On October 6, 2011, H.R.H. Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg attended the Innovation and Competitiveness in Europe conference. During the event Ms. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, the European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, gave a speech. The conference was organized by the Bridge Forum Dialogue.
In Córdoba, Spain, T.R.H.s Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias attended a luncheon in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Foundation for Young Artists of the Antonino Gala.
Per the official website for the royal house of Spain, Casa de Su Majestad el Rey:
Previously, the Prince of Asturias had inaugurated the Professional Training Course in IES 2011/2012 “Angel de Saavedra” of Cordoba.
Accompanying Their Royal Highnesses and Antonio Gala at lunch, in addition to members of the Board and residents of the Foundation, the president of the Junta de Andalucía, José Antonio Griñán, Minister of Education, Ángel Gabilondo, and the Minister of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, Rosa Aguilar, among others.
During his visit to the headquarters of the Foundation, the Prince had a chance to tour the exhibition. Anthology of young artists Antonio Gala Foundation.”
Antonio Gala Foundation for Young Artists is a private non-profit. Is funded by the economic cooperation of private entities, among which we should mention the Savings and Monte de Piedad Cordoba (CajaSur), which has an agreement of collaboration with Antonio Gala Foundation through its Foundation. The state government, regional and provincial levels have also supported various programs and activities of the Foundation Antonio Gala, awarding grants to these activities. Many individuals have also collaborated with Antonio Gala Foundation through financial donations. source
On October 4, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Caroline of Hanover announced the winners of the Prince Pierre Foundation Awards held at the Salle Garnier de l’Opéra de Monte-Carlo. The next day, H.S.H. Prince Albert II presented the winners with their awards at the Palais Princier.
Also, on October 4, H.S.H. Prince Albert II attended a reception at the lovely Hotel Hermitage in Monte-Carlo in honor of the inauguration of the Kazakhstan Consulate in Monaco.
On Wednesday October 5, the prince met with the athletes who participated in the Small State Games of Europe. During the short reception he thanks the athletes for their dedication to sport as well as other stuff.
Finally, during last month’s Monaco Yacht Show, H.S.H. Prince Albert II spoke about the history of the Monaco Yacht Show. Here is what he had to say:
Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre Grimaldi is the Sovereign Prince of Monaco who, after assuming the duties of his father Prince Rainier III in 2005, has been a revered figurehead for the Principality. Building on his father’s previous accomplishments, Prince Albert has helped further Monaco’s reputation as a clean, idyllic and exclusive paradise for the high-net-worth individual.
World-renowned events and landmarks, such as the Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco Yacht Show and the Monte Carlo Casino have become institutionalised in the Principality and draw thousands of super yacht owners from across the world to the golden waters of the Cote d’Azur and Port Hercules to take part in the region’s high-end lifestyle.
We asked Prince Albert II what he thought about Port Hercules’ status as one of the world’s most renowned super yacht hubs, to which he commented, “The Port Monaco is a unique location in the world, of which I am tremendously proud. This is an exceptional venue due in part to the role of the Monaco Yacht Club. This Yacht Club, which brings together over 950 members of 53 different nationalities at its prestigious Club House, offers many different services and a myriad of sport and social events throughout the year.”
Having grown up in the Principality, Prince Albert II has seen the Monaco Yacht Show evolve over its 21 years. When asked about his thoughts on the show’s growth, the Prince noted, “I can only be delighted at how this event has developed. The Monaco Yacht Show, famous throughout the world, attracts more visitors every year, whether they are professionals from the yachting world or individuals. It is a marvellous showcase for the Principality and has become a key event in my country’s calendar and I do my best never to miss it.”
“The event helps to highlight the expertise and cutting-edge technologies of constructors from all over the world,” the Prince continued. “Very attentive to protecting the seas and oceans, I obviously like the types of construction that are environmentally friendly and I am overjoyed about the awarding of the Green Plus prize which has existed since 2007. This year, I want to emphasise the exceptional offer with over 100 super yachts being exhibited. In 1979, there were just 4!”
Touring the show with His Royal Highness King Juan Carlos of Spain, HSH Prince Albert II presented the Green Plus Yacht certificates 2011 to super yachts Prima and Numptia, two yachts whose construction meets with the compliance of the strictest environmental regulations.
Prince Albert II is widely renowned for his work with key charities across the world, particularly those with a focus on vital medical research and environmental conservation. The charities of Only Watch and Wood Forever have been connected with Monaco Yacht Show over the years, when asked why he backed these particular initiatives, the Prince concluded, “It is very important for me and my family to lend our support to good causes. “Only Watch” is an event which has taken on a special meaning for me. Started by Mr. Luc Pettavino, who worked passionately for eighteen years to make the Monaco Yacht Show the event that we know today, it supports research into muscular dystrophy. I am always there to answer the call to help raise more funding for medical research.”
The 4th edition of the Only Watch charity auction at Hotel Hermitage, which takes place once every two years at the Monaco Yacht Show, managed to raise an astonishing result of €4,563,000 to benefit research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
With 28,200 visitors arriving at Port Hercules for the 2011 Monaco Yacht Show this month – a noteworthy increase in attendance from last year – the annual event is continuing to perpetuate a feeling of confidence and gradual recovery after announcing their most successful year to date.
Unwavering support from HSH Prince Albert II means that Monaco could not only maintain its position as a world renowned super yacht hub, but given time, become the lynchpin to recovery the Super yacht Industry has been looking for.
Courtesy of Palais Princier de Monaco 🙂
On October 4, 2011, at Château de Laeken His Majesty King Albert II of Belgium had an audience with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. After the meeting there was a nice luncheon at the château in honor of President Rousseff’s visit. Also in attendance was Her Majesty Queen Paola, T.R.H.s Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde, T.R.H.s Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz, and Queen Fabiola.
Later that afternoon members of the Belgian royal family along with President Rousseff attended the opening of the Europalia Brazil Festival and exhibition at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. In case you were wondering why Prince Laurent, aka Peter Griffin, did not grace his lovely presence at the luncheon or at the festival, well, he wasn’t invited. Why? He’s still banned from the palace.
To view photos please click the links below:
Photo courtesy of: Daylife/B. Doppange/AFP
H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands has been so busy as of late that it is hard to keep up with all her daily activities. Any way… on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, the princess attended the 10th Annual MBO Gala in Amsterdam. During the event the soon-to-be Queen of the Netherlands presented a check to one of the winners for being incredibly brilliant and slightly good-looking. Click here to view photos.
Moving on… 🙂
On October 5, Princess Maxima was in Utrecht to attend the opening of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) European headquarters. Click here to view photos.
Tomorrow, the princess will be in Rome, Italy to attend the opening of the L’Armonia Perfetta (Perfect Harmony) exhibition at the Complesso de Vittoriano. This exhibit displays the works by Mondrian and Dutch contemporaries and:
… shows the development process of Mondrian (1872-1944). The famous and lesser known works range from strictly figurative (landscapes) through symbolism, cubism and abstract to the famous planes in primary colors. This trend is illustrated with works by other Dutch artists, predecessors and contemporaries, by whom Mondrian was inspired, like Jacoba van Heemskerk, Jan Toorop and Bart van der Leck.
Photo courtesy of: Koninklijkhuis
On October 5, 2011, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, H.R.H. Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje, and H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands attended the inauguration of the newly renovated Raad van State (Council of State) building in Den Haag.
Per a press release about the Raad van State and Her Majesty Queen Beatrix:
In the spring of 2005 saw the RGD with the construction and renovation of the buildings of the Council of State. Reason was the increased number of members and staff of the Council and the need for major maintenance and improvement of safety within the buildings. The new accommodation now offers an integrated, modern working environment. The design and redesign of Merkx + Girod come from Amsterdam.
The Council of State is an independent adviser to the government and parliament on legislation and administration and general management is the highest court in the Netherlands.
The Queen is chairman of the Council of State. The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima both have a seat on the Council of State.
Click here and here to view photos. Click here to watch a video from the event.
This afternoon T.S.H.s Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco officially welcomed the President of the Republic of Croatia, Ivo Josipovic, and his wife to Monaco at the Palais Princier de Monaco.
After a quick photo-op the sovereign prince and President Josipovic had a private discussion before the Croatian and Monégasques political delegations held their official meeting. The two parties discussed various issues including the environment as well as the upcoming Rio20 Conference. When the meetings were over there was an elegant lunch for all at the palais.
To view photos please click here.
Courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco (thank you) 🙂
The Royal Correspondent 