British Royals

Members of the British Royal Family Attend Easter Sunday Service at Windsor Castle (VIDEO)

On April 8, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh along with Their Royal Highnesses the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Andrew and Princess Eugenie, the Princess Royal and her husband, Mr. Timothy Laurence attended Easter Sunday service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.

Unfortunately, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall along with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were not in attendance.  Why?  No idea.

According to the Press Association, today’s service was led by “…the Dean of Windsor, the Right Rev David Conner.  Hymns during the service included Thine Be The Glory and the National Anthem.”

Click the links below to watch a video as well as to view photos.

Sources: Royal.gov.uk and Press Association

French Palaces, French Royalty, Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg

Random Royal News Regarding His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg. Plus, News About the History of Chocolate at Court of Versailles (It’s a Slow News Day)

Recently, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg participated in a charity race in Austria entitled, Ischgl Heroes Challenge.  Click here to read an article as well as to view photos from Wort.lu.  It’s in English by the way.   🙂

Finally, on the official website for Château de Versailles there is an interesting article about the history of chocolate at the legendary court.  Click here to read the article. (in English)

Monaco Princely Family

His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco Attends the Davis Cup Match at the Monte-Carlo Country Club. Plus, Other News.

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On Friday, April 6, 2012, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco was at the Monte-Carlo Country Club to attend the Davis Cup match between Ryan Harrison and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.  The sovereign prince also met with the quarter-final Davis Cup teams as well as the President of the FFT, Mr. Jean Gachassin, and team captains, Mr. Guy Forget and Mr. Jim Courier.

Meanwhile, the Hollywood Reporter claims that actress Nicole Kidman is in “talks” to play the late Princess Grace in Olivier Dahan’s upcoming movie, Grace of Monaco.  The script, written by Arash Amel, apparently is not a:

… biopic and instead focuses on a six-month period in 1962 when the city-state got into a heated dispute with France, which grew tired of the petite principality being a tax haven. Kelly, still relatively new in her role as princess, maneuvered behind the scenes to save Monaco from a coup.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, again, the film is being compared to “…the tone of the King’s Speech.”  Great.  But, Nicole Kidman as the amazing late Princess Grace of Monaco?!

I don’t think so.

FAIL!

Sources: RMC Sport, Palais Princier de Monaco and the Hollywood Reporter

Photo courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco

British Royals, Royal documentaries

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York Attend Maundy Service in York Minster. Plus, Other News. (VIDEOS)

On April 5, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II along with His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York attended Maundy Service in York Minster.  During today’s event Her Majesty “…handed out traditional Royal Maundy money to 172 people…” during the service at York Minster.

The royal trip also attended a luncheon held at Mansion House as well as visited the exhibition, 1212: The Making of the City, held at the Yorkshire Museum.

Click the links below to watch videos as well as photos from today’s event.

Meanwhile, on the official You Tube channel for the Library of Congress there are several rare films/videos of various royals including Edward the Prince of Wales, Kaiser Wilhelm II, the royal procession during the funeral of King Edward VII and more.  Click the links below to watch.

Source: Royal.gov.uk and BBC News

Photo courtesy of Daylife

Royal documentaries, Royals in General

‘The Principality of Seborga’ A Documentary About Some Dinky Nation in Europe That 92% of the World’s Population Has Never Heard Of.

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Ah, the Principality of Seborga.  Never heard of it?  Neither have I until today. Apparently, it’s a micro-nation located in the “… northwestern Italian Province of Imperia in Liguria…” and a stones throw from Monaco.

Any way, this dinky nation has a new prince named Marcello, and when you are in his presence you are required to address him as Your Tremendousness Prince Marcello I, Prince of Seborga.

Click the links below to watch a documentary from some Italian network as well as a video of Marcello showing off his regal orders.

Dutch Royal Family

Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands Participates in a Meeting with President Susilo Yudhoyono of Indonesia (VIDEO)

On April 5, 2012, Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands participated in a meeting with President Susilo Yudhoyono of Indonesia at the royal palace in Jakarta.

The princess is currently in region as Special Advisor to the United Nations for Inclusive Finance to discuss “…accessibility of financial services, particularly for lower-income groups.”

Click here to watch a short news clip. (in Dutch)

Sources: RVD/HKH and NOS

Photo courtesy of Daylife

Hawaiian royal family, Royal Family of Hawaii, Royal Family of Tonga

Random Royal News Regarding the Tongan Royal Family. Plus, News Regarding the 2012 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawai’i.

On March 30, 2012, His Majesty King Tupou VI of Tonga announced his heir to the Tongan throne at “…his residence Liukava.” Prince ‘Ulukalala, the king’s eldest son, is now known as His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala of Tonga.

On April 5, 2012, members of the Tongan royal family ended their ten days of mourning by participating in the traditional hair-cutting ceremony.  To read more about today’s event as well as to view photos please click here.

Meanwhile in Hilo, Hawai’i, preparations are underway for the 2012 Merrie Monarch Festival an event which “… honors the legacy left by King David Kalākaua, who inspired the perpetuation of our traditions, native language and the arts…”

Yay!   🙂 As you may or may not know by now, I am a huge  supporter as well as fan of this week-long celebration… so yeah, I’m going to promote this amazing festival on my silly little blog.   🙂

Any way, if you are interested watching the hula competitions via live stream on KFVE 5  please click here  beginning on April 12-14 at 6pm Hawai’i time.  Or, if you happen to live on the Big Island or will be vacationing there starting April 8 why not check it out?  You won’t regret it.  For more information about the 2012 Merrie Monarch Festival please visit their official website here.

Sources: Matangi Tonga Online and Merriemonarch.com

Poster courtesy of Merriemonarch.com

All the latest news and events from monarchies around the world.