Monthly Archives: October 2011

British Royals

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh Visit Brisbane, Australia

On October 24, 2011, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Brisbane, Australia.  The royal couple cruised the Brisbane River where thousands of people lined along the banks and bridges to catch a glimpse of the 85-year-old monarch.

After the cruise the royal couple strolled through the South Bank rainforest before “…the Queen opened the area’s newest feature, Rain Bank, a stormwater harvesting centre.”  In her speech at the re-dedication ceremony for the Rain Bank Queen Elizabeth II noted:

It was with great sadness that I followed the terrible consequences this past year of your normally peaceful river rising up and overwhelming this popular public space.  Nine months later we are here to pay tribute to the resilience and courage of Queenslanders who bravely picked up their lives and rebuilt them after great adversity.’ source

After the re-dedication ceremony the queen and the duke attended a private reception for the survivors of the January 2011 Queensland floods.

To view photos please click here.  To watch a video please click here.

British Royals

H.M. Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh Attend a Church Service in Canberra, Australia (VIDEO)

This morning in Canberra, Australia Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh were at St. John’s Church to attend a service.   After the service the queen and the duke met with hundreds of well-wishers came out to see them.

Later in the afternoon, the royal couple attended a luncheon in their honor at the Government House in Canberra.  Tomorrow Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh will travel to Brisbane, Australia.

To watch a video as well as to view photos please click the links below:

Photo courtesy of: Daylife/A. Coppel/Pool

Spanish Royals

T.R.H.s Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias along with Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain Attend the 2011 Prince of Asturias Awards (VIDEOS)

This evening at the Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo, Spain, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias along with Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain attended the 2011 Prince of Asturias Awards ceremony.

The purpose of this important event is to honor and award those who have contributed as well as made a difference in the fields of scientific research, cultural, social and humanitarian work performed by individuals, groups or institutions on an international level.   This year’s recipients include Riccardo Muti in the field of the Arts, Howard Gardner in the field of Social Sciences, Arturo Alvarez Buylla, Joseph Altman and Giacomo Rizzolatti for Technical and Scientific Research, Leonard Cohen for Music and Lyrics, Haile Gerbselassie for Sports.

To watch a video clip as well as to view photos please click the links below:

Source: Fundacion Principe de Asturias  

Photo courtesy of: Daylife/C.Alvarez

Belgian Royals

T.R.H.s Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium Visit Beijing, China

Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium are currently in China on an economic mission along a large Belgian business delegation.  The purpose of this important trip: To support Belgian exports and encourage the signing of new contracts “… despite the crisis that has hit many markets around the world…” said the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Steven Vanackere, in a press conference.

According to the Belgian online newspaper, RTL, this is the fourth trade mission organized with China which began back in to 2000.  Mr. Vanackere hopes that during this economic mission that at least forty new contracts will be signed in various sectors such as transport and logistics, clean technology, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, information technologies and communication, and in the diamond sector which trade relations already exist between China and Antwerp, Belgium.

This afternoon in Beijing H.R.H. Prince Philippe met with Deputy Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Wang Qishan while H.R.H. Princess Mathilde visited the Beijing Dance Academy.

To view photos please click here.

Source: RTL

British Royals

H.M. Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh Visit Australia: Day Three (VIDEOS)

On October 21, 2011, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II delivered a speech in the Great Hall at an invitation-only parliamentary reception held at the Government House in Canberra.

In her speech, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has expressed admiration for people who showed courage during a “difficult year” of heavy flooding in Australian towns and a devastating earthquake in New Zealand’s second largest city.  She also spoke about the dozens of Australian armed forces in Afghanistan who have lost their lives, and the two soldiers who were awarded the Victoria Cross. After her speech Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh had a chance to speak one on one with many of the guests at the reception.

And, finally Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sat down with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and then Opposition Leader Tony Abbott at the Government House.  Meanwhile, the Duke of Edinburgh presented three Australians the World Fellow Award during a small ceremony also held at the Government House.

To watch videos as well as to view photos from today’s event please click the links below:

 Sources: AP and The Herald Sun

Photo courtesy of: Daylife/T. Blackwood/AFP

Monaco Princely Family

T.S.H.s Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco: A No-Show At the New Zealand Olympic Committee Centenary Dinner

1 Comment

Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco are currently in New Zealand to attend the 2011 Rugby World Cup as well as to attend other official functions. One of the events the princely couple were to attend was the New Zealand Olympic Committee’s centenary dinner on October 20, 2011. Unfortunately, there were a change of plans.  According to the New Zealand newspaper, Auckland Now, the princely couple instead “… jetted across the Tasman Sea…”

Why?  No idea.

But, don’t fret.  The lovely couple will be back to New Zealand to attend the 2011 Rugby World Cup Finals this weekend.   🙂

Sources: Auckland Now and New Zealand Herald

British Royals

British Royal Family News Regarding The Princess Royal

On October 19, 2011, the Princess Royal opened the Antarctic photo exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery in London.  This exhibit:

…marks the centenary of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s expedition to the South Pole, tells a story of heroism, bravery – and ultimately of tragedy, that has mesmerised generations.

It brings together a collection of the photographs presented to King George V by the official photographers from Scott’s expedition of 1910-13 and Ernest Shackleton’s expedition in 1914-16, and unique artefacts, such as the flag given to Scott by Queen Alexandra and taken to the Pole.

To read more about the exhibit as well as to view a photo of the Princess Royal please click here. 

Source: Royalcollection.org.uk