On June 27, 2012, Their Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were at Wimbledon to watch the match between Mr. Roger Federer and Mr. Fabio Fognini.
According to the Press Association, this is the first time since 1970 that the prince has visited Wimbledon and today’s royal visit, “…comes at a successful time for British tennis, with five players through to the tournament’s second round.”
Yay.
Click the links below to watch videos as well as to view photos.
On Wednesday, June 27, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh continued their visit to Northern Ireland.
The day began with a “historic handshake” with former Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander, Sinn Féin party member and the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Mr. Martin McGuinness, at the Lyric theatre in Belfast. According to Time magazine, due to the:
Underlying the sensitivity of the occasion, no live footage or sound was permitted to be broadcast. Outside, flak-jacketed police shut down all roads surrounding the theater and told residents to stay inside their homes.
The first soundless TV footage showed a serious-faced McGuinness walking, hands behind his back, behind the queen as she met poet Michael Longley and pianist Barry Douglas in front of newly painted portraits of them and other Belfast artists. Also in the group was McGuinness’ Protestant colleague atop Northern Ireland’s unity government, Peter Robinson; the head of state of the Republic of Ireland, President Michael D. Higgins; and the queen’s husband, Prince Philip.
Also on today’s agenda was a visit to a “… Diamond Jubilee event in the grounds of the Stormont Estate…” in Belfast.
Click the links below to watch videos, read articles as well as to view photos.
On June 26, 2012, His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje participated in the reopening of the newly restored fortifications of Hellevoetsluis. According to Historiek.net, the restorations of the complex began in 2010 and were funded:
…jointly between the municipality of Hellevoetsluis, the National Service for Cultural Heritage and Europe at a cost of six million Euros.
RVD notes that theconstruction of the fortress began in the seventeenth century:
… to protect the then naval port Hellevoetsluis. The works were then further developed and expanded. In addition to defensive work, the fortress offered 1,800 to over 4,000 port staff with comfortable housing. The fortress also played a role during the first and second world wars.
His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan continued his official visit to Thailand on June 23, 2012. This afternoon, the future emperor was in the Ayutthaya province where he visited the famous Wat Phra Mahathat temple, toured the “… Ayutthaya Historical Study Center and visited a Japanese village in the province…” according to Pattaya News.
On June 26, 2012, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy where he met with members of Team GB’s Olympic sailing team.
During his surprise visit the Prince of Wales christened a new British Olympic 49er boat with Palmers Dorset Gold beer. According to the Press Association, as the Prince of Wales, “… poured the ale over the white sailing boat…” he named it ‘Lovely Rita’ after the Beatles song.
On Tuesday, June 26, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh began their two-day visit to Northern Ireland as part of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
This afternoon Her Majesty and the duke visited the West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen as well as attended a service of Thanksgiving held at St. Macartin’s Church of Ireland Cathedral. Afterward, Her Majesty and the duke “… met families of the victims of the 1987 Enniskillen Bombing in the Deanery…” according to the Buckingham Palace officials.
Tomorrow, Queen Elizabeth II will hold an “… historic meeting…” with former Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander, Mr. Martin McGuinness. Today, Mr. McGuinness is a member of the Sinn Féin party and the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.
According to the Telegraph newspaper, the meeting will:
… take place at a celebration of culture at the Lyric theatre in Belfast which will also be attended by President of Ireland Michael D Higgins.
The Queen and Mr. McGuinness are set to meet initially in private alongside a handful of dignitaries and while a photograph of the moment was ruled out last week, sources have now said discussions are ongoing…
To read more about today’s events, watch videos as well as to view photos please click the links below.
On June 25, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh visited the Henley Business School, University of Reading, in Oxfordshire to attend the “…Henley-on-Thames Jubilee river pageant…” The purpose of today’s event was, again, to celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.
Click the links below to read an article from the BBC News as well as to view photos.
The Royal Correspondent 