The Spanish Royal Family Welcome French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, to Zarzuela Palace in Madrid (VIDEO)

January 16, 2012 Alexandra

On January 16, 2012, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain along with Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias welcomed French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.

During the visit President Sarkozy was awarded Spain’s highest honor, The Order of the Golden Fleece, for his “…cooperation in the fight against the armed Basque separatist group ETA.” During the ceremony President Sarkozy gave a speech in which he stated:

I convey my pride and that of all France, for having been in recent years, with the Spanish people to defend the rule of law against terrorism and to eradicate the blackmail, extortion, assault and murder. In this moment, my thoughts turn to the many victims of decades of violence. Thinking the first to them, is what I wanted-all the French Government to spare no effort in helping Spain to permanently close the bloody chapter of terrorism ETA.

I want to reassure you, Majesty, and the President Mariano Rajoy, the total commitment, consistent and seamless, of France with Spain in the fight against terrorism in all its forms. There are no more Pyrenees in the fight against terrorism. On both sides of our border is a single determination and the same objective: to put a definitive end to the senseless violence.

For his part, His Majesty stressed that “…we are committed to Europe and we are very aware of the fundamental importance of Franco-Spanish cooperation in the project of European integration in all its facets and dimensions.”

His Majesty also noted that President Sarkozy and France, in its relationship with Spain, has “…consistently contributed, effective and generous to fight terrorism while taking victims as North and the end of your solidarity which leads to a strong and effective partnership the largest political, judicial and police between our two countries to end terrorist violence.” As a Knight of the Golden Fleece, “…we recognize as the most representative of a great nation and neighboring friend who has ceaselessly promoted closer ties between our two countries in all fields.”

Prior to the presentation of the Order of the Golden Fleece, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I held a private meeting with President Sarkozy. Later in the afternoon, His Majesty and Queen Sofia of Spain along with Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia hosted a luncheon in honor of President Sarkozy.

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

Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

Princely Family of Liechtenstein

T.S.H.s Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein host a New Year’s Reception at Vaduz Castle

January 16, 2012 Alexandra

Recently, Their Serene Highnesses Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein hosted the traditional New Year’s reception held at Vaduz Castle. Over 580 guests attended the event along with Prince Hans-Adam II and Princess Marie of Liechtenstein. During the reception the princely family mingled with local dignitaries as well as ordinary people.

Source: Vaterland

Belgian Royals

Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium Attends thé ‘Bien Vivre avec Alzheimer dans sa ville et son Environnement’ Awards

January 16, 2012 Alexandra

On January 16, 2012, Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium attended the Bien Vivre avec Alzheimer dans sa ville et son Environnement (Living Well with Alzheimer’s in the city and its Environment) Awards in Brussels.

Organized by the European Foundations’ Initiative on Dementia (EFID) this award aims to improve the publics perception of Alzheimer’s disease and to promote solidarity at local level. In addition, the initiative aims to contribute to improving the quality of life of patients and their families.

In the past, the princess has drawn attention to the major challenges to which Alzheimer’s poses in our society and the importance of paying attention on how to deal with this disease as well as to promote the quality of life of people with living with Alzheimer’s.

Source La Monarchie de Belge

Monaco Princely Family

His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco to Visit Cambridge University

January 16, 2012 Alexandra

On Tuesday, January 17, 2012, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco will attend a series of lectures at the Scott Polar Institute as well as attend a gala dinner at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University, to commemorate the late South Pole explorer, Robert Falcon Scott.

Whilst at the Scott Polar Institute Prince Albert will also view the exhibition, These Rough Notes: Captain Scott’s Last Expedition, which “…tells the full story of the fateful Terra Nova expedition…” through the letters and journals of Scott and his crew who “…who perished on their way back from the Pole..”

During a series of lectures the prince will meet with meet Sir Ranulph Fiennes, polar explorer and writer, who will speak on the topic of challenges to the polar regions. The Prince will also attend a presentation by Mr. David Crane, writer, and Max Jones, a professor at the University of Manchester.

At the gala dinner Prince Albert, along with the Duke of Edinburgh — making his first appearance since being released from the hospital — will meet with the Robert Falcon Scott’s descendants to discuss the late explorers life and much more.

To learn more about the exhibition, These Rough Notes: Captain Scott’s Last Expedition, please click here.

Source Palais Princier de Monaco

Monaco Princely Family

His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco in Innsbruck, Austria to Attend the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games

January 13, 2012 Alexandra 1 Comment

On January 13, 2012, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco arrived in Innsbruck, Austria to attend the opening ceremony of the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games. As President of the Monégasque Olympic Committee, member of the International Olympic Committee, and now patron of the World Olympians Association it was a pleasure for the sovereign to attend these games.

Later in the evening, Prince Albert II attended the inauguration ceremony of the 75th Congress of the International Sports Press Association held at the Innsbruck Conference Center. During the ceremony the sovereign prince received an award for his outstanding dedication and commitment to sports “…at the service of peace and social progress worldwide.”

On Saturday, January 14, 2012, Prince Albert II will attend the downhill skiing competition to support Monégasque skier, Brian Pelassy.

To learn more about the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games please visit their official website here.

Source Palais Princier de Monaco

Spanish Royals

His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias Visits Honduras

January 13, 2012 Alexandra

On January 12, 2012, His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias visited Honduras as part of his official tour of Central America.

In the morning, the heir to the Spanish throne attended the presentation of the Foundation Miguel de Cervantes Virtual Library held at the Cultural Center of Spain in Tegucigalpa. Later he attended a private meeting with the speaker of the Honduran Parliament, Juan Orlando Hernandez. The prince also met with other members of government at the National Congress building in Tegucigalpa.

On January 13, 2012, Prince Felipe will visit Guatemala where he will attend the inauguration of president-elect, Otto Pérez Molina.

Photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey

Dutch Royal Family

Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands Along with Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands Visit Oman: Final Day (VIDEO)

January 12, 2012 Alexandra

On the final day of their state visit to Oman, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands along with Their Royal Highnesses Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and Princess Maxima visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. Unfortunately, it seems that the Freedom Party (PVV) in the Netherlands are not exactly happy campers when they saw the images of Her Majesty in a headscarf (they became all pissy about it when she wore one the first time in Abu Dhabi). Click here to read more about the “row” from BBC News.

Any way…

After touring the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque the royal trio visited various Dutch expats living in Oman. Soon, it was time to leave the gulf nation. Her Majesty along with her Dutch business delegation were “…seen off at the Royal Airport by Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah al Khalili, Minister of Tourism and His Highness Sayyid Mohammed bin Harib al Said.”

To view photos from the royal family’s last day in Oman please click the links below: