Monthly Archives: September 2015

British Royals

(VIDEOS) HM Queen Elizabeth II Opens the New Scottish Borders Railway.

On Wednesday, September 9, 2015, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh opened the new £294 million Scottish Borders Railway in Tweedbank.

During today’s opening Her Majesty gave a speech:

“First Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Duke of Edinburgh and I are delighted to be back in the Borders today and, especially, to have arrived … by train! It has been wonderful to witness the excitement which the return of the railway has brought here. The Borders Railway brings so much promise for sharing and invigorating this most beautiful countryside as a place to work, live and enjoy.

Prince Philip and I are very grateful for the warmth of your welcome on this occasion. Many including you, First Minister, have also kindly noted another significance attaching to today, although it is not one to which I have ever aspired. Inevitably, a long life can pass by many milestones; my own is no exception. But I thank you all, and the many others at home and overseas, for your touching messages of great kindness.

So now to the business in hand. It is my very happy duty to declare the Borders Railway open.” 

And, finally, if you haven’t heard by now Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II surpassed the late HM Queen Victoria today as the United Kingdom’s longest-serving monarch.  What a milestone!  Congrats!   🙂

For more information about today’s opening as well as to view photos please click the links below:

Article w/Photos, Article w/Photos, Photo Gallery

Dutch Royal Family

(VIDEO) Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands Visits a Cheese Factory.

Princess Maxima 2011On Wednesday, September 9, 2015, Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands visited the cheese factory and farm, Koninklijke FrieslandCampina, in Koudum.  The company recently won the Koning Willem I Prijs (Prize) “…in the big business category…” according to the RVD.

Earlier in the day, Her Majesty visited the Stokman diary farm also located in Koudum.  On this semi free-range dairy farm “…cows can decide for themselves whether they reside inside or outside the barn, which affects among other things the environment, the landscape and the welfare of the animals…” 

Please click the links below to view photos.

Photo Gallery, Photo Gallery 2, Photo Gallery 3, Photo Gallery 4

Photo courtesy of RVD/HKH

Royal House of Jordan

(VIDEO) News Regarding Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan.

On the morning of September 8, 2015, Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan met with the German Ambassador to Jordan, Ms. Birgitta Siefker-Eberle, and Dr. Michaela Baur, Country Director of German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) Office in Jordan and Lebanon at the royal palace in Amman.

According to Petra News, today’s meeting:

“…came in recognition of GIZ donation to Madrasati Jordan.  During the meeting, Her Majesty noted the importance of this cooperation, which contributes to education and schools that bear additional burdens as a result of the Syrian exodus to Jordan. The Queen also praised Germany’s position in supporting key sectors in Jordan.”

British Royals

(VIDEO) HRH The Earl of Wessex Opens the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters.

eowOn September 8, 2015, His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex officially opened the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters in Calcot, Berkshire.

According to the newspaper, Get Reading, the earl was given a tour of the new £4 million headquarters and gave a speech stating:

“I am delighted to be able to come here and open these new headquarters for RBFRS.  It is a vital service which it provides and I don’t wish to talk firefighters out of a job but I hope they are not needed. When they are called upon though I know they carry out a very professional job in whatever the circumstance.” 

For more information about today’s event as well as to watch a video please click here.

British Royals

HRH The Duchess of Gloucester Opens a New Hospice.

gloucester

On Tuesday, September 8, 2015, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester officially opened the new £6 million Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough.

According to the newspaper, Rutland and Stamford Mercury:

“…was patron of the Thorpe Hall Capital Appeal raising the money needed to fund the new hospice building. This was her third visit to Thorpe Hall – she launched the appeal in March 2013 and returned a year later to see the progress of the appeal and building work.”

For more information about today’s opening please click here.

Click here to view photos.

Danish Royals

News Regarding Members of the Danish Royal Family.

Prince Henrik of Denmark

On Tuesday, September 8, 2015, the Danish royal court announced that His Royal Highness Prince Henrik of Denmark’s youngest sister, Madame Maurille Beauvillain de Monpezat, passed away in France this morning.  The funeral will take place later this week.

And, finally, Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg, the former HRH Princess Alexandra of Denmark, announced that she getting a divorced.  Again.

denmarkIn a statement released to the press the 51-year-old countess noted that she and her soon-to-be ex-husband, Mr. Martin Jørgensen, did not “…share the same values anymore…” and that she “…could not see a future together.  It has not been easy…”

The countess and Mr. Jørgensen were married on March 3, 2007, at the Øster Egede Kirke in south Jutland.  They have no children together.