The Royal Correspondent

On December 13, 2012, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands hosted a luncheon at Paleis Noordeinde for:

“… a select group Dutch individuals who have distinguished themselves by a special achievement. The 27 invitees have recently received a prize or other award for their achievements in various sectors such as sports, arts & culture, media and journalism, music, literature, education, science and industry.”

Meanwhile, in Middelburg, Her Royal Highness Princess Laurentien gave a speech during the 2012 Bibliotheektweedaagse.  The princess is Honorary Chairman of the Public Library Association in the Netherlands.  According to RVD, the princess spoke about “… the role of libraries in language development, reading and writing.”

On December 13, 2012, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias attended a very boring board meeting with members of the Fundación Príncipe de Girona at Palacio Albéniz.

Issues discussed during the meeting included “… activities carried out in 2012 and action plans and budget for 2013 …” 

Fascinating.

It was announced that Her Royal Highness Princess Marie of Denmark is the new patron Danske Studenterhus in Paris.  The lovely princess will take over for Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II who held the position since 1972. According to the Danish royal court, Danske Studenterhus is a “… college that is part of La Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, which was founded in 1925.”

And, finally, the Danish magazine, BT, is reporting — via the Danish royal court — that Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary and their four children will not spent this Christmas at Marselisborg Slot in Aarhus with Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II and His Royal Highness Prince Henrik.  Apparently, the crown prince couple have decided to “… create their own Christmas traditions …” at Frederik VIII’s Palace  in Copenhagen.

Well, that sucks.

Any who, according to BT, Her Majesty and Prince Henrik will spend Christmas with Prince Joachim and Princess Marie and their family at Schackenborg Slot in Møgeltønder.

On Wednesday, December 12, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark opened the Handicaporganisationernes Hus (Danish Disability Organization House) in Taastrup.

Per the Danish royal court:

“Danske Handicaporganisationer (Danish Disability Organizations) have jointly built a house where everyone can move regardless of disability. Sharp colors, lighting and innovative design solutions are some of the many initiatives that make this house the world’s most accessible office.”

On December 13, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Paola of Belgium was at Place Saint-Lambert in Liège where she “… unveiled a commemorative plaque in remembrance of the victims of December 13, 2011 shootings.”

On December 13, 2012, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall was in Hampshire for a one-day visit.

On today’s agenda for the lovely duchess:  A tour of the Emmaus Hampshire Community, a visit to the National Osteoporosis Society where she met with hospital staff and patients from the Osteoporosis Centre.  Afterward, the duchess attended a “… reception with local National Osteoporosis Society supporters group and for medical staff in the Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit.”

The Duchess of Cornwall also attended a “… reception, in support of The Prince’s Trust, and a commemorative lunch onboard the Queen Victoria to mark the liner’s fifth birthday…”

For more information about today’s event please click here, here, and here.

On Thursday, December 13, 2012, it was announced by the Cour Grand-Ducale de Luxembourg that His Royal Highness Prince Félix of Luxembourg is engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Ms. Claire Lademacher.

Congrats to the couple!  

For detailed information about the couple please visit the great site, Luxarazzi Luxembourg, here.

 Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium visited the Dienst Gynaecologische Oncologie (DGO) at the Universitair Ziekenhuis in Leuven on December 13, 2012.

According to the Belgian royal court:

“Researchers and doctors at the Universitair Ziekenhuis DGO  perform a unique and innovative scientific research on the issue of cancer during pregnancy and, in particular, the consequences of cancer therapy for the child.”

On the morning of December 13, 2012, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco attended the inauguration of the new premises of the Centre Médico-Psychologique  and the Centre d’Accueil Thérapeutique à Temps Partiel in Monaco.

“The combination of these two centre’s within the same site, allows the sharing of infrastructure and some personal, it also meets the needs of larger surfaces generated by the development of their activities, which benefit more than 300 children and adolescents.”