Dutch Royal Family

H.R.H. Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands Visits an Exhibit

On June 6, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands visited an art exhibit “… at Lange Voorhut in The Hague…”, according to PPE.  The sculpture exhibit, entitled ‘The Hague Under the Heavens’, showcases contemporary Chinese sculptures by nine different artists.

The title of the exhibit, ‘The Hague Under the Heavens’, comes from a proverb by Confucius.  According to the official website for the sculpture exhibit, Den Haag Sculptuur.nl:

The exhibition will be presented under the title The Hague under the Heavens, referring to the Chinese Tian Xia or All under Heaven, one of the cornerstones of the Chinese Confucian worldview, based on trust in a world of harmony between heaven, earth and humanity, as long as everyone keeps to his or her assigned role in society. (source)

To view images of Princess Maxima of the Netherlands during today’s event please click the link here.  To learn more about the artists, their works as well as to learn how the title of the exhibit came about please click the link here. 

Monaco Princely Family

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco: Part-time Luxury Watch Auctioneer

Here is an interesting story that just ran through the news wire this late Friday afternoon regarding H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and the 4th Annual Only Watch auction.  Apparently, the prince will partake in a luxury watch auction in Geneva, Switzerland whereupon the proceeds from the sales will support “…research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy.” 

To read the article in its entirety please click the link here. 

Photo courtesy of: Palais.mc

Monaco Princely Family

Charlene Wittstock Discusses her New Role as the Global Ambassador of the Special Olympics in Monaco. Plus News About the Princely Wedding.

With less than 28 days until her wedding in Monaco, Charlene Wittstock, gave a brief interview recently about her new role as Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics in Monaco.   During a recent charity event, at JetSet, for the Special Olympics in Monte-Carlo, Miss Wittstock discussed her new position:

As I enter a new and very exciting new journey in my life, I am thrilled to become a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics” said Madame Charlene Wittstock. “Special Olympics is a Movement that has always been close to my heart as it uses the power of sport to make incredible changes in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities while transforming attitudes around the world. (source)

Click here to watch the video.

Finally, it was announced this afternoon that the South African television network, SABC3, is in the middle of negotiations with R&G Productions (the company that will air the international signal of the wedding for “…international distribution and to all countries having so requested. [They] will also be in charge of supplying any additional technical resources and services requested by international broadcasters present at the event…” (source)  to broadcast the religious wedding on July 2, 2011 in Monaco.  

hasn’t signed the broadcasting rights as yet and details like whether the wedding will be showed live, delayed live or be a somewhat later recording still need to be ironed out. However, the broadcaster says that SABC3 will definitely be showing the wedding on July 2, which it is calling The Royal Monaco Wedding. (source)

In other words, the papers will be signed and those in South Africa will be able to watch the wedding.

Also, SABC3 will also have an exclusive interview with the future Princess of Monaco:

The broadcaster will also air an exclusive interview with Wittstock on the channel’s weekly magazine show Top Billing as a primer to the wedding broadcast.Top Billing will air an exclusive profile interview with Charlene Wittstock to be broadcast on Tuesday June 14 at 19:30 on SABC3. (source)

Unfortunately, for those living outside of South Africa you cannot watch the wedding via SABC3.  The reason why you cannot watch it:  They don’t have online streaming at the moment.

Photo courtesy of:  Palais.mc

Monaco Princely Family

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco in Estonia: Day Two

On his final day in Tallinn, Estonia, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco decided that he wanted to see the sites of this lovely town and well, so he did (it was on his official agenda anyway.)

So, the prince along with his bodyguards and several local VIP dignitaries meandered around the old town of Tallinn where he met with the locals and chowed down on the local cuisine.

After thirty minutes of walking here, there, and everywhere, in unfit shoes, Prince Albert was bushed.  Unfortunately, there was no time for a mid-afternoon nap.  You see, he had more business to take care of before he left Estonia.

At 12:30pm the prince had a long and important meeting with Prime Minister, Andrus Ansip, whereupon — on again — the two discussed bilateral relations as well as other issues such as the environment and economics.

To view photos of Prince Albert’s adventures in Estonia please click the link here. 

Source:  VM.ee

Dutch Royal Family

Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands Attends the 65th International Concours Hippique in Eindhoven

On June 3, 2011, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands attended the 65th International Concours Hippique in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

As the queen arrived she was greeted with flowers, the usual cheers and applause (and rightfully so) from the spectators at the event.   Then she made her way to the viewing stands to watch the competition.

The event runs through Sunday June 5, 2011 so if you are interested in this sport why not attend and enjoy the day.

To view photos please click the link here.   To watch a video please click here.

Source:  ED.nl

Photo courtesy of:  Koninklijkhuis.nl

Dutch Royal Family

Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands Attends the 64th Annual Holland Festival

On June 2, 2011, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands attended the 64th Annual Holland Festival in Amsterdam.  The queen officially opened this performing arts festival where she was greeted by the people in attendance with cheers and flowers.

According to the official website for the festival, which began in 1947, the event:

… present[s] exceptional work at the international level. Since 2005, artistic director Pierre Audi has taken the Holland Festival back to its roots: a mix of all the performance arts, a mix of big names and daring experiments.

Music theatre and music are at the heart of the programme, with Western and non-Western art forms going hand in hand. Besides the performing arts (theatre, music theatre, dance, opera and music) there is plenty of room for the visual arts, literature and architecture.

After she was welcomed and opened the event Her Majesty attended the performance of Mea Culpa, by Christoph Schlingensief:

…this ready-made opera about life, death and mortality, containing a multitude of layers and perspectives. The music ranges from Wagner to Roy Orbison. The references extend from Joseph Beuys to Friedrich Nietzsche. Mea Culpa is a production of the Burgtheater in Vienna.

The event runs through June 26, 2011.  So if you happen to be visiting Amsterdam before the festival closes or if you live in the area why not check it out.  It sounds like an amazing event that should not be missed.

To view photos please click here.

Sources: De Telegraaf and Holland Festival.nl

Photo courtesy of: Koninklijkhuis.nl by Vincent Mentzel

Monaco Princely Family

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Visits Estonia: Day One

On June 2, 2011, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco arrived in the Baltic country of Estonia.  The prince was officially welcomed at Kadriorg Palace, in Tallinn, Estonia, by President Toomas Ilves, his wife Evelin, and the Prime Minister, Andrus Ansip.

After the myriad of handshakes, smiles, pats on the back, and posing for photos it was down to business.  The purpose of the visit is to discuss bilateral relations between Monaco and Estonia.  Moreover, the opportunity to “… intensify them as well as to discuss environmental issues.” 

After formal discussions were over, Prince Albert II bolted out of the palace to see the city of Tallinn and all it has to offer.  The prince had a chance to visit the KUMU Art Museum, check out the epic Electric Car Rally where he talked with the race participants.  After all the chit-chat, the prince officially opened the Tallinn – Monte-Carlo Race:

The aim of the electric race is to re-establish the tradition of the historic race between Tallinn and Monte Carlo, to promote environmentally friendly electric vehicles and connect northern and southern Europe with environmentally friendly roads covered with electric plugs for electric vehicles

Then the prince unveiled a beautiful bench “…dedicated to Grace Kelly…” and attended an awards ceremony there after.  From there he shuffled on over to the Old Town Educational College, and finally attended a charity dinner at the Estonia Opera House.

Tomorrow, Prince Albert has another packed and arduous day.  What will he do you may ask?  Well, he walk through the old town in Tallinn and finally have a meeting with the Prime Minister, Andrus Ansip.

To view photos from today’s activities please click the links here and here.

Source:  ISRIA and News24

Photo courtesy of:  Daylife by Reuters/Ints Kalnins

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