Here is the documentary, La Reina y Yo, regarding Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain. Click the link below to watch… it’s in Spanish by the way.
Photo courtesy of Casa de Su Majestad el Rey
Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands Attends the Reopening of the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam (VIDEO)
Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands was in Amsterdam on December 20, 2011, to attend the reopening of the Portuguese Synagogue. During the reopening the Queen toured the famous Ets Haim library where over 560 manuscripts are held dating from 1280. The synagogue was designed Dutch architect Elias Bouman and completed in 1675. Two years ago, the seventeenth-century synagogue was in dire need of restoration specifically the building’s foundation.
To learn more about the Portuguese Synagogue please visit their official website here.
To watch a video please click here.
H.R.H. Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje to Attend Playwright and Czech Ex-President Vaclav Havel
It was announced that His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje (representing Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands) along with and Minister Rosenthal will attend the funeral of playwright and Czech ex-president Vaclav Havel on Friday, December 23, 2011 in Prague.
Mr. Havel died on Sunday at age 75 after a long illness. The state funeral, which will be held at the historic Saint Vitus Cathedral, will also be attended by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, United States Secretary Hillary Clinton, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Israeli President Shimon Peres according to AFP News.
Photo courtesy of Het Koninklijk Huis
H.I.M. Emperor Akihito of Japan Hosts a Luncheon at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo
On December 20, 2011, H.I.M. Emperor Akihito of Japan hosted the annual year-end luncheon for the Japanese government held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan. Attendees included Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Farm minister, Michihiko Kano.
Source: Kyodo News
T.R.H.s Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium Attend a Remembrance Ceremony in Liege
One week after the horrific attacks on the Place Saint-Lambert in Leige, Belgium more than 3,000 people, along with Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde, attended a remembrance ceremony in the square where shooter, Nordine Amrami, killed six people and injured 125.
Also, in attendance where the victims families, politicians including Prime Minister, Elio Di Rupo, and Interior Minister, Joëlle Milquet. After three minutes of silence honoring the victims Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde laid flowers in the square then spoke with the victims families.
To view photos please click the links below:
The Bishop Museum Celebrates the 180th Birthday of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop
On December 18, 2011, the Bishop Museum on the island of O’ahu celebrated the birthday of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, founder of the Kamehameha Schools. During Sunday’s celebrations there were performances from Hâlau Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka Lâ, traditional chants, a presentation from renowned historian, DeSoto Brown, and much more.
According to president and CEO of the Bishop Museum, Blair Collins:
Were it not for the love of Bernice Pauahi Bishop and Charles Reed Bishop for the people of Hawai‘i, and the Hawaiian culture in particular, we would not exist. They feared that the native people and culture of Hawai‘i were disappearing, and the Museum was their effort to protect and preserve this heritage for future generations. It is only fitting, that in honor of Pauahi’s day of birth, we open our doors to our resident and military populations and reflect on her life and legacy.
Today, the Bishop Museum is recognized as the principal museum of the Pacific, housing the world’s largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific artifacts and natural history specimens. More than 340,000 people visit the each year.
To watch a brief news report please click here.
To learn more about the Bishop Museum please click here and here. By the way, if you have never been to this amazing museum I highly recommend that you do so if you happen to visit the island of O’ahu.
Press release courtesy of the Bishop Museum
T.R.H.s The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Along with H.R.H. Prince Harry of Wales Attend An Awards Ceremony
On December 19, 2011, T.R.H.s The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge along with H.R.H. Prince Harry of Wales attended the Sun Military Awards held at the Imperial War Museum in London, England.
The purpose of the event was to honor British troops. Prior to the ceremony the royal trio mingled with servicemen and women during a reception. The awards ceremony, also known as the Millies or Night of Heroes, was also attended by David Beckham, accompanied by sons Brooklyn and Romeo, plus others including Gordon Ramsay, Jimmy Carr, and Frank Lampard and his girlfriend Christine Bleakley.
Prince Harry, who recently returned from America where he was undertaking the final phases of his Apache helicopter training, described the members of the armed forces assembled as “…inspirational role models to all young Britons…”
In a speech to guests at the event he also spoke of his own military career:
I am a young Army officer, a serving soldier. Like my brother, I share many of the same hopes, the same aspirations to go on operations, and the same fears as all those who serve our Queen and country.
By an accident of birth, though, it falls to 564673 Captain Wales humbly to express – on behalf of my comrades-in-arms and people up and down the country – the admiration we feel for the extraordinary men and women we honour here tonight.
It’s often said of our armed forces that they are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Well, I don’t entirely buy that. Ordinary people don’t run out under withering enemy rocket and heavy machine gun fire to rescue a wounded comrade.
Ordinary people don’t brave monsoon conditions dangling on a winch line to rescue 13 people, each in turn.
To view photos, please click here.
The Royal Correspondent 