On the morning of March 11, 2013, His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan received credentials from ambassadors from Italy, Ecuador, Finland, Indonesia, and Greece at the Basman Palace.

Afterwards, His Majesty, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan, and the new six ambassadors visited the tombs of the “…late King Abdullah I and King Talal. During the ceremony wreaths were placed at the tombs.”

His Majesty also held an audience with the Foreign Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Murray McCully, in Amman. His Majesty and Mr. McCully discussed “…bilateral ties and the latest developments in the Middle East and Syria. His Majesty also highlighted the need to forge closer cooperation between Jordan and New Zealand, mainly in the economic and investment fields…” according to various sources.

Swedish Royals

Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden Host a State Visit from Turkey.

March 11, 2013 Alexandra

On March 11, 2013, His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden welcomed the President of Turkey, Mr. Abdullah Gül and his wife to Stockholm, Sweden. The state visit began with an official welcoming ceremony at the royal palace followed by an inspection of the royal guards.

After gifts were exchanged as well as greetings from various members of the Swedish parliament and government Their Majesties hosted a luncheon at the royal palace in honor of President Gül’s visit.

In the afternoon, Her Majesty and First Lady Gül visited the Silviahemmet Foundation and the Rinkeby Academy. Meanwhile, His Majesty and President Gül, along with his Turkish delegation, attended a business seminar held at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm. His Majesty and President Gül also visited the Swedish Parliament.

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Swedish Royals

His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden Releases a Statement Regarding the Death of HRH Princess Lilian of Sweden. (VIDEO)

March 11, 2013 Alexandra

On March 11, 2013, His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden released a statement regarding the death of the late Princess Lilian of Sweden, The Duchess of Halland.

“It is with great sorrow that my family and I announce the death of Princess Lilian on Sunday 10 March. The Princess was a much loved member of our family, and we all remember her as a happy, funny and quick-witted person. She spread such joy, and always had the ability to create a warm and pleasant atmosphere around her. The young members of the family always appreciated her jokes and her playful manner.

“The Princess shared Prince Bertil’s commitment to sports and the Royal Swedish Automobile Club. She was always loyal, and wholeheartedly supported the Royal Family and Sweden as a nation. We have lost a very dear and much loved member of our family.”

The Swedish royal court also announced today that the funeral for the late princess will be held on March 16, 2013, at the royal chapel at the royal palace in Stockholm. Princess Lilian will be buried at the royal cemetery in Haga. Also, flags are being flown at half mast at the Slottsbacken, Solliden Palace, Stenhammar Castle, and the Royal Mews until the late princess’s funeral on Saturday.

And, finally, the mayor and citizens of Swansea, Wales, are paying tribute to the late princess. Please click here to watch a video as well as to read an article from the BBC News.

Photo courtesy of Kungahuset

Imperial Family of Japan

Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan Attend a Memorial Service at the National Theatre in Tokyo. (VIDEOS)

March 11, 2013 Alexandra

On March 11, 2013, Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan attended a national memorial service held at the National Theatre, Chiyoda-ku in Tokyo.

Their Imperial Majesties along with representatives from the Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, members of the Japanese government and dozens of foreign ambassadors paid tribute to the victims of the March 11, 2011, devastating earthquake and tsunami and “…nuclear crisis that killed almost 19,000 people and stranded 315,000 evacuees, including refugees who fled radiation from the devastated Fukushima atomic plant.”

Swedish Royals

Remembering Her Royal Highness Princess Lilian of Sweden. (VIDEO)

March 11, 2013 Alexandra 2 Comments

Upon hearing the sad news that Her Royal Highness Princess Lilian of Sweden, The Duchess of Halland had passed away at the age of 97, the Swedish network, SVT, produced a lovely video news report about the late princess.