Fête Nationale Monaco 2011 (VIDEOS)

On November 19, 2011, T.S.H.s Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco along with H.R.H. Princess Caroline of Hanover and H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco celebrated Thanksgiving Mass and Te Deum at the Cathédrale de Monaco.  Also, in attendance were H.R.H. Princess Caroline’s children, Andrea, Charlotte and Pierre Casiraghi, members of the de Massy family, and Mr. Christopher Le Vine (the prince’s cousin).

After the Mass the members of the princely family returned to the Palais Princier de Monaco to witness the Ceremony of the Guard and the presentation of medals to the Police and Security Officers of the Palais Princier de Monaco in the courtyard of the palais.  Soon thereafter, T.S.H.s Prince Albert and Princess Charlene appeared in on the balcony of the palais where they waved to the hundreds of well-wishers.

In the early afternoon, there was an official luncheon to celebrate Fête Nationale 2011 and this evening there will be a cocktail party for the Diplomatic Corps as well as an invitation only gala concert at the Grimaldi Forum .

To view photos please click the links below:

T.M.s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan Visit Japan: Day Four

Their Majesties King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan continued their six-day official visit to Japan on November 18, 2011.

The day began with reigning couple visiting an elementary school in Soma, Fukushima prefecture, an area affected by the March 11, 2011 disastrous earthquake and tsunami.  During their time at the school the king and queen spoke at length with the students about his country and other important stuff.

Later on in the afternoon, King Jigme and Queen Jetsun had a meeting with H.I.H. Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan at the Akasaka guest house in Tokyo.  They also had a chance to met with H.I.M. Empress Michiko of Japan.

To view photos please click here.

Photo courtesy of: Daylife/Reuters

H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands Visits the VSO Secondary Social Education School in Noordwijk

On Friday, November 18, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands visited the VSO Secondary Social Education school in Noordwijk.

The school is designed for students with limited learning abilities between the ages of 13 to 20 years and teaches 100 students who are divided into 10 groups. The school’s director, Henk Dinkelman, was extremely proud that the VSO school was chosen.

The princess arrived in the mid-morning and was welcomed by Mayor Lokker.  Soon, she was escorted into the school where the students were busy with their work. Throughout her visit the princess witnessed presentations by the students, listened in on various discussions, interacted with the students as well as faculty, and much more.

To view photos please click here.

Source and photo courtesy of: Leidsch Dagblad

T.R.H.s Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands Attend a Film Première in Amsterdam

T.R.H.s Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands attended the première of the documentary film, The Sound of the Bandoneón, held at the Tuschinski Theater in Amsterdam on Friday, November 2011.

So what is this documentary about?  Here is a synopsis:

The Sound of the Bandoneón a musical road movie about the instrument that is most often associated with passion: the bandoneon. Like the tango is a dramatic and melancholy story hidden behind the bandoneon. The instrument ended late nineteenth century by German immigrants in Argentina, where it won a place in the tango and folk music. But the old and new tools perish bandoneón be made only piecemeal. Now tourists take them as souvenirs from Argentina, is the continuation of the instrument at risk. One of the famous bandoneonist of Argentina, Nestor Marconi, followed during rehearsals and concerts in Buenos Aires. As bandoneon player Daniel Vedia in northern Argentina teaches poor students. The film shows the struggle being waged to see the instrument alive. source

To view photos please click here.

Princely Family of Monaco Present Various Medals. Plus, News Regarding an Upcoming Interview with H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco

On November 18, 2011, inside the Throne Room and in the Blue Chamber, at the Palais Princier de Monaco, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco presented the Mérite National du Sang et de la Reconnaissance de la Croix Rouge Monégasque ( Medals of Merit National Blood and Recognition of the Monaco Red Cross) to many lucky recipients.

Later, H.R.H. Princess Caroline of Hanover presented the L’Ordre du Mérite Culturel (Order of Cultural Merit) to a select few.  While H.S.H. Princess Stephanie presented packages to the elderly living in the principality of Monaco.

Later on that evening two lucky recipients received the La Legion d’Honneur which took place in the Hall of Mirrors.  Then there was a lovely reception for the Diplomatic Corps and a gala Ambassadorial dinner.

And, finally, on the occasion of Fête Nationale Monégasque 2011, H.S.H. Prince Albert II responded to questions given to him by the newspaper, Monaco Matin.  The prince discusses (or rather responds to questions regarding) the economic situation within the principality as well as around the world, current issues concerning his country, memories from the his nuptials to Princess Charlene and much more.  The interview will be out soon so stay tuned.

Photo courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco

H.R.H. Princess Mathilde of Belgium In Bruges

On November 18, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Mathilde of Belgium visited the Koninklijk Institute Spermalie in Bruges to participate in “A Week of Reading Aloud”.  This year’s event focused on the youth enrolled in special education classes.  During today’s event the princess read aloud various stories to primary school students as well as visited several classes that helps those with hearing and visual impairments.

To view photos please click here.

 

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