On Monday, December 9, 2013, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall arrived at the Ward Barracks in Bulford, Wiltshire to welcome home the 4th Battalion, The Rifles “…who have recently returned from Afghanistan…” according to Clarence House.
During today’s event the lovely duchess presented Operational Service Medals to the soldiers.
Please click here to view photos.
On Sunday, December 8, 2013, Her Royal Highness Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands arrvived at the Cinemac in Ede to attend the première of the film, Mees Kees op Kamp, directed by Ms. Barbara Bredero.
Photo courtesy of RVD/HKH
On December 9, 2013, Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Masako of Japan turns 50 years young. Prior to her special day the Imperial Household Agency released video footage of the crown princess surrounded by her husband, daughter, and of course the sweet family dog.
On December 9, 2013, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan departed from Tokyo International Airport to attend the memorial service for the late Mr. Nelson Mandela in South Africa. The future emperor is accompanied by the former Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Yasuo Fukuda.
The crown prince and Mr. Fukuda will return to Tokyo on Wednesday, December 11, 2013.
Earlier this week Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium arrived in Hong Kong to participate in the opening of the 2013 Business Design Week (BoDW): The Belgian Spirit.
Anyway, the Belgian channel, RTL, has a nice re-cap of Her Majesty’s visit to Hong Kong. Click here to watch (in French). Or, click here and here to view photos.
It was announced that His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales and his teammates race to South Pole has been cancelled. The reason: Safety concerns.
The Walking With the Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge expedition director, Mr. Ed Parker, noted that he:
“…has taken the decision to suspend the race to the pole, but he is determined that all the members will make it to the South Pole as one group.
‘We have had a tricky couple of days. The weather remains good but the terrain is very difficult, far harder than we were anticipating and because of various factors, I have decided to suspend the race.
The reasons for this are entirely safety based. I am looking at the three teams. They are going really well but people are beginning to get very, very tired. With our doctor here, who I am in constant contact with, we just feel we are beginning to push people a little too hard, so I have suspended the race.’”
For more information about this breaking news please click here.
Click here to watch a video as well as to read an article.
On December 6, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan returned to Tokyo after a six-day official visit to India.
Upon their arrival at the Tokyo International Airport the emperor and empress were warmly welcomed home by Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan and Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan.
The Royal Correspondent 