Yearly Archives: 2014

Royal House of Jordan

News Regarding Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan. (VIDEOS)

On Wednesday, January 15, 2014, His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan held an audience with the Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Atomic Energy, Mr. Sergei Kiriyenko, and his delegation in Amman.

Meanwhile, Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan along with professors and students from the University of Jordan celebrated Arbor Day.  During today’s celebration Her Majesty and others planted several trees that “…were damaged during the recent snowstorm [in Jordan]…” 

According to Petra News, Her Majesty also:

“…spoke with students partaking in an art exhibition that displayed artwork made out of wood collected from cypress and pine trees which were damaged and broken during the snowstorm. The exhibition was organized by the university in cooperation with the Faculty of Art and Design along with other related faculties as part of an initiative entitled ‘Al Saru Tribute’.”

Danish Royals

Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark Inaugurates the Royal Copenhagen’s New Head Office in Glostrup.

MaryOn January 15, 2014, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark inaugurated the Royal Copenhagen’s new head office and grant-giving ceremony in Glostrup.

After the opening, according to the official website for Royal Copenhagen, the future queen of Denmark was:

“…given a tour of Royal Copenhagen’s new skills centre, which includes a modeling room and painting studio, where the exclusive Flora Danica dinnerware series will continue to be hand-painted according to a tradition that can be traced right back to the founding of the Royal Porcelain Factory.”

Click here to view photos.

Photo courtesy of Kongehuset

Dutch Royal Family

Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands Host the 2014 Nieuwjaarsontvangst.

dutchOn January 15, 2014, Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, and Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven hosted the 2014 Nieuwjaarsontvangst (New Year’s reception) held at the Koninklijk Paleis in Amsterdam.

Today’s reception was held for members of international organizations and foreign diplomats according to RVD.

Click here to view photos.

Photo courtesy of RVD/HKH

Imperial Family of Japan

Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan Participate in the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime. (VIDEOS)

On Wednesday, January 15, 2014, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan accompanied by His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan, Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan as well as other members of the Imperial family participated the annual Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year’s Poetry Reading) held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

According to the IHA, this year’s theme: Sei (Quiet).

A  Waka poem by His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito:

Spreading beyond

The memorial monument

I see before me

The sea of Minamata

So blue, so calm, and so still.

Ireihi no

Saki ni hirogaru

Minamata no

Umi aokushite

Shizuka narikeri

A Waka poem by Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko::

I now leave to serve

The deity soon to be moved

To a newly built shrine”

So saying with eyes serene

Our daughter left for Ise.

Miutsuri no

Chikaki miyai ni

Tsukauruto

Hitomi shizukani

Ko wa iite tatsu

A Waka poem by His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito:

The graceful sound of singing is heard in the stillness of the Sanctuary during the Niiname-sai.

A Waka poem by Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Masako:

As though it enwraps even the sorrow, the sea off Kamaishi lies in tranquility.