Daily Archives: March 21, 2026

Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg

Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg Opens the 43rd Edition of the Festival des Migrations, Celebrating Culture and Inclusion

Photo courtesy of the Maison du Grand-Duc©

In Luxembourg City, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, accompanied by the Minister for Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, Mr. Max Hahn, and the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr. Léon Gloden, attended the opening of the 43rd Edition of the Festival des Migrations, des Cultures et de la Citoyenneté at the LuxExpo The Box.

Organized by the Comité de Liaison des Associations d’Étrangers, the annual two-day event is among the Grand Duchy’s principal platforms dedicated to migration, cultural diversity, and civic participation, bringing together hundreds of associations, institutions, and representatives of civil society.

The program features more than 400 stands dedicated to information, gastronomy, and cultural exchange, with participating groups presenting culinary traditions and cultural initiatives from across the world. A series of debates, round tables, performances, exhibitions, and screenings further address contemporary social and geopolitical issues.

The festival functions as a forum for dialogue on identity, memory, and citizenship, reflecting Luxembourg’s multicultural landscape and its continued engagement with questions of inclusion and social cohesion.

Monaco Princely Family, Princely Family of Monaco

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco Attend the 14th Edition of the Sainte-Dévote Rugby Final as Singapore Wins the Tournament

  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Frédéric Nebinger
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Frédéric Nebinger
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Frédéric Nebinger
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Frédéric Nebinger

This afternoon in Fontvieille, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa, and Mr. Gareth Wittstock attended the final of the 14th edition of the Sainte-Dévote Rugby Tournament at the Stade Louis-II.

Organized by the Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco, with the support of the Fédération Monégasque de Rugby, the annual tournament brings together youth teams from around the world, promoting the values of discipline, teamwork, and inclusion through sport.

A total of 24 teams representing 23 nations participated in this year’s two-day competition, including delegations from South Africa, Argentina, Japan, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates. The 2026 edition marked the first participation of a team from Japan, reflecting the tournament’s continued international reach.

The final saw Singapore defeat England by four tries to one, securing victory in the 14th edition of the tournament.

At the conclusion of the tournament, awards were presented to teams and individual participants. Singapore received the Tournament trophy, presented by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II. The Most Valuable Player award was presented to Usha Hemalatha Munda of India by Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa, while Japan received the Fair Play Award, presented by Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene.

Royal Family of Brunei

The Royal Family of Brunei Hosts an Eid al-Fitr Reception at Istana Nurul Iman

  • Photos courtesy of Jabatan Penerangan/RTB
  • Photos courtesy of Jabatan Penerangan/RTB
  • Photos courtesy of Jabatan Penerangan/RTB
  • Photos courtesy of Jabatan Penerangan/RTB
  • Photos courtesy of Jabatan Penerangan/RTB
  • Photos courtesy of Jabatan Penerangan/RTB

In Bandar Seri Begawan, Their Majesties Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha of Brunei hosted a formal reception at the Istana Nurul Iman on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.

The reception marked the beginning of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations in the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam.

Among those in attendance were Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Hassanal Bolkiah and Crown Princess Sarah of Brunei, His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik of Brunei, and Their Royal Highnesses Prince Abdul Mateen and Princess Anisha Rosnah of Brunei. Other members of the extended royal family were also present, along with senior government officials, dignitaries, and members of the diplomatic corps.

The reception forms part of Brunei’s established Hari Raya Aidilfitri observances, under which the royal palace receives invited guests at the outset of the celebrations. This is followed in subsequent days by public audiences, during which citizens are received at Istana Nurul Iman as part of the annual Junjung Ziarah.

The annual celebrations at Istana Nurul Iman remain among the most significant ceremonial events in the national calendar, reflecting the close relationship between the monarchy and the people of Brunei Darussalam.

Royal Family of Oman

The Honorable Lady Sayyida Ahad of Oman Releases a Statement on the Occasion of Mother’s Day

  • Portrait courtesy of ديوان البلاط السلطاني (Diwan al-Bilāṭ al-Sulṭānī)
  • Portrait courtesy of ديوان البلاط السلطاني (Diwan al-Bilāṭ al-Sulṭānī)
  • Portrait courtesy of ديوان البلاط السلطاني (Diwan al-Bilāṭ al-Sulṭānī)

On the occasion of Mother’s Day, observed annually on March 21st in the Sultanate of Oman, Her Highness The Honorable Lady Sayyida Ahad bint Abdullah Al Busaidiyah issued a statement extending her congratulations to mothers across Oman and around the world.

In her statement, The Honorable Lady emphasized that Mother’s Day should not be regarded as the sole moment in which the virtues of motherhood are acknowledged. Rather, she noted that the values embodied by mothers, including patience, selflessness, devotion, and enduring generosity, ought to remain present in both public consciousness and daily life throughout the year.

“Mother’s Day should not be the only occasion on which we recall the values of patience, dedication, and selflessness… rather, these meanings should remain present in our lives every day,” she said, adding that “mothers are the essence of existence and a blessing in our lives.”

The Honorable Ladyalso addressed the role of mothers in society, describing them as central to human existence and a source of enduring blessing, whose contributions extend beyond the family to the broader fabric of national and social development.

Her Highness The Honorable Lady Sayyida Ahad bint Abdullah Al Busaidiyah is the wife of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman. Together have four children: His Highness Crown Prince Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said of Oman, His Highness Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said of Oman, Her Highness Sayyida Thuraya bint Haitham Al Said of Oman, and Her Highness Sayyida Omaima bint Haitham Al Said of Oman.

Imperial Family of Japan, Monaco Princely Family, Princely Family of Monaco

Princess Akiko of Mikasa Opens Journée du Japon à Monaco: Celebrating 20 Years of Diplomatic Relations Between Japan and Monaco

  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck

In the quartier of Larvotto, Monaco, Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, and Mr. Louis Ducruet, presided over the opening ceremony of Journée du Japon à Monaco, held along the esplanade of the Grimaldi Forum.

The event forms part of commemorations marking the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Principality of Monaco. Formal ties between the two countries were established on December 14th, 2006, and have since developed through sustained cultural exchange and official visits between the Imperial Family of Japan and the Princely Family of Monaco.

The main program, staged along the esplanade of the Grimaldi Forum, featured a Japanese handicrafts exhibition alongside cultural presentations highlighting both traditional and contemporary Japanese arts, including musical and dance performances. The program also included demonstrations and workshops introducing traditional techniques, including washi paper crafting. 

Additional activities are taking place at the Jardin Japonais in Larvotto, extending the program across multiple sites and underscoring the cultural dimension of the bilateral anniversary.

The initiative reflects the continued emphasis placed by both Japan and the Principality of Monaco on cultural diplomacy as a means of strengthening bilateral relations.

This evening,  the Princess will attend the 70th edition of the Bal de la Rose to be held inside the Salle des Étoiles at the Sporting Monte-Carlo.

Royal Family of Brunei

Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei Releases A New Family Portrait

Portrait courtesy of H.R.H. Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei/Instagram/Brilliant Day Photography

On the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei released a new formal portrait of himself and his family.

In the portrait, the Prince stands alongside his wife, Her Royal Highness Princess Anisha Rosnah of Brunei, who is seen holding their daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Zahra Mariam Bolkiah of Brunei, in a composed family setting.

The image was photographed by Brilliant Day Photography, a Bangkok-based photography studio.