Yearly Archives: 2012

Imperial Family of Japan

His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan Back in the Hospital For Another Procedure

On March 7, 2012, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan was at the Imperial Household Hospital for a procedure to “… have fluid removed from his chest that had accumulated since undergoing heart bypass surgery last month” which is apparently quite common after having that type of invasive surgery.

According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Emperor arrived at the hospital along with Empress Michiko in the morning.  Soon, doctors treating the 78-year old Emperor removed the “…fluid from his chest which had increased recently.”

Since being released from the University of Tokyo Hospital on March 4, 2012, Emperor Akihito has not recovered as well as doctors had hoped.  Apparently, the Emperor has “… not been eating well, experienced shortness of breath, and has trouble walking…”

Source: AFP News via IHA

Dutch Royal Family

Random Royal News Regarding Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands (VIDEO)

It was recently announced that Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands will attend the opening of the 2012 Floriade World Horticultural Expo (FWHE) on April 4, 2012 in Venlo.

According to the official website for the FWHE this event:

… is held in the Netherlands every ten years since 1960 and always at a different location in the Netherlands. From 5 April until 7 October 2012, the sixth edition of Floriade will be organised in Venlo in central-eastern Netherlands. The central theme of Floriade 2012, ‘Be part of the theatre in nature, get closer to the quality of life’, has been translated into five core sub-themes, which will be portrayed via five themed zones on the park.  The five core sub-themes at Floriade will cover the different aspects of the relationship between the consumer and the horticultural sector.

For more information please visit the official website for the 2012 Floriade World Horticultural Expo here. 

Today, March 7, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix was in Soesterberg where she opened the “…the new Sergeant-Major Scheickkazerne explosives ordnance disposal EOD…” Afterward, Her Majesty unveil a new plaque as well as toured the new facility.

Click the links below to watch videos as well as to view photos from today’s event.

Meanwhile in Amsterdam, Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands attended the First Rural Coachingsdag of Qredits.  According to RVD the purpose of today’s event:

…aims to promote entrepreneurship in the Netherlands by means of providing micro-credit.  Qredits provides financing, with a maximum of 50,000 Euros to start-ups as well as existing entrepreneurs, who, despite a good business plan or no business plan can get credit at a bank.  Support and guidance is also available to entrepreneurs.

Click here to view photos.

Sources: FWHE, RTV Utrecht, Reformatorisch Dagblad, RVD/HKH, and PPE.

Belgian Royals

Their Majesties King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium Visit the town of Waremme (VIDEOS)

On March 7, 2012, Their Majesties King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium visited the town of Waremme in the province of Liège.

The reigning couple were welcomed to the town by the Mayor, Guy Coëme, and Minister of Education, Ms. Marie-Dominique Simonet at the City Hall.  Whilst there Their Majesties, along with local dignitaries, celebrated the 25th anniversary the Conseil Communal des Enfants “… created in 1987 it was the first of its kind in Belgium…” according to various sources.

Afterward, King Albert II and Queen Paola visited the Bettincourt Language Immersion School where they interacted with students who are currently learning Dutch “…until their fourth year of primary education.”

Click the links below to watch videos as well as to view photos.

Sources: La Monarchie Belge and 7sur7

British Royals

His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales in Kingston, Jamaica!! (VIDEOS)

On March 6, 2012, His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales continues his tour of the Caribbean and today the fun-loving prince was in Kingston, Jamaica.

During his visit to the island Prince Harry had a chance to meet the world’s fastest runner, Usain Bolt, attended a luncheon with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller at Devon House and more.  A highlight for Prince Harry is when he met with Rita Marley, widow of legendary Reggae singer Bob Marley, at a reception at a youth center in Kingston.

According to CNN journalist, Max Foster, Mrs. Marley “… gifted Prince Harry a scarf which had belonged to Bob Marley…”  The prince was apparently, “deeply touched”.

To watch videos as well as to view photos please click the links below”


Sources: Royal.gov and CNN Max Foster

German Royals

Prince Carl Alexander and Princess Corinna von Hohenzollern Moving Back to Germany “Once My Wife is Knocked Up!” Plus, A Video of Their Wedding Reception… Awww

So, now that Prince Carl Alexander and Princess Corinna von Hohenzollern are happily married the glamourous royal couple have announced that they desperately want to move back to Prince Carl Alexander’s swanky family pad, known as Schloss Sigmaringen, in Germany. Apparently, the prince, who resembles Napoleon Dynamite, revealed to the German newspaper, Bild, that “… I have the right to live in the schloss as soon as my wife is knocked up, err, pregnant…”

Ohhkay.

Any way… Princess Corinna is so excited about the move that she apparently sent out a lovely postcard to her friends and family showing off her husband’s schloss — whilst wearing her new faux gold tiara from Claire’s Accessories — with the caption, “Willkommen auf meiner Residenz!”  Unfortunately, it seems that Prince Carl Alexander forgot to tell his bride that the schloss does not belong to him.  Long story…

Meanwhile the Austrian television network, ORF, released an exclusive video of the princely couple’s press conference/photo-op/wedding reception held at Château du Bel Air a couple of weeks ago.

Click here to watch the video. 

Sources and photos courtesy of: Bild and Frederic Prinz von Anhalt

Spanish Royals

Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias Attend the ‘Tesoros Vivos de la Televisión’ Tribute Meeting (VIDEO)

Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias attended the Tesoros Vivos de la Televisión tribute meeting in Madrid, Spain on March 6, 2012.

The event, held at the European University, was organized by the Academia de las Ciencias y las Artes de Televisión and the Universidad Europea de Madrid.

Click the links below to view photos as well as to watch videos:

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

Imperial Family of Japan

His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan Cancels His Visit to France

It was recently announced by the Imperial Household Agency that His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan had to cancel his upcoming visit to France.

The heir to the Japanese throne was scheduled to give a speech during the 2012 World Water Forum held in Marseille, France on March 12-17.  The reason for Crown Prince Naruhito’s cancellation according to the IHA, “… he will carry out official duties on behalf of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito…”  The Emperor, as you may know by now, is recovering from heart bypass surgery which was performed on February 18, 2012.

Source: JiJi Press via the Imperial Household Agency