrote an article several days ago regarding Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. Apparently, the magazine believes the future king and queen of Denmark spend way too much money and have:

… three times as many employees as Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales combined. Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary have 26 employees.

Any way, if you can read Danish click here to read the article in its entirety.

Sources: SD and EB

On July 9, 2012, Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall began their four-day tour of Wales.

According to the official website for the Prince of Wales, the royal couple celebrated “…St. Asaph’s new City status by attending a Service of Thanksgiving…” From there they were at St. Asaph Cathedral where they “…met representatives from various community groups and local businesses…”

Afterward, the prince and the duchess opened the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre where they mingled with “… traders, cookery school students, craftsmen, and visitors…”  

Soon, the Prince of Wales was at RAF Valley in Anglesey where he met the Duke of Cambridge as well as the ”…Station Commander and Search and Rescue crews…”   Also on today’s agenda, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were at the:

… Ceredigion council offices in Aberystwyth where they met residents affected by the recent flooding in Ceredigion and members of the emergency services involved in the rescue operations.

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

• VIDEO
• VIDEO 2
• VIDEO 3
• VIDEO 4 (7:56)
• Gallery One
• Article
• Article with photos
• Article with photos

Sources: Princeofwales.gov.uk, BBC News, and Telegraph

On July 9, 2012, Their Serene Highness Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco began their official two-day visit to Germany.

The day began with an official welcoming ceremony at Schloss Bellevue where the princely couple were greeted by German President, Mr. Joachim Gauck, and his partner, Ms. Daniela Schadt.

Afterward, the sovereign prince and President Gauck participated in “an hour-long meeting” with German Finance Minister, Mr. Wolfgang Schäuble, as well as other government officials from Germany and Monaco.

In the afternoon, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene took a boat tour aboard the Sanssouci along the River Spree.  Guests included German Foreign Minister, Mr. Guido Westerwelle and his life partner, Mr. Michael Mronz, German fashion designer, Mr. Wolfgang Joop (if you remember, Mr. Joop designed Princess Sophie von Preußen’s,  née Isenburg, wedding dress in 2011) and other prominent government officials as well as members of German high society.

Any way, after the lovely boat tour Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene met the Mayor of Berlin, Mr. Klaus Wowereit, who gave them a tour of the famous Brandenburg Gate and more.

In the evening, the princely couple attended a gala dinner held in their honor and hosted by President Gauck at Schloss Bellevue.  According to the German newspaper, Berliner Morgenpost, during his speech President Gauck “praised” the prince’s commitment to the protection of the environment stating (rough translation):

We need more leaders like you, Serene Highness, who wear this type of motivation in the public… people like you who appeal to responsibility, stimulate change and more…

Click the links below to watch videos as well as to view photos.

• VIDEO
• VIDEO 2
• VIDEO 3 (Boat ride)
• VIDEO 4 (Boat ride. Again)
• VIDEO 5 (Visiting the Brandenburg Gate)
• VIDEO 6 (Leaving their hotel. Fans wait and cheer. A fan screams, “Welcome to Germany!! We Love You!”  How Sweet.)  
• VIDEO 7 (Photo-op)
• VIDEO 8 (Welcoming ceremony; military review or what ever it’s called.)
• VIDEOS (Gala dinner)
• VIDEOS (Click where it says ‘Ist Furstin Charlene von Monaco Schwanger?’)
• Gallery One
• Gallery Two
• Gallery Three
• Gallery Four
• Gallery Five  (gala dinner)

Sources: Palais Princier de Monaco, Berliner Morgenpost and Stern

Photo courtesy of Morgenpost

The Imperial Household Agency announced that His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan’s 96-year-old uncle, His Imperial Highness Prince Mikasa, “…experienced congestive heart failure Saturday at a hospital in Tokyo and was moved to the intensive care unit, where he remained conscious but largely unresponsive…” 

To read more about Prince Mikasa’s condition please click here. (in English)

Source: Japan Times via IHA

On July 9, 2012, His Majesty King Albert II of Belgium held an audience with Prime Minister, Mr. Elio di Rupo, at Château de Laeken.

Afterward, the king and the prime minister met with Belgian athletes who recently won the gold medal in the Men’s 4 x 400 Meters Relay Race during the European Athletics Championships in Helsinki, Finland.  The happy athletes — Mr. Jonathan Borlée, Mr. Antoine Gillet, Mr. Jente Bouckaert, Mr. Nils Duerinc, Mr. Arnaud Ghislain, and Mr. Kevin Borlée — were accompanied by their head coach, Mr. Jacques Borlée as well as the President of the Ligue Belge Francophone d’Athlétisme, Mr. Jean-Claude Thill.

Click here to view photos.

Source: La Monarchie Belge