On December 11, 2014, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands officially opened the Nationaal Militair Museum at the Park Vliegbasis Soesterberg.

According to RVD, the museum highlights:

“…[the] meaning of the Dutch armed forces of the past, present and future. Personal stories of soldiers from all ranks and times are illustrated by the extensive collections of the Army and Air Force. In addition to large objects such as tanks and aircraft, six theme areas where all aspects of the armed forces are discussed.”

Photo courtesy of RVD/HKH

Imperial Family of Japan

His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan Views a Unique Exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. (VIDEO)

December 11, 2014 Alexandra

On Thursday, December 11, 2014, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan arrived at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (TMAM) to view the exhibition, Arte a Firenze da Botticelli a Bronzino: Verso una Maniera Moderna.

According to the official website for the TMAM the exhibition:

“…trace[s] the development of Florentine art from the 15th to the 16th century through works from the collection of the world-famed Uffizi Gallery, Florence’s oldest art museum, founded to house the art collections of the Medici family.

The Uffizi Gallery is renowned for its excellent collection of works by Sandro Botticelli, one of the greatest painters of the Italian Renaissance. Through paintings by Botticelli—including his famed Pallas and the Centaur—and works by Andrea del Sarto, Rosso Fiorentino, Agnolo Bronzino, and other leading figures of 16th-century Florentine art, some 80 pieces in all, this exhibition will convey the essence of the astonishingly rich and varied Florentine Renaissance.”

Arte a Firenze da Botticelli a Bronzino: Verso una Maniera Moderna will be open to the public until December 14, 2014.

Click here to watch another video if the one above does not work for you. 🙂

Photo courtesy of Yahoo

Monaco Princely Family

A Video Message of Thanks from His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco.

December 11, 2014 Alexandra 1 Comment

On Thursday, December 11, 2014, the Palais Princier de Monaco released a video message from His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco announcing the birth of his precious newborn twins.

Here is what the sovereign prince and proud father had to say:

“My Dear Fellow Citizens and Residents of the Principality,

It is with great joy that I have the pleasure of announcing that Princess Charlene gave birth on Wednesday 10th December 2014 to one boy and one girl named Jacques Honoré Rainier, who will bear the title of Crown Prince, and Gabriella Thérèse Marie Princess and second in the line of succession.

I wish to share this moment of happiness with the Monégasque people and more widely with all my country’s residents. These births further bolster the feeling of community that unites us.
 I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all those, in Monaco and across the world, who have expressed their attachment to the Princess, myself and my family.

Thanks be to God for this blessing.”