HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway Reminds Everyone Just How Awesome Norway Is. (VIDEO)

Here is a brief video of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway speaking at a tourism seminar held at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, CA last week.  Basically, he’s reminding his audience just how freaking amazing his native country is.   🙂

Her Royal Highness Princess Letizia of Asturias Views the Exhibition, El Trazo Español en el British Museum: Dibujos del Renacimiento a Goya

goyaOn May 14, 2013, Her Royal Highness Princess Letizia of Asturias arrived at the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid to view an exhibition entitled, El Trazo Español en el British Museum: Dibujos del Renacimiento a Goya (Spanish Drawings from the British Museum: Renaissance to Goya).

According to the official website for the Museo Nacional del Prado this special exhibition:

“…opens with the oldest drawings by 16th-century Spanish artists working in Castile, including Alonso Berruguete. This section also explores the repercussion on Spanish drawing of the presence of foreign artists in the country, primarily Italians, who were working on the decoration of the monastery at El Escorial. Among them was Pellegrino Tibaldi, represented here by one of the most outstanding architectural drawings of the 16th century, Study for the Decoration of the Library at El Escorial.

This section continues with the work of some of the most important 17th-century artists active in the different regions of Spain, which were independent artistic centres. They include Vicente Carducho, Alonso Cano and Francisco Rizi in Madrid; Francisco Pacheco, Murillo and Zurbarán in Seville; Juan Ribalta in Valencia and José de Ribera in Naples. All represent the great burgeoning of drawing that took place in the Golden Age, of which outstanding examples are The Dwarf Miguelito by Rizi, The Archangel Michael by Murillo, A miraculous healing by a Saint attributed to Ribalta and Tityus (or Prometheus) by Ribera.

From the 18th century the exhibition includes key works by Luis Paret (Masked Ball at the Teatro del Príncipe) and by José Camarón (Oriental Woman under an Awning) as well as drawings by other masters of this period, demonstrating artists’ increasing use of the medium at this period in response to international trends and influences.

The exhibition concludes with the work of Francisco de Goya, who permanently changed the context of Spanish art and contributed to making the country one of the leading artistic centers in Europe. Goya’s drawings explore the imagination, beliefs and human conduct. Eight works that span his entire career and have never previously been seen in Spain (including the magnificent drawing of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington) reveal his incomparable versatility as a draughtsman and the variety of subjects that attracted his interest.”

If you happen to live or will be visiting Madrid, Spain within the next few weeks, and would like to view, El Trazo Español en el British Museum: Dibujos del Renacimiento a Goya, the exhibition ends on June 16, 2013.  For more information about the exhibition please click here and here.

Click here to view a gallery of photos.

Photo courtesy of Casa Real

His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales Visits New Jersey and NYC. (VIDEOS)

On the morning of May 14, 2013, His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales visited Mantoloking and the famous Seaside Heights in New Jersey.   During his visit the prince accompanied by Governor Chris Christie was given a tour of areas “…devastated by  Hurricane Sandy, met with emergency personnel and construction workers racing to get resort towns ready for the summer…” and much more.

Later in the afternoon, Prince Harry arrived in New York City where he visited Milk Studios and then visited Harlem where he played a good old fashion game of baseball with local youths.

For more information about today’s visit to New Jersey please click here and here.

Click here to watch another video.

Click here to view photos.

Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium Attends a Conference in Brussels. Plus, Other News.

princessmathildeOn May 14, 2013, Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium attended a conference entitled, Basic Education for Change, organized by the Association Plan Belgique in collaboration with Unicef Belgique.

According to the Belgian royal court today’s conference, held at the Maison des Parlementaires in Brussels, discussed “…the role of the Belgian cooperation in basic education in developing countries…”  

Click here and here to view photos.

Later in the afternoon, the princess accompanied by her children attended the Concours Reine Elisabeth Piano 2013 semi-finals held Studio 4 Flagey in Brussels.

His Royal Highness Prince Philippe of Belgium Attends the 2nd Edition of the Belgodyssée Masterclass in Brussels.

PhilippeOn the afternoon of May 14, 2013, His Royal Highness Prince Philippe of Belgium attended the 2nd Edition of the Belgodyssée Masterclass for young journalists held at the Centre de Presse International (Residence Palace) in Brussels.

According to the Belgian newspaper, L’avenir, today’s event:

“…was devoted to the optimal use of evidence gathered through social media and their impact on the dissemination of information.

Young journalists are aware of the impact social media has on the so-called mainstream media.  Today information gathering is often much faster though Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets.  However, social media can affect the clarity of distinction between facts, rumors and opinions. Participants in today’s masterclass received advice from experienced journalists on how to respond to this changing media.” 

Click here to view a gallery of photos.