On June 22, 2011, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium arrived in New York City for a nine-day economic mission to the United States. The royal couple travelled along with several hundred Belgian businessman in the hopes of strengthening economic relations with U.S. companies.

According to the newspaper, Nieuwsblad.be:

The Prince, Princess Mathilde, Minister of Foreign Affairs Steven Vanackere (CD & V) and Walloon Minister of Economy Jean-Claude Marcourt (PS) on Wednesday walked through Central Park. They also took some time to stop and eat some local Belgian waffles.

Prince Philip on Thursday morning brings a visit to Swift, the company that manages a super database of financial transactions in the world and has an establishment in the Walloon Brabant La Hulpe. Princess Matilde will have breakfast at the same time at a branch of the Belgian bakery chain Le Pain Quotidien. Later, the couple will visit Ground Zero.

The majority of the delegation consists of some three hundred business people representing 203 Belgian companies. The companies include sectors from pharmaceutical, biotechnology and ICT. Representatives from the financial sector and travel along the Belgian universities.

The next stop on this whirlwind economic mission trip is Washington, D.C. from June 26-29 and ending in Boston on June 30.

To view photos please click the links here and here.

Source: Nieuwsblad.be

Photo courtesy of: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Monaco Princely Family

Charlene Wittstock and H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Attend the St. Jean Religious Parade in Monaco

June 23, 2011 Alexandra

On June 23, 2011, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and his lovely fiancée, Miss Charlene Wittstock, attended the St. Jean Mass and religious parade in Monaco this afternoon. To view photos please click the link here.

Source: Daylife

Photo courtesy of: AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau

Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg

Fête Nationale Luxembourg 2011

June 23, 2011 Alexandra 1 Comment

The Fête Nationale 2011 celebrations continued today in Luxembourg beginning at 10:30am with the entire Grand Ducal family attending the Te Deum at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg City. After the service there was:

…101 canon shots in honor of the Grand Duke at Fetschenhof. The traditional call of arms and military parade followed along the Avenue de la Liberte.

To watch videos from today’s activities please click the links here and here.

To view photos please click the links here and here.

Source: Wort.lu

Photo courtesy of: Wikipedia

French Palaces, French Royalty, Royal documentaries

Château de Versailles, King Louis XIV of France, and Le Petit Trianon: Three Documentaries

June 23, 2011 Alexandra 2 Comments

Well, it’s that time of the week again! Yes, it’s royal documentary time, my friends. 🙂 Tonight the subject is all things French and royal.

The first documentary is entitled, The Palace of Versailles. The program is somewhat short, but nonetheless fantastic. Click the links to watch: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four and Part Five.

The second documentary is entitled, Versailles: The Dream of a King. The focus is on Louis XIV aka the Sun King and the building of Versailles:

The film recreates the life and loves of France’s most famous king, Louis XIV. Dubbed the Sun King by his admiring court, Louis conquered half of Europe, conducted dozens of love affairs and dazzled his contemporaries with his lavish entertainments. But perhaps his greatest achievement – and certainly his longest lasting love – was the incredible palace he built at Versailles, one of the wonders of the world.

Finally, here is a short program, a total of 6:09 minutes, about the restoration of Le Petit Trianon from TV5 Monde Europe. Yes, it’s in French. Click here to watch. And, a program regarding the restoration of the La Galerie des Glaces at Versailles. Again, it’s in French… sorry about that. Click here to watch.

Photo courtesy of: Wikipedia

Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg

Fête Nationale Luxembourg 2011

June 23, 2011 Alexandra

Fête Nationale Luxembourg 2011 began today in, where else, Luxembourg. Today, in front of the Grand Ducal Palace there was the changing of the guard. Then, T.R.H.s Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa visited the town of Oberanven to open a new park where the Grand Duke planted an Oak tree.

At 10pm this evening there was a torchlight procession made up “…folk groups and local associations as well as guides and scouts…” in Luxembourg City. To wrap up the festivities there was a mega fireworks show.

Tomorrow, June 23, the celebrations continue beginning with a Mass at the Notre-Dame Cathedral where the entire Grand Ducal family will attend. Following the service there will be:

…101 canon shots in honour of the Grand Duke at Fetschenhof. The traditional call to arms and military parade will follow from 11:30am along Avenue de la Liberté. From 10am to 6pm, the Pétrusse Valley will be transformed into a giant playground for children and families. Games of skill, social games and creative workshops will be offered.

To read the full itinerary for tomorrow’s events please click the link here. To view photos from the park opening and more please click the links here and here.

Source: Wort.lu

Photo courtesy of: Wikipedia