Photo courtesy of the Diwan of the Royal Court of the Sultanate of Oman
His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said with former President Barack Obama, 2016
In Muscat, the Diwan of the Royal Court of the Sultanate of Oman announced that His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said passed away on the morning of Thursday, March 12, 2026, corresponding to the twenty-second day of Ramadan 1447 AH. He was 82 years old.
His Highness was a senior member of the royal family of Oman and served for decades as Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, making him one of the longest-serving and most prominent officials in the Sultanate’s modern government.
In its statement, the Diwan of the Royal Court paid tribute to his long life of service to the nation, noting that he devoted decades to the Sultanate with sincerity and dedication during the era widely known in Oman as the Blessed Renaissance, the period of national development that began in 1970.
The Diwan of the Royal Court concluded its announcement with prayers for God’s mercy upon the deceased and extended condolences to his family and loved ones.
Portrait courtesy of Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst (RVD)/Anton Corbijn
Portrait courtesy of Kunaichō (Imperial Household Agency)
Photo courtesy of Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst (RVD
In Den Haag, it was announced that Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will host an incoming state visit from Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan in the second half of June 2026.
The Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst (RVD) noted that the visit will reaffirm the longstanding relationship between Japan and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The state visit will focus on cooperation in areas including security, innovation, defense, economic resilience, and international law.
The relations between the two countries date back to 1600, when the Dutch ship De Liefde arrived in Japan. The ship’s pilot, William Adams, later entered the service of the Tokugawa shogunate and became one of the first Western advisers to the shogun.
In 1609, the Dutch East India Company established a trading post in Hirado. After Japan restricted most foreign contact in the seventeenth century, the Dutch remained the only Western traders permitted to operate in the country, relocating their commercial station in 1641 to the island of Dejima in Nagasaki.
Dutch merchants continued to operate from Dejima until 1859, when Japan reopened to international trade at the end of the Tokugawa period. The Dutch presence was maintained in part because their activities were primarily commercial, and they did not pursue missionary work in Japan.
During this period of limited international contact, exchanges between Japanese scholars and Dutch merchants and physicians contributed to the development of Rangaku, through which European scientific and medical knowledge entered Japan.
Modern diplomatic relations continue to reflect this historical connection. In 2000, Their Majesties Emperor Akihito of Japan and Empress Michiko of Japan paid a state visit to the Netherlands, marking the 400th anniversary of relations between the two countries.
In October 2014, Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima paid a state visit to Japan. In October 2019, the King and Queen attended the enthronement ceremonies of Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo. In May 2025, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander visited Japan to attend World Expo 2025 in Osaka.
Relations between the Royal Family of the Netherlands and the Imperial Family of Japan reflect the longstanding diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
In Copenhagen, His Majesty King Frederik X of Denmark presided over the Royal Life Guards parade and the presentation of the Kongens Ur at the barracks of Den Kongelige Livgarde at Rosenborg Slot.
The parade forms part of the concluding ceremonies marking the completion of service for a company of the Royal Life Guards, during which the sovereign traditionally reviews the unit and presents the Kongens Ur, known in English as the King’s Watch.
The distinction is awarded to the guardsman judged by the Guard Company to have distinguished himself most notably during his period of service. In selecting the recipient, superiors and fellow guards place particular emphasis on exemplary military conduct, reliability in duty, and the individual’s contribution to the cohesion and morale of the unit.
The tradition of presenting the Kongens Ur was established in 1970 during the reign of King Frederik IX of Denmark. Since that time, the watch has been awarded annually at the conclusion of a guardsman’s service to the soldier regarded by his comrades and commanders as the most distinguished of his intake.
Den Kongelige Livgarde itself is among the oldest institutions of the Danish armed forces, having been established in 1658 by King Frederik III of Denmark. The regiment serves both as a ceremonial guard to the Danish monarch and as an operational infantry unit of the Danish Army.
This year, the Kongens Ur was awarded to Guardsman Frederik G. Nielsen.
In a statement, Den Kongelige Livgarde noted that Guardsman Nielsen received the distinction in recognition of his “great maturity,” observing that he “has established a natural authority among fellow guards on duty and those serving alongside him, and his strong relationships with colleagues make that authority credible.”
The regiment further noted that Guardsman Nielsen is attentive to his colleagues and strives to ensure a positive social environment within the guard unit.
Photo courtesy of the Kunaichō (Imperial Household Agency)
The Kunaichō (the Imperial Household Agency) announced that Princess Akiko of Mikasa will carry out a nine-day visit to Europe beginning on March 17th.
During her visit, the Princess will deliver a lecture on Tuesday, March 17th, at the Musée Dräi Eechelen in Luxembourg City. The event is organised by the Embassy of Japan in Luxembourg in collaboration with the National Museum of Archaeology, History and Art of Luxembourg.
Entitled The Art of Copying: Creating Reproductions for the West, the lecture will examine how Japanese works of art have historically been reproduced, studied, and presented outside of Japan. In Japanese art history, copying has long been regarded not as mere imitation but as a respected method of preserving artistic knowledge and transmitting cultural traditions across generations and borders.
The lecture is free of charge, although advance registration is required due to limited seating.
On Friday, March 20th, the Princess, who serves as Honorary President of the Japan Rugby Football Union, will attend the 14th edition of the Sainte-Dévote Rugby Tournament at the Stade Louis II in the quartier of Fontvieille in Monaco.
The international youth tournament brings together teams from around the world and promotes the educational and social values of sport. The annual event is organised in partnership with the Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco, established by Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco.
On Saturday, March 21st, Princess Akiko will preside over the opening ceremony of Journée du Japon à Monaco at the Jardin Japonais in the quartier of Larvotto in Monaco.
The event forms part of celebrations marking the twentieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Principality of Monaco and Japan. The two countries established formal diplomatic ties on December 14th, 2006, and have since developed cooperation through cultural exchanges and official visits between the Princely Family of Monaco and the Imperial Family of Japan.
In the evening, the Princess will attend the 70th edition of the Bal de la Rose to be held inside the Salle des Étoiles at the Sporting Monte-Carlo in the quartier of Larvotto in Monaco.
Princess Akiko’s visit reflects the continuing cultural and diplomatic exchanges between Japan and several European countries. Members of the Imperial Family of Japan frequently undertake academic, cultural, and charitable engagements abroad, which contribute to promoting Japanese culture and strengthening international ties.
Photo courtesy of Vatican Media/Palais Princier de Monaco
Press image courtesy of le Diocèse de la Principauté de Monaco
Communiqué de presse Palais Princier de Monaco
Communiqué de presse Palais Princier de Monaco
Communiqué de presse Palais Princier de Monaco
Communiqué de presse Palais Princier de Monaco
Communiqué de presse Palais Princier de Monaco
Following the announcement of the one-day official visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to the Principality of Monaco, on February 25th, the Diocese of Monaco released the official program for the apostolic and pastoral engagements that will take place during the Holy Father’s stay in the Principality.
According to the program, His Holiness will arrive at the Monaco Heliport at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 28th, where he will be welcomed by Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco.
At 9:25 a.m., an official welcoming ceremony will take place on the Place du Palais in Monaco-Ville, where Monégasques and residents of the Principality are invited to attend.
Following the ceremony, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco will hold a meeting with His Holiness inside the Palais Princier de Monaco.
After the meeting, the Sovereign Prince couple and His Holiness will greet the public from the balcony of the Palais Princier de Monaco overlooking the Place du Palais
His Holiness will then travel to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-Immaculée de Monaco in Monaco-Ville, where he will lead the Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours.
Later in the morning, His Holiness will meet with young people and catechumens at the Église Sainte-Dévote in La Condamine.
His Holiness will conclude his official visit to the Principality by celebrating the Saturday Mass of the Fifth Week of Lent at the Stade Louis II in Fontvieille at 3:30 p.m. Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, along with Hereditary Prince Jacques of Monaco and Princess Gabriella of Monaco, members of the Princely Family, and representatives of the Sovereign Prince’s Government, are confirmed to attend the Mass.
The upcoming visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV will mark a historic moment for the Principality of Monaco. While Pope Paul III was received in the Lordship of Monaco in 1538, the March 28th official visit will be the first apostolic visit by a reigning pope to Monaco in the modern era, underscoring the longstanding historical ties between the Holy See and the Grimaldi dynasty.
On Thursday morning in Monaco-Ville, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, in his capacity as High Patron, attended the opening session of the 13th Edition of the Rencontres Internationales Monaco et la Méditerranée at the Musée Océanographique de Monaco.
Organized by the Association Monégasque pour la Connaissance des Arts with the support of the Government of the Principality of Monaco, in partnership with the Institut Océanographique, Institut audiovisuel de Monaco, and the Monaco National Commission for UNESCO, the two-day symposium is held this year under the theme Ulysses Through the Ages.
The symposium brings together researchers, academics, writers, art historians, and artists to examine the reinterpretations of Ulysses across literature, the arts, history, cinema, and contemporary thought. The program offers a multidisciplinary examination of the figure of Ulysses as a symbol of wandering, intelligence, memory, and exile, and considers the continued relevance of this myth in light of contemporary cultural and human questions.
In his speech, the Sovereign Prince observed that the theme resonates with the history of the Palais Princier de Monaco. Recent restoration work in the Throne Room revealed a Renaissance cycle of frescoes depicting scenes from the Odyssey.
At the center of the ceiling is the Nekuia, the episode in which Ulysses descends to the underworld to consult the seer Tiresias. The composition is framed by zodiac signs, the labors of the months, and additional imagery illustrating episodes from the hero’s journey.
According to the Sovereign Prince, these discoveries provide new insight into the artistic history of the Palais and underscore the enduring presence of classical mythology within Monaco’s cultural heritage.
According to a statement from the Palais Princier de Monaco, the frescoes will be examined in greater detail during a forthcoming conference, Images d’une souveraineté de la Renaissance, to be held from March 19 to 21 at the Musée Océanographique de Monaco.
On Thursday in Madrid, Their Royal Highnesses Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg began a two-day official visit to the Kingdom of Spain at the invitation of Their Majesties King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain.
The official visit takes place in the context of Grand Duke Guillaume’s accession to the throne on October 3, 2025, following the abdication of his father, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, and forms part of the established diplomatic exchanges between the Kingdom of Spain and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
The visit began with an official welcoming ceremony at the Palacio Real de Madrid, where the grand ducal couple was received by Their Majesties the King and Queen.
Following the playing of the national anthems, the inspection of the guard of honour, and the presentation of the respective delegations, Their Majesties held an initial meeting with the grand ducal couple.
His Royal Highness the Grand Duke later held bilateral talks with His Majesty the King, accompanied by members of the Luxembourg delegation. Those present included the Deputy Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Mr. Xavier Bettel, the Minister of the Economy, Mr. Lex Delles, and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Gilles Roth.
The Spanish delegation included the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Mr. José Manuel Albares.
In the afternoon, Their Majesties the King and Queen hosted a luncheon at the Palacio Real de Madrid in honour of the grand ducal couple.
During the luncheon, His Majesty the King delivered a speech.
In his remarks, His Majesty welcomed the grand ducal couple to Spain and recalled the visit he and Her Majesty the Queen made to Luxembourg in 2014, shortly after his proclamation, when they were received by Their Royal Highnesses Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg.
The King emphasized the longstanding ties between the Royal House of Spain and the Grand Ducal House of Luxembourg, describing the visit as a reflection of the friendship and close relationship shared by the two countries.
Referring to the historical links between the Kingdom of Spain and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, His Majesty noted that the two countries share centuries of intertwined history, recalling in particular the reign of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, who also held the title of Duke of Luxembourg, and the reign of his son, Felipe II of Spain, figures who illustrate the historical connections between the two nations.
Turning to European affairs, the King highlighted Spain’s four decades of membership in the European Union and expressed appreciation for Luxembourg’s role as a founding member of the bloc and a longstanding partner in the development of European integration.
He also underlined the close economic and social links between the two countries, noting the presence of thousands of Spanish nationals living and working in Luxembourg, as well as the contribution of Luxembourg nationals residing in Spain, reflecting the increasingly interconnected nature of the two societies.
The King further addressed the broader international context, expressing concern over ongoing global conflicts, including the situation in the Middle East and the continuing war in Ukraine, and reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to diplomacy, international cooperation, and the principles of international law.
At the end of his speech, His Majesty the King raised a toast to the friendship between the Kingdom of Spain and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, expressing his wishes for the prosperity of Luxembourg during the reign of His Royal Highness the Grand Duke and for continued cooperation between the two countries.
His Royal Highness the Grand Duke then delivered a speech in which he expressed his gratitude to Their Majesties for the welcome extended to him and to Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess during their first official visit to Spain.
The Grand Duke noted that the visit was among the first official engagements he had undertaken abroad since his accession to the throne in October 2025 and described it as reflecting the longstanding relations between the Grand Ducal House of Luxembourg and the Royal House of Spain, as well as the friendship between the two countries.
Referring to the historical links between the Kingdom of Spain and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Grand Duke recalled more than five centuries of shared history, particularly the period during which Luxembourg formed part of the territories of the Spanish Crown.
He noted that this legacy remains visible in Luxembourg City, including the Spanish defensive turrets known as échauguettes espagnoles and the origins of the Palais Grand Ducal, whose reconstruction during the sixteenth century took place under Spanish administration.
The Grand Duke also referred to the close ties between the peoples of the two countries, noting the presence of nearly 10,000 Spanish nationals residing in Luxembourg, many of whom work in the European institutions, the financial sector, and emerging areas of innovation. He also highlighted the growing number of Luxembourg students who pursue their studies in Spain.
Turning to European affairs, the Grand Duke recalled Luxembourg’s support for Spain’s accession to the European Union in the 1980s, referring to remarks made by his grandfather, the late His Royal Highness Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg, during the State Visit of Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía of Spain to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 1980. He observed that Spain’s membership of the Union has since strengthened political, economic, and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
The Grand Duke further addressed the broader international context, noting the challenges facing the international order, including geopolitical tensions, the war in Ukraine, and economic uncertainty. In this context, he emphasized the importance of cooperation between the Kingdom of Spain and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg within the framework of the European Union and other international institutions.
He also referred to the strength of the economic partnership between the two countries, noting that several members of the Luxembourg Government responsible for portfolios including the economy, finance, and energy were accompanying him on the visit.
At the end of his speech, the Grand Duke raised a toast to Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain, to the prosperity of the people of Spain, and to the continued friendship between the Kingdom of Spain and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Later in the afternoon, the Grand Duke and members of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg delegation met with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain, Mr. Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, at the Palacio de la Moncloa.
The meeting was followed by the signing of three memoranda of understanding between the Kingdom of Spain and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The agreements concern cooperation in the fields of energy and space, as well as the establishment of regular bilateral political consultations.
In the evening, the grand ducal couple attended a reception with representatives of the economic and financial community hosted by the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Madrid.
The Royal Correspondent 