On Saturday, August 17, 2013, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway arrived in downtown Sande to open the 8th Edition of the Økofestivalen.
Created in 2006, the festival promotes organic foods and farming, eco-friendly products, healthy and clean living, and fair trade.
Photo courtesy of Kongehuset
The Danish royal court recently announced that His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark will participate in the 2013 KMD Ironman Copenhagen on Sunday, August 18, 2013.
The difficult race — though not as extremely grueling as the Ironman World Championships which takes place each year in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i — consists of running, swimming, and cycling. The crown prince is thrilled to participate in the race stating, “I look forward to competing in the race with 2,600 other participants…it will be a very special race and experience.” Well, yeah, of course it will be. Anyway, if Crown Prince Frederik is one of the top 50 to complete the race he will be qualified to compete in the Ironman World Championships on October 12, 2013, in Hawai’i. Good luck, Frederik! 🙂
In other news the Danish magazine, Billed Bladet, is reporting that His Royal Highness Prince Henrik of Denmark ran over his beloved puppy with a golf cart whilst on holiday at Gråsten Slot.
The sweet little puppy, who was immediately taken to the local veterinarian, suffered a fractured pelvis and obviously severe emotional trauma. Poor thing. 😦
And, finally, it was announced that Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has agreed to become patron of “…the anniversary of Skole i 200 År.”
Photo courtesy of Kongehuset
His Royal Highness the late Prince Johan Friso of Oranje-Nassau was laid to rest this afternoon in the cemetery next to the Stulpkerk in Lage Vuursche.
The private funeral service, led by Reverend Carel ter Linden, was held at the Stulpkerk with the late prince’s family and dearest friends in attendance.
After the service Her Royal Highness Princess Mabel, Countess Emma Luana, Countess Joanna Zaria, Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Their Majesties King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and their daughters along with other members of the Dutch royal family returned to Kasteel Drakensteyn — residence of Princess Beatrix — to comfort each other and to mourn in private.
To view several video clips via NOS from today’s funeral service please click here and here.
Photo courtesy of RVD/HKH
His Royal Highness Prince Daniel of Sweden arrived in Moscow, Russia yesterday to begin his two-day visit. Yesterday, the prince attended a reception at the Swedish Embassy for the “…Swedish athletics team participating in the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Moscow and for Swedish businessmen…” according to the Swedish royal court.
This afternoon Prince Daniel participated in the Sweden-Russia Business Forum and the First Joint Meeting for Russian-Swedish Council (RSBC) alongside the President and CEO of Ericsson, Mr. Hans Vestberg. Afterward, the prince attended the IAAF World Athletics Championship held at the Luzjniki Stadium.
Photo courtesy of Kungahuset
His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias attended the inauguration of Paraguay’s new President, Mr. Horacio Cartes, this afternoon in Asunción.
Afterward, the prince along with hundreds of Paraguayan government officials, heads of state and foreign delegations attended a reception for President Cartes at Palacio de Lopez.
On Thursday, August 15, 2013, His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan welcomed United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, to Al Hummar Palace in Amman.
During their meeting discussions focused on the Syrian crisis, latest developments in the Middle East and ways to “…achieve peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis based on the two-state solution and the Arab peace initiative…” according to Petra News.
His Majesty also held a meeting with United States Senator, Mr. Bob Corker, this afternoon.
On August 15, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan attended a service of remembrance at the Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo marking the 68th anniversary of Japan’s surrender to the Allied Forces thus ending World War II. Today’s service also remembered the “…2.5 million war dead…” according to Kyodo News.
The Royal Correspondent 