Danish Royals, Royal Family of Denmark

Queen Mary of Denmark’s Father, Professor John Dalgleish Donaldson, Dies At 84.

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  • Photo courtesy of H.M. Queen Mary of Denmark/Det Danske Kongehus
  • Professor John Donaldson and Miss Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, May 14th, 2004.
  • Photo courtesy of H.M. The Queen, Hobart on 23 March 2026 ©/Det Danske Kongehus

This morning, the Royal Household of Denmark announced the passing of Professor John Dalgleish Donaldson, father of Her Majesty Queen Mary of Denmark. He was 84 years old.

Professor Donaldson passed away in Hobart, Tasmania.

In a statement, Her Majesty the Queen wrote:

“My heart is heavy, and my thoughts are grey. My beloved father has passed away. But I know that when the grief settles, the memories will brighten my day, and what will remain strongest is love and gratitude for everything he gave me and taught me.”

Born in Scotland on September 5th, 1941, Professor Donaldson was a Scottish-born Australian academic whose career was closely associated with the University of Tasmania in Hobart. He served as Professor of Applied Mathematics and was known for his work in statistics and numerical analysis, as well as for mentoring generations of students.

He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science with honours in Mathematics and Physics. Later that year, on August 31st, he married Henrietta Clark Horne in Port Seton, Scotland. The couple emigrated to Tasmania in November 1963, where Professor Donaldson continued his academic career.

In 1967, he completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics at the University of Tasmania under the supervision of Professor David Elliott. He subsequently joined the academic staff, serving as a lecturer in Applied Mathematics before later being appointed Dean of the Faculty of Science, a position he held until his retirement. 

His academic work focused particularly on numerical analysis, and his career demonstrated a sustained commitment to both research and teaching within the Australian university system.

Professor Donaldson and his first wife had four children: Jane Donaldson Stevens, Patricia Donaldson Bailey, John Stuart Donaldson Jr., and Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, now Her Majesty Queen Mary of Denmark.

Henrietta Donaldson passed away on November 20th, 1997. He later married the British-born novelist Susan Elizabeth Horwood, known under the pen name Susan Moody. 

Professor Donaldson is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren, including the four children of Their Majesties King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark.

A private memorial service for the late Professor John Dalgleish Donaldson will be held at a later date.

My deepest condolences to the late Professor Donaldson’s family and friends.

Royal Family of Bhutan

The Royal Family of Bhutan Joins Thousands of Volunteers at Zhabto Program in Gelephu Mindfulness City

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  • Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
  • Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
  • Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
  • Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
  • Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
  • Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
  • Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
  • Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
  • Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan

On Friday, Their Majesties King Jigme Khesar Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan, accompanied by their sons, His Royal Highness Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan and His Royal Highness Prince Ugyen Wangchuck of Bhutan, attended the opening of the 6th volunteer Zhabto program at Gelephu Mindfulness City, a five-day initiative bringing together thousands of participants from across the Kingdom of Bhutan and abroad.

The program includes volunteers from religious institutions, public service, and the private sector, engaged in coordinated work across designated areas of the site, with activities focused on land preparation, environmental management, and infrastructure groundwork within the broader development of the city.

On the opening day, Queen Jetsun Pema attended a ground-breaking ceremony for Druk Ugyen Samyeling, a planned center for Buddhist practice and study. 

The project is intended as a dedicated space for contemplative and communal activity within the wider development.

King Jigme Khesar Wangchuck also visited a site designated for the development of a future golf course at Gelephu Mindfulness City, where the initial planning phase is now underway. 

The visit marked the formal commencement of the design process, with the project forming part of the city’s broader long-term development framework.

On Saturday, Their Majesties, joined by their children, including Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Yangden Wangchuck of Bhutan, participated alongside volunteers within Gelephu Mindfulness City on the second day of the program. Work continued across designated areas, focusing on land clearing, site preparation, and environmental maintenance in support of planned infrastructure, green spaces, and religious developments.

Monaco Princely Family, Princely Family of Monaco

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco’s 1956 Wedding to Be Celebrated in a New Exhibition at the Palace in Monaco

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Poster courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Visite du Palais Princier de Monaco

On Friday, the Palais Princier de Monaco announced the opening of the exhibition Le mariage du siècle: Monaco. 12–19 Avril 1956, to be presented in the Grands Appartements of the Palais Princier de Monaco from June 8th to October 15th, 2026.

The exhibition is being held on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the marriage of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Miss Grace Kelly, which took place in April 1956, three months after the announcement of their engagement in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bringing together photographs, film material, garments, accessories, gifts, and archival documents, the exhibition examines the sequence of events surrounding the wedding, from the arrival of Miss Grace Kelly to the Principality of Monaco on April 12th, 1956, to the couple’s departure for their honeymoon on April 19th, 1956, situating the ceremonies within the broader context of their international reception.

Monaco Princely Family, Princely Family of Monaco

Prince Albert II of Monaco Marks 10th Anniversary of the Flowers for the Bees Campaign in Monaco-Ville

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  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Michaël Alesi
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Michaël Alesi

On Friday, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco attended an event at the Jardins Saint-Martin in Monaco-Ville marking the 10th anniversary of the campaign Des Fleurs pour les Abeilles.

The Sovereign Prince was joined by the founder of the Observatoire Français d’Apidologie, Mr. Thierry Dufresne, and its vice-president, Mr. Arnaud Dufresne, as well as a group of students from l’Institution François d’Assise–Nicolas Barré, who had previously taken part in educational activities on the role of bees in pollination.

A commemorative photograph was taken to mark the anniversary of the initiative, launched in 2017 by the Observatoire Français d’Apidologie with the support of the Sovereign Prince and the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco.

The campaign encourages the public to plant nectar-rich flowers to support bee populations and promote biodiversity. It forms part of broader efforts to address the decline in pollinators through public participation and environmental education.

Since its inception, more than 1.5 million seed packets have been distributed, contributing to the creation of flowering areas in a range of settings.

The 10th edition of the campaign is scheduled to take place from May 9th to 24th, 2026, and continues to emphasize the role of individual action in environmental conservation.

Headlines, Monaco Princely Family, Princely Family of Monaco

Prince Albert II of Monaco Meets Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset Ahead of the Principality of Monaco’s Presidency

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  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Michaël Alesi
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Michaël Alesi
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Michaël Alesi
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Michaël Alesi
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Michaël Alesi

In Monaco-Ville, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco held a meeting with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Alain Berset, in the Salon de Famille at the Palais Princier de Monaco.

The meeting was held in the presence of the Directeur de Cabinet, Mr. Olivier Wenden, the Conseiller de Gouvernement-Ministre des Relations Extérieures et de la Coopération, Ms. Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, and the Ambassadeur représentant permanent de Monaco auprès du Conseil de l’Europe, His Excellency Mr. Gabriel Revel.

Secretary General Berset was accompanied by the Directrice adjointe de Cabinet du Secrétariat général, Ms. Natacha de Roeck, and the Conseiller au sein du Cabinet du Secrétariat général, Mr. Thibault Curmi.

Discussions focused on major European issues, with particular emphasis on the promotion of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, which constitute the core mandate of the Council of Europe. The meeting also addressed the Principality of Monaco’s priorities in advance of its presidency of the Committee of Ministers.

The Principality of Monaco will assume the presidency from May 15th to November 10th, 2026, marking the first time the Principality has held the role since it acceded to the Council of Europe on October 5th, 2004.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Sovereign Prince elevated Secretary General Alain Berset to the rank of Commandeur de l’Ordre de Saint-Charles.

Founded on March 15th, 1858, by Charles III of Monaco, the Ordre de Saint-Charles is one of the Principality of Monaco’s principal orders of merit. It is conferred in recognition of eminent services rendered to the State and to the Sovereign Prince. The order is awarded across several ranks, Chevalier, Officier, Commandeur, Grand Officier, and Grand-Croix, and remains a central element of the Principality of Monaco’s system of honors, reflecting the Principality’s longstanding traditions of state distinction and service.

Today’s visit forms part of preparations for the Principality of Monaco’s forthcoming presidency, during which the Principality is expected to advance its engagement in multilateral cooperation and the institutional work of the Council of Europe.

Dutch Royal Family, Royal Family of the Netherlands

Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, Begins Military Training with Royal Netherlands Air Force Under Defensity College Program

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Photo courtesy of Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst (RVD)

In Den Haag, Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst (RVD) announced that Her Royal Highness Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, has begun a work-study placement with the Royal Netherlands Air Force as part of the Defensity College program.

The program enables university students to combine their studies with part-time service as military reservists, while strengthening the connection between the armed forces and Dutch society. Participants undertake practical assignments alongside structured military training within the Ministerie van Defensie (Ministry of Defense).

The Princess’s participation follows the completion of her initial general military training on January 23rd, 2026, after which she was promoted to the rank of corporal. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Dutch law at the University of Amsterdam, while continuing her involvement with the armed forces.

Her placement forms part of a longstanding association between the royal family of the Netherlands and the military. This relationship is rooted in the history of the House of Orange-Nassau and dates back to William of Orange (1533–1584), also known as William the Silent, who led the early phase of the Dutch Revolt against Spanish Habsburg rule from 1568 until his assassination in 1584, during the conflict later known as the Eighty Years’ War (1568–1648).

In the modern era, members of the royal family have continued to undertake military training. As Prince of Orange, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands performed his military service in the Royal Netherlands Navy from August 1985 to January 1987, training at the Royal Netherlands Naval College in Den Helder before serving aboard the frigates HNLMS Tromp and HNLMS Abraham Crijnssen. He later completed refresher training in 1988 as a duty officer on board HNLMS Van Kinsbergen. After graduating from Leiden University, he obtained his Military Pilot’s License with 334 Transport Squadron of the Royal Netherlands Air Force and, in 1994, attended the Netherlands Defense College, where he studied aspects of the work of the armed forces.

Princess Catharina-Amalia’s current placement continues this tradition, combining academic study with structured military experience within the framework of a constitutional monarchy.

Imperial Family of Japan

The Imperial Family of Japan Visits Fukushima to Mark 15th Anniversary of 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami

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This afternoon, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan, accompanied by Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko of Japan, began their two-day official visit to the Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan.

The visit is being held to mark the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011.

During the visit, the Imperial Family will pay tribute to the victims, visit facilities that document the disaster and subsequent reconstruction, and meet with residents affected by the events to observe ongoing recovery efforts in the region.

The visit began in the town of Futaba, where the Imperial Family visited the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum. They laid flowers in memory of the victims and met with local residents.

Tomorrow, the Imperial Family will continue their visit to Fukushima Prefecture, including a visit to a disaster memorial facility in Tomioka. They are also expected to attend classes at an educational facility in Okuma, located near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

The Imperial Family is also expected to stop at a roadside station in Namie, a town heavily affected by the 2011 disaster and subsequent nuclear evacuation, before returning to Tokyo later that day.

All the latest news and events from monarchies around the world.