Monthly Archives: May 2011

Monaco Princely Family

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco to Visit Leeds, U.K.

According to the British newspaper, Yorkshire Evening Post, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock will visit Leeds this coming September 4, 2011.

The purpose of his visit is to attend a charity ball at Harewood House; furthermore, this vent will be the new princely couple’s first public engagement according to the newspaper and, “…as husband and wife it comes nearly 40 years after the Prince’s parents, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace, attended the charity’s ball at the Queen’s Hotel in Leeds.” 

To read the article in its entirety please click the link here. 

Dutch Royal Family

Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands at Duninpark

This afternoon in Den Helder, Netherlands, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix officially opened the residential Duinpark (Dune Park).

According to the site, Kuiper.nl, the purpose of the Duinpark is a place were neighbors could meet, have fun, and do neighborly stuff together.  Here is some more information about the park:

The design and layout of Duinpark (DunePark) is that of a public, undulating, dune landscape with residential and recreational space. The terrain has been given remarkable differences in height and therefore diverse perspectives and views. To maintain this quality, the choice was made for an open, built-up structure spreading the residences out over the dune landscape. The use of roofs covered in vegetation extends the dune landscape even further over the homes themselves.

The private and the collective domain have grown as one unit. To realise this unity, private spaces and transitional elements, like garden walls and entrances, and colour choices for the façades, fully reflect the surrounding, dune landscape. Gabions form a natural transition from private terraces and anchor the residences in the sand of the dunes.

Existing trees have been preserved as far as possible and fitted into the new dune landscape. Based on the used soil types and varying micro-climatological characteristics of the undulating landscape, Duinpark is subdivided into five, different, landscape-based atmospheres reflecting the inland-dune landscape around Den Helder: the dune creek, dune shore, dunes, dune valley and the dune courtyard. (Kuiper.nl)

To view photos of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix at the opening of the Duinpark please click the link here.  

Source: Kuiper.nl and PPE  Photo courtesy of: Koninklijkhuis.nl

Dutch Royal Family

H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands at Velsen Library in IJmuiden

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On May 18, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands was at the Velsen Library in IJmuiden, Netherlands to participate in the Wiser with Money Parade.  The purpose of her visit is to encourage and educate those on how to deal with their personal finances effectively.

According to Belga:

The Wiser with Money Parade is a traveling exhibition about handling money that visits libraries across the land. During the exhibition, ‘ Moneyvents’ (events and workshops) are organised that educate people about their personal finances in an accessible and interactive way.

As the princess made her way into the Velsen library she was greeted by many well-wishers.  Once inside she spoke with the library patrons, organizers of the event, and the many people who came to the library to learn more about money management and the traveling exhibit.

To view photos from the event please click the links here, here,  and here.  To watch a video please click the link here.

Sources:  Haarlemsdagblad.nl and Belga.be  Photo courtesy of: Koninklijkhuis.nl

Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg

H.R.H. Prince Guillaume, The Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg Visits Japan

As I recently reported, H.R.H. Prince Guillaume, The Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, will visit Japan starting on May 14-18, 2011.  And, well for the past several days much has happened.

To learn more about his official visit to Japan please visit the blog Luxarazzi here for more detailed information (the author is extremely knowledgeable regarding the Grand Ducal House of Luxembourg.)   🙂

Dutch Royal Family

H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands Attends the Appeltjes van Oranje

On May 17, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands attended the Appeltjes van Oranje at Noordeinde Palace. Also in attendance was her husband, H.R.H. Prince Willem-Alexander of Orange and Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.  During the event, as the princess entered the venue, the crowd sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to the Netherlands most beloved princess.

To watch a video from the event please click the link here.  To view current photos from the event please click the links here and here. 

Photo courtesy of: Koninklijkhuis.nl

Monaco Princely Family, Princely Wedding

Monaco Princely Wedding: 22 Reigning Royal Families to Attend?

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According to the newspaper, Monaco-Matin, 22 reigning royal families from all over the world have confirmed their attendance to the upcoming princely wedding in Monaco on July 1 and 2, 2011 “There will be 22 heads of states or represented, and 22 families ruling royal or princely families…”

These confirmations were, well, confirmed by Paul Masseron, the Government Minister for the Interior in Monaco.  Furthermore, it was announced that, “…French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni have been invited. But, the Elysee has not yet sent an answer” said Paul Masseron.   Unfortunately, Mr. Masseron did not state which royal families accepted their invitations; however, we do know that the crown princely couple from Norway, H.R.H. Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, and the entire Swedish royal family have confirmed their attendance to the princely wedding.

Finally, Mr. Masseron noted that sixteen non-reigning royal families will also attend including Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (source).

Interesting.

To read the article in its entirety please click the link here. 

Source: Monaco Matin  Photo courtesy of: Bild.de

Belgian Royals

T.M. King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium Visit the Museum aan de Stroom in Antwerp

On May 17, 2011, Their Majesties King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium visited the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) in Antwerp, Belgium.

The MAS museum was designed by Neutelings Riedijk Architects and completed in mid-2010.  According to the official website for the museum, MAS.be, the structure of the building:

…immediately catches your eye. Antwerp’s latest tower reminds us of the 16th-Century storehouses typical of the city of Antwerp and its port. The MAS is designed as a giant storehouse with stacked containers or “boxes”. These museum boxes are stacked in such a way that they create a spiral tower. As you ascend, you get a constantly changing view of the city. A breathtaking 360° panorama awaits you on the roof.

Since its initial completion it took sometime to move the permanent collections into the museum which officially opened today thus the reason Their Majesties visit.  The museum houses, “… ethnological, maritime, ethnic and art historic collections…” 

To learn more about the Museum aan de Stroom please visit their site here.  To view photos of His Majesty King Albert and Queen Paola of Belgium at the MAS this afternoon please click the link here.

Source: MAS.be  Photo courtesy of:  Nieuwsblad.be by Belga