On Tuesday, April 19, the Royal Hashemite Court announced that His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan has returned home to Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman after having back surgery for a Thoracic Herniated Disc at a hospital in Frankfurt, Germany.

Prior to the surgery, His Majesty had been experiencing intermittent pain in the spinal cord after years of parachuting while serving in the Jordanian Special Forces, but the pressure on the nerve due to the herniation has increased lately, which calls for undergoing surgery urgently, according to medical advice.

Upon his arrival at Marka Military Airport, His Majesty was warmly welcomed home by various members of the Jordanian royal family including His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and numerous senior Government as well as royal officials. Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan was by His Majesty’s side during his stay in Germany.

Imperial Family of Japan

(VIDEO) Emperor Naruhito of Japan Plants Seedlings at the Imperial Palace.

April 19, 2022 Alexandra

On Tuesday, April 19, 2022, Emperor Naruhito of Japan planted seedlings (hand sowing) in the back gardens at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

According to NTV Japan, Emperor Naruhito planted:

“…two types of rice Uruchi rice and Mangetsumochi made from glutinous rice.

His Majesty, wearing a gray jumper and black walking shoes, carefully sprinkled the seeds in a small basket evenly over the plot. Rice cultivation at the Imperial Palace was started by Emperor Showa and passed on to his heirs. Emperor Naruhito values rice cultivation, which is the center of Japanese farming culture.

The seedlings grown from seed will be planted by the Emperor in the paddy field in the middle of next month, and the rice harvested in the fall will be used for the “Niiname-no-Matsuri” of the Miyanaka ritual, and the rooted rice will also be used for the Shinto ritual of Ise Jingu.”

If you’re interested in learning more about the Japanese method of rice farming, which is actually quite interesting, please click here.

Spanish Royals

(VIDEO) His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain Holds an Audience with the Spanish SAILGP Team.

April 18, 2022 Alexandra

On Monday, April 18, 2022, His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain held an audience with members of the Spanish SAILGP team at Palacio de La Zarzuela in Madrid.

The team recently participated in the Mubadala United States Sail Grand Prix.

Headlines

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco to be Honored With a Prestigious Conservation Award in Sweden.

April 18, 2022 Alexandra

His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco will receive a prestigious conservation award from The Perfect World Foundation during the 2022 Arctic Ocean Gala held at the Gothenburg Stock Exchange in Gothenburg, Sweden on May 5. Previous recipients of the conservation award include Sir David Attenborough, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. Wangari Maathai, the late Dr. Dian Fossey, and Miss Greta Thunberg to name a few.

The sovereign prince will become the ninth recipient of the honorary conservation award. The award is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the global awareness of the importance of protecting wildlife, nature, and the environment. Prince Albert II is also being honored for his life-long commitment, dedication, and work in ocean conservation. Moreover, his personal foundation, Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco (FPA), is dedicated to the protection of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development such as limiting the effects of climate change and promoting renewable energies, preserving biodiversity, managing water resources, and combating desertification.

Prior to the gala and award ceremony, Prince Albert II will inaugurate The Perfect World Foundation’s latest project, Project Ocean, which aims to spread knowledge about, the location, salvage, and recycling of ghost nets and other lost fishing equipment in our oceans.

Thereafter, the sovereign prince will plant a tree in the Attenborough Forest at the Gothenburg Botanical Garden. The purpose of the planting of the tree is to draw attention to The Perfect World Foundation’s work in promoting biodiversity.

In the evening, Prince Albert II will be honored at the glamorous Arctic Ocean Gala dinner where he is expected to give a five-minute speech.

Headlines

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco Tests Negative for COVID-19 and Enjoys a Tennis Match in Monte-Carlo with His Cousin.

April 18, 2022 Alexandra

After being tested positive for COVID-19 and asymptomatic last week His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco has tested negative several times since he was originally diagnosed with the virus. As a result, on Sunday, April 17 his physicians gave the sovereign prince the green light to resume his regular activities.

So, that same day Prince Albert II accompanied by his cousin, Miss Mélanie-Antoinette Costello de Massy, attended the 2022 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters Final between Mr. Stefano Tsitsipas and Alejandro Fokina at the Monte-Carlo Country Club.

After an exciting match, Prince Albert II presented the trophy to the winner, Mr. Stefano Tsitsipas, while Miss de Massey presented the silver plaque to Mr. Alejandro Fokina.

Spanish Royals

(VIDEO) His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain Holds an Audience with Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

April 18, 2022 Alexandra

On Monday, April 18, 2022, His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain held an audience with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Egypt, His Excellency Sameh Hassan Shoukry Selim, at Palacio de La Zarzuela in Madrid.

Headlines

HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco Sends an Easter Message.

April 17, 2022 Alexandra

Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/E.Mahon

On Sunday, April 17, 2022, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco wished everyone a very “…Happy Easter…” on her personal Instagram page. It’s been some time since royal watchers have seen the lovely princess due her to convalescence in a Swiss clinic and then a recent return to the Principality. Nonetheless, the princess looks happy, healthy, and calm. Wishing her much love, light and bright blessings!

Meanwhile, the Palais Princier de Monaco also released Easter photos of the princely family. The additional images were taken in the back garden of the Palais Princier as well as in Palatine chapel where the family attended an Easter service presided over by the Chaplain of the Palais Princier, Father Caesar Penzo.