On December 9, 2013, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan departed from Tokyo International Airport to attend the memorial service for the late Mr. Nelson Mandela in South Africa. The future emperor is accompanied by the former Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Yasuo Fukuda.
The crown prince and Mr. Fukuda will return to Tokyo on Wednesday, December 11, 2013.
Earlier this week Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium arrived in Hong Kong to participate in the opening of the 2013 Business Design Week (BoDW): The Belgian Spirit.
Anyway, the Belgian channel, RTL, has a nice re-cap of Her Majesty’s visit to Hong Kong. Click here to watch (in French). Or, click here and here to view photos.
It was announced that His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales and his teammates race to South Pole has been cancelled. The reason: Safety concerns.
The Walking With the Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge expedition director, Mr. Ed Parker, noted that he:
“…has taken the decision to suspend the race to the pole, but he is determined that all the members will make it to the South Pole as one group.
‘We have had a tricky couple of days. The weather remains good but the terrain is very difficult, far harder than we were anticipating and because of various factors, I have decided to suspend the race.
The reasons for this are entirely safety based. I am looking at the three teams. They are going really well but people are beginning to get very, very tired. With our doctor here, who I am in constant contact with, we just feel we are beginning to push people a little too hard, so I have suspended the race.’”
For more information about this breaking news please click here.
Click here to watch a video as well as to read an article.
On December 6, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan returned to Tokyo after a six-day official visit to India.
Upon their arrival at the Tokyo International Airport the emperor and empress were warmly welcomed home by Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan and Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan.
On the afternoon of December 6, 2013, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II arrived at Westminster Hall, Palace of Westminster, in London to view the new Diamond Jubilee stained glass window.
On December 6, 2013, His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge presented “…Operational Service Medals to the soldiers of No. 2 Company, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, who have recently returned from operations in Afghanistan…” according to Kensington Palace.
Meanwhile, in Hampton, Middlesex Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge visited the Shooting Star House Children’s Hospice. During her visit the lovely duchess met with staff, volunteers, and toured the hospice.
Please click here for more information about today’s visit.
On Friday, December 6, 2013, His Royal Highness Prince Laurent of Belgium presided over the 2013 Trophée National du Mérite Sportif award ceremony held at the Hôtel de Ville in Brussels.
During today’s ceremony the prince presented the award to Mr. Frederik Van Lierde winner of the 2013 Ironman World Championship, Kailua-Kona.
The Royal Correspondent 