On the afternoon of October 11, 2013, Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, participated in a panel discussion entitled, Igniting Innovation in Financial Access: Public and Private Approaches for Greater Access by 2020, held at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington D.C.

Today’s panel discussion focused on “…how broader financial inclusion can be achieved through the use of multi-stakeholder partnerships and technology to enable business model innovation…” according to the official website for the World Bank.

Photo courtesy of RVD/HKH

Belgian Royals

TMs King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium Visit Liège. (VIDEOS)

October 11, 2013 Alexandra

On Friday, October 11, 2013, Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium arrived in the city of Liège for a one-day visit.

Upon their arrival the reigning couple were warmly welcomed to the city by thousands of people who were eager to catch a glimpse of their lovely new king and queen.

After attending a welcoming reception, held in their honor, at the Palais Provincial, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde signed the Livre d’Or and soon were off to visit the workshop, La Lumière. Whilst there Their Majesties mingled with staff and those participating in the workshop program.

Thereafter, Their Majesties attended a working luncheon with dozens of local government officials and businessmen. An hour and a half later Their Majesties completed a walkabout where they shook hands with hundreds of people, kissed babies, and generally had a fabulous time.

And, that’s it. 🙂

Click the links below to watch videos as well as to view photos from today’s visit to Liège.

VIDEO, VIDEO 2, VIDEO 3, VIDEO 4, Photos

Dutch Royal Family

His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in Maastricht. (VIDEOS)

October 11, 2013 Alexandra

On Friday, October 11, 2013, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands opened the United World College Maastricht’s (UWCM) new campus.

According to the official website for UWCM the school:

“…is the youngest of the twelve UWC schools and colleges and unique in the movement as the only state-supported whole school, educating children from pre-school through high school. Our diverse student body boasts representation from over 90 countries and territories including 120 residential students who are selected by UWC national committees around the world to complete their final two years of high school with us.”

Please click here and/or here to watch videos from today’s opening.

Click here to view photos.

Photo courtesy of RVD/HKH

Dutch Royal Family

Her Royal Highness Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands Visits a School in Den Haag.

October 10, 2013 Alexandra

On October 10, 2013, Her Royal Highness Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands arrived at the Paradijsvogel school in Den Haag to celebrate National Sustainability Day.

During her visit the lovely princess read several books “…to the students of the school which thematised sustainability and happiness…” according to Corbis.

Please click here and here to view photos.

Photo courtesy of RVD/HKH

Greek Royal Family

Her Majesty Queen Anne-Marie of Greece and Her Royal Highness Princess Theodora of Greece Attend a Fundraising Gala. (VIDEOS)

October 10, 2013 Alexandra

On the evening of October 9, 2013, Her Majesty Queen Anne-Marie of Greece accompanied by her daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Theodora of Greece, arrived at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood, California to attend the Philhellenes Gala.

Last evening’s event raised money for the PRAKSIS Foundation:

“…an organization based in Athens, Greece which focuses on the dire needs of the people of Greece who are suffering from the economic crisis. It is currently the most effective charity in existence in helping with this crisis, both for helping currently homeless families and individuals and also in preventing more Greeks from becoming homeless.”

Please click here, here and here to view photos.

Spanish Royals

News Regarding Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain.

October 10, 2013 Alexandra

On morning of October 10, 2013, Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain arrived at the Fundación Rafael del Pino in Madrid to preside over the conference, Por ser Niña, in celebration of the International Day of the Girl, established by the United Nations on December 19, 2011.

In the evening, Her Majesty attended a gala celebration at the Auditorio del Museo Nacional del Prado in honor of Mr. Carlos Zurita on the occasion of his 25th anniversary as president of the Fundación Amigos del Museo del Prado.

Photo courtesy of Casa Real

British Royals

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Attends the 500th DOE Gold Award Presentation. (VIDEO)

October 10, 2013 Alexandra

On October 10, 2013, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh attended a reception at St. James’s Palace in London to celebrate the “…500th Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award presentation…” according to BBC News.