Photos courtesy of IKR/Roland Korner/Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein
Photos courtesy of IKR/Roland Korner/Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein
Photos courtesy of IKR/Roland Korner/Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein
In Vaduz, His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Alois, acting on behalf of His Serene Highness Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein, and Her Royal Highness Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein presided over a ceremony at Schloss Vaduz during which the Fürstlich Liechtensteinischer Verdienstorden (Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein) was conferred.
Founded by Prince Franz I of Liechtenstein in 1937, the order honors services rendered to the Principality.
The former government councillor, Dr. Aurelia Frick, received the Komturkreuz (Commander’s Cross). The former president of the Samaritans Triesenberg, Mr. Daniel Beck, received the Ritterkreuz (Knight’s Cross).
Casa de Su Majestad el Rey has announced that Her Royal Highness Princess Leonor, Princess of Asturias, will begin a degree in political science at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid in the third semester of 2026.
The four-year program will be based at the university’s Getafe campus and will follow a multidisciplinary curriculum covering political science, humanities, law, economics, sociology, history and international relations.
The Casa de Su Majestad el Rey stated that the Princess was admitted following the standard admissions process applied to students who have completed their secondary education abroad, including a favourable evaluation by the university’s admissions committee.
Princess Leonor completed her upper secondary education at UWC Atlantic College in Wales in 2023 and is currently concluding her three-year military training with the Armed Forces of Spain, with the Ejército del Aire y del Espacio.
The Casa de Su Majestad el Rey indicated that the Princess will combine her university studies with her official duties as heir to the Crown of Spain, in accordance with the academic calendar, continuing an approach established during her school years and maintained throughout her military training.
His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain has formally informed the President of the Government of this new stage in the Princess’s academic formation, emphasising the institutional importance attached to her preparation for the role of Sovereign.
On Saturday, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, accompanied by his son, His Highness Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway, carried out an official visit to Nordfjordeid, in the municipality of Stad, where they attended the launch of the Myklebust ship.
The vessel is a full‑scale reconstruction based on archaeological remains uncovered during the excavation of the Rundehågjen burial mound on the Myklebust farm in Nordfjordeid in 1874. The investigation was undertaken by the Norwegian archaeologist Anders Lorange, who had been dispatched from Bergen after reports of a major burial mound, which prompted archaeological interest.
Mr. Lorange’s excavation revealed extensive evidence of a ship burial of exceptional scale. Within the mound, he identified a substantial layer of charcoal and ash, together with several hundred iron rivets and nails, establishing that a large seagoing vessel had been deliberately burned as part of a funerary rite.
Dated to the 9th century, the burial also contained weapons, shield fittings, and other high-status objects, indicating that the site formed part of an elite funerary landscape associated with regional power structures in western Norway during the Viking Age.
In what is regarded as a distinctive feature within the Scandinavian context, the Myklebust mound represents a cremation-based ship burial, in contrast to the inhumation ship graves more commonly preserved at other major Viking-age sites. It has long been regarded as one of the most significant archaeological monuments of its kind in Norway, and it remains a site of ongoing archaeological interest.
The reconstruction of the vessel reflects a combination of archaeological interpretation and traditional boatbuilding practices, forming part of broader efforts to present and reassess Norway’s maritime heritage. These efforts are also connected to ongoing work related to a potential nomination of the site for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The visit began at Sagastad, a knowledge centre dedicated to the Viking Age and the Myklebust discoveries, where they were briefed on the historical significance of the site and the process underlying the reconstruction.
The visit continued at the burial mound known as Rundehågjen, where representatives from the University of Bergen and local authorities provided an overview of both the original excavation and more recent archaeological investigations aimed at refining understanding of the site through modern methodologies.
The reconstructed vessel, based on evidence from the 1874 excavation and subsequent research, was later launched onto the fjord. As part of the visit, the Crown Prince and the Prince joined members of a local rowing guild in rowing the vessel, participating in a demonstration of traditional seafaring practices associated with Viking-age vessels.
This morning in Fredensborg, His Royal Highness Prince Vincent of Denmark and Her Royal Highness Princess Josephine of Denmark were confirmed at Fredensborg Slotskirke at Fredensborg Slot.
The confirmation was presided over by Bishop Henrik Wigh-Poulsen, Bishop of Aarhus and Kongelig Konfessionarius (Royal Confessor).
Fredensborg Slotskirke has, for more than a century, served as a central setting for confirmations within the royal family of Denmark. Her Majesty Queen Margrethe of Denmark, then Princess Margrethe of Denmark, was confirmed there on April 1st, 1955. His Majesty King Frederik X of Denmark was confirmed in the same chapel on May 28th, 1981, followed by His Royal Highness Prince Joachim of Denmark on June 10th, 1982.
More recently, Fredensborg Slotskirke has also been the site of the confirmations of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Christian of Denmark on May 15th, 2021, and Her Royal Highness Princess Isabella of Denmark on April 30th, 2022.
The Church of Denmark is an Evangelical Lutheran church and the constitutionally established national church of the Kingdom of Denmark. Under the Danish Constitution, the monarch is required to belong to the Church, a requirement tied to its constitutional and historical position within the Danish state.
The Church of Denmark emerged from the Lutheran Reformation in the 16th century, formally established under the reign of King Christian III, who introduced Lutheranism in 1536. Since that period, the Danish monarchy has maintained a close institutional relationship with the Church, including a constitutional and administrative relationship within the state framework, alongside public funding through both church taxation and state support.
Within the Lutheran tradition, confirmation is not regarded as a sacrament in the same sense as in the Catholic Church. Instead, it constitutes a public affirmation of baptismal faith. Candidates typically undertake a period of instruction in Christian doctrine before being confirmed during a church service.
In the Kingdom of Denmark, confirmation retains both religious and social significance. For members of the royal family, it also carries symbolic constitutional significance, reflecting the monarch’s required membership in the national church under the Danish Constitution.
Members of the royal family of Denmark attended this morning’s confirmation ceremony alongside foreign royalty, family, and close friends. Among those present were Her Majesty Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark, the godmother of Princess Josephine, His Excellency Count Nikolai of Monpezat, His Excellency Count Felix of Monpezat, His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain, the godfather of Prince Vincent.
Mr. John Stuart Donaldson, the brother of Her Majesty Queen Mary of Denmark and the godfather of Prince Vincent, Mrs. Patricia Bailey, the sister of Her Majesty Queen Mary of Denmark and the godmother of Princess Josephine, Mrs. Jane Stephens, the sister of Her Majesty Queen Mary of Denmark, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and Princess Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke and Duchess of Castro.
His Serene Highness Prince Gustav of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, the first cousin of His Majesty King Frederik X of Denmark and the godfather of Prince Vincent, Baron Otto and Baroness Helle Reedtz-Thott, the godmother of Prince Vincent, Her Serene Highness Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, the first cousin of His Majesty King Frederik X of Denmark, and Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille, godfather of Prince Vincent.
Mr. Peter Heering and Mrs. Caroline Heering, the godmother of Prince Vincent, Count Bendt Wedell, the godfather of Princess Josephine, Mr. Jeppe Handwerk and Mrs. Birgitte Handwerk, the godmother of Princess Josephine, and Ms. Josephine Rechner, the godmother of Princess Josephine.
Prior to the ceremony, official portraits of Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine were photographed inside Kancellihuset at Fredensborg Slot. The images were captured by Danish photographer, Ms. Karen Rosetzsky.
This afternoon, it was announced by the Royal Household of Denmark that Their Majesties King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark, accompanied by their family, will take up residence at Kancellihuset (Chancellery House) at Fredensborg Slot on May 4th, 2026, relocating from Frederik VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg in Copenhagen.
Kancellihuset serves as the summer residence of Their Majesties. Following their marriage on May 14th, 2004, the then Crown Prince Couple resided there while Frederik VIII’s Palace underwent extensive restoration works, completed in 2010.
In accordance with tradition, Their Majesties will be formally welcomed to the town of Fredensborg by Mayor Thomas Lykke Pedersen. The occasion will be marked by flag displays and a concert performance featuring the Fredensborg Slotskirke and the Fredensborg Brass Ensemble. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at 5 p.m.
Photos courtesy of the Royal House of Karađorđević (Royal Family of Serbia)
Photos courtesy of the Royal House of Karađorđević (Royal Family of Serbia)
In Belgrade, it was announced that Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia, along with Their Royal Highnesses Hereditary Prince Philip and Hereditary Princess Danica of Serbia, will attend the 80th birthday gala celebrations of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden on Thursday, April 30th, in Stockholm, Sweden.
The gala celebrations are expected to bring together members of reigning and formerly reigning royal houses, alongside heads of state and other distinguished guests, in honour of His Majesty the King’s milestone anniversary.
Among the confirmed royal guests are Their Majesties King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte of Denmark, as well as Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Their Majesties King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida of Thailand, Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, Their Royal Highnesses Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg, Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Her Majesty Emerita Queen Sofia of Spain, and Her Majesty Margareta, the Custodian of the Crown of Romania and His Royal Highness Prince Radu of Romania.
In a statement, Crown Prince Alexander said:
“My family and I are honoured to be guests of our dear friends and cousins, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, for this important anniversary. We have shared so many beautiful moments… and we always look forward to occasions like this, to share the joyous moments and happiness, to strengthen the bonds that tie us together.”
The relationship between the Royal House of Karađorđević and the Royal Family of Sweden extends over several decades and is rooted in both dynastic ties and longstanding personal friendship.
Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden have previously attended milestone celebrations hosted by the Royal House of Karađorđević (Royal Family of Serbia), while Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine have, in turn, been present at major events in Sweden, including royal jubilees, weddings, and family celebrations.
In 2017, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden served as maid of honour at the wedding of Their Royal Highnesses Hereditary Prince Philip and Hereditary Princess Danica of Serbia. In Serbian tradition, this role, known as kumstvo, carries deep cultural significance, representing a bond of enduring personal and familial connection.
The official program for His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday will begin with a Te Deum service in the Slottskyrkan at the Royal Palace, followed by a military ceremony in the Outer Courtyard of the Royal Palace.
Public celebrations will include a guard change, a flyover and gun salute, and musical tributes performed by choirs from across Sweden.
The day’s celebrations also include an official luncheon hosted by the City of Stockholm and a gala dinner at the Royal Palace.
His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf has reigned since 1973 and is the longest-serving monarch in the history of the Kingdom of Sweden.
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Frédéric Nebinger
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Frédéric Nebinger
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Frédéric Nebinger
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Frédéric Nebinger
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Frédéric Nebinger
This morning, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene presided over the inauguration of a newly completed maternity block at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace, located in the Jardin Exotique quartier.
The ceremony included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque within the obstetric emergency unit, followed by a tour of the facility. Accompanied by the Minister of the State of the Principality of Monaco, Mr. Christophe Mirmand, the Director of the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace, Ms. Benoîte Rousseau de Sevelinges, and the Chief of the Maternity Department at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace, Professor Bruno Carbonne, the Princely Couple visited several of the newly developed spaces, including a double parental room, a birthing suite, a hydrotherapy room, and upgraded obstetric care units.
The redevelopment forms part of a broader modernization of the hospital’s maternity services, with a focus on improving care for mothers and newborns through updated, family-centered facilities.
The inauguration follows the recent opening of the hospital’s Parent-Child Unit and represents a further step in the establishment of a comprehensive Mother and Child center at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace.
The Royal Correspondent 