Friday 26 February 2016

What's Happening Friday 26th February 2016

The United Kingdom 


Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh attends a reception and service to honour the 25th anniversary of the Grenadier Guard's involvement in Operation Granby

Prince Charles of Wales tours Airborne Systems

Prince Charles of Wales visits Prysmian Cables & Systems

Prince Charles of Wales visits Stebonheath Primary School

Prince Charles of Wales visits Llandovery Rugby Club's Youth Team

Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester attends an AGM and dinner for the 20-Ghost Club

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent will attend a service to honour the 25th anniversary of the Grenadier Guard's Involvement in Operation Granby

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent will attend Friday evening discourse at The Royal Institution of Great Britain

Luxembourg 


Grand Duke Henri receives the President of Austria

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa participates in a literary meeting at the Luxembourg City Film Festival

Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa attend the annual Red Cross charity concert performed by the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra 

Spain 


King Felipe VI met with the members of the Basketball Team, Real Madrid







What's Happening Thursday 25th February 2016

The United Kingdom 


Sophie, Countess of Wessex attends an AGM and Board Meeting for the Cheshire Agricultural Society

Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester will attend a reception for British Expertise International

Denmark 


Queen Margrethe II invited the President of Mexico and his wife for a state visit to Denmark from 13-14th April 2016

The Netherlands 


King Willem-Alexander attends a commemoration ceremony for the 75th anniversary of the February Strike. The strike which occurred in 1941 was organised to oppose the anti-Semitic laws and other activities conducted by the Nazis.


Spain 


King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia attended the opening of the 35th International Contemporary Art Fair


Sweden 


Princess Sofia attends a board meeting for Sophiahemmet  


Wednesday 24 February 2016

It's a Boy for Prince Faisal and Princess Zeina!!!






Congratulations to Prince Faisal and Princess Zeina of Jordan on the safe delivery of their son Prince Abdullah bin Faisal on the 17th of January 2016. 

The baby prince is Faisal's 5th child and second son, but a first with his wife Princess Zeina whom he married in 2014. Abdullah is 5th in line to the Hashemite throne.

What's Happening Wednesday 24th February 2016

The United Kingdom 


Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh attends a dinner in honour of the 30th anniversary of the Kurt Hahn Trust

Prince Charles of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall will attend a reception for the 'Friends of the National Library'

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge will visit St Catherine's Primary School

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge will visit 'The Art Room' in Edinburgh

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge will visit Craigmount High School

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex visits Manchester City Football Club to celebrate the Diamond Anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex visits Wright Robinson College as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Diamond Anniversary celebrations

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex attends a luncheon at Gorton Monastery in honour of the Diamond Anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award

Sophie, Countess of Wessex attends an AGM and Board Meeting for the New Forest Agricultural Show Society

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal attends fundraising event at the Institution of Engineering & Technology Society

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal visits the Pony Club Emergency Action Drills

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal attends London's 12th annual student conference for The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal holds a reception for the Animal Health Trust

Brigitte, Duchess of Gloucester will attend an event in support of the Children's Society

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent will open the new Rochester Railway Station

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent tours the Rochester Cathedral






Denmark 

Announcement from the Danish Royal family: On the 16th of April the entire royal family will be present on the palace balcony to celebrate Queen Margrethe II's 76th birthday

Jordan 


King Abdullah II met with President Barack Obama

Queen Rania visits Hashemite University


Sweden 


Queen Silvia attends a board meeting for the Silviahemmet Foundation


Wedding Wednesdays (Willem-Alexander and Maxima Part 2)

I promised a part 2 for Willem-Alexander and Maxima's wedding and here it is. Two days before their wedding on 31st January 2002 the Dutch Royal family hosted a dinner for the bride and groom and of course all the royal guests that had traveled to The Netherlands for the day..

Unfortunately it wasn't a big sparkly, tiara event but we did get to see all our favourite royals dressed in their best. 


King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium


Crown Prince Philippe and Crown Princess Mathilde of Belgium


Prince Laurent of Belgium and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden


Queen Silvia and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden


Princess Madeleine and Prince Carl-Philip of Sweden


Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan


Princess Caroline of Monaco & Hanover and Prince Ernst August of Hanover


Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg


Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg



Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex


Queen Margrethe II of Denmark


Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark


Queen Sonja of Norway, Queen Sofia of Spain & Queen Margrethe II of Denmark


Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway


Ari Behn and Princess Martha Louise of Norway


Queen Sofia of Spain


Prince Felipe of Spain


Infanta Cristina of Spain & Inaki Urdangarin


King Constantin and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece


Crown Princess Marie-Chantal and Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece

Happy Birthday Princess Estelle


Happy 4th Birthday to Princess Estelle of Sweden!!! The Little Princess is 2nd in line to the Swedish throne after her mother, Crown Princess Victoria. 

One day Estelle will be Queen of Sweden but for now we wish her a very happy birthday and hope she enjoys her special day!!!

Tuesday 23 February 2016

Happy Birthday Crown Prince Naruhito!!!


Happy Birthday to Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan. The Crown Prince is celebrating his 56th birthday. Congratulations, I hope you enjoy your day!!!

What's Happening Tuesday 23rd February 2016

The United Kingdom 


Queen Elizabeth II visits Crossrail Bond Street

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh will attend a reception for those who have achieved the Gold Duke of Edinbrugh Award

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall visits Queen's Gate School

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex attends a number of engagements to honour the Diamond Anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award

Sophie, Countess of Wessex will chair a meeting for the Duke of Edinburgh's women's forum

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal will attend Livability's annual award ceremony

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal is in Belgium for a few hours to attend the laying up of the Standards Ceremony for the Royal House Guards and 1st Dragoons

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal returns from Belgium and in the evening hosts a dinner at Buckingham Palace for the University of Edinburgh

Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester will visit the National Artificial Eye Service in honour of their centenary

Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester visits the restored Fleetwood Memorial Park

Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester will visit Marsh Mill Villiage to view it's renovated windmill

Princess Alexandra, Honourable Lady Ogilvy attends a reception for St Christopher's Hospice




Jordan


King Abdullah II left for a working visit to the USA

Queen Rania delivers a speech at the Global Women's Forum. The Queen also received an award for her advocacy on women's rights and women's education


Sweden 


Prince Carl-Philip and Princess Sofia meet with the anti-bullying organisation 'Friends'

Prince Carl-Philip presents the scholarship awards for the Prince Bertil and Princess Lilian Sports Foundation

King Carl XVI Gustaf attends the Parallel Slalom World Cup


Happy Birthday Duchess of Kent!!!


Today we wish a Happy 83rd Birthday to Katharine, Duchess of Kent. Katherine is married to Queen Elizabeth's 1st cousin, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent. 

A big happy birthday to the Duchess and we hope she has many more birthdays with her loved ones!!! 


What Happened Monday 22nd February 2016

The Netherlands 


King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and their children Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane along with Prince Constantijn, Princess Laurentien and their children Countess Eloise, Count Claus-Casimir, Countess Leonore and Princess Beatrix participate in the family winter photo shoot in Lech, Switzerland.





Spain 


King Felipe VI met with Generals in the Spanish military

Queen Letizia visited Nino Jesus' Children's Hospital their 50th anniversary


Sweden 


Prince Daniel attended the Swedish Ski Association's 'Everyone on the Snow' activity

Queen Silvia had a board meeting for the Care About the Children Foundation

Princess Madeleine attended a Fairy-Tale Party hosted by the My Big Day Foundation

King Carl XVI Gustaf attended the launch of SIPRI's jubilee year

Birthdays, Annversaries and Accessions 15th-21st of February 2016

16th February - Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg celebrates her 25th Birthday!!!


18th February - Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg celebrates her 32nd Birthday!!!


19th February - Prince Andrew, Duke of York celebrates his 56th Birthday!!!


20th February - Princess Leonore of Sweden celebrates her 2nd Birthday!!!


21st February - King Harald V of Norway celebrates his 79th Birthday!!!


21st February - Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este celebrates his 30th Birthday!!!    


What Happened Friday 19th February 2016

Luxembourg


Grand Duke Henri opened an exhibition and a show

Morocco 


King Mohammed VI addressed the Forum on Social Justice

Norway 


Crown Prince Haakon acting as regent meets with the Minister of Defence

Crown Prince Haakon acting as regent presides over the Council of State

Crown Prince Haakon acting as regent attended the Youth Olympics

Spain 

 

King Felipe VI attended the Latin American Council for Productivity and Competitiveness 


Sweden 


King Carl XVI Gustaf is in Japan on a Royal Technology Mission

Queen Silvia, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia attend a formal gathering at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts


What Happened Thursday 18th February 2016

The United Kingdom


Queen Elizabeth II met with the new and old High Commissioner from Mozambique and the ambassador from Senegal

Queen Elizabeth II met with the President of the Royal Academy of Arts

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh held a reception for the 45th anniversary of the British-Australian Society

Prince Charles of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall visited Stamford Bridge

Prince Charles of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attended a recital in honour of the 50th Harrogate International Festival

Prince Charles of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall visited the Cancer Support Centre in Harrogate

Prince Charles of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall visited the Taylors of Harrogate

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attended the search and rescue Disbandment Parade

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal toured the Museum of London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal hosted a dinner for Columba 1400






Morocco 


King Mohammed VI offered condolences to the Turkish President over the Ankara Terrorist attacks

Norway 


Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attended the opening of the BI International Case Competition

Sweden 


Prince Daniel meets with Prince Daniel's Fellowship and it's entrepreneurial programme


What Happened Wednesday 17th February 2016

The United Kingdom 


Queen Elizabeth II met with the Chief Executive of the Civil Service

Queen Elizabeth II met with ambassadors from Austria, Lao and Somalia

Queen Elizabeth II met with the new governor of Gibraltar

Queen Elizabeth II had a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh along with Princess Anne, The Princess Royal attended a dinner for Young Brethern of Trinity House

Prince Charles of Wales visited Redcar and Cleveland Leisure Centre

Prince Charles of Wales toured Redcar Cadet Facilties

Prince Charles of Wales visited Kirkleatham Museum

Prince Charles of Wales visited the 'Slow the Flow' Food Defence Project in Yorkshire

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge guest-edited at the Huffington Post on the subject of Children's Mental Health

Prince Andrew, Duke of York visited the Infantry Trials and Development Unit at Wiltshire

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal attended the appointment of the CEO of British Universities and Sports Ltd.

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal Opened new facilities at Park Lane Stables for Disabled Equestrians

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal visited the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital


Belgium 


Queen Mathilde & King Philippe attend mass at Notre Dame Church


Jordan 


King Abdullah II received a delegation of senior army officers from US Amy National Defence University

Liechtenstein 


Prince Nikolaus and Princess Margarteha of Liechtenstein & Sweden attend a mass at Notre Dame Church


Morocco 


King Mohammed VI is in France today meeting with the French President


King Mohammed VI attended a presentation at the Moroccan Cultural Centre in Paris


King Mohammed VI offers condolences to Boutros-Ghali's family


The Netherlands 


King Willem-Alexander met with ambassadors from Venezuela, Japan, Algeria, Indonesia & Bahrain

King Willem-Alexander met with the advocates-general of the Supreme Court


Norway 


Crown Prince Haakon acting as regent attended an exhibition of the winning contributions to the Global Dignity Norge's Competition on how to visualise dignity.


Spain 


Queen Letizia met with the Board of the College of Dentistry and Stomatology

Queen Letizia attended a performance by the Human Age Foundation

King Felipe VI met with the Executive Committee of the Spanish Confederation of Commerce



Sweden 


Queen Silvia attended a board meeting for the World Childhood Foundation

What Happened Tuesday 16th February 2016

The United Kingdom 


Queen Elizabeth II met and presented new credentials to ambassadors from Cote D'Ivoire & Cabo Verde

Queen Elizabeth II invested Terence Lynch with The Royal Victorian Order

Queen Elizabeth II attended and presented the Golden Service Scholarships Awards

Prince Charles of Wales had a meeting of the Prince's Foundation for Building Community

Prince Charles of Wales met with the Surgeon General of the Royal Naval Medical Services

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attended the Imagine Children's Festival

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visited the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in honour of the first anniversary of the Diplomatic Academy

Prince Andrew, Duke of York met with Lieutenant General Andrew Graham and Mr Edward Watson of the British Exploring Society

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal visited the headquarters of Dennys Brands

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal toured Brocks Chocks Limited Bank House

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal presented the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service to Limbcare

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal attended a City Food Lecture





Spain 


King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia have a meeting with the Board of Trustees from the Prado Museum


Sweden 


Prince Daniel visits the adult education school, Lavrux.

Prince Daniel attends the opening of the new Perslunda school

Queen Silvia attends an Executive Committee Meeting of the Mentor Foundation

Monday 22 February 2016

What Happened Monday 15th February 2016

The United Kingdom 


Prince Charles of Wales met with Lord Curry of Kirkhale

Prince Charles of Wales attended the opening of the Exhibition 'Delacroix and the Rise of Modern Art' at the National Gallery

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal visited the Maternity Ward at Neath Porty Talbot Hospital

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal visited a prison in Swansea

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal visited the Community Horse and Pony scheme in Swansea


Norway 


Queen Sonja attends the Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation's International Day event

Crown Princess Victoria has an audience with the President of the General Assembly 

Brithdays, Anniversaries and Accessions 11th-14th February 2016

12th February - Prince Faisal bin Hamad Al Kahlifa was born on this day in Bahrain in 1991 to King Hamad. Sadly Prince Faisal died in 2006 at the age of 15.

14th February - Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa (nee Batista) celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary. Congratulations!!! 


14th February - Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein was born on this day in 1945. He celebrates his 71st birthday!!!


14th February - Princess Sahab bint Abdullah Al-Saud of Bahrain was born on this day in 1993. Happy 23rd Birthday!!!   

What Happened Sunday 14th February 2016

Norway 


Crown Prince Haakon acting as regent attends the 2016 Youth Olympics

What Happened Saturday 13th February 2016

United Kingdom 


Princess Anne, The Princess and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence attended an International Rugby match between Wales and Scotland

Jordan 


King Abdullah II is in Munich, Germany for a Security Conference. He met with the Bulgarian President, Britain's Defence Minister and the NATO Commander in Europe


What Happened Friday 12th February 2016

British Monarchy 


Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex holds a meeting for the International Duke of Edinburgh Award Foundation

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal attended a service marking the 700th anniversary of the birth of King Robert II

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal officially opened renovated facilities at Paisley University

Norway


King Harald V holds a Council of State

King Harald V, Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus attend a reception in honour of the 2016 Youth Olympics

Princess Ingrid Alexandra lights the Olympic Cauldron at the 2016 Youth Olympics

King Harald V, Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attend the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Youth Olympics




Sweden
Prince Carl Philip attends the Rally Sweden

What Happened Thursday 11th February 2016

The United Kingdom 


Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall will be awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Southampton


Princess Anne, The Princess Royal will attend the Committee of Wardens General Meeting for the Fishmonger's Society

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal will attend a dinner for the Carer's Trust

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent will attend a dinner for the British Computer's Society

Japan 


Japan celebrates National Foundation Day

Norway 

 

10:00am - King Harald V, Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs

11:00am - King Harald V meets with the new ambassador from Afghanistan

11:20am - King Harald V meets with the new ambassador from Guinea

11:40am - King Harald V meets with the new ambassador from Niger

12:00pm - King Harald V meets with the new ambassador from Turkmenistan

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attend the Lillehammer Youth Olympics

Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit visit the Norwegian Olympic Museum

Spain 


King Felipe VI held a hearing with the President of the Parliamentary Council of Europe

King Felipe VI had an audience with the Plenary of the Chamber of Commerce in Spain

King Felipe VI had an audience with the Plenary of the General Council of Associations of Social Graduates

Sweden 


Prince Carl Philip was on the jury and attended the prize giving of for chef of the 2016 year

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Prince Victoria met with a Climate Amabassador

Queen Silvia attended the opening of a new garden

Princess Sofia held an audience with the Ambassador for Sustainable Enterprise

King Carl XVI Gustaf attends the Royal Palace Sprint  


Thursday 11 February 2016

Wedding Wednesday (King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima - Part 1)

Way back in 2002 before he became the King of The Netherlands, the heir to the Dutch throne Willem-Alexander married a lovely lady from Argentina, Maxima Zorreguieta Cerruti from Argentina. 

The marriage was a bit of a scandal as Maxima's father was the Minister of Agriculture in Argentina during the time Argentina was ruled by dictator Videla. Videla was responsible for many atrocities and deaths. Despite her father's claim that he knew nothing about the 'dirty war' fought by Videla it was discovered that a person in his high position would have known about what was going on. The Dutch parliament still gave permission for Willem-Alexander and Maxima to marry, sadly Jorge Zorreguieta was not allowed to attend his daughter's wedding due to his involvement in the Argentinian dictatorship. Maxima's mother also did not attend as she refused to go without her husband.

Never the less on February 2nd 2002 (2/2/2002) Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima married in front of the groom's mother Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands as well as many other family and friends. 


The happy couple!!!


The stunning bride. One of the most beautiful of all the royal wedding dresses. I love that the bouquet doesn't take from the outfit. Th collar is high but it suits Maxima.


Close up shot so you can see her tiara. Queen Beatrix lent the Pearl Button Tiara to Maxima for her wedding day. The Pearl buttons were switched for stars brooches that were once owned by Queen Emma of The Netherlands.

Aside from the bride & groom there were many royal guests from all over in attendance;


Groom's Family: Proud parents, Queen Beatrix and her husband Prince Claus


Groom's Family: Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien


Groom's Family: Prince Friso saying a speech on his big brother's special day


The entire Swedish royal family attended: King Carl XVI Gustaf & Queen Silvia


Crown Prince Victoria of Sweden & Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan (weddings are a time when the royals mix & mingle!)


The younger Swedish royals: Princess Madeleine and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden


Monaco Represented: Prince Albert II


Princess Caroline of Monaco & Hanover and Prince Ernst August of Hanover


3 Generations of Luxembourg royals:  Former Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte


Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg


Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg (Henri's younger brother)


Prince Laurent of Belgium with Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Guillaume


King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium


Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium (before they became King & Queen)


Rarely seen at weddings - Prince Charles of Wales. Queen Noor of Jordan is next to him


Also from across the pond...Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex



From Denmark we have Crown Prince Frederik


Leading the Norwegian family: King Harald V and Queen Sonja


Norway's Crown and Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit (they look so young!!!)


Princess Martha Louise of Norway and her fiance Ari Behn (taking notes I hope!)


The Spaniards: Queen Sofia of Spain with hers on Prince Felipe (now he's the King!)


Infanta Cristina of Spain and her husband Inaki Urdangarin


King Constantin and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece

There were also some non-royals in attendance as well such as;


Secretary General of the UN Kofi Annan and his wife


Bride's Family: Maxima's brother Martin standing in for her father

Lastly - The bridal party photo:


The whole family

Stay tuned for part two when we look at their pre-wedding party next Wednesday!!!