On January 14, 2015, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco was named the 2014 International Sports Figure of the Year during the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award Ceremony held at the Dubai World Trade Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Unfortunately, the sovereign prince was unable to attend the ceremony due to prior commitments thus the reason for the pre-recorded acceptance speech message.
On Monday, January 19, 2015, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge attended a cozy “…coffee morning at [the] Family Friends Kensington. [Whilst there the duchess met with] volunteers and was given an overview of the organization’s work supporting vulnerable families…” according to a press release.
Thereafter, the Duchess of Cambridge opened the Kensington Aldridge Academy as well as the Kensington Leisure Center.
On Sunday, January 18, 2015, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan arrived at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo to attend Day Eight of the Grand Sumo New Year Tournament.
On Saturday, Their Imperial Majesties attended a memorial service marking the 20th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake held at the Hyogo Prefecture Guest House in Kobe, Japan. According to Reuters, hundreds of people “…gathered to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more than 6,400 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake.”
On Wednesday, January 14, 2015, His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales accompanied by former NBA player, Mr. Dikembe Mutombo, and NBA All-star, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, and current New York Knicks power forward, Mr. Carmelo Anthony, attended the Royal Foundation’s Coach Core graduation ceremony held at St. James’s Palace in London.
According to Clarence House, the Coach Core program:
“…boosts the career prospects and life skills of disadvantaged young people by training them to become professional sports coaches and mentors.
[During today’s graduation ceremony] 33 young people have completed the year-long Coach Core course and many said their practical coaching experience had helped them find work or allowed them to pursue more formal qualifications at college or university.
The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry created the program in 2012 which is run in partnership with the organization Glasgow Life in Scotland and with Greenhouse Charity in London, in response to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry’s shared aim to inspire young people through sport.
The NBA is also working to support Coach Core in developing young, motivated and talented new basketball coaches through coaching experience and logistical support, meaning that The Royal Foundation now has three programs running in London, Glasgow and New York.”
On the evening of Saturday, January 10, 2015, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark attended the DR1 Sport 2014 event held at the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning. During this evening’s gathering the future king of Denmark will present the Købstædernes Forsikrings Pris, Danmarks Olympiske Håb (Denmark’s Olympic Hope), to a worthy recipient.
Photo courtesy of Kongehuset
On Friday, January 9, 2015, His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales arrived at the French Embassy in London to sign the book of condolence for the “…12 victims of the attack on the Paris offices of the satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo…”
On Thursday, January 8, 2015, His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain received credentials from ambassadors from the countries of Panama, Ireland, China, Hungary, Portugal, and Egypt. The event took place at the stunning Palacio Real de Madrid.
The Royal Correspondent 