On January 2, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan made a balcony appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The imperial couple, along with other members of the family including His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito, waved to “…78,000 cheering supporters…” who gathered in the East Plaza at palace to wish the emperor and his family a Happy New Year.

Emperor Akihito also made a speech in which he “… urged the people of Japan to help those affected by the March 2011 disasters and together tackle challenges in the reconstruction efforts…”

To read more about today’s balcony appearance please click here.

And, finally the Japanese newspaper, Japan Times, has a new article regarding the “…growing concerns over ways to reduce [the] duties of [the] aging emperor…”

Please click here to read the article.

Photo courtesy of Asahi Shimbun

Swedish Royals

A New Poll Shows That Six out of Ten Swedes Want His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf to Abdicate.

January 2, 2013 Alexandra 3 Comments

In a new poll released on January 2, 2013, conducted by the Swedish magazine, Aftonbladet/SIFO, six out of ten Swedes want His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden to abdicate.

“One thousand people participated in the survey which also concluded that seven out of ten people want the monarchy to remain. Twenty-three percent want to abolish it all together…”

To read more about this latest news please click here.

Photo courtesy of Kungahuset

Swedish Royals

Året med kungafamiljen 2012 (VIDEO)

January 2, 2013 Alexandra 3 Comments

For those who are interested in watching the SVT documentary entitled, Året med Kungafamiljen 2012, then please click here.

The documentary follows all members of the Swedish royal family during the 2012 year and includes lengthy interviews and more. As you may know by now the program is in Swedish. There are no sub-titles.

Photo courtesy of Kungahuset

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