British Royals

H.M. Queen Elizabeth II Opens a Hospital

On July 6, 2011, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II along with the Duke of Edinburgh opened up the Forth Valley Hospital this afternoon.  According to the newspaper, Falkirk Herald:

…she toured the £300 million facility before performing the official opening.

Staff, patients, visitors and members of the public joined dignitaries for the landmark occasion.

The royal visitors were greeted by Lord Lieutenant Marjory McLachlan, who introduced NHS Forth Valley chairman Ian Mullen and chief executive Fiona Mackenzie, Cabinet Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon, Minister for Public Health and Falkirk West MSP Michael Matheson, Eric Joyce MP, Depute Provost Allyson Black, Falkirk Council chief executive Mary Pitcaithly and Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Gordon Samson.

She then walked through the flag-waving crowds of staff, some who had been invited to bring their children, before arriving in the main atrium where she met many of those involved in the task of turning the dream of one acute hospital to serve entire Forth Valley into reality.

To view a photo from the event please click the link here. 

Source: Falkirkherald.co.uk

Spanish Royals

H.R.H. Prince Felipe of Asturias Attends the Inauguration of the New United Nations Support Base

This afternoon, July 6, 2011, H.R.H. Prince Felipe of Asturias attended the inauguration of the new U.N. support base in Quart De Poblet, Valencia, Spain.  The prince along with the U.N. Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, had the arduous task of pulling a curtain which showcased the shiny new plaque with a bunch of writing on it.  Anyway, to view photos please click the link here. 

Source and photo courtesy of:  Zimbio by Xaume Olleros/GettyImagesEurope

Spanish Royals

H.R.H. Princess Letizia of Asturias Attends the Inauguration of the ‘Ja-Ye Europe Enterprise Challenge 2011’

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On July 6, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Letizia of Asturias attended the inauguration of the JA-YE Europe Enterprise Challenge 2011 in Madrid, Spain.

So what is JA-YE Europe you may ask?  Well, according to their official site:

Ja-Ye Europe [mission] is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

The mission of JA-YE is to use hands-on experiences to help young people understand the economics of life. In partnership with business and educators, JA-YE brings the real world to students and opens their minds to their potential.

JA-YE enterprise and economic education programmes are designed for young people ages 6-25 and are implemented through a partnership between local businesses and schools.

To learn more about this program and the competition please click here.  To view photos from today’s event please click the links here and here. 

Source: JA-YE.eu

Photo courtesy of:  Daylife by Carlos Alvarez/GettyImages


Monaco Princely Family

T.S.H.s Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco Have Lunch with the President of South Africa

On July 6, 2011, T.S.H.s Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco had lunch with the president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, and his lovely wife Thobeka Madiba, at the King’s House in Durban, South Africa.

The couple are in town for three reasons:  The IOC meetings in which H.S.H. Prince Albert II is a member, to throw another lavish wedding celebration, on Thursday at the famous Oyster Box hotel, in the princess’s former home country, and finally to begin their honeymoon.

To read more about the princely couple of Monaco’s lunch with President Zuma and to view photos please click the links here and  here.

Source and photo courtesy of: DM

Monaco Princely Family

T.S.H.s Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco Arrive in Durban, South Africa

After their whirlwind and lavish two-day wedding ceremony this past weekend Their Serene Highnesses Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco arrived in Durban, South Africa.  Come this Thursday July 7, the couple will throw yet another wedding reception at the Oyster Box hotel for a few hundred of their closest friends.  Soon after the prince will participate in the IOC meetings.  When that is all over the princely couple of Monaco will begin their honeymoon.

To view photos please click the link here.

Photo courtesy of: REUTERS/Stephane de Sakutin/Pool

Monaco Princely Family

‘H.S.H. Princess Charlène Essaye Sa Tiare’ by Lorenz Baumer

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Here is a video about the making of H.S.H. Princess Charlene’s Ecume des Jours/Diamond Foam Tiara by Lorenz Baumer.

Princess Charlene of Monaco opted for something much more personal choosing a bold, asymmetrical creation in diamond and white gold that symbolizes the one-time Olympic swimmer’s love for the sea.

… [the] tiara in white gold and nearly 60 carats worth of diamonds evoke the spray thrown off a crashing wave.  Thin strips of precision-cut diamonds arch up from behind the left ear and fan out in an almost pinkish explosion at the temple. Large round cut diamonds, the largest weighing 8 carats, punctuate the ends of the sparkling arcs. (source)

 Click here to watch the video! 

Finally, if you are interested in discussing royal jewels — past and present — with others I highly recommend visiting as well as signing up to the forum known as Royal Jewels of the World.  The members of this forum are incredibly knowledgeable and very kind.  Here is the link.   🙂

Finally, to learn more about Lorenz Baumer, the designer of H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco’s tiara, please click the link here. 

Photo courtesy of:Daylife

Monaco Princely Family

T.S.H.s Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco Host a Brunch at the Palais Princier de Monaco Before Leaving for South Africa

On July 5, 2011 Their Serene Highnesses Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco will arrive in Durban, South Africa to throw another lavish wedding party on Thursday in the princess’s ex-home country.  Moreover, Prince Albert II will participate in the IOC meetings which are being held in Durban this year.

But, before the princely couple will leave for South Africa they threw a lovely brunch this past Sunday for several of their royal guests and friends according to France24 news network:

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, the world’s newest royal couple, hosted guests for a private marriage brunch on Sunday a day after their church wedding, the royal family said.

The brunch in the private gardens of the tiny principality’s royal palace was prepared by French chef Alain Ducasse, creator of the main wedding feast, along with Joel Robuchon and palace chef Christian Garcia.

To view photos from the brunch please click the links here and here.

Source: France 24

Photo courtesy of: Madame Figaro


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