HIM Emperor Akihito of Japan: Diagnosed with Arteriosclerosis

It was announced today February 11, 2011, via the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, that HIM Emperor Akihito of Japan has been diagnosed with Arteriosclerosis.  Currently, the 77 year old Emperor will be “… under medication…” and will continue to carry out his duties as well as activities as usual.

According to the Mainichi Daily News:

The stiffening of the arteries was discovered during a medical check using contrast agent on his artery leading to the heart at the University of Tokyo Hospital, the agency said.

The Emperor will stay the night at the hospital and return to the Imperial Palace on Saturday, according to the agency.

‘The Emperor can continue his official duties and exercise such as tennis and walking’, said Ichiro Kanazawa, imperial household medical supervisor. ‘I asked the emperor to let his personal doctor know immediately if he feels any kinds of symptoms such as pain in the chest,’ Kanazawa said.

It’s good to hear that he will continue his duties as Emperor of Japan, but at the same time I hope he takes it easy for a while.

If any new information shall come through the news wire I will definitely post it for all of you.

Source: Mainichi Daily News

Charlene Wittstock Attends the ‘Nelson Mandela Intimate Moments Exhibition’ in South Africa

Well, it certainly has been quite a busy day for the future Princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock.  Earlier in the day, she hosted a charity event at the St. John’s Diocesan School whereupon she opened the school’s new swimming pool as well as raised money for the Special Olympics South African chapter.

This evening, February 11, 2011, Miss Wittstock attended an exhibit by Kerry Muldoun entitled, Nelson Mandela Intimate Moments Exhibition, at the Liberty Midlands Mall in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

With her hair slicked back in a tight bun, Miss Wittstock wore a black jumpsuit with a gold-embroidered belt, and black flats.

To view more photos of the event please click the link:  Zimbio.com

Charlene Wittstock Attends Her Charity Breakfast in South Africa

On February 11, 2011, the future Princess of Monaco hosted a charity breakfast this morning at the St. John’s Diocesan School in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Funds raised during this event were donated to the Special Olympics in South Africa (Charlene is the patron for the Special Olympics, Monaco chapter.)  During the breakfast guests listened to speeches and Miss Wittstock officially opened the St. Diocesan School swimming pool (she basically cut a ribbon.)  She also unveiled a plaque with her name on it.

All in all, it was for a good cause… raising $2,300 for the Special Olympics.

Tomorrow, Miss Wittstock will participate in the Midmar Mile race and by all accounts she seems to be ready.  Click to watch a video of her speaking about the upcoming swim race: Interview) with Charlene Wittstock

To view more photos from today’s charity breakfast please click the link: Zimbio.com

Charlene Wittstock’s Father Attacked and Robbed Outside of his Home

On February 4, 2011, Charlene Wittstock’s father, Mike, was attacked, beaten, and robbed in front of his home in Rynfield, South Africa.

According to the South African online newspaper, Look Local.za:

The car, a Mercedes Benz C180, belonged to one of Wittstock’s clients, who loaned it to him to go down to Durban to see his daughter.

Wittstock parked the car in his driveway after 10pm and two men approached him coming from his yard and hit him with an AK47 on his face.

According to WO Jannie van Aswegen, communication officer for Benoni SAPS, this was a planned hijacking as the two men waited for Wittstock inside his yard.  After attacking him the two men forced Wittstock to lie down on the ground.

They took his personal items including his watch, a gold chain, his ring, bank cards and cell phones.  Wittstock sustained a broken nose and facial injuries.

The men are still at large with the car.

I sincerely hope Mr. Wittstock is doing okay today; moreover, I hope they finally found those who did such a horrible and otherwise jackass thing to an elderly man.

Source: Look Local.co.za

A Commemorative Coin in Honor of the Upcoming Princely Wedding in Monaco

On February 10, 2011, a commemorative coin honoring the upcoming princely wedding in Monaco was released today in Paris, France.

The coin was presented by the famous fashion designer Christian Lacroix at the Monnaie de Paris; Mr. Lacroix also designed this medal which has Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock’s name on it as well as the date of the religious ceremony on it.

It’s a nice looking coin… pointless, but nonetheless nice.  I suppose.

Photo courtesy of: Getty

 

Charlene Wittstock Discusses the Upcoming Midmar Mile Race and Much More

 

In today’s South African newspaper, Benoni City Times, there is an “exclusive” interview with Miss Charlene Wittstock.  The reporter had a chance to sit down with the future Princess of Monaco to talk about her charity event, the Midmar Mile, visiting her grandmother, and much more.

Besides swimming in the Midmar Mile and hosting her own charity event on Friday February 11, 2011, Miss Wittstock will also:

…go to the Nelson Mandela Photographic Exhibition, in Pietermaritzburg, on the Friday evening ahead of the race.  Wittstock hopes she will also have some time to catch up with her friends in Durban.  ‘I am really looking forward to a braai, seeing my friends and, if possible, even going to a Sharks’ match,’ she said.

Charlene talks about her up-coming wedding and Prince Albert. The wedding is due to take place in Monaco on July 1 and 2. ‘I am very happy about the wedding; Monaco is a beautiful country and I love everything about it,’ she said.

‘Some of the interests that the prince and I share are sports, environmental and humanitarian causes.’  With Monaco being her new home, she confessed that there is a lot that she misses about Benoni.  ‘I miss my relatives, the friendly people and the Bunny Park,’ she said.  Some of the foods she craves while in Europe are Ouma rusks, Mrs Balls chutney.  She also misses what has become the prince’s favourite, Zambuk ointment, for cold blisters and the lips.

Many young women view her wedding as a fairytale and to this Wittstock said: “‘f any woman can find someone who truly loves her and is lucky enough to marry him, then that is a fairytale to me.’

Wittstock will return to South Africa on July 11, as the Princess of Monaco, with her prince, for the International Olympic Committee meeting.

To read the article in its entirety please click the link:  Benoni City Times

Source and photos courtesy of: Look Local.co.za via Clyde Meela


 

Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall and Catherine Middleton: Together at Last

No, they are not having an affair, but they did have lunch together on February 9, 2011.

According to the Richard Kay, a reporter from the Daily Mail, Britain’s future Queens dined at a new restaurant at the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge.  Catherine wore her hideous trademark black suede books, beige blazer (another trademark… freaking blazers), black tights, a patterned dress, and a globs of black eyeliner (another trademark.)  While Camilla wore a purple plaid number that made everyone dizzy when they looked at her outfit.  Apparently, Catherine’s sister, Pippa, joined the cuddly lunch along with Camilla’s daughter, Laura.

It is unknown what the group talked about during their time together; however, according to the Daily Mail:

A fellow sitting just two tables away, tells me: ‘All four women were talking away like mad and none of the waiters could get a word in edgeways to serve their lunch.

I heard Camilla saying…  ‘if I can give you one bit of advice…’ Kate was really enjoying the moment.

‘I did hear talk of trumpets and someone said ‘we can’t have trumpets, the ceiling is too high’’, which may have been a reference to Westminster Abbey.’

To read the rest of the article and to view several photos please click the link: Daily Mail