On Tuesday, December 15, 2015, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales as Patron of Teach First visited Pen-y-dre High School in Gurnos Estate, Wales. Whilst there the prince met with students and teachers as well as met with supporters of the Teach First Cymru’s Leadership Development Program.
In the afternoon, The Prince of Wales visited the Keir Hardie University Health Park in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. During his visit the prince toured the “…state-of-the-art facilities [where he met with] students from Cardiff University’s School of Medicine who are being trained in Merthyr Tydfil and staff and patients from Cwm Taf University Health Board…” according to Clarence House.
For more information about today’s visit as well as to view photos please click the links below.
On the evening of Monday, December 14, 2015, Their Imperial and Royal Highnesses Princess Astrid of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este and Prince Lorenz of Belgium accompanied by TI&RHs Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este and Princess Elisabetta of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este attended the Roll Back Malaria farewell reception held at Château de Val-Duchesse in Auderghem.
Since 2007 Princess Astrid has been the Special Representative to the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM).
On Tuesday, December 15, 2015, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, as Patron of the Helen & Douglas House and The London Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children, hosted a Christmas luncheon as well as Christmas tree decorating party for “…children and young people supported by both charities…” at Clarence House in London.
On Tuesday, December 15, 2015, Their Majesties King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain attended the funeral of Mr. Jorge García Tudela and Mr. Isidro Gabino San Martín Hernández at the Complejo Policial de Canillas in Madrid, Spain.
The two Spanish policemen were killed along with five other innocent people when the Taliban attacked the Spanish Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on December 12, 2015. According to Reuters, Taliban militants detonated a car bomb close to the Spanish Embassy gates which caused an explosion that “…shook buildings across the city’s diplomatic district and shattering nearby windows. An embassy official said the blast had allowed the attackers to breach the compound walls and enter the building…”
On the morning of Tuesday, December 15, 2015, Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium visited the charity organization, Resto du Coeur, in Charleroi.
Established in 1985 Resto du Coeur provides hot meals in a large warm building to homeless individuals and families. Each day over 250 meals are prepared and served by dozens of volunteers.
On Monday, December 14, 2015, Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan attended the 10th Teacher Award and the 4th Principal Award ceremony held at the Royal Cultural Center-Al Hussein Youth City in Amman, Jordan. The ceremony was organized by the Association of Queen Rania Al Abdullah Award for Excellence in Education.
During this afternoon’s ceremony Her Majesty “…honored 25 winners, bestowing prizes and plaques to 15 teachers who won in five different categories, as well as 10 principals who won the distinguished principal awards in two categories…” according to Her Majesty ‘s press office.
The press release also notes that Her Majesty Queen Rania gave a moving speech highlighting:
“…the importance of recognizing teachers’ roles in building a more resilient and tolerant future generation. ‘Ten years ago, I launched the Teachers’ Award to start a tradition of recognizing outstanding educators whose skills reflect deeply on our success as a nation…’ Her Majesty said.
Queen Rania then continued, ‘I launched it for another reason, which few of you may not know… as it troubled me back then to learn that teachers felt unappreciated in our nation’s journey. And that is when I said: the era of teachers is back; believing in their role, I hoped they would reclaim their status and, once again, become a point of reference for all.’
‘Respecting teachers is a public social responsibility that is rooted first within homes, and then in classrooms, where capable teachers can earn students’ respect with their knowledge and experience…’ Queen Rania said. ‘Students must realize the importance of education before going to school; they must realize that that between their present and a promising future lies a school, an education, and a teacher…’ she added.
Referring to the pivotal role that a teacher plays in the face of turbulent times, she said, ‘we need our teachers more than ever… Our future depends on the next generation, their education, and the values they instill in them.’
‘Our young generation is being exposed to harmful new ideologies that neither our generation, nor previous ones, was familiar with —until today…’ she asserted.
Queen Rania went on to explain how discrimination is like a disease that takes advantage of vulnerable communities and spreads fear, adding that ‘…minds haunted by fear have no room for dreams. What future is one without dreams, hopes, and ambitions?’
Recalling the need to prepare youth to face alien ideologies, Queen Rania said, ‘We have to empower and raise them on the values of diversity and dialogue that Jordanians have passed on through the generations.’
‘We should teach them that they are part of a global community, one with more similarities than differences. Let’s teach children values that help them thrive, not ones that isolate and instill fear of the other…’ Her Majesty added.
Queen Rania concluded the speech by reaffirming that teachers are the country’s best chance at preparing a generation that will secure a better future for Jordan, congratulating educators for their commitment to this end.'”
On Sunday, December 12, 2015, Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan held an audience with the First Lady of Gabon, Ms. Sylvia Bongo Ondimba.
According to a press release during Sunday’s meeting discussions focused on the “…areas of cooperation and mutual interest, particularly initiatives launched by Her Majesty to improve education in Jordan, as well all the government’s efforts to educational reform.”
Photo courtesy of the press office of HM Queen Rania of Jordan
On Tuesday, December 15, 2015, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales as Patron of Teach First visited Pen-y-dre High School in Gurnos Estate, Wales. Whilst there the prince met with students and teachers as well as met with supporters of the Teach First Cymru’s Leadership Development Program.
The Royal Correspondent 