On Sunday, May 10, 2015, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, His Royal Highness The Duke of York attended a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of VE Day.
Click the video screen above to watch the clip on You Tube.
Photo courtesy of Zimbio/Getty Images/WPA Pool
On the morning of Sunday, May 10, 2015, His Serene Highness Prince Jacques Honoré Rainier of Monaco, Marquis of Baux and Her Serene Highness Princess Gabriella Thérèse Marie of Monaco, Countess of Carladès, were baptized (in the Roman Catholic faith) during obligatory Sunday Mass at the Cathédrale de Monaco. The baptism was presided over by Archbishop Bernard Barsi. The godparents for HSH Hereditary Prince Jacques are: Mr. Christopher LeVine, Jr. and Mrs. Diane de Polignac Nigra. For HSH Princess Gabriella the godparents are: Mr. Gareth Wittstock and Mrs. Nerine Pienaar.
Guests in attendance included Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline of Hanover, Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Hanover, Mr. Andrea Casiraghi, Mr. Pierre Casiraghi and his beautiful fiancée, Miss Beatrice Borromeo, Her Serene Highness Princess Stephanie of Monaco, Mr. Louis Ducruet, Miss Pauline Ducruet, Miss Camille Gottlieb, Baroness Elisabeth-Anne de Massy and her daughter, Miss Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy, Mrs. Donatella Knecht de Massy (Princess Charlene’s Maid of Honor), Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wittstock, Mr. Sean Wittstock and his lovely wife, Chantel, Ms. Roisin Galvin (fiancée of Mr. Gareth Wittstock), Mr. and Mrs. John Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher LeVine, TRHs The Duke and Duchess of Castro, Danish designer Ms. Isabella Christensen, Monégasque free-diver Mr. Pierre Frolla, numerous Monégasque government officials, and friends of Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco.
After the Mass and baptism, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene met with well-wishers along the Rue Bellando de Castro on the way to the Palais. Once inside the Palais Princier the princely couple along with their precious little ones — Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella — their godparents made their way into the Salon des Glaces, where Hereditary Prince Jacques received the Grand-Croix dans l’Ordre de Grimaldi and Princess Gabriella received the Grand Officier dans l’Ordre de Grimaldi. While the godparents of Prince Jacques were named the Officers of the Ordre de Saint-Charles and the godparents of Princess Gabriella were named Officers of the Ordre de Grimaldi.
And, with that, warmest congrats as well as many blessings to Their Serene Highnesses and their sweet little ones!
🙂
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Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier
On Saturday, May 9, 2015, His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales arrived in fantastic Wellington, New Zealand for a seven-day official visit.
Upon his arrival at Wellington Airport the handsome royal was warmly welcomed by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. John Key, and the Mayor of Wellington, Ms. Celia Wade-Brown. Moments later Prince Harry and his delegation were driven to Government House the Governor General, Sir Jerry Mateparae, and his wife, Lady Janine Mateparae, as well as other officials were waiting for their royal guest. Whilst at Government House Prince Harry received the Powhiri, a traditional Maori welcome.
After a lovely reception at Government House, Prince Harry and his delegation visited the National War Memorial Park. According to Kensington Palace the park:
“…commemorates all New Zealanders who have died in military conflicts, both before and since the First World War and will become a focal point of the Government’s WW100 program to mark the centenary of the First World War. The Park provides a place to honour sacrifice and service, to remember New Zealander’s contribution in times of war and to inspire and educate future generations. It is also intended as a symbol of the country’s enduring international relationships with other nations, forged as a result of shared experiences of military conflict.”
For more information about today’s activities as well as to view photos please click the links below.
Article w/Photos, Article w/Photos, Live TVNZ News Blog w/Constant Updates, Photos, Etc, Article, Photo Gallery
On Saturday, May 9, 2015, Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway and Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands opened the exhibit, Van Gogh+Munch, at the Munchmuseet in Oslo.
The exhibition, in collaboration with the Munchmuseet and the Van Gogh Museum, explores the:
“…similarities and connections between these two artists; those that immediately jump out at you as well as those that exist on a deeper level. Rather than uncritically accepting established perceptions, the exhibition will take a closer look at their artistic point of departure, the influences they were exposed to, the development in style and technique and what artistic goals they set for themselves, and in this way create a deeper understanding of why these artists are so often compared to each other.
The exhibition will encompass approximately 75 paintings and 30 works on paper, including about ten comparative works by other artists. Both museums will contribute a discerning selection of major works for the exhibition, complemented by important loans from other museums and private collectors. The catalogue will contain articles related to the exhibition’s various themes, in addition to texts that treat other subjects, such as the artists’ writings and the history of the reception of their work. In addition to articles by the curators of the exhibition, well-known art historians such as Jill Lloyd, Uwe Schneede and Reinhold Heller will also contribute texts.”
Van Gogh + Munch will be open to the public until September 6, 2015.
Please click here to view photos.
On Friday, May 8, 2015, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark officially opened the Ringsted Krisecenters Sensory Garden and Playground in Ringsted.
According to a press release this special:
“…project born about two years ago after visiting the therapy gardens where it’s all about nature’s importance for the well-being and rehabilitation.
The crisis center in Ringsted has created a garden that will serve as a haven for the abused and threatened women and children residing in the shelter. The children have been rare and challenging play areas, and created opportunity for conversations and meetings can be moved outside.
The garden is established with the support of numerous donors: .P. Møller Fonden, Trygfonden, Agenda 21 Ringsted, Ringsted Soroptimistklub, Lions Club Ringsted Knud Lavard, Lions Ringsted og elever fra Sct. Josephs Skole.”
Photo courtesy of Kongehuset
On Friday, May 8, 2015, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco participated in the first meeting of the year with the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco Board of Directors in Monte-Carlo.
During this afternoon’s meeting members:
“…approved the 2014 financial statements of the Foundation. Since its creation in 2006, the Foundation has supported 341 projects. 10 new projects within the three areas of the Foundation’s priority actions were submitted to the Board of Directors for approval, among them WCRP Polar Challenge project, Chimpanzees and men: Research and protection of tropical biodiversity, and Seahorses implementation project in the Marine Reserve of Larvotto…”
The sovereign prince also witnessed the signing of a partnership between the American branch of the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco and Amherst College (the sovereign prince is an Alumni of this prestigious university).
And, finally, on May 7, 2015, Prince Albert II lent his support to French yachtsman, Mr. Alain Thébault:
“…a pioneer in boats that fly and alongside Eric Tabarly the instigator of the Hydroptère, who is currently on standby in Los Angeles to attempt a record-breaking Pacific crossing.
A special encounter is set to take place in Hawaii between Mr. Bertrand Piccard and Mr. Alain Thébault, one driven by the wind, the other by the sun, but both promoting the same message: ‘Use Clean Energy’. Support given to Alain and his crew by the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco will enable them to leave for Hawaii as quickly as possible so that they can join forces with Solar Impulse to deliver the same message. One parameter remains uncertain: a debris field resulting from the tsunami, a stretch the size of Texas which the crew need to sail along on the edge of a high-pressure area before reaching their friends from Solar Impulse in Hawaii.
A film will be produced to denounce the pollution of this ocean, sadly strewn with waste and other plastics, in conjunction with the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco and the Paul Ricard Oceanographic Institute that are working in Monaco and France on these issues which will have an impact on future generations.”
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier
On May 8, 2015, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales officially opened the new Poundbury Cancer Institute at Newborough House. During today’s visit the prince met was given a tour of the facility as well as met with staff.
Later in the day the Prince of Wales also presented keys to “….a local family who moved into the 250th home constructed by The Guinness Partnership…” in Poundbury.
For more information about today’s activities please click the links below.
The Royal Correspondent 