In a traditional ceremony held at the royal palace in Madrid, His Majesty delivered letters accrediting six new ambassadors to Spain recognizing them as representatives of their respective countries. The new ambassadors come from Andorra, Ecuador, Pakistan, Romania, Sweden, and Tunisia.
To view photos please click here.
Source and photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey
With Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s upcoming 60th anniversary of the accession to the British throne several books have been published including, Elizabeth the Queen: the Life of a Modern Monarch, by Sally Bendell-Smith.
Making the publicity rounds, Ms. Bendell-Smith spoke with Vanity Fair magazine as well as appearing on the American television morning show, Today.
Click here to watch the Today Show program. Or, Click here to read the Vanity Fair interview.
Photo courtesy of Random House Publishing
Honestly, I feel bad for posting this, but since many are interested in the princely couple of Monaco, well, what the hell. 🙂
Any way… over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene were in Antigua enjoying the sun as well as other water activities.
According to the newspaper, Caribarena News, Prince Albert II thoroughly enjoyed his stay on the island of Antigua stating, “The environment, the service, and the accommodations at the resort all lend to a remarkable stay…” Princess Charlene agreed whereupon she noted, “I enjoyed the remarkable music that was produced by the steel band that entertained us at the resort, and I look forward to welcoming to Monaco in the near future a steel band from Antigua & Barbuda for one of our festivals.”
In a private meeting with Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Winston Baldwin, the prince and princess of Monaco, “…discussed possible ways of Antigua & Barbuda and Monaco collaborating in tourism and sports.”
Click here to view photos of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco on holiday in Antigua.
Sources Vanity Fair Italy and Caribarena News
Photo courtesy of Caribarena News
On January 10, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands along with Their Royal Highnesses Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands began their three-day state visit to Oman.
Upon their arrival the royal trio were greeted by Sultan Qaboos Bin Said as well as Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al-Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal al-Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, Gen. Sultan bin Mohammed al-Nu’amani, Royal Office Minister at the Muscat Museum Gate. From their the Sultan guided Her Majesty to Al Alam Palace Guest House Square, while “…a group of horsemen escorted the motorcade from Muscat Gate up to the Al Alam Palace Gate where the National Anthem of the Kingdom of the Netherlands was played while the artillery fired a 21 gun salute for the Queen.”
Once inside the Al Alam Palace Her Majesty and the Sultan as well as the prince and princess along with the Dutch delegation sat down for a meeting whereupon they discussed “…good relations binding the Sultanate and the Kingdom of the Netherlands…” Discussions also included the role of women in Oman as well as deepening trade relations with the Netherlands.
Afterward, the royal trio had a chance to visit the Beit Al Zubair museum in Muscat. In the evening there was a gala dinner at the palace. Prior to the lavish gala, Sultan Qaboos conferred the “Renaissance Grand Order” on His Royal Highness Prince William Alexander and the Sultan Qaboos Order “First Class” to Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima. In return, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix also, “conferred orders to the Sultan as well as to various ministers and officials in the Sultanate.”
To watch videos as well as to view photos please click the links below:
Sources OMA News, Oman Observer, NOS and Gulf News
Photo courtesy of Gulf News
On January 10, 2012, Their Royal Highnesses Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg received audiences at the Grand Ducal Palace this morning. Meanwhile, the royal couple recently visited the Centre Pompidou-Metz at the invitation of Mr. Frederic Mitterand, Minister of Culture and Communication of the French Republic. Also in attendance was Mrs. Octavia Modert, Minister of Culture.
Source Cour Grand Ducale
Beginning on March 26, 2012, a new exhibition will premiere at Kensington Palace entitled, Diana: Glimpses of a Modern Princess. This exhibit showcases some of the late princess’s most memorable gowns. According to the site, Historic Royal Palaces:
The dresses, which will be displayed alongside fashion illustrations and photographs, will reflect some important and memorable moments in Diana’s public life – from the famous black strapless evening gown by Emanuel which has never been on public display before to a stunning sleek black cocktail dress by Gianni Versace which she wore several years later. source
To learn more about this exhibition please click here.
On January 9, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands along with T.R.H.s Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands continued their two-day state visit to the United Arab Emirates.
The day began with a visit to Masdar City a “…multifaceted renewable energy company…” in Abu Dhabi. The purpose of their visit was to attend an economic roundtable meeting to discuss “…possible strategic co-operations in a bid to promote and facilitate mutually beneficial economic relationships…” between the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.
After the meeting and presentation the royal trio and their delegation travelled to Dubai where Her Majesty met with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai at Zaabeel Palace.
Also in attendance were Her Majesty’s Dutch business delegation, T.R.H.s Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands and Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as well as Dubai’s Deputy Ruler Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
During the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed “… stressed the importance of the royal visit, which paves the way for opening new horizons for cultural, economic and political cooperation.” Her Majesty agreed. She also noted her admiration for what the U.A.E. has accomplished in the past 40 years as well as for their leadership.
Afterward, the royal trio took a boat tour around the harbor in Dubai, and as they were about to dock the yacht became stuck due to the low tide. After twenty minutes all was well.
Tomorrow, the royal trio will visit Oman.
To watch a video as well as to view photos please click the links below:
Sources: Khaleej Times, Emirates 247, Associated Press
Photo courtesy of Emirates 247
The Royal Correspondent 