On Friday, February 7, 2014, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco attended the Sochi Winter Olympics opening ceremony held at the Fisht Olympic Stadium. The princely couple along with thousands in the stands cheered as athletes from around the world entered the stadium.
Other royals were in attendance during today’s opening ceremony including Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, His Royal Highness Prince Felix of Luxembourg, and Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
On a rainy December 10, 2013, thousands gathered at the First National Bank (FNB) Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa to attend a memorial service for the late Nelson Mandela. The former South African president and Nobel Peace Prize winner passed away on December 5, 2013, at the age of 95.
Monarch and royals from around the world attended the moving service including His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan accompanied by the former Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark accompanied by the Prime Minister of Denmark, Ms. Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco accompanied by her Lady-in-Waiting, Princess Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium accompanied by the Prime Minister of Belgium, Mr. Elio Di Rupo, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands accompanied by the Dutch Foreign Minister, Mr. Frans Timmermans, Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan accompanied by the Prime Minister of Jordan, Mr. Abdullah Ensour, His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias accompanied by the Prime Minister of Spain, Mr. Mariano Rajoy, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden accompanied by the Prime Minister of Sweden, Mr. Fredrik Reinfeldt, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakonof Norway accompanied by the Prime Minister of Norway, Ms. Erna Solberg.
The late Nelson Mandela will be laid to rest on Sunday, December 15, 2013. Royals attending the funeral service include His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco to name a few.
Click the links below to watch videos as well as to view photos.
On December 5, 2013, Mr. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela passed away from a lung infection at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, South Africa at the age of 95.
Upon hearing the news various monarchs and royals reacted to the death of the late Mr. Nelson Mandela.
From Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II:
“The Queen was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Nelson Mandela last night. He worked tirelessly for the good of his country, and his legacy is the peaceful South Africa we see today.
Her Majesty remembers with great warmth her meetings with Mr. Mandela and sends her sincere condolences to his family and the people of South Africa at this very sad time.”
From His Holiness Pope Francis:
“It was with sadness that I learned of the death of former President Nelson Mandela, and I send prayerful condolences to all the Mandela family, to the members of the Government and to all the people of South Africa.
In commending the soul of the deceased to the infinite mercy of Almighty God, I ask the Lord to console and strengthen all who mourn his loss.
Paying tribute to the steadfast commitment shown by Nelson Mandela in promoting the human dignity of all the nation’s citizens and in forging a new South Africa built on the firm foundations of non-violence, reconciliation and truth, I pray that the late President’s example will inspire generations of South Africans to put justice and the common good at the forefront of their political aspirations.
With these sentiments, I invoke upon all the people of South Africa divine gifts of peace and prosperity.”
From Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall:
“Mr Mandela was the embodiment of courage and reconciliation. He was also a man of great humour and had a real zest for life. With his passing, there will be an immense void not only in his family’s lives, but also in those of all South Africans and the many others whose lives have been changed through his fight for peace, justice and freedom.
The world has lost an inspired leader and a great man. My family and I are profoundly saddened and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
From Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco:
“The Prince and Princess of Monaco were deeply grieved to learn of the death of Nelson Mandela.
HSH The Prince asked that the flags at the Palace of Monaco and the Principality’s public institutions be flown at half-mast and that a mass be celebrated soon in Monaco in memory of this great leader, mourned all over the world.
THS The Prince and Princess plan to attend the funeral of this champion of freedom whom they had the honour of meeting several times and whom they both see as “an example, a symbol of reconciliation, a great man who, through his courage, selflessness and generosity, was able to change the course of history and make his life a fight for justice and respect for human dignity.”
From His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan:
“His Majesty King Abdullah II on Friday sent a cable of condolences to President of South Africa Jacob Zuma, in which he expressed his deepest condolences and sympathy over the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela, who devoted his life to serve his country and realize its freedom and independence.
The King paid tribute to the international symbol, who devoted his life to defend issues of justice, peace and freedom in the world.
His Majesty noted that the late Mandela was globally recognized, through his sacrifices, as a champion of freedom.
The King added that ‘…we in Jordan recall Mandela’s visit for our country, and his partnership with us for peace and development,’ adding that ‘…we share his sense of responsibility for a global future where all peoples reap the fruits of peace, away from exclusion, poverty and conflict.’”
From Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan:
“From Madiba’s life & legacy we draw faith that goodness can prevail, mindsets can change, & clenched fists can open.”
From Their Royal Highnesses Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg:
“Monsieur le Président,
Venant d’apprendre la triste nouvelle du décès du Président Nelson Mandela, la Grande-Duchesse et mes compatriotes se joignent à moi pour vous adresser, ainsi qu’au peuple sud-africain et à la famille du défunt, nos plus vives condoléances et nos sentiments de profonde sympathie. Nous rendons hommage à la mémoire de cet éminent homme d’Etat, qui avec une détermination exemplaire n’a cessé d’œuvrer contre l’apartheid.
Avec la mort du Président Mandela, le monde entier perd une des figures emblématiques dont l’effort de réconciliation a jeté les bases de l’Afrique du Sud moderne.”
From Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway:
“We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of President Nelson Mandela. We extend our condolences and deepest sympathy to his family in their bereavement, as well as to the people of South Africa.
I was fortunate to have met President Mandela several times. He has served as a role model for me. I have admired his leadership, courage and wisdom. In a situation characterized by violence and vengefulness, President Mandela succeeded in bringing out the best in both himself and his fellow citizens. He has shown the world that it is possible to choose reconciliation over revenge, to choose that which uplifts over that which destroys.”
From Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden:
“Det är med stor sorg jag och min familj har mottagit beskedet att förre presidenten i republiken Sydafrika, Nelson Mandela, har gått bort.
Som president var han en varmhjärtad, hängiven och beundrad statsman.
Drottningen och jag hade förmånen att träffa honom vid vårt statsbesök till Sydafrika 1997 och det var en stor glädje för oss att se honom och hans fru här som våra gäster två år senare. Vid dessa tillfällen gjorde han djupa, varma och bestående intryck på oss. Jag minns Nelson Mandelas extraordinära karisma.”
From Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands:
“His wisdom, integrity and kindness set an inspiring example.”
His Majesty King Mohammad VI of Morocco:
“…the late Mandela was a man of peace and convictions who tirelessly endeavored for the triumph of the values of peace, dignity and democracy…”
From Lene Balleby, Communications Director for the Danish royal court, via Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark:
“Her Majesty has sent a letter of condolence and she expresses her compassion for the people of South Africa and in particular for Mandela’s family…”
The President of South Africa, Mr. Jacob Zuma, announced this morning that the late Mr. Nelson Mandela will have a state funeral. He will be buried in Qunu on December 15, 2013.
On Monday, December 2, 2013, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco arrived at the Salon d’Honneur at the Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais in Paris, France to attend the private opening of the exhibition, Cartier: Le Style et l’Histoire, organized by the Réunion des Musées Nationaux-Grand Palais with the support of Vranken-Pommery Monopole.
Guests attending the private gala opening included well-known French historian, journalist, and close friend of Prince Albert II of Monaco, Mr Stéphane Bern, British actress, Ms. Kristin Scott-Thomas, and Italian actress, Ms. Monica Bellucci, to name a few.
According to a press release Cartier: Le Style et l’Histoire:
“…has been designed as an art history exhibition. As works of art in their own right, the jeweler’s creations are shown in the context of changing usages and styles. The history of the house of Cartier from its foundation in 1847 until the 1970s is an opportunity to open the door to a laboratory of forms and enter into the workings of a sophisticated company which creates jewelry and accessories for their intrinsic beauty as well as for their social function.
Six hundred pieces of jewelry, objects, watches and clocks are teamed up with dresses, coats and accessories, furniture, paintings, advertising photographs, engravings and fashion magazines to give visitors an idea of the art and taste of the time. The exhibition aims to put Cartier’s stylistic choices into perspective.
Over 200 preparatory drawings, numerous archival documents (stock registers, book of ideas, drawings relating to the shop in the rue de la Paix, photographs, plaster casts…) take visitors behind the scenes.
Cartier: Le Style et l’Histoire will be open to the public on December 4, 2013 – February 16, 2014. For more information about the exhibition please click here.
To view photos from the opening please click the links below.
On October 14, 2013, Empress Farah Pahlavi celebrated her 75th birthday. Her son, Reza Pahlavi, was kind enough to share private photos of the beautiful empress celebrating her special day with family and friends. 🙂
Here is this week’s edition of the great Dutch royal program, Blauw Bloed.
In this episode your host, Mr. Jeroen Snel, recaps all the top royal events of this past week including highlights from Saturday’s royal wedding between Their Royal Highnesses Prince Félix and Princess Claire of Luxembourg held at the stunning Basilique de Sainte Marie-Madeleine in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, France (which I missed because, well, I was surfing all day with friends, and frankly that’s more important to me than blogging on a beautiful Saturday morning. Sorry, to be blunt, but it’s true. :)).
Anyway, to catch up with all the latest Luxembourg royal wedding news — including photos and videos — well, you know the drill. Click here for a full report from Luxarazzi: Luxembourg and Liechtenstein.
Photo courtesy of the Cour Grand-Ducale de Luxembourg/G.Wolff
“Anne Boleyn is one of the most famous and controversial women in British history. In 1536, she became the first queen in Britain’s history to be executed. The brutal speed of her downfall, and the astonishing nature of the charges against her – treason, adultery, even incest – makes her story shocking even to this day.
Yet whilst we know how Anne died, the story of why she had to go and who authored her violent end has been the subject of fiery debate across six centuries. In a radical new approach to televised history, a stellar cast of writers and historians, including Hilary Mantel, David Starkey, Philippa Gregory and others, battle out the story of her last days and give their own unique interpretations of her destruction.”
The second documentary (part 1-2) is, well, obviously not about Anne Boleyn. I don’t want to give too much away, but I suggest you watch both videos before they are removed by You Tube. 🙂
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All the latest news and events from monarchies around the world.
On Friday, February 7, 2014, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco attended the Sochi Winter Olympics opening ceremony held at the Fisht Olympic Stadium. The princely couple along with thousands in the stands cheered as athletes from around the world entered the stadium.
The Royal Correspondent 