Daily Archives: December 15, 2015

British Royals

(VIDEOS) HRH The Princess Royal Opens the New Sid Watkins Building in Liverpool.

On Tuesday, December 15, 2015, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal officially opened the new £29 million Sid Watkins building at the The Walton Center in Liverpool, England.

According to the official website for the Walton Center during today’s opening the princess unveiled:

“…a commemorative plaque at which is named after an eminent neurosurgeon who made revolutionary improvements to the safety of Formula 1.  A bust of Professor Sid Watkins, which honours his contribution to the world of sport and medicine, was also unveiled during the ceremony, which was attended by members of his family.

[The new building houses the Walton Center Hospital’s] 30-bedded Complex Rehabilitation Unit, its Pain Management Programme which helps patients manage long-lasting pain, a specialist neuropsychology service, an education centre and lecture theatre, charity funded relatives’ accommodation, an outpatients department, offices for finance, human resources, IT, Procurement and more.”

Swedish Royals

HM King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden Meet with the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize Winners.

sweden

On Tuesday, December 15, 2015, His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden met with the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize winners, the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet (TNDQ), at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

The group received the prize for their:

“…decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution of 2011. The Quartet was formed in the summer of 2013 when the democratization process was in danger of collapsing as a result of political assassinations and widespread social unrest. It established an alternative, peaceful political process at a time when the country was on the brink of civil war. It was thus instrumental in enabling Tunisia, in the space of a few years, to establish a constitutional system of government guaranteeing fundamental rights for the entire population, irrespective of gender, political conviction or religious belief.

sweden2The National Dialogue Quartet has comprised four key organizations in Tunisian civil society: the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT, Union Générale Tunisienne du Travail), the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA, Union Tunisienne de l’Industrie, du Commerce et de l’Artisanat), the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH, La Ligue Tunisienne pour la Défense des Droits de l’Homme), and the Tunisian Order of Lawyers (Ordre National des Avocats de Tunisie). These organizations represent different sectors and values in Tunisian society: working life and welfare, principles of the rule of law and human rights.”

During this morning’s meeting His Majesty praised TNDQ’s “…role in the success of the democratic transition in Tunisia…an experience that has inspired admiration the world over…” according to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse.

Photos courtesy of Kungahuset

British Royals

(VIDEOS) HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Attends a Christmas Party in London.

On Tuesday, December 15, 2015, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge attended a Christmas party at the Anna Freud Centre in Islington, London, England.

According to Kensington Palace during today’s event the duchess:

“…met with groups of families in festive activities designed to help pupils reflect on the positive progress they have made during the term – both in terms of their academic success and progress in their social relationships and communication skills.  The Duchess [also watched] various performances by the pupils, which celebrate their achievements.”

And, that’s it.

Please click the links below for more information about today’s event.

VIDEO, Article, Article w/Photo Gallery

British Royals

HRH The Prince of Wales Carries Out Engagements in Wales.

PoWbwOn Tuesday, December 15, 2015, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales as Patron of Teach First visited Pen-y-dre High School in Gurnos Estate, Wales.  Whilst there the prince met with students and teachers as well as met with supporters of the Teach First Cymru’s Leadership Development Program.

In the afternoon, The Prince of Wales visited the Keir Hardie University Health Park in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. During his visit the prince toured the “…state-of-the-art facilities [where he met with] students from Cardiff University’s School of Medicine who are being trained in Merthyr Tydfil and staff and patients from Cwm Taf University Health Board…” according to Clarence House.

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

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

Belgian Royals

HI&RH Princess Astrid of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este Attends a Reception in Brussels.

AstridBelgiumOn the evening of Monday, December 14, 2015, Their Imperial and Royal Highnesses Princess Astrid of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este and Prince Lorenz of Belgium accompanied by TI&RHs Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este and Princess Elisabetta of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este attended the Roll Back Malaria farewell reception held at Château de Val-Duchesse in Auderghem.

Since 2007 Princess Astrid has been the Special Representative to the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM).

Click here to view photos.

British Royals

(VIDEO) HRH The Duchess of Cornwall Hosts a Christmas Luncheon at Clarence House.

On Tuesday, December 15, 2015, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, as Patron of the Helen & Douglas House and The London Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children, hosted a Christmas luncheon as well as Christmas tree decorating party for “…children and young people supported by both charities…” at Clarence House in London.

Click here to view photos. 

Photo courtesy of Zimbio

Spanish Royals

TMs King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain Attend a Funeral in Madrid.

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On Tuesday, December 15, 2015, Their Majesties King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain attended the funeral of Mr. Jorge García Tudela and Mr. Isidro Gabino San Martín Hernández at the Complejo Policial de Canillas in Madrid, Spain.

The two Spanish policemen were killed along with five other innocent people when the Taliban attacked the Spanish Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on December 12, 2015.  According to Reuters, Taliban militants detonated a car bomb close to the Spanish Embassy gates which caused an explosion that “…shook buildings across the city’s diplomatic district and shattering nearby windows. An embassy official said the blast had allowed the attackers to breach the compound walls and enter the building…” 

Click here to view photos.