Monthly Archives: February 2012

Belgian Royals

Her Majesty Queen Paola of Belgium Visits La Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth. Plus, News Regarding His Majesty King Albert II of Belgium.

On February 14, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Paola of Belgium visited La Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth in Waterloo.  Her Majesty was welcomed by Mr. Gary Hoffman, Master in Residence for the Cello.  Afterward, the Queen “…attended courses taught by Mr. Hoffman…”

Today’s visit by Queen Paola marks the beginning of a new semester of Cello classes offered as a fifth discipline at La Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth.

Meanwhile at Château de Laeken, His Majesty King Albert II held an audience with the Minister of Employment, Ms. Monica de Coninck.

Source: La Monarchie Belge

Imperial Family of Japan

Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko Visit the Tokyo National Museum

On Monday, February 13, 2012, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited the Tokyo National Museum to view the new exhibition, Two Hundred Selected Masterpieces from the Palace Museum, Beijing.

Upon their arrival the imperial couple were greeted by the “… Chinese Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Cheng Yonghua…” as well as other local dignitaries.

According to the Mainchi Daily News, the Emperor and Empress, “…viewed exhibits including calligraphy, picture scrolls and a garment made of peacock feathers worn by an emperor of the Qing dynasty.”

Afterward, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko met with various ambassadors newly assigned to foreign capitals as well as attended a “…ceremony for Supreme Court judges…” at the Imperial Palace.

Click here to view photos.

Sources: Mainchi Daily News and DYO

Photo courtesy of Daylife

British Royals

Random Royal News Regarding Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales

On February 14, 2012, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge will be in Liverpool to visit the “…’Brink’ as Patron of Action on Addiction.  She will meet The Brink Management team, front of house staff and supporters of Action on Addiction’s Liverpool Services.”  

Afterward, the Duchess will visit Ronald McDonald House and the Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.

On Monday, February 13, 2012, the Prince of Wales hosted a reception and dinner at Windsor Castle for members as well as supporters of the British Asian Trust:

The trust is a charity founded three years ago by a group of Asian business leaders at the suggestion of Prince Charles, which aims to transform lives by investing in charities tackling poverty in south Asia and the UK.

It provides a “social fund” to support health, education and enterprise projects in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the UK. Among the guests who attended the event were music producer Rishi Rich, actress Laila Rouass and EastEnder Nitin Ganatra.

Source: Princeofwales.gov and Press Association

Dutch Royal Family

Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands in Ankara, Turkey

Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands is currently visiting Ankara, Turkey, as the United Nations Advisor for Inclusive Finance and as Honorary Chairman of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI).

According to the official website for the Dutch royal house, Het Koninklijk Huis (RVD):

Princess Máxima will have several discussions on the importance of access to financial services. The Princess will attend a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs, Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank of Turkey. Princess Máxima will also met with representatives of various international organizations, such as IMF, World Bank and United Nations.

On Wednesday February 15, 2012,  Princess Máxima will visit the ‘Women Entrepreneurship Support Project’. Through this project, thousands of women have received training and coaching in the setting up of a private company, such as writing a business plan and to have access to financial services.  Princess Máxima then visits a bilateral tool from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ‘Women Education and Employment Association’, whereby women are helped on the labour market and, for example, also be trained on social aspects.

Finally, the Princess will visit ‘Cocoon to Silk Women Co-Operative’ where she will attend a meeting with organizations which educates women on both business and social fields. source 

Monaco Princely Family

His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco Attends a Reception for the Fondation Turquois (VIDEO)

Last Friday, February 10, 2012, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco attended a reception for the Fondation Turquois held at the Hotel Hermitage in Monaco.

Since its inception in 1997, the foundation brings students from Mexico on a scholarship, who are currently studying Hospitality and Industry Management, to “…refine their training in Monaco…”   Why?  I have no idea.  But, hey it’s cool the students get to chill in Monaco as well as the South of France for a couple of weeks and/or months.   🙂

Dutch Royal Family

His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje Opens an Exhibition in Rotterdam. Plus, News Regarding Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (VIDEOS)

His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje was in Rotterdam this morning to attend the opening of a new exhibition entitled, Zoet & Zout: Water en de Nederlanders, held at the Kunsthal Museum.

This exhibition displays “…125 works of art and based on 5 themes — war, alliance, gain, entertainment, and myth — and the relationship between the Dutch people and water.”

Click here to watch a video.

Click here to view photos.

For more information about the exhibition, Zoet & Zout: Water en de Nederlanders, please click here.

Meanwhile, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands arrived in beautiful Lech, Austria to begin her annual skiing holiday.  Click here to watch a video. 

Sources: NOS and RPE

Belgian Royals

Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium Participate in the Project ‘Heureux dans Notre École’. Plus, News Regarding His Majesty King Albert II of Belgium.

On Monday, February 13, 2012, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium visited the school, Sint Pietersinstituut Zevendonk, in the town of Turnhout (located north of Antwerp).

The purpose of the visit by the prince and princess was to participate in the project, Heureux dans Notre École or Blij Op Onze School in Dutch, which promotes anti-harrassment in schools.  During today’s event Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde attended a meeting with directors of the project along with experts in the field “… of prevention and treatment of harassing behavior in primary and secondary schools…”  

Meanwhile, His Majesty King Albert II of Belgium held audiences with the Ambassador of Poland, Mr. Slawomir Czarlewski and with Belgian Prime Minister, Mr. Elio Di Rupo, at Château de Laeken.

Source: La Monarchie Belge